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Best Rugged Hard Drives

Updated September 2021
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.

First Reviewed
September 24, 2021
51
Models
considered
10
Hours
researched
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Ade Hennis
Written by Ade Hennis

Updated September 2021

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.

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