The Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB is one of the more compact non-SSD drives, making it the best external hard drive for those who are looking to save some space. And at less than $60, it's also a. Hard drives can be easily upgraded if the storage capacity requires so. The best external drives would have robust designs, would be portable and come with huge capacities. Keeping in mind some if the features required in a good hard drive to backup data here is a list of top 5 external hard drives that are perfect to keep your data safe.
Nov 16, 2020 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions
External Hard drives are a convenient and easy way to store large data such as .jpg files and important official documents. These also help to organize and share digital information like media files and other important files. Hard disk drives were introduced in the year 1956, for data storage and real-time transaction processing computers. Using hard drive devices, one can easily store official and personal data for future use. Various performance characteristics are there that you must know before making a final purchase like storage capacity, seek time, data transfer rate, latency, power consumption, shock resistance, audible noise, and price. The top 10 cheap external hard drives that offer great utility, excellent design, and additional storage for your personal and official data are:
Part 1. Picking from the Best and Cheap External Hard Drives
1. Seagate Expansion
Company: Seagate
External Hard drives are a convenient and easy way to store large data such as .jpg files and important official documents. These also help to organize and share digital information like media files and other important files. Hard disk drives were introduced in the year 1956, for data storage and real-time transaction processing computers. Using hard drive devices, one can easily store official and personal data for future use. Various performance characteristics are there that you must know before making a final purchase like storage capacity, seek time, data transfer rate, latency, power consumption, shock resistance, audible noise, and price. The top 10 cheap external hard drives that offer great utility, excellent design, and additional storage for your personal and official data are:
Part 1. Picking from the Best and Cheap External Hard Drives
1. Seagate Expansion
Company: Seagate
Specs: Seagate Expansion hard drive is one of the best-suited data storage programs. The portable device comes with a wide range of data storage capacity that varies from 1 TB to 4 TB. The staid designed portable hard drive has sheer space to store data and it is highly compatible with USB 2.0. Seagate Expansion devices come with 3 years of guarantee and easily compatible with the Windows Operating system and are a favorite for the ones looking for a large hard drive.
Reviews: Fast and Easy Access, portable device, additional data storage, and quickly copies files from the internal drive.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Price: $54.98 for 1 TB and $83.33 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
2. Samsung M3
Company: Samsung
Specs: Samsung M3 comes with advanced intuitive software that offers easy plug and plays operation with Windows. It is one of the best USB powered drives in the portable segment. Opting this device, one can easily manage the drive security as it features secured password protection. Generally, 1 TB and 2 TB Samsung M3 are available that deliver handy portable storage for important files and documents. It is compatible with USB 3.0 and can be easily connected to a laptop or tablet, making it a useful large external hard drive.
Reviews: Fast data transfer, excellent performance, additional data storage, personal backup solution, and safety key protection.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $62.99 for 1 TB as listed on Amazon.
3. Toshiba Canvio Basics
Company: Toshiba
Specs: Toshiba Canvio Basics drive features an internal shock sensor and 5400 RPM speed. The portable device is highly compatible with Windows, DOS, and Linux. The device has 5 gigabits/second data transfer rate and a 12ms average seek time.
Reviews: Cheap and best external hard drive, additional data storage capacity, USB 3.0 interface, complete data protection, lightweight and small in size.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $49.99 for 1 TB and $77.99 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
4. WD My Passport Ultra
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: WD My Passport Ultra features an auto backup software and hardware encryption for the best storage value. The device is durable, reliable, shock tolerant and comes with high capacity compact data storage capacity. WD My passport ultra device is compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port and it secures your files from unauthorized access with password protection.
Reviews: Ultra-fast backup storage, Password Protection, double safe drive, and additional storage capacity.
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Cheap External Hard Drive For Macbook
Price: $59 for 1 TB and $87.60 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
5. WD My Passport for Mac
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: WD My Passport for Mac offers up to 2 TB data storage and a USB 3.0 interface for the ultra-fast data transfer. For the MacBook users, the drive is an ideal companion as it offers fast and easy access to the users and saves files in blazing speed.
Reviews: Sleek and compact design, additional storage for videos, images and files, WD security, and massive data storage capacity.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $59.99 for 1 TB and $97.99 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
6. Transcend 1TB Military-Grade Shock Resistance
Company: Transcend
Specs: Transcend 1 TB Military-Grade Shock Resistance drive has additional features like Shock resistance and one-touch backup feature. It is specifically designed with a Silicon shell on the outer surface, standard casing, and damper tech to meet drop test standards.
