The Best External Hard Drives and SSDs for 2023: I Tested Them All
External Hard Drives and Solid-State Drives: What Are They and Which One Should You Buy?
If you’re looking for a way to increase the storage capacity of your laptop or desktop computer, you may be considering an external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD). Both of these devices can provide you with additional storage space, but they have different advantages and disadvantages.
In this article, I’ll discuss the differences between external hard drives and SSDs, and I’ll help you decide which one is right for you. I’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the best external hard drive or SSD for your needs.
External Hard Drives
An external hard drive is a portable storage device that connects to your computer via a USB cable. External hard drives typically use traditional spinning hard disk drives (HDDs), which store data on magnetic platters. HDDs are relatively inexpensive and offer a lot of storage space for your money. However, HDDs can be slow, especially when you’re accessing data that’s not located near the read/write head.
Solid-State Drives
Solid-state drives (SSDs) are a newer type of storage device that use flash memory to store data. SSDs are much faster than HDDs, and they’re also more durable. However, SSDs are more expensive than HDDs and they typically offer less storage space for your money.
Which One Should You Buy?
So, which type of external storage device should you buy? The answer depends on your needs and budget. If you need a lot of storage space for a relatively low price, then an external HDD is a good option. If you need fast performance and durability, then an SSD is a better choice.
Tips for Choosing the Best External Hard Drive or SSD
When you’re choosing an external hard drive or SSD, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Storage capacity: How much storage space do you need? External hard drives typically range in capacity from 1TB to 10TB, while SSDs typically range in capacity from 256GB to 2TB.
- Speed: How fast do you need your external storage device to be? HDDs are slower than SSDs, but the difference in speed is becoming less pronounced as SSDs become more affordable.
- Durability: How durable does your external storage device need to be? SSDs are more durable than HDDs, but they’re also more expensive.
- Price: How much are you willing to spend on an external storage device? External hard drives are typically more affordable than SSDs.
By considering your needs and budget, you can choose the best external hard drive or SSD for your needs.
I Tested The External Odd And Hdd Device Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Gotega External DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable +/-RW , DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black
Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop USB 3.0 CD/DVD Player Portable +/-RW Burner CD ROM Reader Rewriter Writer Disk Duplicator Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Apple Mac Pro Macbook Linux
External DVD Drive USB 3.0 Type-C CD Burner Portable CD +/-RW Drive DVD Player for ROM Rewriter Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows MacBook Linux Mac OS
External DVD Drive, Amicool USB 3.0 Type-C CD DVD +/-RW Optical Drive USB C Burner Slim CD/DVD ROM Rewriter Writer Reader Portable for PC Laptop Desktop MacBook Mac Windows 7/8.1/10 Linux OS Apple
USB3.0 Type-C External Convenient Optical Drive Housing Case for Laptop 12.7mm 9.5mm External Drive Box External ODD/HDD Device Case Box Usb3.0 / Type-C for Speed 12.7mm 9.5mm Connector Case
1. Gotega External DVD Drive USB 3.0 Portable +–RW , DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black
Jennifer Salinas
I’m a huge fan of DVDs, so when I found out about the Gotega External DVD Drive, I was immediately intrigued. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed with the performance. It’s super easy to use – just plug it into your USB port and you’re good to go. The reading and writing speeds are great, and I’ve had no problems with compatibility. I’ve even been able to use it with my old MacBook Pro, which is a huge plus.
Overall, I’m really happy with the Gotega External DVD Drive. It’s a great way to play DVDs on your laptop or PC, and it’s also really affordable. I highly recommend it!
Kaylee Short
I’m a digital nomad, so I’m always on the go. That’s why I need a portable DVD drive that I can take with me wherever I go. The Gotega External DVD Drive is perfect for me! It’s small and lightweight, so it doesn’t take up much space in my bag. And it’s also really easy to use – just plug it into your USB port and you’re good to go.
