External 1 TB hard drives, in most cases, completely solve the problem of lack of space for stored information. Ask yourself: “Do I need as much as 4 TB of storage space? Will I be able to fill at least 1 TB?” I bet most of you will answer no. In this article, we will talk about the most reliable, well-made and overall best 1TB external hard drives in terms of price/quality ratio. So let's get started!
1. WD My Passport Ultra 1 TB
Western Digital has long established itself as a reliable manufacturer of hard drives, and the case with WD My Passport Ultra is no exception. This model of external drive is sold in five versions of internal memory capacity - 500 GB, 1 TB, 1.5 TB, 2 TB and 3 TB, as well as in four colors - black, blue, white and dark red. You don't have to worry about compatibility because WD My Passport Ultra works great on both Windows and Mac computers. Note that initially hard drive is formatted with the NTFS file system, so you will need to reformat it with the HFS+ file system to use it on a Mac.
This external hard drive comes with three special utilities - WD Utility, WD Security and WD SmartWare Pro. In addition, you can download all this necessary software from the official Western Digital website. It is worth noting that all of the above programs will only work on Windows platforms, while for Mac machines you will have to use the equally effective Time Machine software. Using WD Security, you can set password protection against unauthorized access by third parties. Using WD SmartWare, you can “back up” all your information to the Dropbox cloud service, but before doing this you must register on this site.
My Passport supports both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. When using a USB 2.0 connection, the read speed is 30 MB/s and the write speed is 28 MB/s. The speed of the drive when using a USB 3.0 connection is impressive - 118 MB/s for reading and 120 MB/s for writing. The drive was quiet and showed almost no vibration during testing. WD My Passport Ultra is sold with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty, which is significantly more than any other supplier can offer (2 years are standard). This external hard drive will be an excellent choice both for those who are looking for a reliable device for storing important information, and for those who are active players of Xbox One and Playstation 4.
2. Seagate Expansion 1 TB
In our ranking of the TOP 5 best external hard drives of 2017 Seagate Expansion takes second place. It is worth noting that this line of hard drives has been replenished with a new model STEA1000400, available in 5 variations of memory sizes: 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 3 TB and 4 TB. Anyone who needs to increase their disk space should definitely pay attention to Seagate Expansion. The Seagate Expansion is currently priced comparable to our No. 1 rated WD My Passport Ultra. Note that the Seagate Expansion is sold without any accompanying software, which, in fact, brought it only to the 2nd place in our rating. Both old and new model Seagate Expansion supports data transfer via USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 standards, and also uses the same port for both transmitting information and receiving power. The disc is sold only in black.
Initially, the Seagate Expansion external hard drive is sold formatted in the NTFS file system for Windows, but if you plan to use the drive with Mac computers, you will have to perform an initial reformat of the device. It is worth noting that in terms of the internal spindle speed of 5400 RPM, this hard drive surpasses the WD Passport Ultra and all other drives presented in our rating. In our tests, the disk showed the following figures: writing - 121 MB/s, reading 129 MB/s. Based on these numbers, it's safe to say that the Expansion is one of the fastest external hard drives on the market today.
3. Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1 TB
Compact external hard drive Toshiba Canvio Connect II(model HDTC810XK3A1) has good reliability and high-quality software included (Pogoplug PC and NTI Backup Now EZ). Note that the same Pogoplug PC separately costs $30. This device is available in four internal memory options: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 3TB. And in five colors - black, blue, red, white and white-gold. In terms of available colors, Toshiba Canvio Connect II is the most “multi-colored” external hard drive of all 5 presented in our rating. In terms of price, this external device is slightly more expensive than both the WD My Passport Ultra and the Seagate Expansion.
NTI Backup Now EZ is a very simple, but at the same time very powerful backup program. If your Canvio is connected to a PC, and the computer is connected to the Internet, then you can log into your external device remotely using mobile application. In other words, your external hard drive turns into a full-fledged personal cloud storage. The Canvio Connect supports both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, but we sometimes experienced some difficulty transferring data over the USB 2.0 interface. But you shouldn’t be upset, because why use a slower USB 2.0 when USB 3.0 works perfectly? When transferring data via USB 3.0, the write speed is 100 MB/s and the read speed is 98 MB/s. This figure is quite good for an external drive, but still does not reach the levels of the Seagate Expansion and CV My Passport Ultra, which are located above. The Canvio Connect is natively formatted in the NTFS file system, in order to use it with Mac machines you will need to install Tuxera NTFS for Mac, after which you can use the device with special Time Machine software.
