The Best Laptop Hard Drives For 2024

Dan Simmons By, Dan Simmons
Updated
Best Laptop Hard Drives
Best Laptop Hard Drives

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Seagate 2TB External Hard Drive HDD

The Seagate 2TB External Hard Drive HDD is a great way to store and access up to 2TB of content on the go. This USB external hard drive is perfect for backing up your photos, music, videos, and other important files. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB HDD

The Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB HDD is the perfect storage solution for all your digital needs. It features a sleek profile design with a matte, smudge-resistant finish and a plug-and-play setup that requires no software installation. Read Review

3. Best Design: Maxone 320GB External Hard Drive HDD

The Maxone 320GB External Hard Drive HDD is the perfect storage solution for your digital life. This hard drive offers 320GB of storage, allowing you to store photos, music, and other files in one convenient location. Read Review

4. Best Performance: UnionSine 320GB External Hard Drive

The UnionSine 320GB External Hard Drive is the perfect storage solution for your PC or Mac. Equipped with a USB 3.0 thickened copper core cable, this external hard drive offers super fast transfer speed, allowing you to store and back up your essential files quickly. Read Review

5. Best Quality: UnionSine 10TB External Hard Drive

The UnionSine 10TB External Hard Drive is the perfect solution for massive storage space and high-speed transfer speeds. Its vertical design won't take up any extra space on your desk or in your home. Read Review

Today's laptops are becoming more powerful and versatile than ever, and it's no wonder that users are increasingly looking for the best laptop hard drives. Knowing which hard drive is right for you can be challenging with many options. To help make the decision easier, we've compiled a list of the best laptop hard drives available today. Whether you're looking for a reliable and durable hard drive to store your data or a power user looking for the fastest hard drive available, this list of the best laptop hard drives has something for everyone.

We'll look at the different types of hard drives available, their benefits and drawbacks, and which are best suited for other users. We'll also discuss choosing the right hard drive for your laptop and the various features to look for when shopping for the perfect hard drive. So if you're in the market for a new hard drive for your laptop, read on to learn more about the different types of hard drives available and which one will be best for your needs.

After hours of research on customer feedback & product specifications, We've concluded that the best laptop hard drives is Seagate 2TB External Hard Drive HDD. With ample storage space of 4TB, this drive may better suit all your laptop needs. If you desire extra features not included in this model, you might look into another one: Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB HDD. It could better suit your needs.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Seagate 2TB External Hard Drive HDD
Our Score:
9.8
Seagate

Introducing the Seagate Portable Drive, the perfect solution for those who need to store and access large amounts of content on the go. With an impressive 2TB capacity, this external hard drive lets you quickly backup and transfer files between Windows or Mac computers. Also, you can let go of the days of complicated backup processes, as the Seagate Portable Drive allows for simple drag-and-drop file transfers. And with no software required, setting up the device is a breeze. Just connect this hard drive to a computer and enjoy automatic recognition.

This external hard drive provides plug-and-play simplicity thanks to the 18-inch USB 3.0 cable. Whether you're a busy professional who needs to take work home, a student who requires additional storage for assignments and projects, or someone who wants to keep their media collection with them at all times, the Seagate Portable Drive is the perfect solution. With its sleek design and reliable performance, this USB drive is an essential tool for anyone on the go. However, the manual instructions for this device could be straightforward. 

TOP Choice #2 Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB HDD
Our Score:
9.7
Toshiba

Do you need a sleek and stylish hard drive that provides a quick and easy way to add more storage capacity to your PC or other compatible devices? If so, then you should look at this product! With a matte, smudge-resistant finish, this hard drive looks great and is incredibly easy to use, thanks to its plug-and-play functionality. It is designed to be both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible, making it a versatile tool for anyone who needs to transfer files quickly and efficiently. And with no external AC power cord required, you can enjoy the convenience of this portable hard drive wherever you go.

Moreover, with its compatibility with desktop devices, you can quickly expand its storage capacity without worrying about installation or complicated software. Whether you're a student who needs extra storage for assignments and projects, a professional who needs to keep work files organized, or simply someone who wants to keep their media collection with them at all times, this hard drive is the perfect solution. Unfortunately, this device may not work well with Mac computers. 

TOP Choice #3 Maxone 320GB External Hard Drive HDD
Our Score:
9.5
Maxone

Want a portable hard drive that can handle your busy schedule and not let you down? This model is the slimmest and most scratch-resistant option available, made entirely of aluminum, and measuring just 0.4 inches in thickness. Built to last, this hard drive can withstand the wear and tear of daily use while remaining calm and quiet during operation. Compatible with various devices, including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Xbox, and PS4, it's the perfect game drive for profound gamers who demand high performance and reliability. 

