If you’re struggling with storage space on your laptop or need to back up data, external hard drives are a reliable solution. In July 2026, the prices of these drives have surged due to increased demand from data centers, making it essential to know which options offer the best value for your needs.
Top Choices for Data Backups
The Western Digital Elements Desktop Hard Drive remains a top pick for backups. Priced at $355 for 8 TB on Amazon, this drive is praised for its affordability and reliability. With transfer speeds averaging 120 MB/s, it’s ideal for incremental backups, allowing users to run backups overnight without concern for speed.
Another great option is the Seagate Expansion 8-TB External Hard Drive, available for $280. This model complements the Elements drive and offers similar reliability, making it prudent to use drives from different brands for redundancy.
Portable Backup Solutions
If portability is a priority, the Western Digital My Passport Ultra is an excellent choice at $249. This drive is compact and uses a standard USB-C connection, making it easy to carry. It is available in sizes from 1 TB to 6 TB, with speeds averaging 121 MB/s for reading and 115 MB/s for writing.
