Choose cloud backup when you need access away from home and across devices, and choose an external drive when you want a local copy under your physical control. A portable HDD suits scheduled home backups, while a portable SSD is more suited to frequent large-file transfers or travel; for irreplaceable files, keeping both a local and off-site copy reduces reliance on one device or account.
If you keep family photos, personal records or files that would be difficult to recreate, consider a local-plus-cloud approach when you need both an at-home copy and one kept elsewhere. Which? explains that backups create retrievable copies after serious device problems, while the Information Commissioner's Office notes that cloud storage can provide access from other locations and devices.
This route suits people who want a drive connected at home for routine backups rather than continuous access from every device. Microsoft File History can save copies to an external drive, and Apple Time Machine can automatically back up a Mac to external storage.
A portable SSD is worth considering if you regularly move large photo, video or project files between locations. Check that the computer, phone, cable and port support the connection standard required for the quoted transfer speed.
Start with where you need to restore files, then check how much storage you need and whether the backup can run reliably with your devices and routine.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverable copies | Use a route that creates a separate copy rather than relying only on the original device. Check that backups complete and that you can restore files. | I want photos and documents to remain retrievable if my computer or phone is lost, stolen, damaged or affected by malware. |
| Access away from home | Check whether cloud files are available on the devices you use and whether internet access is needed for retrieval. For a drive, confirm the port, cable and operating-system support. | I may need important files on a phone, tablet, replacement computer or laptop away from home. |
| Privacy and account access | Review sharing settings, use a unique strong password and enable 2-step verification for cloud storage. For a portable drive, check how password protection and encryption are configured. | I want to control who can access personal files without being locked out of the account holding my backup. |
| Capacity and continuity | Compare drive capacity with your current library and expected growth. For cloud plans, check quota, renewal terms, storage alerts and what happens when the allowance is full. | I need enough room for current and future files, without a full quota quietly stopping uploads or device backups. |
Changes and deletions in a OneDrive folder can also be reflected on OneDrive online, so an accidental deletion may be replicated instead of retained as a separate copy.
Check the provider's version-history and restore rules, and keep another backup route for files you cannot replace.
A drive may need reformatting, a driver or extra software for the computer you intend to use. Western Digital, for example, states that some My Passport macOS use requires a downloadable NTFS driver or reformatting.
Before ordering, confirm the exact model, supplied cable, port or adapter, file system and support for your Windows, macOS, Chromebook or phone workflow.
Cloud backups can stop updating when the storage allowance is full. Apple states that full iCloud storage stops device backups and new iCloud Photos uploads.
Set quota alerts, review renewal terms and compare used space with the plan allowance. Keep a local copy if you do not want recovery to depend entirely on a subscription account.
Microsoft listed Microsoft 365 Basic at £1.99 per month for 100GB for one person on 29 September 2026, with automatic renewal unless cancelled; plans and pricing can change.
Water, dust and drop ratings are based on stated test conditions. Samsung's T7 Shield product information also advises keeping important data backed up separately.
Treat durability as useful protection for transport and everyday accidents, not as a substitute for an independent backup location.
Relevant for portable HDD backup drives such as My Passport when local capacity and scheduled backups matter more than SSD-class transfer speed.
Relevant for USB-powered portable HDD backups with automatic scheduling or folder mirroring.
Relevant for portable SSD buyers who regularly transfer large files or need a compact drive for travel with compatible USB-C devices.
Relevant for iPhone, iPad and Mac users choosing between iCloud Backup, iCloud Photos and a Time Machine external-drive workflow.
Relevant for Windows users who want OneDrive-linked access and Windows backup tools alongside an external-drive backup option.
These Joybuy options cover portable SSDs for moving large files and carrying local copies, plus a portable HDD for scheduled home-computer backups.
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Consider this for a local copy of large photo, video and document collections that may move between compatible phones and computers.
Stated 2TB capacity; USB 3.2 Gen 2; up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write; USB-C-to-C and USB-A-to-C cables included. Magnetic attachment is stated for iPhone 15/16 series, and MagSafe wireless charging is not supported while attached. Check file-system and encryption-software compatibility for your workflow.
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This model suits households or creators who need substantial portable space for local copies and frequent large-file transfers.
Stated 4TB capacity; USB 3.2 Gen 2; up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write; AES 256-bit hardware encryption; USB-C-to-C and USB-C-to-A cables supplied. It is not stated to be IP-rated for water resistance, and file-system and encryption-software compatibility should be checked before use.
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Consider this portable SSD for regularly transferring large photo or video libraries and carrying a local copy between locations.
Stated 1TB capacity; USB 3.2 Gen 2; up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write; IP65 rating and up to 3m drop resistance. Maximum quoted speeds require a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host, cable and UASP; IP65 covers temporary water exposure rather than submersion.
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This option is aimed at compatible phone-based photo and video workflows as well as portable laptop storage.
Stated 1TB capacity; USB 3.2 Gen 2x2; up to 2,000MB/s read and write; IP65 protection and up to 3m drop resistance. Performance may be lower on Macs and other systems without USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support. Check your exact phone, recording format and app workflow; the listing states iCloud backup is not supported.
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Consider this portable HDD for routine home-computer backups where scheduled local copies are more important than SSD-class transfer speed.
Stated 2TB capacity; USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0; Acronis True Image backup software; password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. macOS 11+ use is stated to require a downloadable driver. Avoid drops, liquid exposure and moving the drive during transfers.
Not necessarily. Microsoft states that adding, changing or deleting a file in a OneDrive folder also adds, changes or deletes it on OneDrive online, and vice versa. Check version-history and restore settings before relying on a synced folder as your only protection.
Apple recommends a backup disk with at least twice the storage capacity of the Mac. Apple also advises using the Time Machine disk for backups rather than storing other files on it.
Apple states that iPhone or iPad backups stop, new photos and videos stop uploading to iCloud Photos, and iCloud Drive stops staying up to date across devices until you free space or upgrade storage.
Use a unique, strong password and enable 2-step verification. The Information Commissioner's Office advises a unique strong password for important cloud storage, while the National Cyber Security Centre recommends 2-step verification for important accounts including cloud storage and email.