The best hard drives can be hugely beneficial to photographers and videographers. When you’re making images, you need a place to keep them, and if you’re a frequent shooter then your computer’s hard drives are going to fill up quickly. External hard drives give you a place to keep all your files so your computer can keep running smoothly — while also serving as a vital backup.
When we talk about hard drives, we’re referring to two distinct types, both of which are included in this guide:
Hard disk drives (HDDs): The basic form of hard drive, these are ideal if you have a lot of data to store and not too much budget. In terms of the amount of storage you get for your buck, HDDs are unsurpassed.
Solid state drives (SSDs): More and more commonly found in modern computers, solid state drives deliver superior read/write speeds, and will transfer data much faster. If you want a drive for photo or video editing, an SSD is the best choice — however, they do come at a higher cost, especially if you also want lots of storage space.
Here is our selection of the best hard drives to buy, with options for all budgets…
Our top picks
LaCie Rugged USB-C Portable Hard Drive - 1TB
Combining rugged durability with cutting-edge USB-C connectivity, the 1TB LaCie Rugged USB-C Portable Hard Drive is compatible with next-generation computers such as the Apple MacBook, and is backwards-compatible with USB computers. It features a large storage capacity in a small unit, making it portable and versatile, and its rugged design ensures it is drop, crush, and rain resistant.
£85.00 View
LaCie Rugged USB-C Portable Hard Drive - 2TB
Save £15, RRP £104.99
The 2TB LaCie Rugged USB-C Portable Hard Drive combines rugged durability with cutting-edge USB-C connectivity to deliver a portable, versatile storage solution. Compatible with next-generation computers like the Apple MacBook and backwards-compatible with USB computers, it features a large storage capacity in a small unit. Its rugged design ensures it is drop, crush, and rain resistant.
£105.00 View
LaCie Rugged USB-C Portable Hard Drive - 4TB
Compatible with next-generation computers like the Apple MacBook, and backwards-compatible with USB computers, the 4TB LaCie Rugged USB-C Portable Hard Drive combines rugged durability with cutting-edge USB-C connectivity to deliver a portable, versatile storage solution. It features a large storage capacity in a small unit, and its rugged design ensures it is drop, crush, and rain resistant.
£159.00 View
Pros:
- Ultra-tough build, shockproof and splashproof
- Capacity options go up to 4TB
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Not as fast as SSDs
- No Thunderbolt port
LaCie’s iconic orange hard drives are hugely popular among creatives of all stripes — many photographers and videographers alike keep one in their kit bags. It’s not hard to see why, as these super-tough hard drives are built to withstand the wear and tear of a busy creative’s lifestyle. Their rubber armour allows them to withstand impacts and splashes and keep on working, while also keeping them nicely lightweight and portable.
With its USB-C interface, this well-priced hard drive boasts pleasingly fast transfer speeds. You’re probably not going to be able to edit high-resolution video directly off the drive, but for transferring large files on and off, it does well. Capacity options include 1TB, 2TB and 4TB, with all three being pleasingly affordable. For a basic but high-quality hard drive that gets the job done for backup and storage, this is a brilliant option.
SanDisk Extreme E61 500GB Portable SSD V2
The SanDisk Extreme E61 Portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers within a portable and rugged body. Being twice as fast as its predecessor, this portable SSD boasts NVME solid-state performance featuring 1050MB/s2 read and 1000MB/s2 write speeds. With an IP55 rating, this device is resistant to both water and dust, as well as being able to withstand drops from up to 2m. The silicon shell offers a premium feel and added protection to the drive's exterior, with an ergonomic carabiner loop to attach the drive to your belt loop or backpack for added security on your travels. The addition of Password protection (256-bit AES encryption) will give you further peace of mind. When it comes to capacity, you are given the option of the 500G Extreme E61 portable SSD, 1TB Extreme E61 portable SSD, or the 2TB Extreme E61 portable SSD.
£99.00 View
SanDisk Extreme E61 1TB Portable SSD V2
The SanDisk Extreme E61 Portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers within a portable and rugged body. Being twice as fast as its predecessor, this portable SSD boasts NVME solid-state performance featuring 1050MB/s2 read and 1000MB/s2 write speeds. With an IP55 rating, this device is resistant to both water and dust, as well as being able to withstand drops from up to 2m. The silicon shell offers a premium feel and added protection to the drive's exterior, with an ergonomic carabiner loop to attach the drive to your belt loop or backpack for added security on your travels. The addition of Password protection (256-bit AES encryption) will give you further peace of mind. When it comes to capacity, you are given the option of the 500G Extreme E61 portable SSD, 1TB Extreme E61 portable SSD, or the 2TB Extreme E61 portable SSD.
