Best External HDD & SSD Drives for Video Editing in 2025: How to Choose + Top Models for Backup & Speed
Welcome! We’re OurTime, a video and web marketing company specializing in wellness and fitness content.
If you need a simple way to back up massive amounts of video data, external HDDs and SSDs are your best allies.
Today, large-capacity models have become more affordable, making them popular not only with professional video creators but also with freelancers and side hustlers working on video production projects.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the right external HDD or SSD for your needs, plus our carefully selected recommendations for the best drives for video storage—from portable options you can easily carry around to powerful desktop drives perfect for your home or office. Find the perfect drive to match your workflow and storage demands.
Key Points for Choosing External Drives
When choosing an external HDD or SSD, many people wonder, “Which one is right for me?” Here’s what you need to know:
- External HDDs are great if you need large storage capacity at a low cost, perfect for archiving lots of videos.
- External SSDs are more compact, faster, and more shock-resistant, making them ideal for editing on the go or transferring large video files quickly.
For the best experience, consider using HDDs for storage and SSDs for editing, so you don’t regret your purchase later.
Differences Between HDDs and SSDs
External drives come in two main types:
- HDDs (Hard Disk Drives): Affordable and available in very large capacities, great for long-term video storage.
- SSDs (Solid State Drives): Faster, more shock-resistant, and portable, ideal for video editing and working on location.
Chief editor“If you’re unsure, remember: HDDs for storage, SSDs for active work—that way you won’t make the wrong choice!”
Recommended Storage Capacity
For Full HD video projects, drives with 2TB or more are recommended.
For frequent 4K video work, consider 4TB or more.
Since external SSDs are still relatively expensive, balance your capacity needs and budget carefully. If you need lots of space, searching for “large capacity external HDD” will give you many affordable options.
Connection Interface
Most external drives today use USB 3.0 or USB 3.1, but newer models with USB 3.2 Gen2 or Thunderbolt support offer dramatically faster data transfer speeds.
For smooth transfers of large files like high-resolution videos, always check the drive’s connection standard before buying.
Chief editor“Buying a fast SSD only to connect it through a slow port is a waste! Don’t let your interface become a bottleneck.”
Durability & Heat Management
For long-term video storage or extended write sessions, choose a drive that can handle heat effectively:
- HDDs: Look for models with cooling fans or drives designed for NAS use, which are built for continuous operation.
- SSDs: Prioritize models with heat-dissipating designs and rugged, durable enclosures.
Portability
If you plan to work on the go or frequently transfer data, a small, lightweight 2.5-inch portable drive is your best bet.
On the other hand, 3.5-inch desktop HDDs require an AC adapter but offer much higher capacities at lower cost. Choose based on what you prioritize: portability or storage size.
Recommended Desktop HDDs for Massive Storage
If you need to store tons of videos or photos, high-capacity desktop HDDs offer excellent value. Models with 8TB or more are now affordable, letting you organize long videos or large libraries with a single drive.
Choose drives with cooling fans or NAS-grade mechanisms for reliable performance during extended writes. A desktop HDD is ideal if you want a stationary, high-capacity solution for your home or office.
Western Digital My Book 8TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023 model (latest generation available) |
| Dimensions | Approx. 170×49×139mm / 1kg |
| Connection | USB 3.0 |
| Features | Massive 8TB capacity with WD reliability |
| Price Range | $170–$200 |
| Best For | Long videos and large data archives |
The My Book series from WD uses their trusted drives to offer massive 8TB storage in a simple, affordable desktop solution. Compatible with TV recording and PC backup, and USB 3.0 support ensures fast transfers. An excellent choice for archiving important footage or keeping large projects secure.
Seagate Expansion Desktop 6TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 176×120×36mm / 950g |
| Connection | USB 3.0 |
| Features | 6TB capacity, easy setup, great value |
| Price Range | $130–$170 |
| Best For | Affordable, large-capacity storage |
Seagate’s Expansion Desktop drives are easy to use with Windows and Mac out of the box. The 6TB capacity offers excellent cost performance, and bundled software makes setting up regular backups easy—even for beginners.
Buffalo External HDD 4TB (HD-AD4U3)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 114×33×171mm / 900g |
| Connection | USB 3.0 |
| Features | Compact, quiet design; nasne™ support; made in Japan |
| Price Range | $95–$110 |
| Best For | Combined TV recording and PC backups |
A compact 4TB drive perfect for living room placement thanks to its quiet operation. It’s compatible with nasne™ for PS4 recording, and includes Buffalo’s unique health monitoring feature that predicts potential drive failures. Built in Japan for added peace of mind.
LaCie d2 Professional 8TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 130×60×220mm / 1.4kg |
| Connection | USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 |
| Features | Creator-grade speed, rugged build |
| Price Range | $400–$470 |
| Best For | Professional video production needing high speed |
Designed for professionals, the LaCie d2 Professional offers 8TB of fast, reliable storage. With USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, it pairs perfectly with the latest PCs and Macs. The sturdy design ensures durability and reliability—ideal for high-resolution video workflows.
Chief editor“Need to store tons of footage? These desktop HDDs are the ultimate solution!”
Recommended Portable HDDs for Easy Carrying
If you often carry your projects on the go, a compact, lightweight portable HDD is your best friend. Shock-resistant models let you travel confidently, and bus-powered drives that don’t require a separate power adapter are perfect for working anywhere. Portable HDDs offer great value, combining large capacities with easy transportability.
