Best external hard drive UK
Which is the best external hard drive in 2024?
VIEW OFFERBest of 2024: Find the right external hard drive in the UK
Finding the best external hard drive is becoming more and more worthwhile. Thanks to the increase in laptop and desktop solid-state drive solid-state drive (SSD) solid-state drive (SSD) memory, many people have less storage space than they need, so by buying a good external hard drive it’s easy to add countless gigabytes of storage. However, not all external hard drives are worth buying, as some are shockingly unreliable, so it helps to know a few things before you buy anything. Check out the buying guide below for how to choose the best external hard drive.
The 10 best external hard drives in the UK (September 2024)
The bestseller list compares external hard drives from multiple brands
- Simplicity: Plug and play with no software needed.
- Compatibility: Works with both Windows and Mac computers.
- Capacity: Store and access 2TB of content easily.
- Ease: Simply plug and play with no software installation required.
- Speed: Ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 120MB/s read, 103MB/s write.
- Compatibility: Compatible with TVs, consoles, computers, and Android phones.
- Portability: Small, lightweight design for easy carry on the go.
- Speed: Enjoy fast data transfers with USB 3.0 up to 5G.
- Capacity: Store up to 1TB of data effortlessly.
- Speed: Fast transfers with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
- Compatibility: Formatted NTFS for Windows, reformatting needed for other systems.
- Storage: Extra space for videos, music, photos, and files.
- Portability: Ultra slim, lightweight design, and no external power needed for convenience.
- Compatibility: Formatted to FAT32, usable with Mac OS, Windows, and Smart TVs.
- Speed: 5Gbps transfer rate with USB 3.0 for quick data transfers.
- Design: Ultra-slim, 0.4-inch all-aluminum, anti-scratch exterior keeps the drive cool.
- Speed: USB 3.0 technology ensures ultra-fast data transfers.
- Compatibility: Works with Windows, Linux, Mac, PS4, Xbox, and more.
- Compatibility: USB 3.0 support for fast data transfer and broad device compatibility.
- Durability: Impact-resistant design ensures data safety and longevity.
- Capacity: Store extensive files with the 16 TB storage space.
- Compatibility: Auto recognition of Windows and Mac (reformat needed for Time Machine).
- Speed: Fast file transfers with USB 3.0.
- Ease: Plug in the adapter and USB cable for immediate use.
- Portability: 2.5-inch form factor for easy carrying.
- Speed: Features USB 3.0 and C for fast data transfer.
- Compatibility: Seamlessly works with PS4, Mac, Android phones, and iPhones.
- Backup: Included Nero Backup Software for convenient data protection.
- Convenience: USB plug 'n' play, no additional power required.
- Speed: Ultra-fast data transfer with USB 3.0 SuperSpeed.
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- Read the definitive external hard drive buying guide
- View the external hard drive picks and see how they rank in the top list
external hard drive buying guide
Do you want to buy a good external hard drive? This is all you need to know.
A short explanation: What are external hard drives?
An external hard drive is a device used to store data on a computer like a standard internal hard drive, yet it is connected externally to the computer, typically using a USB connection. This allows you to store more data beyond the limits of the internal hard drives, which is especially useful for people using computers will limited storage capacity like Chromebooks or some laptops.
What are the benefits of good external hard drives?
An external hard drive is a fantastic investment, especially for people that own a desktop computer, giving them expanded storage space and the ability to safeguard important files through backups. Laptops often have less storage space than a desktop, making an external hard drive a good buy for anyone that owns one. The same goes for tablets and smartphones, so if you’re mostly using these devices at home you may benefit from the expanded storage of an external hard drive. Backing up files is important for everyone, so you can’t go wrong with a good external hard drive.
How to choose the best external hard drive in 2024?
To find the best external hard drive for your needs, you will want to consider as many features and specifications as possible. Doing so will allow you to choose a hard drive that is suitable for your needs, so be sure to think about some of the following points:
- Capacity: Perhaps the most important thing to consider when buying an external hard drive, the capacity will determine how much data the device can hold. This obviously determines how much data you can hold at any time, so be sure to think about current needs and potential future needs. The more data you are storing or backing up, the more space you will require.
- Uses: An external hard drive is a multifunction device, so it can be used for many things, with the most common being to backup data and increase storage space. Consider what uses you have for an external hard drive. Want to be able to play video games that are saved on it? Go for a high capacity drive. Looking to create more storage space on your thin laptop? You won’t need as high a capacity as you would for gaming.
- Connectivity: All external hard drives connect to devices to transfer data, so it is important to make sure the connection types are suitable for you. Older devices - namely computers and laptops - will require USB connections, while more modern products can use wireless external hard drives. Various platforms such as computers, smartphones, and tablets may be connectable depending on the external hard drive. It may not be a huge issue, although file systems could limit the amount of devices the external hard drive can connect to, so be sure to double check this.
Which types of external hard drives are available to buy in the UK?
There are a few types of external hard drives available, which may make choosing one over the others easier:
- SSD External Hard Drive: Features solid-state drive (SSD) for the fastest transfer speeds and quietest operation. However, these are more expensive, especially when following the fastest storage devices and TBs of storage.
- Hard Disk Drives External Hard Drive: Features hard disk drives (HDD) for efficient storage and backup. These are the most affordable external hard drives, although some cheaply made models result in unreliable drivers.
- Hybrid External Hard Drives: Features a hybrid of HDD and SSD, providing a good middle ground between speed and efficiency. However, you get less storage for a higher price, although it’s a great option for devices with smaller storage requirements.