Choosing the best hard drives with USB C doesn’t have to be complicated. There are many brands and models that provide this feature for your personal or professional use. The USB standard for data transfer has come a long way since its inception with the introduction of the USB 3.0, followed by 2.0, 1.1 and 1.0. The latest iteration, which was introduced in 2008, is called SuperSpeed USB with 10 Gbps and is also known as USB 3.1 or Gen 2 and now the USB C.
If you’re looking for a reliable and fast external hard drive, then these are the best ones with USB C or otherwise known as Type C. So if you are looking to buy an external hard drive, but don’t know which one should you pick? We are sure this best hard drive with USB C list and information below will help you decide!
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Can I Use USB-C For External Hard Drive?
Yes, you can use USB-C to connect external hard drive using USB protocol. External hard drives are simple and easy gadgets that can be connected to windows computer, macbook computers and other Apple devices like iPad as well.
You can use a USB-C cable for external hard drive. However, it will add many steps to the process which is not energy efficient at all. If a computer supports only USB-C and you have an older external hard drive, you may need to get an adapter that allows you to connect the older hard drives to USB-C port on your computer.
Is USB-C Faster For Hard Drive?
USB-C is a new connector standard for charging and data. USB-C can be used for both charging, and to transfer data. Because of the high speed of USB-C it’s faster than most other external hard drive formats that have been used in the past. So if you’re looking for transfer speeds over USB 3.0, USB 3.1 or even Thunderbolt then USB-C is the way to go!
The answer depends on a lot of factors. If it’s just a standard hard drive and not an SSD, you may be better off with a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port. However, if your hard drive is an SSD and transfers large chunks of data at a time, then yes – USB-C will be faster and makes more sense.
Is USB-C Fast Enough For SSD?
USB-C has always been known as a faster and more convenient connection than any other type of USB. But some people believe that it’s not fast enough for SSD, because the USB current is limited by the power cable. SSD stands for solid state drive, and it’s the kind of technology you want in your computer if you want fast speeds.
The problem is SSDs can only be plugged into a USB-C port, and it’s not clear whether USB-C is fast enough to support them according to some reports, but in reality the USB C is the best option at present for using a SSD.
Can USB-C power A 3.5 HDD?
Yes. USB-C is compatible with 3.5 hard drives. The USB-C of the 3.5 SATA HDD must be plugged into a compatible USB-C port for instance, on a laptop or desktop computer. All you need is a USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 HDD Dock connected to a power adapter or portable battery of some kind.
List Of The Best Hard Drives With USB C
Now that we have answered many of the questions people will ask about these devices, we want to share those we think are the best hard drives with USB C connectivity:
LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Space Gray USB-C USB 3.0, for Mac and PC Desktop, 1 Month Adobe CC
The LaCie 5TB Mobile Drive with Thunderbolt lets you store massive amounts of photos, videos, music, and documents in a sleek hard drive that boasts both USB-C and USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) connectivity. The aluminum enclosure comes in an array of colors and materials that suit any environment—home or office.
The LaCie has a read speed of 120 Mb/s with a 2.5 inch form factor and it’s ideal for storing large files like 4K video, photos or music and is compatible with both Mac and PC.
This device costs $164.99, with pricing subject to change. Amazon’s five-star rating is 76% from 261 reviews, which is good for industry standards.
LaCie Rugged Secure 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD
The LaCie Rugged Secure 2TB external hard drive is a portable hard drive with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption to keep your data and content safe. This Thunderbolt 3-compatible hard disk drive works with Macs, PCs, and USB 3.1 compatible devices, so you can easily shuttle files between systems.
It is rugged, waterproof, and virtually indestructible. With rubber corners, it’s perfect for on-the-go use, and offers password protection for added security. Designed for a lifetime of heavy use, this rugged drive is water-, dust-, and crush-resistant, with drop, vibration, and temperature resistance that all other drives can’t match.
This LaCie costs $129.99, with pricing subject to change. Amazon’s five-star rating for this item is 83% from 276 reviews, which is very good for industry standards.
