If you’re running low on computer storage space or need a portable solution for transferring files, you might want to get an external hard drive. Even if you have enough storage on your computer, it’s always a good practice to backup your device in the event of data loss or corruption. In this article, we look at 10 options for the best external hard drive in Singapore.
What to look out for when buying the best external hard drive in Singapore
These days, you’ll find hundreds of external hard drives in the market with different specifications. Before jumping into buying one, there are some things you need to look out for if you want to pick the best external hard drive in Singapore.
1. Type
Solid State Drives (SSDs)
SSDs use integrated circuit assemblies to store data. They are very fast and are much more portable. However, these premium features come at a higher price.
Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
HDDs make use of spinning magnetic discs within to store data. They are much cheaper as the technology has been around for a long time. However, the downside is that they are bulkier, slower, and can get damaged more easily.
Solid State Hybrid Drives (SSHDs)
SSHDs are magnetic drives with SSD storage. These drives have much bigger storage, with only a small part of them being an SSD.
The SSD storage acts as a cache for your most frequently used programme files. As such, operation and booting up is very quick. SSHDs are not as expensive as SSDs and can hold more data.
2. Storage
Storage is probably one of the most important considerations when getting an external hard drive. Think about what you need to store and how long you’ll store it.
If it’s just documents, photos, and casual media files, you might get by with 1TB of space. If you’re working on big data files, rendering, or video or photo processing, you might need at least 2TB of storage space.
3. Speed
Always check the speed of an external drive before buying it. It might take very long to transfer your files if the drive uses a regular USB connection. You can get the best speeds with USB 3.0 and higher, or Thunderbolt 3.
4. Security
If you plan to store sensitive information, make sure you get a drive that supports data encryption password protection. It might cost a bit more but the higher charge is worth it to keep your data safe.
5. Portability
While more portable drives are convenient to carry around, they usually have less storage. If you’ll be keeping your external hard drive at home, you can go for a less portable one with more storage at an equivalent or lower price.
10 best external hard drives in Singapore
1. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB
Price: $69
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Product details
- Capacity: 1TB
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Transfer speed: ~5Gb/s
This is a very small and portable external hard drive for everyday file sharing, file transferring, and data backup. The high speed, attractive appearance, and portability makes it the best portable external drive in Singapore for those on a budget.
Pros
- Very slim and portable
- Low price
Who it’s suitable for
- Buyers who need simple storage drive for everyday use
- Buyers on a budget
2. Transcend StoreJet 25A3 1TB USB 3.1 Gen 1 Portable External Hard Drive (Black)
Price: $74
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Product details
- Capacity: 1TB
- Interface: USB 3.1
- Transfer speed: ~5GB/s
Like all other Transcend devices, this Transcend StoreJet 1TB external hard drive is built to the highest quality standards and has a very sleek look.
With its USB 3.1 connection, you’ll be able to transfer files at a speed of up to 5GB/s. This product is a great pick if you’re on a budget.
Pros
- Simple and sleek design
- One-touch auto backup
- Affordable price
Who it’s suitable for
- Buyers who need a portable external drive for everyday use
- Buyers on a budget
3. Western Digital My Passport Ultra 2TB Blue Silver Portable External Hard Drive
Price: $89.90
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Product details
- Capacity: 2TB
- Interface: USB-C, USB 3.0
- Hardware encryption and password protection
Western Design is one of the top brands producing storage drives. The My Passport Ultra model has a better-looking design than its predecessor My Passport. It also offers better compatibility with USB-C or USB 3.0 connections.
This external portable HDD is best suited for Windows users, and will require reformatting for Mac users.
Pros
- USB-C compatible
- Shock resistant
Cons
- Requires reformatting for Mac users
Who it’s suitable for
- Windows users
- Buyers who need a shock-resistant hard drive
- Buyers who will be storing sensitive data
4. Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB USB3.0 portable hard disk
Price: $109
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Product details
- Capacity: 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.0, USB-C
- Advanced data security
Seagate is a reputable external drive brand that makes very sturdy, high-quality, and great-looking drives.
This Seagate hard drive is impressively sleek. What’s more, its fast USB 3.0 connection and advanced data security software encrypts your information and transfers it swiftly every time.
If you’re looking for the best portable external drive in Singapore that also looks great, this might be your best option.