£129.00 View
SanDisk Extreme E61 2TB Portable SSD V2
The SanDisk Extreme E61 Portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers within a portable and rugged body. Being twice as fast as its predecessor, this portable SSD boasts NVME solid-state performance featuring 1050MB/s2 read and 1000MB/s2 write speeds. With an IP55 rating, this device is resistant to both water and dust, as well as being able to withstand drops from up to 2m. The silicon shell offers a premium feel and added protection to the drive's exterior, with an ergonomic carabiner loop to attach the drive to your belt loop or backpack for added security on your travels. The addition of Password protection (256-bit AES encryption) will give you further peace of mind. When it comes to capacity, you are given the option of the 500G Extreme E61 portable SSD, 1TB Extreme E61 portable SSD, or the 2TB Extreme E61 portable SSD.
£209.00 View
Pros:
- Very fast transfer speeds
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Hardy body with IP55 protection rating
Cons:
- Maximum 2TB storage capacity
If you prioritise transfer speed more highly than capacity, and ideally would like a drive you can work directly from, then a solid-state drive (SSD) is the best choice. The SanDisk Extreme E61 Portable SSD is well-suited to the majority of non-professional users, offering impressively fast read and write speeds that make transferring files the work of moments. The drive is compatible with both PCs and Mac computers, able to achieve up to 10 GB/s when connected via USB 3.2 Gen 2.
Like LaCie’s hard drives, this one is also built tough. Its IP55 rating doesn’t quite match up to the LaCie drive’s IP67, but is capable of withstanding splashes and sprays without a problem. It also has a handy carabiner loop, making it easy to attach to belt loops or bag straps. You can password-protect your files, and the 256-bit AES hardware encryption makes it very difficult for anyone to crack in and access your data.
LaCie 5TB Mobile Drive v2 USB 3.1-C Silver
The LaCie Mobile Drive v2 USB 3.1-C is compact and portable, making it ideal for travel. It can be used to quickly transfer RAW photos, 4K videos, and other large files at a transfer speed of up to 103 MB/s. The drive is constructed using recycled materials, and features a sleek Neil Poulton casing design for one-click automatic backups and 5 TB capacity.
£159.00 View
LaCie 2TB Mobile Drive v2 USB 3.1-C Silver
The LaCie Mobile Drive v2 USB 3.1-C is compact and portable, making it ideal for quickly transferring RAW photos, 4K videos, and other large files. With a transfer speed of up to 103 MB/s, it helps enhance your workflow during travel. The drive features a sleek Neil Poulton casing design for one-click automatic backups and 2 TB capacity. It is constructed using recycled materials.
£94.00 View
LaCie 1TB Mobile Drive v2 USB 3.1-C Silver
The LaCie Mobile Drive v2 USB 3.1-C is compact and portable, making it ideal for travel. It is perfect for quickly transferring RAW photos, 4K videos, and other large files, with a transfer speed of up to 103 MB/s. The drive is constructed using recycled materials, and features a sleek Neil Poulton casing design for one-click automatic backups. It has a capacity of 1 TB.
£69.00 View
Pros:
- Sleek, portable form factor
- Plenty of capacity options
- Data recovery service
Cons:
- SSDs offer faster transfer speeds
As the name implies, Lacie’s Mobile Drive is especially optimised for travel, with a sleek and compact form factor that makes it easy to pack in a bag and take everywhere with you. It’s available in capacities of 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 5TB, and thanks to its USB and Thunderbolt ports, it can transfer files at a pretty good clip of up to 103 MB/s.
With the included LaCie Toolkit software, you can do things like schedule backups and mirror folders for an extra layer of redundancy. Also, should the worst happen and your data becomes corrupted, Rescue Data Recovery Services may be able to help you recover it. LaCie also throws in a one-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan, meaning you can edit photos and videos to your heart’s content. All this makes the LaCie Mobile Drive a superb option for users who want to back up their data on the go.
WD My Passport 2TB BLACK
Always have your important files on hand with the WD My Passport External Hard Drive. It showcases a visually appealing design that fits in the palm of your hand while offering you ample space to share, organise, and store your videos, photos, documents, and music. Featuring an integrated 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection, this drive helps keep your content safe and secure. It is ready to be used straight out of the box, including all required cables for added convenience. Premium-quality materials are used in the construction of the My Passport for incredible durability and long-term reliability. On top of that, you can also take advantage of WD's Discovery and Backup software to help manage and back up your files. The WD My Passport is available in a wide range of vibrant colours and storage capacities to suit individual needs and preferences.
£88.00 View
Pros:
- Brilliant value for money
- Hardware encryption protects your files
- Useful Discovery and Backup software
Cons:
- Separate versions for Windows and Mac
- Not waterproofed like other drives
If you’re on a budget, WD’s My Passport drives are definitely an option to consider. These slim, stylish drives come in a range of capacities — from 1TB to 5TB — and offer plenty of features designed to give you peace of mind about your data. The handy included Discovery and Backup software makes it easy to ensure your files are always backed-up and searchable, while the 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection ensures they’re also all safe from any prying eyes.
