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
500GB External Hard Drive vs Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive
Ravvy scores 500GB External Hard Drive at 83.5 and Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive at 85.35. Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive takes the overall pick, best for home office users and collectors of large media libraries.
83.5
$33
Choose the YOTUO if you need affordable, ruggedized storage for older console games, provided you can accept the 500GB capacity limit.
Ravvy pick
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 | 500GB External Hard Drive | Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 70 | – |
| Protection | 85 | – |
| Portability | 92 | 30 |
| Compatibility | 94.5 | – |
| Storage Value | 88 | – |
| Quietness | – | 85 |
| Storage Density | – | 92 |
| Value for Money | – | 89 |
| Setup Simplicity | – | 96.5 |
500GB External Hard Drive
What owners praise
- Integrated shock-absorbing silicone armor
- Higher 7200 RPM speed compared to standard budget drives
- Broad compatibility with USB-C and USB 3.0 devices
- Extremely lightweight at only 0.16 kg
- True plug and play setup requires no software
What to know first
- 500GB capacity fills up quickly with modern games
- Cannot run native PS5/Series X games directly
- Mechanical drive parts are more fragile than SSDs
Skip it if users requiring massive 2tb+ archives or high-speed 4k video editing
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 | 500GB External Hard Drive | Expansion Desktop, 4TB, External Hard Drive |
|---|---|---|
| ASIN | B0B28PQ4QW | B093BVXYSV |
| Brand | YOTUO | Seagate |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Model Name | SY-HDD01 | Seagate Expansion |
| Read Speed | 150 gigabytes_per_second | 120 megabytes_per_second |
| Form Factor | Compact | 3.5-inch |
| Item Weight | 0.25 kg | 950 g |
| Media Speed | 100 megabytes_per_second | 120 |
| Manufacturer | YOTUO | Seagate |
| Model Number | SY-HDD01 | STKP4000400 |
| Built-In Media | USB Cable | SEAGATE - BRANDED SOLUTIONS 3.5I EXPANSION DESKTOP EXT.DRIVE 4TB 3.5IN USB 3.0 GEN 1 EXTERNAL HDD |
| Hard-Drive Size | 500 GB | 4 TB |
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