External Hard Drive Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Capacity, By End-User, By Application, By Region & Competition, 2020-2030F

Description

The global External Hard Drive market was valued at USD 57.87 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 87.19 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.07% through 2030. An external hard drive is a portable storage device that connects to a computer or other digital devices through USB, Thunderbolt, or other interfaces, providing additional storage capacity for data, backups, and file management. Unlike internal hard drives, which are built into a computer, external hard drives are designed for mobility and convenience, offering a plug-and-play solution for users needing extra space to store large amounts of data, such as videos, photos, software, and games. With the increasing reliance on digital data, the demand for external storage solutions has seen a significant rise.

Market Overview
Forecast Period	2026-2030
Market Size 2024	USD 57.87 Billion
Market Size 2030	USD 87.19 Billion
CAGR 2025-2030	7.07%
Fastest Growing Segment	Creative Professionals
Largest Market	North America

Key Market Drivers

Growing Data Generation Across Industries

The exponential increase in data generation across various industries is one of the key drivers propelling the growth of the external hard drive market. With the advent of digital transformation, industries such as healthcare, education, retail, and entertainment are producing vast amounts of data that need to be stored securely and managed effectively. Data-intensive processes such as high-definition video production, cloud computing, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) generate enormous amounts of data daily, driving the demand for storage solutions. External hard drives offer an affordable and reliable option for storing large volumes of data, and businesses rely on them for data backup, disaster recovery, and file sharing purposes. In sectors like healthcare, external hard drives are vital for storing medical records, patient data, and diagnostic imagery. Healthcare providers are increasingly adopting digital technologies, generating massive volumes of data that need to be stored securely while remaining accessible. The rise in telemedicine, electronic health records (EHR), and diagnostic imaging systems further boosts the need for reliable data storage solutions. Similarly, in industries like entertainment and media, the production of high-resolution videos, animations, and digital content generates vast amounts of data that require efficient storage systems. External hard drives serve as an essential component for media professionals to manage their files and ensure data security. With the continuous growth of data across industries, the external hard drive market will continue to experience a surge in demand. These devices provide a cost-effective solution for storing and backing up large datasets, complementing the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure and business intelligence systems. As companies and individuals accumulate more data and face the need to maintain their operational efficiency, reliance on external hard drives will remain a primary factor in shaping the market's expansion.

Key Market Challenges

Intense Competition from Cloud Storage Solutions

One of the primary challenges facing the external hard drive market is the increasing competition from cloud storage solutions. As cloud-based platforms become more advanced and accessible, they present a significant threat to traditional external hard drives. Cloud storage offers many benefits, including easy scalability, remote access, and automatic synchronization across devices, which make it an attractive option for consumers and businesses alike. Users can store their data on remote servers and access it from any device connected to the internet, which negates the need for physical storage devices like external hard drives. The shift towards cloud computing has gained momentum due to several factors. Cloud storage providers offer a wide variety of pricing plans, many of which are cost-effective for individuals and businesses. Subscription-based models allow users to only pay for the storage space they need, while larger enterprises can benefit from high-capacity storage solutions with robust security features. Cloud storage providers often offer features like automatic backups and disaster recovery, which add a layer of convenience and reliability that traditional external hard drives may lack. For businesses, cloud storage offers a level of flexibility and ease of management that physical devices cannot match. Cloud services often include collaborative tools, enabling multiple users to work on files simultaneously, which is particularly beneficial for remote teams. The continuous advancement in cloud technology, including enhanced encryption and data recovery capabilities, has made it an appealing alternative to external hard drives. The integration of cloud storage with popular software suites and applications has made it easier for businesses to transition to cloud-based storage solutions, reducing their reliance on external hard drives. As a result of these advantages, more organizations are increasingly adopting cloud storage for data backup, file sharing, and management. This growing shift towards cloud solutions presents a challenge for the external hard drive market, as many businesses and consumers are opting for the convenience and scalability of the cloud. In response, external hard drive manufacturers are being forced to innovate by offering hybrid storage solutions that combine cloud storage and physical devices. However, overcoming the overwhelming preference for cloud solutions remains a significant challenge for the external hard drive market, particularly as the trend towards cloud computing continues to gain ground.

Key Market Trends

Growing Demand for Solid-State Drives (SSDs) Over Traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)

The external hard drive market is experiencing a significant shift as consumers and businesses increasingly prefer solid-state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs offer numerous advantages, including faster data transfer speeds, enhanced durability, and lower power consumption. Unlike HDDs, which use mechanical components to store and read data, SSDs rely on flash memory, which eliminates the risk of mechanical failure, making them more reliable and resistant to physical damage. This is particularly appealing to users who require portable storage devices that need to withstand everyday handling and transportation. As SSD prices continue to decrease, the performance-to-cost ratio is becoming more attractive, making them a viable alternative for a wider range of users. The demand for faster, more efficient external storage solutions is being driven by industries such as gaming, video editing, and data analytics, where large files and high-speed transfers are a necessity. As consumers increasingly use external storage for tasks like gaming and media creation, the faster read/write speeds of SSDs provide a clear edge over traditional HDDs. The external hard drive market is thus seeing a trend toward the adoption of SSD-based external drives, as they meet the increasing need for speed and reliability. As technological advancements continue to reduce the cost of SSDs, their market share in the external storage sector is expected to grow substantially, leading to a decline in demand for traditional HDDs.

