Best Encrypted Hard Drives

The portable encrypted hard drive is offered in several capacity options: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB. Such a choice allows you to use this drive as an expansion memory for your laptop or PC. This model is a perfect choice for those who need to carry the drive around. The reason is that the Apricorn A25-3PL256-1000 is powered via a USB interface and doesn't require any additional cables. Hence, you can connect your encrypted hard drive to any PC wherever you are.

The Apricorn A25-3PL256-1000 features great write (145 MB/sec) / read (160 MB/sec) speed and it boasts USB 3.0 support. But, just like other ordinary hard drives, this one shows the spindle rotation speed of 5400RPM and the cache memory of 8 Mb. It is quite enough for a convenient use of the drive. Additionally, the Apricorn A25-3PL256-1000 is suitable for connection to your TV. Now you can watch movies right from the drive and be sure that a video will be reproduced without lags.

The SecureData SecureDriveBT is many things. First and foremost, the model is about as secure and protected as they come. But the difference here is that this encrypted hard drive is also a lot more practical and convenient than your average device like that.

As far as we're aware, this is the only encrypted HDD on the market today that is compatible with the DataLock user authentication app. The app is available for Android and iOS. Using this application, you'll be able to lock and unlock your encrypted drive remotely.

Another not-so-little detail here that separates the model is the fact that it doesn't just protect and secure your data but crypto parameters and user data as well. The HDD comes equipped with an independent processor, cryptoprocessor, and many other security components that are able to create an impenetrable virtual shield.

Every vital electronics' piece here is covered with a tough epoxy coating, practically cementing these critical components in an indistinguishable solid capsule.

It is a smart move on the manufacturer's part because, while this material (epoxy) is virtually impossible to remove without critically damaging the independent components, it doesn't affect each components' functionality nor reduce the overall performance. The "only" thing it does is make these electronics impossible to separate and reverse engineer.

Long story short, the SecureData SecureDriveBT comes armed with every single protection feature and security system in the book. On top of that, the model incorporates its very own means of shielding your data and the device from any uninvited third-party intruders.

The Netac K390 has its fair share of advantages. But the biggest one has to be the price. Less than a hundred bucks for an encrypted hard drive that does not trail behind its more expensive counterparts on the security front is a steal in our book. With that out of the way, let's tackle that "security front" a little closer.

As it is usually the case, the model follows the military standard 256-bit AES XTS encryption protocol.

On top of that, this little encrypted drive comes equipped with its very own 32-bit high-end controller chip. The chip makes it possible to match the USB 3.0 transfer rate. It takes the model around 9 seconds to encrypt a 1GB file, where your average HDD like that will take 12 seconds at least.

The anti-hack function deserves a little attention too. You input the wrong password 10 times in a row and the device triggers the said function, erasing every bit of data from the partition. It is a great function but, as you would imagine, you'll have to make sure to remember the password because the erased data will be untraceable/irreplaceable.

Other than that, it's the little things like the fact that the keypad is wear-resistant or that you're able to create 15-digit passwords.

All in all, the Netac K390 is a particularly well-balanced product and one of the better encrypted hard drives in its price range. It will be able to keep your data nice and safe without inconveniencing you along the way.

The SecureData SecureDriveKP is a little different from every other product on the list. The difference is that the model is as encrypted as the next drive but it isn't really that "hard". To put it a little differently, this is a solid-state drive (SSD), not a hard drive (HDD). With that comes the usual SSD advantages and disadvantages.

The biggest advantage is speed. The model immediately loads every data bit. Your average SSD access times are somewhere around 100 times faster compared to the fastest HDD.

The biggest disadvantage is the price-capacity ratio. Generally speaking, a 250GB SSD will cost you around one buck per every gigabyte. An HDD, on the other hand, will be noticeably cheaper. You can buy a decent encrypted hard drive for 100 bucks.

That being said, speed isn't the only thing that the model has going for it. Among other things, the drive comes pre-loaded with ESET real-time Heuristic Scanning software. This antivirus will keep your data trojan- and virus-free for a full year. After that, you can easily renew the license.

On top of that, SSDs are much more resistant to shock and vibrations, so your data will be better protected against physical threats.

In other words, SecureData SecureDriveKP is a solid-state drive. It is a lot faster than your average encrypted hard drive and, in some ways, more secure. However, it is also a little more expensive and its storage capacity is limited compared to that average HDD.

The Fantom Drives DSH1000 is one of the most affordable encrypted hard drives on the market today. It's not necessarily that cheap compared to your typical mid-range encrypted partition but its functionality isn't cheap either.

The drive adheres with the 256-bit AES XTS encryption protocol. It comes armed with a nice little auto-lock feature that locks the model whenever it is inactive for 10 minutes straight. As per usual, the Brute-Force Self-Destruct feature is there as well, making sure the hard drive doesn't fall victim to brute-force attacks.

The model isn't simple but its user interaction part is. You won't have to deal with any additional software. The hard drive is about as straightforward as they come. The LED indicators on the front keep you informed about the model's status.

The only real issue we have with the drive is that the longest available password here is just 12 digits short. That being said, 12 digits is usually more than enough, provided you don't go with twelve 5s or anything like that.

As far as the physical aspect is concerned, we really like the wear-resistant engraved keys on the keypad. We also like the model's 4.7" x 1" x 3" overall dimensions, a little smaller than your average encrypted HDD.

All things considered, the Fantom Drives DSH1000 is a mid-range encrypted hard drive that comes at a budget price. The model allows you to keep your data secure and protected without a substantial financial investment on your part. Plus, it is really compact.