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Selecting an external hard drive. Rated external hard drives HDD and SSD that will give you ease of use

Technologies are constantly evolving, and manufacturers are striving to make devices more compact and more functional. Data storage devices are no exception. Today, 1 and 2 TB flash drives are already available, something that could only be dreamed of a few years ago. But such solutions are very expensive, so most buyers prefer conventional hard drives.

Choosing a good one external HDD, you can easily find a quality solution at an attractive price. If you need to get better transfer speed and more high reliability, then you should take a closer look at SSD models. Our rating of the best external hard drives for 2018 – 2019 will help you choose the best option, in which we have selected both inexpensive options and premium segment models.

As noted above, if you need to obtain high write and read speeds, it is better to choose between external SSD drives and conventional HDDs in favor of the former. Solid State Drives They do not have moving parts, so they are not so afraid of falls, and the data transfer speed of such models is several times higher than that of even the most modern hard drives. Thus, the 128 GB Plextor EX1 model in question allows you to write and read information at speeds of 500 and 550 MB/s, respectively. Another advantage of the disk is its compactness. The thickness and width of the Plextor SDD is only 8.7 and 31.6 mm, and the weight is 30 grams. According to the manufacturer, a good portable drive EX1 can last up to 1.5 million hours. However, the price for all these advantages is quite high, especially taking into account the capacity of the SSD.

Advantages:

  • baud rate
  • small size and weight
  • attractive design
  • complete case
  • great build

Flaws:

  • high price
  • no USB-C/USB-C cable included


The second place in the TOP 10 is occupied by a classic hard drive for reliable storage of information. The 500 GB HV620 model from ADATA will cost customers approximately 3,200 rubles, which is great offer. The drive has a stylish and high-quality casing (white or black), on which there is a small activity indicator of blue color. The hard drive is connected to the computer via USB (standard 3.0) in Type-A format. The dimensions of the ADATA computer drive are standard for a 2.5-inch device, and the spindle speed of the HV620 model is 5400 rpm.

Advantages:

  • USB 3.0 standard
  • reliable operation
  • good speed
  • robust housing
  • stylish appearance

Flaws:

  • glossy case
  • cable is a bit short


Among the external hard drives on the market with a capacity of less than 500 GB, the MU-PT250B model from South Korea deserves special attention Samsung brand. This solid state drive with a capacity of 250 GB and a form factor of 1.8 inches. Thanks to its compactness, the device easily fits into any pocket and does not cause discomfort when worn, because its weight is only 51 grams. The drive has data protection (encryption) and supports 4 KB sectors. To laptops and Samsung computers The MU-PT250B connects via USB (3.1 standard) and can provide a maximum read and write speed of 450 MB/s. One of the disadvantages of this model is that it is equipped exclusively with a USB-A/USB-C cable, so for connecting to ports Type-C standard the user will have to purchase an additional accessory.

Advantages:

  • small dimensions and weight
  • high data transfer speed
  • modern USB Type-C port
  • high-quality assembly
  • the body is made of metal

Flaws:

  • no USB-C to USB-C cable
  • high price

STOR.E SLIM is a fast terabyte external hard Toshiba drive. The parameters of this model are standard for 2.5-inch HDDs: maximum transfer speed (plate-buffer) of 4800 Mbit/s, buffer size 8 MB, weight 155 grams, connection via USB standard 2.0 or 3.0. From distinctive features The model under review can be noted for its thin (12 mm) and high-quality aluminum body, as well as the manufacturer’s provision of 10 GB of cloud storage to each buyer of the Toshiba STOR.E SLIM drive.

Advantages:

  • aluminium case
  • stylish design
  • reliability in operation
  • fast data transfer
  • small disc thickness
  • free cloud storage

Flaws:

  • none


Another good external hard drive with a capacity of 1 TB is offered by the brand Silicon Power. The Stream S03 model is a well-built hard drive with an attractive design and a power saving mode. The device in question is different standard sizes and weight for 2.5-inch drives. In operation, a quiet hard drive for a laptop or computer demonstrates reliability, and guarantee period After 3 years, Stream S03 operates without a single problem, even under fairly harsh operating conditions. The spindle speed of this model is 5400 rpm, and the buffer size is 8 MB.

Advantages:

  • attractive design
  • fast data transfer
  • connection via USB 2.0/3.0
  • price-reliability ratio

Flaws:

  • not detected


The sixth place on our list is occupied by the WD Elements Portable model from a well-known company Western Digital. For the price, the presented external hard drive is the best in the category up to 1 TB and can boast fast work. This model connects via USB 3.0 and boasts a durable plastic case. It is also worth noting that this is one of the lightest HDDs on the market – 130 grams. However, the WD Elements Portable drive is often unable to boast sufficient reliability. Sometimes users complain about quick exit drive has failed, which may be due to manufacturing problems. However, non-defective copies can please you with long-term and uninterrupted operation.

