We compared two 2TB portable hard drives: the Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive and the WD My Passport 2TB.
What we looked at
Interface, security features, backup software, and price.
The verdict
If you want a simple, plug-and-play 2TB drive for less, the Seagate is the pick at £81.58, and it costs £28.41 less. If you would rather have 256-bit AES hardware encryption and backup software included, the WD My Passport is the alternative, at £109.99.
A £81.58 USB 3.0 plug-and-play drive with a 2-year warranty.
A £109.99 slim drive with 256-bit AES encryption and backup software.
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive (STGX2000400) — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a 2TB USB 3.0 portable external hard drive that works with Windows or Mac, with drag-and-drop backup, automatic recognition with no software required, and an included 18-inch USB 3.0 cable; the listing title adds a 2-year warranty with rescue services and an Adobe CC trial. Carries 4.5 stars from 266K ratings on this listing.
What we liked
- Cheaper than the WD My Passport on these listings, at £81.58
- Plug-and-play with no software required
- 2-year warranty with rescue services per the listing title
- Enormous review history (266K ratings)
Worth knowing
- No hardware encryption stated, unlike the WD My Passport
- Slightly lower star rating than the WD (4.5 vs 4.6)
Best for
- Buyers who want the lower price
- Anyone who wants simple drag-and-drop backup
- Those who want a 2-year warranty and rescue services
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want built-in password-protected encryption
- Anyone who wants bundled backup software
WD My Passport 2TB Portable External Hard Drive, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Blue) — Built-In Encryption
Intended for: Marketed as a slim 2TB portable external hard drive with SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection, backup software, a cable included, and a range of colours (this listing is Blue). Carries 4.6 stars from 105K ratings on this listing.
What we liked
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection
- Backup software included
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) connection
- Slightly higher star rating than the Seagate (4.6 vs 4.5)
Worth knowing
- Costs £28.41 more than the Seagate on these listings
- Encryption needs the WD software to be installed and set up
Best for
- Buyers who want to password-protect their data
- Anyone who wants bundled backup software
- Those who like a choice of colours
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Anyone who wants a drive that needs no software at all
