Best External hard drive malaysia 2021
Best of Tech Malaysia

10 Best External Hard Drives in Malaysia | Best of Tech 2023

Whether you’re a professional photographer, an IT worker, or a regular gamer, having an external hard drive will make your life easier. It makes transferring large data easier without eating out your internet data. Not to mention it’s also slower when sending large files through the internet. Besides that, external hard drives are also made to last a long time and can be a great backup of your data in case your PC or laptop is broken. With an extensive variety of external hard drives available in the market, which then is the best external hard drive in Malaysia? In our Best of Tech series, we have curated the latest 10 Best External Hard Drives in Malaysia, providing quality recommendations to suit your budget and lifestyle. For the ultimate guides, also check out our best micro SD Card and cheap laptop recommendations!

This article was last updated on 04 January 2023.

Table of contents 

10 Best External Hard Drives in Malaysia

1. Seagate Backup Plus Slim

Seagate Backup Plus Slim External Hard Drives Malaysia

Good for overall use

Featured in TechRadar and Expert Reviews as the best external hard drive in 2021, the Seagate Backup Plus is a great HDD for regular uses. It offers large size storage without a hefty price tag, with the largest 5TB capacity available at just around RM500 at the time of writing. Even better, it doesn’t sacrifice performance as it still offers up tp 151MB/sec read and 134MB/sec write speed in a test by Expert Reviews, which is a great bargain for the price. 

A compact size that easily slips into your pocket

Like its name, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is now available in a more compact size that easily slips into your bag or pocket. The look isn’t bad either, giving you a fabric-covered design that doesn’t look like an old, ageing drive. Although there are only USB-C and USB-3 options, it works great for both Windows and Mac and comes with a 2-month free Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan. 

If a super high transfer speed doesn’t matter to you, and you don’t need the frills of high-end features, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the best external hard drive in Malaysia for overall use for us. 

Why buy this:
  • Good for regular use
  • Good speed performance for its price
  • Modern design
  • 2-month Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

2.  Samsung T5 SSD

Samsung T5 SSD

An unbeatable speed

If you’re looking for the fastest external storage you find, there’s none that comes close to the Samsung T5 SSD. Comes in a form as small as a flash drive, this SSD is faster than any flash drive, yet offers the capacity of a hard drive. The latest update offers up to 1TB of capacity option with a speedy performance of up to 540MB/sec, allowing you to transfer large-sized data including 4K videos and hi-res photos at a much faster time. And if you use the USB 3.2, it goes up to a whopping 10Gbps speed!

The Samsung T5 SSD is a compact and sleek external SSD, with a chic aluminium finish, sleek casing, and elegantly curved sides. It’s also as tough as it looks, with the ability to handle drops of up to 2 metres and has a new AES 256-bit hardware encryption to keep your data secure. 

With such a perfect combination of speed, reliability, and portability, the Samsung T5 SSD comes at a hefty price. But if you’re willing to pay more, it’s worth more than it’s priced!

Why buy this:
  • Fastest transfer speed with USB 3.2
  • Compact design with a chic aluminium finish
  • AES 256-bit hardware encryption 
  • 3-year limited warranty
Check price on Shopee > 

3. SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD

SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD

Portable storage that’s tough as nails

The SanDisk Extreme Pro is great for a traveller looking for speedy storage that can also withstand harsh conditions. Featured in Tomsguide and Digital Trends as the best portable external hard drive in 2021, it offers everything you need from premium external storage, a good-looking design, performance, and tough build quality. The only drawback is a high price tag, but if you want your data safe during travel, it’s definitely a reliable option. 

Available with the new USB 3.2 connector, it’s claimed to offer up to 2,000/2,000Mbps write/read speed, so you can enjoy a faster post-production process as a travel photographer. At the same time, the silicone rubber coating and a forged aluminium chassis ensure utmost protection during travel, while the IP5 water and dust resistance keep your data secure when the weather isn’t friendly. Lastly, it comes in a 5-year warranty for peace of mind. 

Why buy this:
  • Portable design with extreme durability
  • 2000Mbps transfer speed
  • Silicone rubber coating for added protection
  • 5-year limited warranty
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

4. Adata HD710 Pro

Adata HD710 Pro

A more affordable all-weather external hard drive

Named as the best external HDD for outdoor by TechRadar, the Adata HD710 Pro Durable takes protective design to a new level. Not only it’s IP68 rated that can withstand water submersion of down to 1.5m for 30 minutes, it also has military-grade shockproofing that easily survives falls from 1.5m. No matter where you go, whether it’s diving, hiking, biking, or simply a quick off-trail stroll, it ensures your data is always safe and secure. 

But it’s no more than a tough design, the Adata HD710 Pro Durable also offers a reliable speed. When used with the USB 3.1 connector, you can enjoy up to 5Gbps transfer speed, which is really great considering its affordable price. Furthermore, you also can choose a variety of storage sizes, with up to 4TB maximum capacity that’s suitable for various needs. In addition, we also really like the nifty cable management that goes around its shell, which can be useful to avoid tangles when stored in your backpack. 

