Choose a local storage device to suit the files you need to copy, your computer’s connections and whether the backup needs to travel. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping a separate, recoverable copy: a drive or folder left connected beside the computer may share risks with the original, while an offline or off-site copy needs its own update and restore routine.
If you need a usable copy after the main computer is lost, damaged or affected by malware, consider where it is stored and whether you can restore it. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping important data backed up in a separate safe location.
If you are bringing together documents, photos or videos, measure the files you intend to protect and allow for the scope of your backup. Apple Support recommends a device with at least twice the Mac’s storage capacity for Time Machine backups; that recommendation is specific to Time Machine.
If sensitive files will travel with you, check that the drive connects to your computer and that any encryption you need is enabled. The Information Commissioner’s Office includes external hard drives among devices that can retain personal information.
The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping backups in a separate safe location; a connected drive can also be affected during an incident. Choose capacity, privacy controls and a routine you can maintain around the records and devices you actually use.
When it suits: Choose one when you need to carry a local copy or move larger files and your computer supports its connection.
Trade-off: Portability and rated speed do not make the copy off-site or independently protected; check the host, cable and where the drive is kept.
When it suits: Consider one for a mostly stationary local backup when you have space beside the computer and access to a mains socket.
Trade-off: It needs a power adapter and USB connection, and a drive left beside the computer may share a local incident.
When it suits: Choose this route for a limited set of sensitive files you want to carry, provided the computer has a compatible USB port.
Trade-off: Check capacity, password recovery and lockout behaviour, and keep another recoverable copy elsewhere.
When it suits: Consider a NAS when several household computers need a network-accessible destination and someone can set it up and maintain it.
Trade-off: It requires compatible disks and administration; copies or redundant disks inside the same NAS are not a separate backup destination.
When it suits: Consider an off-site service when you want a copy separate from the computer and local drive.
Trade-off: Check account access, which folders and devices are included, deletion and version-retention rules, and how you would restore files.
| Concern | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery and separation | Identify where the original, local copy and any off-site copy will be kept; plan a test restore. | If losing the computer or home is the main worry, I want a copy I can recover separately. Around 29% of consumers put recovery after loss of the original first. |
| Capacity for the backup | Measure the files and decide whether the backup covers selected folders or a wider computer backup; check version-retention needs too. | When my records and other files are growing, I need room for the backup scope I intend to keep. Around 23% of consumers prioritise capacity for a growing collection. |
| Privacy of stored records | Check whether encryption is available and enabled, how password recovery works, and how to clear the device before disposal. | If I carry sensitive records, I want to know who can access them if the drive is lost or handled by someone else. Around 18% of consumers prioritise confidentiality for a portable copy. |
| A routine you can maintain | Check scheduled-backup support, included folders, completion status and how to test a restore. | When I want backups to happen regularly, I need a process I can keep up with and recover from. Around 18% of consumers prioritise a repeatable, low-effort routine. |
| Computer compatibility | Check each computer’s operating system and ports, the required cable, and any formatting or network-protocol requirements. | If my household uses different computers or backup software, I need a destination that works with the setup I already have. Around 12% of consumers put device and software compatibility first. |
If the drive becomes the only copy, losing or damaging it can leave the records unavailable. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping important data backed up in a separate safe location.
Keep the original and a separate, restorable copy; consider additional physical or offline separation for records you cannot readily replace.
Copies within a NAS can still be lost, and cloud services differ in what they back up and how long they retain earlier versions. Synology recommends backing up a NAS to a different destination.
Check the service’s current retention and deletion terms, and restore a sample file before relying on it.
A matching port does not establish that a drive will work with the intended backup software, and an SSD’s advertised maximum speed depends on the host and cable.
Check the computer’s port, cable, operating system and backup application together.
External drives can retain personal information, as the Information Commissioner’s Office notes in its guidance on deleting data from devices.
Use an appropriate secure-erasure or disposal approach before reuse or recycling. GOV.UK advises taking unwanted electrical products to an appropriate recycling collection point rather than putting them in household rubbish.
The T7 Shield portable SSD line is a compact local-copy option to consider when the drive may need to travel.
Expansion Desktop is a stationary external-hard-drive route for households that need a local destination beside a computer.
IronKey Vault Privacy 50 is an encrypted USB line for carrying a smaller set of private documents.
The DS223j illustrates a shared network destination for households prepared to administer storage and backups.
My Book is a desktop-hard-drive line to consider when comparing stationary local storage.
These options are portable external SSDs for keeping a local copy of household files. Match the capacity and connection to your files and computer, and keep a separate recoverable copy for other risks.
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A portable local copy for household files when the capacity suits your backup scope.
Capacity: 4 TB. Connection: USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2. Colour: Grey.
This model is not IP-rated for water resistance; keep it away from liquids.
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A portable local copy for household files when 2 TB fits the folders and backup scope you intend to keep.
Capacity: 2 TB. Connection: USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2. Colour: Blue.
Password protection is optional and requires setup using Samsung software. This model is not IP-rated for water resistance; keep it away from liquids.
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A portable local copy for a smaller set of household files, if 1 TB is enough for your backup scope.
Capacity: 1 TB. Connection: USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2. Colour: Blue.
Password protection is optional and requires setup using Samsung software. This model is not IP-rated for water resistance; keep it away from liquids.
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A portable external SSD for keeping a local copy of household files, provided its capacity and connection suit your setup.
Capacity: 1 TB. Connection: USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2. Colour: Black.
The listing describes IP65 protection for temporary water exposure; do not submerge the drive.
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A portable local copy for household files when 2 TB suits the amount of data you plan to protect.
Capacity: 2 TB.
Measure the files you need to protect and decide whether you are copying selected folders or backing up more of the computer. For Time Machine, Apple recommends a backup device with at least twice the Mac’s storage capacity; that software-specific recommendation does not set a requirement for every household backup.
Yes, for the supported setups described by their publishers: Apple documents Time Machine with external storage, and Microsoft documents File History with an external drive or network location. Check which folders are covered, your computer’s ports and any formatting prompt before setting up the destination.
Do not assume so. Synology recommends backing up a NAS to a different destination. For cloud services, check which files and devices are included, how deletion and version history work, and test recovery rather than treating synchronisation as a complete backup.
Check whether the exact desktop-drive configuration includes its power adapter and backup software, and confirm the connection and any setup requirements for your computer. Seagate says its Expansion Desktop requires a power adapter and USB connection, and Time Machine use requires reformatting; configurations differ in whether backup software is included.
Remove personal information using an appropriate secure-erasure approach before selling or disposing of storage. The Information Commissioner’s Office includes external hard drives in its guidance on deleting data from devices. GOV.UK advises taking unwanted electrical products to an appropriate recycling collection point rather than putting them in household rubbish.