The 5 Best External hard drives under $600
Five external hard drives under $600, including WD 2TB Elements Portable and Western Digital 8TB Elements, compared by capacity, connectors and backup use.
Our top 5 external hard drives under $600
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for WindowsDetails ↓ | $131.90 | 4.7/5Amazon | Best overall |
02 Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive USBDetails ↓ | $399.99 | 4.5/5Amazon | Best for 8TB storage |
03 Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD USB 3.0 for PCDetails ↓ | $219.99 | 4.6/5Amazon | Best for 5TB storage |
04 WD 2TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defenseDetails ↓ | $132.10 | 4.6/5Amazon | Best for 2TB storage |
05 Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac SilverDetails ↓ | $294.99 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best for USB-C computers |
01 — Western Digital
Best overallWestern Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows
Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows lists 2TB HDD capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection for this external hard drive. External HDDs favor lower cost per terabyte but differ in cable type, power needs and included backup software. Check the advertised capacity, connector, warranty and whether the drive needs external power. WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows provides 2TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.2.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows provides 2TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.
Reasons to avoid
−2.
02 — Western Digital
Best for 8TB storageWestern Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive USB
Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive provides 8TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.0. Check the exact connector and cable against the computer or console, and format the drive only after copying off any existing files. A desktop enclosure may need separate power. Keep a second independent copy of important files; one external drive is not a complete backup.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive provides 8TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.
Reasons to avoid
−Costs $249.09 more than the least expensive pick in this guide.
03 — Seagate
Best for 5TB storageSeagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD USB 3.0 for PC
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC provides 5TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.0. Seagate's 5TB portable hard drive is the capacity-first option for a laptop owner storing large photo or video archives. It uses a mechanical disk, so expect slower access and more care in transit than with an SSD. I would check the supplied cable and file system, then keep another copy of anything important; one external drive is not a backup plan by itself.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.
Reasons to avoid
−Costs $99.09 more than the least expensive pick in this guide.
04 — WD
Best for 2TB storageWD 2TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense
WD 2TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense gives this external hard drive 2TB HDD capacity, password-protected backup. External HDDs favor lower cost per terabyte but differ in cable type, power needs and included backup software. Check the advertised capacity, connector, warranty and whether the drive needs external power. WD 2TB My Passport provides 2TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.1.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+WD 2TB My Passport provides 2TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.
Reasons to avoid
−1.
05 — Western Digital
Best for USB-C computersWD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver
WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver provides 5TB mechanical-disk storage through USB-C. Check the exact connector and cable against the computer or console, and format the drive only after copying off any existing files. A desktop enclosure may need separate power. Keep a second independent copy of important files; one external drive is not a complete backup.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver provides 5TB mechanical-disk storage through USB-C.
Reasons to avoid
−Costs $164.09 more than the least expensive pick in this guide.
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 17, 2026, 10:24 PM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — External hard drives under $600
01What is the best overall pick among these external hard drives under $600?+
The Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows is our first pick for this guide. Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows lists 2TB HDD capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection for this external hard drive. It offers the strongest overall balance for this use case.
02Which of these external hard drives under $600 is the budget-friendly choice?+
The Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver is our budget-friendly choice for the use case covered by this guide. Check its stated limitations and exact configuration before buying.
03Which of these external hard drives under $600 is the premium choice?+
The Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows is the premium option in this comparison. Consider it when its features and intended use match your priorities.
04How do the top two external hard drives under $600 recommendations compare?+
The Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows is our stronger overall fit for a relevant product with a fresh usd offer below $600. The Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive USB is another option for shoppers comparing external hard drive. It may not suit you if the linked size, configuration, fit or compatibility requirements do not match your use case.
05What should you look for when comparing external hard drives under $600?+
Start with a relevant product with a fresh usd offer below $600. We then compare , along with the limitations that could make a product unsuitable for your needs.
06Which option is best for shoppers comparing external hard drive?+
The Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive USB is our shortlist choice for shoppers comparing external hard drive. Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive provides 8TB mechanical-disk storage through USB 3.0. Skip it if the linked size, configuration, fit or compatibility requirements do not match your use case.
07When should you avoid the Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows?+
Compare its specifications and intended use with your needs. The other four recommendations cover different budgets, priorities and use cases.
08How should I choose among these external hard drives under $600?+
Start with the best-for and skip-if notes, then compare the specifications and trade-offs that matter for your use case.
09How did Few Better choose these external hard drives under $600?+
We evaluated five options against the exact search intent, a relevant product with a fresh usd offer below $600, relevant specifications, use cases and meaningful trade-offs. Affiliate commission does not determine inclusion or position.
10When was this buying guide last updated?+
This guide was last reviewed on 2026-10-17. Confirm the exact model, configuration and final details on Amazon before purchasing.
The short answer
Start with the Western Digital WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows.
It is our first pick for this guide’s exact scope. Choose another option when its stated use case or trade-off better matches yours.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
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