Systems Report: Best external drives 2025: Top picks in portable storage

{"title": "Leading Portable Storage Options for 2025: Our Expert Selections", "body": ["Direct-attached storage devices, such as USB or Thunderbolt external SSDs and hard drives, provide an efficient method for expanding system storage and creating backups. These units are particularly useful for moving files between different places and equipment, a practice once referred to as sneaker-net."], ["Even in an era dominated by cloud and network solutions, on-site storage delivers clear benefits in speed. Moving 4TB of information over a typical household network takes much longer than copying it to a 20Gbps or 40Gbps SSD and physically delivering it. Likewise, retrieving a backup from local media is dramatically quicker than downloading from online sources, often achieving gigabytes per second rather than mere megabytes."], ["Regardless of your specific requirements or goals, the following represent our top-tested external storage devices, evaluated on both speed and value."], ["PCWorld's expertise in reviewing external drives and offering purchase guidance stems from our long-standing focus on PC components. Our team has evaluated hardware for years, conducting detailed assessments that examine everything from benchmark results to everyday usability. As experienced PC enthusiasts, we identify what truly distinguishes top products, ensuring only superior options appear in our recommendations."], ["For those prioritizing velocity without excessive expense, the Crucial X9 stands out. It offers a strong mix of 10Gbps speeds and reasonable pricing, appealing to most buyers. During testing, it matched leading competitors in performance metrics while costing considerably less, providing clear advantages for everyday users."], ["The Crucial X9 Pro also boasts an appealing design, noted by testers as a sleek and attractive item. Beyond aesthetics, it demonstrates solid construction and holds an IP55 rating for resistance to dust and water spray, allowing reliable use in challenging environments without excessive caution."], ["For full details, see our complete Crucial X9 Pro evaluation."], ["Individuals desiring maximum speed in a compact, pocket-sized thumb drive format should consider the Teamgroup X2 Max. This model remains exceptionally small for its category and delivers speeds comparable to nearly all 10Gbps SSDs we've examined, regardless of size."], ["The X2 Max employs internal NVMe technology to achieve its capabilities. On the exterior, it includes integrated Type-C and Type-A connections, eliminating the need for separate cables or adapters."], ["Although more expensive than basic thumb drives, its superior performance justifies the investment. Simply put, it excels as a high-speed option in the thumb drive segment."], ["For full details, see our complete Teamgroup X2 Max evaluation."], ["Users aiming for exceptional 20Gbps speeds can rely on Lexar's attractive USB 3.2×2 SSD."], ["Beyond strong results, the SL600 features an innovative ergonomic design with an enlarged loop for handling or securing a lanyard."], ["The SL660 version enhances this with integrated RGB illumination within the loop. The SL600 comes with a five-year warranty, exceeding the standard three years for most external units."], ["Competition among premium 20Gbps USB 3.2×2 drives is intense, with established brands alternating top positions in our tests. Overall, the Lexar SL600 narrowly surpassed our prior favorite, the Crucial X10 Pro, in combined synthetic and practical benchmarks."], ["When speeds are so similar across options, cost often decides the choice. At publication, the SL600's pricing closely matched the Crucial X10 Pro's. Shoppers should verify current rates, as storage prices fluctuate quickly."], ["Important note: Achieving full 20Gbps with USB 3.2×2 drives demands a compatible 20Gbps USB or USB4 port. On standard USB 3.2 or most Thunderbolt connections, speeds limit to 10Gbps."], ["For full details, see our complete Lexar SL600 evaluation."], ["The LaCie Rugged SSD4 leads for harnessing peak performance from USB4 or Thunderbolt 3 and higher ports."], ["Testing showed the Rugged SSD4 as the fastest 40Gbps USB4 drive encountered, though by a narrow lead. It