Advantages:

  • stable data transfer speed
  • spacious
  • high-quality assembly
  • attractive design

Flaws:

  • frequent marriage
  • heating possible at big gears data


ADATA HV620 – one of the best external hard 2 TB disks. There is no need to dwell on this model for a long time, because it is a complete analogue of the above model, including all its advantages and disadvantages. The difference is only in the increased volume, increased thickness (21 versus 15 mm) and greater weight (230 grams). During operation, the model in question demonstrates high reliability and excellent data transfer speed. However this series external drives for TVs, PCs and laptops

Advantages:

  • strength and reliability
  • operating speed
  • low noise and no vibration
  • excellent appearance

Flaws:

  • glossy case
  • short connection cable

Silicon Power Stream S03 2TB


Similar to the solution from ADATA, the best inexpensive external hard drive in the Stream S03 line only differs slightly from the younger model. First of all, the fast and best-reliable external hard drive has a capacity of 2 TB instead of 1 TB. But the connection standards, transmission speed, dimensions, number of plates and even weight in the model under consideration are completely similar to the device described above. Another difference between the older solution is that it is presented not only in black and white, but also in blue.

Advantages:

  • attractive design
  • warranty period 3 years
  • high quality body
  • high-quality assembly
  • fast data transfer

Flaws:

  • slightly overpriced


Seagate is one of the the best manufacturers drives. In terms of quality and reliability, this brand surpasses most of its competitors. An excellent proof of this statement is the STDR4000200 model. This is a reliable device with a capacity of 4 TB, a spindle speed of 5400 rpm, a small thickness of 20.5 mm, and a weight of 246 grams. In terms of price and quality ratio, the Seagate STDR4000200 is great choice for any task, be it working with graphic projects or storing your favorite films.

Advantages:

  • 4 color options
  • good transfer speed
  • small thickness
  • suitable for a wide variety of needs
  • availability of intuitive software

Flaws:

  • flimsy housing cover

We couldn’t help but include a 4 TB drive from the Western Digital brand in our rating of external hard drives. The My Passport line is a reliable and high-quality device with data encryption function. The body of this model is made of durable plastic, which is available in white, black, blue, red, yellow and orange colors. The spindle rotation speed of My Passport 4 TB is 5400 rpm, and the HDD from Western Digital is connected to PCs, laptops, TVs and other devices via a USB port of standard 2.0 or 3.0.

Advantages:

  • attractive design
  • variety of colors
  • reliable operation
  • fast work
  • encryption function
  • no heating

Flaws:

  • not detected

Which external hard drive should I buy?

When choosing a good external hard drive, you first need to rely on the tasks you will perform. So, for movie lovers who prefer to watch movies in 4K UHD resolution, you should take a closer look at capacious HDD models of 1 terabyte or more. Working with documents and simple projects, in turn, will not require much work. However, in this case important indicator may become the speed that SSDs can provide.

The most valuable device for storing large amounts of information is an external hard drive. Today there is a huge selection of external drives different manufacturers, the most important factor which is, of course, reliability.

Therefore, today’s review presents the 12 most reliable external hard drives, which have proven themselves quite well and are very popular among buyers.

1: WD My Passport Ultra

WD My Passport Ultra deserves to be a leader. The device is available with various amounts of memory, starting from 500 gigabytes. This external drive is perfectly compatible not only with Windows, but also with Mac. To operate with the latter, you need to reformat the drive for file system HFS+, since it initially goes to NTFS. The model comes complete with several utilities for comfortable work with the device. The software is presented in full on the manufacturer’s official page, from where it can be downloaded for free. The drive is password protected so your data is always protected with WD My Passport Ultra.

2: Silicon Power Stream S03

The design of this external hard drive resembles a notepad with a rounded edge and one cropped corner with an indicator. The LED clearly shows which interface is used for communication: USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. In the first case, the indicator color is red, in the second - blue. The drive housing is plastic, with a practical matte surface, on which fingerprints are not visible. Like many other manufacturers, the drive is based on a Toshiba hard drive, in this case the MQ01ABD100. Its power consumption is 1.5 W with a noise level of up to 24 dB. The disk is installed in a housing with rubber seals and, thanks to this, to a certain extent protected from impact. The drive supports hardware encryption; to use this feature you need to download a special utility from the company’s website. In addition to cryptography, it allows you to configure the backup of documents from the main folders of the computer, including emails.

