One important note for console gamers is that the newer PS5 and Xbox Series X (and Series S) consoles are much more restrictive about using external drives. Ideally, you'll want redundant backups either off-site or using cloud storage for key data and large files (such as family photos) in case of theft or fire.

But if they don't happen to be included, you can easily buy dongles for about $10.Īnd remember: A single backup doesn't cut it. Many of them include cables or adapters to accommodate USB-C and USB-A ports.

Unless otherwise indicated, all the PC drives mentioned here are compatible with Windows but can be formatted for a Mac. But a lot of the time they'll be designated as working with a specific platform out of the box and sometimes come with backup software that's platform-specific. Most of the options on this list of the best external hard drive models will work across platforms - whether you have a Windows PC, Mac computer, PlayStation or Xbox - so long as the drives are correctly formatted for the right platform. A solid-state drive doesn't have moving parts and the external SSD drive has up to four times faster read and write speed, but it costs a lot more per gigabyte. Prices have dropped significantly in the last few years, with even the high-capacity, state of the art, all-around best external hard drive models tipping the scales at 5TB but costing just over $100. External storage is an excellent way of maximizing performance without maxing out the budget.Ī traditional hard drive or mechanical drive that uses 'old' hard drive technology (mechanical platters and a moving read-write head to access data) is adequate for the majority of users, thanks to speedier USB-C and USB 3.0 (as well as 3.1/3.2) interfaces. You can manage your storage by finding the best external hard drive and solid-state drive for your needs. As for the PCs, they don't come with much internal storage unless you are spending a hefty sum. Game consoles today have a variant that offers 1TB drives (equivalent to approximately 1,000GB of hard drive storage), but the storage gets full quickly if you aren't taking games off the drive while adding more to the drive.

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