95.4
Best for content creators and professional photographers on the move
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- 6-foot drop protection
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption
$214
Head to head · Storage & Drives
Portable Drive, 2TB, External Hard Drive vs Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive
Ravvy scores Portable Drive, 2TB, External Hard Drive at 85.68 and Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive at 85.35. Portable Drive, 2TB, External Hard Drive takes the overall pick, best for students and office professionals needing affordable secondary backups.
Ravvy pick
85.7
$179
Buy this drive for its exceptional price per gigabyte and included recovery services, provided you can tolerate slower mechanical transfer speeds.
85.3
$183
A solid choice for high-capacity desktop archiving that trades portability and SSD speed for affordability and included data recovery services.
How they score
| Factor | Portable Drive, 2TB, External Hard Drive | Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Value | 94.5 | – |
| Portability | 90 | 30 |
| Reliability | 80 | – |
| Ease of Setup | 98 | – |
| Transfer Speed | 62 | – |
| Quietness | – | 85 |
| Storage Density | – | 92 |
| Value for Money | – | 89 |
| Setup Simplicity | – | 96.5 |
Portable Drive, 2TB, External Hard Drive
What owners praise
- High storage capacity for the price
- Two years of data recovery services included
- Lightweight and highly portable form factor
- True plug and play setup for PC and Mac
- Reliable aluminum enclosure helps heat dissipation
What to know first
- Slower read/write speeds than SSD alternatives
- Mechanical components are sensitive to drops
- USB-A cable requires an adapter for newer USB-C laptops
Skip it if professional video editors or users in high impact environments
Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive
What owners praise
- Generous 4TB capacity for the price
- Included 1-year data recovery service plan
- Sturdy enclosure with premium materials
- Instant recognition on Windows and Mac
- Fast USB 3.0 interface for sequential transfers
What to know first
- Requires an external power adapter
- Mechanical 5400 RPM speed limits random access
- Bulky form factor not meant for travel
Skip it if digital nomads or those needing high-speed video editing drives
Specs side by side
| Spec | Portable Drive, 2TB, External Hard Drive | Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive |
|---|---|---|
| ASIN | B07DQ91XNK | B093BVXYSV |
| Brand | Seagate | Seagate |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Item Width | 8 centimeters | 4.2 centimeters |
| Model Name | Expansion | Seagate Expansion |
| Read Speed | 120 megabytes_per_second | 120 megabytes_per_second |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch | 3.5-inch |
| Item Length | 11.7 centimeters | 17.87 centimeters |
| Item Weight | 190 g | 950 g |
| Media Speed | 80 MB/s | 120 |
| Manufacturer | Seagate | Seagate |
| Model Number | STGX2000400 | STKP4000400 |
Other options in this category
89.7
Western Digital
WD 16TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0
Best for creative professionals and home users with massive media libraries
- 16TB Desktop Storage
- USB 3.0 Connectivity
- Hardware Encryption
$725
89.6
Best for security camera owners and budget conscious drone pilots
- 4K Ultra HD ready
- 95MB/s maximum read speed
- UHS-I Class 10 V30 standard
$65