But that's not all - this hard drive is also an excellent choice for improving PC performance. The laptop's USB 3.0 technology is much faster than USB 2.0 backup drives, providing lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s. So whether you're transferring large files or streaming high-quality media, this hard drive covers you. Plus, it's effortless to use - plug and play, with no external power supply or software installation required. Nonetheless, this device may become slow sometimes. 

4 UnionSine 320GB External Hard Drive
Our Score:
9.3
UnionSine

With lightning-fast transfer speeds and compact size, this external hard drive is the perfect companion for those who want to store and access their data on the go easily. The USB 3.0 thickened copper core cable and JMicron 578 solution provide super-fast transfer speeds, with a theoretical read speed of up to 137MB/s and a write rate of up to 103MB/s. It is ultra-thin, making it easy to store in your pocket and use on the go. With compatibility for a wide range of devices, including PS4, Xbox One, Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android, this drive is a reliable choice for fast-loading game consoles and stable and fast transmission on PCs. 

With no software to install, this hard drive is easy to use, thanks to its plug-and-play functionality. Moreover, the hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer, which increases heat dissipation and protects your data. This chip also adds a signal shielding layer, ensuring stable and undisturbed transmission speeds, making it an excellent choice for those who demand speed and reliability. The only minor flaw of this device is that it may occasionally produce some noise when in operation.

5 UnionSine 10TB External Hard Drive
Our Score:
9.2
UnionSine

Whether it's for PC office work, storing 4K videos and images, TV recording, or game storage, this hard drive is the perfect solution. MTC multi-layer caching technology can elevate your PC to new performance levels, allowing you to load applications and files faster, optimize data flow, and provide better reading and writing performance. Also, the device's theoretical read speed can reach 160MB/s, and the write speed can reach 110MB/s.

Moreover, this hard drive is compatible with many systems and devices, thanks to its USB-C 3.2 Gen2 type-C high-speed interface motherboard. You can use it with TV, Xbox, Windows, Mac, Linux, DVD, and Android devices. This hard drive offers unparalleled versatility with support for 4K TV recording and multi-brand TV compatibility. Furthermore, the drive's cable is upgraded to a 22 AWG thick copper core to optimize current transfer efficiency. Also, it features anti-vibration silicon and fast heat dissipation to reduce noise and provide a safe, reliable storage solution. Unfortunately, this device may be enormous and is not probable. 

6 Toshiba 1TB Hard Drive HDD
Our Score:
9.0
Toshiba

This hard drive packs a powerful punch with the industry's highest areal density per platter, at 254 gigabits per square inch, making it perfect for portable video recording and editing. With a 5400 RPM motor speed, this hard drive delivers improved system-level performance by as much as 12 percent compared to 4200 RPM drives. Also, it provides ample storage capacity for a range of commercial and consumer notebooks and non-PC applications such as PDAs, printers, copiers, GPS systems, and MP3 players. 

Moreover, it has lower power consumption than traditional 3.5-inch HDDs, making it an ideal storage solution for devices requiring high capacity and low power consumption. Furthermore, this hard drive incorporates the Serial ATA (SATA) 3.0Gbps interface and is ATA-8 compliant, supporting high media transfer rates of up to 801 megabytes per second. It offers reliable performance and durability, making it a valuable addition to any device that requires high-capacity, high-performance storage. Nevertheless, it may take some time to familiarize yourself with all its functions.  

This slim-designed laptop hard drive has multiple sizes and is perfect for storing movies, music, images, and other large files. With its high-speed data transfer capabilities, you can improve your device's performance and transfer data at lightning speed. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, making it easy to use with multiple devices like PC, Laptops, MAC, Smart TVs (make sure your TV supports a USB port), and tablets. Also, the hard disk's USB 2.0 version provides read and write speeds up to 480 Mbps. 

Moreover, an LED indicator will light up when your HDD is working, letting you know it's working correctly. With this drive, you can be free to carry official data and student project work and back up your data anywhere. Furthermore, with the plug-and-play feature, backups are simple, with no installation software. You need to connect the hard disk to your computer, and it's ready to use immediately. Unfortunately, this incredible device may be hard to install for some.

