Choose a portable hard disk drive (HDD) when you mainly need room for a large local backup, or a portable solid-state drive (SSD) when you carry files often and value faster transfers and greater resistance to everyday knocks. Cloud storage can keep a separate copy accessible after a computer is lost or stolen; for irreplaceable files, using both a local drive and cloud storage gives you two backup destinations. Whichever route you choose, check that the right folders are included and that your devices and backup software can use the drive or service.
If losing a computer would also mean losing photos or documents, keep recoverable copies away from the original device. Which? and Microsoft Support describe external drives and cloud storage as backup destinations; using both gives you a local copy and a separate online one.
If photos, videos and documents are accumulating at home, start by checking how much space a complete backup needs, including room for future files. Which? identifies portable HDDs as an option for long-term computer backups.
If the drive travels with you, pay particular attention to transfer speed, resistance to knocks and the connectors on both devices. Which? distinguishes the faster, less knock-sensitive SSD route from an HDD, but carrying files is not the same as maintaining a complete backup.
Decide where a recoverable copy will live before comparing drive size or speed: Microsoft Support describes external drives and cloud storage as separate backup destinations, while Which? distinguishes local HDD and SSD uses.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery after device loss | Check which folders are copied and how you would restore them. If using cloud storage, check its capacity and recovery options. | If my computer is lost, damaged or affected by malware, I need photos and documents I can recover from another location. Around 36% of consumers would put recovery resilience first. |
| Room for a growing library | Measure the files you need to protect, allow room for growth and check the capacity of the exact drive variant. | When my photo and video library grows, a backup must have room for the whole collection rather than just a few files. Roughly 29% of consumers would make capacity their primary concern. |
| Frequent portable transfers | Check the computer port, both cable connectors and any conditions attached to an advertised transfer rate. | I carry large files between devices regularly, so copying time and how the drive handles everyday knocks matter to me. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise portable speed and resilience. |
| Moving a few files | Check the USB connector and available capacity, then decide whether you also need a separate, regularly updated backup. | If I only need to take a small selection of documents to another computer, a compact transfer device meets that immediate need. Approximately 14% of consumers would put limited file transfers first. |
A drive used to move selected files may not hold a current copy of the folders you would need after a computer failure.
Choose the folders to protect, establish a repeatable backup routine and periodically check that you can locate and restore files.
Portable drives can have different connectors at the computer and drive ends of the cable. A fitting plug alone also does not establish the transfer speed you will get.
Check both ports, the supplied cable and the USB standard supported by the computer and drive.
Apple Support says Time Machine cannot back up to a disk formatted for Windows. A format suitable for exchanging files between computers may therefore not suit your intended backup tool.
Decide whether the drive is for Time Machine, Windows backup or file exchange, and copy any existing files elsewhere before reformatting.
Reformatting can erase files already on the drive.
Samsung says the T7 Shield's maximum transfer rates depend on compatible host hardware, cable and USB mode. Its resistance claims also apply to that model under stated test conditions, not to every portable SSD.
Read the conditions for the exact model and check its warranty terms before relying on a speed or protection rating.
The Expansion Portable range is relevant when you want a portable HDD for local file copies.
The My Passport USB-C line is relevant to households considering a higher-capacity portable HDD.
The T7 Shield is a portable SSD option for people who regularly carry large files.
These portable HDDs and SSDs are options for keeping a local copy of household files. Choose a drive alongside your backup routine; if you also need a copy away from home, consider a separate cloud destination.
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Consider this SSD if you carry a local copy between devices and want a model with stated resistance to dust, water and drops.
The title specifies 1 TB and USB 3.2 Gen 2. Samsung specifies up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write for the T7 Shield with compatible host hardware, cable and USB mode; its IP65 and drop-resistance claims are subject to stated test conditions and warranty exclusions.
Check the supplied cable and the format required by your backup software before use.
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Consider this portable SSD when you need a larger local destination for photos and other household files.
The title specifies 4 TB, USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2. Check the computer connection, supplied cable and backup-software format before relying on it for routine copies.
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Consider this HDD if a sizeable local copy of household photos and documents matters more than carrying a drive frequently.
The title specifies 4TB. Confirm the connection and the format or driver needed for your computer, particularly if you plan to write to the drive from a Mac; test that your chosen backup routine can restore files.
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Consider this Mac-oriented HDD for a large local photo and document library, provided it fits the backup tool you intend to use.
The title specifies 5TB. If the drive will also connect to Windows, confirm its format and any driver requirements before purchase. Check the applicable warranty term for this variant.
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Consider this portable SSD if you want a local copy of photos and documents that you can carry between locations.
The title specifies 2TB. Confirm the drive connector, supplied cable and compatibility with your computer and backup software before buying.
Yes, for some uses, but the file-system format and backup software determine what you can do. Apple Support says ExFAT is compatible with Windows, whereas Time Machine cannot back up to a disk formatted for Windows; a Mac may also be able to read an NTFS drive without writing to it. Choose the format for the backup task, not just for file exchange.
Choose the external drive or network location in File History, then check that the folders you care about are included. Microsoft Support describes File History as a way to restore earlier versions of backed-up files and folders, so try locating a file you could restore before depending on the routine.
Not necessarily: cloud storage can keep files accessible after a computer is lost or stolen, while an external drive provides a separate local copy. Check how the particular service handles restoration; Microsoft Support says full point-in-time restoration of OneDrive requires Microsoft 365 and applies to actions within the preceding 30 days.
No: a USB stick can hold copies of selected files, but moving a few documents between computers does not establish a current backup of your whole library. Which? describes USB sticks as devices for transporting files; for backup, identify the folders to protect and keep a recoverable copy separately from the originals.