As demand for data storage surges, particularly driven by AI data centers, the cost of solid-state drives (SSDs) has skyrocketed. According to WIRED, SSDs have tripled in price in the past six months, with 8-TB models now costing more than a new MacBook Air, which itself has increased by $200 due to surging memory costs. For enterprises and consumers alike, traditional spinning hard drives remain a cost-effective alternative for backups, especially for incremental backups where speed is not critical.
Best for Backups
WIRED has tested dozens of drives across operating systems and recommends the Western Digital Elements desktop hard drive for its reliability and low cost. These drives require external power but offer storage options up to 20 terabytes. Testing on a Windows machine showed sequential write speeds of 120 megabytes per second (MB/s). The drives use USB-C with USB 3 support and work with Windows, macOS, and Linux. The basic Elements model is sufficient for most users, and there is little difference between it and the higher-end My Book line. WIRED advises checking prices, as 10- or 12-TB drives can sometimes cost only slightly more than 8-TB versions.
Another reliable option is the Seagate Expansion 8-TB External Hard Drive, priced at $280. WIRED suggests using drives from different brands for multiple backups to reduce the chance of simultaneous failure.
Best for Portable Backups
For travelers, WIRED recommends the Western Digital My Passport Ultra series, which uses a standard USB-C cord and comes in capacities from 1 TB to 6 TB. The tested 5-TB model delivered average read speeds of 121 MB/s and write speeds of 115 MB/s across Windows, macOS, and Linux benchmarks. While not suitable for rapid photo transfers in the field, it is fast enough for routine backups. The drive is less than an inch thick and features rounded corners to avoid snagging on bag fabric. However, it is a spinning drive, so it should be handled with care and never tossed.
| Drive Model | Type | Capacity Range | Max Speed (R/W) | Price (Example) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Digital Elements | Desktop (spinning) | Up to 20 TB | 120 MB/s write | ~$280 for 8 TB? |
| Seagate Expansion 8-TB | Desktop (spinning) | 8 TB | Comparable | $280 |
| Western Digital My Passport Ultra | Portable (spinning) | 1 TB–6 TB | 121/115 MB/s | Varies |
Note: The table above compiles data from WIRED's testing. Prices are as of the article's publication.
Updated Recommendations
In a July 2026 update, WIRED removed some discontinued drives and added the SanDisk G-Drive ArmorATD. The update notes that with SSD prices climbing, spinning drives are now more compelling than a year ago. Prices and links were also refreshed.
For organizations managing large data volumes, these external drives offer a pragmatic solution for on-site backup at a fraction of SSD costs. WIRED emphasizes that for incremental backups, speed is less important, and overnight backups on these drives will complete by morning for average PC workloads.
Sources:
