Choose a portable HDD for a transportable local copy when transfer speed is not the priority; consider a portable SSD for frequent large transfers, or a desktop drive for a collection that stays in one place. Cloud storage can make off-site access and automatic uploads easier, but check its capacity, terms and deletion behaviour. Whichever route you use, keep a separate recoverable copy and test that you can restore files.
If you want to recover personal photos and files after a device is lost, damaged or cleared, keep a separate backup copy rather than treating a move of your only copy as a backup. The UK National Cyber Security Centre describes a backup as a copy stored separately from the original.
If your laptop is running short of room, decide whether you need to move working files or maintain backup versions. A Mac Photos library and a Time Machine backup have different destination-format requirements, so check the intended use before formatting a drive.
If you regularly carry or transfer large folders, weigh portability against the speed your computer, port and cable can support. A drive’s quoted maximum speed may depend on a particular connection.
Choose when: You want a local copy that you can carry and transfer speed is not the main concern.
Trade-off: Which? describes HDDs as suitable for longer-term file backups and SSDs as generally faster; you still need a separate copy and a backup routine.
Choose when: You often move large photo or video folders or want storage that is easy to carry.
Trade-off: SSDs are generally faster and usually cost more than HDDs; actual speed depends on the drive and compatible host connection.
Choose when: Your collection stays mainly beside one computer and you have room and suitable power connections.
Trade-off: A desk-based setup is less convenient to carry; check the exact model’s power arrangement.
Choose when: Off-site access, automatic uploading or access across devices matters more than keeping files on a locally connected drive.
Trade-off: Check storage limits, continuing terms and how synchronised deletions and file restoration work.
| Concern | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverable backup | Decide where originals and backup copies will live, how often changes are copied, and how you will test a restore. Check whether cloud use is backup or synchronisation. | If I lose access to my laptop, I want another copy I can restore—not just the same files moved elsewhere. Around 29% of consumers prioritise recovering important files. |
| Capacity and growth | Measure the folders to store and allow for intended backup versions. For Mac Time Machine, Apple recommends a backup device with at least twice the Mac’s storage capacity. | When my photo or video collection grows, I want enough room for the files and the backups I plan to keep. Around 23% of consumers put capacity first. |
| Speed and portability | Consider transfer frequency and physical size; check the drive, host port and cable together. Connector shape alone does not establish a quoted transfer speed. | If I carry and transfer large folders regularly, I care about portability and a connection my computer can use. Around 18% of consumers prioritise frequent transfers. |
| Device and app compatibility | Check the device’s port and required format for the intended use. Mac Time Machine and a Mac Photos library have different format requirements; reformatting can erase existing data. | When I use more than one device or a particular backup app, I want a drive that fits that workflow before I move files. Around 18% of consumers put compatibility first. |
| Off-site access | Check cloud storage limits and terms, whether deletions synchronise, and how to restore files. Keep another copy of important files where needed. | If I want files available away from my laptop without routinely connecting a drive, I care about automatic off-site access and recovery options. Around 12% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
If the drive holding the originals is lost or damaged, the files may be lost too. Keep a separately stored copy and check that you can restore from it.
Maintaining another copy takes storage space and time for regular backups and restore checks.
A USB-C connector by itself does not guarantee the host, cable and drive support a quoted maximum speed. Samsung’s T9 maximum of up to 2,000 MB/s is conditional on a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 host, compatible cables and UASP being enabled.
Check the exact laptop port, cable and drive interface before relying on the stated maximum.
Apple gives different format guidance for Time Machine and an externally stored Photos library. Reformatting a drive can permanently remove its existing data.
Choose the application and devices first, then check the format requirements and move existing files elsewhere before reformatting.
Allow time and, if needed, space elsewhere to move files before changing a drive’s format.
With iCloud Photos, Apple says a deletion on one device is reflected across devices using the service. A local drive also needs a deliberate backup schedule.
Check the service’s deletion and recovery behaviour, and keep another recoverable copy of irreplaceable files.
One Touch includes portable HDD options, while the distinct One Touch Hub is a desktop drive with a hub and scheduled-backup software.
Canvio Flex is a portable HDD line intended for sharing ordinary files among compatible USB-equipped devices.
The T9 is a portable SSD for frequent transfers where the host connection supports its speed-oriented specification.
The X9 Pro is a portable SSD option for file transfers, subject to the device and connection used.
These Joybuy options cover portable HDDs and SSDs for carried file copies, plus desktop drives for collections kept mainly in one place.
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Its 1 TB capacity and portable SSD format suit carrying files and regular transfers.
USB 3.2 Gen 2; read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s. IP65-rated dust and water resistance is for temporary water exposure; do not submerge the drive.
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A 22 TB desktop drive is suited to a large collection kept mainly in one place.
USB 3.0 connectivity, backup software, password protection and hardware encryption.
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This 2 TB portable HDD suits carrying a local copy of photos, videos and other files.
USB 3.0; described as plug-and-play and formatted for PC and Mac.
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A portable 2 TB SSD for carrying and transferring photos, videos and other files.
Read speeds up to 800 MB/s; described as offering up to 2-metre drop protection.
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This 4 TB portable HDD suits a larger local file copy and recurring backups.
USB 3.2 Gen 1, 256-bit AES hardware encryption and software for scheduled backups. The enclosure is not waterproof; keep it away from liquids.
Keep a copy separate from your working files, confirm the intended folders are included and periodically restore a test file. Moving your only copy to an external drive creates storage space, not a second copy.
No; check the format for the specific Mac use before moving files. Apple prefers APFS or APFS Encrypted for a Time Machine disk, while an external Mac Photos library needs APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Apple also says not to store that library on a device used for Time Machine. Reformatting a drive can erase its existing data.
Choose the intended external drive or network destination and check that the folders you need are included. Microsoft says File History covers libraries such as Documents and Pictures; a disconnected external drive cannot receive its next backup until it is reconnected.
Not without checking how that service handles deletion and keeping another recoverable copy. Apple says deleting an item in iCloud Photos removes it across devices using the service; that behaviour should not be assumed for every cloud-storage product.