Best Internal Hard Drives for PC of 2026

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2026

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Internal hard drives are an essential component of any PC. They store all the data and files that allow the computer to function properly, from the operating system to personal documents and media files. They come in various sizes and speeds, ranging from 500GB to several terabytes, and can be customized to fit the specific needs of the user. Some popular brands include Western Digital, Seagate, and Toshiba. With the ever-increasing demand for storage space, upgrading or adding an internal hard drive is a smart investment for any PC user.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Seagate BarraCuda 8TB HDD Cover #TOP 1
Seagate BarraCuda 8TB HDD
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Western Digital 8TB HDD Cover #TOP 2
Western Digital 8TB HDD
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Seagate BarraCuda 5TB Internal Hard Drive HDD Cover #TOP 3
Seagate BarraCuda 5TB Internal Hard Drive HDD
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 7 Internal Hard Drives for PC

Seagate BarraCuda 8TB HDD

ST8000DM004/ST800DMZ04
Seagate BarraCuda 8TB HDD Cover
Seagate BarraCuda 8 TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s, 5,400 RPM, 256 MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC (ST8000DMZ04/004)

The Seagate BarraCuda HDD offers a reliable storage solution for your computer needs. With its ample 8TB capacity, you can store a vast amount of files, from music and videos to photos and game data. Its fast performance, with a sustained transfer rate of 190MB/s, allows you to access your data quickly, enhancing your computing experience. Backed by 20 years of innovation, this hard drive ensures dependable technology that you can trust. Plus, the frustration-free packaging means you can get started right away, without the hassle of finding additional cables or boxes.

What We Like
Large storage capacity
Reliable performance
Easy installation
Good value for price
Quiet operation
#TOP 2

Western Digital 8TB HDD

WD80EAAZ
Blue
Western Digital 8TB HDD Cover
Western Digital 8TB WD Blue PC Internal Hard Drive HDD - 5640 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 256 MB Cache, 3.5" - WD80EAAZ

The WD 8TB Internal Hard Drive is designed for reliable everyday computing, ensuring that your data is safe and easily accessible. With Western Digital's reputation for quality, you can trust this drive to perform consistently. It comes with free Acronis True Image WD Edition cloning software, making it easy for you to back up and migrate your data without hassle. With a generous storage capacity of up to 8TB, you have ample space for all your files, whether for work or personal use. Plus, it includes a 2-year limited warranty for added peace of mind.

What We Like
Reliable long-term performance
Quiet and cool operation
Easy installation and setup
Fast file transfer speed
Large storage capacity
#TOP 3

Seagate BarraCuda 5TB Internal Hard Drive HDD

ST5000LM000
Seagate BarraCuda 5TB Internal Hard Drive HDD Cover
Seagate BarraCuda 5TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 2.5 Inch SATA 6Gb/s 5400 RPM 128MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC (ST5000LM000)

The Seagate BarraCuda Internal Hard Drive HDD offers a reliable and fast storage solution for any PC application. With a variety of capacities and form factors, users can build a powerful desktop setup or gaming computer. The drive boasts a 128MB cache, 2.5 inch SATA 6Gb/s interface, and 5400 RPM speed, allowing for faster data transfer and computing. With 20 years of innovation, users can confidently rely on the proven reliability of BarraCuda internal hard drives.

What We Like
Large 5TB storage capacity
Fast data transfer with 5400 RPM speed and 128MB cache
Variety of capacities and form factors to build a powerful desktop setup or gaming computer
#TOP 4

Seagate BarraCuda Pro 12TB Internal HDD

ST12000DM0007-CR/5YR
Silver
12TB
Seagate BarraCuda Pro 12TB Internal HDD Cover
Seagate BarraCuda Pro 12TB Internal Hard Drive Performance HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM 256MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC Laptop – Frustration Free Packaging (ST12000DM0007) (Renewed)

The Seagate BarraCuda Pro HDD offers a massive 12TB storage capacity, giving you plenty of space to store large files, games, and multimedia. It spins at a fast 7200 RPM, which means quicker access to your data and smoother performance. With a 256MB cache, the drive can handle data more efficiently, speeding up your everyday tasks. The drive supports fast data transfer rates, up to 6Gb/s, so you can move files quickly between devices. This makes the Seagate BarraCuda Pro HDD a solid choice for desktop users, creative professionals, or anyone needing reliable and fast storage.

