External hard drives have become indispensable tools for PC users, offering seamless and rapid file transfers, particularly beneficial for those with sluggish local connections. 

Whether you're working remotely or in an office setting, the convenience of carrying an external hard drive ensures continual access to your files. 

Moreover, these drives serve as reliable backup solutions, with HDD-based options suitable for regular backups and SSD-based drives offering additional peace of mind for secondary backups. 

Modern external drives, equipped with USB 3.0 or faster standards, deliver significantly improved read and write speeds compared to older models. Furthermore, many feature stylish designs and vibrant colors, making them not just functional but also fashionable accessories.

WD My Book (WDBBGB, USB 3.0, 4TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 3TB to 18TB
• Interface: USB 3.0
• Size: 6.7 x 5.5 x 1.9 inches
• Weight: 2.2 pounds

The WD My Book is like a big block, but it's a great deal for the money. It has strong security features and comes with software to back up your files. It starts at 4TB and you can even get bigger versions with up to 18TB. It might not be the newest technology, but it works really well and is affordable. It's a bit bulky and needs to be plugged into the wall, but if you don't need super-fast speed or portability, it's a reliable choice for keeping your files safe. Many users often talk about it positively, saying it looks nice and feels well-made.

G-Technology ArmorATD (0G10435, USB 3.1, 2TB and 4TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB
• Interface: USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
• Size: 2TB: 5.1x 3.4 x 0.8 inches; 4TB: 5.2 x 3.5 x 1.2 inches
• Weight: 2TB: 8 ounces; 4TB: 12.8 ounces

The G-Technology ArmorATD portable hard drive is built tough to withstand accidents. It has three layers of protection against shocks, including internal shock mounts, an aluminum cover, and a rubber bumper you can remove for extra safety. It can also handle rain, dust, and even being squashed by something heavy.

Both the 2TB and 4TB versions are small and easy to carry around. They come with a USB Type-A adapter, so you can use them with most computers.

They don't come with any special software to manage your files. But considering the price, one of these drives could still be a good choice if you often take your data to places where accidents might happen.

SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD (SDSSDE80, USB 3.1, 1TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.1 Gen 2
• Size: 4.3 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 2.8 ounces

The SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD is great for whatever you need in an external hard drive.

It's designed to be convenient, small, and light, so you can easily carry it around without it getting lost.

It looks sleek with its rounded corners, black-and-red color, and modern design. It's also very fast, with a USB 3.1 version that can read data at 1,050MBps. It's secure too, with encryption features.

However, it's a bit pricey, and the carrying loop is too big for a regular keychain. But overall, it's a fantastic storage device, especially if you use it a lot.

SanDisk has also released a newer version with even faster speeds, but it looks the same and costs more. If you really need super-fast reads, you might want to consider that one.

Adata SE800 External SSD Ultra Fast (USB 3.2, 1TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 512GB, 1TB
• Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
• Size: 2.8 x 1.7 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 1.4 ounces

The Adata SE800 External SSD Ultra Fast is a small and light drive that's tough and waterproof. It's about the size of a credit card and can be submerged in water for half an hour without getting damaged. It can also survive being dropped from a height of 4 feet.

You can connect it to your computer using either a USB Type-A or Type-C cable.

You only have these two storage options: 1TB and the 512GB and it doesn't come with any special software, but overall, it's a great value for the money. Compared to slower drives like the Adata SC685, or other small drives out there, it's definitely worth considering.

WD My Passport SSD (WDBAGF, USB 3.2, 1TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
• Size: 3.9 x 2.2 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 1.6 ounces

The WD My Passport SSD with USB 3.2 may not look like its namesake, the My Passport Go, but it's still great for traveling. It's small and good-looking, with a shiny surface and comes in five cool colors.

The drive's software lets you access My Cloud Home Storage and other WD tools. It's also really fast.

However, it's a bit pricey and the USB cable it comes with is short, which can be inconvenient. But overall, it's one of the best external hard drives out there.

Samsung Portable SSD T7 (MU-PC, USB 3.2, 1TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
• Size: 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
• Weight: 2.1 ounces

The Samsung Portable SSD T7 looks similar to the T5 model, but it's a bit bigger and heavier. It comes in more exciting colors like Indigo Blue, Titan Gray, and Metallic Red.

The main difference is that Samsung says it's really fast, and our tests showed it was even faster than they said. It copied files quicker than other drives we tested.

However, it's quite expensive per gigabyte, though you might find it cheaper online. If you care a lot about the Samsung brand, the design, and speed, then the T7 is worth it.

Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch (STHH, USB 3.0, 2TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.0
• Size: 4.5 x 3.1 x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 5.3 ounces

The Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch is a portable external hard drive for people who care about how their drive looks as much as how it works, or maybe even more.

It has a mix of a classic hard drive look with a modern style. It has solid colors on the sides and back and a soft-feeling front panel. It comes with a matching USB cable and a Type-C adapter.

The software is the same as the Backup Plus Portable, but this drive performed a bit better in our tests. It comes in two sizes and is very affordable, so you can get a stylish drive without spending too much.

Seagate Backup Plus Portable (STHP, USB 3.0, 4TB)

Specifications

• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB
• Interface: USB 3.0
• Size: 4.5 x3.2 x 0.8 inches
• Weight: 9.3 ounces

The HDD-based Seagate Backup Plus Portable is small, about the size of a deck of cards, but it still holds a lot of storage, either 4TB or 5TB.

Once you register your drive, you can download Toolkit for automatic file backups or Mylio for organizing photos. You also get a two-month membership to Adobe CC Photography Plan, which includes Lightroom and Photoshop.

However, the drive doesn't look very nice with its square corners and outdated design. 

The common issue with spinning hard drives (HDDs) is that you get lots of storage space, but they're slow. If you don't mind a simple and slow drive but need lots of space, the Backup Plus Portable could still be an option for you.

Final Thoughts

When choosing between speed, capacity, and price for storage devices, it's essential to consider your priorities. If speed is paramount, SSDs offer faster performance due to their flash memory technology, especially when paired with interfaces like Thunderbolt 3. 

However, traditional HDDs provide greater capacity options at lower prices, making them ideal for those prioritizing storage space over speed. 

Despite being more expensive, SSDs offer compact storage solutions and are increasingly marketed as fashionable accessories, providing additional choices for consumers concerned with aesthetics. 

Ultimately, the decision boils down to individual preferences and usage needs.