1. Guides
  2. »
  3. product guide
  4. »
  5. Gadgets
  6. »
  7. hard drives
  8. »
  9. USB 3 external hard drive – The 15 best products in comparison

USB 3 external hard drive – The 15 best products in comparison

Comparative winner of the editors WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive 2 TB (portable storage, USB 3.0 interface, plug and play, formatted for Windows) Black

USB 3 external hard drive – The 15 best products in comparison

Recommended products in the "USB 3 External Hard Drive" section

We have products in the range "USB 3 External Hard Drive" compared with each other and put together recommendations for you. Here you will find the top 15 in the “USB 3 External Hard Drive” section.

Recommendation #11 LaCie 1big Dock HDD 16TB external hard drive, Thunderbolt 3, USB, Card Reader, PC & Mac, incl. 5 years Rescue Service, model number: STHS16000800

USB 3 external hard drive – the most important things at a glance

USB 3.0 external hard drive the best USB 3.0 hard drives in comparison

USB 3.0 is the latest generation of USB (Universal Serial Bus) and offers an extremely high data transfer rate. For this reason, USB 3.0 hard drives are the ideal choice for use in modern PCs and notebooks.

Compared to conventional USB 2.0 hard drives, USB 3.0 hard drives offer a significantly higher transfer rate. While USB 2.0 offers a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s, USB 3.0 hard drives can transfer up to 5 Gbit/s. This means that the USB 3.0 hard drive is able to transfer large amounts of data in the shortest possible time.

In most cases, USB 3.0 hard drives are also backwards compatible with USB 2.0. This means that they can also be used on PCs and notebooks with USB 2.0 ports. However, in this case the data transfer rate is limited to USB 2.0 speed.

USB 3.0 hard drives are available in different sizes and capacities. Most hard drives have a capacity of 2TB, while some hard drives are up to 4TB.

Most USB 3.0 hard drives come with an eSATA connector and a Power Supplies fitted. eSATA is a special SATA connection that enables a higher transfer rate.

However, power supplies are not always required, as some USB 3.0 hard drives also have their own mains power supply (BusPowered). These USB 3.0 hard drives are supplied with power via the USB bus and do not require an additional power supply unit.

Most USB 3.0 hard drives have a simple plug and play connection and are therefore very easy to install and use. However, some hard drives require the installation of additional software in order to be able to use the full functions.

The following USB 3.0 hard drives have been tested by our editorial staff and identified as the best hard drives for use in modern PCs and notebooks.

The bestsellers in the "USB 3 External Hard Drive" category

A list of the best sellers under the category "USB 3 External Hard Drive" you can find here. Here you can find out which products other users have bought particularly often.

