Choose a backup you can restore, then consider keeping another copy somewhere a single incident cannot affect. A removable drive gives you a local copy, cloud storage offers off-site access, a NAS suits households ready to manage shared storage, and backup software determines what gets saved; none removes the need to plan for account recovery or check how long records must be kept.
If a computer is lost, files are deleted by mistake or an incident affects a copy kept at home, you need another usable place to retrieve important records. The UK National Cyber Security Centre recommends keeping backups in a separate safe location.
If you store sensitive documents, weigh how files are encrypted against how you would regain access if you lost a password or recovery method. Proton’s support guidance explains that resetting an account password may not restore access to existing encrypted files.
If records are spread across computers or phones, check which devices and folders a backup covers and whether you can restore them. Microsoft Support, Apple Support and Synology describe different backup workflows for computers and shared storage.
For household records, decide what must remain recoverable, how you will protect account access and whether the backup covers the devices and folders you actually use.
| Concern | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverability after loss | Identify each copy’s location and test restoring a file; consider whether one incident could affect more than one copy. | If a device is lost or an incident affects records at home, I want a separate copy I can restore; around 31% of consumers put recovery after loss or damage first. |
| Privacy and account access | Check what is encrypted, how two-factor authentication works and whether password recovery also restores access to files. | When records are sensitive, I want to protect them without locking myself out; around 25% of consumers prioritise privacy and access recovery. |
| Device and folder coverage | Check supported devices, included folders, destination requirements and how to restore a sample file. | If my records are spread across devices, I need the backup to include the right folders and restore them; around 25% of consumers put coverage and compatibility first. |
| Capacity and ongoing commitment | Estimate the files to be covered and check storage capacity, version-history settings and any ongoing service terms. | For a growing collection, I want enough space without overlooking equipment or service commitments; around 19% of consumers focus on capacity and ongoing commitments. |
A copy that remains connected or in the same location may be affected by the same destructive incident as the original.
Keep copies separated where practical, check whether earlier versions are available and test restoring a file before relying on the setup.
Synology advises backing up to a different destination even when a local multi-version copy is maintained.
Plan where the NAS’s own backup will go as well as how its drives will be arranged.
A password reset or lost private key can leave encrypted files inaccessible even when the files themselves remain intact.
Set up and safeguard the relevant recovery method, then check that it restores file access rather than only account sign-in.
Samsung says the T7 Shield’s maximum rated speeds depend on the host and cable, while backup applications may omit files outside their configured coverage.
Check the folders, destination and restore process first; consider transfer speed in relation to the workload you need to handle.
The T7 Shield is a portable SSD option for a local copy that may be moved between locations.
My Passport portable HDDs are a computer-connected local-storage option.
The DS223j is a managed shared-storage option for households prepared to set up and maintain a NAS.
Proton Drive is an encrypted cloud file-storage option for off-site access to documents.
Computer Backup is an online-backup service for files on supported Mac and Windows computers and physically attached drives.
These Joybuy listings cover local backup hardware, from portable drives to a managed NAS. Choose by how much storage you need, where you want the copy kept and whether you are ready to maintain shared network storage.
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Consider this NAS if you want managed shared storage for household files across devices.
It is a 2-bay diskless NAS; drives are not included.
The product description states that it supports automated backups to cloud services, external drives and remote NAS devices.
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Consider this portable local drive if you want to keep a copy of household files separately from a computer.
1 TB capacity; USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity.
Check that your device and backup software support the connection and intended destination.
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Consider this desktop drive if you want a high-capacity local copy for computer-connected storage.
22 TB capacity; USB 3.0; the product name specifies PC and Mac compatibility, password protection and hardware encryption.
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Consider this portable SSD if you want a local copy that can be moved separately from your computer.
2 TB capacity. The product description states read speeds of up to 800 MB/s and drop protection of up to 2 metres.
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Consider this portable HDD if you want a computer-connected local copy of documents and other household files.
4 TB capacity. The product description says reformatting may be required for Mac or other operating systems.
There is no single retention period for every household record; the applicable period depends on the record and circumstances. HM Revenue & Customs says personal Self Assessment records for an on-time return should be kept for at least 22 months after the end of the tax year, and records for a late return for at least 15 months after it was sent. Self-employed business records generally need to be kept for at least five years after the relevant 31 January submission deadline. Check which requirement applies before setting a deletion date; this is not individual tax advice.
The Information Commissioner’s Office says UK GDPR does not apply to processing carried out by individuals purely for personal or household activities. That conclusion does not extend to records handled for a business or another organisation.
Not necessarily; check the folders and destination used by the specific backup. Microsoft Support explains how File History handles included libraries and how to add other folders, while Apple Support describes Time Machine setup and supported destinations. Restore a sample record before relying on the setup.
Not necessarily. Proton says an email or SMS password reset may restore sign-in without restoring access to existing encrypted Drive files if you do not have a configured data-recovery method or the previous password. Check both account recovery and file recovery for your setup.
Check which drives are covered and how long changed or deleted files remain available. Backblaze says Computer Backup excludes network-mounted and NAS drives and defaults to 30-day version history; compare those conditions with the files and recovery period you need.