Many users adore the Samsung T5 SSD external hard drive for a classy and glossy case made of metal with a non-slip bottom. The internal structure is built to withstand shock when dropped from 2 meters down. It is also the fastest external storage device. Best External SSDs For Storing Audio & Video (120GB-2TB) Do you need some extra storage space for all those video and audio files you keep creating? There are many different options for external storage, but we're going to focus on external SSDs (solid-state drives) here. SanDisk Extreme Pro is one the best ultra-compact SSD drive having high durability and a lot of features. It is a thin, low-energy, travel-type portable SSD drive for those photographers who have big size photos such as in RAW format or 8K quality images. Seagate is a well-known brand when it comes to storage, and it's brought its impressive experience to the portable SSD market with the brilliant Seagate Fast SSD. This is an impressively slim. Mar 19, 2019 So if you are looking for an SSD external hard drive that's good for traveling—and 500 GB of storage just won't cut it—this is a solid choice. Best External Hard Drive for Mac This category covers the best hard drives that are optimized for Apple computers.
Looking for the right external hard drive to help store or transport your work? Here are the best available, from large backup drives to ultra-portable SSDs.
If you're in the market for an external hard drive to help you manage your photos or other creative work, you've probably noticed there are a lot of options out there.
And it's an important decision. Every professional need a great hard drive to store their masterpieces until they are ready to share them with the world on their online photography portfolio or online art portfolio.
So we've compiled a list of the best options for photographers and artists. These external hard drives offer features that will be most important to creators, including speed, reliability, portability, and pricing. Let's take a look!
Navigate through the article with our easy-to-use table of contents:
- Best Portable Hard Drives
- Best High-Capacity External Hard Drives
- Best Portable SSDs
- Best External Hard Drives for Mac
- Best Cheap External Hard Drives
Best Portable Hard Drives
This category is for artists seeking the best all-around solution for taking their work on the go, whether it's just a daily commute or traveling to a new city.
1. Western Digital My Passport (4TB)
Pros: Good capacity-to-price ratio
Cons: Slower than average when writing large files Basic photo editor download.
Cost:$104.99 from Walmart (regularly $130.50) https://nonsdibundket1972.mystrikingly.com/blog/cleanmymac-x-4-4-3-14.
This portable external hard drive is a great choice if you're seeking large storage capacity at a fair price. It is also available in models ranging down to 1TB and costing around $60. But since the 4TB model is so reasonably priced, it is the perfect option if you want a portable external drive that you could use to back up all of your photos or work.
According to performance tests, the My Passport 4TB external drive is slightly slower than average when dealing with very large files. But it excels at writing large batches of smaller files and folders—which is what most photographers and artists will be dealing with, anyway.
The My Passport is slightly bulkier than some of the comparable external hard drives on the market, but not enough that you'll find it cumbersome to lug around. It is 4.25 inches long, by 3.1 inches wide, and 0.85 inches thick. It weighs about eight ounces.
It also features a stylish design with a beveled texture on half the drive, and it's available in six different colors.
2. Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro (2TB)
Pros: Wireless transfers, SD card reader
Cons: No USB-C port
Cost:$138.99 on Amazon (MSRP $179.99)
The My Passport Wireless Pro was designed with photographers and videographers in mind. It has a number of features that aim to make it as easy as possible to offload, edit, or view photos and stream high-definition videos. For one, it has an integrated SD 3.0 card reader, so you can skip a step when it comes to getting your photos and videos off of your camera.
In addition, the hard drive's Wi-Fi capabilities mean you can transfer images wirelessly from compatible cameras. Using the My Cloud mobile app, you can also wirelessly stream video from the drive to your mobile devices.
Best High-Capacity External Hard Drives
This category focuses on the best external drive with enough capacity to back up all your work.
3. WD My Book Duo (8TB)
Pros: RAID ready, large capacity
Cons: Lackluster speed
Cost:$320.99 on Amazon (MSRP $329.99)
The My Book Duo offers exceptional capacity. It is available in models ranging up to 20TB that are currently selling for around $780. But since that kind of capacity will be overkill for most artists, the 8TB model is a more reasonable option.
This external hard drive can be switched to different RAID configurations to either optimize performance or protect your data in the event of a hard drive crash. Since losing all of your creative work is any creators' worst nightmare, being able to set up that extra level of protection is a very valuable feature.
The My Book Duo also offers decent performance with sequential read speeds up to 360 MB per second. As you might expect, it is not designed to be portable, so it is quite bulky and weighs over five pounds.
Best Portable SSDs
This category is for those who don't mind spending a little more to get the latest technology in a compact package. These drives are especially helpful when you're traveling with limited free space in your luggage, such as when taking a travel photography workshop.
