The Best External Hard Drives for Backups in 2022

If you constantly store files on your PC or laptop, you have probably experienced coming to a point wherein you ran out of space. You then sacrifice large files that still could’ve served a purpose in the future. In reality, you didn’t need to completely let go of those files because external hard drives are a thing. It’s like the HDD or SDD inside your computer, but you treat it like a USB drive to store your extra files. Most external hard drives today come with a high storage capacity, so it’s enough for you to keep large programs, video files, photos, and more. You can also treat these external hard drives as a backup if something happens with your computer and you lose some of your data. External hard drives don’t need to be extremely pricey, but you have to make sure you’re buying from a reliable brand and that the drive you’re looking at has good reviews online. Most external hard drives are compatible with a wide range of computers, whether it’s from Apple, Windows, etc. Let’s look at the best external hard drives in 2022 that are excellent for keeping backups.

The WD My Passport is a fantastic choice if you need a trustworthy external hard drive for general use or backups. This 5 TB external drive is more than enough for you to keep an entire backup for your computer, but you also have the option to go for their 1 TB, 2 TB, or 4 TB models. The drive features a slim design, and some might even say it’s not evident that it has a high storage capacity. The My Passport comes with helpful software that lets you create password-protected backups and manage your device. You can use the drive worry-free since it promises the best security possible thanks to its 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The My Passport features a SuperSpeed USB port (5 Gbps), which guarantees fast data transfers, and it’s also USB 2.0 compatible. WD made sure that their external hard drives were durable enough to last you a long time. The WD My Passport is available in black, navy, white, red, and blue. Before purchasing, you can select if you want the PC or Mac version. Customers will receive a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 cable, Quick Install Guide, and WD Discovery software in the package along with the portable hard drive.

Pros

• Slim and portable
• 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• Comes with WD Discovery software for easy backup creation
• 5 TB storage

Cons

• No USB-C support

Specification

• Price $109.99
• Item Dimensions 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches
• Item Weight 7.40 ounces
• Memory Storage Capacity 5 TB
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 5,400 rpm

You can’t go wrong with the SanDisk 2 TB Extreme Portable SSD because SSDs have always been faster than traditional HDDs. It features a portable design with a carabiner loop, so you can easily clip it onto your bags when you’re on the go. It also has a durable aluminum exterior that can survive a 2-meter drop, and it even has IP55 water and dust resistance rating. The drive promises NVMe solid-state performance with maximum read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s and writing speeds up to 1000 MB/s. If you plan to store confidential content on the drive, you can give your 100% trust in it because it has 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection. To connect the SanDisk Extreme to your computer, you can use the free USB-C cable. Customers will also get a free USB-C to USB-A adaptor for when your laptop doesn’t have any USB-C ports. The drive will work best if you download the Memory Zone app for easy file management. The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is also available in 500 GB, 1 TB, and 4 TB versions.

Pros

• Portable design with carabiner loop
• Password protection with 256‐bit AES hardware encryption
• IP55 water and dust resistance
• Can survive 2-meter drops

Cons

• Short cable

Specification

• Price $239.99
• Item Dimensions 0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches
• Item Weight ‎1.76 ounces
• Memory Storage Capacity 2 TB
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed ‎500 RPM

Seagate is another reliable brand for external hard drives, and their Backup Plus Portable 5 TB external hard drive is undoubtedly a fantastic deal at $145. It features USB 3.0 connectivity that delivers fast data transfer speeds. It has a portable design, so you won’t have any issues when you bring it with you to school, the office, or a cafe. The Backup Plus Portable will work with any computer operating system, but users should get their “Dashboard” software to make the most of the device’s features. Unfortunately, this external hard drive doesn’t have built-in encryption or security features. It also doesn’t have any Thunderbolt ports or USB-C support. If you’re okay with these compromises, there’s no doubt you will enjoy the 5 TB of extra storage the Seagate Backup Plus Portable will give you. The drive is available in black, silver, and light blue.