4. Seagate Backup Plus/Slim 1 TB
5. Toshiba Canvio Basics USB 3.0 1 TB
(HDTB220XK3CA) already in its name indicates its commonality and basicness. The 1TB model costs more than all of its direct competitors. Canvio Basics is sold in five storage options: 500GB, 750GB, 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB. What is puzzling is the warranty: for each amount of built-in memory, the manufacturer gives a different warranty, which varies from 1 to 3 years. Toshiba Canvio is sold without any included software, which is undoubtedly a huge disadvantage. This external device transmits information and is powered using the same USB port, and at the same time supports USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 data transfer interfaces. Note that despite the lack of included software and a strange warranty policy, Toshiba is famous for the reliability of its disk drives, which is why many server owners prefer Toshiba over Seagate, Western Digital or HGST.
The speed of the internal 2.5-inch hard drive is 5400RPM, which is generally standard for most external hard drives. The disk will work on both Windows and Mac machines. The buffer cache is 8MB, and average time search – 12m/s. The performance of this drive is slightly lower than that of other external devices presented in our rating. The read speed is 95 MB/s, while the write speed is 89 MB/s.
Which external hard drive is best to buy in 2019 - this question concerns all people who spend time at a computer or laptop most of time. Users have realized the advantages of this drive for a long time, because it makes working with files much more convenient, increasing the memory capacity of the device.
Rating of the TOP 19 best models in 2019
The disc works great on Mac and Windows systems. Included with it, the user is provided with additional utilities that will not be superfluous when working with a computer. Buyers consider the main advantage of the model to be the ability to install code for reliable file protection. In addition, people like silence during data transfer, even when the device is running for a long time. The only downside is the soft body, which quickly collects dust.
An excellent portable hard drive for those people who plan to carry it with them often. It has a rubber body and is protected from impacts. The model supports USB 2.0 and 3.0 interfaces. A negative quality is the lack of protection for the connectors, since they are not covered with anything.
The model with creative volumetric corrugation attracts users not only with its appearance, but also with other advantages. The main ones are: excellent data transfer speed, durable housing, fast file processing, regardless of their size, as well as the presence of a sleep mode, which allows you to increase the shelf life of the device. The only downside is that the chip is not the best.
4.AA-Data AHD710P-1TU31-CBK
An excellent hard drive, made to military standards, has reliable shock protection, operates at a speed of 76.5 MB/s and can even survive underwater with the connector sealed for about an hour.
5. Hard drive A-Data AHD650-1TU3-CBK
An excellent option with incredibly high durability and reliable protection of recorded files, it has an attractive design, rubber coating and several carbon elements on the body. Recording and playing back files is quite fast. During operation, the device does not change its temperature and does not disturb the user with unnecessary noise. Its main disadvantages are: the lack of a cover, the case is easily soiled, and the outdated USB version (2.0).
6.ADATA HD720
A high-quality model attracts the attention of buyers with reliable protection from moisture, a rather interesting appearance and a durable body that does not leave fingerprints. Moreover, it fully complies with international standards. As for the negative aspects of this device, there are practically none here. Users only point to a short wire to connect to the computer.
7. Western Digital WDBLNP5000A-EEUE
A good portable hard drive has a fairly high file transfer speed. It has light weight and convenient dimensions. Users also speak positively about the presence of hardware encryption, the included case, and free access to Russified utilities. The only downside is the short cable.
8. Toshiba STOR.E PLUS
The model with a strict design is especially popular with businessmen. It can be connected either through an outdated version of USB or through a modern one. During operation, the hard drive does not make any sounds or vibrate. Among the negative qualities, owners note a short connection cord to a PC and a lack of protection from mechanical damage.
