Losing files to a drive failure or accidental deletion is more common than most people expect. A dedicated backup device gives you a local, fast copy of your data that you control entirely, without relying on subscription fees or internet speed. The five picks below cover the range from simple plug-and-go external drives to multi-bay NAS units for serious home and small-office use.
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WD My Passport 4TB | Everyday portable backup | 4.6/5 |
| Seagate Backup Plus Hub 8TB | Desktop bulk storage | 4.5/5 |
| Samsung T7 Shield 2TB | Speed and durability | 4.7/5 |
| Synology DS223 NAS | Multi-device households | 4.8/5 |
| LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB | Travel and field use | 4.4/5 |
WD My Passport 4TB — Top All-Rounder
The WD My Passport 4TB packs enough space for most users into a drive small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. It uses USB-C connectivity with a USB-A adapter included, so it works with both older and newer machines. Transfer speeds hover around 120 MB/s, which is typical for a 5400 RPM portable drive. WD’s backup software is optional and unobtrusive, and the drive ships with 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The three-year limited warranty gives reasonable peace of mind for a primary backup unit.
Seagate Backup Plus Hub 8TB — Best Desktop Option
The Backup Plus Hub is a desktop drive built for volume. Eight terabytes covers years of photos, video projects, and full system images. Two front-facing USB-A ports let you charge phones or connect peripherals without reaching behind your desk. The drive runs slightly warmer than a sealed unit due to its spinning platters, so leave a few inches of clearance around it. Seagate’s Rescue data recovery plan (two years included) adds meaningful insurance against mechanical failure.
Samsung T7 Shield 2TB — Fastest Portable Pick
The T7 Shield is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 portable SSD that delivers read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s. That kind of throughput matters when you are backing up or restoring large files quickly. The rubberized exterior is rated IP65 for dust and water resistance, and Samsung rates it to survive drops from up to 3 meters. At 2TB it is more compact than any spinning drive, making it a strong choice for creatives who carry raw footage or large project files between locations.
Synology DS223 NAS — Best for Multiple Devices
The DS223 is a two-bay NAS that accepts standard 3.5-inch hard drives. Install two drives in RAID 1 and you get mirrored redundancy: if one drive fails, the other holds a complete copy of your data. Synology’s DSM operating system offers scheduled backups from Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices over your local network or remotely. It also supports Hyper Backup for off-site cloud replication. The upfront cost is higher, but for households with three or more computers, the DS223 is significantly cheaper than running separate drives for each machine.
LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB — Best for Travel
LaCie’s Rugged Mini has been a standard for field professionals for years. The orange rubber bumper absorbs shock from drops up to 1.2 meters, and the drive is rated for 1-ton crush resistance. At 2TB it holds enough for extended travel without becoming heavy luggage. The USB-C cable braids tightly into the case, which prevents the fraying that kills cables in bags. It is bus-powered, so no separate adapter is needed.
How to Choose Computer Backup Devices
Start with how much data you currently have and how fast that amount grows each year. If you are backing up one computer with a 1 TB drive, a 2 TB portable external drive handles your needs for years. If you have multiple devices or produce large video or photo files regularly, a desktop drive or NAS with 4 TB or more makes more sense. Consider portability: portable drives are bus-powered and light but slower. Desktop drives offer higher capacity at lower cost per gigabyte but need a power outlet. For critical data, a NAS with RAID 1 is the most resilient local option. Budget tocurrent pricing per terabyte for spinning drives andcurrent pricing tocurrent pricing per terabyte for portable SSDs.
Backing up your computer data is just one layer of protection. You may also want to review our guide to best compact all-in-one color laser printers for office productivity tools, or explore best compact battery chargers to keep your devices powered in the field. For details on how we evaluate products, see our methodology page.
Frequently asked questions
How much storage do I need for a computer backup device?+
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 1.5 to 2 times the storage capacity of your primary drive. If your computer has a 512 GB SSD, aim for a 1 TB backup device. For multiple computers or large media libraries, 2 TB to 4 TB gives you room to grow without swapping drives frequently.
Is it better to use an external hard drive or a NAS for backups?+
External hard drives are simpler and more affordable for single-computer users. A NAS (network-attached storage) makes more sense when you have multiple devices, want automatic scheduled backups, or need remote access to your files. NAS units cost more upfront but offer far more flexibility and redundancy through RAID configurations.