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Best External Hard Drives Compared in 2026

Compare these external hard drives by capacity, portable form factor, interface and connector, spindle speed where given, power arrangement, security features and price before buying. This group spans £75.33 to £226.13, with capacities ranging from 1 TB to 6 TB and all five using a 2.5 inch form factor. Connector types vary between USB-A, Micro-USB B and stated USB-C compatibility, and one model adds certified hardware encryption not found on the other four.

5 selected productsListing snapshot 23 October 2026Selection Editorial
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Winner

Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5&qu

The Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 at £75.33 is a practical starting point given its low price, not a declared overall winner.

Check price at PCHub
ProductBrandPriceRetailersMemory capacityListed product detailsInterface
Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5&quSeagate£75.33PCHub1 TBSeagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5" USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) BlackNot listed
Toshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive 1 TB 2.5" USB Type-A /Toshiba£91.03PCHub1 TBToshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive 1 TB 2.5" USB Type-A / Micro-USB B 2.0/3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) BlackNot listed
Intenso 2TB 2.5" Memory Case USB 3.0 external hard drive 5400 RPMIntenso£99.75PCHub2TBIntenso 2TB 2.5" Memory Case USB 3.0 external hard drive 5400 RPM 2.5" USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) BlackUSB 3.0
Western Digital My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN external hard drive 6 TWestern Digital£186.91PCHub6 TBWestern Digital My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN external hard drive 6 TB 2.5" Micro-USB B 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) BlackNot listed
iStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 2 TB| Secure External Hard Drive| FIPiStorage£226.13PCHub2 TBiStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 2 TB| Secure External Hard Drive| FIPS 140-2 Certified | AES-XTS 256-bit Hardware Encryption | Optional Remote Management | 2.5" External |SATA II 3Gbps | TAA CompliantSATA
Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5&qu

1. Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5&qu

Check price at PCHub
Price shown £75.33

A 1 TB 2.5 inch external HDD with a 5400 rpm spindle speed, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity and bus powered operation.

The Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 is a 1 TB 2.5 inch external HDD with a stated 5400 rpm spindle speed, connecting via USB-A 3.2 Gen 1.

Its bus powered design means it draws power through the USB connection alone, a detail not confirmed for the Toshiba or WD listings in this group.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5&qu. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

External storage performance testing

Measure sequential and random transfer rates through the supplied interface, with the same host, cable and test size for each device.

A comparable third-party result for Seagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5&qu is not included here. See CrystalDiskMark test description explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £75.33 it is the cheapest drive in this group, undercutting the next lowest priced model by £15.70.

Product specifications
SpecificationInformation
BrandSeagate
Price£75.33
Memory capacity1 TB
Listed product detailsSeagate Expansion STKM1000400 external hard drive 1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5" USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Black

Compatible hardware

  • Check against LaptopsMatch the drive connector to an available host port and check operating system support.
  • Check against Desktop PCsCheck the PC has a compatible USB port and supports the drive file system.
  • Check against NAS storage serversConfirm whether the NAS supports external USB storage and the drive file system.

What we like

What we don't like

  • Lowest capacity in this group at 1 TB
  • No security features stated
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Toshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive 1 TB 2.5" USB Type-A /

2. Toshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive 1 TB 2.5" USB Type-A /

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Price shown £91.03

A 1 TB 2.5 inch external HDD with both USB-A and Micro-USB B 2.0/3.2 Gen 1 connectivity, described as ready to use with Windows.

The Toshiba Canvio Basics is a 1 TB 2.5 inch external HDD offering both USB-A and Micro-USB B 2.0/3.2 Gen 1 connectivity.

It is described as ready to use with Windows, though spindle speed is not stated for this drive, unlike the Seagate and Intenso in this group.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of Toshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive 1 TB 2.5" USB Type-A /. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

External storage performance testing

Measure sequential and random transfer rates through the supplied interface, with the same host, cable and test size for each device.

A comparable third-party result for Toshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive 1 TB 2.5" USB Type-A / is not included here. See CrystalDiskMark test description explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £91.03 it costs £15.70 more than the Seagate, with dual connector support among the stated differences despite matching capacity.

Product specifications
SpecificationInformation
BrandToshiba
Price£91.03
Memory capacity1 TB
Listed product detailsToshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive 1 TB 2.5" USB Type-A / Micro-USB B 2.0/3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Black

Compatible hardware

  • Check against LaptopsMatch the drive connector to an available host port and check operating system support.
  • Check against Desktop PCsCheck the PC has a compatible USB port and supports the drive file system.
  • Check against NAS storage serversConfirm whether the NAS supports external USB storage and the drive file system.

What we like

What we don't like

  • Spindle speed not stated in the listing
  • No security features stated
Check price at PCHub
Intenso 2TB 2.5" Memory Case USB 3.0 external hard drive 5400 RPM

3. Intenso 2TB 2.5" Memory Case USB 3.0 external hard drive 5400 RPM

Check price at PCHub
Price shown £99.75

A 2 TB 2.5 inch external HDD with a 5400 rpm spindle speed, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity and cable powered operation.