maintained over 1.65GBps even during sequential writes of multiple 950GB files, a key strength for video professionals when caches fill."], ["Its silicone exterior earns an IP54 rating against dust and splashes, suiting fieldwork needs. The vivid orange hue aids visibility in bags or desks."], ["The SSD4 isn't inexpensive but offers fair pricing relative to peers."], ["One minor drawback: The silicone cap protecting the Type-C port detaches easily, risking loss. Fortunately, its orange color helps spot it."], ["For full details, see our complete LaCie Rugged SSD4 evaluation."], ["Budget-conscious buyers wanting USB4 capabilities should examine the Addlink P30. It costs akin to a 10Gbps SSD despite 40Gbps potential, and though our slowest USB4 tested, it vastly outpaces typical drives—like the slowest Formula 1 racer still dominating roads."], ["The P30 suits semi-permanent setups on metal-cased PCs via its magnetic attachment ring. Compact size and stylish appearance further enhance its appeal."], ["Employing advanced TLC NAND, its write speeds dip to about 800Mbps post-secondary cache, remaining viable for professional tasks. It often undercuts DIY builds using enclosures like the TerraMaster D1 SSD Plus."], ["For full details, see our complete Addlink P30 USB4 SSD evaluation."], ["For substantial capacity paired with SSD swiftness, the SanDisk Desk Drive offers up to 8TB."], ["As implied by its title, the SanDisk Desk Drive prioritizes stationary use over mobility. Its size discourages pocket carry, and it needs an external power supply, unlike bus-powered alternatives."], ["Targeted at desk-bound workflows, it serves as expanded storage and rapid backup solution. Available in 4TB and 8TB sizes for $290 and $580, these reflect updated pricing from prior assessments."], ["Per-gigabyte costs exceed those of backup HDDs, but the premium secures 10Gbps transfers and SSD benefits like no mechanical parts, reducing vulnerability to impacts and degradation. Ultimately, its velocity, toughness, and dependability outweigh HDD economics."], ["For full details, see our complete SanDisk Desk Drive 10Gbps USB SSD evaluation."], ["Capacity seekers on a budget should target 2.5-inch external HDDs, especially this high-volume model."], ["Overlooking its lengthy designation and absence of a native Type-C port—despite some believing it boosts HDD speeds, which it doesn't—this unit combines optimal pricing, storage volume, and efficiency in its category."], ["The WD My Passport, Works with USB-C provides up to 6TB at under $30 per terabyte, far below SSDs' $60 to $80 range. This positions it ideally for backups, especially overnight when SSD speed advantages matter less."], ["Regarding the name, it supports USB-C via included Micro-B to Type-A cable and Type-A to USB-C adapter; the port itself is older Micro-B. Note that WD's My Passport Ultra with true USB-C performs identically but at higher cost."], ["The My Passport matches elite 2.5-inch HDD speeds in tests while offering superior value. For portable, large-capacity HDD needs, it's the prime selection."], ["For full details, see our complete WD My Passport, Works with USB C evaluation."], ["For maximum storage at minimal cost, the 3.5-inch Seagate Expansion Desktop excels, reaching 28TB—over triple SSD maxima."], ["The Expansion Desktop achieves double the continuous transfer rates of typical 2.5-inch externals; our 16TB sample hit nearly 280MBps for reads and writes."], ["This vast space arrives affordably, around $20 per terabyte versus $30 for 2.5-inch portables and $70 for SSDs."], ["HDD drawback: Higher failure risk than SSDs demands frequent backups of critical data. Mirroring in RAID 1 pairs boosts reliability but halves effective capacity and value."], ["As noted in our assessment: For consolidating large datasets, high-capacity HDDs remain unbeatable. This model tops our choices for such purposes."], ["For full details, see our complete Seagate Expansion Desktop evaluation."], ["Other notable options include the Adata SD820 for robust 20Gbps in a durable compact form; the Teamgroup T-Create P31 as a secure, user-friendly SSD for video and creative work; the Corsair EX300U with 10Gbps speeds and MagSafe-compatible magnet for attachment; the TerraMaster D1 SSD Plus enclosure