Hard disk drives (HDDs) can get damaged when dropped. Solid state drives (SSDs) have limited read and write cycles. So what should you buy when you want a portable drive that's tough and will store your data safely?

Manufacturers have an entire class of different toughened drives, meant for people who travel a lot or lead adventurous lifestyles. To ensure your data remains safe and secure, consider one of these long-lasting external drives.

Here are the most durable portable hard drives and SSDs you can buy today.

Other World Computing (OWC) is no stranger to making high-quality Mac accessories, and the Envoy Pro EX is no different. It's a rugged external drive that leverages the faster bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3 and NVMe technology to provide fast transfer speeds ideal for demanding workflows such as video editing.

The drive can reach excellent speeds of up to 2,800MB/s, so copying raw 8K footage or a day's worth of photos takes only seconds. The small, compact design is excellent for portability. You can throw the SSD in your bag and have it with you on all of your adventures.

The build quality on this drive is excellent, meeting MIL-STD810G drop protection standards. It has a shock-absorbing bumper to survive the bangs and drops when used outdoors. Since it's an SSD, there are no moving parts, helping it last longer than mechanical hard drives.

Key Features
  • Up to 2,800MB/s transfer speeds
  • Rugged MIL-STD810G drop test certified
  • Shock absorbing bumper
Specifications
  • Brand: OWC
  • Capacity: 1TB
  • Power: USB-powered
  • Speed: 2,800MB/s
  • Connection: Thunderbolt 3
  • Portable: Yes
Pros
  • Extremely fast
  • Compact and durable
  • Solid, rugged build quality
Cons
  • Shorter, integrated cable
Buy This Product
OWC Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3
Editors choice

2. LaCie Rugged SSD

9.40 / 10
Read Reviews

LaCie is one of the most durable hard drive brands on the market, and its Rugged SSD strikes the best balance between durability, performance, and price.

The drive comes with 9.8-foot drop protection, crush resistance for up to 4,000 pounds, and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, making it an ideal option for harsh weather conditions.

Performance is excellent. The Rugged SSD is fast and responsive, with speeds of up to 1050MB/s. In addition, the included AES-256 hardware encryption keeps your data secure, making the Rugged SSD one of the most durable and reliable portable SSDs.

Key Features
  • IP67 waterproof rating
  • 9.8-foot drop protection
  • AES-256 hardware encryption
Specifications
  • Brand: LaCie
  • Capacity: 500GB
  • Power: USB-powered
  • Speed: 1,050MB/s
  • Connection: USB 3.1 Gen2 (USB-C)
  • Portable: Yes
Pros
  • Highly durable and weather-resistant
  • Faster transfer speeds
  • Built-in security
Cons
  • Included cables are short
Buy This Product
LaCie Rugged SSD

The Silicon Power Armor A30 is the most durable external hard drive you can buy without breaking the bank. It has a specially designed rubber enclosure to give it long-lasting protection against drops and bumps.

The drive meets military-grade MIL-STD-810G standards, meaning it can withstand drops up to 9.8 feet and harsh environmental conditions, including vibration and humidity. The Armor A30 is pocket-sized and great for portability.

It offers plenty of storage space with capacities up to 2TB, ideal for storing large files and backups. The drive has a USB-C connector, but it comes with USB-C and USB-A cables so that you can use it with just about any laptop or desktop.

Key Features
  • Shock-resistant design
  • MIL-STD-810G drop protection
Specifications
  • Brand: Silicon Power
  • Capacity: 1TB
  • Power: USB-powered
  • Speed: 120MB/s
  • Connection: USB 3.0 (USB-C)
  • Portable: Yes
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Shock and drop resistance
  • Includes USB-A and USB-C cables
  • Pocket size
Cons
  • No water or dust resistance
Buy This Product
Silicon Power Armor A30

If you're looking for a compact, durable portable SSD with outstanding performance, you'll want to consider the CalDigit Tuff Nano. At 2.99 x 2.14 x 0.57 inches and 0.163lbs, it's lightweight and small enough to fit in your pocket. But the best part is the level of durability and protection you get for such a tiny drive.

With an IP67 rating, the drive can survive splashes and up to 3.3 feet underwater for 30 minutes. It's also dustproof and shockproof, capable of withstanding drops up to 9.8 feet without any harm, making it more durable.

The Tuff Nano is also impressive in performance, offering speeds of up to 1,055MB/s and 1TB of storage. It's suitable for creative pros on the go, Mac users, and anyone looking for a fast, portable backup external drive. The drive comes preformatted for macOS, but it is also compatible with Windows.

Key Features
  • IP67 water and dust protection
  • Drop protection up to 9.8 feet
  • Removable cable
  • Comes pre-formatted for macOS
Specifications
  • Brand: CalDigit
  • Capacity: 512GB
  • Power: USB-powered
  • Speed: 1,055MB/s
  • Connection: USB 3.2 Gen2 (USB-C)
  • Portable: Yes
Pros
  • Tiny design is easy to carry
  • Highly durable
  • Fast performance
  • USB-C and USB-A cables included
Cons
  • Limited capacities available
Buy This Product
CalDigit Tuff Nano

If you're looking for a durable external drive for your Mac but don't want to break the bank, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD could be the best option for you. It's more affordable and comes with a USB-C port and speeds of up to 1,050MB/s, allowing you to edit photos or videos right from the drive or transfer massive files within seconds.

