Last Updated on September 4, 2020 by
Nowadays, the size of data is increasing day by day. People have lots of movies, games, songs, photographs and more data to store. These are the types of data that we never want to lose and want to carry anywhere we go.
Sometimes, the data is private so you don’t want to store it in the cloud storage. External portable hard disks have become a part of our life to handle those huge amounts of data we come across daily. The external storage technology has increased to a tremendous amount by enabling us to store, transfer and manage GBs and TBs of data easily.
- Combining on-point performance and strong encryption, Seagate's Backup Plus Ultra Touch portable drive is a great choice for everyday backups and security-first use alike. Plus, a fabric coat adds.
- Jul 30, 2020 Crucial’s X8 is the company’s newest external SSD, and it’s an excellent all-around choice if you need a quick way to backup all of your data. It’s available in two sizes: 500GB and 1TB, which.
- Oct 03, 2019 A desktop external hard drive is a great local backup for a computer that mostly stays parked on a desk. You should consider replacing your backup drives between the third and sixth year of use.
There are many brands that manufacture external hard disks for a good value for money, but from the customer point of view, an external hard disk has to be reliable and durable. Therefore, the requirements for a portable hard drive with 2TB storage or more arises. 2TB External Hard Disk is the best way to keep your favorite data with you.
So, we have done the research and going to provide you the list of top 10 cheapest 2tb external hard drives that are reliable and are a must-buy.
The Best External Hard Drives and SSDs for Mac in 2020. Looking to add storage, or for a smart way to back up your Mac? Here's what you need to know, along with our top-rated Apple-friendly drives.
10 Best 2TB External Hard Drives
We have also written a 2TB external hard drive buying guide at the end of the article. There, we discuss some of the important factors of hard drives, you should consider before buying the hard drives.
Jump to What to Look for in an External Hard Drive before Buying
1. Seagate Backup Plus Slim
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is an ultra slim and high-efficiency hard disk drive. The compatibility features are great with both USB 2.0 and the USB 3.0 connectivity, and it works well with a wide variety of operating systems like Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android.
Large volume files are dealt with quite smoothly with exceptional data transfer speed. This hard drive did not display any heating issues or vibrations. You can easily backup your Facebook, Flicker, and other content with a useful Seagate Mobile Backup Application. The USB cable is of average quality and getting a spare wire should take care of that.
This 2TB Portable External Hard Drive would make an apt choice if you are on the lookout for a hard disk drive with at least 2TB inbuilt storage. With all its advanced features at affordable pricing, it should be a perfect choice to buy.
Pros:
- Super Slim form factor
- Very Good Overall Read & Write Performance
- Free Two Year 200GB OneDrive Subscription
- Useful bundled software
Cons:
- Poor write performance
- Windows software was sluggish, at times
- Only Available In 1/2TB Capacities
2. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC
An external hard drive you can buy at affordable pricing, Buffalo’s MiniStation Extreme NFC could be your match made in heaven. With compatibility for both Windows OS and Mac OS, the Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC is very flexible. This hard drive comes with a rugged case that’s dust and water resistant, along with a built-in USB 3.0 cable.
Moreover, not only is your data kept protected from knocks and drops with the rugged shell, but it also allows 256-bit AES security features and NFC (Near Field Communication) features as well. Essentially it enables you to unlock the drive to get to your files quickly by tapping the supplied NFC card onto the drive’s body.
Pros:
- Built-in USB cable
- Hardware encryption
- Mac and PC format utility
- Ruggedized and water resistant
Cons:
- NFC card is easy to lose
- Doesn’t unlock via smartphones
3. WD My Passport Ultra 2TB
The WD My Passport Ultra 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is a fantastic product with the right mix of specs and features. The hard disk is slim and lightweight that makes it easy to handle and transport. It exceeds all your expectations when it comes to data transfer speeds but doesn’t come near the top of the leaderboard.
This hard drive offers a useful 256-AES encryption feature that lets you secure it with a password. It is compatible well with both Windows and Mac OS and its backup feature is extremely smart that only allows the files which have been newly added or altered. The one small flaw it has is that the encryption feature does not compatible with Linux OS. The WD My Passport Ultra 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is a stunning product from a trustworthy brand. It should make a great choice for you.
