The 5 Best External Drives in 2025: Perfect Picks for Every Need
External drives are an essential tool in our increasingly data-driven world, whether for backups, professional work, or storing your favorite movies. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the right one. We’ve rounded up the 5 best external drives to suit various needs, from budget-friendly choices to top-tier performance for professionals.
Jurgis Grebliauskas
1/28/20252 min read
1. Best value: Seagate Expansion Portable (1TB or 2TB)
Why It’s Great: If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable storage solution, the Seagate Expansion Portable delivers. Its simple plug-and-play design makes it perfect for everyday users who need quick and easy storage without breaking the bank.
Key Features:
USB 3.0 compatibility for fast transfers
Compact, lightweight build
Excellent cost per gigabyte
Who It’s For: Students, casual users, or anyone needing extra storage for documents, photos, and videos without spending too much.
Our rating:
Type: HDD
Speed: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.0)
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.0)
Affordability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0)
Buy on amazon https://amzn.to/3PSTSJd
2. Best for Professionals: Samsung T7 Shield
Why It’s Great: Professionals working with large files—whether video editors, photographers, or graphic designers—will love the speed and security of the Samsung T7 Shield. It’s designed for durability and offers hardware encryption for added peace of mind.
Key Features:
Blazing-fast 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write speeds
Rugged, water, and dust-resistant design (IP65 rated)
Compact and shockproof
Who It’s For: Creative professionals, IT specialists, or anyone needing secure, high-speed storage on the go.
Our rating:
Type: SSD
Speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5)
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5)
Affordability: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
Buy on amazon https://amzn.to/3Q0hknP
3. Best for Storage Expansion: Western Digital My Book (4TB+)
Why It’s Great: If you need massive storage for your home or office, the WD My Book is hard to beat. With capacities ranging up to 20TB, this drive is ideal for backing up your entire digital life or archiving large media collections.
Key Features:
Massive storage options (from 2TB to 20TB)
Integrated backup software and password protection
Desktop design for stable use
Who It’s For: Users with extensive storage needs, like media enthusiasts or small business owners.
Our rating:
Type: HDD
Speed: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.0)
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5)
Affordability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4)
Buy on amazon https://amzn.to/4aA9evK