Bestseller no. 1
WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive 2 TB (portable storage, USB 3.0 interface, plug and play, formatted for Windows) Black
  • The WD Elements external hard drive with USB 3.0 offers a high storage capacity of up to 2 TB as well as high transfer rates. The housing is light and compact, ideal for transport on the go.
  • With the external hard drive, you can easily transfer a full-length HD movie. The WD Elements works seamlessly with the latest USB 3.0 devices and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices.
  • Boost the performance of your PC. You no longer need to delete files to get your PC up and running again. Easily transfer your files to the 2 TB external hard drive.
  • The stylish housing of the HDD hard drive is not only light and compact, but also provides reliable protection and shock resistance. Preformatted for Windows and reformatted for macOS.
  • Box contents: WD Elements external HDD 2 TB black, USB cable, quick installation guide; 2 years
Bestseller no. 2
Seagate Expansion 5TB portable external hard drive, 2.5 inch, USB 3.0, incl. 2 years data recovery service, model no .: STGX5000400
  • Amazon Exclusive
  • Expand your computer's capacity with a lightweight, compact solution Compatible with PC, notebook, Xbox & PS4 consoles
  • Instant plug and play PC compatibility; Simple drag-and-drop functionality
  • Fast file transfer with USB 30 (backwards compatible with USB 20)
  • Buy this product exclusively from Amazon
  • Enjoy long-term security with the included 2-year limited warranty and the Rescue Data Recovery Services for 2 years
Bestseller no. 3
Intenso 3,5" Desktop HDD 3.0 8TB Memory Center
  • 3,5 inch (8,9 cm) external hard drive, plastic case, FAT32, Plug & Play, 5400 RPM, LED indicator
  • Ready to go without installation, Super Speed ​​USB port 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), power supply via mains adapter
  • Max. Data transfer rate: Read (85MB / s), Write (75MB / s)
  • System requirements: MS Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 or MAC OS 10.6 or higher/ Linux 2.4x
  • Intenso Memory Center 8TB external hard drive, power adapter (12V - 1.5A), USB 3.0 cable (downward compatible)
Bestseller no. 4
Seagate Expansion Desktop 16TB external hard drive, 3.5 inch, USB 3.0, PC & Notebook, incl. 2 years rescue service, model number: STKP16000400
  • Ideal for the home, office or dorm room, the Seagate Expansion Desktop Hard Drive offers massive desktop storage for photos, movies, music and more. Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy - just drag and drop! Simply connect the USB hard drive to your Windows or Mac computer to set it up - no software required. For Apple Time Machine, you just need to reformat the hard drive. Includes a 45 cm USB 3.0 cable and an 18 W power adapter.
  • User-friendly desktop hard drive - just connect the power supply and USB cable
  • Fast file transfers with USB 3.0
  • Drag and drop file storage with no setup
  • Auto-detection of Windows and Mac computers for easy setup (Reformatting required for use with Time Machine)
Bestseller no. 5
Verbatim Store 'n' Go Portable Hard Drive 4TB Black External Hard Drive USB 3.0 External for Windows & Mac OS X Portable USB Hard Drive
  • HIGH SPEED: Verbatim's external hard drive impresses with its USB 3.0 “SuperSpeed” interface - it enables fast data transfer at home or on the go.
  • HIGH CAPACITY: With the Store 'n' Go hard drive you have enough space to store your files or games - you can also keep all files conveniently in one place.
  • HIGHLY COMPATIBLE: The USB 3.0 connection makes the hard drive compatible with the latest devices - some software, such as the Green Button software for energy saving, is also included in the scope of delivery.
  • LIGHT & ELEGANT: The drive impresses with its stylish design in 3D surface structure - the light weight of 220g also makes it the ideal companion.
  • Verbatim: With our many years of experience, we stand for accurate and error-free data storage - our strengths in the areas of R&D and quality assurance guarantee first-class products!
Bestseller no. 6
Seagate One Touch HUB 18TB external hard drive, 2-way USB Hu, 3.5 inch, USB 3.0, PC, Notebook & Mac, incl. 2 years Rescue Service, model number: STLC18000400
  • Life is hectic, there is always a lot to do. Securing digital content is always on the to-do list. Get this done easily with the One Touch Hub. This password-protected storage with a USB-C and USB 3.0 port on the front enables quick backups AND charging of multiple devices at the same time. With Windows and Mac compatibility, file mirroring, and large capacities for countless photos and other files, you no longer have to worry about backups.
  • Front-panel USB-C and USB 3.0 port lets you connect and charge your devices—even when your computer is off
  • Password-protected external hard drive with AES-256 hardware encryption and USB hub to back up all your digital content.
  • Compatible with Windows and Mac without further configuration
  • Includes Seagate Toolkit backup software for one-click and schedule-based backups and file mirroring
Bestseller no. 7
i-tec External Hard Drive 2TB USB 3.0 3,5" Aluminum Desktop Storage with Power Supply for PC TV Laptop Xbox Ps4 Ps5 Compatible with Windows Mac Linux
  • FAST DATA TRANSFER: The external hard drives from i-tec enable fast data transfer thanks to the SuperSpeed ​​USB 3.0 connection. I-tec external hard drive is ideal for backing up different documents, films, videos, photos as well as smart TV recordings or games.