Pros

• 5TB storage
• Compatible with Windows and Mac
• Comes in three color choices

Cons

• Lacks security features and built-in encyption
• No USB-C or Thunderbolt support

Specification

• Price $147.75
• Item Dimensions ‎14.8 x 12.83 x 1.89 inches
• Item Weight ‎1.23 pounds
• Memory Storage Capacity 5 TB
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 5400 rpm

The SanDisk Professional G-Drive is perfect for loyal Apple users who need an external hard drive that will work with their Macbooks or iMacs without reformatting. The G-Drive has a built-in enterprise-class 7200 RPM Ultrastar hard drive inside it. The drive can easily back up your 4K videos and high-resolution pictures since it has read and write speeds of up to 260 MB/s. It features a premium-looking aluminum case that will fit right in with your Apple devices. The drive can also act as a power bank for your Apple laptop when you’re out of your home because it has USB Power Delivery of up to 45 watts using its USB-C port. The G-Drive is as thick as a book, so you can place it in your backpack, but you can’t just slip it into your pocket. Inside the box, the freebies you will get are a USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A cable, power cable, AC power adapter, and a Quick Start Guide. You will also get a five-year warranty from SanDisk. If you’re a Windows user who wants to use the SanDisk Professional G-Drive, you can still do so by reformatting the drive.

Pros

• Works well with Apple computers and laptops
• Large storage capacity
• Can be USB-powered or AC-powered
• USB Power Delivery up to 45 watts
• 5-year warranty

Cons

• Bulky
• Pricey

Specification

• Price $379.99
• Item Dimensions 7.72 x 5.06 x 1.39 inches
• Item Weight 2.29 lbs
• Memory Storage Capacity 12 TB
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed ‎7200 RPM

If you work with large files daily, you should get the WD Elements external hard drive which offers massive storage capacities. The 12 TB model seems like a pretty good deal, but you can also opt for their 3 TB, 4 TB, 6 TB, 8 TB, 10 TB, 14 TB, 16 TB, or 18 TB variants. It’s easy and quick to get started with using this external hard drive with Windows computers because all you need to do is plug it in. It will also work with Macs, but you’ll have to reformat it. The WD Elements uses USB 3.0 connectivity, but it’s also compatible with USB 2.0. This external hard drive doesn’t have the most portable design, so it’s best for home use. You can position the drive vertically to save space, and a vertical position will even prolong its lifespan since it gets a lot of cool air. The drive will need an external power adapter to operate, and some might see this as a deal-breaker.

Pros

• Massive storage capacity
• Can be positioned vertically to save space and get more air flow

Cons

• Pricey
• You will need an external power adapter
• Design isn't that portable

Specification

• Price $216.40
• Item Dimensions 5.31 x 1.89 x 6.53 inches
• Item Weight ‎2.72 pounds
• Memory Storage Capacity 12 TB
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 5400 RPM

When you only need an external hard drive for your desktop, you don’t need to care that much about the portability of an external hard drive. External hard drives like the WD My Book desktop external hard drive are already excellent for home and office use. The 18 TB model will give you enough space to create a backup of your computer and store many large files or programs. The My Book’s storage capacity goes as high as 36 TB, and the lowest storage variant is 4 TB. This external hard drive comes with a WD Backup software for easy backup creation, and it’s also compatible with Apple’s Time Machine, but you’ll have to reformat it. The My Book guarantees the utmost security because you get password protection with hardware encryption. The drive is USB 2.0 compatible, but you should use its USB 3.0 port to get the best speeds possible. The drive can be plugged into your house or office’s Wi-Fi router so you can quickly access your stored files. The higher the storage capacity, the higher the price, so the My Book is more for people with a generous budget. Upon purchase, customers will get a three-year warranty.

Pros

• Massive storage capacity
• Password protection with hardware encryption

Cons

• Needs an external power adaptor

Specification

• Price $366.70
• Item Dimensions 5.48 x 1.93 x 6.72 inches
• Item Weight ‎2.83 pounds
• Memory Storage Capacity 18 TB
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 7200 RPM