In this guide, you’ll find a list of the best storage drives on the market today, hand-picked by the Videomaker editors. Then, we’ll look at two important factors that need to be considered when purchasing storage of any type.
The Editors’ Choice award recognizes exceptional video production equipment, software and services. These products must help videographers be more effective storytellers while being affordable, easy to use and dependable. The products must also deliver a superior user experience.
Best RAID
SanDisk Professional G-RAID Shuttle 4
Strengths:
- Up to 1000 MB/s write speeds in RAID 0
Weaknesses:
- Drives are not hot-swappable
The SanDisk Professional G-RAID Shuttle 4 is fast, stout, and highly configurable, but it all comes at a price. The Shuttle can be configured from 24 Terabytes (TB) all the way up to 72 TB.
From the factory, the Shuttle comes pre-configured in RAID 5 formatted in HFS+. Factory formatted saw a read speed of 553 MB/s and a write speed of 765 MB/s. RAID 5 in HFS+ gets the best performance with redundancy from the Shuttle. If you have a PC, formatting in exFAT does not significantly hinder the performance with a read speed of 551 MB/s and write speed of 761 MB/s
It has up to 1000 Megabytes per second transfer speeds and we saw that and some with an average of 1028MB/s in RAID 0. The Shuttle has a hardware RAID controller and is capable of being configured with 4 TB, 6 TB, 8 TB and 12 TB drives, or with two 10 or 12 TB drives and two EV bays.
The cost of the Shuttle is high, but it offers a great product for the price. The transfer speeds were good enough to work off of regardless of the type of footage you are working with. If you need large storage with redundancy, want it portable, and need dependency, you should strongly consider the Shuttle.
Sponsored
SanDisk®️ Professional G-RAID®️ MIRROR
For demanding workloads and mission-critical content, you can rely on the SanDisk Professional G-RAID MIRROR device. Its high-performance Thunderbolt™️ 3 (40Gbps) interface enables faster transfers, image editing, workload management, and daisy-chaining for up to five additional devices. Available in up to 44TB of max capacity, the G-RAID MIRROR features two enterprise-class 7200RPM Ultrastar®️ hard drives inside. It is ready to go in RAID 1, so your valuable content is automatically duplicated onto the second drive for worry-free data redundancy. Easily change the RAID mode setting to RAID 0 or JBOD by flipping a switch – no need to download an app or install special software. Learn more.
Best NAS
Blackmagic Design 8TB Cloud Store Mini
Strengths:
- 8 TB of cloud storage
- 10 G Ethernet support
Weaknesses:
The Blackmagic Design 8TB Cloud Store Mini comes equipped with everything film and television productions need in a NAS. If your production needs to store large media files and share them with many crew members, you can’t go wrong with the Blackmagic Design 8TB Cloud Store Mini. Offering up to 8 TB of cloud storage, this NAS is great for editing, as well as any other post-production work like color correcting or VFX.
Its 8 TB capacity consists of four 2 TB NVMe M.2 SSDs, all of which are preconfigured as RAID 0. Plus and works great with 12K Blackmagic RAW digital cinema files. It comes with a 10 GbE port, a 1 GbE port and a USB Type-C port. Additionally, it has a 5 Gb/s USB Type-C port and an HDMI output. The Blackmagic Design 8TB Cloud Store Mini is a clear winner here.
Sponsored
Angelbird | Card Reader PKT
Angelbird’s new Card Reader PKT delivers much more than data transfers. The sleek, ultra-compact card reader delivers high performance and diverse functionality to transfer, store and record — adding more efficiency to professional workflows. Get high-speed support for seamless data transfers, external recording (with USB-C compatibility) and lag-free editing directly from the card reader. The sleek, ultra-compact card reader delivers high-speed data transfers at speeds up to 20 GB/s. An LED Write-Protect Switch provides secure data management along with hot swap support for convenient workflows. Data is protected inside and out with a protective cap that seals off the device completely for 360° of hard-anodized protection from debris and moisture — allowing memory cards to be stored securely inside, even during transportation. The Card Reader PKT is available in three formats: CFexpress Type A, CFexpress Type B and SD. Learn more.
