# Which external hard drives have a good balance of price and portability for on-the-go use? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

Which external hard drives have a good balance of price and portability for on-the-go use?

## Products

### Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 Gen 2 1TB (MU-PC1T0T/AM)
```yaml
product: samsung-portable-ssd-t7-usb-3-2-gen-2-1tb-mu-pc1t0t-am
brand: Samsung
price_gbp: 144.34
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
weight: 0.13lbs
warranty: 3 Years Limited
dimensions: Height 2.2in, Width 3.4in, Depth 0.3in
power_supply: USB Cable
interface_type: USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2)
transfer_speed: 1050MB/s
storage_capacity: 1TB
```

- **Price:** £144.34 [^1]
- **Summary:** Samsung Portable SSD T7 (MU-PC1T0T/AM) is a portable 1TB external SSD that connects via USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2) for fast transfers up to 1050MB/s read. It is lightweight and compact, making it well-suited for moving files on the go, while using hardware AES 256-bit encryption. The T7 is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
- **Ideal For:** It offers a strong price-to-portability balance because it's a 0.13lbs portable drive with USB 3.2 Gen2 over USB-C and speeds up to 1050MB/s for quick transfers while traveling.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2], [^3]

### Western Digital WD My Passport, Works with USB-C - 6TB (My Passport going forward)
```yaml
product: western-digital-wd-my-passport-works-with-usb-c-6tb-my-passport-going-forward
brand: Western Digital
price_gbp: 199.04
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
weight: 0.52lb
warranty: 3-Year Limited Warranty
dimensions: 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.81 in
power_supply: USB-powered
interface_type: USB 3.2 Gen 1
transfer_speed: up to 5Gb/s
storage_capacity: 6TB
```

- **Price:** £199.04 [^4]
- **Summary:** WD My Passport, Works with USB-C - 6TB is a portable 2.5 external HDD with USB 3.2 Gen 1 (adapter included) and built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection. It's bus-powered, making it convenient for on-the-go backups and file storage. The included WD software supports device management and backups.
- **Ideal For:** A 6TB portable, USB-powered HDD with USB 3.2 Gen 1 and transfer rate up to 5Gb/s is a strong price-and-portability balance for on-the-go storage, especially when you want a lightweight drive that still supports USB-C with the included adapter.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5], [^6]

### Seagate One Touch external SSD 2TB (STKG2000400)
```yaml
product: seagate-one-touch-external-ssd-2tb-stkg2000400
brand: Seagate
price_gbp: 493.82
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
weight: 74 g
warranty: 3-year limited warranty
dimensions: 50 mm x 70 mm x 10.6 mm
power_supply: USB bus
interface_type: USB Type C
transfer_speed: 1030MB/s
storage_capacity: 2TB
```

- **Price:** £493.82 [^7]
- **Summary:** The Seagate One Touch external SSD (2TB, STKG2000400) is a USB-powered, travel-ready drive designed for fast file transfers up to 1030MB/s. It uses USB Type-C connectivity and is compatible across common platforms including Windows and Mac. It's well-suited for backing up and moving large photo and video libraries on the go.
- **Ideal For:** It's a 2TB portable SSD that's bus-powered (USB bus) and compact at 50 mm x 70 mm x 10.6 mm with 74 g weight, while offering up to 1030MB/s transfers over USB Type-C-good price and portability balance for on-the-go storage.
- **Additional Sources:** [^8], [^9]

### LaCie LaCie Rugged SSD4 4TB
```yaml
product: lacie-lacie-rugged-ssd4-4tb
brand: LaCie
price_gbp: 1124.39
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
weight: 109 grams
warranty: 3 years
dimensions: 105 x 67 x 18 mm
interface_type: USB4 (40 Gbps)
transfer_speed: Up to 4000 MB/s read and up to 3800 MB/s write
storage_capacity: 4TB
```

- **Price:** £1124.39 [^10]
- **Summary:** LaCie Rugged SSD4 4TB is a rugged portable external SSD built for on-the-go workflows, with USB4 (40 Gbps) connectivity for very fast file transfers. It's rated for dust and water resistance (IP54) and is built to withstand drops. It suits creators who need high-speed storage in challenging environments, like photographers and filmmakers.
- **Ideal For:** It offers up to 4,000 MB/s read and up to 3,800 MB/s write via USB4, while weighing about 109 grams and using a compact 105 x 67 x 18 mm body for practical portability.

### CORSAIR EX300U 1TB USB Type-C External SSD (EX300U family)
```yaml
product: corsair-ex300u-1tb-usb-type-c-external-ssd-ex300u-family
brand: CORSAIR
price_gbp: 124.21
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
weight: 0.098 kg
warranty: 3 Years
dimensions: 64.3 x 64 x 12 mm
power_supply: Bus Powered
interface_type: USB 3.2 Gen2
transfer_speed: 1100 MB/s
storage_capacity: 1 TB
```

- **Price:** £124.21 [^11]
- **Summary:** The CORSAIR EX300U is a pocketable USB Type-C external SSD designed for fast, on-the-go transfers and backups. It offers sequential read and write speeds up to 1100 MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen2 and is MagSafe-compatible for easy mounting to supported iPhone models. It suits mobile creators and anyone moving large files between laptops and phones.
- **Ideal For:** It balances portability with speed by using a USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C connection rated up to 1100 MB/s in a 64.3 x 64 x 12 mm, 0.098 kg drive that runs bus power and includes a MagSafe-compatible magnetic ring, making it easy to carry while still offering high transfer performance.
- **Additional Sources:** [^12], [^13]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Best Buy, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.bestbuy.com/product/samsung-t7-1tb-external-usb-3-2-gen-2-portable-ssd-with-hardware-encryption-titan-gray/J3ZYGCQG8H
[^2]: ABT, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.abt.com/Samsung-1TB-T7-USB-3-2-Gray-Portable-SSD-MUPC1T0TAM/p/178302.html
[^3]: CDW, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.cdw.com/product/samsung-portable-ssd-t7-mu-pc1t0t-solid-state-drive-1-tb-usb-3-2-gen/6171776
[^4]: B&H, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1830144-REG/wd_wdby3j0060bgy_wesn_6tb_my_passport_usb_c.html
[^5]: Best Buy, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.bestbuy.com/product/wd-my-passport-6tb-external-usb-3-0-portable-hard-drive-black/JXTHCC74XF
[^6]: Newegg, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.newegg.com/model-wdby3j0060bgy-wesn-6tb-usb-c-usb-3-2-gen-1-usb-3-0/p/N82E16822234569
[^7]: Connection, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.connection.com/product/seagate-2tb-one-touch-usb-c-portable-solid-state-drive-black/stkg2000400/41285903
[^8]: Vuugo, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.vuugo.com/product/seagate-one-touch-stkg2000400/
[^9]: Best Buy, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.bestbuy.com/product/seagate-one-touch-2tb-external-usb-c-portable-ssd-with-rescue-data-recovery-services-black/J37C5H4GPW
[^10]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1919520-REG/lacie_stnd4000400_4tb_rugged_ssd4_usb4.html
[^11]: B&H, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1926437-REG/corsair_cssd_ex300u1tb_ex300u_usb_c_1tb_external.html
[^12]: CORSAIR, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/data-storage/cssd-ex300u1tb/ex300u-1tb-usb-type-c-external-ssd-cssd-ex300u1tb
[^13]: Scan.co.uk, accessed 2026-06-25. https://www.scan.co.uk/products/1tb-corsair-cssd-ex300u1tb-ex300u-usb-type-c-external-ssd-usb-32-gen2-type-c-1100mb-s-read-1100mb-s