8 Western Digital 2TB Hard Drive
Our Score:
8.7
Western Digial

Free Acronis True Image WD Edition cloning software (downloadable)

2 Year Warranty by Seller

Brand New WD factory sealed, 5400RPM, 2.5", 128MB Cache, SATA III

Durable Design: This Hard Disk is made of an ABS Plastic body. This Portable Hard drive or usb 2.0 external hard drive has a compact and portable design for convenient on-the-go use, This external harddrive or portable external drive is ideal for travel or remote work.

Plug and Play: No software installation is required. You can directly plug into it and start working on it. This usb hard drives provides read and write speeds up to 480 Mbps.

Easy to Carry: External hdd with an ultra-thin hdd enclosure that fits easily in your hand or pocket. PACKAGE INCLUDED: 1 X Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 2.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual. We provide a 1-Year Warranty.

10 MaxDigitalData 500GB Hard Drive
Our Score:
8.4
MaxDigitalData

500GB Capacity, 5400RPM, 8MB Cache, 2.5inch SATA 6.0Gb/s, 7mm slim - MD500GLSA854S

Build your own 500GB Portable USB HDD (USB Enclosure required)

2 Year Warranty from Reseller, Worry Free Return! 100% Full Refund

Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Factors Should You Consider While Choosing best laptop hard drives?

Getting to the best decision for a product purchase may take a bit of time. In a nutshell, we're available to serve you with your product problems at all hours of the day and night!

You can rest assured if you consider the following points before selecting best laptop hard drives:

Performance

Transfer speed is the feature that most people notice on a daily basis. We evaluated each drive with tests that replicated different real-world uses, and we focused on the drives that consistently outperformed the other contenders. Drives that did well on some tests but failed others were unreliable and not worth purchasing.

Size Of The Disk

I understand that you are buying the hard disk in order to eliminate the need to delete some files when you install a new game or add modifications. Also, at a time when a single game can take up to 100GB, Call of Duty WWII is 90GB; it only makes sense that you select the hard disk that will allow you sufficient storage space.

Rotation Speed

Did you know that hard drives store information on spinning magnetic plates? The faster these plates spin, the faster the load and access time. The rotation is measured in RPM (Rotations per Minute), and although we recommend hard disks with 7200RPM, 5400RPM is still a good option.

Reliability

All hard drives eventually die, and there’s no definitive answer on when that day will come. We recommend replacing your backup drives between the third and sixth years of use, if possible. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get metrics on which hard drive models are more reliable over the long run, and even so, there will always be outliers and failures that occur sooner than expected.

Cache Memory

This is a cache that functions much like Computer RAM Memory. It stores important files temporarily so that it takes less time to access them on the disk. The larger the cache size, the faster the hard disk will be. However, the difference is not major, and as such, this should not be the biggest determiner.

External Vs. Internal HDD

The main advantage of external hard disks is their portability. Which also makes them perfect backups in case your PC is compromised. Desktop PCs allow you room to add extra hard disks, but if you are using a laptop or other gaming device, you will have to replace your existing hard drive.

Speed

HDDs, or hard drives, contain spinning disks that read and write your data. The faster these disks spin—rated in rotations per minute (RPM)—the faster the drive can access data and transfer it to your computer.

FAQs

What is a laptop hard drive?

A laptop hard drive is an internal storage device that stores data on a laptop computer. It can typically hold significantly more data than a standard USB flash drive or external hard drive.

How do I upgrade my laptop hard drive?

You can upgrade your laptop hard drive by replacing the existing hard drive with a larger one. This is usually done by removing the old hard drive and installing the new one. You must also reinstall your operating system and any applications or data stored on the old drive.

How do I know if my laptop hard drive is working?

You can check if your laptop's hard drive works by running a diagnostic program that fits the hard drive's health. You can find these programs online or from the manufacturer of your laptop.

How long do laptop hard drives last?

The lifespan of a laptop hard drive will vary depending on the manufacturer and usage. Generally, laptop hard drives can last several years, but it is not uncommon for them to fail after a year or two.

In general, product information and news are now available to users. In addition, as previously said, the Internet is constantly updated with new technology. Thus, customers will need to be informed so please subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website frequently to check the latest information.

Do you have any product-related questions or concerns you'd like to share? As a result of your efforts, we will attempt to ensure even greater standards of excellence!


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About Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons is a writer who loves home theater and HiFi audio. As the editor of TheAudioInsights, he has helped countless people enjoy the best possible sound quality in their homes. He is an audiophile who takes great pleasure in helping others find the perfect audio equipment for their needs. When he's not writing or editing, Dan enjoys listening to music and spending time with his family.