The best external hard drives of 2025: Expert tested
Cloud storage might be the future of storage, but it hasn't replaced the external hard drive. In addition to alleviating strain on your computer's limited storage, the drives provide a secure space for your data without requiring a fast internet connection. As an added bonus, external hard drives don't have monthly subscription fees like cloud services.
If you're in the market for an external hard drive, check out our top picks.
What's the best external hard drive right now?
After dedicating countless hours to hands-on testing and scouring online reviews, the Lexar SL500 is our pick for the best external hard drive on the market. This drive stands out because it is small, fast, highly portable, and tough, but it's not the only option. Whether your priorities include different storage capacities or a drive capable of withstanding rain and dust, there's a product for you.
Also: Best cloud storage services of 2025
Sort by AllThe best external hard drive of 2025
Show less View now at AmazonThe SL500 breaks the mold with its size. It's thin, light, and roughly the size of a credit card at only 4.8mm thick. The solid aluminum unibody construction fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and slips unobtrusively into a pocket. I love this drive, and it's become my go-to day-to-day drive that lives in my laptop bag.
Review: Lexar SL500 Portable SSD with Magnetic Set
The design not only protects the drive from bumps and scrapes but also does a fantastic job of dissipating heat. The SL500 is also fast, capable of reaching up to 2,000MB/s read and 1,800MB/s write speeds, making it easy to move large files. Performance on Macs and other systems that don't support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 may be significantly lower.
If you're looking for a thin, light drive that allows you to record ProRes video on your iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, the Lexar SL500 is definitely worth a look. Plus, it can easily slip into a pocket or bag.
If you plan on using this with your iPhone, then I highly recommend that you grab the SL500 drive with the Magnetic Set, which comes with a MagSafe-compatible case.
Lexar SL500 features: USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface | 1TB to 4TB capacities | 256-bit AES software encryption | 2.5-inch form factor | 5-year limited warranty
Pros
- Super thin
- Super light
- Fast
- Cable features
- Supports ProRes video on the iPhone Pro/Pro Max
- Systems that don't support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 will see significantly slower speeds
The SL500 breaks the mold with its size. It's thin, light, and roughly the size of a credit card at only 4.8mm thick. The solid aluminum unibody construction fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and slips unobtrusively into a pocket. I love this drive, and it's become my go-to day-to-day drive that lives in my laptop bag.
Review: Lexar SL500 Portable SSD with Magnetic Set
The design not only protects the drive from bumps and scrapes but also does a fantastic job of dissipating heat. The SL500 is also fast, capable of reaching up to 2,000MB/s read and 1,800MB/s write speeds, making it easy to move large files. Performance on Macs and other systems that don't support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 may be significantly lower.
If you're looking for a thin, light drive that allows you to record ProRes video on your iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, the Lexar SL500 is definitely worth a look. Plus, it can easily slip into a pocket or bag.
If you plan on using this with your iPhone, then I highly recommend that you grab the SL500 drive with the Magnetic Set, which comes with a MagSafe-compatible case.
Lexar SL500 features: USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface | 1TB to 4TB capacities | 256-bit AES software encryption | 2.5-inch form factor | 5-year limited warranty
Read MoreA common mistake I often see is people purchasing the largest, bulkiest external hard drive they can find under the impression that it's the best solution for their needs. Later, they find themselves with a huge, noisy device that occupies too much desk space and is inconvenient to carry to the office or on the road.
This is why I recommend the WD My Passport Ultra to those who need a compact, easy-to-use hard drive for a few critical files, data transfer between systems, or travel.
Over the years, I've recommended this drive to dozens of people, from home users in need of a backup solution to amateur photographers and videographers facing disk space limitations. Everyone who has purchased one has reported being satisfied with their choice.
Two key features set this drive apart. It includes WD Backup software for PCs, which simplifies and optimizes the backup process, and it offers built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption, ensuring that data on the drive is secure.
Given the solid reputation of the WD brand and the quality of their hard drives, I have little concern about premature data loss.
WD My Passport Ultra features: USB-C and USB 3.1 interface | 1TB to 5TB capacities | 256-bit AES hardware encryption | 2.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty
Pros
- Backup software included
- Price is good
- Small enough to carry about
- Needs to be reformatted to work with Mac
A common mistake I often see is people purchasing the largest, bulkiest external hard drive they can find under the impression that it's the best solution for their needs. Later, they find themselves with a huge, noisy device that occupies too much desk space and is inconvenient to carry to the office or on the road.
This is why I recommend the WD My Passport Ultra to those who need a compact, easy-to-use hard drive for a few critical files, data transfer between systems, or travel.
Over the years, I've recommended this drive to dozens of people, from home users in need of a backup solution to amateur photographers and videographers facing disk space limitations. Everyone who has purchased one has reported being satisfied with their choice.