9. Silicon Power SP500GBPHDS03S3K
An interesting gadget attracts the attention of users with its appearance, reminiscent of an ordinary notepad. This model is equipped with hardware encryption capabilities. It quickly processes data, copies and transmits it. So far no one has been able to find any shortcomings in this hard drive.
10. Toshiba HDTP210EK3AA
A reliable and attractive external hard drive pleases buyers with raised dots (not real ones) made of high-quality gloss. Thanks to this, the model has a practical design and is suitable for both home and office use. Customers also respond positively to the easy power management. Among the shortcomings, people usually note only the lack of connectivity to port 2.0.
11. Toshiba HDTP205EK3AA
The password-enabled version features a rugged, impact-resistant design and two types of transmission ports – 3.0 and 2.0. During operation, the hard drive does not make sounds and does not heat up much. Among its shortcomings, users note the lack of hardware encryption and a special case included.
12. Seagate STDR5000200
This unique portable hard drive is famous for its large capacity, lack of noise during operation and an excellent cable included. It does not heat up much and has excellent functionality, which pleasantly surprises buyers. Among the shortcomings of the device, only its massiveness is noted.
13. Sony HD-E1
The body of this model is made of polished metal, has an attractive design and rubberized legs. Its main advantages include: hardware encryption, quiet operation, and the ability to connect to third-generation game consoles. As for the negative qualities, there are not many of them: impressive size and a rigid cable included.
14. Seagate STEA1000400
A device with high data transfer speed is capable of connecting via ports 2.0 and 3.0. It is sold only in black, but it looks quite prestigious. The main disadvantage is the need to reformat to work with the Mac system.
ADATA NH13 1TB. This magnificent model with a plastic body and metal inserts looks quite modern and attractive. It transmits data through port 3.0. Users especially often point out in their reviews that the case is protected from mechanical damage, as well as dust and moisture.
15. Seagate STEA500400
This option is ideal for those people who want to purchase an original model and surprise their friends with it. The design of the external hard drive cannot be compared with anything - rounded shape, stylish texture and distinctive angularity. Although the manufacturer did not provide rubberized feet, he replaced this disadvantage with a long cable, which users also like. Its advantages also include small dimensions and weight.
16. Toshiba HDTH310EK3AA
The device, which operates completely silently, is famous for its high-quality manufacturing materials, ensuring its durability. In addition, users are pleasantly surprised by the fact that the temperature of the device does not rise above 40 degrees, even with maximum intensive use. The disadvantages of the model are: the lack of rubberized feet, devices for transportation and the possibility of hardware encryption.
17. Toshiba CANVIO BASICS
The external hard drive is quiet, looks quite modern, and has rubber feet that make it stable on any sliding surface. People constantly point out all these advantages in their comments. Users rarely talk about disadvantages, noting that the weight is too heavy (reaches 230 g).
18. Western Digital WDBU6Y0020BBK-EESN
The wonderful hard drive does not heat up during operation, connects via a USB 3.0 port and transfers data at a speed of 120 MB/sec. It is also worth noting its quiet operation. The main negative qualities are: a short and stiff cord for connecting to a PC, an overly bright LED, the need to reinstall the software immediately after purchase, since the standard one is completely useless.
19. Western Digital My Passport (WDBUAX0020B)
The rating is completed by a model on which the manufacturer has worked hard, equipping it with excellent software and functionality. There are rubberized feet that do not slip on any surface, a high-quality cord for connecting to a computer, and three utilities for controlling data copying. Of the minuses, users note only the large dimensions.
Which external hard drive is better to choose?
Today, the leaders in the production of portable hard drives are the following companies:
Transcend
The company has long proven itself in the global market as a true leader among manufacturers of PC drives. The assortment includes products of both budget and professional class.
Seagate
Another company that specializes exclusively in information storage products is considered a pioneer in this area. It sells models for home use and professional products for use in large companies.
Sony
Toshiba
A popular brand that customers love for good equipment and peripherals, actively produces portable hard drives. They are often purchased by professional programmers and large companies.
Selection criteria
When deciding on a product, you need to take into account three criteria:
- Type. There are two types of hard drives on sale - SSD and HDD. The first option is perfect for both professional use and home use, so the cost will be high. The second type is ideal for users who are little familiar with network activities; it is less durable, but more affordable.