Best internal drive
WD Black 4TB Performance Desktop Hard Disk Drive
Strengths:
- 5-year warranty
- Dual-core processor
Weaknesses:
- Price
This internal SATA hard drive comes in multiple capacities up to 6TB to accommodate a large number of video files. It offers a dual-core processor and DRAM cache up to 256MB for faster access to data. The WD Black Performance Desktop Hard Disk Drive comes with a generous 5-year warranty.
Sponsored
Samsung Portable SSD T9
Load, edit and transfer with sustained read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s* and enjoy up to 4TB of storage capacity.
Learn more.
*Performance may vary depending on host configuration. To reach maximum sequential read/write speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s, respectively, the host device and connection cables must support USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and the UASP mode must be enabled. Test system configuration: ASUS ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI, Intel i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz, 3696 MHz, 10 Core(s), 20 Logical Processor(s) / DDR4 8GB DRAM frequency1132.3 MHz / Win 11 Pro
Best portable storage
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD
Strengths:
- Read/write speeds
- Portability
Weaknesses:
- Higher price than average
Built with NVMe technology, the SanDisk 1TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD can provide fast read speeds, clocking in at up to 1050 MB/s and fully saturating its USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface. The SanDisk 1TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD can connect through USB Type-C or USB Type-A with the included adapter. Furthermore, the SSD is compatible with Windows and Mac systems without any drivers.
The SanDisk 1TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD is focused on portability, proving to be both lightweight and compact. It is a great choice for those that have limited physical space while transporting data. Also, it’s built to be durable with an aluminum body and silicon rubber coating. Its body can dissipate heat while the rubber coating protects against impact.
So, if you need to transfer your data quickly and securely, with read and write speeds of 1,050 MB/S and 1TB of storage, you should consider taking a look at the SanDisk 1TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD.
Best budget drive
Seagate 5TB One Touch USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
Strengths:
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
Weaknesses:
- Uses Micro-USB Type-B connector
The Seagate 5TB One Touch USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive offers a ton of value at its price. Though the drive comes in various sizes (1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB and 5 TB), we recommend purchasing the 5 TB version to get the most bang for your buck. With its sleek, durable design and large storage capacity, it’s an excellent choice for videographers who need ample storage space. The drive features a micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, ensuring compatibility with a range of devices. And it’s formatted as exFAT, which means it works seamlessly with most Windows and Mac systems right out of the box.
In addition to its storage capacity, the Seagate One Touch HDD comes with an 18-inch micro-USB to USB-A cable, enabling easy connectivity with various devices. This added flexibility sweetens the deal for any videographers who are working on the go and are using several devices to offload their files.
More general features of this hard drive include its textured metal finish, which not only adds a modern touch to its appearance but also complements various lifestyle elements. It’s compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1. The drive is powered by its USB connection, which supports customized backup and folder mirroring for data management. With the feature of automatic file synchronization, simply dropping files into the designated folder ensures they are backed up. This hard drive is designed to work with both Windows and Mac without needing reformatting. All this makes the Seagate 5TB One Touch USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive a comprehensive storage solution at a reasonable price.
Best cloud storage
Backblaze
Strengths:
- Unlimited storage
- Simple interface
- Data restore via hard drive option
Weaknesses:
- Each account is limited to one computer
Backblaze offers unlimited cloud storage and backup for PCs and Macs starting at $7 per month for individuals. Business options are also available. The service automatically backs up and syncs all the files on your system and promises unlimited upload bandwidth. That means your transfer speeds are only limited by your internet connection.
The Backblaze desktop software is simple to use with an uncomplicated control panel that displays the status of your backup. You can set up automatic or scheduled backups with options to restore multiple versions, choosing from 30 days, 1 Year, or Forever Version History.
