As you well know, Plex is a media center software package that aims to make home entertainment as easy as possible. With that in mind, installing it in your PC allows you to stream content from one device to another, opening up a world of entertainment options. But this may slow down your PC and cramp up its space. Thankfully, that will be a problem of the past. There are external hard drives that are suitable for plex.
These devices have massive storage for files, music, movies, and so on and enable fast data transfer from one device to another. The high-speed processing will make your movie streaming faster and easier. These devices are versatile and can be used with PCs and Mac alike. Read on to discover the five best external hard drives for plex.
List of The Best External Hard Drives for Plex
1. Western Digital WDBU6Y0020BBK-WESN Portable Hard Drive
WD Elements portable hard drive will meet your needs. This device is conveniently compatible with PC as well as Mac. Moreover, this drive has backward compatibility with the USB 2.0 devices and the latest USB 3.0 devices. Besides the universal compatibility, this hard drive is very reliable in offering fast data transfer rates, high capacity storage so you can back up all your files, videos, and photos on the go. Furthermore, you can count on this hard drive to improve your PC’s performance as it frees up more desktop space.
On top of that, this external hard drive for plex has a compatibility formatted NTFS for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. This drive employs the HDD technology for efficiency and superb performance- it is the best external HDD for plex. Furthermore, it is easy to use- grab the photos, playlists, or videos, drag them over to the external drive, and drop them. Its digital storage capacity is an impressive 2TB that can comfortably accommodate your data. This drive makes use of a lithium polymer battery and is the best hard drive for plex. It comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty, so you have peace of mind.
Features
- Compatibility formatted NTFS
- Impressive high-capacity storage
- Convenient USB port
- Fast data transfers
- HDD technology
Pros
- Reliable, high capacity storage
- Improves PC performance
- Universal compatibility
- Works with Mac and PC
Cons
- Reformatting may be required for other operating systems.
2. Seagate Expansion Desktop External Hard Drive
Satisfaction is guaranteed with the 10TB Seagate Expansion Desktop external hard drive. This hard drive has an impressive 10TB storage capacity so you can confidently back up all your files and data. It is well compatible with desktops and laptops alike. You can now relieve your laptop or computer with the overflowing files with loads of add-in capacity presented by this drive. It is easy and quick to transfer your backups with drag and drop ease so you can protect all your photos, songs, videos in a more trusted place.
Another thing is, this Plex external hard drive is ideal for a dorm room, home, or an office with its massive capacity to store digital content year after year. It is conveniently compatible with any Windows computer. However, reformatting is required for Mac devices. This device comes in handy to enhance the performance of your PC by freeing up computer space. The package includes a USB 3.0 cable, an 18W power adapter, and a quick start guide.
Moreover, the setup is a breeze as no software is required- connect it to the windows computer for automatic recognition. A 1-year limited warranty backs this product so you can enjoy long term peace of mind. Also, it is perfect for PS4 storage expansion and works well with Xbox.
Features
- High 10TB storage capacity
- Quick-start guide included
- Compatible w/Windows
- Power adapter included
- 1-year limited warranty
- Uses USB 3.0 cable
Pros
- Offers enormous desktop storage for movies, photos, music, and more
- Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy.
- Extra storage and improved performance for the PC
- Designed to work with Windows computers
Cons
- Limited to USB 3.0 devices
3. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt External Hard Drive
Enjoy the enormous desktop storage for music, movies, photos, and much more with the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt external portable hard drive. This drive is compatible with USB type C cables and works with blazing-fast thunderbolt speeds, hence the name. This hard drive speed for plex is an ideal on-the-road powerhouse with a massive 5TB storage capacity for your files, photos, movies, music, and more. This drive is handy for creatives to capture, edit, and deliver their work more efficiently and faster than ever. Moreover, this external hard drive is perfect for versatile workflows, given its wide compatibility with USB-C, USB 3.0/ 2.0, Windows, and Mac.
Besides that, this plex external storage has a rugged design, drop shock resistant, dust, and water-resistant for long service use and withstand any conditions. The Thunderbolt interface is fully harnessed via an integrated cable to ensure seamless transfers and backups to up to 130 MB/s. The enormous capacity allows movement of footage from on-set to post-production. Also, you can comfortably store a massive content library. The best part is, a 3-year data recovery services cover this drive. You, therefore, have nothing to worry about in case anything happens to your Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C.
The LaCie toolkit enables on-demand, one-click backups, folder syncing across multiple devices, and schedule automatic backups with its easy backup software. So if you are looking for high-speed file transfers and extreme in-field durability, the Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C is your best bet. Moreover, this external hard drive includes a free one-month complimentary membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan so you can easily access awesome video and photo editing apps. For long term peace of mind, this product is backed by a 3-year limited warranty protection plan.
