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Top 10 Best External Hard Drive (For Video Editing)

Nothing is more frustrating than being in the middle of an editing project realizing that you’ve run out of storage space.

Backing up video data and editing progress is an essential step in any video editing endeavor.

If need space for your 4k footage, or want to prevent frustrating storage issues when editing media, an external hard drive will most likely be your simplest go-to solution.

So what is the best external hard drive for video editing? Let’s take a look.

video editor's desk with storage setup

G-Technology G Drive 12TB – Stackable 7200RPM Drives & USB 3.0

If you’re looking for a high-performance removable dual 7200RPM Enterprise-class hard drive storage system, look no further.

This system features both Thunderbolt 2 and USB 3.0 connectivity so you don’t have to settle.

It gives you tons of flexibility. You can stack them up, choose between RAID 0, 1 or JBOD so that you can quickly access, browse, backup, and edit any videos that you have in progress.

Your entire digital library will be right there for you to get into on your time.


three external hard drives connected to each other

The transfer rates of this drive are up to 480MB/s. It’s an ultra-fast storage solution for demanding creative projects.

This makes the G-RAID ideal for video editing.

It can easily support HD, 2K and compressed 4K video workflows without lagging or stalling.

On the downside, this drive is a bit noisy. You can expect some ticking and clicking as it operates. Still, its a strong, fast, and secure option.

Pros
  • Fast – This drive has very fast processing speeds.
  • Durable – Designed to last, the entire design is dependable.
  • Handles Large Tasks – This external hard drive tackles tough tasks easily.
  • Compatible With Multiple Operating Systems – You can choose to use it with a PC or a Mac.
Cons
  • Expensive – This drive is more expensive than many similar options.
  • Noisy – Clicks, whirs, and ticks when in use.
Verdict: All in all, this is a fast and durable external hard drive that does a great job of storing and processing files. You can open hugs folders quickly and save projects in no time at all. It also works with PC and Mac which is important to many users. On the downside, it makes a good bit of noise when in use. This is no cause for alarm, but it takes some getting used to. Also, it’s not cheap. There are larger drives with lower price tags out there. Still, if you need a high-performance removable dual 7200 RPM drive, this is a great option.

TerraMaster D5 Enclosure – 300C USB3.0(5Gbps) – Build Your Own High Speed Storage Solution

The D5-300C is a great option for applications that are used in video editing, photo backup, storage of R&D technical documents, digital records, audio, and much more.

If you need to store a lot of 4k video footage, you’ll find that this is a fantastic solution.

It can install up to 5 either 2.4 or 3.5 inch SATA or SSD drives. It is also compatible with 3.5 inch SATA hard drives that hold up to 12TB of storage for a maximum total capacity of around 60TB.

You’ll be able to store pretty much everything. This is the best option for data security and maximum storage.


terramaster hard drive enclosure

It’s also easy to swap out hard drives with the well-designed dedicated drive trays and hot swap capabilities.

You’ll find that the TerraMaster D5 gives you powerful hardware with the latest USB3.0 Type C connectors, actual transfer speeds as high as 410MB/s for SSHD or SSD, a Superspeed USB3.0 interface that supports external storage backup, windows backup software to backup any data in your designated DAS devices.

It also is encased in an aluminum-alloy shell with a low noise fan for silent and cool operation and durability. We suggest using this device with it an SSD hard drive for higher speeds.

Looking for a good balance of space and speed to store video files? We recommend using 6tb barracuda pro drives from seagate if you’d like higher storage capacities for your money.

Pros
  • Powerful hardware – It has strong hardware and the latest the latest USB3.0 Type C connector.
  • Fast Transfer Speeds – The TerraMaster D5 has actual transfer speed that can reach as high as 410MB/s for SSHD/SSD.
  • Supports Apple Time Machine – Easy to use for iMac computer file storage.
  • Superspeed USB 3.0 Interface – This interface supports external storage backup
Cons
  • Drives Sold Separately – You must purchase your hard drives separately.
Verdict: If you are looking for a fast and advanced way to integrate your storage drives, this is an awesome solution. It can hold up to 5 drives at once and bridges platform gaps beautifully. It’s also fully updated, powerful, reliable, and comes at a pretty fair price. It’s a great storage solution for external hard drives. USe it with new drives or to transfer with your pre-existing drives. It also comes with a lot of accessories that you can to mount your hard drives.

LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 2 – 6TB – Best Adobe Premiere Users And Other Industry Professionals

The new LaCie external hard drive features a redefined design that integrates d2 for proven results. With Thunderbolt 2, a professional Seagate 6TB hard disk that runs at 7200 RPMs, and USB3.0, this professional drive works great for anyone who edits videos for a living.

This drive offers high speeds of around 220 MB/s making it a pretty good option for all Adobe users and most other design specialists.

It has universal compatibility with its USB 3.0 and Dual Thunderbolt 2 Ports.


Lacie d2 video editing setup
Image credits: LaCie

The d2 SSD upgrade lets you boost speeds up to 1150 MB/s.

The new innovative all-aluminum Unibody enclosure of the drive gives it incredible durability and lower vibration than ever before.

Additionally, this drive comes with a complimentary one month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan.

Don’t get too excited though, the membership only lasts for a month. Still, if you’re planning on using these Adobe services, it doesn’t hurt to get a free month out of the deal.

If you have an iMac and use Adobe applications, this really is a great option.

Downsides include very large bright LED lights on the front and a poor on/off design. The bright lights are pretty distracting if you have this drive on your desktop, you know, where has been designed to sit.

The on/off switch is actually the giant bright LED light. We find this to be kind of confusing and not the greatest design.

Other than that, it’s a one of the best external drives for video editors working on Mac OSX.

Pros
  • Great for Adobe Users – Adobe even adds a month of cloud access with this device.
  • Awesome For iMac – Works great with Macintosh computers.
  • Cross-Platform Compatible – Use it with Windows of iMac.
  • Aluminum Body – Reduces vibration and is pretty durable.
Cons
  • Design Flaws – The LED is excessively bright and doubles a the on/off switch.
Verdict: If you need something that’s cross-platform compatible and designed to work with Adobe programs, this is a great option. Video editors will appreciate the speed of the device as well. An aluminum body and upgraded d2 add to durability and speed. It’s a great external hard drive for designers and editors of all types. Our complaint is with space and design. The available 6TB of storage is adequate, but won’t last a lifetime. Overly bright LED lights and a poorly displayed on/off switch are features that just don’t make much sense. Other than that, this is a pretty good desktop external hard drive that comes at a fairly decent price.

WD My Book Duo Pro 16TB – RAID + Massive Storage Capacity At A Reasonable Price

This external drive has 16TB of storage space and hovers in the top tier product category.

It’s essentially the lowest end top tier external hard drive.

You’ll save a bit of money but still have access to premium features like RAID optimized WD Red drives (Up to 360mB/s speed), new USB 3.1 Gen 1-ready technology, and USB 3.0 compatibility.

It comes formatted in NTFS for out-of-the-box compatibility with Windows 7 and up, and massive storage capacity.

It’s ready to go straight out of the box.


Video editing storage solution next to a laptop with a video editing software running

It works amazingly for video storage, meaning that it’s a good option if you do a lot of video editing. RAID-0 mode provides super-fast performance so you won’t have to waste any time.

With up to 360MB/s, sequential read speeds are provided if you’re using the USB Type-C port. RAID-1 configuration is ideal for redundancy and for mirroring data.

A USB Type-C port with all cables included makes it universally compatible and it supports USB 3.1 Gen 1/3.0/2.0.

Additional available USB ports add flexibility for additional connections and accessories.

On the downside, if you want to use any system other than Windows, you’ll need to reformat this external hard drive.

Pros
  • Lots Of Storage – 16TB of storage space gives you plenty of room for video.
  • Ready To Go – Works straight out of the box if you use a Windows operating system.
  • Compatible With Windows – Compatible with Windows systems 7 and up.
  • Extra USB Ports – Additional USB ports add flexibility.
Cons
  • May Need Reformatting – If you’re using any operating systems other than Windows, you’ll likely need to format this drive.
Verdict: This is a massive external hard drive. Additionally, it hovers at the bottom of the top tier. You’ll get premium features without paying top dollar. Still, this doesn’t mean that its cheap. On top of that, if you’re using anything other than Windows for an operating system, you’ll need to reformat. Still, for the price, you’re getting a huge external hard drive with lots of flexibility.

WD Elements 10TB – Fast & Reliable Drive From Western Digital

Western Digital is well-known for their excellent external storage solutions; their drives are known to last for years.

