Introduction
Choosing the right external hard drive for backup can be tricky. There are a lot of factors to consider – storage capacity, transfer speeds, durability, portability, and price. In this in-depth article, I will compare the top 5 external hard drives for backup to help you pick the best option for your needs. The drives I will cover are:
- Western Digital My Passport
- Seagate Backup Plus Slim
- Samsung T5 SSD
- LaCie Rugged Mini
- Adata SE800 SSD
For each drive, I will look at the storage space, speed, build quality, portability, price, and extra features. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of which drive excels in different areas to help you decide. Let’s get started!
Western Digital My Passport
The My Passport from Western Digital is one of the most popular portable hard drives around. It offers large storage capacities in a slim and compact casing. Here are the key details:
Storage and Speed
- Available capacities – 1TB to 5TB
- Transfer speed – Up to 140MB/s read and write speeds
- Uses USB 3.0 connection
The My Passport provides ample storage space from 1TB to 5TB. The transfer speeds are decent but not the fastest around at 140MB/s. It connects via USB 3.0 so you get good data transfer rates.
Build and Portability
- Slim design with rounded corners
- Weighs just 0.46 pounds
- Available in multiple colors
The My Passport has a slim and lightweight design for easy portability. It measures only 0.75 inches thick and weighs under half a pound. The small footprint means it can fit in your pocket or bag easily. It also comes in various fun colors if you want some extra style.
Price and Value
- 1TB model costs around $50
- 5TB model priced at $100
The My Passport provides very good value, especially the lower capacity models. The 1TB version offers ample backup space for most and costs only $50, making it budget-friendly. Even the 5TB model is attractively priced at $100.
Main Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Light and portable design
- Useful backup software included
Cons:
- Transfer speeds could be faster
- Not as durable as some drives
Seagate Backup Plus Slim
Next up is the Seagate Backup Plus Slim, another slim and portable hard disk popular for backups. Here’s an overview of its key specs:
Storage and Speed
- 1TB to 2TB capacities
- 120MB/s data transfer rate
- USB 3.0 interface
The Backup Plus Slim offers 1TB to 2TB in storage space. The transfer rate is 120MB/s, which is decent but not the fastest. It uses a USB 3.0 connection.
Build and Portability
- Super slim design at just 0.5 inches
- Compact and lightweight
- Aluminum enclosure
With dimensions of just 4.5 x 3 inches and weight of 0.4 pounds, the Backup Plus Slim is highly portable. It can easily slide into your jeans pocket. The aluminum case gives it a premium feel while also providing protection.
Price and Value
- 1TB model available for around $60
- 2TB priced at $75
The Backup Plus Slim is affordably priced, with the 1TB and 2TB models going for $60 and $75 respectively. It provides good value for a slim and portable drive.
Main Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Thin and light for portability
- Reliable backup software tools
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Average transfer speeds
- Not the most durable build
Samsung T5 SSD
The Samsung T5 SSD is a high-performance portable solid-state drive. It combines fast transfer speeds with a durable metal body.
Storage and Speed
- 500GB to 2TB capacities
- Blazing fast 540MB/s transfer rate
- Uses USB-C and USB 3.1
With read/write speeds up to 540MB/s, the Samsung T5 is considerably faster than standard hard drives. It achieves this performance using high-speed solid-state memory and advanced USB 3.1 connectivity.
Build and Portability
- Compact and lightweight at 2.91 x 2.26 x 0.41 inches
- Durable aluminum housing
- Resists shocks and vibrations
The metal body of the Samsung T5 makes it more durable and shock-resistant compared to other portable drives. It’s still compact and lightweight for portability.
Price and Value
- 500GB model priced around $110
- 1TB version retails for $170
The Samsung T5 sits at the premium end of the price spectrum. The extra speed and durability carry a higher price tag. But it provides good value if you need a fast and rugged SSD.
Main Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Blazing fast transfer speeds
- Sturdy metal build
- Compact despite SSD
Cons:
- More expensive than standard portable drives
- Lower capacities available
LaCie Rugged Mini
The LaCie Rugged Mini external hard drive is designed for durability and portability. Let’s examine its key features:
Storage and Speed
- 1TB to 5TB capacity options
- Transfer rate up to 130MB/s
- Supports USB 3.0
The LaCie Rugged offers 1TB to 5TB in storage. Speeds max out at 130MB/s, which is decent but not spectacular. The USB 3.0 interface provides capable transfer rates.
Build and Portability
- Compact and lightweight at 5.3 x 3.4 x 0.98 inches
- Rubber sleeve for shock protection
- Raised bumper for added durability
The Rugged Mini is aptly named with its durable rubber and plastic bumper. This provides shock and drop resistance when on the move. It remains compact and light for a portable drive.
Price and Value
- 1TB model priced around $70
- 4TB version retails for $140
Considering its ruggedized design, the LaCie Rugged Mini provides good value. The 1TB drive costs $70 while the 4TB model is attractively priced at $140.
Main Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Tough and durable build
- Good storage capacities
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Transfer speeds could be faster
- Bulkier than some slim drives
Adata SE800 SSD
Finally, we look at the Adata SE800 – a compact and lightweight SSD. Here are its key details:
Storage and Speed
- 512GB and 1TB capacities
- Read/write speeds up to 1000MB/s
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 for fast data transfers
The Adata SE800 delivers superb performance with transfer rates up to 1000MB/s – much quicker than normal hard drives. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 port provides excellent connectivity.
Build and Portability
- Extremely compact at 2.8 x 1.7 x 0.4 inches
- Lightweight at only 1.4 ounces
- Durable with an IP68 rating
The Adata SE800 SSD is highly portable, measuring under half an inch thin. It’s also over 50% lighter than most external drives. The IP68 rating makes it dustproof and waterproof.
Price and Value
- 512GB model priced around $90
- 1TB version retails for $150
Pricing is quite affordable for a high-speed SSD. The 512GB SE800 costs only $90, while the 1TB drive is priced under $150.
Main Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Blazing fast transfer speeds
- Ultra-portable and durable
- Cost-effective for an SSD
Cons:
- Lower capacities than standard drives
- Not compatible with USB 2.0
Conclusion
That wraps up our roundup of the top external hard drives for backup. To summarize:
- The Western Digital My Passport provides excellent value with good speeds and large capacities. It’s a great all-round portable backup drive.
- The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is another solid budget choice with its affordable pricing and slim design.
- For max speed and durability, the Samsung T5 SSD is ideal, despite the higher cost.
- The LaCie Rugged Mini shines for durability with its rubber armoring but transfer speeds are just average.
- The Adata SE800 is perfect if you want a compact SSD with blistering speeds over USB 3.2 Gen 2.
Think about your specific needs in terms of speed, capacity, portability and durability. This should guide you towards picking the most suitable external hard drive for backing up your precious data. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
