Backing Up Your Data? Here Are the Most Reliable External Hard Drives

Data loss can be devastating. As someone who relies on my computer for work and personal use, I know how important it is to regularly back up my files. An external hard drive is one of the best ways to create a physical copy of your data as a failsafe.

After researching external hard drive options extensively, I have found that the most reliable brands and models have the following key features:

Durability

Hard drives can fail due to physical damage, which is why durability is so important. Some of the most durable external hard drive brands include:

• LaCie Rugged Drives – These drives feature a shock-absorbent rubber casing and internal bumpers to protect the drive if it’s dropped. They are also rain and dust resistant.

• Adata HD710 Pro – The HD710 Pro is designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof with its plastic and rubber internal shock mounts. It meets IP68 standards for water and dust resistance.

• Silicon Power Armor A60 – With its rubber casing, the A60 can survive drops from up to 4 feet and is also water resistant (IPX4). It’s military-grade shockproof.

Durability features like these help prevent drive failure due to accidental drops, liquid spills, dust, etc. For ultimate data protection, a durable design is key.

Security

Data security is crucial when choosing an external drive. Some of the most secure models include:

• Apricorn Aegis Padlock – With its keypad and built-in encryption, the Aegis Padlock provides top-of-the-line security. All data is encrypted on the drive itself with 256-bit AES encryption.

• iStorage diskAshur 2 – Featuring a physical number pad and ‘self destruct’ feature, the diskAshur 2 offers full disk encryption and can resist brute force hack attempts. Data is always encrypted before leaving the drive.

• LaCie Rugged SECURE – This drive offers hardware encryption through Seagate Secure technology. There is no software required, just a simple step to activate the encryption once plugged in.

Security features like encrypted data, keypad entry, and tamper-proof casings prevent unauthorized access attempts. When backing up sensitive information, enhanced security is essential.

Connectivity

To ensure broad compatibility and fast file transfers, the connection interface is an important consideration:

• USB 3.0 – USB 3.0 connections provide transfer speeds of up to 5Gb/s, around 3 to 4 times faster than USB 2.0. Most modern PCs and laptops support it.

• USB-C – USB-C is the newest USB standard, supporting up to 10Gbps transfer speeds. It offers easy plug-in connectivity with no fussing about with “right side up” ports.

• Thunderbolt 3 – Thunderbolt 3 enables the fastest speed, providing up to 40Gbps. This interface charges devices, transfers files quickly, and supports external displays.

Newer, faster USB standards like 3.0, 3.1, and USB-C provide better speeds when transferring your backup files. Thunderbolt 3 offers top speeds for massive data transfer.

Drive Format

External hard drives are typically formatted in one of two ways:

• HDD (hard disk drive) – HDDs use traditional spinning platters. While large and cheap, they are also slower, bulkier, and more prone to damage.

• SSD (solid state drive) – SSDs have no moving parts, giving them much faster speeds. They also run silently and have very quick startups. However, they are pricier and have smaller capacities.

SSDs are 3-5 times faster than HDDs due to not relying on moving parts. But HDDs allow for much larger backup capacities. Consider which format suits your needs best.

Brand Reputation

External hard drive brands with strong reputations for reliability include:

• Western Digital (WD) – Very reliable with proven longevity. The My Book line offers desktop RAID drive options.

• Samsung – Known for fast solid state drives. Models like the T7 are durable and fast.

• Seagate – Seagate is a leader in storage with options like the Backup Plus Hub for Mac and PC.

• LaCie – LaCie drives consistently get high marks for reliability and performance. The Rugged models are very durable.

Sticking with reputable brands like these often means getting drives that last years without failure. Check reviews before making a purchase.

Cost Per Gigabyte

Finally, consider the cost per gigabyte of storage. This gives you a sense of the “value” you are getting. For example:

• A $60 2TB portable HDD has a cost per gigabyte of $0.03.
• A $200 1TB SSD has a cost per gigabyte of $0.20.

HDDs have a much lower cost per gig, but provide slower speeds. Paying more for an SSD gets you better performance and reliability per gigabyte.

Match the price to your needs – if you just need larger backup capacity, an HDD is likely sufficient. But for active use and transport, an SSD may be worth the premium.

Conclusion

To sum up, the most reliable external hard drives feature:

• Durable physical construction to protect the drive
• Security options like encryption to safeguard data
• Fast connections such as USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt 3
• Reputable brand names known for quality drives
• Reasonable cost per gigabyte for your specific needs

Backing up your data provides peace of mind should disaster strike your computer. With a reliable, durable external drive, your important files and memories can always be protected and preserved. Let me know if you have any other questions!