CNET’s expert team regularly reviews and rates numerous new products and services each month, drawing on over 25 years of experience. When considering a new external drive, the first step is determining your budget and whether a Solid State Drive (SSD) in your desired capacity is affordable. External drives typically range from 500GB to 22TB, with 1TB or 2TB being the storage sweet spot for many, especially those interested in faster SSDs. Your performance needs should be based on your specific use case and the computer you own. Most external drives are compatible with a range of computers, including Macs, Windows PCs, and Chromebooks, but compatibility with game consoles can be more complex.
For those storing sensitive data, it’s important to look for drives with security features like encryption. While cloud storage may be more convenient, many still consider external drives a safer option. An external hard drive or SSD can be a valuable investment if you’re running out of internal storage for photos or work projects. Prices for external SSDs with terabytes of storage remain significant, but hard disk-based external drives offer a good balance between capacity and cost.
When choosing an external drive, consider factors like compatibility with your platform of choice, the need for specific cables, and whether the drive includes backup software. CNET’s top picks for external hard drives and SSDs are compatible across platforms, including Windows PCs, Macs, and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. While prices have decreased over time, an external SSD with high storage capacity remains an investment. Consider redundant backups for important data, and remember to encrypt your data for added security.