3: AData HD720

AData Technology currently produces nine lines of external drives, among which the HD720 model line caught our attention. It is interesting because it has the “steepest” degree of protection from the effects of various unfavorable factors. In particular, it can withstand a two-hour stay at a depth of 2 or a fall from a height of 1.8 meters without fatal consequences. According to the manufacturer’s website, the shock resistance of the device significantly exceeds the requirements of the military standard MIL-STD-810G. It is noteworthy that the developers did not limit themselves only to passive protection, but involved electronics in this matter. A special G-sensor is built into the device’s body, allowing it to timely detect dangerous shock loads and generate commands to park the heads. By the way, it also turns on light indication vibration protection. In short, this terabyte external hard drive is the best choice for tourists and travelers.

4: Seagate Backup Plus Slim

Seagate Backup Plus Slim is one of the most reliable external drives. The hard drive is available in five variations with different memory capacities from five hundred megabytes to four terabytes. It can be purchased bundled with the Seagate Dashboard application. Power supply and information transfer occurs with the help of USB cord. Two interfaces are supported - USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The disk is initially formatted in NTFS system, therefore, to be able to work with a Mac, you need to install the appropriate driver or reformat the drive.

5: Toshiba Canvio Connect II

The Toshiba Canvio Connect II is one of the best external drives you can trust for your storage needs. important information. This model comes with very high quality software. The hard drive comes with four variations of memory capacity from five hundred gigabytes to three terabytes. A special feature of this drive is the ability to use it remotely using mobile application. Thus, the device also acts as a cloud storage of information. The device has excellent speeds, both writing and reading. If you need to use it with a Mac, you need to install a special program.

6: Seagate Expansion

It is rightfully included in the list of the most reliable external drives. There are five options on the market hard drive with different amounts of memory that reach up to four terabytes. The disadvantage of this device is the lack of software included. The model has support for both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Like most drives, the Expansion comes formatted in NTFS, so it needs to be reformatted to be compatible with Mac. The main advantage of this model is the high writing and reading speed, which is superior to the rating leaders below.

7: Toshiba Canvio Basics

Toshiba Canvio Basics is in the middle of this year's list of reliable external drives. Memory capacity varies from five hundred gigabytes to two terabytes. The warranty provided by the manufacturer is up to three years, which is already an indicator of reliability. This model does not come with any free software. Information transfer interfaces are supported by USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The drive is designed for use with Microsoft and Mac. The disadvantage of this disc is that it is more low performance than the devices that are below in the list.

8: Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC

The Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC is positioned as one of the most reliable external hard drives. The first advantage of this drive its increased impact resistance and moisture resistance stand out. This external device can survive a drop of one and a half meters in height, and is also not afraid of dust and splashes. It is produced in two volume variations - 1 and 2 terabytes. The drive can be connected via USB 3.0. The main disadvantage of the Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC, which is highlighted by users of this device, is the low operating speed.

9: Western Digital My Passport

Western Digital My Passport is one of the most reliable external drives of 2017. It comes in a variety of memory sizes ranging from 1 terabyte to 4 terabytes. The device comes with WD backup software. Among its competitors, Western Digital My Passport 4TB can quite boast excellent speed reading and transmitting data. Reviews about this external hard drive are mostly positive.

10: Seagate 5TB Expansion

The Seagate 5TB Expansion is one of the most reliable external drives currently available on the market. The hard drive provides fast transfer data using a USB 3.0 connection. Transfer via USB 2.0 is also supported. The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty on its device. The device has a large memory capacity of five terabytes, has excellent speed performance and will last for a long time, as the manufacturer himself assures, providing a good warranty period.

11: Freecom mHDD Slim

Freecom mHDD Slim has proven itself to be a reliable external hard drive among users. It is made of aluminum alloy metal body and has good impact resistance. The connection interface is made using USB 3.0. This device has good reading and data transfer speeds. The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty on this model and unlimited helpdesk support. The gadget is supplied to the market in two volume variations: 1 and 2 terabytes. The drive comes with a small but powerful free utility MHDD.

12: Seagate Innov8

Seagate Innov8 completes the list of the most reliable external hard drives this year. The gadget is made in a metal case, which ensures it additional degree protection in case of accidental fall from height. This device stands out from the hard drives below external type simply a huge amount of memory of 8 terabytes. Another advantage of this model is the possibility of its placement both vertically and horizontally due to its shape. In addition, when purchasing this gadget, the user is given 200 gigabytes of Microsoft cloud storage for free.

HDD is one of the most important parts any laptop or computer.

Since almost all files are stored on it, its choice must be taken with full responsibility, because the performance of your device and the safety of documents will depend on it.