Transfer speeds range from 40-170MB/s depending on the size of the files you’re working with.

This hard drive offers users fast data transfers, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, high-capacity add-on storage, plug-and-play readiness for Windows PCs, and trusted WD quality inside and out.


WD 10tb hard drive next to a computer screen
Image credits: Western Digital

If you need to transfer files quickly, you won’t have many issues.

This drive also offers a long list of security upgrades.

In addition to all of this, it comes at a very reasonable price.

For 10TB of storage with dependable and trusted software, it’s a great option for file transfers.

On the other hand, if you have a Mac, you’re going to have to reformat this external hard drive.

However, for the price. size, and speed, you’ll probably find that this is a great deal.

Pros
  • Fast Transfer – Quick transfer rates are a definite bonus.
  • Inexpensive – For the amount of space and speed you get, the price is right.
  • Instantly Ready – A True plug-and-play device.
  • Available Security – Many great security upgrades are available.
Cons
  • May Need To Reformat – You’ll have to reformat it to make it work with a Mac.
Verdict: This is a reliable Western Digital external hard drive that transfers data efficiently. western Digital has been making quality external storage devices for years. This drive is fast and efficient. It comes at a very reasonable low price. With available security features, you’ll be able to add password protection and other helpful security upgrades. It’s also pretty dependable and gives you a good amount of storage. If you have a PC, it’s a fantastic option that works right out of the box.

Seagate Expansion 4TB – A Portable & Budget Friendly Option

It can be pretty annoying to lug around a large external hard drive everywhere you go, and that’s not counting all of the necessary adapters and cords.

If your video editing takes place on a laptop or has you traveling from office to office, the Seagate Expansion drive may be a good option to consider.

This particular Seagate Expansion 4TB drive allows you to save media quickly and easily.

It has a simple user-friendly design platform that’s all wrapped up in a small and sturdy package.


4to hard drive from seagate next to the retail packaging

It features a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port, which is required for USB 3.0 transfer speeds. This drive is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports at USB 2.0 transfer speeds.

It’s easy to save files on this drive, just drag and drop them into place. If you have Windows 7 or higher, you’ll be able to use the drive straight out of the bo.

If you have a Mac, however, you’ll need to reformat the entire device. For the price, we feel that 4TB is a fair amount of storage space.

It’s fast enough to get the job done. The real selling point of this external drive is its compact portability.

It has been designed to stand up well daily to wear and tear and it can help you edit videos while traveling without becoming easily damaged.

As far as disadvantages go, this drive won’t last forever.

At the time of this review, users report that the drive breaks around the 4-year mark.

Though that’s to be expected for the price, we wish this drive would last longer.

Pros
  • Portable – Great for carrying with you or traveling.
  • Inexpensive – Comes at a fairly low price.
  • Durable – Designed to stand up to daily wear and tear.
  • Easy To Use – Just drag and drop files.
Cons
  • Extended Use Failure Reports – Tends to break around the 4-year mark.
  • Not For Mac – Will need to be reformatted if you want to use it with an iMac.
Verdict: This is a portable and durable little drive. It easily connects to Windows computers for fast and secure data transfers. It’s also inexpensive and offers 4TB of data storage space at a reasonable price. On the downside, don’t expect this drive to work forever. Users report (at the time of this article) that if used continuously, this drive breaks around the 4-year mark. It would work well as a backup, but after you use it for a year or two, it may be wise to start backing up videos and media to a better server or to a larger, more durable, external drive.

G-Technology G-Drive Thunderbolt 10TB – Thunderbolt External Hard Drive Option For Mac Users

With Thunderbolt 3, the G-Drive is a great desktop storage solution for iMac users. It’s perfect for storage-intensive media editing applications.

With a high-capacity 7200RPM hard drive, you’ll find that saving files is a non-issue.

If you are an iMac user who does a lot of video editing, this will likely be the simplest external hard drive for you.

Impressive features of the G-Drive External Storage Drive include, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, daisy-chaining abilities for up to 5 devices at a time, fast transfer rates of up to 250MB/s, a solid all-aluminum case for durability and style.


Thunderbolt port on the back side of an external hard drive

An enterprise-class 7200RPM hard drive, and plug-and-play iMac compatibility. It’s perfect for both Mac and Windows, though if you’ve got a PC, you will need to reformat it.

