Between photos, videos and storage-hungry software, your computer’s hard drive is probably under pressure. If you’re looking for a solution to increase your storage space or back up your data without blowing your budget, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve selected the best external hard drives (SSDs and HDDs) in March 2025 to free up space on your internal hard drive while keeping your files safe.
- Comparison of the best external hard drives in 2025
- 1. Crucial X9 Portable External SSD up to 1050MB/s USB-C 3.2
- 2. WD Elements SE external SSD: the practical, affordable external drive
- 3. SanDisk Extreme Pro: The fast external NVMe SSD drive
- 4. Seagate Basic: The external hard drive for storing all kinds of files
- 5. Toshiba Canvio Partner: one of the fastest external HDDs available
- Stop throwing away: Converting an internal hard drive into an external one
Need an affordable internal drive? Discover our selection of the best SATA SSDs.
Comparison of the best external hard drives in 2025
We’ve selected for you the 3 best models for storing your files. These portable hard drives are ideal for storing all types of data.
1. Crucial X9 Portable External SSD up to 1050MB/s USB-C 3.2
If you’re looking for an external SSD that combines design, performance and reliability, let me introduce you to the Crucial X9, a little nugget from Crucial that’s going to turn your everyday life upside down.
With speeds of up to 1050 MB/s, the Crucial X9 is a real transfer powerhouse. Whether you’re moving heavy files, directly editing 4K videos or launching your favorite games, it won’t flinch. No need to wait an eternity to copy your projects or save your vacation photos. This SSD redefines efficiency.
Thanks to its USB-C 3.2 port, the Crucial X9 adapts to all your devices: PCs, Macs, tablets, smartphones and even some game consoles. And with Plug-and-Play connectivity, no additional drivers or software are required. Just plug it in and enjoy instant speed.
Editor's Verdict :
Petit par la taille, mais grandiose par ses performances : voilà comment résumer le Crucial X9. Élégant et performant, à ce prix, difficile de trouver mieux.
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2. WD Elements SE external SSD: the practical, affordable external drive
Everyone wants the same thing: a fast, practical external drive. Well, let me tell you, the WD Elements SE SSD ticks all those boxes. This little gem from Western Digital is a solution designed for professionals looking to combine performance and simplicity.
The first thing that strikes you about the WD Elements SE SSD is its size. It’s ultra-compact, weighing just a few grams (27.2 g to be exact). And yet, in this minimalist format, it can hold up to 2TB of data. If you’re someone who juggles heavy files, you’ll love being able to carry all your projects in the palm of your hand.
With transfer speeds of up to 400 MB/s, the WD Elements SE SSD enables fast data movement even for heavy files such as 4K videos or high-resolution photos. Its storage capacity, available in 480 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB, adapts to a variety of needs, from professional tasks to personal backups. Its rugged design protects it from shocks and drops of up to 2 meters, ideal even under intensive use conditions.
Pre-formatted in exFAT, the WD Elements SE SSD is ready to use right out of the box, whether on Windows or macOS. No complex set-up is required: just plug it in and it’s up and running, a significant advantage for those looking for a simple, intuitive solution.
Editor's Verdict :
Le WD Elements SE SSD n’a pas pour ambition de rivaliser avec les SSD les plus rapides du marché, mais il offre une vitesse de 400 Mo/s tout à fait correcte pour transférer des fichiers rapidement dans un cadre professionnel ou personnel.
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3. SanDisk Extreme Pro: The fast external NVMe SSD drive
Looking for a fast, rugged external hard drive? The SanDisk Extreme Pro external SSD will meet all your needs, with ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 2000 MB/s. This makes it particularly suitable for photo and video professionals who need to handle large files such as 4K video or RAW photos.
Thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, this portable SSD combines performance and reliability, while remaining easy to transport and ready to withstand the toughest working conditions.
The drive’s forged aluminum casing not only dissipates heat efficiently, but also protects the drive from shocks and impacts. It boasts IP55 certification (dust and splashproof), making it ideal for users who work outdoors or in harsh environments.
