{ "slug": "external-hard-drives", "name": "External Hard Drives", "root": "electronics", "unit": "GB", "unit_as_designed": null, "unit_note": "Use the listed total storage capacity in GB; convert TB to GB at 1 TB = 1,000 GB, and sum capacities across drives in a multi-pack.", "gpc": { "brick_code": "10001133", "brick": "Hard Disc Drives", "class": "Computer Drives", "family": "Computers/Video Games", "segment": "Computing" }, "google_product_category": { "id": 380, "path": "Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Storage Devices > Hard Drives" }, "taxonomy": { "shopify": { "id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "path": "Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Storage Devices > Hard Drives", "attributes": [ { "name": "Battery size", "handle": "battery-size", "values": [ "10", "13", "312", "395", "675", "14500", "16340", "18490", "18650", "21700", "1/2AA", "2/3AA", "1/3AAA", "2/3AAA", "1/3N", "4.5V", "6V", "9V", "12V", "3LR12", "4LR44", "4SR44", "6LR61", ">100Wh", "\u2264100Wh", "A", "A23", "A27", "AA", "AAA" ] }, { "name": "Battery type", "handle": "battery-type", "values": [ "Contained-detachable", "Contained-undetachable", "Disposable", "Rechargeable", "Standalone (included)", "Standalone (not-included)", "Other" ] }, { "name": "Color", "handle": "color", "values": [ "Beige", "Black", "Blue", "Bronze", "Brown", "Clear", "Gold", "Gray", "Green", "Multicolor", "Navy", "Orange", "Pink", "Purple", "Red", "Rose gold", "Silver", "White", "Yellow" ] }, { "name": "Connector gender", "handle": "connector-gender", "values": [ "Female", "Female to female", "Female to male", "Male", "Male to female", "Male to male", "Other" ] }, { "name": "Device interface", "handle": "device-interface", "values": [ "2.5 mm", "3.5 mm", "6.35 mm", "12G-SDI", "3G-SDI", "6G-SDI", "AUX", "Banana connector", "Binding post", "Bluetooth", "BNC", "Coaxial", "Coaxial (F-Type)", "Component video", "Composite video", "DIN", "Display port", "DVI", "DVI-I", "eSATA", "Ethernet", "Firewire", "HD-SDI", "HDMI", "I2C", "IDE (PATA)", "Infrared", "Lightning", "M.2", "Micro BNC" ] }, { "name": "Hard drive features", "handle": "hard-drive-features", "values": [ "AI-powered", "Backup software included", "Cloud backup integration", "Drive health monitoring", "Hot swappable", "Power saving", "RAID support", "Shockproof", "Smart support", "Temperature monitoring", "Vibration resistance", "Other" ] }, { "name": "Hard drive form factor", "handle": "hard-drive-form-factor", "values": [ "0.85 inch", "1 inch", "1.3 inch", "1.8 inch", "2.5 inch", "3.5 inch", "5.25 inch", "8 inch", "Other" ] }, { "name": "Hard drive installation", "handle": "hard-drive-installation", "values": [ "External", "Internal", "Other" ] }, { "name": "Material", "handle": "material", "values": [ "Acrylic", "Aluminum", "Angora", "Bamboo", "Biodegradable materials", "Brass", "Bronze", "Canvas", "Carbon", "Cardboard", "Cashmere", "Ceramic", "Chrome", "Clay", "Coir", "Concrete", "Copper", "Corduroy", "Cork", "Cotton", "Denim", "Fabric", "Faux fur", "Faux leather", "Felt", "Fiberglass", "Flannel", "Fleece", "Fur", "Glass" ] }, { "name": "Memory technology", "handle": "memory-technology", "values": [ "Asynchronous SRAM", "DDR", "DDR2", "DDR3", "DDR4", "DDR5", "DRAM", "EDO DRAM", "Flash", "FPM DRAM", "GDDR", "GDDR2", "GDDR3", "GDDR4", "GDDR5", "GDDR6", "GDDR6X", "HBM", "HBM2", "HBM2E", "HBM3", "NAND flash", "NOR flash", "NVRAM", "PLC", "Pseudo SRAM", "QLC", "RDRAM", "SDR SDRAM", "SDRAM" ] }, { "name": "Pattern", "handle": "pattern", "values": [ "Abstract", "Animal", "Art", "Bead & reel", "Birds", "Brick", "Bull's eye", "Camouflage", "Characters", "Checkered", "Chevron", "Chinoiserie", "Christmas", "Collage", "Coral", "Damask", "Diagonal", "Diamond", "Dog's tooth", "Dots", "Egg & dart", "Ethnic", "Everlasting knot", "Floral", "Fret", "Geometric", "Guilloche", "Hearts", "Illusion", "Lace" ] }, { "name": "Power source", "handle": "power-source", "values": [ "AC-powered", "Alcohol", "Batteries", "Battery-powered", "Butane", "Charcoal", "Cigar lighter", "DC-powered", "Diesel", "Ethanol", "Firewood", "Gasoline", "Hot water", "Hybrid", "Hydraulic", "Infrared", "Manual", "Mechanical", "Natural gas", "Oil", "Pellet", "Pneumatic", "Propane", "Rechargeable", "Solar", "USB", "Vehicle electrical system", "Other" ] }, { "name": "Storage drive interface type", "handle": "storage-drive-interface-type", "values": [ "eSATA", "FCAL", "HSDL", "IDE", "M.2", "Micro SATA", "Micro SATA II", "Micro SATA III", "Micro serial ATA", "Micro serial ATA II", "Micro serial ATA III", "Mini PCI express", "Mini ZIF", "mSATA", "NVMe", "NVMe 3.0", "Parallel ATA", "PCI express", "PCI express 2.0", "PCI express 3.0", "PCI express 3.1", "PCI express 4.0", "PCI express 5.0", "SAS", "SAS-2", "SAS-3", "SAS-4", "SATA", "SATA II", "SATA III" ] }, { "name": "Storage drive type installed", "handle": "storage-drive-type-installed", "values": [ "Cloud storage", "eMMC", "Hard disk drive (HDD)", "Hybrid drive (HDD/SSD)", "M.2 SSD", "NAS", "Optical drive", "PCIe/NVMe SSD", "RAID", "SATA SSD", "Solid-state drive (SSD)", "Other" ] } ] }, "google": { "id": 380, "path": "Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Storage Devices > Hard Drives" }, "gpc": { "brick_code": "10001133", "brick": "Hard Disc Drives", "class": "Computer Drives", "family": "Computers/Video Games", "segment": "Computing" } }, "fields": [ { "key": "storage_capacity_gb", "label": "Storage capacity", "type": "number", "unit": "GB", "values": null, "why_it_matters": "Determines how much data the drive can store and is the basis for price per GB." }, { "key": "hard_drive_installation", "label": "Installation", "type": "enum", "unit": null, "values": [ "External", "Internal", "Other" ], "why_it_matters": "Confirms the drive is intended for external use." }, { "key": "storage_drive_type_installed", "label": "Drive type", "type": "enum", "unit": null, "values": [ "Hard disk drive (HDD)", "Hybrid drive (HDD/SSD)", "Solid-state drive (SSD)", "Other" ], "why_it_matters": "HDDs generally offer lower cost per GB, while SSDs offer faster access and better resistance to shocks." }, { "key": "connection_interface", "label": "Connection interface", "type": "string", "unit": null, "values": null, "why_it_matters": "Affects transfer speed and whether the drive connects to the user's devices." }, { "key": "hard_drive_form_factor", "label": "Form factor", "type": "enum", "unit": null, "values": [ "0.85 inch", "1 inch", "1.3 inch", "1.8 inch", "2.5 inch", "3.5 inch", "5.25 inch", "8 inch", "Other" ], "why_it_matters": "Indicates the drive's size and can affect portability and power requirements." }, { "key": "hard_drive_features", "label": "Drive features", "type": "enum", "unit": null, "values": [ "AI-powered", "Backup software included", "Cloud backup integration", "Drive health monitoring", "Hot swappable", "Power saving", "RAID support", "Shockproof", "Smart support", "Temperature monitoring", "Vibration resistance", "Other" ], "why_it_matters": "Identifies extras such as backup tools, ruggedness, and monitoring that can justify a higher price." }, { "key": "power_source", "label": "Power source", "type": "enum", "unit": null, "values": [ "AC-powered", "DC-powered", "Battery-powered", "Other" ], "why_it_matters": "Shows whether the drive needs a separate power supply or can be powered portably." } ], "minimum_spec": { "description": "For general file storage and backup, choose an external drive with at least 1,000 GB of capacity. It should connect to the user's devices and may be