You can restore an unlimited number of lost files from the cloud for free. Plus, Backblaze will also send you physical drives containing your data for a fee. Stored data is protected with encryption, two-factor authentication, a personal key and the use of native software rather than a Java-based control panel. Data centers are also said to be highly secure and protected from power loss.
Network-attached storage
If you are working on multiple computers and you need maximum storage, you might want to consider Network Attached Storage (NAS). These units are different from a simple storage array in that they are designed to be accessed directly through a network. Normally the drives are for storage only and feature a bank of open ports for HDD or SSD. Units can be chained together for massive amounts of storage. NAS is a great solution for back-up or recovery.
It is also possible to configure a NAS to have internet connectivity and it will act as your own personal cloud. You don’t even have to leave your computer powered up to get remote access. If you’re working in a small company with multiple computers, users and projects to archive, then networked attached storage (NAS) may work best for you.
Internal storage
An internal drive is going to give you the speed advertised, but you have to know if your computer can handle a new or additional drive. This includes knowing the type of connection available and the physical drive dimensions that your system will accept. If you don’t have the expertise, you might need to take your computer down to a local repair shop and get some advice. If you’re comfortable with a DIY approach, check out our guide to assembling a PC for information on installing drives. For internal storage, we recommend a large hard disk drive with substantial built-in cache and a higher RPM rating to increase performance.
Portable storage
RAID, NAS and Internal storage solution generally stay put in a single location. However, as workflows become less centralized, you may want to be able to work on your project from home and at the office. You may even want a smaller, rugged solution for travel.
When it comes to portability, an SSD is going to be your best option. With no moving parts, there is no chance of the mechanical failures that would crash a spinning disk hard drive. SSDs are still susceptible to other types of failures, but this difference does make them a better option for portable drives that will be moved around a lot.
Speaking of portability, there are several solutions that are wireless and so you can transfer data directly over Wi-Fi or even remotely with an internet connection back to your home station. You can even find battery powered storage units, so it’s possible to transfer video directly to your hard drive while you’re still in the field or in the car on the trip back. You are no longer limited to the size of your memory cards.
Budget storage
Sometimes, you just need something that works. This is where budget drives come in. They may not have the quality assurance that comes with more expensive drives, but they can still provide adequate capacities and speeds for video editing. If you’re on a budget, compare options based on cost per gigabyte and be prepared to make sacrifices in either read and write speeds or storage capacity. It’s also likely that cheaper drives will have a short lifespan, so make plans to replace your storage drives more frequently.
RAID storage
When you have lots of data to store and protect, and you need to access that data often, a RAID is going to be your best option. RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. They usually look like a tower or rack-mounted system. They can offer massive storage capacity, data protection through redundancy and blazing fast read and write speeds — though not necessarily all at once.
Capacity
RAIDs provide these benefits through the use of multiple storage drives configured to work together. That means a RAID needs at least two paired drives to work. However, enclosures can include up to eight or more drives. This means RAID systems can come in higher capacities than are possible with single-drive solutions. As you can imagine, larger capacities come with a larger price tag.
Redundancy
Another benefit of using multiple drives in coordination is that you can configure your system to duplicate data across drives. This provides redundancy. It protects your data so that, if one drive fails, you won’t lose everything. If you want maximum redundancy, configure your RAID in RAID 1. This configuration mirrors your data, storing exactly the same information on two matching drives.
There is one caveat to this, however. With most hardware like this, only the drives have backups — not the system. If the power supply, RAID controller or other hardware on the unit fails, the whole system may be non-functional. In a case like this, the data may still be on the drives, but recovery might be difficult since many RAID controllers write data to drives differently. So while RAIDs are generally safer than non-RAID drives, you should still keep another backup of your data elsewhere.
Speed
In addition to the type of drive, the number of drives can also affect speed. Depending on the setup, RAIDs can process information faster than single drives thanks to their ability to access multiple drives simultaneously. RAID 0 stripes your data across multiple drives. This provides no redundancy and so we don’t really recommend it, but if you need the speed, it is an option. A better choice would be RAID 10. This configuration provides the redundancy of RAID 1 mirroring without sacrificing as much in terms of speed. RAID 10 requires a minimum of four drives, so consider this when shopping for a RAID enclosure.