The drive is designed for creators on the go. Its small, compact silicone-wrapped aluminum body with a secure carry clip loop makes it easy to carry it with you around different locations. It can withstand a six-foot drop, rain, and dust, making it ideal for those who need to transfer files quickly when shooting or filming.

However, this drive might get damaged when you immerse it because the USB-C port is exposed and not protected in any way. So, ensure the port is dry and clean before use.

While Western Digital makes a second version of the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD with faster 2,000MB/s speeds, we don't recommend it for Macs because the Thunderbolt 3 ports only support USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 1,050Mb/s) speeds. You'll need a laptop with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support to use it to its full potential.

Key Features
  • IP55 rating for water and dust resistance
  • 3.3lbs shock resistance
  • Capacity options up to 2TB
Specifications
  • Brand: Western Digital
  • Capacity: 1TB
  • Power: USB-powered
  • Speed: 1,050MB/s
  • Connection: USB 3.1 Gen2 (USB-C)
  • Portable: Yes
Pros
  • Compact and portable
  • Excellent performance
  • Designed to withstand shock, water, and dust
  • Includes USB-A and USB-C cables
Cons
  • Exposed USB port
Buy This Product
SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD

If you want something stable and highly durable, the LaCie Rugged Mini might be the perfect portable hard drive for you. LaCie has become a stalwart of reliable and durable external drives in the market, and its Rugged Mini is no exception.

With capacities up to 5TB, it's an excellent choice if you have many files and don't intend to buy another hard drive soon. Performance cannot compare to an SSD, but it's still impressive. There is a lot of value to be had here, considering the price and all the features combined.

In true LaCie's fashion, you're getting a drop-proof, shockproof, dust and rain-resistant external drive, making it ideal for outdoorsy people and creators in the field. This drive can survive a fall of up to four feet and crush resistance of up to 2,000lbs. Accidentally dropping your hard drive on the floor won't do any damage.

Key Features
  • Four-foot drop resistance
  • 2,000lbs crush resistance
  • Rain resistance
Specifications
  • Brand: LaCie
  • Capacity: 5TB
  • Power: USB-powered
  • Speed: 130MB/s
  • Connection: USB 3.0
  • Portable: Yes
Pros
  • Ultra small
  • Durable
  • High capacity
Cons
  • Slow speeds
Buy This Product
LaCie Rugged Mini

The G-Technology ArmorATD is the most shockproof external hard drive you can buy. It has three layers of physical protection. Internal shock mounts, an aluminum enclosure, and a protective rubber bumper combine to provide crush resistance of up to 1000lbs and drop protection of up to 3.9 feet on a concrete floor.

Additionally, the hard drive is dust and water-resistant for added durability. Western Digital markets the ArmorATD as an all-terrain portable hard drive, and it truly lives up to its name. You can take this drive anywhere for your digital storage needs and productivity.

The ArmorATD is also impressive when it comes to raw transfer speeds, hitting speeds up to 140MB/s. It's not that fast compared to an SSD, but you get higher storage capacity for a lot less. The drive works on both macOS and Windows without needing any reformatting.

Key Features
  • Triple-layer shock resistance
  • 1,000lbs crush rating
  • Rain and dust resistance
  • Up to 5TB capacities and 140MB/s speeds
Specifications
  • Brand: Western Digital
  • Capacity: 1TB
  • Power: USB-powered
  • Speed: 140MB/s
  • Connection: USB 3.1 (USB-C)
  • Portable: Yes
Pros
  • Highly durable and reliable
  • Drop protection and crush resistance
  • Works with both macOS and Windows out of the box
  • Includes USB-A and USB-C cables
Cons
  • Could be faster
Buy This Product
G-Technology ArmorATD

FAQ

Q: Is a Hard Drive Durable?

Hard drives are durable under normal circumstances, but when you drop or bump them multiple times or expose them to harsh conditions, the drive can be damaged. If you travel a lot or use your drive in rough environments, you'll want to invest in a tough, rugged hard drive.

Q: Is SSD or HDD Better for Long-Term Storage?

While SSDs are generally more durable than HDDs because they have no moving parts, HDDs are better for long-term storage. When SSDs are stored for a long time without being used (plugged into a PC), they slowly start to lose the charge that defines bits in flash. Without this charge, your SSD loses its memory. Also, if your SSD is powered, a sudden power outage or failure can corrupt your entire SSD.

On the other hand, HDDs can retain memory for over ten years, and you don't have to worry about memory fading. It can stay unplugged for years while keeping your data safe.

However, the downside with HDDs is that they are more susceptible to damage when exposed to extreme temperature and heat, magnetical interference, and other harsh conditions. They need to be stored under normal, suitable conditions.

SSDs are better for long-term storage in extreme and harsh environments. Also, if you'll be plugging the drive very often, an SSD is suitable. Just make sure to use stable power. You'll get the most of your SSD if you don't edit or write data often, as this reduces its life span.

Q: Why Do External Hard Drives Fail?

External hard drives fail when exposed to harsh and severe conditions, such as extreme temperatures and heat, magnetic interference, shock, humidity, and water damage. A hard drive is likely to fail in everyday situations due to accidental drops damaging the platters.