Rankings
The Silicon Power Armor A60 is a rugged 4 TB external HDD with military-grade drop protection, IP68 waterproofing and hardware encryption. Its mechanical nature makes it heavier and slower than SSD competitors. Ideal for outdoor professionals needing high capacity and durability.
The ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB is a rugged 2.5-inch external HDD featuring IP68 waterproofing and MIL-STD-810G shock resistance, delivering up to ~250 MB/s real-world transfer speeds. Its 5400 RPM drive limits performance compared to SSDs and adds noticeable weight. Ideal for outdoor professionals needing durable high-capacity storage.
The Crucial X9 1TB Portable SSD delivers up to 1,050 MB/s in a tiny, lightweight package with drop-proof design and broad device compatibility. It lacks the higher IP protection of rugged rivals and offers no built-in battery. Suited for mobile professionals seeking fast, portable storage.
The Seagate One Touch 2TB adds hardware AES-256 encryption and bundled backup trial services to a portable HDD form factor. Its limitations include the inherent speed ceiling of a 5400 RPM drive and the need to reformat for certain macOS features. Best suited for photographers and travelers who prioritize security and extra software value over raw speed.
The WD Elements Portable 5TB is a lightweight, bus-powered external HDD offering 5 TB of storage with USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds. Its mechanical nature limits durability and it lacks hardware encryption. Ideal for users needing high capacity on the go at a budget.
The WD_BLACK P10 5TB Game Drive provides massive portable storage with solid USB 3.2 Gen 1 performance and wide console/PC compatibility. Its 5400 RPM HDD architecture makes it bulkier and slower than SSD options, and it lacks built-in encryption. Ideal for gamers needing extensive library capacity on the go.
The Silicon Power Stream S05 1TB SSD provides a compact, shock-resistant solution with real-world speeds around 400 MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 1. Its SATA-based architecture limits peak performance and warranty details are unclear. Great for budget-conscious users seeking portable SSD storage.
The Transcend StoreJet 25H3 is a 4 TB rugged portable HDD featuring three-stage military-grade shock protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Its bulkier size and reliance on a micro-USB connector trade off some portability and convenience. Ideal for professionals needing high capacity and durability on the go.
The Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB offers straightforward plug-and-play USB 3.0 storage with an internal shock sensor in a compact form factor. It lacks detailed performance specs and has a modest warranty, making it less suited for power users. Suitable for casual backups and console storage.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2,000 GB | 5,000 GBbest | 2,000 GB | 5,000 GBbest | 4,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 4,000 GB | |
250 MB/s | 625 MB/s | — | 130 MB/s | 125 MB/s | 1,050 MB/sbest | 400 MB/s | — | 600 MB/s | |
250 MB/s | 625 MB/s | — | 130 MB/s | — | 1,050 MB/sbest | 360 MB/s | — | 600 MB/s | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.27 kg | 0.236 kg | 0.148 kg | 0.231 kg | 0.228 kg | 0.032 kgbest | — | 0.227 kg | 0.308 kg |
3 yearsbest | 2 years | 2 years | 3 yearsbest | 3 yearsbest | 3 yearsbest | — | 1 years | 3 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 21.5 mm | 21 mm | 11.7 mm | 20.8 mm | 86 mm | 10 mmbest | — | 15 mm | 24.5 mm |
— | — | — | — | 8 MBbest | — | — | 8 MBbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Storage(1) | |||||||||
Capacity (GB) | 2000 GB | 5000 GB | 2000 GB | 5000 GB | 4000 GB | 1000 GB | 1000 GB | 1000 GB | 4000 GB |
Connectivity(2) | |||||||||
Interface | USB 3.1 Gen 1 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.0 | USB-C | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.1 Gen 1 |
USB Version | USB 3.1 | USB 3.0 | 3.0 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.1 |
Warranty & Support(1) | |||||||||
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | — | 1 years | 3 years |
Compatibility(1) | |||||||||
OS Compatibility | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Chrome OS | Windows, macOS, consoles | Windows, macOS, Chromebook | Windows 10+, macOS 11+, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, PC | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, ChromeOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows; PlayStation 4 | Windows/macOS/Linux |
Performance(2) | |||||||||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 250 MB/s | 625 MB/s | — | 130 MB/s | 125 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 400 MB/s | — | 600 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 250 MB/s | 625 MB/s | — | 130 MB/s | — | 1050 MB/s | 360 MB/s | — | 600 MB/s |
Build & Design(3) | |||||||||
Weight (kg) | 0.27 kg | 0.236 kg | 0.148 kg | 0.231 kg | 0.228 kg | 0.032 kg | — | 0.227 kg | 0.308 kg |
Thickness (mm) | 21.5 mm | 21 mm | 11.7 mm | 20.8 mm | 86 mm | 10 mm | — | 15 mm | 24.5 mm |
Form Factor | 2.5-inch | 2.5 in | 2.5" | 2.5-inch | 2.5-inch | Portable | — | 2.5-inch | 2.5" portable |
Power & Battery(2) | |||||||||
Power Source | USB bus-powered | bus-powered | bus-powered | — | USB bus-powered | USB port | — | USB-powered | USB |
Operating Temperature (°C) | — | 5-35 °C | — | — | 5-55 °C | — | — | — | — |
Security(2) | |||||||||
Shock Resistance | true | — | false | — | true | true | true | true | true |
IP Rating | IP68 | — | — | — | IP68 | IP55 | — | — | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the HD710 Pro for its exceptional ruggedness, citing the IP68 waterproof rating and MIL-STD-810G shock resistance as top-tier. They acknowledge solid but modest performance, noting the 5400 RPM HDD limits speed compared to SSDs, yet consider the drive a reliable choice for demanding outdoor environments.