Reviews: Easy plug and play operation, anti-shock rubber case, and maximum data transfer speed.
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Price: $54 for 1 TB as listed on Amazon.
7. Seagate Expansion Portable
Company: Seagate
Specs: Seagate Expansion Portable hard drive offers maximum data storage capacity for digital data like photos, videos, DVD films, and music. The drive features 5000mbps data transfer speed, which is pretty fast when compared to other cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Sleek Design, Excellent performance, no need for external supply, durable, competitive price, and easy to access.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Price: $67 for 1 TB and $83.33 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
8. Seagate Wireless Plus
Company: Seagate
Specs: Seagate Wireless Plus is one of the best hard drive programs as it offers fast access to Windows and Mac users. It provides a start guide to first-time users. Opting the advanced storage program, you can easily transfer the files without wires or the internet. It adds 1 TB storage space to multiple devices.
Reviews: Portable hard drive, wireless network, impressive performance, compatible with multiple devices like Android, iOS, and Windows.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Avi to mov converter for mac free download. Price: $139.99 for 1 TB and $199.99 for 2TB as listed on Amazon.
9. Samsung D3 Station External Desktop Hard Drive
Company: Samsung
Specs: For those who want to expand data storage space, Samsung D3 Station External Desktop hard drive is one of the brilliant options as it comes with a wide range of storage capacity that varies from 2 TB to 6 TB, thus making it a favorite among those seeking cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Streamline shape, massive data storage capacity, USB 3.0 Interface, and portable version.
Media Site which recommends it: GeekDaily
Price: $65.98 for 2 TB, $118.88 for 4 BT and $136 for 5 TB as listed on Amazon.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $62.99 for 1 TB as listed on Amazon.
3. Toshiba Canvio Basics
Company: Toshiba
Specs: Toshiba Canvio Basics drive features an internal shock sensor and 5400 RPM speed. The portable device is highly compatible with Windows, DOS, and Linux. The device has 5 gigabits/second data transfer rate and a 12ms average seek time.
Reviews: Cheap and best external hard drive, additional data storage capacity, USB 3.0 interface, complete data protection, lightweight and small in size.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $49.99 for 1 TB and $77.99 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
4. WD My Passport Ultra
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: WD My Passport Ultra features an auto backup software and hardware encryption for the best storage value. The device is durable, reliable, shock tolerant and comes with high capacity compact data storage capacity. WD My passport ultra device is compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port and it secures your files from unauthorized access with password protection.
Reviews: Ultra-fast backup storage, Password Protection, double safe drive, and additional storage capacity.
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Cheap External Hard Drive For Macbook
Price: $59 for 1 TB and $87.60 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
5. WD My Passport for Mac
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: WD My Passport for Mac offers up to 2 TB data storage and a USB 3.0 interface for the ultra-fast data transfer. For the MacBook users, the drive is an ideal companion as it offers fast and easy access to the users and saves files in blazing speed.
Reviews: Sleek and compact design, additional storage for videos, images and files, WD security, and massive data storage capacity.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $59.99 for 1 TB and $97.99 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
6. Transcend 1TB Military-Grade Shock Resistance
Company: Transcend
Specs: Transcend 1 TB Military-Grade Shock Resistance drive has additional features like Shock resistance and one-touch backup feature. It is specifically designed with a Silicon shell on the outer surface, standard casing, and damper tech to meet drop test standards.
Reviews: Easy plug and play operation, anti-shock rubber case, and maximum data transfer speed.
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Price: $54 for 1 TB as listed on Amazon.
7. Seagate Expansion Portable
Company: Seagate
Specs: Seagate Expansion Portable hard drive offers maximum data storage capacity for digital data like photos, videos, DVD films, and music. The drive features 5000mbps data transfer speed, which is pretty fast when compared to other cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Sleek Design, Excellent performance, no need for external supply, durable, competitive price, and easy to access.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Price: $67 for 1 TB and $83.33 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
8. Seagate Wireless Plus
Company: Seagate
Specs: Seagate Wireless Plus is one of the best hard drive programs as it offers fast access to Windows and Mac users. It provides a start guide to first-time users. Opting the advanced storage program, you can easily transfer the files without wires or the internet. It adds 1 TB storage space to multiple devices.