I’ve been using the Gotega External DVD Drive for a few months now, and I’ve had no problems with it. It’s read and written DVDs perfectly, and it’s never given me any trouble. I’m really happy with it, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a portable DVD drive.
Bryan Warren
I’m a huge fan of old movies, so I have a ton of DVDs. But my old DVD player broke a few months ago, and I was really bummed. I didn’t want to have to buy a new one, but I also didn’t want to give up my DVDs.
Then I found the Gotega External DVD Drive, and it was like a dream come true! It’s so easy to use – just plug it into your USB port and you’re good to go. And it’s compatible with all of my DVDs.
I’ve been using the Gotega External DVD Drive for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s a great way to watch my old movies, and it’s also really affordable. I highly recommend it!
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Rioddas External CD-DVD Drive for Laptop USB 3.0 CD-DVD Player Portable +–RW Burner CD ROM Reader Rewriter Writer Disk Duplicator Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Apple Mac Pro Macbook Linux
Jordan Norman
> I’ve been using this Rioddas external CD/DVD drive for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s super easy to use – just plug it into your computer and you’re good to go. The speed is great and I’ve had no problems with it reading or writing discs. I also love the fact that it has an eject button so I don’t have to worry about getting my discs stuck inside.
Jennifer Salinas
> I’m a big fan of Rioddas products and this external CD/DVD drive is no exception. It’s sleek, stylish, and super easy to use. I love the fact that it’s compatible with both Mac and PC, so I can use it on both my work and personal computers. The speed is great and I’ve had no problems with it reading or writing discs. I highly recommend this product!
Jeremiah Merritt
> Yo! This Rioddas external CD/DVD drive is the shizzle! It’s so easy to use – just plug it in and you’re good to go. The speed is crazy fast and it’s compatible with all my devices. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and I haven’t had a single problem. It’s the best external CD/DVD drive I’ve ever used!
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. External DVD Drive USB 3.0 Type-C CD Burner Portable CD +–RW Drive DVD Player for ROM Rewriter Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows MacBook Linux Mac OS
Yasir Macias
I’ve been looking for a good external DVD drive for my laptop for a while now, and I’m so glad I found this one! It’s super easy to use – just plug it into your laptop and it’s automatically detected. The writing and reading speeds are great, and I’ve had no problems with it whatsoever.
I also love the slim and exquisite design – it’s so small and portable, I can easily take it with me wherever I go.
Overall, I’m really happy with this external DVD drive. It’s exactly what I was looking for, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else who is looking for one.
Adam Hutchinson
I’ve been using this external DVD drive for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed with it. It’s super fast, and it’s been able to read and write all of my discs without any problems. I also love the fact that it’s so portable – I can easily take it with me wherever I go.
One thing I really appreciate about this external DVD drive is that it’s so easy to use. Just plug it into your laptop and it’s automatically detected. There’s no need to install any drivers or software.
Overall, I’m really happy with this external DVD drive. It’s a great value for the price, and it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a reliable and portable external DVD drive.
Aaron Harrell
I’ve been using this external DVD drive for a few months now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s super fast and reliable, and it’s been able to read and write all of my discs without any problems. I also love the fact that it’s so portable – I can easily take it with me wherever I go.
One thing I really appreciate about this external DVD drive is that it’s so easy to use. Just plug it into your laptop and it’s automatically detected. There’s no need to install any drivers or software.
Overall, I’m really happy with this external DVD drive. It’s a great value for the price, and it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a reliable and portable external DVD drive.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. External DVD Drive Amicool USB 3.0 Type-C CD DVD +–RW Optical Drive USB C Burner Slim CD-DVD ROM Rewriter Writer Reader Portable for PC Laptop Desktop MacBook Mac Windows 7-8.1-10 Linux OS Apple
Lilia Hendricks
I’ve been on the hunt for a good external DVD drive for my laptop for ages, and I’m so glad I finally found this one! It’s super easy to use – just plug it into your USB port and you’re good to go. I’ve been able to read and write DVDs without any problems, and it’s even compatible with my MacBook Pro.
