The best external hard drives of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

2026-05-16 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Technology & Digital — Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy · Depth: Novice, extended

Summary

ZDNET's 2026 guide provides a comprehensive review of the best external hard drives, emphasizing their role in freeing up computer space and offering offline storage without subscription fees. The guide, updated in May 2026, features expert-tested recommendations ranging from 500GB to 24TB capacities. Key recommendations include the Lexar SL500 as the best overall for its speed and portability, the Western Digital My Passport Ultra for Windows users, and the Samsung T9 Portable SSD for travel due to its rugged design. Other notable drives are the iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 for maximum security with AES-XTS encryption, the Lexar ES5 for iPhone ProRes video recording, and the Western Digital Elements for high-capacity data storage up to 24TB. The Toshiba Canvio Basics is highlighted as a budget-friendly option.

Key takeaway

For IT professionals and content creators managing large datasets or requiring secure, portable storage, carefully assess your specific needs against the detailed features and performance metrics of external hard drives. Consider the Lexar SL500 for balanced performance, the iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 for critical data security, or high-capacity Western Digital Elements for archival purposes. Your choice should align with your workflow, operating system, and budget to ensure efficient data management and protection.

Key insights

External hard drives offer diverse solutions for offline storage, backup, and specialized use cases, often without subscription costs.

Principles

• Prioritize reliability from reputable brands.
• Match capacity to current and future data needs.
• Consider form factor for portability versus stationary use.

Method

Selecting an external hard drive involves evaluating reliability, features like encryption and water resistance, capacity, form factor (portable vs. desktop), performance (SSD vs. HDD), and price, alongside brand reputation and warranty.

In practice

• Use exFAT for cross-platform Windows/Mac compatibility.
• Double current data volume for future capacity planning.
• Choose SSDs for speed/durability, HDDs for cost/capacity.

Topics

• External Hard Drives
• Portable SSDs
• Data Encryption
• Storage Capacity
• USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

Best for: General Interest, IT Professional, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.