Two key features set this drive apart. It includes WD Backup software for PCs, which simplifies and optimizes the backup process, and it offers built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption, ensuring that data on the drive is secure.
Given the solid reputation of the WD brand and the quality of their hard drives, I have little concern about premature data loss.
WD My Passport Ultra features: USB-C and USB 3.1 interface | 1TB to 5TB capacities | 256-bit AES hardware encryption | 2.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty
There are tons of durable secure storage drives (SSDs) but drives that protect your data from the elements as well as cybercriminals are rare. While most of the data I have is just photos and video that I've captured with my camera and drone, and I'm not worried about it falling into wrong hands. But I do have other data that I want to keep secure, and that's where an encrypted drive comes into play.
iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 is an external drive that James Bond would feel confident using to keep his secrets locked away. The drive has been certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 2 standards, helping organizations comply with data regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and TAA. It uses AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, meaning all data on the drive is always encrypted, and the drive has its own keypad for passcode entry so there's no software to install on the host computer.
Review: iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3
The DiskAshur Pro 3 also features a wear-resistant, backlit alphanumeric keypad for entering an 8- to 64-character passcode. This keypad is crucial because it prevents attackers from using wear patterns to guess the code. If someone tries to brute-force the passcode, the drive has robust countermeasures.
The drive is also built to withstand physical tampering. Accessing the internal components requires physically breaking the enclosure. Even then, every internal component is encased in layers of strong epoxy resin. This makes it virtually impossible to access the components without irreparably damaging them.
Additionally, the drive is sealed against the elements and rated IP56 for dust and water resistance. This means the device is protected against harmful dust and strong jets of water from all directions.
iStroage DiskAshur Pro 3 features: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 500GB to 2TB capacities | 2.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty
Pros
- Super secure encryption
- No software needs to be installed
- Bruteforce protection
- Price is far higher than it's non-encrypted counterparts
There are tons of durable secure storage drives (SSDs) but drives that protect your data from the elements as well as cybercriminals are rare. While most of the data I have is just photos and video that I've captured with my camera and drone, and I'm not worried about it falling into wrong hands. But I do have other data that I want to keep secure, and that's where an encrypted drive comes into play.
iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 is an external drive that James Bond would feel confident using to keep his secrets locked away. The drive has been certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 2 standards, helping organizations comply with data regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and TAA. It uses AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, meaning all data on the drive is always encrypted, and the drive has its own keypad for passcode entry so there's no software to install on the host computer.
Review: iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3
The DiskAshur Pro 3 also features a wear-resistant, backlit alphanumeric keypad for entering an 8- to 64-character passcode. This keypad is crucial because it prevents attackers from using wear patterns to guess the code. If someone tries to brute-force the passcode, the drive has robust countermeasures.
The drive is also built to withstand physical tampering. Accessing the internal components requires physically breaking the enclosure. Even then, every internal component is encased in layers of strong epoxy resin. This makes it virtually impossible to access the components without irreparably damaging them.
Additionally, the drive is sealed against the elements and rated IP56 for dust and water resistance. This means the device is protected against harmful dust and strong jets of water from all directions.
iStroage DiskAshur Pro 3 features: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 500GB to 2TB capacities | 2.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty
This is the go-to choice for those who require an enormous amount of storage without the extra hardware and setup complexities of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) system. With capacities ranging from four to 22 terabytes, the WD Digital Elements is perfect for even the most demanding data hogs.
However, don't assume that high capacity translates to a high price tag. The cost of the 24TB version breaks down to a reasonable $23 per terabyte. This makes it an ideal solution for individuals who manage or work with large media files, especially videos. It's a popular choice among drone pilots who do extensive filming.
Also: The best NAS devices
I personally relied on similar drives for many years before my storage needs grew and I transitioned to a NAS system. Throughout all those years, these drives never failed me. They consistently performed well until I required even more storage capacity.
The only downside I've noticed is that the drive can be rather noisy. In my case, this was partly due to me operating several drives on my desk simultaneously, but even a single drive can be far from silent on its own.
WD Digital Elements features: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 4TB to 24TB capacities | 3.5-inch form factor | 2-year limited warranty
Pros
- Massive capacity
- Reliable data storage
- Backup software included
- AC adapter powered, so needs a free outlet
- Quite noisy
This is the go-to choice for those who require an enormous amount of storage without the extra hardware and setup complexities of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) system. With capacities ranging from four to 22 terabytes, the WD Digital Elements is perfect for even the most demanding data hogs.
However, don't assume that high capacity translates to a high price tag. The cost of the 24TB version breaks down to a reasonable $23 per terabyte. This makes it an ideal
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