When purchasing a HDD, you need to pay attention to various factors: reliability, manufacturer, specifications(depending on the required tasks), compatibility with other components of your PC or laptop.

External HDD: basic parameters

Basically, when choosing external hard drives, you need to focus on following characteristics: memory type, form factor, disk capacity, interface.

You also need to consider the speed at which the disk rotates, the speed at which data is transferred, additional functions(for example, the ability to recharge USB devices). Let's look at the main ones.

External HDD: Form factor

Dimensions external drive determined by form factor.

  • 3.5". The largest of the form factors. The main advantage: large capacity (up to tens of terabytes). The disadvantages include heavy weight and cost.
  • 2.5". Most common on this moment disk type. Pros: light weight, can be powered from a USB connector, capacity up to 500 gigabytes.
  • 1.8". Today they are the most compact. The main advantage is small dimensions. The downside is that there is a small selection, since they began to be produced relatively recently.

External HDD: Interface

Interface HDD– this is a way to connect the disk directly to the computer (into which connector it is connected). The most common options are:

  • USB is the most universal method connections. The most current standard today is USB 3.0. Allows you to read data at speeds up to 5 Gb/sec.
  • SATA is gradually leaving the market due to its low speed (compared to USB). Mainly used for internal drives.
  • eSATA is a type of SATA, differing in a different connector shape.
  • FireWire. Enough rare type connector, the main disadvantage is low speed (up to 400 Mbit/s).
  • Thunderbolt - created for Apple computers, has a specific connector, and therefore is incompatible with other devices. It has a high transfer speed – up to 10 Gb/sec.

External HDD: Memory type

External HDD Compatible with both traditional memory (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD).

There are also combined systems (SSD is used for caching files, HDD is used for storing information).

  • HDD is a classic of the genre. Best suited for long-term storage. Disadvantages include noise (due to moving plates).
  • SSD – due to the fact that it is a solid-state drive, it does not (like an HDD) have moving parts. Main advantages: high data transfer speed, small size. One of the disadvantages is the relatively small amount of memory.

External HDD: major manufacturers

Several large companies specialize in the production of external HDDs. The most popular of them are:

Seagate (USA)

Considered one of the most large manufacturers external HDDs. Among the advantages, it is worth noting affordability; among the disadvantages, reliability, most often in service centers They only sell discs from this manufacturer.

Western Digital (USA)

Enough famous manufacturer, produces reliable disks that rarely break. Some models differ in their “tricks” (for example, “cool” disks with low disk rotation speed).

Transcend (Taiwan)

It is considered the most popular manufacturer of external HDDs in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. They bribe you with an affordable price. The downside is low performance in various reliability ratings.

External HDD: the best drives of 2017

1 place. WD My Passport Ultra 1TB

The discs of this manufacturer have a well-deserved reputation for their reliability.

This model comes in five variants (depending on the capacity from 50 GB to 3 TB) and in four colors - white, blue, black and dark red.

Compatible with both Windows PCs and laptops, as well as Apple computers.

Comes with three special utilities (WD SmartWare Pro, WD Utility, WD Security).

To work on a Mac, you will have to download a special Time Machine utility, which has a clear interface.

Main characteristics:

  • Interface: USB 3.0; USB 2.0
  • Volume: 500GB; 1TB; 1.5TB; 2TB; 3TB
  • Write/read speed: 118MB/s, 120MB/s

Additionally: software that allows you to access cloud storage and special coding.

2nd place. Seagate Expansion 1 TB

Launched on the market new model from this manufacturer STEA1000400, which is available in five versions (depending on memory size): from 500 GB to 4 TB.

The only “minus” of this model is the lack of software included, but it is easy to find and download for free on the Internet.

The device is capable of supporting data transfer via USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. One port is used for power supply and receiving information; the color of the disk is black.

Main characteristics:

  • Interface: USB 3.0; USB 2.0
  • Volume: 500GB; 1TB; 2TB; 3TB; 4TB
  • Write/read speed: 129 MB/s and 121 MB/s

Additionally: optimal ratio of cost to disk space

3rd place. Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1TB

This disk is compact, reliable and comes with good software, including the Pogoplug PC program, which costs $30 if you buy it separately from the disk.

Sold in four versions, depending on the amount of memory - from 50 GB to 3 TB. Available in five colors - black, red, white-gold, blue and white.

Capable of working with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, however users note possible difficulties at the first connection option.

Initially formatted in the NTFS system, for use with Apple equipment you need to install a special program called Tuxera NTFS for Mac.