Reviews: Portable hard drive, wireless network, impressive performance, compatible with multiple devices like Android, iOS, and Windows.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Avi to mov converter for mac free download. Price: $139.99 for 1 TB and $199.99 for 2TB as listed on Amazon.
9. Samsung D3 Station External Desktop Hard Drive
Company: Samsung
Specs: For those who want to expand data storage space, Samsung D3 Station External Desktop hard drive is one of the brilliant options as it comes with a wide range of storage capacity that varies from 2 TB to 6 TB, thus making it a favorite among those seeking cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Streamline shape, massive data storage capacity, USB 3.0 Interface, and portable version.
Media Site which recommends it: GeekDaily
Price: $65.98 for 2 TB, $118.88 for 4 BT and $136 for 5 TB as listed on Amazon.
10. Western Digital My Passport Wireless
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: Western Digital My Passport Wireless is an excellent data storage solution for laptops and desktop computers. The drive is equipped with a rechargeable battery that can last up to six hours and comes in handy while choosing from many cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Wireless connection with mobile devices and USB 3.0 port for fast data transfer.
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Price: $ 153.90 for WD 1 TB and $195.81 for WD 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
Part 2. What is an External Hard Drive?
External Hard Drive is a device that allows easy and fast access to store important data like documents, media files, photos, and other files for future use. External hard drives are the best alternatives for data backup and come in a wide range of data storage capacities and sizes. Certain facts that you must know external USB devices are performance, design, and storage capacity. Performance determines the overall operations of the hard drives including data transfer speed and storage capacity. When the files are transferred from a computer internal drive to an external drive, then the data transfer rate is measured in terms of megabits per second or gigabits per second. Look for the devices that quickly transfer data without any loss, additional storage capacity, and provide easy access.
With numerous options to choose from in the market, the technology that drives cheap external hard drives is consistently progressing, thus leaving the user happy. For the ones looking to expand their digital library, this list offers more than just a few names, as it complies with the cheap external hard drives that are ruling the world market currently.
Part 3. External Hard Drive Data Recovery
If you lost data on your external hard drive, unfortunately, don't worry! You still have the chance to get lost data back. To recover files from external hard drives, you can have try the following tool.
Your Safe & Reliable Hard Drive Data Recovery Software
- Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
- Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera, and camcorders.
- Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, hard drive corruption, virus attack, system crash under different situations.
Top 5 Best Free Hard Drive Data Recovery Software in 2020
Specs: Seagate Expansion hard drive is one of the best-suited data storage programs. The portable device comes with a wide range of data storage capacity that varies from 1 TB to 4 TB. The staid designed portable hard drive has sheer space to store data and it is highly compatible with USB 2.0. Seagate Expansion devices come with 3 years of guarantee and easily compatible with the Windows Operating system and are a favorite for the ones looking for a large hard drive.
Reviews: Fast and Easy Access, portable device, additional data storage, and quickly copies files from the internal drive.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Price: $54.98 for 1 TB and $83.33 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
2. Samsung M3
Company: Samsung
Specs: Samsung M3 comes with advanced intuitive software that offers easy plug and plays operation with Windows. It is one of the best USB powered drives in the portable segment. Opting this device, one can easily manage the drive security as it features secured password protection. Generally, 1 TB and 2 TB Samsung M3 are available that deliver handy portable storage for important files and documents. It is compatible with USB 3.0 and can be easily connected to a laptop or tablet, making it a useful large external hard drive.
Reviews: Fast data transfer, excellent performance, additional data storage, personal backup solution, and safety key protection.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $62.99 for 1 TB as listed on Amazon.
3. Toshiba Canvio Basics
Company: Toshiba
Specs: Toshiba Canvio Basics drive features an internal shock sensor and 5400 RPM speed. The portable device is highly compatible with Windows, DOS, and Linux. The device has 5 gigabits/second data transfer rate and a 12ms average seek time.
Reviews: Cheap and best external hard drive, additional data storage capacity, USB 3.0 interface, complete data protection, lightweight and small in size.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $49.99 for 1 TB and $77.99 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
4. WD My Passport Ultra
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: WD My Passport Ultra features an auto backup software and hardware encryption for the best storage value. The device is durable, reliable, shock tolerant and comes with high capacity compact data storage capacity. WD My passport ultra device is compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port and it secures your files from unauthorized access with password protection.
Reviews: Ultra-fast backup storage, Password Protection, double safe drive, and additional storage capacity.
