For photos and documents on one computer, a directly connected external drive is a straightforward backup route if its capacity, connection and format suit your files and backup software; disconnect and store it separately after each backup. Network-attached storage can serve several household devices, but it remains connected and still needs another offline or different-destination copy. Cloud storage can complement that routine when you also want a copy away from home.
If your photos and documents mainly live on one Windows PC or Mac, a drive you can disconnect and store separately may fit your routine. Check its capacity, connection and compatibility with your backup method. The National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping an offline backup digitally disconnected when it is not in use.
A drive shared between computers has different format requirements from one dedicated to Mac backups. Western Digital recommends exFAT for supported Windows and macOS use, while Apple prefers APFS or APFS Encrypted for a Time Machine backup disk.
Central network storage may help when several computers need shared access or scheduled backups. Synology describes these uses for network-attached storage (NAS), while its backup guidance also calls for a copy at a different destination.
Decide where each copy will live before comparing drives: a removable disk can be disconnected, whereas NAS is intended to remain available on the network. Then match the storage and backup workflow to your files and devices.
Choose it when: You mainly back up one computer and want a drive you can put away between sessions.
Bear in mind: You must reconnect it for each backup and keep another copy if one drive is not enough protection for your files.
Choose it when: Your growing archive calls for a drive that will normally stay in one home location; Seagate positions its desktop Expansion line for higher-capacity storage.
Bear in mind: Plan how you will disconnect and store the backup separately, and check the exact model’s power requirements.
Choose it when: You expect to carry the backup regularly and want compact external storage.
Bear in mind: Check the capacity you need; a ruggedness claim does not replace a separate backup copy.
Choose it when: Several household devices need a shared location or scheduled network backups.
Bear in mind: NAS needs account and device management and, because it stays network-connected, another offline or different-destination copy.
Choose it when: You want a stored-away copy and another destination for files that would be difficult to replace.
Bear in mind: The cloud account and uploads need managing, and you should still check that files can be restored.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A separate, recoverable copy | Plan when to disconnect an offline drive and where to store it; try restoring a photo and a document. The National Cyber Security Centre says an offline backup should be digitally disconnected when not in use. | If a problem affects my computer, I need a copy I can still reach and restore. Around 29% of consumers put that separation and recoverability first. |
| Room for files and backup history | Measure the files you intend to protect, then allow for growth and any versions your backup method retains; check the exact drive capacity. | My photo and document collection is growing, so today’s folder size alone cannot guide the purchase. For around 36% of consumers, capacity for the archive and future backups is the primary need. |
| Device and format compatibility | Check the computer port, supplied cable and intended backup software. For a shared Windows–Mac drive, consider the supported file system; Apple prefers APFS or APFS Encrypted for a dedicated Time Machine disk. | I need the drive to work with my particular computers or Mac backup routine before its capacity is useful to me. Compatibility comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Access for several devices | Check whether each computer can use the intended NAS backup method, and plan a second offline or different-destination copy. | Our household has several devices, and passing one drive between them would make the routine harder to maintain. Around 14% of consumers primarily need a shared backup destination. |
A drive left connected can be affected alongside the computer. The National Cyber Security Centre says an offline backup must be digitally disconnected when it is not in use.
After a backup or restore, eject the drive, disconnect it and store it separately.
The backup may also need to include documents, new files and retained versions; capacities differ between drive variants.
Measure the backup set, decide whether you also need a full-computer backup, and check the exact model’s capacity with room for growth.
A disk shared between Windows and Mac may need a different format from a dedicated Time Machine disk. Western Digital recommends exFAT for supported cross-platform use; Apple prefers APFS or APFS Encrypted for Time Machine.
Choose the backup workflow first and copy existing files elsewhere before formatting or repartitioning.
Erasing or reformatting a drive can remove files already on it.
Samsung’s T7 Shield protection claims have controlled-test conditions and warranty exclusions; a NAS remains connected to the network. Neither feature makes a separate backup unnecessary.
Keep an offline or different-destination copy and check that you can restore important files from it.
Its WD Elements Portable line is relevant to removable hard-drive backups.
Its Expansion range includes portable drives and desktop storage for different backup arrangements.
The T7 Shield is a portable SSD line to consider when compact storage and stated protection features matter.
Its NAS products are relevant when a household wants central storage and shared access.
These portable SSDs and hard drives are options for making a removable copy of files from a computer. Measure your backup set and check the intended computer and backup method before choosing a drive; disconnect an offline copy between sessions.
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A portable SSD to consider when your selected files and planned backup history fit within its stated 4 TB capacity.
The product name specifies USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2. Check the computer connection and the format needed by your backup software.
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A portable SSD for a removable file copy; confirm the listed capacity against the size of your backup set before ordering.
The product name specifies USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. Check your computer’s port and the format required for your backup workflow.
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A portable hard drive to consider for a Mac file archive that fits within its stated 5 TB capacity, including any backup history you plan to retain.
Check the required format and suitability for your particular Mac backup method before using it for Time Machine.
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A portable hard drive for a removable backup when your files, expected growth and retained versions fit within its stated 5 TB capacity.
Confirm the intended computer and file-system requirements before formatting the drive, particularly if you plan to use it with a Mac.
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A portable hard drive to consider if your measured backup set and planned history fit within its stated 4 TB capacity.
The product name specifies USB 3.0. Check the supplied connection and the format needed by your computer and backup software.
One external drive gives you a separate copy, but it should not be treated as protection against every incident. The National Cyber Security Centre advises storing a backup separately and digitally disconnecting an offline drive when it is not in use; check periodically that you can restore important photos and documents.
A drive can be set up for use with both supported systems, but its format must suit the job. Western Digital recommends exFAT for Windows and macOS sharing, whereas Apple prefers APFS or APFS Encrypted for a dedicated Time Machine disk. Decide its role and copy off existing files before reformatting.
NAS is worth considering when several household computers need a shared destination or scheduled network backups. Synology describes these uses, but a network-connected NAS still needs management and a separate offline or different-destination backup.