For family photos and personal files you cannot replace, choose a backup arrangement rather than trusting one drive, NAS or cloud account as the only copy. A portable hard drive suits a sizeable local archive, an SSD suits frequent portable transfers, and a NAS can serve several household devices; whichever you choose, keep another copy separately protected and check that you can restore it.
If losing a phone or computer would mean losing valued photos, videos or documents, plan for more than one copy. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that storage connected to an affected device can also be affected, so a local backup should be paired with a separately protected copy.
For a household using both Windows PCs and Macs, a drive that connects is not necessarily one that both computers can write to. Apple Support notes that a Mac may be able to read an NTFS drive without being able to save files to it; check the connectors and intended file system before transferring an archive.
If you regularly take a working photo or video library away from home, a portable SSD may be worth considering. Samsung says the rated speed of its T7 Shield depends on a compatible host, cable and connection mode, so check the devices you will actually use.
Choose where the second copy will live before comparing drives: storage that is convenient for everyday access still needs a recovery plan if that device or account becomes unavailable.
Consider it when: You want a directly connected local archive for photos, videos and documents.
Allow for: A second protected copy and a file format that works with the computers that need to write to it.
Consider it when: You frequently carry or transfer large files between compatible devices.
Allow for: Speed and physical-resistance claims that depend on the exact model and connection conditions; it remains one copy.
Consider it when: You need to hand off selected files or make a temporary transfer copy.
Allow for: Connector and file-system limits, particularly with individual large video files; do not make one stick the sole archive.
Consider it when: Several household devices need a shared local destination and you are willing to manage it.
Allow for: Setup, maintenance and another backup destination. Synology cautions that RAID and drive failure can still cause data loss.
Consider it when: Remote access or a copy away from home matters to your backup routine.
Allow for: Ongoing account and subscription management; check how the chosen service handles unwanted changes or deletion.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery beyond one copy | Identify a copy separate from the everyday device and check that important files can be restored. Disconnect a local backup drive when it is not in use. | If a lost device or accidental deletion could take irreplaceable family files with it, I need a way to recover them. Around 29% of consumers put that recovery need first. |
| Archive capacity | Check the size of files to protect, allow for growth and backup versions, then compare the capacity of the exact model. | With a photo and video collection that keeps growing, I need room for the archive and future copies. That is the primary concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Device compatibility | Check the ports, cables and file system for every device that must read and write files; back up existing content before reformatting. | If files must move between a Windows PC and a Mac, I need to save changes from both rather than merely open them. Around 18% of consumers prioritise that cross-device need. |
| Portable transfers | Match the drive interface and cable to the host port; read any resistance rating under the exact model’s stated conditions. | When I regularly carry and copy large photo or video files, transfer time and handling matter to me. Around 18% of consumers place this portable-use need first. |
| Shared-home routine | Check which devices can back up automatically, who can alter the stored files and where a second copy will be kept. | If several people or devices need a manageable backup routine, I want shared access without relying on one destination. That is the leading need for around 12% of consumers. |
The National Cyber Security Centre has described incidents in which ransomware affected original files and connected backup storage. A drive beside the computer is not necessarily isolated from the same incident.
Disconnect a local backup drive after use where your routine allows, and keep another copy separately protected.
Apple Support notes that a Mac may read an NTFS drive without being able to write to it. Kingston also states that FAT32 cannot hold a single file of 4 GB or more. Reformatting a drive erases its existing contents.
List the devices that must write files, confirm their connectors and compatible formats, and settle the format before copying the archive.
Samsung says the T7 Shield’s maximum rated speeds require a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and cable, with UASP enabled.
Check the phone or computer port and the cable before making rated transfer speed a deciding factor.
Seagate’s UK warranty guidance says its limited warranty does not cover data loss or recovery costs unless the product was purchased with its Rescue Data Recovery Service Program.
Read the terms for the exact drive and any recovery service, while keeping a separate working backup regardless of warranty cover.
These brands illustrate different storage approaches; a brand name alone does not establish the features or protection offered by a particular model.
The T7 Shield portable SSD range is relevant to people carrying and transferring a local copy.
The Canvio Ready portable hard-drive range offers a directly connected route for a household archive.
Seagate’s warranty terms are worth checking when comparing a drive with a plan that includes a recovery service.
Synology’s NAS approach is relevant to households prepared to manage shared local storage and another backup destination.
Kingston’s USB flash-drive guidance is useful when choosing a format for transferring files.
These choices cover portable SSDs, a portable hard drive and a diskless NAS for a shared local destination. Choose according to where you need to access the files, then plan a separately protected backup rather than treating any one product as the entire arrangement.
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Consider this portable SSD if you want a 4 TB local copy that you can move between compatible devices.
The product name specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2. Check the ports and file format you need before copying files, and keep another copy separately protected.
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Consider this portable hard drive for a 5 TB, Mac-centred local archive.
If Windows computers must also write to it, check the required file-system arrangement before transferring your files. Confirm the warranty terms for this exact variant and maintain a separate backup.
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Consider this 1 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 SSD if you carry a local copy of selected files.
For the T7 Shield model, Samsung states IP65 resistance and a 3 m drop test under specified conditions, not protection against file loss. Its rated transfer speeds also require a compatible host and cable; keep another backup separately protected.
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Consider this portable SSD if you need to move files among compatible phones, computers or consoles.
Its product name states USB 3.2 Gen 2 and rated speeds up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write; check your device’s connection before relying on those speeds. Confirm the required file format before use, especially when moving files across device types.
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Consider this NAS if several household devices need a shared local storage destination and you are prepared to manage its setup.
It is a two-bay diskless unit: confirm compatible drives and the capacity you need before buying. Synology cautions that RAID and drive failure can still cause data loss, so arrange another backup destination.
An external drive can hold a useful local copy, but it should not be the only backup of irreplaceable photos. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that connected backup storage can be affected by the same incident as the computer; keep another copy separately protected and disconnect the drive when it is not in use.
Choose a format that both of your intended computers can write to; ExFAT is a cross-platform option documented by Apple Support. Apple also notes that a Mac may read an NTFS drive without being able to write to it. Check your devices and copy off existing files before reformatting, which erases the drive.
Its file system may be FAT32, which Kingston says cannot hold a single file of 4 GB or more. Check the file size and use a format supported by every device that needs the stick; preserve existing files before changing its format.
No: RAID does not replace a separate backup destination. Synology warns that RAID crashes and hard-drive failure can still cause data loss, so plan another copy outside the NAS.
Do not assume a hardware warranty includes file recovery. Seagate’s UK warranty guidance excludes data loss and recovery costs from its limited warranty unless the product was purchased with its Rescue Data Recovery Service Program. Check the exact drive and service terms, and keep a working second copy.