Other RAID configurations include RAID 5 and 6. These both offer striping and parity for faster speeds along with data protection.
Cloud storage
With all this discussion about data storage, you might be asking if a cloud solution might be a more cost-effective way to go.
The cloud might be just what you need but remember that all servers and plans are not created equally. Make sure you read the fine print. Does the plan have any additional charges related to going over your data limit? How do they ensure file security? Will they offer redundancy and tech support if a file becomes corrupted? If, for some reason, your account becomes delinquent, what happens to your files?
Keep in mind that your transfer speeds are going to be limited by your internet connection speed. That means, while running down to the coffee house to finish up the project over a latte sounds romantic, it may take a very long time to access your footage over the crowded Wi-Fi. Cloud storage may be better suited for archival purposes rather than use as a working drive while editing.
Ultimately cloud storage is a matter of trust. You are trusting that the server company is reliable and secure. You may find yourself wanting a “backup for the backup” — just in case.
Two crucial questions: capacity and speed
No matter what kind of storage you’re shopping for, you’ll inevitably need to answer two crucial questions:
How big does your drive need to be?
The size of the storage is the first question you’ll need to answer while shopping for storage solutions. Data storage is a question of bytes. A megabyte (MB) is about one million bytes. A gigabyte (GB) is about a billion bytes or 1000 MB. And a terabyte (TB) is about a trillion bytes or 1000 GB. Storage today is going to be a matter of hundreds of gigabytes or dozens of terabytes.
Video produces a lot of data. It’s good practice to sit down and calculate how much space your project will take up. The amount of storage your video will require depends on the bit rate at which that video is recorded. This is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and Gigabits per second (Gbps) or even Megabytes per second (MB/s). The higher the bit rate, the more storage space your video data will require.
How fast does your drive need to be?
The bit rate of your video will also help you determine how fast you need your drive to be. If you want to directly edit video stored on the drive, you’ll want a solution with transfer speeds that exceed the bit rate of your footage. It will also need to meet the minimum requirements of your OS and editing software. Otherwise, you won’t get smooth playback as you edit.
SSD vs. HDD
When shopping for storage, you’ll need to decide between a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard disk drive (HDD). Solid state is also referred to as flash memory. It’s a small chip that contains memory with no moving parts. A hard disk, or spindle drive, has a physical, spinning disc that stores your data. As a rule, SSD drives are faster than hard disks but almost always cost more per gigabyte.
If you go with an HDD, speed will be determined by the drive’s revolutions per minute (RPM). As you would imagine, the higher the RPM, the faster the drive can access and process the data.
Connection type
Internal drives connect to your system via either SATA or PCIe connectors. SATA drives are more common and cost-effective while PCIe drives deliver maximum performance.
If you decide to go with an external drive, the connection type will affect the speed of the data transfer. USB is the most common type of plug for most computers, but not all USB are created equal. USB 2.0 can transfer data at 280 Mbps, while USB 3.0 can transfer data at a whopping 5Gbps. Faster still is a Thunderbolt connection, which has speeds up to 40 Gbps with Thunderbolt 3. You can see that connection is going to make a difference.
Additionally, you can also have a no-connection solution. There are a number of storage options that are completely wireless. Some connect via your local Wi-Fi, and some can generate their own hotspot. That means that you can connect your storage to your device when you are in an area without Wi-Fi. The challenge, as with cables, is that your transfer speed is dependent on your connection speed.
Which storage option is right for you?
Ultimately, choosing the right drive or drives comes down to understanding how the drive will fit into your workflow. You’ll want to look at everywhere your files will go. Make sure you have the storage you need to get your data from image creation through post-production, distribution and archiving. Take stock of your storage requirements to make sure your hardware doesn’t get in the way of your work.