WD 4TB My Passport Ultra Blue Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C and USB 3.1 Compatible
WD 4TB My Passport Ultra Blue Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C and USB 3.1 Compatible. TIt is a trusted, high capacity storage device. This incredibly thin drive fits into any USB Type-A or C port and easily moves between devices. With up to 5TB of capacity, it’s perfect for holding all your photos, videos, music, documents and more.
It features password protection with hardware encryption, an enhanced 256-bit AES file encryption, WD Backup software for Windows and Mac, and a preloaded backup recovery tool.
The Ultra Blue costs $119.17, with the price subject to change. Amazon’s five-star rating for this product is 77% from 7,940 reviews, which is very good for industry standards.
SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD – Up to 1050MB/s – USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 – External Solid State Drive
For blazing-fast storage that’s easily portable, get the SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD. It delivers sequential reads up to 1050MB/s, while the USB-C connector provides a durable and high-speed connection. This external solid state drive comes with an integrated Thunderbolt chassis for maximum performance, so you can quickly transfer or back up large projects when you’re on the go.
It’s small enough to fit in your pocket or purse, yet transfers files quickly enough that you won’t notice it’s there until you need it. And since it’s an external SSD, you can set up your own secure password protection with SanDisk SecureAccess software download.
The SanDisk costs $104.70, with pricing subject to change. Amazon’s five-star rating for this SSD is 86% from 26,501 reviews, which is awesome for industry standards.
Crucial X8 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MB/s – USB 3.2 – External Solid State Drive, USB-C, USB-A
The Crucial X8 1TB portable SSD offers reliability. The X8 is a rugged, high capacity drive that delivers a full day’s worth of work wherever you are. Designed with the needs of creatives in mind, this portable SSD comes with well-rounded features to help you stay as productive on-the-go as you are at home – fast data transfer speeds up to 1050MB/s, USB-C and USB 3.1 connectivity.
The USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port provides fast data transfers on the go and convenient charging via any USB Type-C charger. With its compact design and lightweight aluminum case, this ultra-portable laptop hard drive makes it easy to take all your important media with you every time you leave home
The X8 costs $99.99, with the price subject to change. Amazon’s five-star rating is 81% from 6,259 reviews, which is excellent for industry standards.
Seagate Ultra Touch HDD 2TB External Hard Drive – Black USB-C USB 3.0, 1yr Mylio Create, 4 month Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan and Rescue Services
This Seagate Ultra Touch drive includes an ultra-fast USB-C port, making it easy to access your files and transfer them to other devices. With Seagate Dashboard software, you can set it up in just minutes, while the automated backup feature makes saving all of your important data simple.
The unique Touch Design creates a soft and durable surface that is easy to grip no matter where you use it—at home or on the go. This package comes with a 1yr Mylio Create, 4 month Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan and Rescue Services.
The Ultra Touch HDD costs $84.99, with the price subject to change. Amazon’s five-year warranty for this device is 77%, from 1,772 reviews which is very good for industry standards.
Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB-C USB 3.0
Toshiba’s Canvio Flex 2TB portable external hard drive delivers a stress-free way to store and transport your files, photos and videos wherever you go. With a sleek, compact design and a user-friendly USB 3.0 interface, this portable hard drive offers reliable performance while maintaining its low power consumption.
In addition, it features a shock sensor that automatically protects your data if the drive is accidentally dropped or moved. It comes formatted with exFAT for cross-device compatibility.
The Canvio costs $69.99, with pricing subject to change. Amazon’s five-star rating for this product is 80% from 3,663 reviews, which is excellent for industry standards.
Conclusion On The Best Hard Drives With USB C
The best hard drives with USB C are going to be the ones that offer you a lot of storage for your dollar and durability. These options are a good way to add storage to your computer for tasks such as backing up documents and photos, or moving large files between computers.
If security is what you’re looking for, then there are plenty of options when it comes to backing up your sensitive data. A portable hard drive with USB C is the easiest way to back up your files.