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HDDs cost less per terabyte; SSDs are faster and tougher.
Last updated: November 1, 2026.
HDD
Best for cheap bulk storage. See portable hard drives and desktop drives.
SSD
Best for speed and durability. See portable SSDs.
Which to choose
Use both: SSD for work, HDD for backups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more reliable?
SSDs have no moving parts.
Which is cheaper?
HDDs per terabyte.
Which for backups?
HDDs are common.
Bottom Line
Use an SSD for speed and an HDD for cheap backups.