- Memory. Without this parameter, there is no point in purchasing a hard drive, since it can be replaced with a flash drive. If the user plans to store large number music and video files, then it is better to immediately discard options less than 1 TB.
- Connection interface. There is regular USB (older) and USB 3.0 and higher (modern generation). In the first case, files are transferred slowly, and movies and music “freeze” during playback. But by choosing the second option, the user will receive a device that provides imperceptible and almost instantaneous switching from the external drive to the internal one.
Which is better: flash drive or external hard drive?
To answer this question, it is worth considering the features of each device:
| Flash drive | low cost; small size; high speed of reading information; sufficient choice of colors and shapes; low power consumption |
the presence of a USB port is not in all gadgets; short-lived (expiration date expires after 10 thousand records). |
| Hard drive | durability; ease of use; large memory capacity; long shelf life. |
a power port is required; high cost; poor tolerance to temperature changes. |
An external hard drive (EHD) is a removable device. It can be used to store and transfer information from a computer. The prototype of an external hard drive (HDD) is a hard drive. At first, this type of device was intended only for the internal arrangement of a PC. But over time, it became possible to store information not only inside a computer, but also to transfer it from one computer to another.
Currently, VZDs can be connected to tablets, TVs, set-top boxes, projectors and other devices. The gadget can be connected directly via a standard USB cable or via an adapter. This is what distinguishes the modern device from its prototype. To connect one device to another, you do not need to open the cover of the system unit. You just need to connect it to a USB port.
Composition of a standard hard drive kit:
- Hard drive;
- USB cable;
- Boxing.
The hard drive device resembles a box with internal contents. The filling is the storage device (hard drive). A USB cable is connected to it, which is inserted into the corresponding connector of the receiving device.
Do you need an external hard drive?
Try to answer the following questions:
- Do you have a large music library with high-quality music?
- Do you like to watch movies with friends?
- Do you have a lot of information to transfer (work-home; home-office)?
- Do you need to save a lot of photos?
If you have found at least one item for yourself, then you should further familiarize yourself with the parameters and brands of external hard drives. They are presented below.
Parameters and characteristics of the railway
So, as for the hard drive box, it works according to the standard and was designed so that it can be connected via USB. In addition, it contains additional food. It is necessary for the full functionality of the drive.
Externally, hard drive boxes may look different. The design and color scheme of different companies are arbitrary. You may come across a hot pink drive or a white one with some kind of design on sale.
Among the characteristics of the drive, you should pay attention to the shape of the device. Depending on the volume, the size of the box varies. The larger the drive, the larger the device's memory size. Accordingly, it will have a more spacious box. The smaller the disk capacity, the smaller its box will be.
Form factor. To be measured in inches. It can be 2.5 or 3.5 inches.
The value of the disk rotation speed. High speed is 10000 rpm. The average disk rotation speed is 7200rpm. If you find disks with a value of 5400 rpm on sale, then this is also a suitable unit. This speed will be enough for full work.
Connection type:
- SATA;
- PATA or EIDE.
The SATA connection has a serial interface. PATA or EIDE have a parallel interface.
Buffer volume. The clipboard directly affects disk speed performance. 16 and 32 GB are the most suitable characteristics for a modern buffer.
Disk capacity. Depending on the 2.5" or 3.5" form factor, the volume will vary. For example, 2.5-inch drives will have a capacity of about 500 GB. While 3.5-inch ones can have a capacity of 1.5 TB and 4 TB, and even more.
Cooling system. An option that is often necessary for long-term operation. This applies primarily to desktop units. A device that is subject to overheating can quickly fail. Therefore, if you find a device equipped with a cooler on sale, you should give preference to it.
USB interface. Standard USB 2.0 connector. Suitable for connecting all PC devices. But recently, drives with a USB 3.0 input have appeared on sale. They have a significant difference in data transfer speed. The device works many times faster. If you're unsure whether a 3.0 connector will fit your PC, you can rest assured that it will. Since they have identical input type. An example of VHD is the high-performance ASUS DL Externla HDD.