Main characteristics:

  • Interface: USB 3.0; USB 2.0
  • Volume: 500GB; 1TB; 2TB; 3TB
  • Write/read speed: 98 MB/s, 100 MB/s

Additionally: there is the possibility of automatic backup; if necessary, you can configure access from any gadget to files in Canvio Connect II.

4th place. Seagate Backup Plus/Slim 1 TB

This HDD is available in five versions, depending on the memory capacity: from 500 GB to 4 TB.

A nice bonus: after registering the disk on the manufacturer’s website, you can get 200 GB of free Microsoft OneDrive(if purchased separately, you will have to pay $95 for this).

However, hurry up, this promotion ends on June 30th. The Seagate Dashboard application is also included with this HDD.

This device is offered in two versions: Buckup Plus Slim (thickness - 0.5 inches, memory capacity - up to 2 TB, four color options) and Seagate Buckup Plus (thickness - 1.3 inches, memory capacity - 4 TB, black only ).

Main characteristics:

  • Interface: USB 3.0; USB 2.0
  • Volume: 500GB; 1TB; 1.5TB; 2TB; 4TB
  • Write/read speed: 125 MB/s and 120 MB/s

Additionally: free 200 GB (storage period - 2 years).

5th place. Toshiba Canvio Basics USB 3.0 1 TB

This HDD comes in five versions, depending on the memory capacity: from 500 GB to 2 TB.

For an unknown reason, the manufacturer provides different warranties for its devices, depending on the disk size: from 1 to 3 years.

The main disadvantage: the disc is sold without software, which you will have to download yourself.

Feeds and transmits information this HDD using the same USB port.

The performance of this HDD is lower than that of its competitors: with a read speed of 95 MB/s, the write speed is only 89 MB/s.

Main characteristics:

  • Interface: USB 3.0; USB 2.0
  • Volume: 500GB; 750GB; 1TB; 1.5TB; 2TB
  • Write/read speed: 95 MB/s and 89 MB/s

Additionally: the device has a built-in shock sensor, and technology has been introduced to reduce vibration during operation.

External HDD is not detected: what to do

Sometimes users encounter a problem when a laptop or computer does not see the external HDD.

The reasons may be different, let's look at the most common ones.

In most cases, they help to cope with the problem without involving a specialist in solving it.

To begin (after installing the external HDD), go to computer management.

Go to the Control Panel

To do this, you need to select the control panel, go to system and security settings.

You need to pay attention to the column on the left. It contains a menu called “Disk Management”. Let's go here.

This menu displays all drives (internal and external) that are connected to your system.

Often, the computer does not see the connected RVV due to the fact that the drive letter is assigned to it incorrectly, which needs to be changed.

To do this, click right click Click on the external drive icon and select the “Change drive letter” line.

After this, the drive must be assigned a letter that is not in your operating system.

Format the disk

If the external HDD works on other devices (for example, it is seen by another computer or TV), then the reason for not being detected may be incompatibility with the operating system or the lack of necessary drivers.

In this case, the order of your actions is as follows.

First, check the USB port to which you are connecting the external HDD.

To do this, just connect a regular flash drive to it. If the flash drive is detected, then the problem is not with the USB port.

In this case, go to the device manager (click “Control Panel”, go to the “System and Security” tab, then select “Device Manager”.

We look at two tabs: disk devices and other devices.

This screenshot shows that the operating system did not see the drivers for the external HDD, which is why the computer did not find it.

There are two ways to correct the situation:

1. First, click the “Update hardware configuration” tab; after activating it, the drivers are installed automatically.

If the necessary drivers are not on your computer, one of the special driver search programs, of which there are many on the Internet, will come to the rescue, or search required driver on the manufacturer's website.

2. The second option is preferable, since you may inadvertently download the wrong driver on the Internet and the device will still not work.

conclusions

An external HDD is a useful purchase for those who want to significantly expand the memory of their smartphone, laptop or computer.

The choice depends on technical requirements to the device, the preferences of the person himself, and, in the end, financial capabilities.

When choosing an external HDD, also pay attention to where the product is purchased.

In branded stores, devices may cost more than “on hand”.

However, the higher price will be paid off by such a “trifle” as a guarantee from the official manufacturer, which will allow you to exchange or return the faulty device for quite a long time.

If you are interested in which hard drive to choose for your computer in 2017, we recommend reading this material. Today they are becoming increasingly popular hard disks SSD format. It is customary to install an operating system and software on them. This can significantly increase the speed of your computer. But the cost of these devices is very high. Let's look at which hdd to choose for games and work.

That's why the good old HDDs are still in demand. Today they are installed in the system to store large amounts of data. Often OS and other programs are also installed on these drives.

Let's look at a few tips that will help you choose the right model and not make a mistake.