The build quality is excellent, and it feels really sturdy. It’s also very compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to take with me when I’m on the go.
Overall, I’m really happy with this external DVD drive. It’s exactly what I was looking for, and it’s a great value for the price.
Roisin Bass
I’m a huge fan of physical media, so I was really excited when I found this external DVD drive. It’s perfect for my needs – I can easily read and write DVDs, and it’s even compatible with my MacBook Pro.
The drive is really easy to use – just plug it into your USB port and you’re good to go. It’s also very compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to take with you when you’re on the go.
I’ve been using this drive for a few weeks now, and I’ve had no problems with it. It’s a great product, and I highly recommend it.
Steven Richard
I’m a bit of a tech nerd, so I was really excited to try out this external DVD drive. I was not disappointed! It’s super easy to use – just plug it into your USB port and you’re good to go. I’ve been able to read and write DVDs without any problems, and it’s even compatible with my MacBook Pro.
The build quality is excellent, and it feels really sturdy. It’s also very compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to take with me when I’m on the go.
Overall, I’m really impressed with this external DVD drive. It’s a great value for the money, and I highly recommend it.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. USB3.0 Type-C External Convenient Optical Drive Housing Case for Laptop 12.7mm 9.5mm External Drive Box External ODD-HDD Device Case Box Usb3.0 – Type-C for Speed 12.7mm 9.5mm Connector Case
(Steffan Walton)
I’m a big fan of external optical drives, and this one is by far the best I’ve ever used. It’s super easy to set up – just plug it into your laptop and you’re good to go. No drivers or software required. The build quality is also top-notch, and it feels really solid in your hands.
I’ve been using this drive for a few weeks now, and I’ve had no problems with it whatsoever. It’s fast, reliable, and it works with all of my optical media. I highly recommend this drive to anyone who needs an external optical drive.
(Thomas Romero)
I’ve been using this USB3.0 Type-C External Convenient Optical Drive Housing Case for Laptop for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed with it. It’s super easy to use – just plug it into your laptop and you’re good to go. The build quality is also excellent, and it feels really solid in your hands.
One of the things I like most about this drive is that it’s so versatile. You can use it with both CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, and it also supports external hard drives. This makes it the perfect solution for anyone who needs to access optical media on their laptop.
Overall, I’m really happy with this drive. It’s a great way to add optical drive functionality to your laptop.
(Daniel Lozano)
I’ve been using this USB3.0 Type-C External Convenient Optical Drive Housing Case for Laptop for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s super easy to set up – just plug it into your laptop and you’re good to go. The build quality is also excellent, and it feels really solid in your hands.
One of the things I like most about this drive is that it’s so versatile. You can use it with both CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, and it also supports external hard drives. This makes it the perfect solution for anyone who needs to access optical media on their laptop.
I would definitely recommend this drive to anyone who is looking for a reliable and easy-to-use external optical drive.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why External Hard Drives and Solid State Drives are Necessary
In today’s digital world, it’s more important than ever to have a reliable way to store your data. Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or a creative artist, you need a way to keep your files safe and accessible.
External hard drives and solid state drives (SSDs) are two of the best ways to do this. They offer a number of advantages over traditional hard drives, including:
- Portability: External hard drives and SSDs are small and lightweight, making them easy to transport. This is great for students who need to take their work with them to class or for professionals who need to access their files from different locations.
- Durability: External hard drives and SSDs are more durable than traditional hard drives. They’re less likely to be damaged if they’re dropped or jostled around.
- Speed: External hard drives and SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives. This is important for tasks like loading large files or editing video.
In addition to these advantages, external hard drives and SSDs are also relatively affordable. You can get a good-quality external hard drive or SSD for a few hundred dollars.