Pros:
- Excellent large-block transfer rates
- Included WD software for local and cloud backups adds value
Cons:
- No option to exclude/include extensions.
4. Samsung T5 SSD
The Samsung T5 Portable SDD is a bit pricey, but the speed and security it comes with are worth it for those looking for durable performance. It comes in light weight (2 ounces) and small as the palm of your hand. The all-metal, shock-resistant enclosure is rugged and portable, making it safe to just stash in a bag on the go.
Moreover, it has a super fast transfer speed up to 540 MB/s that is about five times as fast as a standard HDD, making it much faster to move giant files like 4K videos and high-resolution photos. The T5 compatible with USB 3.1 Type-C and Type-A ports, and works with Windows, Mac, and Android devices.
Pros:
- Streamlined, metal enclosure
- Excellent performance
- Easy-to-use software
- Full hardware-based encryption
Cons:
- No backup software
5. Toshiba Canvio Basics
The Toshiba Canvio Basic 2TB External Hard Disk Drive is another quality device in our list. The solid build quality and sleek, compact design from Toshiba makes it a sturdy device. It is compatible with Windows OS and Mac OS. The Canvio drive can handle large volume file transfer quite smoothly.
The data transmission speed it works exceeds your expectations. You can easily connect it with Smart TV through TV USB port. Toshiba is popular name in the hard disk industry and this hard disk is unbeatable in terms of value for money and portability. This 2TB wired external hard disk drive is a great product to meet your extensive storage needs.
Pros:
- 1TB platter technology
- Pocket sized
Cons:
- The provided USB 3.0 cable is a bit short for PC use.
- Not the fastest external drive
6. Transcend StoreJet 25H3P
Transcend StoreJet 25H3P 2.5-inch 2 TB Portable External Hard Drive is what stands out the most and it gives it a sturdy and rugged look. It has superlative data transfer with 3.0 USB port. The durability of the external hard disk is also enhanced by Military-grade shock resistance with a high-tech three-stage shock protection system.
This 2TB HDD also offers a Transcend Elite Data Management Software that let you arrange and systematize your data better. This external hard disk is compatible with USB 3.0, 2.0 and supports most of the commonly used operating systems. The Transcend StoreJet external hard drive is a must-buy if durability is your biggest concern.
Pros:
- Fast transfer rates
- Three stage shock protection system
- One Touch auto backup button
- Power saving sleep mode
Cons:
- Only available in purple
- Drive does not ship with Mac software
7. Sony PSZ-HB2T/BC 2TB Pro External Hard Disk Drive
Sony PSZ-HB2T/BC 2TB Pro External Hard Disk Drive external hard disk is a perfect choice for lovers for brand Sony. The build quality is excellent, and the drive is sure to last for a long while. The attractive slim and compact design from Sony gives it an elegant look. The hard disk proves to be a steady performer with fast data transfer speed.
The hard disk offers some additional utility features such as an automatic cloud backup with preloaded Back-Up Manager software. This includes password protection security and free backup software. The drive uses AES 256-bit algorithm data encryption and password protection technologies which give complete security to your data. The Sony PSZ-HB2T/BC 2TB Pro External Hard Disk Drive is a quality product from a top brand.
Pros:
- Great performance
- AES 256-bit encryption
- additional utility features
Cons:
- More expensive per-GB
8. Lenovo F309
The Lenovo F309 2TB External Hard Disk Drive is an amazing product from a trusted brand, and its reasonable pricing makes it a true value for money gadget. The hard disk feels pretty sturdy with the solid build quality it has. The sleek and compact shape it has, give it some good portability and easy handling.
The USB 3.0 connection offers easy and quick data transmission. Its performance and speed are comparable to products from more expensive brands. No compatibility issues so you can use it with different operating systems, desktops and notebooks. It has electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of up to 8 KV that guards it against shock.