for custom 40Gbps SSD assembly; the Asus TUF Gaming A2 for tough USB 3.2×2 DIY builds; the PNY Duo Link V3 as a solid 10Gbps thumb drive with dual Type-C/Type-A ends; the Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD with USB4 for its appealing, sturdy feel and value, though some may face connectivity problems; the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD 10Gbps USB thumb drive outperforming basic 5Gbps or 400Mbps units with added data recovery services; the Lexar Go w/Hub as a premium 10Gbps drive adding 2TB and ports to mobiles; and the Corsair EX400U, a budget-friendly, lightweight 40Gbps option with broad PC/Mac compatibility over 20Gbps USB 3.2×2 SSDs."], ["Current evaluations use Windows 11 24H2 64-bit on a PCIe 4.0 Samsung 990 Pro within an Asus Z890-Creator WiFi (PCIe 4.0/5.0) setup. The system includes a Core Ultra i5 225 processor, two 32GB Kingston Fury DDR5 4,800MHz sticks (64GB total), integrated 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 5, and Intel CPU/GPU graphics. Test SSDs mount via HighPoint 7604A 16x 4-slot PCIe 5.0 RAID card or single-slot Asus ROG M.2 PCIe 5.0 adapter."], ["We conduct CrystalDiskMark 8, AS SSD 2, and ATTO 4 for peak potential, plus Windows Explorer drag-and-drop for 48GB and 450GB real-world transfers, and FastCopy for optimized speeds. A 25Gbps RAID 0 dual-drive array on the HighPoint card serves as source/destination."], ["Tests occur on freshly NTFS-formatted, TRIM-enabled drives for peak results. Everyday use may yield lower speeds as drives fill, reducing NAND for caching, though recent SSDs with advanced NAND minimize this."], ["Note: Results reflect the reviewed unit and capacity. Variations arise from chip counts affecting parallel operations and cache size. Components may change over time. Report significant differences from our figures."], ["Some SSDs here used alternative setups detailed in individual reviews."], ["For deeper insight into methods, consult PCWorld's external SSD testing guide."], ["Jon L Jacobi has observed storage evolution from punch cards and tapes to solid-state tech. For over 20 years at PCWorld, he's tested HDDs, SATA SSDs, and NVMe drives. As the saying goes, he's observed plenty."], ["USB4 matches Thunderbolt 3/4's high bandwidth."], ["Treating external storage like internal extensions demands speed focus, favoring SSDs—10 to 20 times quicker than HDDs based on connections. SSDs achieve near-instant seeks under a millisecond, versus HDDs' tens of milliseconds."], ["For backups, HDDs shine with greater capacity and lower cost per gigabyte/terabyte. SSDs max at 8TB, portable 2.5-inch HDDs at 6TB, desktop 3.5-inch at 36TB."], ["Costs per TB fall with higher capacities for both, but top-end models command premiums from demand. Often, the prior year's high-capacity version offers best value—calculate to confirm deals. A WD 2.5-inch HDD example illustrates this trend."], ["Smallest-capacity externals usually provide worst per-terabyte value, while larger ones trend cheaper per TB."], ["For storage extension, assess needs carefully—video consumes space rapidly at high resolutions. For SSDs, we suggest double estimated capacity, as older models slowed when full; modern controllers lessen this, but the guideline holds."], ["Backup sizing: At minimum, double your data volume for full system plus incremental/differential backups. Reinstalling OS and apps is simpler now, so data-only backups might suffice at 2x essential files. Aim higher for more history."], ["Multiple rotating media for offsite storage enhances security, beyond the 3-2-1 rule."], ["HDD interface rarely matters—5Gbps USB suffices for their ~300MBps peaks; faster setups are rare outside RAID units, where 10Gbps amply covers."], ["SSD interfaces hugely impact: Most use NVMe internals at 3GBps+. 5Gbps limits to ~500MBps, 10Gbps to ~1GBps, 20Gbps/Thunderbolt to ~2GBps—wasting potential below that."], ["Match your PC's ports; recent models offer Thunderbolt 3/4/5 or USB4 at ~3.5GBps, or rare 80Gbps at ~6.5GBps."], ["These are benchmark ideals; Windows Explorer lags—use FastCopy or Xcopy for 2-3x gains on large files."], ["Compatibility favors 5Gbps/10Gbps USB universally across USB/Thunderbolt. USB 3.2×2 needs 20Gbps/USB4 for full speed, dropping to 10Gbps elsewhere."], ["USB4 requires USB4/Thunderbolt 4/5 for 40Gbps, though not all USB4 ports guarantee it—possible 20Gbps variants exist."], ["Thunderbolt SSDs need Thunderbolt 3+/USB4 for 40Gbps; USB4 closely resembles Thunderbolt 4. 