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

Cloud storage may be more popular than ever, but external hard drives help free up space on your computer while storing important files without depending on an internet connection. They can be an excellent way to back up important files, such as photos, work documents, and media. As they range from 500GB to 20TB and above, you'll find that only one or two will be enough to handle all of your existing and future storage needs.

As a bonus, hard drives don't require monthly subscription fees, unlike many cloud storage services. I, along with many ZDNET authors, have tested, reviewed, and owned external hard drives from vendors including Lexar, Western Digital, and Samsung. In ZDNET's latest update, we conducted a thorough review of our 2026 guide. We also listed the WD 6TB My Passport and Seagate Portable 2TB among our alternative favorites. Also: The best network-attached storage devices you can buy: Expert tested Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. After dedicating countless hours to hands-on testing and scouring online reviews, the Lexar SL500 is our pick for the best external hard drive on the market. This drive stands out for being small, fast, highly portable, and tough, but it's not the only option. Whether your priorities include different storage capacities or a drive that withstands rain and dust, there's a product for you. Also: The best web hosting services of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed Leading the pack as the best external hard drive overall is the Lexar SL500. Why we like it: Roughly the size of a credit card, it earns its top spot for ultrathin design and fast performance. The SL500 can reach read speeds of around 2,000 MB/s and write speeds of 1,800 MB/s, making file transfers super quick. Its unibody is made primarily of aluminum, allowing the drive to withstand the occasional bump or drop.

Key points

• As a bonus, hard drives don't require monthly subscription fees, unlike many cloud storage services.
• I, along with many ZDNET authors, have tested, reviewed, and owned external hard drives from vendors including Lexar, Western Digital, and Samsung.
• In ZDNET's latest update, we conducted a thorough review of our 2026 guide.
• We also listed the WD 6TB My Passport and Seagate Portable 2TB among our alternative favorites.
• Also: The best network-attached storage devices you can buy: Expert tested Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.