an HDD or SSD.", "rules": [ { "key": "storage_capacity_gb", "op": ">=", "value": 1000 }, { "key": "hard_drive_installation", "op": "==", "value": "External" } ] }, "premium_dimensions": [ "storage_drive_type_installed", "connection_interface", "hard_drive_form_factor", "hard_drive_features", "power_source" ], "baseline": { "item_id": 240126, "name": "Seagate Game Drive", "unit_price": 0.046248, "retailer": "gamestop" }, "items": [ { "id": 98602, "name": "WD WD Elements External Hard Drive - 8 TB, Black", "brand": "WD", "gtin": "718037863634", "category": "external-hard-drives", "size": { "value": 1.0, "unit": "gb" }, "size_as_extracted": null, "unit_price_unit": "gb", "specs": {}, "standard_attributes": { "Color": "Black", "Hard drive installation": "External" }, "shopify_category_id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "meets_minimum_spec": null, "tier": null, "premium_note": null, "best": { "unit_price": 0.033, "price": 264.0, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/wd-elements-external-hard-drive-8-tb-black-10187746.html" }, "lowest_price": { "price": 264.0, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/wd-elements-external-hard-drive-8-tb-black-10187746.html" }, "size_missing": false, "unranked_reason": null, "offers": [ { "retailer": "currys-co", "retailer_id": "10187746", "gtin": "718037863634", "price": 264.0, "currency": "USD", "price_usd": 264.0, "unit_price": 0.033, "availability": "InStock", "in_stock": true, "seller": null, "first_party": null, "shipping": null, "size_text": null, "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/wd-elements-external-hard-drive-8-tb-black-10187746.html", "observed_at": "2026-10-09T12:10:20-04:00", "age_minutes_at_build": 18734 } ], "url": "/items/98602.json", "html": "/items/98602.html", "rank": 1, "premium": { "pct_over_baseline": -28.6, "spec_diffs": {}, "note": null } }, { "id": 212184, "name": "SEAGATE SEAGATE Expansion Desktop External Hard Drive - 16 TB, Black", "brand": "SEAGATE", "gtin": "3660619040469", "category": "external-hard-drives", "size": { "value": 1.0, "unit": "gb" }, "size_as_extracted": null, "unit_price_unit": "gb", "specs": {}, "standard_attributes": { "Color": "Black", "Hard drive installation": "External" }, "shopify_category_id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "meets_minimum_spec": null, "tier": null, "premium_note": null, "best": { "unit_price": 0.034373, "price": 549.97, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/seagate-expansion-desktop-external-hard-drive-16-tb-black-10231427.html" }, "lowest_price": { "price": 549.97, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/seagate-expansion-desktop-external-hard-drive-16-tb-black-10231427.html" }, "size_missing": false, "unranked_reason": null, "offers": [ { "retailer": "currys-co", "retailer_id": "10231427", "gtin": "3660619040469", "price": 549.97, "currency": "USD", "price_usd": 549.97, "unit_price": 0.034373, "availability": "InStock", "in_stock": true, "seller": null, "first_party": null, "shipping": null, "size_text": null, "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/seagate-expansion-desktop-external-hard-drive-16-tb-black-10231427.html", "observed_at": "2026-10-10T04:44:43-04:00", "age_minutes_at_build": 17740 } ], "url": "/items/212184.json", "html": "/items/212184.html", "rank": 2, "premium": { "pct_over_baseline": -25.7, "spec_diffs": {}, "note": null } }, { "id": 212284, "name": "WD WD My Passport Portable Hard Drive - 6 TB, Blue", "brand": "WD", "gtin": "718037910567", "category": "external-hard-drives", "size": { "value": 1.0, "unit": "gb" }, "size_as_extracted": null, "unit_price_unit": "gb", "specs": {}, "standard_attributes": { "Color": "Blue", "Hard drive