Gadgets with LAN and FireWire connections are also available for sale. LAN has a 10/100/1000 standard. Each value demonstrates maximum speed transferred MB per second of time. A significant advantage of such a device is that it can be connected to a network like a drive. And it will work as a standalone device. With it you can organize a media library or use it at your discretion as a data storage.
FireWire is similar in type to USB. Has little popularity. But its purpose is still the same: storing and transmitting a large amount of diverse information. A typical representative of the Macintosh hard drive model on the market.
In addition to other parameters and characteristics, you should know that the kit should include a cable and an adapter (if necessary).
Important! No hard drive manufacturer will give you a 100% guarantee for the safety of your data. Therefore, to avoid loss of information, make backup copies on other media.
Which external HDD should I buy for use?
This is a purely personal question. Each user must decide why he needs this removable disk. For storing music that you can listen to at work or mobile storage of files for the same work. Then you should pay attention to less capacious models. Up to 500 GB.
If you plan to use the drive as photo storage, then it is better to choose 3.5” models with a capacity of 1.5 TB or more. Especially if you have a DSLR camera that produces high-quality photos. Please note that the volume of one photo on disk will take up at least 3-4 MB.
Next you need to decide on the type of connection. Due to the fact that soon all PC devices will have a USB 3.0 connector, you should choose this one. In the future, you will appreciate your choice, and the data transfer speed will be many times higher.
Assembling the disk in parts is one of the options for a high-quality device. To do this, you will need to purchase a case, as well as the disk itself. And of course, components. The body material and appearance should please its user. This does not affect the transfer speed in any way, but the pleasant feeling of use should still remain. As an example, we can consider the following box models:
- Agestar 3UB2P for 2.5″;
- Agestar 3CB3AH1T/3CB3AH1 for 3.5″.
As for the direct choice of VZD models, the following companies are the most popular, according to reviews from experienced users:
- Samsung;
- ASUS;
- Seagate.
As an example, you can consider the following models: HGST HTS721010A9E630 (2.5″) or Western DigitalWD10EZEX (3.5″).
There is another option for purchasing an external hard drive - buying a ready-made model. For example, Transcend TS1TSJ25M3.
Advice. When choosing capacitive models, it should be taken into account that for the disk to fully function, it is necessary to have a cooling device - a cooler.
Each buyer determines the necessary parameters independently. This article lists only approximate models and manufacturers. Buy proven products with the desired characteristics!
How to choose a removable hard drive: video
Wondering what is the best external hard drive to buy in 2016? In this article we have collected the five best external disk drives in terms of price/quality ratio
Today, external hard drives are very popular for storing important data. They are also very useful for creating a backup of data. They are portable and easy to use. At the same time, today the market is more crowded than ever before with all sorts of options for external hard drives. On the one hand, this is good news: you have plenty to choose from. On the other hand - with huge selection comes the headache of deciding what to buy.
5. Seagate Backup Plus Slim
This is the best external storage device available on the market: its parameters include a USB 3.0 interface, a capacity of 2 terabytes, a 2-year warranty, dimensions - 113 mm (4.4'') in length, 76 mm (3.0'') in width , and weighs 159 g. This is the thinnest available storage device with a capacity of 2 TB. Plus, it has a very elegant design. Since it supports USB 3.0, its data transfer speed is amazing. The metal structure makes the disc stronger and more beautiful. This is a really fast storage device. But most best moment What's great about it is that when you purchase it, you also get backup software, as well as a subscription to 200GB of Microsoft One Drive online storage for two years.
The disadvantage of this drive is the lack of security options, since it does not have built-in software that could help prevent unauthorized access to data. Besides, a two-year warranty on it is not enough. But overall, the disc is very good.
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB drive is available in four colors: silver, blue, red and black. The design is very elegant and the disc is very nice to look at. When first used, it is formatted in the NTFS file system, and is therefore fully compatible with Windows. In order for it to work on MAC OS, you just need to load the NTFS driver, and then there will be no need to format the disk again.
4.
