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The Fastest External Hard Drives in 2022

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The Fastest External Hard Drives in 2022

Hard drives are great for a variety of purposes. You can use them to store your files for work or for school. You can even use them to save your files and games for your consoles. When looking for an external hard drive, storage capacity is just one of the things that you need to consider. Perhaps what’s more important is the speed of data transfer.

An external hard drive with a good read and write speed will allow you to get and store files faster than usual. Some hard drives excel in this manner, and it makes them a great option, especially if you’re always on the go. If that’s exactly what you’re looking for, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the fastest external hard drives you can get right now.

01 Seagate Backup Plus 5TB

Seagate is one of the trusted names when it comes to external storage. They have a good selection of hard drives that you can get. When it comes to speed and capacity, the best they have is the Seagate Backup Plus. Backup Plus 5 TB from Seagate is a reliable and affordable way to back up your computer. The drive comes with all the necessary software to get you started, and it offers fast transfer speeds and plenty of storage space. The design of the Backup Plus 5TB is clean and simple, with a black plastic casing and a white label on the front. The drive is lightweight and portable, making it easy to take with you on the go. It might seem a bit flimsy at first, but the overall build of the storage is surprisingly durable. The included software makes it easy to set up scheduled backups, so you can ensure that your data is always backed up. The software also allows you to restore your data if necessary. Not a lot of external hard drives take into consideration the software for data management, which makes this an even bigger standout. The drive offers fast transfer speeds, so you can quickly back up your data. It’s one of the fastest hard drives, not just from Seagate, but from any manufacturer in general. And with 5 TB of storage space, you’ll have plenty of room to store your files. It might seem expensive, but you’re getting 5 TB. The price is surprisingly small for a hard drive of this capacity and speed. It’s a great bang for your buck hard drive that you’ll love bringing with you at all times. Overall, the Seagate Backup Plus 5 TB is a reliable and affordable way to back up your data. The included software makes it easy to set up and use, and the drive offers fast transfer speeds and plenty of storage space.  

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Great compatibility

Cons

  • No Thunderbolt support

Specification

  • Price $117.77
  • Storage 5000 GB
  • Item Dimensions 4.54 x 3.15 x 0.78 inches
  • Item Weight 0.75 lbs
Seagate Backup Plus 5TB

02 SanDisk G-Drive Professional 18TB

Another great brand when it comes to storage drives is SanDisk. They’ve proven time and time again that they’re capable of delivering great products. One that’s very easy to be a fan of is the SanDisk G-Drive Professional. True to its name, the SanDisk G-Drive Professional is built for professional use. The massive capacity makes it a great hard drive for those who are always working with heavy files. These include video editors, social media managers, developers, and more. In terms of performance, the SanDisk G-Drive Professional 18 TB delivers excellent results. It has a maximum read speed of up to 240 MB/s and a maximum write speed of up to 160 MB/s, making it one of the fastest external drives on the market. In terms of reliability, the drive comes with a 5-year limited warranty, so you can be sure that your data is safe. The SanDisk G-Drive Professional 18 TB is a great choice for anyone who needs an external drive that is high-performance, reliable, and affordable. It offers fast data transfer speeds of up to 240 MB/s thanks to its USB 3.0 interface, and it is also compatible with both Windows and Mac computers. The drive comes with a handy software suite that makes it easy to manage your files as well as keep your data safe.  Additionally, the SanDisk G-Drive Professional 18 TB also has a 5-year limited warranty to give you peace of mind knowing that your data is well-protected. All in all, the SanDisk G-Drive Professional 18 TB is an excellent choice for an external drive and is highly recommended. There’s a good reason why SanDisk put the “professional” in the name of this product. While more expensive than other options on this list, the SanDisk G-Drive is definitely a great find. The device’s large capacity and fast transfer speeds are its biggest assets and are what make it such a great product.

Pros

  • 7200 RMP Drive
  • Can daisy chain up to six units

Cons

  • Needs to be reformatted for PC use

Specification

  • Price $239.99
  • Storage 2 TB
  • Item Dimensions ‎3.74 x 1.97 x 0.59 Inches
  • Item Weight .44 lbs
SanDisk G-Drive Professional 18TB

03 ADATA HD710 PRO

The ADATA HD710 Pro is a portable hard drive designed for demanding users who need reliable storage for their data. It features a tough aluminum casing that can withstand drops and shocks, making it ideal for use in harsh environments. The drive also has a built-in error correction system that ensures data integrity even if the disk is damaged. The HD710 Pro has a capacity of 1 TB and uses the USB 3.1 interface for fast data transfer rates. It is compatible with Windows and macOS and comes with a 3-year warranty. The ADATA HD710 Pro offers excellent performance thanks to its use of the USB 3.1 interface. In our testing, we found that the drive was able to reach transfer speeds of up to 120 MB/s. This is fast enough for most users and means that you won’t have to wait long for files to transfer. The drive also comes with a built-in error correction system. This ensures that your data will be safe even if the disk is damaged. The ADATA HD710 Pro has a tough aluminum casing that can withstand drops and shocks. The drive is also IP68 rated, meaning it is waterproof and dustproof. This makes it ideal for use in harsh environments. The drive has a capacity of 1 TB, which should be enough for most users. It also comes with a USB 3.1 interface for fast data transfer rates. The ADATA HD710 Pro is compatible with Windows and macOS. It comes with a 3-year warranty. The ADATA HD710 Pro is a portable hard drive designed for demanding users who need reliable storage for their data. It features a tough aluminum casing that can withstand drops and shocks, making it ideal for use in harsh environments. The drive also has a built-in error correction system that ensures data integrity even if the disk is damaged. The HD710 Pro has a capacity of 1 TB and uses the USB 3.1 interface for fast data transfer rates. 