Buffalo MiniStation 2TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 80×20×115mm / 240g |
| Connection | USB 3.0 |
| Features | Shock-resistant body, palm-sized design |
| Price Range | $60–$80 |
| Best For | Creators who carry data frequently |
A compact, shock-resistant 2TB drive that fits in the palm of your hand. Powered by a single USB cable, it’s perfect for traveling or working in cafes or studios. Ideal for transporting footage safely wherever you go.
LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 135×35×85mm / 400g |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Features | Vibration & shock resistance, dust/water protection |
| Price Range | $200–$270 |
| Best For | Outdoor shoots or frequent travel |
LaCie’s iconic orange bumper protects against drops, vibrations, and dust. USB-C support ensures fast compatibility with modern Macs and PCs. Perfect for creators who need to secure their data while moving between locations.
Chief editor“When you need durability on set or in the field, LaCie Rugged is a game-changer!”
WD Elements Portable HDD 5TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 111×21×82mm / 230g |
| Connection | USB 3.0 |
| Features | Massive 5TB capacity, excellent value |
| Price Range | $145–$170 |
| Best For | Creators needing portable large capacity |
WD’s Elements Portable delivers up to 5TB of storage in a small, lightweight form. A great option for video editors who want to carry large amounts of footage wherever they go, compatible with both Mac and PC.
Recommended External SSDs for High-Speed Editing
If you want to move and edit large video files quickly, an external SSD is the ultimate tool. Models with transfer speeds exceeding 1,000MB/s make it easy to handle big projects, even with 4K or 8K footage. Many portable SSDs are lightweight and rugged, letting you edit smoothly wherever you go.
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 85×8×57mm / 58g |
| Connection | USB 3.2 Gen2 |
| Features | Ultra-fast transfer up to 1,000MB/s |
| Price Range | $80–$120 |
| Best For | Creators needing a fast editing disk |
With speeds up to 1,000MB/s and a slim, credit-card-sized design, the Samsung T7 makes editing Full HD and 4K footage smooth and efficient. Perfect as a portable scratch disk for editing on the go.
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 96×9×50mm / 60g |
| Connection | USB 3.2 Gen2 |
| Features | IP55 dust & water resistance, 1,050MB/s speed |
| Price Range | $170–$200 |
| Best For | Outdoor work and 4K video editing |
With IP55 dust and water protection, this rugged SSD is built for editing in the field. Speeds up to 1,050MB/s make it easy to transfer massive 4K files, and the compact size with a carabiner hole keeps it handy anywhere.
Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD 1TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 65×10×35mm / 40g |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Features | 1,050MB/s transfer, shock resistance |
| Price Range | $90–$115 |
| Best For | Creators wanting affordable speed |
Lightweight and compact yet extremely durable, the X9 Pro offers blazing speeds and wide compatibility with PCs, Macs, and tablets—perfect for editing and backing up videos quickly wherever you are.
G-Technology G-DRIVE Pro SSD 1TB
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024 model |
| Dimensions | Approx. 105×20×60mm / 200g |
| Connection | Thunderbolt 3 |
| Features | Professional-grade, 8K editing ready |
| Price Range | $530–$670 |
| Best For | Professional video production |
Designed for high-end video production, this SSD supports Thunderbolt 3 for maximum transfer speed and can handle demanding 8K workflows. Its robust construction ensures reliability even under tough working conditions.
Chief editor“With the right SSD, you can edit faster and focus on creativity instead of waiting for files to transfer!”
Conclusion
Choosing the right external storage can make a world of difference in your video production workflow.
- Desktop HDDs provide affordable, massive storage ideal for archiving footage at home or in the office.
- Portable HDDs let you carry large video libraries wherever you go without breaking the bank.
- External SSDs deliver the blazing speed and shock resistance needed for smooth 4K and 8K editing, even on location.
For most creators, combining a large HDD for backup and a fast SSD for editing is the best strategy—letting you keep costs down without sacrificing performance.
No matter which you choose, don’t forget:
- Regularly back up your important videos to both physical and cloud storage.
- Keep your drives cool during long editing sessions to extend their lifespan.
- And always match your SSD or HDD’s connection speed with your computer’s fastest port (like USB 3.2 Gen2 or Thunderbolt 3) to avoid bottlenecks.
With the right storage setup, you can stop wasting time waiting for transfers and start focusing on creating your best work.
Make your editing faster, safer, and more enjoyable—get the tools that match your creativity today!
- Best Free Cloud Storage for Videos in 2025: Secure and Easy Video Backup Solutions
- External SSDs for 4K & 8K Video Editing in 2025: Smooth Workflow & Buying Guide
Author of this article
関連記事
-
External SSDs for 4K & 8K Video Editing in 2025: Smooth Workflow & Buying Guide -
Best Free Cloud Storage for Videos in 2025: Secure and Easy Video Backup Solutions
-
15 Top Lavalier Mics for Video Production in 2025
-
[2025 Edition] CapCut: The Ultimate Video Editing App for Social Media & Professional Workflow
-
2025 Edition: 12 Best Tamron Lenses for Video & Photography
-
Best SIGMA Lenses 2025: Top 12 Picks for Stunning Video & Photo Quality
-
2025 Edition: 12 Best Sony Cameras — Video, Photo & Vlog Picks from the Pros
Comments