Pay attention to the manufacturer's brand

It is not necessary to buy devices from well-known companies only. Just read reviews about the manufacturer on the Internet and rely on them. Often even little-known companies create really good discs. We continue to figure out how to choose good hdd for PC.

What form factor do you need?

For laptops, they sell hard drives that differ in size from those intended for a computer. At the same time, models for laptops can also be used for PCs. But the computer model cannot be installed on a laptop. Remember these numbers: 3.5 is the PC form factor, and 2.5 is the laptop form factor. This is nothing more than the thickness of the device in sentiment. Deciding which hdd is better choose in 2017, you must definitely take these parameters into account.

How much data can fit on the disk?

The capacity of a hard drive is considered its main characteristic. You need to have an idea of ​​your own needs and calculate how much you are willing to spend to store the desired amount of information. The cheapest are 500 GB drives. This is quite enough for ordinary needs.

If you plan to store a lot of movies in high quality, then it’s better to get yourself a disk with at least 1 TB. If you are an active gamer and like to play on your PC a large number of the most modern heavy games, then you will have to fork out for the disk. After all, for these purposes you will have to take a device with a capacity of 2 TB or more. When deciding how to choose a hard drive for your computer, you need to leave at least a small amount of memory reserve, because the size of games and media files is increasing every day.

What is the rotation speed of the disk?

Many users never pay attention to this characteristic. But in vain! After all, it is what affects the performance of your computer. You can have the most powerful processor and a cool video card. But the PC will run slowly if the hard drive is not able to spin up quickly. Do not use discs with rotation speeds below 5400 rpm. If finances allow, it is better to buy a device that makes 7200 rpm.

What is buffer memory models?

Is not main characteristic hard drives. But other things being equal, it is worth paying attention to. The more space allocated for copied information, the better. Usually for full-fledged work It is quite enough to have a cache of 64 Mb.

Now you are familiar with the characteristics of hard drives HDD format, which will help you choose the most suitable model. Which one is the main one? Everyone decides for themselves. But sometimes it is better to sacrifice volume for good speed. But most importantly, the device must fully satisfy your needs. Now you know how to choose a hdd for your computer based on its characteristics.


Despite the convincing advertising of cloud services, the demand for external hard disks do not fall. The point is not a lack of trust in the “clouds,” but the convenience of a removable HDD drive. Organizations concerned about the safety of information use them as safes for electronic data; ordinary users trust them with photo archives, films, and games. Main plus external hard disk - its independence from network connection. He doesn't need the Internet.

To the Chinese hard drives the attitude is ambiguous. This was facilitated by cases where inexperienced buyers received drives with a capacity lower than that specified in the description. In general, the situation on the AliExpress website has changed for the better. In China it is now possible to buy very decent electronics at reasonable prices. But you need to be able to choose.

We avoid suspiciously cheap options - often these are not new, but refurbished HDD drives. And then we carefully read the reviews and look at customer ratings. And also get acquainted with our rating. The top 12 presents the best models from reliable brands. All participants in the rating received high ratings from customers and are distinguished by their reliability and high performance.

Best 2.5" External Hard Drives 120GB - 750GB

To store large amounts of content, it is not at all necessary to use a large HDD with an external power supply. For home use Often a drive with a capacity of up to 750 GB is sufficient. Inside these models there is a small 2.5-inch drive that does not require a power supply. To connect you only need a USB cable. These devices are lightweight and mobile. To rotate the disk, the device’s motor requires only 5V of energy. It can be obtained from any USB port on a laptop.

3 Acasis FA-05U

Reliable budget external hard drive
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 1,249.90.
Rating (2019): 4.7

This beautiful external drive has been on sale on AliExpress for several years. The product is time-tested. You may not find any innovations in it, but it is the best in terms of reliability. The hard drive is capable of communicating with maximum speed up to 480 Mbit/s. This is a good figure for this class of equipment. But it is only real in ideal conditions. The external storage capacity can be selected from 120 to 500 GB.

To forestall customer complaints, the seller in the product description indicates not only the passport data of the disk capacity, but also the actual amount of memory (the figure is always several gigabytes less). This is not a deception of an enterprising Chinese, but the consequences of using various systems measurements manufacturers of hard disks and operating system. Therefore, there are always fewer real “computer” gigabytes. So, if the reviews write that a 500 GB disk turns out to be 465 GB, this means that the volume corresponds to the declared one.

2 HrdTac

Shockproof case and branded case included
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 2,039.65.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The important features of this external hard drive are: metal case, protected from impacts, and a convenient branded case included. There is also a practical silicone bumper that makes using the disc more comfortable. There are two colors of silicone pads available - red and black. The device is connected to the computer via an interfaceUSB 3.0. Recognized automatically by all popular operating systems.