Everyday users echo the durability praise, highlighting the drive's ability to survive drops and water exposure while delivering consistent ~250 MB/s transfer rates. Weight is noted as acceptable for a rugged device, and no major complaints surface beyond the expected heft.
“tough go-anywhere hard drive”
“rugged external HDD with decently good CrystalDiskMark speeds”
“huge 5 TB storage for photos/videos”
Professional reviewers commend the WD Elements 5 TB for its massive capacity, fast USB 3.0 performance, and bus-powered convenience, noting Western Digital's reputation for reliable build quality. The main criticism centers on the mechanical nature of the drive, which lacks the durability and speed of SSD competitors.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the drive's large storage space, plug-and-play ease, and lightweight portability, while recurring themes of inconvenience around macOS reformatting, audible spin noise, and occasional failures after drops appear in the feedback.
Professional reviewers commend the One Touch for its robust AES-256 encryption, seamless USB 3.0 connectivity, and the added value of Mylio, Dropbox, and a three-year Rescue Data Recovery service. However, they point out the lack of published speed benchmarks, the inherent performance limits of a 5400 RPM HDD, and the absence of a USB-C port as minor drawbacks.
Everyday users consistently praise the drive's straightforward plug-and-play operation, ample 2 TB storage, compact form factor, and the peace of mind provided by password-protected encryption. Recurring themes include appreciation for the bundled trial services and occasional frustration over the need to reformat for macOS Time Machine and the older micro-USB cable.
Professional reviewers commend the P10 for its massive 5 TB capacity, lightweight chassis, and solid USB 3.2 Gen 1 performance, positioning it as a convenient way to expand console storage without sacrificing portability. However, they also point out its bulkier profile, slower HDD speed versus SSDs, and lack of encryption as notable drawbacks.
Everyday users generally praise the drive's huge capacity and easy plug-and-play compatibility across PlayStation, Xbox and PC, noting its portability and sturdy build. Recurring criticisms focus on its thickness, occasional heat buildup during long sessions, and slower load times compared with SSD alternatives.
Professional reviewers commend the Armor A85 for its military-grade durability, IP68 waterproofing, and value-driven 4 TB capacity, noting that it outperforms many rugged HDDs in protection while remaining affordable. They also point out that its USB 3.0 interface and mechanical nature limit speed and portability compared to newer SSD competitors.
Everyday users appreciate the drive's massive storage, sturdy construction, and reliable performance, especially for outdoor and backup use. Common criticisms focus on its weight, bulk, occasional cable issues, and the audible noise typical of mechanical drives.
Professional reviewers commend the X9 for its ultra-small footprint, strong read performance and drop-proof design, noting it as a convenient, high-speed solution for mobile professionals. However, they point out that its sustained write speeds lag slightly behind rivals and that the lack of an IP rating makes it less rugged than competing models like the Samsung T7 Shield.
Everyday users highlight the drive's fast read speeds, pocket-size convenience, and seamless plug-and-play experience across a wide range of devices. The main concerns expressed are the scarcity of user reviews, the absence of an official IP rating, and minor confusion over the exact weight listed in different sources.
Professional reviewers commend the Stream S05 for its reliable ~400 MB/s real-world speeds, sturdy build, and strong price-to-capacity ratio, but they criticize the SATA-based architecture and USB 3.2 Gen 1 bandwidth ceiling that keep it behind faster NVMe USB-C SSDs.
Everyday users appreciate the SSD's portability, ease of use across devices, and sufficient speed for backups and media, while a few voice concerns about long-term NAND endurance and the absence of weight information.
General consumer feedback highlights the drive’s ease of use, portability, and reliable Windows compatibility, while recurring concerns focus on modest transfer speeds and limited capacity for power users.
Professional reviewers consistently praise the StoreJet 25H3 for its robust three-stage shock protection, generous 4TB capacity, and fast USB 3.1 Gen 1 performance, emphasizing its suitability for on-the-go professionals. However, they also point out the lack of third-party reliability metrics, leaving some uncertainty about long-term durability.
Direct consumer reviews are not available in the sources, but the product's marketing emphasizes durability, ease of backup, and capacity, suggesting that everyday users would likely appreciate the rugged build and encryption while possibly noting the weight and thickness.
