Portable Drives

Portable drives are a flexible, USB-powered way to back up content, add storage, and take your data wherever you need it — at home, at work, or on vacation — all on the go.

Portable HDD vs. Portable SSD 

Portable hard disk drives (HDD) use magnetic disk-based storage while portable solid state drives (SSDs) use flash-based storage. 

Both types feature flexibility and mobility but also offer specific advantages. Portable hard drives typically offer higher capacities and a lower cost per TB, while SSDs are among the fastest portable drives.

Unlike our external drives, which rely on a separate power source, portable HDDs and SSDs are both BUS-powered through their USB connection.

PC compatible vs. Mac compatible

Since portable hard drives and SSDs connect via common ports like USB, many are compatible with Windows® and macOS.

Formatting may be required, though some drives simplify the process. Users who want a seamless experience can opt for turnkey options for Windows and for macOS. There are also portable hard drives optimized to work with ChromebookTM. 

How much storage do I need? 

Storage needs vary based on purpose and usage. 1TB1 of portable storage may be plenty for occasional backing up on-the-go or at-home use, whereas professional photographers or serious gamers may need 2, 4, or 5TB of space.

When purchasing a portable hard drive or SSD, it’s a good idea to consider future needs: if you think you’ll eventually need more space, it may be worth investing in extra capacity. 

My Passport, WD Elements, and WD Drive

Portable Drives for Everyday Storage 

Get a portable hard drive or SSD you can rely on for everyday use, whether you’re storing photos and videos, backing up important documents, or moving media between devices.

Plug-and-play drives

Choose from portable drives that are ready for the most popular devices — including Windows PCs, Mac computers, and Chromebooks — and that are compatible with USB-C™ and USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.2 Gen 1.

Sleek style

Hit peak productivity in style with eye-catching drives, such as the sleek, slim My Passport HDD and My Passport SSD.

Scalable storage

Power through work with up to 5TB portable hard drives or up to 4TB portable SSDs, so you have plenty of storage when and where you need it.1

SanDisk
G-Tech
WD
Western Digital
Incase
NACON
SanDisk Professional
WD Black
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SanDisk
G-Tech
WD
Western Digital
Incase
NACON
SanDisk Professional
WD Black
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