External hard drive

I'd choose 2TB unless you have a specific reason to need 1TB or 4TB.

Other good choices

Samsung T9 2TB

$574.99

Crucial X10 Pro 2TB

$399.99

SanDisk Extreme 2TB

$299.00

WD My Passport 4TB

$169.99

LaCie Rugged 5TB

$239.99

The Samsung T9 and Crucial X10 Pro can reach around 2,000–2,

Best Portable External HDDs (Best Value & Capacity)

These traditional mechanical drives spin at 5,400 RPM and are perfect for archiving large media libraries or setting up automatic backups without spending a fortune.wired.com+1

• Best Overall : Widely recommended by PCMag and Wirecutter for its excellent balance of portability, hardware encryption, and cross-platform usability.

• Key Specs : Available up to 6TB capacities; utilizes 256-bit AES hardware encryption.

• Best for Large Backups : Praised by PC Gamer as a highly reliable, plug-and-play solution that squeezes massive capacities into a very small footprint.

• Standout Feature : Includes 3 years of Rescue Data Recovery Services for added peace of mind.

• Best Durable HDD : Built with an iconic orange rubber bumper that handles drops, rain, and crushing forces.

• Key Consideration : Ideal for photographers and on-location workers, though it carries a slight price premium.nytimes.com+3[5]blog.fosketts.net[7]cleanmymac.com

Best External SSDs (Best for Speed & Performance)

If you need to transfer 4K video files rapidly, run applications directly from the drive, or want maximum drop protection with no moving parts, an external SSD is worth the investment.youtube.com+1

• Top Performance : Highlighted by PCMag as a premier choice due to its blazing-fast data transfer rates and tiny pocket size.

• Key Specs : Read speeds up to 2,100 MB/s, write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s, and an IP55 water/dust resistance rating.

• Best Travel Companion : Features a handy built-in carabiner loop, robust IP65 dust and water resistance, and highly consistent mid-tier speeds.forum.zorin.com+4

To help narrow down the perfect drive, tell me:

• What type of files are you storing (basic documents, gaming files, or large 4K video projects)?
• Will you be keeping the drive at your desk or traveling with it on the go?
• What operating system (Windows, macOS, or a console like PS5/Xbox) will you plug it into?