Pros

  • Great for outdoor use
  • Good cable management
  • Great speeds

Cons

  • A bit bulky

Specification

  • Price $242.99
  • Storage 1 TB
  • Item Dimensions 3.78 x 5.2 x 1 Inches
  • Item Weight 0.6 lbs
ADATA HD710 PRO

04 WD Elements 2TB

Are you in the market for a reliable and high-capacity external hard drive? If so, you may be wondering if the WD Elements 12TB is the right choice for you. In this in-depth review, we’ll take a close look at this external hard drive and see if it’s worth your investment. The WD Elements 2 TB is an external hard drive that offers a whopping 2 TB of storage space. That’s enough space to store millions of files, photos, videos, and more. It’s also one of the most affordable external hard drives on the market, making it a great value for your money. An upside to this external hard drive is that it comes in a wide selection of storage options. For this list, however, we’re highlighting the 2 TB option. Still, it’s worth noting that there are larger storage capacities than this, just in case you’re in the market for those. In terms of design, the WD Elements 2 TB is a simple and straightforward external hard drive. It’s relatively small and lightweight, making it easy to carry around with you. It also comes with a USB 3.0 cable, so you can easily connect it to your computer. The WD Elements 2 TB is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers. It also comes with a three-year limited warranty, so you can be confident in its reliability. WD Elements is a tried and tested brand. You don’t have a lot to worry about in terms of durability. The device will last you a long time, and it’s easily one of the best investments that you can make right now. Is the WD Elements 2 TB the right choice for you? If you’re looking for an affordable and high-capacity external hard drive, it’s definitely worth considering.

Pros

  • Wide variety of storage sizes
  • Affordable
  • Very reliable

Cons

  • Not portable

Specification

  • Price $65.38
  • Storage 2 TB
  • Item Dimensions 1.89 x 5.31 x 6.53 Inches
  • Item Weight ‎0.5 lbs
WD Elements 2TB

05 Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 4TB USB

The Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 4TB USB 3.0 SSD is one of the fastest and most affordable drives on the market, delivering excellent performance for both everyday use and gaming. It’s a highly reliable hard drive that comes with very few downsides. The Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 4TB USB 3.0 SSD is a sleek and stylish drive that will look great next to your other gaming peripherals. The all-black casing is made from high-quality plastic and feels very solid, while the blue LED activity light adds a nice touch of style.  The drive comes with a detachable USB cable that is just long enough to reach your PC’s front panel ports, and there is also a handy carrying case included for easy transportation. If you’re always on the go, then this is definitely the hard drive that you should get. The Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 4TB USB 3.0 SSD is one of the fastest drives on the market, offering excellent read and write speeds of up to 560 MB/s and 530 MB/s, respectively. This makes it ideal for both everyday use and gaming, as you’ll be able to load large files and install new games much quicker than with a standard hard drive. The drive is also very reliable, with an MTBF of 2 million hours, meaning you can enjoy years of trouble-free use. The Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 4TB USB 3.0 SSD offers excellent value for money, as it is one of the most affordable drives on the market. For just $129.99, you get a top-quality drive that is sure to enhance your PC’s performance. If you’re looking for an affordable and high-performance SSD, the Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 4TB USB 3.0 SSD is the perfect choice.

Pros

  • Fastest speed on this list
  • Portable and lightweight

Cons

  • Capacities are limited

Specification

  • Price $219.99
  • Storage 1 TB
  • Item Dimensions 1.77 x 4.13 x .55 Inches
  • Item Weight 7.4 oz
Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 4TB USB

06 Buffalo MiniStation Extreme

The Buffalo MiniStation Extreme  USB is a high-speed portable hard drive that offers users up to 1 TB of storage space. This drive is designed for users who need to store large amounts of data on the go, and it offers fast transfer speeds and reliable performance. The MiniStation Extreme also includes a number of features that make it easy to use and protect your data, including password protection and encryption. The MiniStation Extreme is one of the fastest portable hard drives on the market, with transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps. The drive is also backed by a three-year warranty from Buffalo. Overall, the Buffalo MiniStation Extreme USB is a great option for users who need a high-speed portable hard drive with plenty of storage space. It offers fast transfer speeds, reliable performance, and a number of features that make it easy to use and protect your data. If you’re looking for a portable hard drive that can handle large amounts of data, the MiniStation Extreme is a great option.

Pros

  • Can be locked with NFC
  • Built-in encryption

Cons

  • Bulky
  • Limited space available

Specification

  • Price $94.99
  • Storage 1 TB
  • Item Dimensions 3.54 x 5.55 x .83 Inches
  • Item Weight 0.66 lbs
Buffalo MiniStation Extreme

Jonas Sunico

Aug 30, 2022

Jonas is a writer with over 6 years of experience in the tech and gaming industry. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from University of the East Philippines and is one of the proud leaders of the academe's Journalism Society. At heart, he's a hardcore tech junkie that loves video games, the latest gadgets, and the wonderful science behind social media and AI.

314 Articles Published

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