For household files that would be difficult to replace, keep both a local backup and a cloud copy rather than relying on one device or location. An external hard disk drive (HDD) suits routine, high-capacity local backups; an external solid-state drive (SSD) suits frequent portable transfers; and cloud storage provides an off-site copy, subject to its account access and restore arrangements. None is automatically resistant to destructive changes, so check that you can recover an earlier usable copy.
Family photos and important documents may be difficult to recreate. As Which? notes, loss, theft, damage and malware can all put files at risk; keeping copies in separate places matters more than relying on one storage device.
If photos, videos and documents need regular copying, consider the space the library needs now and how you will repeat the backup. A local HDD is a route to consider when capacity matters more than transfer speed.
If you regularly move files between devices or locations, an SSD may suit your preference for faster portable transfers. Check the connection needed to use the speed claimed for the particular drive.
Choose where a recoverable copy will live before comparing drive capacity or transfer speed: the National Cyber Security Centre warns that neither local nor cloud backups are ransomware-resistant by default.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverability | Keep a copy separate from the computer and check whether an earlier version can be restored. | If losing photos or records to theft, damage or malware would be unacceptable, I need a usable copy beyond the affected device. Around 36% of consumers put recoverability first. |
| Capacity and routine backups | Allow space for the current library and future files; check computer compatibility and how backups will run. | With a growing home library, I want enough room to make regular copies without choosing storage solely for transfer speed. For around 29% of consumers, capacity and repeatability come first. |
| Off-site access | Check which folders are copied, the storage allowance, version retention and account-recovery options. | If a home incident takes my computer and local drive, I want a copy I can reach from elsewhere. Around 21% of consumers chiefly need that off-site access. |
| Portable transfers | Check the SSD’s capacity, computer port, cable and conditions attached to its speed rating. | When I carry large files regularly, transfer time and a manageable portable drive affect my choice. Portable speed is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
A drive kept beside the computer can be caught up in the same theft or household incident. The National Cyber Security Centre also cautions that a local backup is not ransomware-resistant by default.
Keep another copy away from the computer and, for files you cannot replace, consider an off-site copy. Try restoring a file from each destination.
Samsung UK says the stated maximum speeds for its T7 Shield require compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 hardware and cable support, with UASP enabled. That rating does not describe every computer setup.
Check your computer’s port and the cable you intend to use, then compare the capacity and portability of the exact variant.
Synchronised changes can replace a usable copy. Retention and restore options vary by service and plan: Microsoft Support states a 30-day OneDrive file-version history on its referenced guidance, while restoring an entire OneDrive requires Microsoft 365.
Before relying on a service, check its version history, deleted-file retention, storage allowance and available restore options for your plan.
Encryption can protect files on a lost portable drive, but the household also needs a way to regain access to its own backup.
Keep the password or recovery information securely and separately from the drive, and decide how a trusted household member could access it if needed.
Seagate’s Backup Plus Portable line is relevant to households considering a local HDD for a sizeable file library.
Samsung’s portable T7 SSD line is relevant when carrying large files and transfer speed influence the choice of local storage.
OneDrive is a cloud option for households that want files accessible through an account and need to consider earlier file versions.
These HDDs and SSDs are options for keeping local copies of home files. Choose the capacity and connection for your computer and backup routine, then keep a separate copy if losing the drive or its location would put the files at risk.
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Consider this portable local SSD if your household file library needs 4 TB of space and you regularly move large files. Its title specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check your computer connection and how you will make and restore backups.
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This portable HDD is an option for a large local copy in a Mac-focused household. Its title specifies 5TB; confirm the intended computer and backup workflow before depending on the drive for recovery.
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Consider this portable local SSD when 2 TB suits the files you need to carry or back up. Its title specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check connection compatibility and whether your backup routine can recover earlier files when needed.
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This 2TB portable HDD is an option for routine local copies of home files. Check how backups will be scheduled on your computer and whether you can restore the files you need.
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Consider this 4TB local drive for a sizeable home file library. Its title specifies USB 3.0; confirm compatibility with your computer and decide how regular copying and file restoration will work.
Not necessarily: syncing can copy unwanted changes as well as useful ones. Check whether your service keeps earlier versions and deleted files, and whether you can restore them within its retention period. Microsoft Support states a 30-day OneDrive file-version history on its referenced guidance; restoring an entire OneDrive requires Microsoft 365.
Check whether you can restore a usable version from before files were changed or corrupted. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that neither a local nor a cloud backup is ransomware-resistant by default, so examine version retention, deletion controls and account protection, and try a restore.
Consider encryption when the drive carries personal files and could be lost or stolen. The Information Commissioner’s Office identifies encryption as protection against unauthorised access to stored personal information; also check how you will retain the password or recovery key so the household can still retrieve its files.
Set up recovery options you can still reach if your main computer is unavailable, and keep them current. Google One Help says a recovery email can help you regain account access and receive security notifications; check the recovery process for the service you choose.