Top 10 Best best external hard drives for pc in 2025
Introduction
Looking for a reliable best external hard drives for pc in 2025? You’re not alone. With so many models available today, it’s easy to get lost—especially when descriptions are vague or customer reviews are all over the place. That’s why we decided to sort things out. Not by claiming to know everything, but by analyzing what sells well, what real users say, and what’s worth your attention both on paper and in practice. Our goal isn’t to drown you in technical details, but to guide you toward the best possible choices—without wasting hours comparing on your own. In short, a practical and hopefully useful guide.
【VERSATILE COMPATIBILITY】 - Compatible with multiple devices including TVs, game consoles, computers and Android phones. (Does not come with a Type-C cable. If you need to connect your Android phone and computer devices without USB ports, you need to purchase a USB to Type-C cable).
【Improved Design】 - Features a non-slip design with rounded corners for a more comfortable grip.
【Lightning-Fast Transfers】 - Boasts ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 120MB/s read and 103MB/s write, thanks to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility.
【Easy to Use】 - Simply plug and play with no software installation required. Plus, the aluminum anti-interference layer helps protect your data and dissipate heat.
【Complete Package】 - Comes with everything you need, including a portable hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, user manual, and gift-type shell packaging. Plus, enjoy peace of mind with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty.
Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external drive makes making backups a snap with drag and drop
To install the drive, simply connect it to your computer and it will be automatically detected without the need for any software
Mac compatibility: Reformat compatible
This USB drive offers plug-and-play simplicity with the included 46cm USB 30 cable Fast file transfer with USB 30 (backwards compatible with USB 20)
How to choose a good best external hard drives for pc?
On the surface, choosing a best external hard drives for pc seems simple. But once you dig in, it gets more complicated. Between technical differences, unfamiliar brands, and unclear features, it’s better to ask the right questions:
Usage: Will you use it daily or only occasionally? That heavily influences the right model.
Budget: No need to go for the most expensive one right away. What matters is the value for money.
Key factors:
Durability, build quality, lifespan
Truly useful features (not just marketing buzz)
User reviews, especially after weeks or months
Availability of customer service in case of issues
We’ve cross-checked multiple sources: Amazon data, detailed reviews, search trends… and a bit of intuition too—because numbers don’t tell the whole story. This mix allows us to build our ranking, which we update regularly. The goal isn’t to just list names but to guide you toward what truly works.
【VERSATILE COMPATIBILITY】 - Compatible with multiple devices including TVs, game consoles, computers and Android phones. (Does not come with a Type-C cable. If you need to connect your Android phone and computer devices without USB ports, you need to purchase a USB to Type-C cable).
【Improved Design】 - Features a non-slip design with rounded corners for a more comfortable grip.
【Lightning-Fast Transfers】 - Boasts ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 120MB/s read and 103MB/s write, thanks to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility.
【Easy to Use】 - Simply plug and play with no software installation required. Plus, the aluminum anti-interference layer helps protect your data and dissipate heat.
【Complete Package】 - Comes with everything you need, including a portable hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, user manual, and gift-type shell packaging. Plus, enjoy peace of mind with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty.
High Capacity: The Toshiba Canvio Partner provides 1TB of storage space, allowing you to store a vast amount of data, including documents, photos, music, and videos.
Easy to Use: Simply plug this external hard drive into your computer's USB port and start using it right away. No software or drivers needed, it's ready to use out of the box.
Portable Design: The Canvio Partner is small, lightweight, and compact, making it easy to carry with you on the go. It's perfect for people who need to work or travel with their data.
Reliable Performance: This external hard drive is built with Toshiba's quality and reliability standards, ensuring that your data is safe and secure. It also features shock sensors to protect your data against accidental drops or bumps.
Expand your storage: Skip the monthly cloud storage fee and save more of the games, photos, videos and files you love with read speeds up to 1,050MB/s. Load files up to 7.5x faster than portable hard drives and 100x faster than USB flash drives.
Plug-and-play compatibility: With an easy USB-C connection, the Crucial X9 Portable SSD is the perfect compatible storage solution for your PC, Mac, tablet, gaming console, Android and more.
On-the-go durability: Unlike fragile portable hard drives, the Crucial X9 Portable SSD is durable and dependable. Shock, vibration and drop proof up to 7.5 feet, the X9 is also built to withstand fluctuations in temperature.
Back up everything that matters: Never lose another file, photo or video. Instead, back up all your favorite things to your Crucial X9 Portable SSD, available in capacities up to 4TB. The X9 works with Windows File History, Apple Time Machine and Acronis True Image.
Get 3 months of Mylio Photos+ on us and one month of Adobe Acrobat Pro when you purchase and register your Crucial X9. Mylio Photos+ is a complete solution for connecting your devices into a single photo library, while Adobe Acrobat is the all-in-one solution for creating, editing and e-signing PDF's quickly.
USB 3.0 Super speed 5Gbps transfer rate ultra slim and light weight Portable external hard drive.