The drive does not stand out among its Chinese counterparts with record amounts of memory - devices with 160/500/750 GB are available. The disk capacity indicated on the product page corresponds to the actual one. This is confirmed by both reviews and tests. The drive looks very good; users did not notice any malfunctions.

1 KESU_A_HDD

Top seller on AliExpress
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 1,052.48.
Rating (2019): 4.9

One of the most budget and popular external hard drives on AliExpress. The seller has a choice of colors and storage capacity – from 120 GB to 3 TB. The case material is plastic, the dimensions are compact. The weight of the device is only 160 grams. There are no innovations in this model. Just a good external drive that is worth the money. Moreover, its cost per gigabyte is one of the best.

The drive has a cable with a modern dual connector, which increases the power to power the drive. You can connect to a computer or tablet via USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 interfaces. The download speed corresponds to the stated one. The capabilities of this hard drive will not disappoint you. This is confirmed by the reviews on the seller's page.

The best external 2.5-inch hard drives with a capacity of 1 TB or more

This is the most popular type of external drive on AliExpress. The presented drives are as compact as 500 GB external HDDs. They are used to backup important data, store multimedia content, and various archives. There are many manufacturers of such products, so choose best hard drive is not so easy. It must be as productive as possible, have the required amount of memory and a reliable case. Models that have been selected according to these criteria are in front of you.

4WD DBYNN0010/ WDBYFT0020

Bright design and good performance
Price on AliExpress: from 4,692.48 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The creators of this drive were concerned not only with reliable operation device, but also created an individual and bright “face” for it. The company is not new to the market; it has been known since the days of floppy disks. Today it produces external, internal, and solid-state drives. This accessory, which is included in the ranking of the best drives, also turned out to be interesting. It holds a terabyte of information. If this is not enough for you, you can order a 2 TB external WD drive on AliExpress.

The device is ready to use right out of the box; the necessary software for connecting to a computer is on the disk. The model is formatted for Windows 7/8/10, other systems will require reformatting. From useful functions There is automatic backup and password protection. A very worthy drive that inspires confidence.

3 Verbatim C5896-1TB

Inexpensive, all-in-one storage with plenty of storage capacity
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 3,898.26.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Company Verbatim – active participant external hard drive market. Its products are also sold on AliExpress. Introducing a high quality product from this brand with the best memory capacity for this price. The model has a capacity of 1 TB and boasts elegant black design and stylish front panel. The surface is glossy, so over time fingerprints will be visible on the case.

Data transmission efficiency is maintained USB interface 3.0. As the disk fills up, there is a slight loss in data exchange speed. You can connect the device via USB 2.0. On the hard drive itself there is useful software from the manufacturer - software for saving energy, formatting, deleting data. Reviews say that this device has no surprises - buyers get what they expect.

2 Blueendless 1TB-USB 3.0

The best ratio of price and quality
Price on AliExpress: from 4,460.37 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

This external hard drive, popular on AliExpress, is sold in only one version - 1 TB. Terabytes are in demand due to the good data exchange speed (corresponds to USB standard 3.0) and a very attractive price. The body is rubberized, non-slippery. It looks neat and is made reliably. I'm glad that the drive is beautiful not only on the outside. Everything is fine inside too. The model is implemented on the JMS578 controller. Buyers did not identify any problems or glitches during testing. And more than a thousand copies of such external drives have already been sold.

1 Toshiba Canvio Basics 3.0

Compact size and quiet operation
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 3,662.71.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The updated version of the Basics line hard drive has become even thinner, lighter and faster. Connects via USB 3.0 or USB 2.0. The capacity of the external drive corresponds to the declared data on the AliExpress website page. Popular options with capacities of 500 GB and 1 TB and impressive drives designed to store 2 TB and 3 TB of information are available. The device looks attractive - the body is matte and rough to the touch. This external hard drive will not slip out of your hands. And the assembly here is of very high quality. If you just need a good external HDD without overpaying for unnecessary options, this is the best option.

In reviews, users note the quiet operation of the drive - the drive is almost inaudible. The only way to know that data is being transferred is by a flashing indicator. Buyers also praise the speed of working with data in write/read mode. The speed characteristics of the model fully correspond to the description.

Best 3.5" External Hard Drives

If you are going to store games, OS and other large files, take a closer look at 3.5-inch external hard disks. You can't call them miniature. They are sold with a power supply. A USB cable is used to connect to a computer. They record information 2–3 times faster than their miniature “brothers” without a power supply. Sometimes they turn out to be even faster than HDDs built into a laptop. And such drives can also be equipped Wi-Fi module, or Internet adapters. Then there is the possibility of using the disk by several users.