4. Samsung T5 Portable SSD (500GB)
Pros: Very compact, fast, wide compatibility
Cons: A bit pricey
Cost:$107.99 on Amazon (regularly 129.99)
This external solid state drive can offer compact size and blistering speeds. In Samsung's promotions, they've boasted that this external SSD drive is smaller than the average business card. It's also only 0.4 inches thick and weighs about 1.8 ounces. https://xpcoa.over-blog.com/2021/01/fxfactory-pro-7-0-1-5542-download-free.html.
Since it's an SSD drive, this external hard drive is not cheap. However, the 500GB model offers a great option. It won't break the bank and it should offer ample storage for many creative professionals. If you're looking for a compact drive for simply carrying your photos or work from the studio to home and vice versa, the Samsung T5 is the perfect choice.
If you're dealing with very large amounts of data, this SSD is also available with capacity up to 2TB. However, that model will cost you $479.99.
It makes a good choice for an external hard drive for Mac and PC, as it works seamlessly with both operating systems. Lastly, this portable SSD drive has a USB-C interface that enables transfer speeds up to 540 MB per second.
5. Adata SD700 External SSD (512 GB)
Pros: Rugged and compact
Cons: No USB-C cable included
Cost:$165.42 on Amazon (regularly $180.70)
The SD700 external SSD is built for durability. It is dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof. It's a great choice if you know your external drive is going to get subjected to some abuse, such as if you're going to have to do a lot of traveling with your data for shooting video or photos in remote locations. But it's also handy if you're someone who tends to drop things!
This solid-state hard drive is compact enough to slip into a small pocket in your backpack or jacket without even noticing it, and its rugged enough that you don't have to worry about it.
Performance tests show that his external hard drive is not quite as fast as other SSDs on the market. But if you're upgrading from a standard hard drive, the SD700 will still be much faster than you're used to. According to the specifications, it can provide speeds up to 440 MB per second.
The combination of ruggedness and reasonable pricing make this external SSD worth checking out.
6. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (1TB)
Pros: Compact size, durable construction
Cons: Not quite as fast as some other SSDs
Cost: $189 from SanDisk (regularly $249.99)
This solid state external hard drive has a lot in common with Adata SD700 External SSD. They both feature compact and durable designs. Where they start to differ is in the size and speed, as this drive is larger and faster. It offers read speeds up to 550 MB per second.
Also, since you can currently find this drive on sale, you can pick up the 1TB model for a very reasonable price.
It has an attractive, unique design and the whole drive is covered in a textured, ergonomic casing. It also has a cutaway on one corner so you can attach it to things like a keychain or a backpack. So if you are looking for an SSD external hard drive that's good for traveling—and 500 GB of storage just won't cut it—this is a solid choice.
Best External Hard Drive for Mac
This category covers the best hard drives that are optimized for Apple computers.
7. Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt (1TB)
Pros: Thunderbolt interface
Cons: Less usability on PC
Cost:$128.98 on Amazon (regularly $239.99)
The MiniStation Thunderbolt offers an affordable way to take advantage of the outstandingly fast Thunderbolt interface. It's not an SSD hard drive, but, using the Thunderbolt connection, it can provide speeds up to two times faster than USB 3.0.
It's also currently available for a very reasonable price. This external drive is regularly listed as $239.99, but many suppliers are now offering it for around half that. There's also a 2TB model available that's regularly priced at $319.99 and is currently heavily discounted to around $220. So if you're going to pick up this external hard drive, make sure you shop around.
In addition to the Thunderbolt interface, this portable hard drive also has a USB 3.0 connection to offer wider compatibility. So it can be used on PC setups, but you'll miss out on a few features when you're not using it on a Mac. For instance, it is pre-formatted for Mac computers and offers support for scheduling backups on Macs using Time Machine.
8. Samsung Portable SSD X5 (1TB)
Pros: Incredible speed, attractive styling
Cons: Expensive
Cost:$449.99 on Amazon (MSRP $699.99)
The Portable SSD X5 is like the Cadillac of Apple external hard drives. PCMag.com has called it the 'best external hard drive for Mac creative work,' and it's easy to see why. While it is very expensive, if you have the means, it offers several top-of-the-line features that earn it a place on this list of the best external hard drives available.
Since it's an SSD drive and it uses a Thunderbolt 3 interface, it's able to offer unparalleled transfer speeds. It can read data at up to 2,800MB per second, and can write data at up to 2,300MB per second.
That's useful for transferring things like large video files. In performance tests conducted by Samsung, the Portable SSD X5 was able to move a single 20 GB file of 4K video footage to a desktop in about 10 seconds. That means you can spend less time waiting and more time being productive.
