Icon
HT Shop Now Close Icon

Best five hard drives

Last Published on Oct 31, 2022 19:10 IST

Summary:

This blog will take you through the best hard drives and will assist you in storing vital info and valuable memories


The hard drive is that piece of hardware that contains all your online stuff. Digital material on a hard disc includes your papers, photographs, music, movies, applications, application settings, and operating systems. The file size of everything stored on a hard drive is evaluated. Documents are often small, but images are enormous, music is much larger, and movies are the largest. A hard drive measures the amount of digital data in gigabytes (GB), megabytes (MB), & terabytes (TB).

Top hard drives

1.WD Elements desktop hard drive

The external hard drive from WD Elements desktop has a tonne of storage capacity. This disc is adaptable since it works with gaming consoles, computers, and laptops. It features a long-term reliability assurance built in as well as built-in shock tolerance. Additionally, as an added security measure, the drive would be kept safe inside a robust shell. Additionally, it performs smoothly and has a high data transmission rate.

Specifications

Storage capacity: 8TB

Form factor: 3.5 in

Type: PC External HDD

Rotation peed: 5400RPM

Interface: USB 3.0

ProsCons
The read & write transmission rates are quickThere have been a few instances when the unit has failed
It's quiet and does not make too much noiseIt is on the heavy side
The attractive design looks lovely at home or the office 

2. Toshiba canvio ready 2TB portable external HDD - USB3.0

Toshiba canvio ready portable external hard drive has a capacity of 2TB and can be easily connected to your desktop or laptopto store, restore, retrieve, and share information.These transportable hard drives are driven by USB 3.0 technology and are substantially quicker yet still functional with USB 2.0 devices, providing speedy transmission while organising your contents.

Toshiba storage backup program has a simple and user-friendly design. It is simple to select files and folders, intervals, & time settings for backups, as well as the programme does the rest. Toshiba storage security technology is included with this portable and lightweight hard drive, allowing you to encrypt it with a unique passcode. This hard drive has a stylish two-tone finish. The sleek and slender body provides the drive with a special and crisp appearance.

Specification

Storage Capacity: 2TB

Drive type: Mechanical hard disk

Internal drive speed: 5,400rpm

Compatible with: Laptop, desktop

ProsCons
InexpensiveThe spinning drive
Plug and playthe higher versions exhibit declining value
There are no bad clusters 

3. Toshiba canvio basics 1TB portable external HDD - USB 3.2

Using superspeed USB 3.2 generation 1, you can transfer data rapidly and save up to 4 terabytes of information on canvio Basics portable hard drives. Such devices are prepared to utilize Microsoft windows & need no software setup, so keeping all of your personal files cannot be simpler. Its classic style ensures it will constantly look excellent, whether at work or on the road. Furthermore, the hard drive enables you to link to older devices that support USB 2.0. Simple plug-and-play functionality. No software installation is needed, and it is ready to operate with Microsoft Windows. Drag & drop documents from and to any PC or laptop easily. Toshiba compact hard drives give a secure and safe haven for your information wherever you go, thanks to almost 50 years of expertise in hard drive innovation and unsurpassed standards of quality.

Specifications:

Digital storage space: 1 TB

Brand: Toshiba

Hard disk form factor: 2.5 Inches

Hard disk interface: USB 1.1

Linking technology: USB

Compatible with: Laptop, Desktop

ProsCons
Compact matte-finish casingInsufficiently small to fit in a pocket
Fast data transfer rateNot for iPhone
USB 3.0 high-speed port 

4. Seagate expansion 4TB external HDD - USB 3.0

With a Seagate compact external hard drive, you can keep all of your moments, favourite films, as well as important files in one place. You could simply transfer files from your desktop to this hard disc drive utilizing a simple drag &drop movement. Moreover, because of its ease of use and broad suitability, this hard disc drive can be used on both Mac and Windows operating systems. In addition, if your hard drive is broken due to water or other unusual events, Seagate's rescue data retrieval assistance team will assist you in recovering lost information. Thanks to its simple installation and automated identification feature, you can utilize this hard drive with both Mac and Windows computers. This hard disc drive can be used to free up your computer's space by moving infrequently used documents and media. The additional storage on your desktop can then be utilized to download new apps or to install games, films, and other media.

Specification

Interface: USB 2.0/3.0

Spin Rate: 5400 rpm

Design: Portable

Hard disk form factor: 2.5 Inches

Linking technology: USB

Compatible with: Laptop, Desktop

ProsCons
The design is strong and compactThe USB Type-C cable is not included
Good performanceA little heavy
Excellent grip 

5. Western digital elements SE portable external hard drive

A clogged internal hard disc might degrade your computer's performance. This large portable external drive is among the best WD hard drives and provides additional space for movies, images, and other digital data. Quick transfer rates simplify shifting data back and forth whenever necessary. Because it is USB 2.0 & USB 3.0 compatible, it may be used with various devices. Data transmission rates of up to 5GB/second allow you to move data from one device to another quickly. Most Windows-based machines are compatible. Western Digital hard drives may be formatted to be used on Mac OS computers. The compact form makes it simple to transport while on the go. The Elements SE portable hard drive provides enough room for games, movies, music, etc.

