Best SATA I External Hard Drives of 2026
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SATA I External Hard Drives are a reliable and convenient way to store and transfer large amounts of data. With capacities ranging from 250GB to 1TB, these drives offer plenty of space for documents, photos, videos, and music. They connect easily to a computer via USB and provide fast data transfer speeds. Additionally, SATA I External Hard Drives are durable and portable, making them a great choice for students, professionals, and anyone who needs to access their files on the go. Whether you need to back up important files or store your media library, a SATA I External Hard Drive is a smart choice.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 SATA I External Hard Drives
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
The Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive is a USB 3.0 drive designed for PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox. It provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable, and is easy to set up with automatic recognition and no software required. Customers have found it easy to install and use on their PS4, and it is compatible with Mac running Monterey. However, some customers have reported that it lags when handling large amounts of data.
WD 2TB Elements Portable HDD
The WD 2TB Elements Portable HDD is the perfect device for storing your videos, music, photos, and files. With USB 3.0 compatibility, you can transfer data at maximum speed, and it is also USB 2.0 compatible. This portable hard drive can improve your PC performance by freeing up space on your internal hard drive, which can slow down your computer when it's almost full. With a high capacity of up to 5TB, it is the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB External Hard Drive
The Toshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive is a sleek, easy-to-use storage solution for your PC and other compatible devices. With its plug-and-play design, there is no software to install, making it simple to quickly add more storage capacity. The matte, smudge-resistant finish gives it a modern look while also protecting it from fingerprints and scratches. The USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility means that no external AC power cord is needed, and you can transfer files quickly. The pre-formatted NTFS for Windows PC makes it ready to use right out of the box.
LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive
The LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive is a reliable and durable storage solution for all-terrain use. It is dust and water resistant, and can withstand drops up to 4 feet. It is USB 3.0 compatible, up to 4 times faster than USB 2.0, and includes a 1-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. It is perfect for storing large amounts of data, and is easy to use and set up.
Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive
The Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive is an all-aluminum anti-scratch model that is ultra slim and has a sturdy metal design. It has fast and stable performance for PS4, PS4 Pro, and Xbox One, and is compatible with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. This USB hard drive is powered by USB 3.0 technology and is much faster than USB 2.0 backup drive, allowing for super fast transfer speed at up to 5 Gbit/s. It is plug and play, no external power supply or software installation needed.
WD My Passport 6TB Portable External Hard Drive
The WD 6TB My Passport is a compact and durable external hard drive that lets you carry your important files wherever you go. With a massive 6TB storage capacity, you can easily save a vast collection of photos, videos, music, and documents without worrying about running out of space. This device also comes with smart backup software that helps protect your data from ransomware attacks, giving you peace of mind. Plus, it supports both USB 3.1 and USB 3.0, ensuring fast and reliable file transfers. It’s a great choice if you want a portable, high-capacity storage solution that keeps your data safe and accessible.
SanDisk Professional 5TB G-Drive ArmorATD
The SanDisk ArmorATD is a rugged and durable portable external hard drive that offers quick file backup and storage. With its USB-C (5Gbps) connectivity, you can easily transfer your files at high speeds. It is also compatible with USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3, providing flexibility in connecting to different devices. With transfer rates of up to 130MB/s read, you can quickly access your files. The premium, anodized aluminum enclosure not only provides strength but also adds a touch of style. The built-in easy-grip bumper ensures pro-grade durability, making it reliable for your on-the-go lifestyle. Whether you are a professional or a casual user, the SanDisk ArmorATD is a great choice for secure and convenient file storage.
WD 5TB Elements Portable HDD
The WD 5TB Elements Portable HDD is a great external hard drive for PC and Mac users. It offers up to 5TB of storage capacity, making it the ideal companion for people on the go. It is USB 3.0 compatible and plug-and-play ready for Windows PC. It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0. Customers have praised its fast data transfer speeds and its ability to improve PC performance.
LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive
The LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive is designed to quickly and easily connect to the latest Windows and Mac computers with Rugged's reversible USB-C cable. It offers fast USB-C 130MB/s file transfers, backups, and image browsing. The drive is drop, crush, and rain resistant, making it perfect for any terrain. Users can also enjoy a complimentary one-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps.
Seagate One Touch HDD with Password 2TB External Hard Drive
The Seagate One Touch 2TB External HDD is a versatile and stylish portable hard drive that is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Chromebook laptops. With its USB 3.0 connectivity, you can easily back up your files with a single click or schedule automatic backups. The minimalist brushed metal enclosure adds a touch of elegance to your personal aesthetic. This external hard drive can hold up to 5TB of data, making it perfect for keeping all your memories in one place. Additionally, it comes with a complementary subscription to Mylio Photos, allowing you to organize your photos effortlessly. You can also enjoy automatic backups with a Dropbox Backup Plan free trial. With the included limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services, you can have long-term peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a SATA external hard drive?
Introduced in 2003, SATA (or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is the default interface for most desktop and laptop hard drives. They are referred to as SATA hard drives, but they are actually rotary hard drives with spinning platters and a moving needle that writes data to consecutive sectors on each platter.
2. Can we use SATA hard drive as external?
Can an internal drive be used externally? Yes. Hard drive caddies – or enclosures – are effectively SATA-to-USB converters and allow you to turn an internal SATA hard drive into an external one that you can use for storing or backing up files, or to keep a library of videos that you could leave attached to your TV.
3. Are portable hard drives SATA?
Sellers of portable SSDs seldom indicate if the drive is SATA- or PCIe-based. However, checking the specs can be a dead giveaway. If the drive tops out at sequential read and write speeds between 400MBps and 550MBps, it's very likely SATA-based. Speeds of 800MBps or higher indicate a PCIe-based drive.
4. Is SATA 1 enough for HDD?
Negligible, IMHO. Sata I is not only speed, it's also lack of certain features introduced with later revisions. But, speaking from experience - it doesn't matter. No matter how fast the HDD is, it will be crawling compared to SSD.
During our sata i external hard drive research, we found 24 sata i external hard drive products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,379,534 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sata i external hard drives list. We found that most customers choose sata i external hard drives with an average price of $125.51.
The sata i external hard drives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sata i external hard drives, including Seagate, WD, TOSHIBA, LaCie, Maxone. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 102 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.