The search for the right external hard drive
Your laptop is beeping. Full again. That external hard drive really needs to get out now. You dive online and are overwhelmed by terabytes, USB versions, and transfer speeds. HDD or SSD? 2TB or 4TB? Portable or desktop? It feels like you need to study rocket science for something as simple as extra storage.
But here's the thing: the perfect hard drive doesn't exist . Just like you don't buy the perfect AirPods without knowing whether you'll primarily listen at home or on the go. It's about what you really need, not what the specs say you need. And that difference—between what manufacturers push and what works in practice—is what we're going to unravel here. Without the technical nonsense nobody wants.
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Why an external hard drive is essential
Your digital life is growing faster than you think. Those 4K-quality vacation videos, the raw photo files from your new hobby, or simply that years-old collection of documents – it all eats up storage space. An external hard drive is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. But which one should you choose? The market is flooded with options and technical jargon.
The most important thing to remember: your usage situation determines the best choice. A videographer has different needs than someone who primarily saves Word documents. A student who lugs their hard drive to class every day has different priorities than a home worker with a fixed workstation.
HDD vs. SSD: The Eternal Battle
traditional HDDs
The classic hard disk drive (HDD) uses spinning platters and a read head. Think of a record player, but for data. This technology has been around for decades and is proven:
- Price per gigabyte : unbeatably cheap
- Capacity : up to 20TB for consumers
- Speed : 80-160 MB/s for USB 3.0 models
- Vulnerability : sensitive to shock and vibration
An HDD is perfect when you need a lot of space at a competitive price. For backing up your photo collection or archiving old projects, it's often the smartest choice.
modern SSDs
Solid-state drives use flash memory with no moving parts. You'll notice the difference immediately:
- Speed : 500-2000 MB/s via USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt
- Shock resistant : can withstand a knock
- Size : often smaller than a smartphone
- Price : 3-5x more expensive per gigabyte
An SSD shines when speed is crucial. Video editors who edit directly from the drive, photographers who want to showcase their work on location, or gamers who want to take their library with them – they all get the most out of this investment.
How much storage do you really need?
It's tempting to go for 8TB right away. More is better, right? Not necessarily. Consider these guidelines:
500GB - 1TB : sufficient for:
- Documents and spreadsheets
- Music collection (MP3/streaming backups)
- Several thousand photos
- System backups of one device
2TB - 4TB : ideal for:
- Extensive photo collection (including RAW)
- Dozens of hours of HD video
- Complete system backups of multiple devices
- Project archives for freelancers
6TB and higher : required for:
- 4K/8K video production
- Professional photography with daily shoots
- Media libraries for content creators
- Long-term archiving for companies
Connections: the forgotten factor
The world's fastest SSD crawls like a snail through an old USB 2.0 port. First, check what your devices can handle:
USB variants
- USB 2.0 : up to 60 MB/s – for emergencies only
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 : up to 625 MB/s – the standard
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 : up to 1250 MB/s – sweet spot for SSDs
- USB-C : note, this only says something about the shape, not the speed
Thunderbolt
Apple users are familiar with it. Thunderbolt 3/4 reaches speeds of up to 5000 MB/s. Overkill for most, but indispensable for professionals working with enormous video files.
Portability vs. desktop
Portable drives
Small, lightweight, and USB-powered. These models fit in your pocket:
- Usually 2.5 inch size
- Up to 5TB capacity
- No separate power cord required
- Rugged housings available
Perfect for students, travelers, and anyone who values flexibility. Just be sure to look for models with rubber bumpers or military-spec specifications if you're a bit rough with your gear.
Desktop drives
Bigger, heavier, but more powerful:
- 3.5 inch size
- Up to 20TB+ capacity
- Separate power supply required
- Often better cooling and performance
Ideal for fixed workstations, media libraries, and NAS systems. The extra cables are worth it if you don't plan on moving.
Security: More Than an Afterthought
Your data is valuable. Protect it properly:
Software encryption : Many drives come with proprietary password protection software. Free, but slow on older systems.
Hardware encryption : Some premium models have a chipset that automatically encrypts everything. Faster, but more expensive.
Physical security : Models with fingerprint scanners or PIN code keypads exist. Overkill for most, essential for sensitive business data.
Brands and reliability
Not all drives are created equal. Reliable players in the market:
- Western Digital/WD : broad range from budget to premium
- Seagate : strong warranty conditions
- Samsung : excellent SSDs with proprietary controllers
- SanDisk : compact and robust
- LaCie : design models for creative professionals
Avoid no-name brands on marketplaces. Those few tens of euros in savings aren't worth the risk.
Practical tips for daily use
- Always eject properly : never simply pull out the cable. Data loss is a risk.
- Keep it cool : External drives don't like heat. Don't place them on top of your laptop or in direct sunlight.
- 3-2-1 rule : keep three copies of important data, on two different media, one of which is offsite. An external drive is not a substitute for cloud backup.
- Defragment HDDs : Windows does this automatically, but check it occasionally. SSDs don't need this.
- Monitor health : Tools such as CrystalDiskInfo (Windows) or DriveDx (Mac) warn of problems.
Finding the balance
The perfect external drive doesn't exist, but the perfect drive for your situation does. A student who primarily stores papers and presentations is perfectly fine with a compact 1TB HDD. A YouTuber who shoots 4K footage daily would be better off investing in a fast 2TB SSD with Thunderbolt.
Consider future-proofing as well. That 500GB seems like enough now, but in two years? It's better to buy something larger than constantly upgrading. At the same time, don't pay for capacity you never use.
Also consider your workflow. A slow drive that frustrates you with every transfer will ultimately cost you more time (and therefore money) than the initial savings were worth. Invest in speed where it counts, save where you can.
Finally, an external drive is a tool, not a status symbol. That fancy aluminum enclosure with RGB lighting does nothing for your data. Focus on performance, reliability, and warranty. Your future self will thank you when that drive is still running smoothly after three years of heavy use.
Making the right choice without headaches
Choosing an external hard drive doesn't have to be a headache. Decide what you really need: plenty of space for a small amount (HDD) or speed and robustness (SSD). Check the ports on your devices, choose a reliable brand, and buy a little more capacity than you currently think you'll need.
Just like choosing refurbished Apple products, it's about practicality, not the latest bells and whistles. Your data deserves a secure place, but one that suits your way of working.
