The 10 Best External hard drives in terms of longevity (and global user and expert scores)
The external hard drive market has expanded dramatically in recent years, and models above 1 TB have become more affordable for ordinary consumers. But how long is the lifespan of an external hard drive?
External hard drives are mechanical and contain moving parts. This means that they will break down in the future. It does not matter whether your external hard drive will crash but when it happens. Since external hard drives contain moving parts, they will be more exposed to physical damage. If you consider the portability of external hard drives, the possibility of a material error, such as a damaged head or motor, is higher.
Important points about the lifespan of an external hard drive
Of course, if you take care of your external hard drive more, it will last longer. Hard drives are delicate and can be seriously damaged by a slight bump or jolt. One of the most common problems that technicians report about external hard drives; It’s that they’re broken and won’t turn on anymore, or they turn on and make a ticking or rubbing sound.
This could indicate physical contact between the tip of the head and the magnetic plates of the drive. Since the distance between the head and the magnetic plates is much less than one millimeter, even the slightest impact can cause the head to fail. A grinding sound can indicate engine failure. If you want to see your data again, the drive should not be turned on in such a situation. Of course, your hard drive will not be usable anyway.
The condition under which your external hard drive is kept is also critical. Temperature and humidity can significantly affect the lifespan of your external hard drive. Moisture can lead to oxidation of internal components and even a tiny amount of rust, resulting in head failure. High temperatures can also damage the hard drive. While this is more of a concern with solid-state drives (SSD), you should still keep your external hard drive at room temperature, not warmer.
Assuming it is not damaged, the average lifespan of an external hard drive is about 3 to 5 years, depending on the type, model, and conditions in which it is kept. If you use an external hard drive to back up your data, it’s best to replace it every few years to make sure your data is safe. Or it’s even better to back up your data in the cloud.
1-Western Digital WD Elements Portable Drive model
The WD Elements portable external hard drive is a professional device that can be counted on for its storage space and capacity. With the 2 TB space of this hard drive, you can install several data files on this device. In addition, this product canne is suitable for laptops and personal computers. You can use this product with the same performance as SSD.
This product also comes with a read and write speed of 1 Gbps, which is very fast.
Attributes:
- This hard drive is compatible with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.
- It has fast data transfer speed.
- It has a 2-year warranty.
- Works with most devices.
Technical Specifications
- Data storage capacity: 2 TB
- Hardware interface: USB 3.0
- Compatible devices: Windows and Mac computers, PS4 and Xbox
- Supported operating systems: Windows, Mac
- Write speed: 1 Gbit/s
According to customer reviews, the WD Elements external hard drive can be an ideal storage space for the smooth transfer of files. Users have reported no lag in data transfer, even with large files.
Price: $51.90
2-Seagate Portable Drive
Seagate portable external hard drive is a product of one of the best computer accessories manufacturers. This device is compatible with both personal computers and Mac laptops. With 2 TB of storage space, you can store almost anything on it. In addition, this product is slim, which makes it easier to carry.
Attributes:
- It has a 45 cm USB 3.0 cable.
- This device also has plug-and-play capability.
- It has a one-year warranty.
- It has a very light body.
- This product has a drag-and-drop capability to transfer files.
Technical Specifications
- Data storage capacity: 2 TB
- Hardware interface: USB 3.0
- Compatible devices: Windows and Mac computers, PS4 and Xbox
- Supported operating systems: Windows, Mac
- Write speed: 120 MB/s
According to customer reviews, Seagate Portable External Hard Drive has a lower transfer rate. Although it may not be noticeable for smaller files, the device slows down a bit to larger files.
Price: $57.99
3- Maxone Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim Drive
The Maxone 500 GB ultra-slim hard drive is a perfect device that makes transferring files easier by dragging and dropping. Although the storage space is limited to 500 GB, the transfer speed of 5 Gbps is an advantage for this device. The ultra-slim body of this product makes it an easy-to-carry device. In addition, you can fit it in any frame or holder.
Attributes:
- This device is portable and highly slim.
- USB 3.0 technology is used in this device.
- You can have a storage capacity of up to 2 TB.
- The body of this model is aluminum and anti-scratch.
- It does not require any external power supply.
Technical Specifications
- Data storage capacity: 500 GB
- Hardware interface: USB 3.0
- Compatible devices: Laptop
- Supported operating system: Windows
- Write speed: 5 GB/s
According to customer reviews, the Maxine ultra-slim hard drive has a decent 500GB space and a decent transfer rate. But its significant part is the Plug and Play feature. This external hard drive does not need any driver for installation and works like a flash drive. Therefore, it is compatible with most devices.
Price: $38.99
4- Toshiba model Toshiba Canvio Basics Portable Drive
Many people have used the Toshiba Canvio Basics portable external hard drive for its fantastic configuration and instant transfer features. With a transfer speed limit of 5 Gbps, you can expect large files to be transferred in just a few seconds. In addition, this product has a shiny and compact appearance. But during the test drive, we found it better for desktop use.
Attributes:
- The surface of the body is matte and stain resistant.
- This device is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
- It has a very high transfer rate.
- This product has a one-year warranty.
Technical Specifications
- Data storage capacity: 2 TB
- Hardware interface: USB 3.0
- Compatible devices: PCs
- Supported operating system: Windows
- Write speed: 5 MB/s
According to customer reviews, the Toshiba Canvio Basics portable external hard drive is excellent for PCs and laptops. Setting up the configuration does not take much time and is done immediately. In addition, this product has a low price, which makes its use much more accessible.
Price: $59.99
5- Silicon Power Portable Drive model
Silicon Power’s portable external hard drive is a must-have. This hard drive is easily connected to several devices. What is most loved about this product is its excellent buffering effect, which can reduce the latency to some extent and allow you to get a faster response.
Attributes:
- It has an anti-shock body according to military standards.
- It is waterproof.
- Comes with cable.
- This product can be easily connected to a game console.
Technical Specifications
- Data storage capacity: 1 TB
- Hardware interface: USB 3.0
- Compatible devices: Windows and Mac computers and Xbox
- Supported operating systems: Windows, Mac
- Write speed: 5 GB/s
According to customer reviews, the Silicon Power portable external hard drive is affordable and covers all your purposes. It is highly compatible with the PlayStation game console, and it only takes a few seconds to connect to it through a game console and play the game.
Price: $40.00