What We Like
Large 12TB capacity
Fast 7200 RPM speed
256MB cache size
High 6Gb/s data transfer
#TOP 5

WD 1TB WD Blue Mobile HDD

WD10SPZX
Blue
WD 1TB WD Blue Mobile HDD Cover
Western Digital 1TB WD Blue Mobile Hard Drive HDD - 5400 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 128 MB Cache, 2.5" - WD10SPZX

The WD 1TB Blue HDD is a reliable and high-performance internal hard drive designed for everyday computing. With WD's renowned quality and reliability, you can trust this hard drive to store and access your data safely. The included Acronis True Image WD Edition cloning software allows for easy data transfer and backup. Additionally, the WD F.I.T. Lab certification ensures compatibility with a wide range of high-performance PC configurations. Whether you need to store documents, photos, videos, or games, the WD 1TB Blue HDD provides ample space and fast data transfer speeds. Upgrade your computer's storage with this dependable and efficient hard drive.

What We Like
Reliable and high-performance
Easy data transfer and backup
Ample space and fast data transfer speeds
#TOP 6

Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard Drive HDD

ST2000LMZ15
2.5 Inch
Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard Drive HDD Cover
Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 2.5 Inch SATA 6Gb/s 5400 RPM 128MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC – Frustration Free Packaging (ST2000LM015)

The Seagate BarraCuda Internal Hard Drive HDD offers reliable storage with a 2TB capacity and 128MB cache, perfect for desktop PCs, gaming setups, and various applications. With 20 years of innovation, this SATA hard drive is the go-to solution for fast computing and confident storage.

What We Like
High storage capacity of 2TB
Fast SATA 6GB/s transfer rate
Proven reliability with 20 years of innovation
#TOP 7

Seagate BarraCuda 5TB Internal HDD

ST5000LM000-cr
Silver
5 TB
Seagate BarraCuda 5TB Internal HDD Cover
Seagate BarraCuda Internal Hard Drive 5TB SATA 6Gb/s 128MB Cache 2.5-Inch 15mm (ST5000LM000) (Renewed)

The Seagate BarraCuda Drive offers a large 5TB storage capacity, letting you save over a million songs or hundreds of hours of HD video, perfect for heavy media users. Designed with a 15mm height, it fits desktop PCs only, so it won’t work with laptops or gaming consoles. The drive features QuietStep Ramp Load technology, which ensures very quiet operation when loading and unloading, creating a peaceful environment for your workspace. With transfer speeds up to 140MB/s, a 128MB cache, and a 5400RPM spindle speed, this drive delivers reliable performance for everyday computing tasks and storage needs.

What We Like
Large 5TB storage
Quiet operation technology
Fast 140MB/s transfer speeds
Desktop PC compatible
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What internal hard drive should I get for my PC?

If you're buying the drive mainly for data backups and long-term data storage, go with a traditional HDD. If the drive is going to run an operating system or hold a lot of frequently accessed files and programs, then go with an SSD instead.

2. Does any internal hard drive fit any computer?

To be compatible; the drive will need to be a SATA or PATA like your old drive was and physically fit into the computer, nothing more. Most laptops have an additional slide mounted on the drive to connect to the internal controller, so you have to mount this slide to the new HDD.

3. What is an internal hard drive?

An internal hard drive is the primary storage device located inside a computer system. It usually contains pre-installed software applications, the operating system and other files. Most desktop computers have several internal hard drives, allowing them to provide greater data storage.

Editor's Notes

During our internal hard drive for pc research, we found 24 internal hard drive for pc products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 1,178,289 customer reviews through our big data system to write the internal hard drives for pc list. We found that most customers choose internal hard drives for pc with an average price of $238.83.

The internal hard drives for pc are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of internal hard drives for pc, including Seagate, Western Digital. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

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.