You’ll find that this drive has very little latency on accessing files. It’s very solidly crafted as well.

Once again, as if to adhere to the apparent trend with Thunderbolt specific drives, there’s a really bright LED light on the front.

This light is obnoxious enough to be a distraction if you are using the drive in an editing room.

On the other hand, the fact that this drive comes with a Thunderbolt cable is handy. That’ll save you a bit of money, at least.

As far as price goes, this drive is neither a budget buy or a premium top-tier product.

It falls somewhere in the middle range. It’s a well-built external hard drive that works amazingly with Mac systems and doesn’t run hot.

Pros
  • Solid Construction – This drive has a nice aluminum case that is durable and doesn’t get hot when used for hours on end.
  • Thunderbolt 3 – Ideal for Mac users, this drive is plug-and-play ready for file saving with Apple computers.
  • Limited 3-year Warranty – This warranty helps give you peace of mind and grants you access to customer service.
  • Heat-sink – The integrated heat-sink is there for quiet operation and fast cooling.
Cons
  • Obnoxious LED – The overly bright LED on the front of this device is annoying.
Verdict: If you are using an iMac and need a Thunderbolt compatible device for external storage, this hard drive is a fantastic option. It runs cool and has a solid aluminum body that seems to be very well constructed. On the downside, the annoyingly bright LED light on the front can be distracting if you’re using the drive in an editing room. It’s a mid-range external hard drive that works well for video editing and other media storage applications.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 500Go – Maximum Portability And USB Type C

If you need something really portable and have a MacBook with a C type USB port, and to work with Final Cut Pro X, this is the external drive for you (if you don’t need too much space).

It gives you high-speed transfers with up to around 550MB/s data read speeds.

This will let you move hi-res photos and videos very quickly. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these numbers are based on internal testing;


Portable disk next to a laptop on a wooden garden table

You may find performance to be lower depending on your drive capacity, host device, OS and applications. This is a rugged device that is water and dust resistant.

It has an IPS5 water resistance rating and has been tested in flowing water with a 30 kPa at 3 minutes.

It’s also shock resistant. The solid-state core is more durable than other similar options. If that’s not enough, this drive is also well-suited for vast temperature fluctuations, it can survive from ‐20°C to 70°C.

Ideal operation temperatures are 0°C to 45°C.

This drive is also very compact and great for keeping in your pocket. It can be easily used with iMac or PC computers.

It has also been built by SanDisk, a well-known technology leader and the original pioneer of the modern day SSD.

Though this model only holds 500GB, you can upgrade up to 1TB.

Price wise, this device is cheaper than many other external storage solutions, though also significantly smaller in storage capacity.

Pros
  • Extremely Portable – Pocket-sized and compact, this device is very easy to carry.
  • Durable – The SanDisk Extreme is water, shock, temperature, and dust resistant.
  • Cross-platform Compatible – Can be used with Mac and PC.
  • Sleek – A sleek and stylish design adds to the appeal of this little external hard drive.
Cons
  • Low Space – This device only stores up to 500GB of data.
Verdict: If you want a simple and fast external storage solution that can be easily transported or even stored in your pocket, this is a great option. It’s durable, easy to operate, cross-platform compatible, and reliable. This drive is a great option for fast file sharing or as an emergency storage space solution. On the downside, it only holds up to 500GB. You’ll either have to pay more for the 1TB drive, use multiple drives, or use this as a backup for professional video editing.

WD MyCloud ex2 (USB 3.0) 20TB – Maximum Space And Premium Performance

This may just be the mack daddy of external hard drives. It allows you to organize your media collection in a single device that you can access from just about anywhere.

You’ll get speed, space, and features as soon as you plug this drive in and set it up. It gives you a whopping 20TB of storage and operates smoothly for fast and reliable performance.

It utilizes a centralized network for access to stored files remotely from all of your devices. In addition to this, it has a high-performance 1.3 GHz dual-core processor.


mycloud ex2 ultra storage solution on a working desk

It even devotes an entire GB of memory for seamless media streaming and unbelievably fast file transfers.

It has multiple RAID configurations and an automatic backup system for safeguarding important data and files.

Another impressive feature is the automatic file syncing across all computers. This can give you updated access to your videos from anywhere.