Editor's Verdict :
Le SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD externe est un choix solide pour les utilisateurs à la recherche de vitesse et de durabilité. Avec des vitesses de transfert allant jusqu'à 2000 Mo/s, il est idéal pour les professionnels manipulant de gros fichiers. Sa conception robuste et résistante aux chocs, à l'eau et à la poussière en fait un produit fiable pour les déplacements fréquents.
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4. Seagate Basic: The external hard drive for storing all kinds of files
Need a simple, affordable way to back up your files? The Seagate Basic is an external hard drive designed for this purpose. Available in capacities ranging from 1 TB to 5 TB, it can store your documents, photos and other personal files. Featuring a USB 3.0 interface, it ensures stable transfer speeds of up to 120 MB/s read and 110 MB/s write. Although it’s not the fastest on the market, it’s perfectly suited to everyday file storage and sharing needs.
Compact, reliable and economical, it’s an ideal option for backing up your data.
Editor's Verdict :
Compact et léger, le Seagate Basic est facile à transporter et sa compatibilité multiplateforme avec Windows et Mac en fait un choix pratique pour les utilisateurs quotidiens.
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5. Toshiba Canvio Partner: one of the fastest external HDDs available
The Toshiba Canvio Partner is an external hard drive designed to meet portable storage needs, while remaining simple and reliable. It is available in a range of capacities (from 1TB to 4TB), making it a good solution for backing up files, transporting data or expanding storage space on computers and game consoles. Its USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface enables fast transfer speeds, while its exFAT compatibility ensures easy use between Windows and Mac systems without the need for reformatting. It’s also compatible with game consoles for storing games and additional content. Its lightweight, compact design makes it easy to carry anywhere.
Editor's Verdict :
Le Toshiba Canvio Partner se positionne comme un disque dur externe fiable et simple à utiliser, idéal pour ceux qui recherchent une solution de stockage portable sans complication. Grâce à son interface USB 3.2 Gen 1, il offre des vitesses de transfert rapides, avec une lecture de 150 Mo/s et une écriture de 143 Mo/s, ce qui en fait un excellent choix pour les transferts de fichiers volumineux.
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Our selection of the best computer products for 2025.
Stop throwing away: Converting an internal hard drive into an external one
Do you have an old internal hard disk removed from a laptop or desktop PC? Rather than leave it unused, convert your internal drive into an external hard drive by purchasing an external enclosure. It’s a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly solution that extends the life of your hardware while providing additional storage space.
With the purchase of an external enclosure, you can give a second life to an old internal hard drive from a laptop or desktop PC.
Practical and reliable, this case lets you transport your data easily, wherever you are. Available in USB 3.2 or USB-C, it makes it easy to transfer files between your devices, create secure backups, access your files quickly and protect your data at all times.
When it comes to external storage for your laptop, desktop or even your Xbox and Xbox One, the portable hard drive remains an essential peripheral. Before buying a hard drive, it’s essential to know the type of drive (between ssd hard drives and classic hard drives often called HDDs), the transfer speed, the size of the drive in gigabytes or bytes, the read speed and the write speed. To guide you in your first choices, we’ve tested several models to offer you an initial selection and the best value for money.
How to choose the right external hard drive?
Whether you opt for an SSD laptop or an HDD hard drive, check the connectors. A standard usb cable or usb type C can affect transfer rates. Some more modern models are equipped with MLC flash memory and operate on Sata III, with transfer rates several times faster than a slow platter model (HDD).
A storage device with a good controller reduces data access times and facilitates data transfer to usb. Some disks even come with adapters for different usb ports, which can be handy depending on your motherboard or usage (gamer, professional, etc.). Of course, if you’re looking for a slimline model, you’ll find many references compatible with Mac os and Windows.
External disks come in a wide range of capacities: 1TB, 2TB or even more. Before you buy, find out how much data storage you really need. The number of inches (usually 2.5 or 3.5) influences portability and robustness.
5. Why choose one external drive over another?
- ssd hard disks: Thanks to flash memory and a Usb type C interface, these models offer data transfer speeds many times faster than conventional hard disks. However, their price may be higher.
- hdd hard disk: More affordable, it may be slower in reading speed, but offers large storage capacity at a good value for money.
- Compatible with the majority of peripherals (consoles, desktops, laptops, etc.), these products are designed for rapid installation without Bios or boot conflicts (no need to worry about that).
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