Runs straight from a usb 2.0 or usb 3.0 port no external power source needed, Reliable portable storage solution formatted to FAT32 for use with all operating systems mac os and windows
Reliable portable storage solution formatted to FAT32 for use with all operating systems mac os and windows
Connect it to your smart TV and record all your favourite movies and TV programmes on to the hard drive and play them back when ever you like, you can add and remove recordings with ease.
Please note for XBOX ONE Users you will need the minimum 320gb version and above the 250gb and below will not work.
Plug and Play: No software to install, just plug in the hard drive and the drive is ready to use. You just need to take out the outer cover and insert the unit.
Storage Capacity: 1TB (Terabyte) of storage space.
Compact Size: 2.5-inch form factor for portability.
Multi-Platform Compatibility: Works seamlessly with PS4, Mac, phones (Andriods with USB C), and Xbox devices.
High-Speed Data Transfer: USB 3.0/C for fast data transfer speeds.
Experience ultra-fast performance with USB 3.0 connectivity, offering data transfer speeds up to 5GB/s. This external hard drive is made for gaming PCs, PS5 and desktop PCs, reducing game load times and boosting overall system responsiveness. Whether you're expanding PS5 storage, adding capacity to your PS4 console, or archiving gameplay, this 1TB external hard drive keeps your gaming smooth.
Plug and Play - Enjoy effortless setup with true plug and play functionality—no software installation or configuration required. Compatible with laptops, smartphones, televisions, gaming consoles, and more, this portable hard drive is the ideal solution for gamers and content creators. Simply connect via USB3.0 Cable and start saving your favorite games, movies, and media. It’s the perfect PS5 accessory and works seamlessly across platforms.
Universal Compatibility - This versatile external HDD supports a wide range of devices including PS4, PS5, Mac, gaming desktops, laptop and smart TVs. Whether you're looking for PS5 memory expansion, or a backup drive for your Mac, this drive fits all needs. With storage options from 320GB to 1TB external hard drive, it's perfect for both casual and serious gamers seeking maximum hard drive flexibility.
Your Ultimate Storage Solution - Say goodbye to low space with this high-capacity external hard drive, available in 320GB, 500GB and 1TB models. Ideal for storing large game files, videos, and documents, it's the ultimate storage solution for gamers, professionals, and students. Whether you're building a media library or expanding storage for your PS5 hard drive, this device offers reliable and secure storage in a sleek, black design.
Lightweight, Durable, and Built to Travel - Designed for portability and durability, this external hard drive fits easily in your backpack or pocket, making it perfect for travel. Whether you're transferring data between a desktop PC, gaming laptop, or console, its compact size and make it your go-to portable hard drive. Expand your hard drive with ease and carry your entire digital world wherever you go.
Get NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 1050MB/s read and up to 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive that’s perfect for creating amazing content or capturing incredible footage
Up to three-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating
Travel worry-free with a 5-year limited warranty and a durable silicone shell that offers a premium feel and added protection to the drive’s exterior
Use the handy Carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind
Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption. Password protection uses 256-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 8, Windows 10 and macOS v10.9+
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best best external hard drives for pc? It depends on your needs, but the top 3 products are generally the most balanced options.
How do I maintain it properly? It varies by model. The best approach is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations (yes, reading the manual is worth it).
Where to buy it with confidence? Amazon remains a solid choice: wide selection, easy returns, and tons of user reviews—hard to beat.
Do I need a big-name brand? Not necessarily. Lesser-known brands can be surprisingly good, with well-designed products that rival top names—at a lower cost. Don’t overlook them just because the name is unfamiliar.
What are the most common pitfalls? A super low price might be tempting but could signal major compromises (build quality, reliability, nonexistent support…). Also beware of product pages with no reviews or vague comments. Spend a few minutes reading real feedback—this is often where the most valuable info is.
How is our ranking built?
We don’t claim to have a magic formula. In reality, it’s a blend of data—ratings, sales volume, review frequency—and observation. We watch for recurring themes in reviews, compare search trends, and yes, sometimes rely on our gut feeling. A great product isn’t just numbers. Our ranking aims to balance all of that: data, common sense, and a lot of time spent checking.
We analyze scores, sales frequency, genuine reviews (not just stars), and current search trends. Each model is rated using a consistent set of criteria. While it’s not perfect, it helps us stay fair and consistent. And we update our lists often, because products evolve—and so do we.
Why trust Topelio?
Topelio is an independent website—we don’t sell these products and we’re not tied to any brand. What drives us is clarity and usefulness. We aim to produce practical, readable, honest content. Our rankings are based on public data, complemented by our own experience. No shady partnerships or biased recommendations—just a genuine effort to save you time, and maybe money too.
Thanks for taking the time to read this guide. Choosing a best external hard drives for pc might seem trivial, but it’s often more complicated than expected. Too many options, unclear product pages, and marketing promises that don’t help… That’s why we aimed to create a simple but solid comparison. With practical info, useful tips, and most importantly—a ranking based on reality. Take time to compare, read more reviews if needed, and choose based on your own priorities. What works for someone else might not be ideal for you. If this guide helped you, feel free to explore our other articles. We always try to add real value—without wasting your time. See you soon on Topelio.