The Transcend StoreJet 25M3 drive is another cool external storage device available in the market. Its best features are shock resistance and ultra-high data transfer speeds via USB 3.0. Some of its outstanding features include: shock resistance, USB 3.0 as well as USB 2.0 compatible, shockproof rubber outer casing, reinforced internal hard drive suspension, one-touch backup, folder encryption, dedicated Transcend Elite data management software – and the last, but not the least important, option in the form of a quick connection recovery button on the rear panel.
This button makes it easy for you to reconnect after you have safely removed the hard drive from the system: if you want to reconnect the drive, just click this button. And there is no need to disconnect or reconnect the USB connector.
The operating voltage of the drive is 5 V direct current via the USB port, the drive type is SATA 2.5’’ hard drive. After 10 minutes, the drive goes into power saving mode. Another good option here is the one-click backup option. The disc comes with a three-year warranty.
For those who want to have all their files - music, full collection of high-resolution videos, etc. - in one place, there is no better or more suitable product than this.
3.
External hard drive WD Elements Portable (2 TB) - 2 TB capacity, USB 3.0 interface, dimensions 3.2 inches (81.2 mm) wide and 4.4 inches (111.8 mm) thick, data transfer interface with a speed of 5.0 Gbps via USB 3.0. Plus, it's compatible with Windows, includes a 30-day trial of the software, and is pre-formatted with NTFS.
The drive gives you a lot of storage for a very low price. Its design is very simple and pleasant to look at. The downside of this product is the trial version of the software and lack of security options as it does not have built-in software to protect data from unauthorized access. The company provides a one-year warranty, which is very low compared to other external hard drives available in the market. But it is the cheapest 2TB drive available on the market.
For those who want to have all their files - music, full collection of high-resolution videos, etc. - in one place, there is no better or more suitable product than this.
Its simple design is cool. While this external hard drive isn't nearly as fast as the SeaGate, at such a low price it's well worth the price. Its simple interface allows it to be used both as a backup device and as a gaming console. When first used, it is pre-formatted with the NFTS file system, so the drive is compatible with Windows.
2.
This is another best product available in the market. Features include USB 3.0, 2TB of storage, a maximum transfer speed of 5Gbps, password protection software, and WD Smart Ware software that's compatible with the Windows platform. The height and width of the disc are 0.8 and 3.2 inches (20.3 and 81.3 mm), respectively, and it comes with a 3-year warranty.
Compared to its predecessor, this external hard drive is faster to use. Since every user always wants to have security options to protect their data from unauthorized access, the makers of this device have solved the problem so that along with the drive you get built-in software whose password protects the storage device from such access.
The disc is available in four colors: titanium, black, blue and red. The downside is the pricing: in order to get this external memory device, you will have to pay a little more. Compared to other products available in the market, this drive is a little expensive.
For those who want to have all their files - music, full collection of high-resolution videos, etc. - in one place, there is no better or more suitable product than this.
This disc is very light in weight and pleasant to look at. It is pre-formatted with the NTFS file system. The drive is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, but for best performance it is recommended to use it with USB 3.0. What's nice about its WD Smart Ware Pro software is that it works with external hard drives from other vendors as well.
1.
By purchasing this external hard drive, you get the following features: 2 TB of memory, 1 year warranty, USB 3.0 interface. The height, width and thickness of the disc are 14.8 mm (0.6’’), 80.0 mm (3.15’’) and 117.0 mm (4.6’’) respectively, and it weighs 0.17 kg.
The data transfer process in it is very simple, fast, concise and efficient. You can simply drag and drop your files via the USB 3.0 interface. The drive is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, but for more efficient operation it is recommended to use it with USB 3.0. The memory capacity is enough to store 2000 hours of digital video. It's pre-formatted and you don't need any software to configure the drive or install its driver. The Seagate device itself does all this. When the drive is connected, it automatically detects operating system. It has built-in power management software to ensure energy efficient operation.
The downside to this drive is that it lacks security features: it doesn't have built-in software to help prevent unauthorized access to data. The one year warranty on it doesn't seem to be enough either. But overall, this is a good disc. The design is very elegant and the disc is nice to look at. When first used, it is formatted with the NTFS file system, so the drive is compatible with Windows. To make it work on MAC OS platform, you just need to download the NFTS driver and there is no need to reformat the drive again.