The Intenso Memory Case is a 2 TB 2.5 inch external HDD with a stated 5400 rpm spindle speed, connecting via USB-A 3.2 Gen 1.

Its cable powered arrangement differs from the bus powered Seagate, and its capacity matches the iStorage while costing less in this group.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of Intenso 2TB 2.5" Memory Case USB 3.0 external hard drive 5400 RPM. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

External storage performance testing

Measure sequential and random transfer rates through the supplied interface, with the same host, cable and test size for each device.

A comparable third-party result for Intenso 2TB 2.5" Memory Case USB 3.0 external hard drive 5400 RPM is not included here. See CrystalDiskMark test description explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £99.75 it costs £8.72 more than the Toshiba, with double the capacity among the stated differences.

Product specifications
SpecificationInformation
BrandIntenso
Price£99.75
Memory capacity2TB
InterfaceUSB 3.0
Listed product detailsIntenso 2TB 2.5" Memory Case USB 3.0 external hard drive 5400 RPM 2.5" USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Black

Compatible hardware

  • Check against LaptopsMatch the drive connector to an available host port and check operating system support.
  • Check against Desktop PCsCheck the PC has a compatible USB port and supports the drive file system.
  • Check against NAS storage serversConfirm whether the NAS supports external USB storage and the drive file system.

What we like

What we don't like

  • No security features stated
  • Spindle speed is listed, but no sustained transfer rate is provided
Check price at PCHub
Western Digital My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN external hard drive 6 T

4. Western Digital My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN external hard drive 6 T

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Price shown £186.91

A 6 TB 2.5 inch external HDD with Micro-USB B 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity, described in its product listing as Mac-ready and USB-C compatible.

The WD My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN is a 6 TB 2.5 inch external HDD, the highest capacity in this group, connecting via Micro-USB B 3.2 Gen 1.

Its product description also mentions Mac-ready and USB-C compatible features, though buyers should confirm connector details against the exact listing before purchase, and spindle speed is not stated.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of Western Digital My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN external hard drive 6 T. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

External storage performance testing

Measure sequential and random transfer rates through the supplied interface, with the same host, cable and test size for each device.

A comparable third-party result for Western Digital My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN external hard drive 6 T is not included here. See CrystalDiskMark test description explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £186.91 it costs £87.16 more than the Intenso, with triple the capacity among the stated differences, though buyers should confirm connector details against the exact listing.

Product specifications
SpecificationInformation
BrandWestern Digital
Price£186.91
Memory capacity6 TB
Listed product detailsWestern Digital My Passport WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN external hard drive 6 TB 2.5" Micro-USB B 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Black

Compatible hardware

  • Check against LaptopsMatch the drive connector to an available host port and check operating system support.
  • Check against Desktop PCsCheck the PC has a compatible USB port and supports the drive file system.
  • Check against NAS storage serversConfirm whether the NAS supports external USB storage and the drive file system.

What we like

What we don't like

  • Spindle speed not stated in the listing
  • Connector details should be confirmed against the exact listing
Check price at PCHub
iStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 2 TB| Secure External Hard Drive| FIP

5. iStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 2 TB| Secure External Hard Drive| FIP

Check price at PCHub
Price shown £226.13

A 2 TB 2.5 inch secure external HDD with FIPS 140-2 certification, AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption and USB 3.0 connectivity.

The iStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 is a 2 TB 2.5 inch secure external HDD featuring FIPS 140-2 certification and AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, connecting via USB 3.0.

It also offers optional remote management and is stated as TAA compliant, security and compliance features not mentioned for any other drive in this group, though spindle speed is not given.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of iStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 2 TB| Secure External Hard Drive| FIP. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

External storage performance testing

Measure sequential and random transfer rates through the supplied interface, with the same host, cable and test size for each device.

A comparable third-party result for iStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 2 TB| Secure External Hard Drive| FIP is not included here. See CrystalDiskMark test description explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £226.13 it is the most expensive drive in this group, priced £39.22 above the WD, reflecting its stated security certifications.

Product specifications
SpecificationInformation
BrandiStorage
Price£226.13
Memory capacity2 TB
InterfaceSATA
Listed product detailsiStorage Kanguru Defender HDD350 2 TB| Secure External Hard Drive| FIPS 140-2 Certified | AES-XTS 256-bit Hardware Encryption | Optional Remote Management | 2.5" External |SATA II 3Gbps | TAA Compliant

Compatible hardware

  • Check against LaptopsMatch the drive connector to an available host port and check operating system support.
  • Check against Desktop PCsCheck the PC has a compatible USB port and supports the drive file system.
  • Check against NAS storage serversConfirm whether the NAS supports external USB storage and the drive file system.

What we like

What we don't like

  • Highest price in this group
  • Spindle speed not stated in the listing
Check price at PCHub

Prices shown reflect the available listing details and can change. Check stock, delivery, compatibility and full product specifications with PCHub before ordering.