TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
A talented video editor is behind many of the breathtaking videos or vlogs you see online. These people spend hours combining clips, adding text, transitions, and effects to create an entertaining masterpiece. Editing a ton of high-quality clips can take a toll on your computer; that’s why video editors need a fast and reliable system. Since 4K videos can have pretty large file sizes, an external hard drive is essential for those working as a video editor. You must ensure that the hard drive you choose has a high storage capacity and fast data transfer speeds. You should also check to make sure the hard drive’s size is portable enough for you to carry around. Users can pick between two types of external hard drives: Solid State Drives and Hard Disk Drives. Video editors are better off with SSDs because of the speed and portability they promise. Still, HDDs are attractive options despite their older technology since they’re reliable and robust. HDDs are also available at a more budget-friendly price tag, but you have to check if their transfer speed is reasonable enough for you. Such hard drives are also noisier since they still use spinning disks for reading and writing data. Here are some of the best external hard drives for video editing in 2022.
The SanDisk 2 TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 is everything a video editor would need from an external hard drive because it’s fast, durable, and portable. This SSD guarantees read or write speeds of up to 2000 MB/s. It measures about 4.36 inches by 2.28 inches, compact enough to fit inside your pockets. The 2TB model already gives your more than enough space to store all your video files, but you also have the option to go for the 500GB, 1TB, or 4TB models. This portable SSD promises higher sustained speeds thanks to its forged aluminum chassis that serves as a heat sink. You can bring the drive along with you on trips without any worries since it has an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, and it can survive up to 2-meter drops. You can also hook the drive to your bags when traveling since it has a carabineer lop. Users can also confidently store their most important files on the SanDisk 2 TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 because it has password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Upon purchase, the external drive comes with USB-C to C and USB-A to C cables.
Lightweight and portable designLarge storage spaceIP55 dust and water resistance ratingCan survive drops up to 2 metersPassword protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Lacks daisy chain supportThose with heavy workloads might find the drive's transfer speeds not fast enough
The G-Technology 2 TB G-DRIVE Mobile Pro SSD won’t disappoint because of its fast transfer speeds of up to 2800 MB/s. This portable SSD is powerful enough to handle VR projects and 8K content. The drive was built for a heavy workload with its protective aluminum core that keeps it from overheating. It has an effective custom enclosure that does a fantastic job insulating the drive while using it. You won’t need an external power source to get the drive to work, and it uses a Thunderbolt 3 connection to connect to your computer or laptop. The drive might look delicate, but it features a shock-resistant design that helps with its longevity. It can survive drops up to 3 meters, and it even boasts a 1000 lbs crush-proof rating. This SSD isn’t the most affordable, and you can expect to spend around $900 for the 2 TB variant. It’s also available in a 1 TB variant. Customers will receive a 0.5 m Thunderbolt 3 cable and Quick Start Guide with the SSD.
Powerful enough to handle 8K videos and VR projectsSleek and modern designSurvives 3-meter drops1000lb crush-proof ratingThunderbolt 3 connectivityProtective aluminum core
Expensive
The 2 TB LaCie Mobile SSD Secure is a fantastic choice for editors who move around a lot because of its ultra-portable and compact design. Its all-aluminum design is lightweight and durable enough to survive drops of up to 3 m. This external SSD promises write speeds of up to 1000 MB/s and read rates of up to 1050 MB/s. It features government-grade AES-256 self-encryption with password-activated hardware encryption, so you can rest assured that all the files you store in the drive are secured 24/7. The 2 TB storage capacity the drive has is enough for you to keep as much as 65 hours of 4K videos and 200K high-resolution images. Unfortunately, LaCie doesn’t sell a variant of this drive with a higher storage capacity. Mac users will benefit the most from this drive because it works well with the LaCie Toolkit backup software for Macs, and its USB-C cable makes it easy to connect to your iPads. The company offers Rescue Services when you purchase their drive. This means you can get help retrieving data when your drive gets damaged. The freebies included with the LaCie Mobile Secure SSD are a USB-C cable, Rescue Data Recovery Services, LaCie Toolkit backup software, a one-month Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan, and a quick start guide.
Lightweight and durablePortable designUp to 1000 MB/s and read speeds of up to 1050 MB/sGovernment-grade AES-256 self-encryption with password-activated hardware encryption
Seems like it was built for Mac usersMaximum storage capacity is 2TB
If durability is your main priority when looking for an external hard drive, you should go for the LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB External Hard Drive. It features a durable rubber casing that is shock and drop-resistant up to 4 feet. It will also withstand harsh weather conditions since it’s water and dust-resistant. We believe that the 4 TB variant of this portable HDD is already an excellent deal, but you can also purchase the 1 TB, 2 TB, or 5 TB model. The drive works with both Windows and Mac, but you will have to reformat it if you’re a Mac user. This HDD isn’t the faster on the market because it only offers speeds of up to 130 MB/s, but its durability and portability make up for it. The drive uses USB 3.0 connectivity, which is faster than the older USB 2.0. You won’t have any trouble backing up your files to the drive because you can use the LaCie Toolkit software for one-click back-up, folder syncing, and scheduled automatic backups. You won’t have to worry about random people messing with your files because the drive comes with password protection. Customers will also receive a one-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan for free upon purchase.
Rugged designShock and drop-resistant up to 4 feetPassword protectionFree one-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan
Maximum transfer speed of 130 MB/s is slow compared to competitorsMac users will need to reformat the drive
One of the most affordable external hard drives you can get that still come with decent storage capacity and transfer speeds is the Toshiba Canvio Flex. This portable HDD has a 2 TB storage capacity, and it will only cost you around $64.99. Toshiba also sells it in a 1 TB or 4 TB variant. The drive is formatted to work with Macs, PCs, and compatible Android and Apple tablets with USB-C ports. It isn’t exclusive to devices with USB-C connectivity because it also works with USB-A connections. The drive features a slim and compact design with a modern satin silver finish that will match most of your gadgets. You get a maximum read/write speed of 150MB/s, which is reasonable because the drive is highly affordable. This drive would be best for those who only handle short clips when editing. Its speed might be insufficient for those who regularly work with large 4K files. The Toshiba Canvio Flex comes with a three-year limited warranty.
AffordableSmall and lightweightCross-device compatibilityUSB-C and USB-A compatibility
Maximum read/write speed of 150MB/sSSDs are still faster
The WD My Passport Portable External Hard Drive is ideal for those who want to get a ton of storage space while on a budget because the 5 TB HDD will only cost you $119.99. The drive features a slim and compact design, and the fact that it can fit inside your palm means that it will be easy to carry it around with you if you plan to edit videos at a coffee shop or an office. The external HDD already comes with backup software that makes it convenient for you to automatically backup your documents, pictures, videos, or music. It comes with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection, so your files are protected no matter what. The WD My Passport uses USB-A 3.0 connectivity, and it works well with PCs. If you use a Mac computer or laptop, you will need to reformat the drive beforehand. This drive isn’t for those who need fast transfer speeds because it can only achieve a reed speed of 115.7MB/s and a write speed of 114.5MB/s. After all, you’re paying an incredibly low price for a 5 TB drive.
High storage capacityTop-notch securityCompact and lightweightComes with a free backup softwareMore budget-friendly than rivals
Competitors' read/write speeds are way higherNeeds to be reformatted when used with a Mac computer/laptop
82 Articles Published
We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is