It’s powered by My Cloud OS 3 and also has volume encryption and password protection. It’s also been simplified making it more user-friendly than ever.

Another nice feature is the contact syncing that works across all connected computers. It’s a smart way to backup all of your footage and media for access from anywhere.

The only drawback is the price. This thing doesn’t come cheap.

Pros
  • Tons Of Space – With 20TB of storage space, you should be able to store your entire media library.
  • Fast – It works quickly and efficiently.
  • Smooth Media Transfer – An entire GB is devoted to smooth data sharing.
  • Remote Access – Access files from all of your computers or share them with others.
  • Longtime Use – An updated system stays current while durable construction helps the device last.
Cons
  • Expensive – This device sports a fairly high price tag.
Verdict: If you need a way to share and store your media flies in a massive way, this external storage cloud drive may be well worth your consideration. It comes with many bonus features and can probably hold your entire media library. You’ll be able to access everything remotely as well. On the downside, it’s pretty expensive, especially compared to other simpler drives.

WD Black My Passport 2TB – Inexpensive Portable External Storage Solution

If you’re looking to save some money and still backup some of your most important media files, this may be a great option.

It holds up to 2TB and is easy to carry with you. It’s durable, has a simple design, and fairly fast.

The best part though is the low price tag. It’s one of the cheapest options out there.


Mypassport usb storage

This external hard drive auto backs up files, has password protection and hardware encryption features, an imaginative and smart user-friendly interface, and is compatible with USB 3.0, USB 2,0, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

On the downside, if you want to use it with your Mac devices, you’ll need to reformat it.

Still, for the price, this is a well-designed and durable external hard drive that has an impressive storage capacity, all things considered.

Pros
  • Great Price – Save money with this external hard drive.
  • Durable – This device is durable and designed to stand up to constant use.
  • User-Friendly Design – An imaginative design and user-friendly interface make this external hard drive easy to operate.
  • Good Amount Of Space – This external hard drive has 2TB of space, which means you get more than you may expect for the low price.
Cons
  • Connectivity Issues – At the time of this report, some users were reporting connectivity issues after 5 months of use.
Verdict: If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy to use external hard drive, this is a good solution for video producers. It is also durable, fast, and dependable. On the other hand, if you want extra features or tons of space, you may want to purchase a larger desktop drive. Still, for the price, 2TB of space isn’t bad.

Best External Hard Drive For Video Editing – Buyer’s Guide

Now, we’ll take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about external hard drives for video editing.

How much space do I need for raw 4k footage? How about 1080p?

Since 4k is significantly larger than 1080p, you’ll need more storage space than you may expect. One minute of 1080p footage requires around 130 MB. A 1 minute 4k video will require around 375 MB.

How much difference is there between USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, and Thunderbolt?

These are all system standards that run at different data transfer rates.

In many cases, Thunderbolt works with Mac systems with USB-C ports.

USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 tend to work with Windows systems.

Additionally, the Thunderbolt 3 system is a newer standard that utilizes the USB-C port and offers data transfer rates of around 40G per second.

This is four times greater than the USB 3.1 rate and twice as large as USB 3.2. Sometimes cables allow these to be cross-compatible, but not always.

I work with Final Cut Pro C on a Mac, what do you recommend?

While we don’t want to tell you how to spend your money, the best external hard drive for those running FCPX on an iMac is most likely going to be any of the newer Seagate drives.

The Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0, for instance, would work well. See it here.

What is the fastest hard drive to import and export videos?

This will depend on many factors. Any external hard drive that runs on 7200 RPMs or more will be pretty fast.

What is RAID 1, RAID 0, etc…?

RAID stands for redundant array of independent disks.

RAID0 is a storage technology that combines the use of many disk drives to create a single logical unit.

Several disks will behave as one higher capacity drive and connect to hardware easily.

RAID 1 offers mirroring redundancy meaning that data is identically written on two drives, this is useful to secure your .avi or .mkv files against storage corruption (you have a backup).

Final words

So there you have it. A few of the best external hard drive storage solutions for video makers out there. Any of these devices would work well for those who edit videos either for a living or recreationally.

These drives have been extensively tested and approved, and at the time of this article, ranked highly among competitors.

We want to know which external hard drives have worked best for you.

Please feel free to leave us your review or feedback and let us know what suggestions you have or if we are missing anything!

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