Best External Hard Drive 2023 • 6 External Hard Drives Reviews

What is an external hard drive and how does it work?

Despite being a piece of hardware in its own right, this portable hard drive isn’t integrated into the internal structure of the computer, tablet, or any other device to which it provides storage. The main difference with conventional models is that you can physically transport them and connect them to a variety of other devices.

Certain types of hard drives that are integrated into electronic devices but can be removed are also considered to be external disks. These often come with a protective casing and are used as external hard drives using a USB connection. That way, you can recycle your old computer’s hard disk.

Their mechanical operation is very similar to that of conventional hard disks, so we can explain how these storage devices work in general. To speak in general terms, they consist of one or more hard drives that are covered by a magnetic material and joined by an axis. This axis rotates at high speed inside a metal case.

The rotation of the axis on the disks causes the movement of each of the needles with a reading and writing head sliding on the disks. What this means is that both the file writing and the reading of those already written occurs simultaneously.

What are the types of external hard drives?

The models that operate in the way we just explained are called hard disk drives (HDD). In terms of size and design, they are the biggest type available on the market. However, you can opt for another more compact, manageable, and sophisticated kind of hard drive: the solid-state drive (SSD). In fact, most current models are SSDs.

This type of external hard drive stores the data via electrical impulses in interconnected flash memories – the very same ones used by USB flash drives. In HDD disks, a chip is responsible for the reading and writing of the needle. This means that SSDs have fewer mechanical components, making them lighter and faster.

Advantages and disadvantages of an external hard drive

Now that we have introduced you to the primary characteristics of these storage devices, let’s go over the main pros and cons of purchasing one. As you can see in the table below, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. One of the greatest benefits of an external hard drive is that it can boost the storage capacity of any electronic equipment at an affordable price.

Advantage

Disadvantage

Shopping Criteria for the best external hard drive

Do you feel confident about choosing the right external hard drive yet? You should already know a lot more concerning this state-of-the-art product, so you may be asking yourself what is left for you to discover. Well, various key shopping criteria can serve as deciding factors if you’re hesitating between two different models. In the following section, we will introduce you to these essential aspects:

• Personal Use
• Compatibility
• Size & Weight
• Reading & Writing Speed
• Transfer Speed (USB 3.0)

Personal Use

The storage capacity of an external hard drive is undeniably one of the most important factors to consider when making your purchase. There is a wide range of options out there, which is why you need to be clear about how you plan on using your device. What type of files will you be storing? How many?

Compatibility

We’ve briefly discussed this criterion already, but it’s always useful to go over it again. The more compatibility your external hard drive is, the fewer problems you will run into in the future. That way, you won’t have to search for suitable devices when you want to use it. Besides, you won’t have to install specific software every time you take it with you.

Keep in mind that the compatibility of an external hard drive relates to the operating system of the computer to which you want to connect it. If you can’t find a suitable model compatible with the major operating systems (Windows, Mac OS, and Linux), pick one that works with the system you use most often. Ideally, however, your external hard drive should be universally compatible.

Size & Weight

One of the greatest perks of these devices is that you can comfortably take them around with you. They were specifically designed for this purpose, which is why most of them only measure a few inches. The weight rarely exceeds two pounds, apart from the more sophisticated models tailored to professional use.
The best thing you can do is find a balanced model that combines high-quality performance with a compact design. You won’t want to overlook the manufacturing material of the casing, either, as it plays a major role in the durability of the device. Plastic, steel, or metal alloys have different densities and, therefore, different weights.

Reading & Writing Speed

This criterion refers to the speed at which the disk is capable of recording content and playing it back. It is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), 5,400 being the most common speed in this type of device. Any higher value will be considered ultra-fast according to normal performance standards. In our opinion, this isn’t the most decisive factor in general.

Transfer Speed (USB 3.0)

This technical spec, on the other hand, is key if you need to receive and send files as quickly as possible when your external hard drive is connected to a computer. This is why virtually every model now includes a USB 3.0 connection. If you opt for a model with an older USB version, it will considerably slow the overall speed.

Think back about the old days when you had to wait several minutes just to transfer a couple of PDFs and Word documents from your flash drive to your PC. Now, take this speed and apply it to the massive audio and video files we often pass from one device to another. You’re in for a long day, aren’t you? This is why you should prefer hard drives with USB 3.0 connectivity.

Related links and sources

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/external-hard-disk
• https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-an-external-hard-drive?r=US&IR=T
• https://www.recordnations.com/articles/external-hard-drive/

FAQ

Why are external hard drives so useful?

The primary use of these devices is to compensate for the low storage capacity of many computers, especially laptops. They also allow professionals and students to carry a large number of files without needing to have a computer at all times. All you have to do is connect the hard drive to any PC to access its content. This data storage device makes it easy to physically transport a wide range of data. Most mid-range models weigh less than two pounds and measure only a few inches, which means that they will easily fit in your backpack or even pocket! You won’t have to pay a subscription for cloud storage, either.

How much can I store on my external hard drive?

Like conventional hard drives, external models offer a comprehensive range of technical specs. In that regard, you can purchase basic models with more modest space, while advanced devices can now provide incredible storage capacity. Nowadays, the primary baseline measurement in the field of digital storage is the terabyte (TB). Each terabyte is equivalent to 1,000 gigabytes (GB), which was still the reference unit a few years ago. It had itself replaced the megabyte (MB).

Can I use my external hard drive on any computer?

No. Like with any peripheral that is connected to another electronic device, you will need to check the compatibility of your hard drive to see how you can use it. What you have to do is to make sure that it can operate with your computer’s operating system. While most external hard disks offer universal compatibility, you will find certain models that will only function with a specific operating system. As you know, Windows, Mac OS, and Linux are the most common; in that regard, hard drive manufacturers try to adapt their devices to all three.