  • IMMEDIATELY READY TO START: The desktop hard drive is ideal for memory expansion. With Plug & Play equipment, the external HDD can be used immediately. The i-tec hard drive is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Xbox, Ps4, Ps5 and is also suitable for computers, laptops or smart TVs.
  • STABLE AND STYLISH: The i-tec external storage disk is characterized by a stylish, modern design. The compact and robust hard disk housing optimally protects the hard disk and its data. The aluminum surface optimally ensures excellent heat dissipation.
  • SIMPLE AND RELIABLE: The i-tec hard drive is easy to use and works reliably in continuous operation. No driver installations or software are required. USB 3.0 enables fast data transfer. In addition, the i-tec HDD has its own power supply via an external power pack.
  • SCOPE OF DELIVERY: i-tec external hard drive 2TB, power supply unit, USB 3.0 cable, stand, mounting material
Bestseller no. 8
Intenso Memory Case 1 TB External Hard Drive (6,35 cm (2,5 inches) 5400 RPM, 8 MB Cache, USB 3.0) Black
  • 2,5 inch (6,35 cm) external hard drive, flat plastic housing, FAT32, plug & play, 5400 rpm, LED display
  • Ready to go without installation (Plug & Play), SuperSpeed ​​USB port 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), power supply via USB port
  • Max. Data transfer rate: read (85 MB / s), write (75 MB / s)
  • This hard drive is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7/8 / 8.1 / 10, Mac OS 10.x operating systems
  • Scope of delivery: Intenso Memory Case 1 TB external hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, multilingual operating instructions
Bestseller no. 9
HURRICANE GD25612 Portable External Hard Drive 2TB 2,5" USB 3.0 Aluminum HDD for Photos TV PC Laptop Ps4 Ps5 Xbox Compatible with Windows Mac Linux
  • Fast data transfer: Portable external hard drive with powerful USB 3.0 interface up to 5 Gbit/s.
  • STURDY AND STYLISH: Modern and elegant design. The aluminum surface optimally ensures excellent heat dissipation. Your data is optimally protected
  • Extensive Compatibility: Plug and Play - No software installation. External hard drive for Windows, Mac, Linux, smart TV, Ps4, Ps5, Xbox
  • Powerful and reliable: Secure data transmission and enough space for your photos, videos, TV recordings or games
  • Scope of delivery: Hurricane external HDD 2,5 inch, 2TB, USB 3.0 cable, user manual
Bestseller no. 10
HURRICANE 3518S3 External Hard Drive 6TB, 3,5" USB 3.0 Desktop Storage with Power Supply for PC, TV, Ps4, Ps5, Xbox Laptop, Compatible with Windows Mac Linux
  • Fast and secure: The 3,5-inch external hard drive from Hurricane enables fast transfer of your data thanks to the SuperSpeed ​​USB 3.0 connection, data transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps. The external HDD is ideal for backing up different data, films, videos, photos as well as TV recordings or games.
  • Maximum compatibility - ready to go: The desktop hard drive is ideal for memory expansion. Plug & Play - no driver or software installation required, you can start right away. The Hurricane external HDD is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Xbox, Ps4, Ps5 and is also suitable for computers, laptops, notebooks and smart TVs.
  • STURDY AND STYLISH: Modern and elegant design. Stable hard drive housing optimally protects the hard drive and its data. The aluminum construction optimally ensures excellent heat dissipation. Your data will be well protected.
  • Simple and reliable: The desktop hard drive is easy to use and works reliably in continuous operation. The Hurricane external hard drive has its own power supply / power pack, which enables secure data transfer. USB 3. 0 enables fast data transfer of your data, supports SATA III.
  • Scope of delivery: Hurricane external hard drive, power supply, USB 3.0 cable, user manual.
Bestseller no. 11
LaCie 1big Dock HDD 16TB external hard drive, Thunderbolt 3, USB, Card Reader, PC & Mac, incl. 5 years Rescue Service, model number: STHS16000800
1.477 reviews
LaCie 1big Dock HDD 16TB external hard drive, Thunderbolt 3, USB, Card Reader, PC & Mac, incl. 5 years Rescue Service, model number: STHS16000800
  • LaCie 1big Dock is a Thunderbolt 3 storage hub for filmmakers that allows you to transfer files directly to the device via the built-in CF and SD card slots. The hub supports two 4K monitors, daisy-chaining devices via USB-C and USB 3.0, and charging laptops at up to 85W—all over a single cable. Add to that an advanced thermal design and a self-serviceable enterprise drive, because what really matters? For maximum reliability.
  • 1big Dock is an external hard drive and laptop docking station for filmmakers who want to centrally connect desktop peripherals and need fast Thunderbolt 3 ports to transfer large amounts of data
  • Get 5-in-1 docking power with an integrated USB hub with charging station, CF and SD card slots, a DisplayPort 1.4 output, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy chaining with universal USB compatibility
  • A Seagate IronWolf Pro hard drive offers the maximum speed and reliability required for demanding film projects
  • Charge a USB-C Mac or other laptop at up to 45W via Thunderbolt 3 (up to 30W when daisy-chaining other devices), or even up to 85W via power pass-through when using the laptop AC adapter
Bestseller no. 12
Intenso 6021480 Memory Play Portable Hard Drive 2TB, portable external TV hard drive - 2,5 inches, 5400 rpm, 8MB cache, USB 3 incl. TV bracket, black
