5 Best Rugged Hard Drives - Dec. 2021

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Bottom Line

Pros

Cons

Best of the Best

CalDigit

Tuff USB-C Hard Drive

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Bottom Line

Flawless design, compatibility, and functionality to create the ultimate rugged hard drive.

Pros

Simple but trendy design, with multiple color options. It's easy to set up, and syncs with any device that accepts external storage via USB or USB-C. Transfers move at lightening speeds and the casing provides plenty of protection.

Cons

The packaged USB-C cable is very short and is only meant for USB-C to USB. You'll need to purchase an additional cable for USB-C to USB-C support.

Best Bang for the Buck

Durable and stylish, this drive is able to do it all, but not very quickly.

Pros

The outer casing is easy to grip, while rubber corners keep the drive safe from drops. It still manages to look thin and feel light, despite its rugged design, making it great for storage in the office or on-the-go.

Cons

Below-average transfer speeds for a USB 3.0 device. The built-on cable holder doesn't work well enough to be considered useful.

A thin, rugged hard drive that looks tight and on-point, but may not always perform like it.

Pros

This drive is extremely thin and lightweight. The aluminum body looks super sleek and the design makes it very convenient to travel with. The nylon connection cable is well made and definitely built to last.

Cons

The software seems a bit archaic and is mediocre at best. It's aluminum body, while eye-catching, can sometimes slip from user's hands.

LaCie

Rugged Triple Hard Disk

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Bottom Line

A classic drive that maintains a rugged look and feel, but may disappoint long term users.

Pros

The device syncs quickly and transfers runs surprisingly smooth. A thick rubber strip keeps the hardware secure, easy to hold, and protected even after a few drops. It's built tough.

Cons

The drive is a bit bulky and users complain of cable connectivity issues that seem to get worse over time.

A compact hard drive that's small and quiet, but still manages to make things difficult.

Pros

Because of its size, the drive is extraordinarily portable and inconspicuous. It's got a stylish casing that's durable, easy to grip, and so quiet that you can barely hear it when it is on.

Cons

The packaged software is unreliable and not user-friendly, making transfers take much longer than they should.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
Considered

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For protecting valuable data while on the road or on an adventure, a rugged hard drive can be a reliable gadget to have. Like a standard external hard drive, capacity and data transfer speeds are major considerations. USB 3.0 and USB-C devices typically allow for rapid transfers of data. As for durability, protection against drops is crucial, and a tough outer case can prevent loss of data in case of a bump or fall. If you’re looking for something tough to protect data at home, consider hard drives that can withstand fire for a short amount of time. If you’re working around water, a fully waterproof hard drive can be a good option – some models even float when dropped in a body of water.

LaCie

Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive

SanDisk

1TB Extreme Portable External SSD

LaCie

Rugged Mini 5TB External Hard Drive

SP Silicon Power

1TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive

ADATA

2TB Ruggedized External Hard Drive

ADATA

1TB Anti-Shock External Hard Drive