A 1TB external hard drive has more than enough extra storage space for the average person. Even with cloud storage space rapidly expanding, there’s still a thriving market for physical storage devices. With many external hard drives on the market, we felt the need to delineate the differences between the brands and find the best of the best.
Here are the best brands of 1TB external hard drives out there:
7. Corsair CMFVYGTX3C-1TB Flash Voyager GTX 1TB USB 3.1
The Corsair Flash Voyager GTX is a fast USB 3.1 flash drive that’ll make transferring files to your computer much easier, especially for photographers and other media creators who need to store large amounts of data. If you need extra storage space but want the speed of an external hard drive, the Corsair Flash Voyager GTX is one of the best options out there.
The main attraction of the Flash Voyager GTX series are its file transfer speeds that exceed normal USB 3.0 drives. It’s about twice as fast at transferring large files than the next quickest drive on this list. This speed will make things easier for photographers and media creators who need to move a lot of data from one machine to another without spending much time waiting around for it.
The Flash Voyager GTX is a USB 3.1 drive, which is the newer version of USB that offers even faster transfer speeds than traditional USB drives and works with your computer’s newest ports. The Flash Voyager GTX is also backwards-compatible, so you can use it on older computers without a problem. Overall, this flash drive provides quick and easy file transfers.
6. LaCie Porsche Design USB 3.0 1TB Mobile Hard Drive
If you want a flash drive with style and substance, the LaCie Porsche design is an excellent choice for easy portability on your desk or in your pocket. The sleek silver casing houses a 1TB hard drive that can be used to store your data, transfer files between computers and use as a backup drive.
This is the perfect choice for people who want an attractive design with a lot of storage space. The LaCie Porsche Design 1TB hard drive is compatible with both Windows computers and Macs, so you can use it on either platform.
5. Samsung T5 Portable SSD
Portable SSDs are just starting to gain traction, and Samsung has made a good start with the T5. Although expensive, you get a premium product that’s compact and ready for action. It also comes in both 250GB and 2TB flavors, so there is something for any budget. The only downside to the T5 is that it doesn’t have an included USB-C cable.
4. Western Digital 1TB Black My Passport External Hard Drive
This Western Digital 1TB black external hard drive is a great option for your home or office. It includes password protection to keep your data safe and secure, as well as automatic backup software that continually backs up your files. The My Passport also comes with WD SmartWare technology, which enables you to sync your data across other cloud storage apps, such as Dropbox and Google Drive. It also comes with a two-year limited warranty on parts and labor.
3. Seagate Backup Plus Slim
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is one of the most lightweight and compact external hard drives on the market, which makes it easy to store away in a backpack or laptop bag. It’s also pretty stylish with its brushed metal finish (it comes in silver, gold, platinum and gunmetal). The slim external drive is also USB powered, so there’s no need for an additional power source.
With this drive, you can easily back up your data and access it from any of your devices (up to five computers). There’s also a Seagate Mobile Backup app that lets you do the same on iOS or Android smartphones.
2. ADATA SD700 3D NAND 1TB Ruggedized Water/Dust/Shock Proof SSD
The SD700 from ADATA is a solid choice for those who want to protect their data. It’s made out of tough aluminum alloy, and features an IP68 rating, which means that it can withstand all sorts of environmental hazards like water, dust, shock or even vibration. The SD700 has the fastest sequential read and write speeds on this list with a maximum speed of 440MB/s.
In addition to that, the SD700 is also equipped with two USB Type-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports (the ones you probably use every day), one MicroUSB port, but also an additional USB Type-C port. The SD700 is capable of transferring data at up to 5Gbps, but it’s worth noting that you’ll need a computer with a USB 3.1 Gen 1 or higher port in order to take advantage of the fast speeds.
1. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0
Starting off our list of the best brands of 1TB external hard drives is Toshiba. This storage device will set you back about $45, which makes it one of the cheaper options on this list. It comes with a USB cable and features an aluminum case that’s easy to carry around anywhere. The drive itself is highly durable, and Toshiba backs this up by including a 5-year limited warranty. So if you’re looking for an inexpensive storage solution that’s easy to carry around, the Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0 fits the bill perfectly.
All of the best external hard drives have a storage capacity that’s good for all your data and then some. If you need more space, there are also ways to make multiple smaller USB 3.0 hard drives into one larger unit without spending too much money or re-purchasing technology you already own.
External hard drives are a great investment for any small business or individual who needs to store valuable data. With the right drive, you can keep all your files safe and accessible for years to come. If you’re looking for the best external hard drives on the market, we hope our reviews and buying guide have been helpful.