It also features a shock-resistant design that protects the drive from drops of up to two meters. All of these features combined make this the best external SSD for Mac.
There's a 2TB model of this external hard drive, but it has a suggested retail price of $1,400 (!). For that reason, the 1TB model offers a much more accessible way to get your hands on its cutting-edge features.
9. LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive (2TB)
Pros: Fast USB-C connection
Cons: Lacks extra features.
Cost:$84.99 on Walmart (MSRP $89.99)
When compared to the other recommendations on this list, this external hard drive offers a more affordable choice for Mac users. It allows you to get a 2TB hard drive with a fast USB-C interface at a reasonable price.
This portable hard drive was designed specifically for Mac computers, so it can work seamlessly as a backup drive. It also features an attractive design that's meant to complement your other stylish tech (including an aluminum finish that's designed to match a MacBook).
Best Cheap External Hard Drives
This category is for the most affordable hard drives that still provide a reasonable level of performance and reliability.
10. Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2TB)
Pros: Lightweight, great value
Cons: No USB-C compatibility, warranty is only two years
Cost:$69 on Amazon (MSRP $124.99)
The Backup Plus Slim is an external hard drive that offers exceptional value. If you are looking for a decent amount of storage capacity at a low price, it may be the right external drive for you.
Reviewers have praised its speed, reliability, and easy-to-use backup software. According to the Seagate website, this is an external hard drive for Mac and PC that can be used with interchangeably with no need to reformat. However, several reviewers have pointed out that the external hard drive comes formatted as an NTFS drive. So while you don't have to reformat it to get it to work on Macs, you may need to download an NTFS driver for your Mac.
If you have more money to spend, the Backup Plus is also available in non-slim models ranging up to 5TB. They are currently selling for about $125.
But for those on a tight budget, the 2TB version offers an affordable choice that doesn't skimp on features.
Curate Your Work
Now you know which hard drives offer the best options for securing your work. At this point, it's a good time to go through your work and decide what pieces you want to share with the world. That can be a difficult proposition, as creatives tend to become very attached to their projects.
If you're struggling to choose the best photos or artworks for your portfolio, one thing that can help is getting a second opinion. Try to go to a colleague or friend who knows something about the industry, but failing that, any pair of fresh eyes can help you narrow down your focus.
Another thing to keep in mind is your audience. If you plan to use your online portfolio to attract potential clients, choose to show off projects that are related to the type of gigs you want, whether it's wedding photography or pet portraits.
If you want some more tips on picking images, check out this guide on how to curate your portfolio.
Get Your Portfolio Up and Running
You don't have an online portfolio for showing off your work? No problem! Setting one up is fast and easy, so long as you choose the right website builder.
Look for an online portfolio that offers a free trial so you can test it out before making a commitment. Also, try to find a site with a built-in online store. This is ideal for photographers and other artists because you'll have a single website where you can show off your work and sell it.
With your new external hard drive in hand, your work will be, thankfully, safe forever!
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What's the best external hard drive for photos for photographers? An SSD (solid state drive) hard drive, of course. It's an improvement version of the HDD (hard disk drive). Why do photographers should adopt this new SSD hard disk technology? The reason is simple: just like a memory stick, there are no moving parts within an SSD hard drive. So you've got both reliability and high performance for photo and video editing. I'll go through some of the best portable SSD hard drives by looking into two main factors, speed and reliability. Top rated external SSD external hard drives for photographers should be:
- USB-C compatible for fast data transfer
- Shock, dust, and water resistant
- Small and lightweight
- Compatible with major operating systems like Mac, Windows, and Linux
A List of Top 10 Best Portable SSD Hard Drives for Travel Photographers in 2020
SanDisk Extreme 900 portable SSD
Top of the notch SSD hard drive from global brand SanDisk, the Extreme 900 portable SSD is unbeatable in term of speed. This is amazing. Photographers with high end DSLR camera love this kind of high-performance portable SSD hard drive. You don't even need drivers when connecting your computer to the hard drive. The other important feature we should not overlook is temperature and impact resistant.
Pros
- Read up to 850 MB/s and write up to 850 MB/s, using USB 3.1 Gen 2
- Compatible with PC & Mac computers
Cons
- Speed not matched as mentioned
- Not for running operating system
Samsung T3 Portable SSD
Second after SanDisk, I'd recommend Samsung T3 Portable SSD. The Samsung SSD T3 works well with PC, Mac, and even Android operating system. It's very compact and lightweight. This sleek SSD hard drive fits well in your pocket, so you can take all your photos with you anywhere you go.