Why buy this:
  • Superior build quality with affordable price
  • USB 3.1 for up to 5Gbps transfer speed
  • Nifty cable design
  • IP68 rating
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

5. Western Digital My Cloud Home

Western Digital My Cloud Home External Hard Drives Malaysia

 

A personal cloud that you can access from anywhere

Rather than paying for a premium cloud every month, the WD Western Digital My Cloud Home offers a better option for those who want additional storage that can be accessed from anywhere. Offering up to 8TB choice of capacity, this Western Storage is easy to set up even from your smartphone. Once you create your account, you can access it whether from anywhere, from your web browser, mobile and desktop app, or sync it with Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. Besides that, you can also connect it for faster transfer speed when you’re at home or office. 

Why buy this:
  • Can be accessed from anywhere
  • Up to 8TB capacity
  • Easy to set up
  • Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0 option
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

6. Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD

Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD

Another speedy portable choice with a price to pay

The Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD is a high-end external storage choice, offering a perfect marriage of speed and portability. Comes with up to 2TB capacity, this Kingston series offers up to a whopping 2000Mbps read/write speed. A definite lightning speed in a portable storage device! It is, however, required a device compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 to get its full potential. So you can put your hope aside if you have older devices. But it’s also optimised for PS5, so you can keep both your work and game files on the same drive. 

Not only it offers a compact and pocketable design, the IP55 rating means it’s resistant to dust and water nozzle. But keep in mind that it’s not waterproof, so you still have to keep it protected under the rain. 

Why buy this:
  • Small, portable design
  • Upgraded USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
  • Up to 2000Mbps transfer rate
  • Resistant to water and dust, and rubber case resistant to shock
  • Optimised for PS5
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

7. Seagate LaCie Rugged

Seagate LaCie Rugged External Hard Drives Malaysia

A durable one for everyday uses

The Seagate LaCie Rugged, like its name, is another great option for a durable external hard drive in Malaysia. It may not be as tough as the more expensive SanDisk Extreme Pro, but it’s strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday uses. The shock-absorbent case is able to withstand drops from up to 1.2meters, and the pressure-resistant rating means it’s safe in the rain. 

Moreover, you’ll also enjoy peace of mind thanks to the automatic data recovery option to backup your data when something goes wrong. And, like other Seagate external hard drives, it comes with a one-month free Adobe Creative Cloud membership. 

Why buy this:
  • Drop, crush, and rain-resistant
  • Automatic backup software
  • USB 3.0 Type-C, Thunderbolt and Firewire connectivity
  • One month Adobe Creative Cloud membership
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

8. Seagate Desktop Hub Backup Plus

Seagate Desktop Hub Backup Plus

Best for desktop

Need large external storage to backup your PC internal storage? Featured in Wirecutter as the best external desktop hard drive in 2021, the Seagate Desktop Hub Backup Plus is a no-brainer option. Although it sacrifices portability, this hard drive offers up to a whopping 14TB capacity and comes with a speedy USB 3.0 port. This, in fact, gives you a faster transfer rate than that standard internal storage that can make a difference when you’re working with large 4K files and high-quality photos. 

In addition, you’ve also got 2 additional ports at the front that can come in handy when you need to charge some devices while working. 

Why buy this:
  • Large capacity option
  • Good for high-quality files
  • Additional two USB ports at the front
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

9. Seagate Game Drive

Seagate Game Drive

Best for PS4

You basically can use any external hard drive to support your PlayStation internal storage. But, nothing is better than the Seagate Game Drive for full-speed gaming at home. Specially built and tested for PS4 and PS4 Pro, this hard drive offers a capacity of up to more than 50 games. Thus, you can easily keep classic games while getting room to add new releases to your collection. 

This drive takes only 3 simple minutes to set up, and you’re ready to go with a full-speed transfer rate that’s as fast as any built-in internal storage of a PlayStation. 

Why buy this:
  • Officially licensed for PS4 system
  • Capacity to install over 50 games
  • High-speed USB 3.0 means full-speed gaming
  • Takes only 3 minutes to set up
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

10. Western Digital My Passport

Western Digital My Passport

Best budget

If you’re looking for something that’s easy for your wallet, look no other than the Western Digital My Passport series. This compact hard drive offers up to 5TB capacity, with the 4TB just costing around RM450 at the time of writing. What makes it an even better bargain is the added USB 3.2 connectivity, allowing you to get a faster transfer rate without costing big bucks. In addition, it also features 256-bit AES hardware encryption, which allows you to set a personalised password and get a data recovery option. 

Why buy this:
  • Budget price with a large capacity option
  • Compact and lightweight
  • USB 3.2 support
  • 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Check price on Shopee and Lazada > 

 

Related readings:

FAQ

Which is the best brand for external hard drives in Malaysia?

Seagate is one of the best brands for external hard drives, thanks to their reliable quality and price that beats its competitors. But if you’re looking for an external hard drive with unbeatable speed, Samsung is the brand to look for.

Where to buy an external hard drive in Malaysia?

You used to only be able to buy an external hard drive in Malaysia in retail stores, but now you can purchase them online for the ultimate convenience and even enjoy discounted prices! Lazada and Shopee are my go-to for tech products. It is also a great place to compare the price of external hard drives in Malaysia. 

 

We hope that our guide on the 10 Best External Hard Drives in Malaysia will help you to buy the best external hard drive in Malaysia. Do also read our other buying guides too. Please do share this along with your friends if you have found this useful. Do look forward to more buying guides that we will be releasing soon!


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