Pros:
- Good performance
- sleek and compact shape
- ESD protection
- No compatibility issues
Cons:
- No backup software
9. ADATA HV620 2TB USB 3.0 Stylish and Sleek External Hard Drive
The Adata HV620 External Drive 2TB will suit those looking for a rugged storage device that can provide ample capacity without costing too much. Its performance is superb well and remains the only SSD we’ve seen that is IP68 rated. The solid-state drive that resides in this drive, it’s faster than external drives that use traditional spinning hard drives.
Moreover, This external drive offers great transfer speeds as well as rugged protection. Also, you don’t have to worry about missing out on storage space just because it uses an SSD – this external drive really does hit all the right notes.
Pros:
- Scratch-Prevention Design
- Sleek and Glossy
- LED Indicator Shows Transfer Status
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0
Cons:
- No free backup software
10. WD Elements 2TB Portable
The WD Elements 2TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Disk is a perfect storage solution from Western Digital. The amazing portability on offer has to be its USP. The drive is extremely lightweight, slim and compact in design and it is an easy fit into your pocket. Its plastic body makes the product extremely durable.
The drive compatible with both USB 3.0 and 2.0 connections and offers amazing transfer speed. The USB cord is of good quality, but its short length might disappoint many users. This portable drive also includes a free trial of WD SmartWare Pro automatic backup software. It can be a great choice if you are looking for a reliable 2TB external hard disk.
Pros:
- Low price.
- Huge capacity.
- No external source needed for power.
Cons:
- No free backup software
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive before Buying
Capacity: The capacity is the most important thing, you need really depends on your lifestyle. If you’re a photographer or videographer, for instance, you’ll require something with a large capacity that can store all of your media files. In that case, you should go for 4TB and above. If, however, you’re a student who just needs to back up some term documents and smartphone photos, 1TB or 2TB should be plenty.
Transfer speed: Backing up your files takes time, depends on the size of data. If you have a lot of data to backup, you could be looking at a couple of hours at the least. If speed is your concern, buy an external hard drive with transfers speeds of at least 120MB/s for writing and 130MB/s for reading.
Portability: There are a lot of pretty hefty hard drives out there, but if you’re often on the go, portability is key. Some devices are as compact in design as a deck of cards, which make them easy to put into your bag or pocket for convenient backing up.
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The advancement in the technological era day by day provokes user to download and store a huge amount of media contents. The prominence of images, music, videos, and games stay intact. Computer users will always be fascinated towards their downloads. The storing of different media contents accumulates as the time passes and these poses storage hassles. It is not a recommended idea to delete media contents every time in order to accommodate the new ones. To fulfill the demands of large storage capacity, fortunately, the market provides 8TB external hard drives.
Connecting this type of hard drive gives assurance that the saved contents will be saved forever. You could easily access them whenever the need arises irrespective of your location. To get acquainted with the finest 8TB external hard drives available nowadays, go through the below sections:
10. Avolusion HDDGear 8TB USB 3.0 External PS4 Gaming Hard Drive
Suitable extensively for the game storage and backup purpose, this external gaming hard drive is also suitable for other media contents. Basically, this product is a comprehensive kit consisting of tons of innovative techniques. It is the implementation of the decent quality construction that makes sure this drive is for the long-term use. It comes with the newest external interface technology, well-built chassis, and upgraded industrial design. These kinds of aspects suggest that this gaming hard drive could offer several years of seamless performance. You will be amazed to see the offerings of the simple solution intended to expand the storage of your PS4 game console.
What makes this Avolusion HDDGear drive stand out from the other gaming hard drives is the provision of the plug & play USB 3.0 interface. This interface offers a perfect portable storage solution. Therefore, it is extremely straightforward to save as well as backup the required music tracks, images, documents, videos, etc. Taking a look at its functioning, there are generally no flaws. Moreover, it could seamlessly function with PS4 Slim Pro, the PlayStation 4 Original, and PS4 Slim.
Features:
- It comes formatted with the PS4 file system.
- There is the incorporation of the 7200RPM and 64MB cache.
- Availability of the noiseless fan-less design gives assurance that the operation is devoid of noise.