2 Seagate STEL-8000300

The most capacious external HDD with high performance
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 11,492.61.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The strength of this hard drive is its versatility. It works equally quickly on all operating systems. He is not familiar with compatibility problems. Backup can be done from the cloud or social networks. Works correctly with local computers and mobile devices. There is a USB hub for connecting several gadgets at once. At the same time, you can create copies of the necessary files, exchange information and charge your smartphone or tablet at the same time.

The model supports automatic backups according to a specified schedule. Work with Mac computers and Windows. Recognized by the system instantly. No additional driver installation is required. The case is plastic, well made. The dimensions are compact - the external drive does not take up much space on the table. The device is available in two versions – 3 and 8 TB.

1 Blueendless U35WF-1

Wi-Fi housing and best functionality
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 8,069.40.
Rating (2019): 4.8

This portable data storage consists of two parts - the HDD itself and a “pocket” - a housing with the necessary interfaces. The kit includes a stand, a 12-volt power adapter and USB cable 3.0. The volume of the hard drive itself can be selected from 1 TB to 4 TB. Available for this model simultaneous connection to several compatible devices. I have an opportunity remote access to data through the application. The functionality of the device is not limited to this. You can use it like wireless router or to convert a 3G network to Wi-Fi.

The case of this hard drive is equipped with a well-designed cooling system, so the device does not overheat during operation. All outputs are located on the side panel, with an operation indicator nearby. Data transfer speed – up to 300 Mb/s. There are also no complaints about the reliability of the device. This is truly the best multifunctional hard drive in our review.

Best External SSD Drives

Solid state drives are often called external hard disks. Essentially, this is the same device for storing information, only with a different filling. If a rotating magnetic disk, then the SSD drive contains microcircuits - it turns out to be a kind of large flash drive. The advantage of such devices is their amazing reading and reading speed. And they are also not afraid of vibrations and even shocks. But they also cost much more. The price directly depends on the storage capacity.

3 Zheino P1 30GB/60GB/120GB/240GB/480GB

Best price and good quality assemblies
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 1,548.50.
Rating (2019): 4.7

One of best SSD drives in the ultra-budget segment. It looks decent - the case is black, on the front side there is the Zheino logo, on the back there is information about the model name and information about the “filling”. This product is offered on AliExpress in several versions, which differ in disk capacity. There is no deception with the volume - everything is as stated by the seller from AliExpress. The quality of the drive is very well made, and there are no flaws either outside or inside. The case is aluminum, all boards are in place. There are no complaints about the build quality.

In terms of operating speed, this solid-state drive is not enough stars from the sky. But it corresponds to the stated data on the website. But you need to take into account that the device was equipped with an inexpensive mass-produced controller. It does not require a separate memory chip for the buffer. This means that when working with “heavy” files, the exchange speed will drop. But this point did not affect the evaluation of the device by buyers - users leave positive reviews for it.

2 KingDian P10-120GB/P10-240GB

Compact size, optimal price
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 2,594.60.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Compact external hard drive, which is slightly larger in size than a regular flash drive. Even in design they have a lot in common - the main part is made of metal, and the top is plastic, so it looks like a cap from a flash drive. This model has a Type-C connector, it comes from AliExpress with a USB cable for connection. The capacity can be selected from 120 or 240 GB. Tests confirm the reality of the numbers.

Another pleasant surprise is the speed of operation. Manufacturers usually overestimate it in the description of their product, and in this case it turns out to be higher than stated on the Chinese website (real 400/365 MB/s versus stated 320/280 MB/s on a blank formatted disk). But after recording 8–10 GB, the speed drops. This is a feature of the budget controller installed in this device. But in general, buyers are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the device, which they do not forget to write about in reviews on the product page.

1 Samsung SSD T5

Robust design and reliable protection data
Price on AliExpress: from RUB 9,418.31.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The first thing we can praise this model for is its stylish design and very attractive metal body of compact size. It reliably protects the “filling” from unfavorable external factors. The device is not afraid of vibrations, shakes and even falls. In addition, the manufacturer promises data transfer speeds of up to 540 MB/s, USB 3.1, V-NAND flash memory and the presence of a 2nd generation interface. The transfer of significant amounts of data really happens at lightning speed. According to this indicator, this is one of the best models. The accessory will be appreciated by photographers, videographers and those who work with “heavy” files.

Another highlight of the model is the ability to set a password. Your data will always be protected. The drive is available in several versions - with a capacity of 250 GB/500 GB/1TB/2 TB. The model is sold with built-in software for a PC; you can download an application for a smartphone. Connects to everyone mobile devices and computers.