An external hard drive as we all know is a device used to extend the storage capacity of your PC. In that it allows you to save games (console or laptop), movies, music, and photographs, giving more space for files that can be edited.
When it comes to gaming, getting an external hard drive is very essential as it can help you store the gaming files of your PS4, XBOX ONE, or PC so they can be copied again later on if needed.
Trying to figure out an ideal external hard drive for gaming consoles and laptops can be quite challenging, I have been there so I can tell. To save you from stress I have made a list of the 5 best external hard drives for gaming laptops and consoles that you can bank on without having to break the bank.
Table of Contents
How Many TB Do I Need for Gaming?
The needing for getting an external HDD is to improve the storage device, Estimated 1TB gets you up to 25 games with a large file size installed and still be left with some more space to get other files.
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Do Games Run Better on External Hard Drive?
Over the last few years, the performance of external HDDs has improved exponentially, with some even supporting 2GB/s of raw bandwidth. Therefore you can trust external hard drives to run your games smoothly and avoid choking up your smaller drive.
If You Are in a Hurry
Here is a quick view of the BEST, MY PICK, and BUDGET-FRIENDLY HDD;
List Of 5 Best External HDD For Gaming
All of the external hard drives I will be listing in this guide will be “easy installation, plug, and play.”
1. Seagate FireCuda Gaming External HDD (STKL2000400)
Color: Black
Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB, 8TB, 16TB.
Style: External HDD.
Might be a little be pricey nevertheless Seagate FireCuda Gaming External HDD is an ideal storage device for all gamers out there. The External hard drive is available in various storage devices ranging from 500GB up to 16TB and it is also made available in SSD, gaming docks, and hubs. Have in mind that these variations also mean differences in pricing.
The Seagate gaming external Hard drive is compatible with all gaming consoles, while laptops, Mac, and Razer chroma RGB are not left out. It operates on USB 3.2 technology which means you should expect a Read Speed of 120 Megabytes Per Second thereabout.
With a 2.5 inches form you can tell that the design is brilliant as it comes in a bold and refined design, crafted to complement gaming Battlestations, and you can light things up when you Create an epic gaming atmosphere with the built-in customizable RGB LED lighting.
Current Price: $74.99 view on amazon
2. WD_BLACK – WDBA2W0020BBK-WESN
Color: Black.
Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 5TB.
Style: Game drive.
Western Digital (WD Black) is a P10 Game Drive specifically created for PC and console gamers who are running out of disk space. The Portable External Hard Drive is Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac. The storage device is available in capacities of up to 5TB that can hold up to 125 games with more still storage for other media files.
The device comes with an 18-inch (457mm) USB Type-A to Micro-B cable, With the USB 3.0 technology you get a SuperSpeed of up to 5Gbps which may also depend on cable length. It has a cache size of 2, while the Premium HDD with 3-year limited warranty is the real bonus takeaway.
List Price: $89.99 | Current Price: $69.99 | You Save: $20.00 (22%) View on amazon
3. Toshiba Canvio Gaming – HDTX110XK3AA
The Toshiba Canvio Gaming External Hard Drive is a budget-friendly versatile gaming storage device that can be used across all gaming laptops and consoles. The portable HDD is available in various capacities of up to 4TB and its colors vary ranging from black, green, red, blue, and white.
Primarily Designed for Gaming Console (PlayStation, Xbox) featuring a firmware-customized “Always-On” mode for a responsive gaming experience. it can also serve as a backup device for PC, & Mac users. The USB 3.0 technology means you get to enjoy a super-high-speed transfer.
It’s sleek yet compact design means it can be moved around and you get to enjoy your game on the go. Just like WD_Black the Toshiba Canvio external HDD built for gamers comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s limited warranty. Undoubtedly the best budget external hard drive for gaming consoles and PC.
Current Price: $74.99 view on amazon
4. Western Digital (WD) – WDBM1M0040BBK-WESN
It’s no fluke that another WD product makes it into this list of best external hard drives for gaming pc or consoles. The Gaming Drive with a capacity of up to 4TB works with Playstation, Xbox, and gaming PC. Therefore you can trust it to expand your gaming experience.
In terms of style, it is black in color and wrapped on the side with a light flashy blue color to complement its sleek appearance. On the aspect of performance, a cache size of 4 and USB 3.0 mean you are gifting yourself a beast as you can expect an ultra transfer speed to aid your gaming experience.
If you want an external gaming HDD with a fast and easy setup that can be moved around easily, WDBM1M0040BBK-WESN should be in your cart already.
List Price: $129.99 | Current Price: $98.99 | You Save: $31.00 (24%) View on amazon
5. Silicon Power Game Drive A62
Color: Blue.
Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 5TB.
Style: Gaming HDD.
Compatible with PC and Mac enabling users to share files between different platforms, Silicon power game drive A62 was primarily built for gaming consoles such as PS5, PS4, Xbox One, etc. It Flexible cable-carry design for easy cable storage complements the Stylish and slim exterior design to ensure easy use at any point in time.
With a cache size of 2 and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface you get to enjoy an ultra-speed of 5GB per minute. Good thing is that it is backward compatible with USB 3.1 Gen1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0.
The device is available in different storage sizes from 1TB up to 5TB, also each storage size comes in 2 forms, one has come with a Type-C USB cable while the other is a normal cable, This means you can purchase either the normal 1TB or the 1TB type-c model. In terms of color, a mixture of black and blue is the only available one.
Current Price: $69.99 view on amazon
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Conclusion
Being a gamer myself I can tell how frustrating it can be when I run out of storage denying me the chance to get new games. Since external hard drives are so essential when it has to do with expansion this is why I walked the walk to come up with this list of best budget external hard drives for gaming consoles and laptops that are below $100 to make sure you enjoy your gaming experience without limitations.
You can choose from the list I have made for you above as they are links to the Amazon store where you can get them without hassle.