  • 2,5 inch external hard drive including wall bracket, flat plastic housing, FAT32, Plug & Play, LED display
  • Ready to go without installation (Plug & Play), SuperSpeed ​​USB port 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), power supply via USB port
  • Max. data transfer rate: read: 85 MB/s and write 75 MB/s. / Revolutions: up to 5400 rpm. / Cache: 8MB
  • PVR Ready; Recording time up to 1600 hours
  • Scope of delivery: Intenso Memory Play 2TB external hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, wall bracket, multilingual user manual
Bestseller no. 13
Intenso 6028680 Memory Board Portable Hard Drive 2TB, portable external hard drive 2TB - 2,5 inches, 5400rpm, 8MB cache, USB 3 anthracite
  • 2,5 inch external hard drive, FAT32, LED display, high-quality aluminum housing
  • Ready to go without installation (Plug & Play), SuperSpeed ​​USB port 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), power supply via USB port
  • Max. data transfer rate: read: 85 MB/s and write 75 MB/s. / Revolutions: up to 5400 rpm. / Cache: 8MB
  • System compatibility: This hard drive is compatible with the operating systems Microsoft Windows 8 or newer MacOS 10.x or newer
  • Box contents: Intenso Memory Board 2 TB, 2,5 inch external hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, multilingual user manual
Bestseller no. 14
Verbatim Store 'n' Save I 4 TB I Black I External Hard Drive I USB 3.0 I External Hard Drive I for Windows & Mac OS XI Portable Hard Drive I USB Hard Drive I Hard Drive portable
  • HIGH SPEED: Verbatim's external hard drive impresses with its USB 3.0 “SuperSpeed” interface - it enables fast data transfer at home or on the go.
  • HIGH CAPACITY: With the Store 'n' Save hard drive you have enough space to store your files or games - you also keep all files conveniently in one place.
  • HIGHLY COMPATIBLE: The USB 3.0 connection also makes the hard drive compatible with the latest devices - the scope of delivery also includes software such as the Green Button software for saving energy.
  • COMPACT & ELEGANT: The drive with its stylish 3D surface optics is extremely space-saving - you can lay it flat on the table, but also stand it up on the side.
  • Verbatim: With our many years of experience, we stand for accurate and error-free data storage - our strengths in the areas of R&D and quality assurance guarantee first-class products!
Bestseller no. 15
Seagate Expansion Desktop 12TB external hard drive, 3.5 inch, USB 3.0, PC & Notebook, incl. 2 years rescue service, model number: STKP12000400
  • Ideal for the home, office or dorm room, the Seagate Expansion Desktop Hard Drive offers massive desktop storage for photos, movies, music and more. Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy - just drag and drop! Simply connect the USB hard drive to your Windows or Mac computer to set it up - no software required. For Apple Time Machine, you just need to reformat the hard drive. Includes a 45 cm USB 3.0 cable and an 18 W power adapter.
  • User-friendly desktop hard drive - just connect the power supply and USB cable
  • Fast file transfers with USB 3.0
  • Drag and drop file storage with no setup
  • Auto-detection of Windows and Mac computers for easy setup (Reformatting required for use with Time Machine)
Bestseller no. 16
UnionSine External Hard Drive 500GB Ultra Thin Portable 2,5 Inch USB 3.0 SATA Hard Drive Storage for PC Mac TV Wii U Xbox PS4 (Black) HD2510
  • 【Updated Version】- The external hard drive is a combination of mirror logo stripe and non-slip design, and the rounded case is more suitable for hand pads
  • 【System Compatibility】 - Windows / Mac / Linux / Android / TV / PC / Laptop / Ps4 / Xbox
  • 【Plug and Play】- no software needed, just plug it in and the device is ready to use. The hard drive chip is wrapped with an anti-interference aluminum layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
  • 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Works with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports to deliver ultra-fast transfer speeds Theoretically read speeds up to 120MB / s, write speeds up to 103MB / s
  • 【What's in the package】-1 external hard drive,1 USB 3.0 cable,1 user manual,gift box,manufacturer's warranty of 3 years.
Bestseller no. 19
Seagate Basic external portable Drive 5TB portable external hard drive, 2.5 inch, USB 3.0, model number: STJL5000400
  • Seagate Basic is a portable hard drive with a lightweight, minimalist design
  • Hassle-free file transfers with fast, convenient drag-and-drop functionality
  • This external hard drive for Windows includes a USB 3.0 cable with plug-and-play connectivity (reformat for Mac)
  • Excellent for use on the go
  • With up to 5 TB storage capacity
Bestseller no. 20
Seagate Game Drive Hub Xbox 8TB external hard drive, 3.5 inch, USB 3.0, Xbox, black, incl. 2 years rescue service, model number: STKW8000400
  • HIGH STORAGE CAPACITY 8TB of storage for the ultimate game collection and all your titles
  • XBOX CERTIFICATION Compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and all generations of Xbox One. For saving only. In order to play the game, it must be installed
  • WITH LIGHT EFFECT The integrated LED bar bathes your gaming center in Xbox green
  • TWO FRONT PANEL PORTS USB-C and USB-A front panel ports allow you to connect and power your peripherals
  • WARRANTY Reliable security with included 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Services and 1-year limited warranty