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Price: $59 for 1 TB and $87.60 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
5. WD My Passport for Mac
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: WD My Passport for Mac offers up to 2 TB data storage and a USB 3.0 interface for the ultra-fast data transfer. For the MacBook users, the drive is an ideal companion as it offers fast and easy access to the users and saves files in blazing speed.
Reviews: Sleek and compact design, additional storage for videos, images and files, WD security, and massive data storage capacity.
Media Site which recommends it: CNET
Price: $59.99 for 1 TB and $97.99 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
6. Transcend 1TB Military-Grade Shock Resistance
Company: Transcend
Specs: Transcend 1 TB Military-Grade Shock Resistance drive has additional features like Shock resistance and one-touch backup feature. It is specifically designed with a Silicon shell on the outer surface, standard casing, and damper tech to meet drop test standards.
Reviews: Easy plug and play operation, anti-shock rubber case, and maximum data transfer speed.
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Price: $54 for 1 TB as listed on Amazon.
7. Seagate Expansion Portable
Company: Seagate
Specs: Seagate Expansion Portable hard drive offers maximum data storage capacity for digital data like photos, videos, DVD films, and music. The drive features 5000mbps data transfer speed, which is pretty fast when compared to other cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Sleek Design, Excellent performance, no need for external supply, durable, competitive price, and easy to access.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Price: $67 for 1 TB and $83.33 for 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
8. Seagate Wireless Plus
Company: Seagate
Specs: Seagate Wireless Plus is one of the best hard drive programs as it offers fast access to Windows and Mac users. It provides a start guide to first-time users. Opting the advanced storage program, you can easily transfer the files without wires or the internet. It adds 1 TB storage space to multiple devices.
Reviews: Portable hard drive, wireless network, impressive performance, compatible with multiple devices like Android, iOS, and Windows.
Media Site which recommends it: PCMag
Beat making programs for mac. Price: $139.99 for 1 TB and $199.99 for 2TB as listed on Amazon.
9. Samsung D3 Station External Desktop Hard Drive
How do i open my external hard drive on mac. Company: Samsung
Specs: For those who want to expand data storage space, Samsung D3 Station External Desktop hard drive is one of the brilliant options as it comes with a wide range of storage capacity that varies from 2 TB to 6 TB, thus making it a favorite among those seeking cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Streamline shape, massive data storage capacity, USB 3.0 Interface, and portable version.
Media Site which recommends it: GeekDaily
Price: $65.98 for 2 TB, $118.88 for 4 BT and $136 for 5 TB as listed on Amazon.
Inexpensive External Hard Drive For Mac
10. Western Digital My Passport Wireless
Company: Western Digital Company
Specs: Western Digital My Passport Wireless is an excellent data storage solution for laptops and desktop computers. The drive is equipped with a rechargeable battery that can last up to six hours and comes in handy while choosing from many cheap external hard drives.
Reviews: Wireless connection with mobile devices and USB 3.0 port for fast data transfer.
External Hard Drive For Mac
Media Site which recommends it: TechRadar
Price: $ 153.90 for WD 1 TB and $195.81 for WD 2 TB as listed on Amazon.
Part 2. What is an External Hard Drive?
External Hard Drive is a device that allows easy and fast access to store important data like documents, media files, photos, and other files for future use. External hard drives are the best alternatives for data backup and come in a wide range of data storage capacities and sizes. Certain facts that you must know external USB devices are performance, design, and storage capacity. Performance determines the overall operations of the hard drives including data transfer speed and storage capacity. When the files are transferred from a computer internal drive to an external drive, then the data transfer rate is measured in terms of megabits per second or gigabits per second. Look for the devices that quickly transfer data without any loss, additional storage capacity, and provide easy access.
With numerous options to choose from in the market, the technology that drives cheap external hard drives is consistently progressing, thus leaving the user happy. For the ones looking to expand their digital library, this list offers more than just a few names, as it complies with the cheap external hard drives that are ruling the world market currently.
Part 3. External Hard Drive Data Recovery
Best Mac Compatible External Hard Drive
If you lost data on your external hard drive, unfortunately, don't worry! You still have the chance to get lost data back. To recover files from external hard drives, you can have try the following tool.
Your Safe & Reliable Hard Drive Data Recovery Software
- Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
- Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera, and camcorders.
- Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, hard drive corruption, virus attack, system crash under different situations.