Pros
- Read-write up to 450 MB/s
- Achieve the best performance with USB-C cable (make sure you have a USB-C cable support at least 5Gb/s transfer speed)
Cons
- Not friendly with Apple devices
VectoTech Rapid 2TB External SSD USB 3.0 Portable Solid State Drive
This portable SSD hard drive is a great addition to your storage needs. It's easy to use; it's plug and play. The SSD drive offers fast transfer speeds. Slick and lightweight is usually preferable by travel photographers. In addition, VectoTech Rapid Portable SSD is shock and vibration resistance, so it's a plus when you move around a lot.
Pros
- Super fast Read/Write speeds up to 450Mb/s
- Shock and vibration resistant
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Need driver installation with Mac OS powered devices
PNY Elite Portable SSD
This external Solid State Drive is ideal for photographers, videographers, graphic designers who needs to back-up or transfer large files. It was built with performance and reliability in mind. It's also probably one of the most compact SSD hard drives in portable SSD class. It works on MAC and Windows out of box. Plug and play. The down size is storage capacity available, unlike the above reviewed portable SSD hard drives, which offer more capacity.
- Read up to 430 MB/s and write up to 400 MB/s
- Great look, feel and quality of materials
WD 2TB My Passport SSD Portable Storage – USB 3.1
What I really love about this WD My Passport SSD hard disk is its shock-resistance, compact storage in a durable design. The automatic backup feature is useful for most photographers. Overall, it's the best SSD portable hard drive for Macs.
- Read speeds up to 540 MB/s
- USB Type-C and USB 3.1
U32 Shadow External 2TB USB-C (3.1 Gen 2) Portable Solid State Drive SSD
The Thunderbolt 3 compatibility makes the U32 Shadow External SSD drive outstanding for its speed and performance. On the other hand, this SSD hard disk is quite portable, which makes it easy to pack and travel.
- Compatible with USB 3.1/3.0 and Thunderbolt 3
- Durable build and design with aluminum housing
LaCie Rugged 1TB Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 SSD Portable Hard Drive
If you travel a lot for photography purpose, LaCie Rugged Portable Hard Drive will survive extreme data security in most circumstances.
- Shock, dust, and water resistant for all-terrain use
- Speeds of up to 387 MB/s
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive USB 3.0
Seagate has been popular for years as a hard drive maker. This external SSD hard drive is quite affordable for most photographers. What's more? You won't sacrifice the reliability with this Seagate brand. Overall, it's the best cheap external SSD hard drive everyone can buy.
- Lightweight and compact design
- Plastic top cover
- Mac compatibility
Samsung T5 Portable SSD
With read and write speeds up to 540 MB/s, it's a great travel hard drive for photographers. It's compact and lightweight.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Android devices
- Metal design
- Read-Write speeds of up to 540 MB/s
- Comes with USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables
SanDisk Extreme 500GB Portable SSD: The Best Waterproof
If your ultimate choice is the best water-resistant external SSD hard disk, you should not look further. The SanDisk Extreme 500GB is my favorite.
- Up to 550MB/s read speeds
- IP55 for water and dust resistance
- Shock-resistant (Shock-resistant (up to 1500G)
- Vibration-resistant (5g RMS, 10-2000 HZ)
- Non-operating temperature
- For PC and Mac users
Toshiba Canvio Advance 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0
Compatible with Mac and Windows, the Toshiba Canvio is a USB 3 portable hard disk made for storing photographs. It's quite easy to use with a MacBook laptop to backup photos. Overall, it's very reliable.
For those photographers with a massive collection of photographs, I'd recommend that you should either buy a few of the Toshiba Canvio external hard drives or get the 4TB capacity.
- Slim design
- Toshiba Storage Backup Software (downloadable)
- Automatic backup and password protection
Good to Know
Of all the digital storage, the SSD technology is a good investment. For most travel photographers, what we need most is digital storage to keep all their photographs. Having the best SSD hard drive is essential for most of us. I chose the to best portable SSD hard drives over normal external hard drives because of these two factors: reliability and speed.
Best Ssd For Photo Storage Boxes
These features are what we need to pay attention to before buying an external hard drive to store and backup our photos. The top rated external hard drives will make photographers and videographers easier for use in the home studio or travel, especially for backup large photo files. There are times we our normal external hard disks are having issues due to its old technology. With the best portable SSD hard drives you'll feel more comfortable storing your valuable photos.
Best Ssd For Photography
What's else? If you're looking for a gift idea for your friend who's a passion photographer, giving the best external SSD hard disk is a great choice. The list above gives you a variety of options for either Windows or Mac users.