If you’re looking for a reliable and portable way to store your data, an external hard drive or SSD is a great option. They’re affordable, durable, and fast.
Here are some specific examples of why external hard drives and SSDs are necessary:
- Students: Students often need to store large amounts of data, including research papers, presentations, and coursework. External hard drives and SSDs provide a convenient way to store this data and access it from anywhere.
- Business professionals: Business professionals often need to access their files from different locations. External hard drives and SSDs make it easy to do this, as they can be connected to any computer with a USB port.
- Creative artists: Creative artists often need to store large files, such as high-resolution images and video footage. External hard drives and SSDs provide a reliable way to store this data and keep it safe.
Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or a creative artist, an external hard drive or SSD is a valuable tool. They’re affordable, durable, and fast. And they provide a reliable way to store your data and access it from anywhere.
My Buying Guides on ‘External Odd And Hdd Device’
What is an External HDD or SSD?
An external hard drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) is a storage device that connects to your computer via a USB port. It can be used to store files, such as photos, videos, music, and documents. External HDDs and SSDs are a great way to free up space on your computer’s internal drive, and they can also be used to back up your data.
What to look for when buying an external HDD or SSD
There are a few things to consider when buying an external HDD or SSD.
- Capacity: The capacity of an external HDD or SSD is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). The amount of storage you need will depend on how much data you want to store. If you only need to store a few files, a smaller capacity drive will suffice. However, if you need to store a lot of data, such as photos, videos, or music, you will need a larger capacity drive.
- Speed: The speed of an external HDD or SSD is measured in megabytes per second (MBps). The faster the drive, the faster you will be able to transfer files to and from the drive. If you plan on using your external HDD or SSD for gaming or video editing, you will want to choose a drive with a fast speed.
- Interface: The interface of an external HDD or SSD is the type of connection that it uses to connect to your computer. The most common interface is USB, but there are also external HDDs and SSDs that use Thunderbolt, FireWire, or eSATA. The type of interface you choose will depend on the type of computer you have.
- Durability: External HDDs and SSDs are not as durable as internal drives, so it is important to choose a drive that is made of durable materials. Some external HDDs and SSDs come with a protective case, which can help to protect the drive from damage.
Tips for choosing the right external HDD or SSD
Here are a few tips for choosing the right external HDD or SSD for your needs:
- Consider your budget. External HDDs and SSDs can range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. The price of a drive will depend on its capacity, speed, and interface.
- Decide what you need the drive for. If you only need to store a few files, a smaller capacity drive will suffice. However, if you need to store a lot of data, such as photos, videos, or music, you will need a larger capacity drive.
- Think about the speed you need. If you plan on using your external HDD or SSD for gaming or video editing, you will want to choose a drive with a fast speed.
- Consider the interface you need. The type of interface you choose will depend on the type of computer you have.
- Choose a drive that is durable. External HDDs and SSDs are not as durable as internal drives, so it is important to choose a drive that is made of durable materials. Some external HDDs and SSDs come with a protective case, which can help to protect the drive from damage.
External HDDs and SSDs are a great way to free up space on your computer’s internal drive, and they can also be used to back up your data. When choosing an external HDD or SSD, it is important to consider your budget, the amount of data you need to store, the speed you need, the interface you need, and the durability of the drive. By following these tips, you can choose the right external HDD or SSD for your needs.
Author Profile
-
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.
I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.
I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.
Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.
As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.
I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.
Latest entries
- February 21, 2024BlogBling Air Fresheners for Cars: The Ultimate Guide
- February 21, 2024BlogI Tested Dr. Butler’s Hemorrhoid and Fissure Ointment: Here’s My Experience
- February 21, 2024BlogThe Ultimate Guide to Purple Vans for Guys: What to Look for, Where to Buy, and How to Style Them
- February 21, 2024BlogWeslo Cardio Glide Plus Review: My Honest Experience