

Western Digital (WD) built this hard drive specifically for gaming. This HDD designed for gaming gives users what they need, at least according to more than 22,000 5-star Amazon reviews. Since the latest games eat through gigs of storage like it's a quick snack, most gamers need some extra space. This HDD has earned 4.6 stars out of 1,600 ratings on Amazon, solidifying it as a good choice for anyone needing a nice-looking hard drive with security features. You can also set up an automatic backup schedule, whether you want that to happen daily, weekly, or monthly, which means keeping your data backed up doesn't have to become another to-do on your list when you sit down at your desk. Its maximum speed is 120 MB/s, which is slower than some other options on our list, but probably isn't a deal-breaker if you're using it at the office.
#Best external hard drive for mac thunderbolt windows#
This small and stylish hard drive comes with USB-C and USB 3.0 connectivity and works with Windows and Mac operating systems. The Ultra Touch offers password-activated hardware encryption, which means if you tote the hard drive to a coworking space, coffee shop, or somewhere else and happen to leave it behind accidentally - or you don't particularly trust everyone who has access to your desk - your data stays secure. It also comes in both white and black, so you can match your workspace's specific style. It features a woven fabric exterior that lends a chicness to the design, so much so that you might not mind leaving it out on your desk. Plus, the look of this HDD belies its low price. With two terabytes (TB) of storage, this compact hard drive gets it done. Note that we're looking at external hard disk drives (HDDs) here, but you could also explore solid state drives (SSDs), which are generally faster but cost more. Fortunately, we rounded up some options that can meet your price point, compatibility, and storage capacity needs. Plus, the ideal hard drive offers the connectivity you need, whether that's a simple hookup to your laptop or the ability to communicate with your gaming system. The trick, though, is that you need to find a reliable hard drive with enough storage to meet your needs. If you don't want to get caught on the hook for recurring cloud storage fees, a one-time purchase of a hard drive delivers. Even a dollar or two a month adds up, especially assuming you'll only need more and more storage through the years. At least, that's the case until you look at the fees. With all of the cloud storage options available today, hard drives might seem like they're on the verge of becoming a thing of the past. To help you find the ideal fit for your needs, whether it's for a Mac, PC, or gaming console, we hand-picked the best options available. Which is the best external hard drive? The right one can help you meet the ever-increasing storage demands of the digital age. The best external hard drives: Top storage options compared If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. ZDNet's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader.

Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. Neither ZDNet nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. ZDNet’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. ‘ZDNet Recommends’: What exactly does that mean? Ukrainian developers share stories from the war zone Linux distros for beginners: You can do this! Got questions about crypto? Ask the Coachįor Mom: The best flower delivery services How ransomware attacks threaten our food supply
