Top 10 Best External Hard Drives in 2014 Reviews

External hard drives fill a great gap when it comes to transferring large files, storing media and backing up a laptop or desktop. Needless to say, they are the best option in terms of storage upgrade for a laptop owner. Looking at the options available, picking the best ones is a bit challenging. There are many things that need to be taken into account such as the build quality, reliability, consumer reviews, transfer rates, price, capacity and additional features.

10. Seagate Backup Plus 2TB

Seagate is no stranger when it comes to storage drives. In fact, it is the only thing they are known for which means they have plenty of experience building hard drives. The Seagate Backup Plus 2TB offers plenty of storage space, a software backup solution and a decently looking design. It looks great on a desk. The only downside is its form factor. It uses a desktop grade 3.5 inch hard which also means it needs more power than what the USB port can offer so it comes with an adapter that makes it more annoying to carry around. However, it is an affordable drive with decent transfer rates at USB 3.0 support.

9. Seagate Backup Plus 5TB

The Seagate Backup Plus 5TB is part of the same family of products as the 2TB version but there are quite a few distinct differences. The first one is the capacity. 5TB is 5 times more than what an average computer has. This is also the feature that makes it so expensive. It supports USB 3.0 and needs an external power source. It is not very portable but it offers plenty of storage space which is much more than what an average user would even need. Because it does not really address the general public, the model can only the ninth spot on this top 10.

8. Western Digital My Passport Ultra

Western Digital is the main competitor for Seagate. Their storage solutions populate the vast majority of consumer grade desktops and laptops. The Passport series is their most successful line of products. They come in four different colors, a compact form factor due to the use of 2.5 inch drives and an overall decent value for money. The 2TB version is the most recommended one as it competes in terms of pricing with similar 1TB models made by other manufacturers. As an additional note, Western Digital offers a backup solution and cloud storage bundled with the My Passport Ultra drive.

7. Western Digital My Passport Studio

The Studio model is more of a niche product. It does not support USB 3.0 transfer speeds but it comes with FireWire support. The FireWire ports are in theory much faster than USB 2.0 but the unit is limited when it comes to transfer speeds because of its mechanical drive. On the other hand, all hard drives have almost the same transfer rates. In terms of value for money, the Studio is one of the more expensive hard drives. There are more affordable 1TB units out there but if FireWire port connectivity is a must, this model would be the better choice.

6. G-Technology G-DRIVE

This small and compact 1TB external drive is advertised as both Windows and Mac OS compatible. It cannot support both operating systems at the same time as it needs to be properly formatted. It uses a standard 2.5 inch hard drive running at 7200 RPMs which gives it reliable transfer speeds and with the aid of the USB 3.0 support it should reach around 80 to 100 MB/S. Because it uses a 2.5 inch drive, it does not need an external power adapter. It can be fully powered via the USB port.

5. Toshiba Canvio 1.0 TB

The Canvio is probably the most affordable 1TB drive. However, to make it this affordable, the unit comes with the most basic features. It does not come bundled with backup software but it does have a Shock Sensor. It is fully plug and play and comes with a 1-year limited warranty. The exterior case might not be the most attractive one but for the price, the unit does its job just fine. It is one the products that are recommended for the ones with a limited budged and with reasonable expectations.

4. Toshiba Canvio Slim II 1TB

The Canvio Slim II is probably the most compact unit available. It is almost as big as an average smartphone and very thin as well. Inside the exterior sleek aluminum case, a 2.5 inch drive can be found which will need very little power to operate. It can run on the power provided via the USB port. The full package includes a wide range of tools and applications. It even comes with an app that allows its owner to access the drive over the internet as long as it is connected to a running computer. It comes with 256 bit encryption for data protection and a generous 3 year warranty.

3. Western Digital My Passport Slim 2TB

My Passport Slim seems to have been built for durability in mind. The outer case is made of metal which should offer it impact protection. Its form factor has been reduced to make it fit even into a pocket. It supports USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and comes bundled with backup software and a free mobile app for remote management. As a bonus, Western Digital included a soft pouch and a generous 3 year warranty.

2. Silicon Power Rugged Armor A15

Silicon Power is more of a small company when compared with other external hard drive manufacturers but their products have something that the rest do no and that is durability. The Rugged Armor line of products meets military grade drop tests. It is compatible with USB 3.0 and can survive drops on concrete. It also features a physical backup button and comes in a compact form factor with 1TB of total storage space.

1. Silicon Power Rugged Armor A80 1 TB

The A80 is the most durable portable hard drive on the market. It can survive both drops and it is completely waterproof. It supports USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 and comes with free software. The exterior case is quite stylish and simple in design. It is a great external drive that looks great, can survive drops and water and comes with a low price tag.