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Best External Storage 2023
1. LaCie 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3
Specifications
-Capacity 8 TB/12 TB/16 TB/20 TB/28 TB/32 TB
-RPM 7200
-Interface 3xThunderbolt 2, 1×USB 3.1, 1×USB 3.0, 1×DisplayPort
Best overall. LaCie's enormous 3.5-inch hard drive is designed exclusively for stationary use. In it, there are two hard drives, each of which has half the capacity. The special feature of the 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3 is the switchable RAID level, which is otherwise found in NAS systems and servers. If you switch to RAID level 0, both disks work in parallel, which means that the total capacity is halved, but the hard drive as a whole works up to 100 percent faster. RAID level 1 is aimed at all those who rely on security, because one of the two disks always serves as a reserve as soon as one fails.
Pros
+ Thunderbolt 3 interface
+ RAID system with level 0, 1 or JBOD
+ 5 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
+ Strong performance
Cons
- Pricey
2. G-Technology G-Drive Thunderbolt 3
Specifications
-Capacity 4 TB/8 TB/10 TB/12 TB/14 TB/18 TB
-Interface Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1
Best for Mac. The G-Drive Thunderbolt 3 is clearly aimed at Mac users: In addition to a Type C USB port, it has two Thunderbolt 3 interfaces for connecting to various computers. Backward compatibility is ensured by the manufacturer by including a USB-C to A adapter that supports both USB 3.0 and 3.1. Windows users must reformat the HDD in advance, as it is intended for use from macOS
Pros
+ Available in many variants
+ Solid speed
+ Huge capacities
+ Adapter to USB A included
Cons
- High weight
3. LaCie DJI Copilot
Specifications
-Capacity 2 TB
-Interface Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.0
Best portable HDD. The ability to access SD cards and USB sticks from the smartphone, manage and even share the content are very well implemented. The disk also receives this praise with regard to the stable running and well-thought-out app. Thanks to the solid workmanship, the successful overall design and the protective coating, the LaCie DJI Copilot makes a very good overall impression.
Pros
+ Battery pack function
+ USB-A, USB-C, Lightning and SD card compatible
+ Robust and splash-proof
+ Can be used without a computer – on almost any device
Cons
- Relatively expensive
4. Verbatim Fingerprint Secure
Specifications
-Capacity 1 TB/2 TB
-Interface USB 3.1
Disk with the best security. Behind the Verbatim Fingerprint Secure is an HDD hard drive that relies on the modern USB 3.1 standard in the form of a USB-C connector. Fingerprint Secure already bears its special feature in the name: it is aimed at friends of high security. The fingerprint sensor in the case is used to unlock the plate. You can record and allow access to up to 8 different prints and thus people.
Pros
+ High security thanks to hardware and biometric encryption
+ Handy size
+ USB 3.1 Gen 1 via USB-C
+ AES-256 encryption
Cons
- Only two variants available(1 and 2 TB)
- Speed advantage of the USB interface limited by HDD technology
5. Seagate Backup Plus Hub
Specifications
-Capacity 4 TB/6 TB/8 TB/10 TB/ 12 TB/ 14 TB
-Interface USB 3.0
Best value. The Seagate Backup Plus Hub is a solid external drive for backing up the data. We especially liked the two USB 3.0 ports on the front of the external hard drive. These are not only suitable for charging smartphones or tablets, but can also be used for connecting other file carriers.
Pros
+ USB 3.0 hub with two jacks
+ up to 14 TB storage
+ Good pricing
Cons
- Poor heat dissipation
6. LaCie Rugged SSD
Specifications
-Capacity 500 GB/ 1 TB/2 TB/ 4 TB
-Interface Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1
Best external SSD. LaCie plays it safe and gives your rugged SSD a solid case that also protects the technology from dust and moisture. This ensures maximum protection in rough terrain. The connection is made via a USB-C socket compatible with USB 3.2 Gen2 and Thunderbolt 3. If the connected terminal also meets these standards, immensely high transmission rates can be achieved here.
Pros
+ Very high reading and writing speed
+ 5 Years Warranty
+ Protected against falls, liquid and dust
Cons
- Large and heavy for an external SSD
- Expensive
7. Western Digital Elements Desktop
Specifications
-Capacity 3 TB/4 TB/6 TB/8 TB/10 TB/12 TB/14 TB/16 TB/18 TB
-Interface USB 3.0
Best budget. Western Digital elements drives are inexpensive, portable and have huge capacities. In operation, the Elements is barely audible, but annoying vibrations occur. Apart from that, the Elements is well suited as a backup disk even with high memory requirements.
Pros
+ Easy detection on Windows, Mac, PS4 and Xbox
+ up to 18 TB storage
+ Robust housing
+ Inexpensive
Cons
- Not the fastest drive
8. Western Digital WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive and Western Digital WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive SSD
Specifications
-Capacity 500 GB/1 TB/2 TB/3 TB/4 TB/5 TB
-Interface USB 3.0, USB 3.1
Best gaming drives. The WD_BLACK P10 and WD_BLACK P50 are primarily intended to appeal to video game fans who need more space for their game collection.WD_BLACK P10 is ultimately a normal SATA hard drive, which is only supplied with power via the USB port and thus should by no means set speed records. On the other hand, WD_BLACK P50 is SSD with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support and offers high speeds.
Pros
+ WD_BLACK P50 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
+ WD_BLACK P50 very good read and write performance
+ No additional power supply needed
+ High capacities
+ Works with PS4 and Xbox
Cons
- WD_BLACK P10, much slower than SSD
- WD_BLACK P50 is expensive
9. Samsung Portable SSD T7
Specifications
-Capacity 500 GB/1 TB/2 TB
-Interface USB 3.1
Best 1 TB SSD. The Samsung SSD T7 replaces the popular Portable SSD T5, which is still considered one of the best external SSD hard drives today. Extreme speed can only be used if the target devices also offer a second-generation USB 3.2 port (Gen. 2). With capacities of up to 2 TB, the fleet SSD is also suitable for large amounts of data.
Pros
+ Very fast data transfer rates and USB 3.2 Gen 2
+ Very compact
+ Two cables included (Type A to C, Type C to C)
Cons
- Somewhat high price
10. LaCie 6big Thunderbolt 3
Specifications
-Capacity 12 TB/24 TB/48 TB/60 TB/84 TB/108 TB
-Interface 2 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x USB 3.1
Best if the money is not an object. LaCie 6big series are not only characterized by their capacity, but also achieve quite respectable transfer rates despite the use of classic hard disk technology. With up to 2,400 MB/s we could read the data in a RAID5 and also write up to 1,077 MB/s. Of course, depending on the RAID configuration, these values may vary. With a RAID5, however, there is a certain compromise between speed and security of the data. If you want, you can easily choose a different configuration via the software.
Pros
+ Clear and functional software
+ Construction of a daisy chain possible
+ Various RAID modes available
+ High transfer rates
+ Huuuuge capacities
Cons
- Extremely expensive