9. Western Digital 8TB EASYSTORE External HDD
This product of external HDD from Western Digital is popular due to its tons of useful functionalities and benefits. Great reliability and functionality are provided without any compromise in the storage capacity. Essentially, this 8TB HDD is flawless in operation and can function with different OS. In addition, throughout its operation, there would be no vibration or noise. This version of EASYSTORE 8TB external hard drive is simple to set up. Within a snap, the routine backup tasks could be successfully accomplished with high charging efficiency. After you plug this EASYSTORE HDD into your PS4 gaming console, basically it formats and initiates working automatically.
Features:
- The included 8TB storage capacity provides ample space for storing photos, music tracks, video files, and other documents.
- Maximum data transfer rate supported is up to 5 Gaps and this speed allows instant data transfer. Furthermore, it incorporates USB 3.0 to deliver instant response while updating the files.
- Arrangement of the USB 3.0 interface conveys a simple connection to different devices.
- It is backward compatible with USB 2.0 in order to establish a simple connection inside your PC.
8. Fantom Drives 8TB External Hard Drive
One of the eye-catching specialties of the 8TB Fantom Drives is plug & play. Additionally, the availability of stand delivers smooth and elegant appearance. Diving deep into the details, this Fantom Drives Gforce 3 drive exhibits the advanced generation USB 3.0 allowing instant data transfers. For audio and video professionals, this drive is recommended as a perfect external HDD. The rugged features are found to be functional for the best possible storage for your saved images, music, videos, and documents.
Features:
- With the assistance of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 the users could instantly transfer the files.. Besides, it is backward compatible with the USB 2.0.
- With the incorporation of the stylish and durable aluminum case, this HDD presents an astounding fan-less cooling system.
- The supreme transfer rates reaching up to 10 times as compared to that of USB 2.0.
- To deliver quick performance, the operating speed is 7200 RPM.
- It can be used on Mac OS X 10.6 or higher version, Windows 7 OS or higher version.
- Functioning is flawless with the MAC, Xbox, PC, and PS4 (PlayStation 4).
7. WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive
Some of the noteworthy specialties of these My Book 8TB external hard drives are the automatic backup and convenience of use. It is readily available for use right from unboxing. The users could instantly commence the process of file transferring, back up processes and memory saving. In addition, its advanced design showcases an elegant appearance regardless of the place it is used. This is a reliable external HDD with great reliability and universal connectivity. It comes with the maximum storage capacity of up to 10TB.
External Backup Drives Reviews
Features:
- There are no concerns regarding its compatibility with the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.
- Inside this My Book desktop HDD, there is the presence of the WD Backup software to work on the Windows OS. Furthermore, it comes with the Apple Time Machine compatibility on Mac OS.
- Actually, there are no problems while functioning with the Acronis True Image WD Edition software. Moreover, this would facilitate appropriate scheduling of the full system backups.
6. G-Technology 8TB G-DRIVE USB-C External Hard Drive
The brand G-Technology incorporated excellent reliability and high storage potentials in this USB-C external drive. There would be no issues for the storage and backing up of large content of data. Unlike the other typical external HDD, this one comes with the capabilities of a massive amount of file transfers. Taking a glance at its appearance, it is available in the compact size and chic package. So, it could be conveniently incorporated inside a travel bag or purse. The overall structure exhibits an easy-to-use USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface that aptly meets the requirements of the users of varying backgrounds. Operation is impeccable to allow hassle-free access to the stored photos, music tracks, HD videos, and more.
Features:
External Backup Devices
- This unit of the G-DRIVE external HDD drive is packed inside an all-aluminum cover that looks really beautiful.
- While using this HDD, there are no troubles to simultaneously charge any compatible MacBook.
- Facility of the USB-C connector as well as USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface is available to provoke universal data transfers.
- Through the support of the USB Power Delivery, this USB-C external hard drive could charge your laptop during the process of backing up different files.
5. Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox 8TB Storage
When you get acquainted with the usage of this Seagate game drive, you will be amazed to see the flawless mechanism of storage. It comes with the spacious capacity to store new contents and can also free up the additional memory based on the requirement. During its use, you will benefit from the generation of the extra space on either your PC or the Game Drive Hub which you use for Xbox. Additionally, the efficient performance of this HDD indirectly suggests magnificent gaming experience in a flawless form. Due to the enormous 8TB of storage capacity, this drive can effortlessly store different media contents. This HDD could sufficiently store over 200 games.
Features:
- For easy connectivity, this game drive comes with the dual front-facing USB 3.0 ports.
- Its Game Drive Hub includes high-speed USB 3.0 with a view to enabling the users to play directly from their hard drive present inside the console.
- With the easy-to-use plug-and-play setup, the users could begin playing games in a few moments. Additionally, you could transfer the games flawlessly while upgrading the existing Xbox console.
4. Seagate Backup Plus Hub 8TB External Desktop Hard Drive
It is essential to safely store your critical data and documents so that you may access it whenever required. The Backup Plus Hub drive guarantees complete safety of all your data without any compromise. Your auspicious memories which you may wish to save forever will now be kept in a safe manner and could be accessed when needed. This 8TB external desktop HDD is extremely simple to store, import as well as backup files via a single click.
Overall look is adorned with elegant color and the process of construction uses heavy-duty materials. With the help of its versatility, this desktop drive could function in the form of a hub. The same is accomplished through the incorporation of two USB plugs; in these plugs, the users could effortlessly connect peripherals.
Features:
- To let users connect different devices, this Seagate Backup Plus HDD includes two front-facing, high-speed USB 3.0 ports. Such ports are extremely functional in order to establish a connection. Moreover, they are functional to recharge other USB gadgets including phones, tablets, USB gadgets, etc.
- The corresponding downloadable Seagate Dashboard software enables single-click backup as well as allows scheduled, automatic backup plans.
3. Seagate Desktop 8TB External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STGY8000400)
It is useless to purchase external hard drives that are difficult to use. When you go for this STGY8000400 hard drive, you will gain a lot of benefit with its simple to use functionality. Its operation is plug & play, so it is extremely easy to use this drive. All you need to do is just plug the drive inside the power adapter and the USB cable. After it got plugged, you could instantly utilize it for the purpose of backup, data transfer, storage, etc. The drive presents surplus storage with a view to fulfilling the increasing collection of various files.
There are no issues in consolidating different files into a single location. Moreover, the drive also frees up the computer space. Therefore, it indirectly assures increased efficiency. When connected, the drive is automatically detected by the Windows OS.
Features:
- Entire process of file saving is simple -simply drag-and-drop.
- Quick data transfer speeds are facilitated through the USB 3.0/2.0 interface.
2. WD 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive – USB 3.0
Every 8TB external hard drive has some or the other specialty and this one too have some specialties. Actually, this USB 3.0 desktop hard drive facilitates instant data transfers and plentiful storage capacity. There is the inclusion of the high-capacity add-on storage with a view to allowing users to enjoy various media contents as per their convenience. It is readily available for making reliable plug & play connection.
Features:
External Backup Drive For Pc Reviews
- In this WD 8TB desktop hard drive, the USB 3.0 interface offers ample capacity to reliably store different media contents.
- It incorporates instant data transfer rates and universal connectivity with several USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices.
- The highest storage capacity found is up to 10TB.
1. Seagate Expansion 8TB Desktop Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEB8000100)
Unlike other external hard drives that come with the time-consuming process of setup, this one comes with easy to use setup. This model of Seagate’s 8TB desktop external hard drive assures effective plug & play operation. Also, immediate file transfer and secure backup entice the attention of customers towards this external HDD.
Features:
- The use of USB 3.0/2.0 will make sure that you could quickly transfer your files
- Due to the execution of the drag-and-drop file saving feature, the users will find noticeable saving in time.
- The working mechanism consolidates different files into a single place.
Concluding Note:
During the situation when you need to store massive data while also ensuring great security, the discussed 8TB external hard drives are the best options. You can easily backup and access the stored data whenever you need.