80Gbps needs Thunderbolt 5 or future 80Gbps USB4."], ["USB4 SSDs offer widest compatibility (USB 2.x to Thunderbolt 5), making them ideal for high-speed needs; 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 intrigues."], ["Type-C dominates, but legacy persists. Illustrated: Mini-USB, Micro B SuperSpeed, SuperSpeed Micro B, Thunderbolt 2/mini DisplayPort, Type-C. Lightning occasionally appears. Adapters bridge gaps."], ["Top: Obsolete Mini-USB. Second: Successor Micro B SuperSpeed. Orange: SuperSpeed Micro B plus Thunderbolt 2 (mini DP). Bottom: USB-C."], ["USB Type-C (USB-C, Type-C) is the modern standard: compact, reversible, no orientation fuss versus Type-A."], ["Type-C is just the plug; protocols range USB 2.0 (480Mbps) to USB 3.2 20Gbps, USB4, Thunderbolt 3/4/5."], ["Type-A ports abound on PCs/laptops; male ends common on adapters for Type-B/C cables."], ["USB 3 Micro-B: Common on budget HDDs, same as old phone ports but with extra lines for 5Gbps. Suits HDDs/SATA SSDs; cables end Type-A."], ["USB 3 Type-B: Larger square variant, fading on old enclosures/printers; 5Gbps, Type-A cables."], ["Thunderbolt 2: Obsolete since 2017, legacy only. Apple's Thunderbolt 1/2-to-3 adapter exists but skips power—use powered docks for bus-powered drives."], ["eSATA: Vanished legacy for direct SATA links, faster than old USB 2.0's 60MBps but killed by 5Gbps USB 3.0. Legacy use only."], ["Follow 3-2-1 backup: three copies, two media, one offsite. Rotate externals across sites for safety."], ["For primary data repos, duplicate on a second drive or mirror in dual enclosures. SSDs resist issues better than HDDs."], ["For backup strategies, explore top cloud services and Windows software roundups."], ["Excellent SSD choices abound. For ultimate 40Gbps, Adata SE920 leads; 20Gbps savings via Lexar SL600 or Crucial X10 Pro; balanced 10Gbps in Crucial X9 Pro or Teamgroup X2 Max thumb drive."], ["Teamgroup X2 Max tops currently: Slim, spacious, ultra-fast, dual Type-C/A connectors."], ["Portability: WD My Passport, Works with USB-C. Capacity: Seagate Expansion Desktop."], ["HDDs house spinning disks with magnetic arms adjusting particle alignments for data storage/retrieval."], ["SSDs employ flash memory cells in matrices for parallel access, yielding ~100x speed gains without mechanics."], ["SSDs generally suit externals better: compact, swift, resilient. Drawback: Higher TB cost, though prices decline with advances."], ["Update backups as frequently as data changes, especially for critical work. Automate if always connected, or daily otherwise. Without, post-failure additions vanish."], ["Local backups complement cloud use—no service has lost data yet, but risks exist."], ["Capacity mismatches stem from binary (IEC: KiB=1024) vs. decimal (SI: KB=1000) systems and Windows labeling. Vendors use decimal 2TB (2 trillion bytes); Windows shows ~1.8TB via binary. Formatting/partitions also reduce usable space, plus software partitions."], ["External HDD lifespan spans minutes to 10+ years by model, usage, environment. Mechanical, so avoid heat/shocks. Reliability has soared lately; expect 5+ years with care. Warranties guide, but MTBF is unreliable—check reviews, listen for odd sounds, handle gently."], ["SSD endurance ties to write cycles per cell; TBW ratings rare for externals. Internal NVMe TLC ~600TBW/TB, QLC ~200TBW. Estimate via daily writes. Warranties 3-5 years; realistic ~10, but controller/bridge flaws can shorten."], ["HDD failures: Motor stop, head crashes on platters from shocks, electronics overheating. Scraping noises signal trouble—stop, seek recovery if vital. Crashes scrape coatings, often irrecoverable."], ["SSDs fail via controller issues (recoverable by experts) or wear (blocks writes but allows reads, less catastrophic than HDDs)."], ["Current fastest PC external links: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5, 40Gbps USB4/Thunderbolt 3/4, 20Gbps USB 3.2×2, 10Gbps USB 3.2, 5Gbps USB 3.x."], ["Compatibility order: USB4, Thunderbolt 3/4/5, USB 3.x, USB 3.2×2, USB 2, USB 1.1."]}