External hard drives to back up your PC or Mac

March 2, 2025

So you want a backup drive? Here are my top three picks. Order it now while you’re thinking about it. Everyone needs one of these!

1. Toshiba Canvio Basics (Affordable and simple)

Best for: Budget-friendly external storage and backups for Mac and PC

🔗 View on Amazon, $61.99

🎯 Pros: Affordable, plug and play, comes in different size options

⚠️ Cons: No encryption or password protection and not great for high-speed transfers

2. LaCie Rugged USB-C (Durable and travel-friendly storage)

Best for: Photographers, videographers and others who need rugged, shockproof storage
🔗 View on Amazon, $149.99

🎯 Pros: Shock-, dust- and water-resistant, plus USB-C compatibility

⚠️ Cons: More expensive and bulkier than basic external drives

3. Seagate Expansion Desktop (High-capacity storage for home and office)

Best for: Large storage for backups, media libraries and desktop use
🔗 View on Amazon, $159.99

🎯 Pros: Huge capacity, plug and play, reliable for long-term storage

⚠️ Cons: Requires an external power source and no advanced security features

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