This is what Stiftung Warentest says about products in the “USB 3 external hard drive” area

Stiftung Warentest examines, compares and tests the best products for consumers. Many of the tests by Stiftung Warentest help in deciding which product to buy. We do not currently know whether there is a test winner from Stiftung Warentest for this product that is recommended for purchase.

Our comparison winner in the field of "USB 3 external hard drive"

Compare winner
WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive 2 TB (portable storage, USB 3.0 interface, plug and play, formatted for Windows) Black
  • The WD Elements external hard drive with USB 3.0 offers a high storage capacity of up to 2 TB as well as high transfer rates. The housing is light and compact, ideal for transport on the go.
  • With the external hard drive, you can easily transfer a full-length HD movie. The WD Elements works seamlessly with the latest USB 3.0 devices and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices.
  • Boost the performance of your PC. You no longer need to delete files to get your PC up and running again. Easily transfer your files to the 2 TB external hard drive.
  • The stylish housing of the HDD hard drive is not only light and compact, but also provides reliable protection and shock resistance. Preformatted for Windows and reformatted for macOS.
  • Box contents: WD Elements external HDD 2 TB black, USB cable, quick installation guide; 2 years

Current offers in the area "USB 3 external hard drive"

You want the best products in the range "USB 3 External Hard Drive" buy? In this bestseller list you will find new offers every day. Here you will find a large selection of current products in the "USB 3 External Hard Drive" category.

Bestseller no. 2
Intenso 3,5' Desktop HDD 3.0 8TB Memory Center
Intenso 3,5" Desktop HDD 3.0 8TB Memory Center
Max. Data Transfer Rate: Read (85MB/s), Write (75MB/s); System requirements: MS Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 or MAC OS 10.6 or higher/ Linux 2.4x
162,80 EUR −3% 157,90 EUR Amazon Prime
Bestseller no. 3
Seagate Expansion Desktop 16TB external hard drive, 3.5 inch, USB 3.0, PC & Notebook, incl. 2 years rescue service, model number: STKP16000400
Seagate Expansion Desktop 16TB external hard drive, 3.5 inch, USB 3.0, PC & Notebook, incl. 2 years rescue service, model number: STKP16000400
Easy-to-use desktop hard drive - just plug in the power adapter and USB cable; Fast file transfers with USB 3.0
564,99 EUR −30% 393,85 EUR Amazon Prime
Bestseller no. 5
Bestseller no. 7
Intenso Memory Case 1 TB External Hard Drive (6,35 cm (2,5 inches) 5400 RPM, 8 MB Cache, USB 3.0) Black
Intenso Memory Case 1 TB External Hard Drive (6,35 cm (2,5 inches) 5400 RPM, 8 MB Cache, USB 3.0) Black
Max. Data transfer rate: read (85 MB / s), write (75 MB / s)
59,99 EUR −5% 56,78 EUR Amazon Prime
Bestseller no. 8
HURRICANE GD25612 Portable External Hard Drive 2TB 2,5' USB 3.0 Aluminum HDD for Photos TV PC Laptop Ps4 Ps5 Xbox Compatible with Windows Mac Linux
HURRICANE GD25612 Portable External Hard Drive 2TB 2,5" USB 3.0 Aluminum HDD for Photos TV PC Laptop Ps4 Ps5 Xbox Compatible with Windows Mac Linux
Scope of delivery: Hurricane external HDD 2,5 inch, 2TB, USB 3.0 cable, user manual
99,95 EUR −5% 94,95 EUR

Related Articles