Best Hard Drives | 2024

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.