Features
- Water/dust resistant
- Massive 5TB capacity
- Drop and pressure-resistant
- Mac and PC compatible
- 3-year data rescue
- USB-C port
Pros
- Offers high-speed file transfers and extreme in-field durability
- It is a drop, dust, and water-resistant so you can trek with it confidently.
- Includes a one-month complimentary membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan
- Offers a 3-year rescue data recovery services and a 3-year limited warranty
- Offers loads of capacity for storing a massive content library
Cons
- Not Time-machine compatible
4. Western Digital WDBBGB0140HBK-NESN My Book External Hard Drive
WD My Bool external hard drive is a great value product. It has an enormous 14TB storage capacity for all your files, movies, photos, music, and more, providing a trusted and portable storage option. This massive space not only complements your style but also improves the performance of your PC by freeing up enormous space for smooth running. Moreover, this external drive is trusted desktop storage, given the social media and cloud storage import. You can rest assured your data and files are safe thanks to the password protection with hardware encryption, and it is perfectly paired with Time Machine or WD Backup. The auto backup with Apple Time Machine is for Mac devices and the WD backup software for Windows.
On top of that, this external hard drive comes easy and ready to use straight out of the box. It also has universal compatibility for more versatility. Moreover, it works with Acronis True Image WD Edition software to easily schedule full system backups. You can set a personalized password and keep all your content safe and private. This drive has a compact design and a reimagined design that displays a confidence reflective of its reliability. This drive has a super-fast read speeds of up to 360MB/s and is the best external hard drive for plex media.
Features
- Massive capacity
- Password protection
- Universal compatibility
- Time-Machine compatible
- WD Backup software
- Reimagined design
Pros
- Super-fast read speeds
- Easy and ready to use out of the box
- Password protection with hardware encryption to keep your content safe and private
- Auto backup with the WD backup software and Apple Time Machine
- Backed by a 3-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
- Trusted drive built with WD reliability
Cons
- Does not have a silent operation
5. Fantom Drives 7200RPM External Hard Drive
The Fantom Drives external hard drive will exceed your expectations. It has wide compatibility with Mac, PS4, Windows, and Xbox. With the 7200 RPM, this hard drive is generally 33% faster than a similar 5400 RPM. Therefore, it is a better alternative for the storage of audios, videos, and photos and ideal for offices and professionals. This drive employs the latest USB 3.0, which is ten times faster in file transfer than the USB 2.0. Another thing is, this USB 3.0 drive is highly recommended for video and audio professionals that require maximum reliability and performance.
Additionally, this external hard drive offers users a plug-and-play simplicity, which offers a convenient storage place, together with its rugged features. This external drive for plex has a hard aluminum casing for enhanced protection of the drive. Moreover, this aluminum material acts as a natural heat sink for a fan-less design and silent operation. The drive comes with a stand to achieve a sleek and flawless look.
Features
- Sturdy brushed aluminum casing
- Virtually silent operation
- 7200 RPM hard drive
- USB 3.0 connection
- Fan-free design
Pros
- It can be vertically or horizontally stored to optimize the workspace.
- Offers reliable storage expansion for valuable data and digital memories
- A sturdy brushed aluminum casing for maximum durability
- The USB 3.0 connection is faster in file transfer.
- Offers plug and play simplicity
Cons
- Does not have a compact design
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can Plex play from NAS?
Plex allows you to store all your media, including TV shows, movies, music, and photos on the NAS. It also allows you to enjoy them on all your devices such as smartphones, smart TV, tablet, and most media streaming devices. Running Plex on a NAS means you never have to boot up your pc to watch a movie again. NAS can also act as a Plex server on an external hard drive.
Plex requires a solid server to get the most out of the service- capable network-attached storage (NAS) will suffice. Plex can be used with a NAS device in two ways: storage and transcoding hardware or a simple movie storage device. For fast and accessible movie streams all day, any day, you can install Plex on a NAS device.
Plex maintains a list of compatible NAS devices and processor architecture. The list outlines whether the device can handle hardware and software transcoding, and the resolutions that the NAS can stream. Check your device on the list before trying to use plex with it.
Does Plex work with external Hard Drives?
Plex has been around for years and is slowly becoming the best solution for streaming your home content to other devices. It can be used several ways, including a media server program on a computer whereby the external hard drive comes in handy to store the files.
External hard drives offer massive add-on capacity for all your movies. They cannot be used as a plex server, but offer storage options. You can have the computer as the server while it is connected to the external hard drive, and then run the plex on the computer and use the external.
Final Verdict on Choosing The Best External Hard Drive for Plex
External hard drives for plex are very useful devices in the streaming process. They perform to expectations and are great for Mac, Windows, PS, and Xbox. These devices are game-changing, especially to high-speed data transfer professionals, high capacity storage, and reliable performance.