The WD MY Passport comes in separate versions for Windows and Mac, so make sure you get the right one for your operating system. They’re also available in a range of stylish colour-ways, and are constructed from high-quality, hard-wearing materials. Unlike some of the others on our list, the WD My Passport is not waterproofed, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on taking it on your travels.
Angelbird AV PRO MK3 SSD 1TB
Store, share, and organise your data with the Angelbird AV PRO MK3. This SSD drive has a market-leading processing chip that boasts sequential read and write speeds of up to 560 and 520 MB/s for incredibly fast data transfer. And, to ensure the demands of professional industries are met, the AV PRO MK3 also benefits from shock and vibration resistance and a temperature-proof design.
£335.00 View
Angelbird AV PRO MK3 SSD 2TB
Store, share, and organise your data with the Angelbird AV PRO MK3. This SSD drive has a market-leading processing chip that boasts sequential read and write speeds of up to 560 and 520 MB/s for incredibly fast data transfer. And, to ensure the demands of professional industries are met, the AV PRO MK3 also benefits from shock and vibration resistance and a temperature-proof design.
£480.00 View
Pros:
- State-of-the-art speeds
- Automatic detection and resolution of storage errors
Cons:
- Maximum 2TB capacity
Designed to suit the needs of video professionals, the Angelbird AV PRO MK3 SSD is a solid state drive that benefits from top-of-the-line processing architecture. This allows it to achieve read and write speeds of up to 560 and 520 MB/s respectively, ensuring that big data transfers can be conducted quickly and efficiently.
The drive also has a number of safety features designed to protect your data. EEC, which stands for Error Correcting Code, automatically detects and resolves the kinds of common storage errors that can lead to data corruption if left unchecked. The physical casing of the drive is shockproof and temperature-proof, and the drive boasts ESD and overload protection to safeguard against sudden power fluctuations. The drive is available in 1TB and 2TB variants.
Exascend Explorer Portable SSD - 1TB
Designed with the outdoors in mind, the Exascend Explorer 1TB USB Type-C Portable SSD offers a rugged build and a selection of data redundancy options so that no matter the environment, your data can be secure. With rapid transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, this adventurous drive is an incredible companion to any wildlife or landscape photographer.
£199.00 View
Pros:
- Super-fast speeds and lots of capacity options
- IP67-rated waterproofing
- Compatible with lots of operating systems
Cons:
- Gets expensive at higher capacities
Exascend’s Explorer Portable SSD is a high-end drive for those who want something that offers speed, capacity, portability and toughness. It’s built with an aluminium alloy casing that is IP67-rated, meaning it can withstand a soaking and won’t suffer from dust. If you’re travelling and need to keep your data ultra-safe, this is a great buy.
Capacities run from 1TB up to 8TB, and while the cost does climb considerably (it’s an SSD, after all), we’d say it’s worth the investment for serious professionals. The kinds of transfer speeds the Exascend Explorer can offer (up to 20GB per second) make large file uploads and downloads the work of moments, and also puts real-time editing in play. It’s compatible with a broad range of operating systems — not just Windows and Mac — so pretty much anyone can get it to work with their setup. It’s a hugely impressive premium external hard drive.
FAQs
What’s the difference between an external hard drive and an external SSD?
An external hard drive (HDD) uses spinning disks to store data, which makes it slower and more prone to damage if dropped. An external SSD has no moving parts, which in turn offers much faster read and write speeds and better durability. SSDs are more expensive but are ideal for those needing speed and reliability.
How do I choose the right external hard drive for my computer?
There are several things to consider when choosing a hard drive, such as storage capacity, speed, durability, and compatibility with your computer. Check the type of port your computer has (USB-C, Thunderbolt, etc.) and choose a drive that matches for optimal performance. If you need fast data access, go for an SSD over an HDD.
Can I use an external hard drive with both Mac and Windows?
Yes, but the external hard drive needs to be formatted in a compatible file system like exFAT, which works with both Mac and Windows. If it's formatted for only one system, you'll either need to reformat it (which erases the data) or use third-party software to make it accessible on both platforms.
How can I protect data on my external hard drive?
To protect data on your external hard drive, regularly back it up, use encryption to secure sensitive files, and ensure the drive is safely ejected from your computer before disconnecting. For added protection, use cloud storage as a secondary backup option.
Why is my external hard drive not showing up on my computer?
If your external hard drive isn't showing up, check the connections and try using a different USB port. It could also be a driver issue, so make sure your computer has the latest updates. If it's still not recognised, the drive may need to be formatted, or there could be a hardware problem.
How do we decide?
Our in-house photography experts, store staff and partners all work collaboratively to pour over these guides. The cameras and equipment recommended in our guides are based on their personal opinion, empirical experience and of course, feedback from our customers. We way up price, features, quality and the all-important 'je ne sais quoi' to make sure we recommend products that will delight and inspire.
If you would like more advice on any purchase our contact centre staff are here to help. Alternatively, you can reach us via email or social media. And don't forget. If you were to purchase anything based on our recommendations you'll be covered by our full returns policy
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