Specifications

Compatibility: USB 3.0 and USB 2.0

The technology of Connectivity: USB

Form Factor: 3.2 Inches

Spin Rate: 5400 rpm

ProsCons
Fast read speedComes with an outdated micro USB connector
Comes with a compact priceThere is no LED indication
It is lightweight 
WD 8TB elements desktop hard driveToshiba canvio ready 2TB portable external HDD - USB3.0 2TB elements portable hard disk driveToshiba canvio basics 1TB portable external HDD - USB 3.2 Seagate expansion 4TB external HDD - USB 3.0Western digital elements SE portable external hard drive
High-capacity extra storageSpeedy data transfersCompact matte-finish casingPortable devicesAn imported product
Ready for plug-and-play on Windows PCsTransfer speeds of up to 5.0 Gb/s are possibleUSB 3.0 high-speed portFile saving using drag-and-dropCompact in size
Quick data transport speedNo software download is needed for plug-and-play functionalitySimple plug-and-play operationUSB 3.0 connectivityA decent capacity

Best value for money

The Toshiba canvio basics 1TB portable external HDD - USB 3.2 is the best value-for-money hard drive among the above list. You can transfer data quickly and save up to 4 terabytes of information on canvio basics portable hard drives using superspeed USB 3.2 Generation 1. Such devices are pre-configured to run Microsoft Windows and require no software installation, making it impossible to keep all of your personal files. Its classic design ensures that it will always look great, whether at work or on the road. Furthermore, the hard drive allows you to connect to older USB 2.0 devices. Simple plug-and-play operation. There is no software to install, and it is ready to use with Microsoft Windows. You can easily drag and drop documents from and to any PC or laptop. Toshiba compact hard drives provide a secure and safe haven for your data wherever you go, thanks to nearly 50 years of expertise in hard drive innovation and unrivalled quality standards.

Best overall best hard drives

The WD 8TB elements desktop hard drive is the best overall hard drive among the above list. The WD elements desktop external hard drive has a massive storage capacity. This disc is versatile because it is compatible with gaming consoles, computers, and laptops. It has built-in long-term reliability assurance as well as shock tolerance. Furthermore, as an added security measure, the drive would be protected within a strong shell. It also runs smoothly and has a high data transmission rate.

How to find the best hard drives

Here is our list of items to consider when buying an external drive-based storage device. There are many storage devices on the market, so there is something to suit everyone's requirements.

Spending limit

Your allotted budget will enable you to choose between a desktop-bound solution and a more portable one since external hard disc drives cost a little more than the internal equivalents.

Drive speed

The fastest storage devices will likely be those made with desktop-based components, but only if it is combined with an interface that is similarly fast. Enable the RAID-0 configuration of two hard drives, improving speed considerably.

Security

Manufacturers of external storage devices like Western Digital pair up two hard drives to increase redundancy if one of the drives fails. Seagate also offers a welcome "on the fly encryption" option that should keep your contents secure and hidden from prying eyes.

Storage volume

The quantity of storage required will, of course, influence the solution you pick; generally speaking, complex disk-based devices provide the most excellent value for money in terms of price & storage space.

The drive's size

An external desktop drive, which is more significant than a standalone executable but will provide more excellent storage space at any given price, makes sense to purchase if you seldom intend to move the external memory device.

Price list

S.NoProductsPrice
1WD 8TB elements desktop hard driveRs. 31,254
2Toshiba canvio ready 2TB portable external HDD - USB3.0Rs. 6,698
3Toshiba canvio basics 1TB portable external HDD - USB 3.2Rs. 3,899
4Seagate expansion 4TB external HDD - USB 3.0Rs. 8,499
5Western digital elements SE portable external hard driveRs. 15,962

“At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you purchase.”

Best five hard drives

A 2TB disc can store around 2 trillion bytes. So put this in context, you might have 100,000 pieces of music, 150 films, and a slew of other personal goods on a 2TB disc and still have enough folders for professional Word files.

When you require a hard drive for common terms, a 500GB - 1TB hard disc for storing data is your best choice. That should provide for the most common file storage requirements. The difference in price between a 500GB & a 1TB disc is usually insignificant; thus, we suggest getting a 1TB drive.

To store the operating system, programmes, and data files, every computer requires at minimum one storage drive.

All of your persistent computer data is saved on the hard disk. When you download a file, picture, or piece of software to your desktop, it is saved on your hard drive.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so ... we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Read more

Get Latest Updates on Best Electronics Deals. Mobiles , Laptops , Tablets , Gadgets and Computer Accessories