Pros
- Small and portable design
- Very durable
- Compatible with PS4
- USB-C compatible
Who it’s suitable for
- Buyers who need a portable drive for everyday use
- Buyers who want a good-looking drive
- Gamers who want to back up their PS4 data
- Buyers who will be storing sensitive data
5. Samsung T5 External Portable SSD
Price: $109
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Product details
- Capacity: 500GB
- Interface: USB-C and USB-A
- Transfer speed: Up to 540MB/s
This external drive fits in your pocket and takes up less space than your smartphone. Have a work presentation? This Samsung drive will impress your colleagues with its amazing look.
While it doesn’t have that large a capacity, the device makes up for this with its portability.
Pros
- Extremely small and portable
- Great looking design
Cons
- Rather costly
Who it’s suitable for
- Buyers looking for a small and attractive-looking external drive
6. SanDisk Extreme E60 Portable SSD
Price: $107 – $448
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Product details
- Capacity: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
- SSD
- Interface: USB-C, USB-A
The SanDisk Extreme E60 portable SSD allows you to do media editing or rendering straight from the external drive. Another big advantage of this SSD is its small size and its weight of only 40g!
However, the SSD technology and portability do come at a premium price. If you want the best portable external hard drive in Singapore, the SanDisk Extreme E60 is our top pick.
Pros
- Extremely small and portable
- Sturdy and shock resistant
Cons
- Expensive
Who it’s suitable for
- Buyers who want a very small and portable external drive
- Those looking for a tough external drive
7. DYNACORE – WD My Book 4TB External USB3.0 Hard Drive / HDD
Price: $151
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Product details
- Capacity: 4TB
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Auto-backup software
- Password protection and data encryption
This external hard drive isn’t as portable as the others we have on the list, and comes with password protection with hardware encryption for greater peace of mind. This makes DYNACORE 4TB drive one of the best external hard drives in Singapore to safely back up your data.
Pros
- Easy to use auto-backup software
- Relatively affordable given the storage size
Cons
- Not very fast
- Not so portable
- Quite bulky (about the same size as a modem)
Who it’s suitable for
- Buyers looking for a budget back-up drive with high capacity
- Those storing sensitive data
- Those who don’t need need portability
8. LaCie 2TB Rugged USB 3.1 Type C Portable Hard Disk
Price: $189
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Product details
- Capacity: 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt
- Shock-resistant casing
- Rescue Data Recovery Services
Work in an industry like construction or carpentry where your external hard drive may be prone to damage? This rugged LaCie 2TB portable hard disk might be right for you.
With its rugged casing, the hard drive protects your data from rain, drops from a height, and constant shock. This makes it the best portable external hard drive in Singapore for extreme conditions.
For additional protection, there is the Rescue Data Recovery Services feature if any data gets lost.
Pros
- Shock, drop, and rain resistance
Cons
- Rather expensive
Who it’s suitable for
- Those who will use the device in the outdoors
- People looking for an extremely sturdy external drive
9. WD 5TB MY PASSPORT PORTABLE HARD DISK DRIVE
Price: $189
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Product details
- Capacity: 5TB
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Encryption and automatic updates
The hard drive’s slim design makes it easy to carry around, while the 256-bit AES hardware encryption and automatic updates ensures your data remains safe.
You can also backup your online media using this drive. The in-built software allows you to connect to popular social media platforms and cloud storage services such as Facebook, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
Pros
- Automatic backup
- Slim and portable
Cons
- Requires reformatting for Mac
Who it’s suitable for
- Windows users
- Users who will be storing sensitive data
10. SEAGATE Backup Plus Hub 10TB USB Desktop Hard Disk
Price: $359
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Product details
- Capacity: 10TB
- Interface: USB 3.0, USB-C type
The extra-large storage space is perfect if you deal with large data files like complex rendering or high-quality media files.
While the drive is stylish and sleek, it is quite bulky and not very portable. As such, the product is best for home or office use as a large backup drive.
Pros
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows
- High-quality long-lasting device
Cons
- Not very portable
Who it’s suitable for
- Buyers who need to store large data files and high storage capacity
- Buyers looking for a long-lasting device
- Those who don’t need portability
Where else to buy the best external hard drive in Singapore
1. Hachi.tech
2. Harvey Norman
3. Simlim.sg
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