For most households, use a suitably sized local backup drive alongside an independent off-site copy for irreplaceable files. A desktop HDD suits capacity-led archives, a portable SSD suits frequent transfers, a NAS suits shared household storage and a cloud service can provide automated off-site protection; test restoration, secure accounts and disconnect removable media when it is not in use.
If you have family photos, scanned records and personal documents that would be difficult to recreate, keep at least one copy away from the everyday computer. The National Cyber Security Centre identifies family photos and videos as irreplaceable data for which both a cloud copy and removable-media copy can be considered.
A capacity-led external HDD or NAS can make copying a large archive more practical when a small portable drive or free cloud allowance is unlikely to be enough. Plan the off-site copy separately.
A portable SSD suits people who move between locations or computers and want a compact drive for regular transfers. Check the computer and cable support the USB mode you need, and store the drive away from the computer when appropriate.
Choose the backup route by deciding where the second copy will live, how much data it must hold and how easily you can restore it. The National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping important data in a separate safe location and considering both online and removable-media copies for irreplaceable files.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Separation from the computer | Keep a copy off-site or use removable media stored separately; disconnect removable drives after backup; avoid relying on one connected destination. | I want my files to remain available if the computer fails, is stolen or is affected by malware. |
| Capacity and growth | Measure the folders and libraries to protect; allow room for future additions and version history; check usable capacity after formatting. | My photo and document collection needs space to grow without filling the backup destination immediately. |
| Automatic backup and restoration | Confirm which folders are included; set a routine or automatic schedule; restore a sample file to another location before relying on the setup. | I want files from Pictures, Documents, Desktop and other locations included without depending on a one-off manual copy. |
| Private-file access | Consider encrypted backups or password protection for a removable drive; enable multi-factor authentication for cloud accounts; retain passwords and recovery methods safely. | Family documents and photos should stay protected if a drive is lost or an account password is stolen. |
| Costs and equipment | Compare a one-off drive purchase with subscription terms; for NAS, include compatible internal drives and maintenance; check cloud storage limits and billing terms. | I need to understand whether the route needs additional hardware, ongoing storage payments or more household setup work. |
The National Cyber Security Centre reports incidents in which ransomware affected original data and connected USB or network backup storage. A drive attached to the computer can be exposed to the same event.
Use a scheduled routine, then eject or disconnect removable media. Keep an additional off-site copy for irreplaceable files.
Photo libraries grow, versioned backups use extra space and the capacity shown by a computer can be lower than the decimal capacity printed on a drive.
Measure the source folders, leave growth headroom and check usable capacity after formatting. Apple recommends a Time Machine disk with at least twice the Mac's storage capacity; this guidance is specific to Time Machine.
Samsung states that its T7 and T7 Shield maximum transfer figures require USB 3.2 Gen 2, a compatible cable and UASP. A slower port or unsuitable cable can limit transfer performance.
Check the computer's actual USB specification, the supplied cable and the size of the transfers you expect to make before choosing a higher-speed SSD.
A cloud route depends on account access, internet availability, service terms and the folders actually selected. Uploaded files may not help if you cannot access the account or restore the files you need.
Check whether the service backs up files or only synchronises them, enable multi-factor authentication, keep recovery details safely and test a file restoration.
Cloud storage can involve recurring charges when selected folders exceed a free allowance. Microsoft states that a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage.
A capacity-led external HDD reference for local archives, including desktop drives designed to add substantial storage to a computer.
A portable SSD reference for compact local copies and regular large-file transfers.
A NAS reference for households that need centralised local storage and backup for more than one computer.
A cloud-computer-backup reference for an automated off-site copy of user-generated data on Windows or Mac computers and connected external drives.
Joybuy product options for creating a local backup copy of photos and documents. These drives can complement, rather than replace, an independently stored off-site copy.
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A portable local-backup option for photos and documents where scheduled backups are useful.
Stated 2 TB capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity, optional 256-bit AES hardware encryption and Acronis backup scheduling support.
Measure your archive before buying, and check current macOS compatibility requirements if you use a Mac. Disconnect it after backup and keep another copy separately for irreplaceable files.
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A portable local-copy option for a large family archive that needs to move between compatible computers.
Stated 4 TB capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 2, up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write, AES 256-bit hardware encryption and USB-C-to-C and USB-C-to-A cables.
Maximum transfer speeds depend on a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and cable. Store the drive away from the computer if it is intended as part of an off-site backup plan.
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A compact local-copy option for a moderate photo and document library carried between devices.
Stated 2 TB capacity, 58 g weight, USB 3.2 Gen 2, up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write, optional AES 256-bit hardware encryption, and USB-C-to-C and USB-C-to-A cables.
Check that 2 TB leaves room for your archive, future growth and backup history. A removable drive left connected can be affected by the same malware incident as the computer.
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A portable local-copy option for computer photos and documents when a 1 TB drive fits the planned archive.
Stated 1 TB capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 2, up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write, PC and Mac compatibility, USB-C-to-C and USB-A-to-C cables, and Lexar DataShield encryption software.
Measure folders before buying to allow for growth and retained versions. Encryption requires software setup and safe password storage, while a local drive still needs separate storage or an off-site companion copy.
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A compact portable local-copy option for files carried between home, work or travel locations.
Stated 1 TB capacity, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write, 98 g weight, Mac and PC compatibility, IP65-rated protection and drop resistance up to 3 metres.
Maximum speeds require compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 hardware, cable and UASP. The stated IP65 protection is for temporary water exposure; do not submerge the drive, and do not treat portability alone as off-site protection.
No. An external drive is separate from the computer only while it is protected from the same theft, local incident or malware event. The National Cyber Security Centre advises considering both online storage and a storage device for two backups, and recommends disconnecting removable media when it is not in use.
Measure the folders and photo library you want to protect, then leave room for growth and retained versions. For Time Machine, Apple recommends a backup disk with at least twice the storage capacity of the Mac; this is platform-specific guidance rather than a universal rule for every backup setup.
Windows File History can back up libraries including Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music to an external drive or network location. Add folders outside those libraries before relying on it, then restore a sample file to confirm the files you need are included.
Yes. Apple states that Time Machine can automatically back up apps, music, photos, emails and documents to external storage. You can choose encryption during setup, but keep the backup password available because it is needed to restore an encrypted backup.
Check recurring price and billing currency, storage or device limits, retention and deletion rules, restoration method, account recovery, cancellation terms and whether the service is backup or only synchronisation. GOV.UK advises consumers to understand a cloud-storage service and its terms before signing up.