installation": "External" }, "shopify_category_id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "meets_minimum_spec": null, "tier": null, "premium_note": null, "best": { "unit_price": 0.035832, "price": 214.99, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/wd-my-passport-portable-hard-drive-6-tb-blue-10310849.html" }, "lowest_price": { "price": 214.99, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/wd-my-passport-portable-hard-drive-6-tb-blue-10310849.html" }, "size_missing": false, "unranked_reason": null, "offers": [ { "retailer": "currys-co", "retailer_id": "10310849", "gtin": "718037910567", "price": 214.99, "currency": "USD", "price_usd": 214.99, "unit_price": 0.035832, "availability": "InStock", "in_stock": true, "seller": null, "first_party": null, "shipping": null, "size_text": null, "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/wd-my-passport-portable-hard-drive-6-tb-blue-10310849.html", "observed_at": "2026-10-10T04:47:33-04:00", "age_minutes_at_build": 17737 } ], "url": "/items/212284.json", "html": "/items/212284.html", "rank": 3, "premium": { "pct_over_baseline": -22.5, "spec_diffs": {}, "note": null } }, { "id": 210777, "name": "SEAGATE SEAGATE Expansion Portable Hard Drive - 4 TB, Black", "brand": "SEAGATE", "gtin": "3660619040254", "category": "external-hard-drives", "size": { "value": 1.0, "unit": "gb" }, "size_as_extracted": null, "unit_price_unit": "gb", "specs": {}, "standard_attributes": { "Color": "Black", "Hard drive installation": "External" }, "shopify_category_id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "meets_minimum_spec": null, "tier": null, "premium_note": null, "best": { "unit_price": 0.039993, "price": 159.97, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/seagate-expansion-portable-hard-drive-4-tb-black-10231100.html" }, "lowest_price": { "price": 159.97, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/seagate-expansion-portable-hard-drive-4-tb-black-10231100.html" }, "size_missing": false, "unranked_reason": null, "offers": [ { "retailer": "currys-co", "retailer_id": "10231100", "gtin": "3660619040254", "price": 159.97, "currency": "USD", "price_usd": 159.97, "unit_price": 0.039993, "availability": "InStock", "in_stock": true, "seller": null, "first_party": null, "shipping": null, "size_text": null, "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/seagate-expansion-portable-hard-drive-4-tb-black-10231100.html", "observed_at": "2026-10-10T04:19:09-04:00", "age_minutes_at_build": 17766 } ], "url": "/items/210777.json", "html": "/items/210777.html", "rank": 4, "premium": { "pct_over_baseline": -13.5, "spec_diffs": {}, "note": null } }, { "id": 240126, "name": "Seagate Game Drive", "brand": "Seagate", "gtin": null, "category": "external-hard-drives", "size": { "value": 4000.0, "unit": "GB" }, "size_as_extracted": null, "unit_price_unit": "GB", "specs": { "storage_capacity_gb": 4000, "hard_drive_installation": "External", "storage_drive_type_installed": "Hard disk drive (HDD)", "connection_interface": null, "hard_drive_form_factor": null, "hard_drive_features": "Other", "power_source": null }, "standard_attributes": { "Hard drive installation": "External" }, "shopify_category_id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "meets_minimum_spec": true, "tier": "mid", "premium_note": "The gaming-focused model is positioned for use with game systems.", "best": { "unit_price": 0.046248, "price": 184.99, "retailer": "gamestop", "url": "https://www.gamestop.com/gaming-accessories/memory/xbox-series-x%7Cs/products/seagate-game-drive-external-hard-drive---4tb/308763.html" }, "lowest_price": { "price": 184.99, "retailer": "gamestop", "url": "https://www.gamestop.com/gaming-accessories/memory/xbox-series-x%7Cs/products/seagate-game-drive-external-hard-drive---4tb/308763.html" }, "size_missing": false, "unranked_reason": null, "offers": [ { "retailer": "gamestop", "retailer_id": null, "gtin": null, "price": 184.99, "currency": "USD", "price_usd": 184.99, "unit_price": 0.046248, "availability": "InStock", "in_stock": true, "seller": "GameStop", "first_party": true, "shipping": { "text": "free shipping", "price": 0.0 }, "size_text": null, "url": "https://www.gamestop.com/gaming-accessories/memory/xbox-series-x%7Cs/products/seagate-game-drive-external-hard-drive---4tb/308763.html", "observed_at": "2026-10-10T04:22:41-04:00", "age_minutes_at_build": 17762 } ], "url": "/items/240126.json", "html": "/items/240126.html", "rank": 5 }, { "id": 210818, "name": "SANDISK SANDISK G-DRIVE ArmorATD Portable Hard Drive for Mac - 2 TB, Grey", "brand": "SANDISK", "gtin": "718037902647", "category": "external-hard-drives", "size": { "value": 1.0, "unit": "gb" }, "size_as_extracted": null, "unit_price_unit": "gb", "specs": {}, "standard_attributes": { "Color": "Gray", "Hard drive installation": "External" }, "shopify_category_id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "meets_minimum_spec": null, "tier": null, "premium_note": null, "best": { "unit_price": 0.067985, "price": 135.97, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/sandisk-gdrive-armoratd-portable-hard-drive-for-mac-2-tb-grey-10295300.html" }, "lowest_price": { "price": 135.97, "retailer": "currys-co", "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/sandisk-gdrive-armoratd-portable-hard-drive-for-mac-2-tb-grey-10295300.html" }, "size_missing": false, "unranked_reason": null, "offers": [ { "retailer": "currys-co", "retailer_id": "10295300", "gtin": "718037902647", "price": 135.97, "currency": "USD", "price_usd": 135.97, "unit_price": 0.067985, "availability": "InStock", "in_stock": true, "seller": null, "first_party": null, "shipping": null, "size_text": null, "url": "https://www.currys.co.uk/products/sandisk-gdrive-armoratd-portable-hard-drive-for-mac-2-tb-grey-10295300.html", "observed_at": "2026-10-10T04:19:30-04:00", "age_minutes_at_build": 17765 } ], "url": "/items/210818.json", "html": "/items/210818.html", "rank": 6, "premium": { "pct_over_baseline": 47.0, "spec_diffs": {}, "note": null } } ], "unranked_items": [ { "id": 173347, "name": "Lenovo D1224 Direct Attached Storage", "brand": "Lenovo", "gtin": null, "category": "external-hard-drives", "size": { "value": null, "unit": "GB" }, "size_as_extracted": null, "unit_price_unit": "GB", "specs": { "storage_capacity_gb": null, "hard_drive_installation": "External", "storage_drive_type_installed": null, "connection_interface": null, "hard_drive_form_factor": null, "hard_drive_features": null, "power_source": null }, "standard_attributes": { "Hard drive installation": "External" }, "shopify_category_id": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/el-7-9-14-4", "meets_minimum_spec": false, "tier": "basic", "premium_note": null, "best": null, "lowest_price": { "price": 0.0, "retailer": "lenovo", "url": "https://www.lenovo.com/dz/fr/p/servers-storage/storage/das/lenovo-storage-d1224/77x2crb1224" }, "size_missing": true, "unranked_reason": "size_missing", "offers": [ { "retailer": "lenovo", "retailer_id": "77X2CRB1224", "gtin": null, "price": 0.0, "currency": "USD", "price_usd": null, "unit_price": null, "availability": "InStock", "in_stock": true, "seller": null, "first_party": null, "shipping": null, "size_text": null, "url": "https://www.lenovo.com/dz/fr/p/servers-storage/storage/das/lenovo-storage-d1224/77x2crb1224", "observed_at": "2026-10-09T12:13:33-04:00", "age_minutes_at_build": 18731 } ], "url": "/items/173347.json", "html": "/items/173347.html" } ], "n_items": 7, "n_priced": 6, "url": "/categories/external-hard-drives.json", "html": "/categories/external-hard-drives.html" }