Key Market Players

Toshiba Corporation
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Seagate Technology LLC
ADATA Technology Co., Ltd.
Buffalo EU B.V.
Western Digital Corporation
Transcend Information, Inc.
Kingston Technology Company, Inc.
Micron Technology, Inc.
Corsair Memory Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global External Hard Drive Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

External Hard Drive Market, By Capacity:

Less than 1TB
1TB to 5TB
Above 5TB

External Hard Drive Market, By End-User:

Individual Consumers
Enterprises
Creative Professionals

External Hard Drive Market, By Application:

Personal Backup
Enterprise Data Storage
Gaming Consoles
Surveillance Systems

External Hard Drive Market, By Region:

North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
Europe
- Germany
- France
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Spain
- Belgium
Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Australia
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
South America
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Argentina
- Chile
Middle East & Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Israel

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global External Hard Drive Market.

Available Customizations:

Global External Hard Drive Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

1. Solution Overview

1.1. Market Definition
1.2. Scope of the Market
- 1.2.1. Markets Covered
- 1.2.2. Years Considered for Study
- 1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study
2.2. Baseline Methodology
2.3. Formulation of the Scope
2.4. Assumptions and Limitations
2.5. Sources of Research
- 2.5.1. Secondary Research
- 2.5.2. Primary Research
2.6. Approach for the Market Study
- 2.6.1. The Bottom-Up Approach
- 2.6.2. The Top-Down Approach
2.7. Methodology Followed for Calculation of Market Size & Market Shares
2.8. Forecasting Methodology
- 2.8.1. Data Triangulation & Validation

3. Executive Summary

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global External Hard Drive Market Overview

6. Global External Hard Drive Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 6.1.1. By Value
6.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 6.2.1. By Capacity (Less than 1TB, 1TB to 5TB, Above 5TB)
- 6.2.2. By End-User (Individual Consumers, Enterprises, Creative Professionals)
- 6.2.3. By Application (Personal Backup, Enterprise Data Storage, Gaming Consoles, Surveillance Systems)
- 6.2.4. By Region (North America, Europe, South America, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific)
6.3. By Company (2024)
6.4. Market Map

7. North America External Hard Drive Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 7.1.1. By Value
7.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 7.2.1. By Capacity
- 7.2.2. By End-User
- 7.2.3. By Application
- 7.2.4. By Country
7.3. North America: Country Analysis
- 7.3.1. United States External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.1.2.1. By Capacity
    - 7.3.1.2.2. By End-User
    - 7.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 7.3.2. Canada External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.2.2.1. By Capacity
    - 7.3.2.2.2. By End-User
    - 7.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 7.3.3. Mexico External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.3.2.1. By Capacity
    - 7.3.3.2.2. By End-User
    - 7.3.3.2.3. By Application

8. Europe External Hard Drive Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 8.1.1. By Value
8.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 8.2.1. By Capacity
- 8.2.2. By End-User
- 8.2.3. By Application
- 8.2.4. By Country
8.3. Europe: Country Analysis
- 8.3.1. Germany External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.1.2.1. By Capacity
    - 8.3.1.2.2. By End-User
    - 8.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.2. France External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.2.2.1. By Capacity
    - 8.3.2.2.2. By End-User
    - 8.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.3. United Kingdom External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.3.2.1. By Capacity
    - 8.3.3.2.2. By End-User
    - 8.3.3.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.4. Italy External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.4.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.4.2.1. By Capacity
    - 8.3.4.2.2. By End-User
    - 8.3.4.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.5. Spain External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.5.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.5.2.1. By Capacity
    - 8.3.5.2.2. By End-User
    - 8.3.5.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.6. Belgium External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 8.3.6.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.6.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.6.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.6.2.1. By Capacity
    - 8.3.6.2.2. By End-User
    - 8.3.6.2.3. By Application

9. Asia Pacific External Hard Drive Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 9.1.1. By Value
9.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 9.2.1. By Capacity
- 9.2.2. By End-User
- 9.2.3. By Application
- 9.2.4. By Country
9.3. Asia-Pacific: Country Analysis
- 9.3.1. China External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.1.2.1. By Capacity
    - 9.3.1.2.2. By End-User
    - 9.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.2. India External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.2.2.1. By Capacity
    - 9.3.2.2.2. By End-User
    - 9.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.3. Japan External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.3.2.1. By Capacity
    - 9.3.3.2.2. By End-User
    - 9.3.3.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.4. South Korea External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 9.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.4.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.4.2.1. By Capacity
    - 9.3.4.2.2. By End-User
    - 9.3.4.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.5. Australia External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 9.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.5.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.5.2.1. By Capacity
    - 9.3.5.2.2. By End-User
    - 9.3.5.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.6. Indonesia External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 9.3.6.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.6.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.6.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.6.2.1. By Capacity
    - 9.3.6.2.2. By End-User
    - 9.3.6.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.7. Vietnam External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 9.3.7.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.7.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.7.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.7.2.1. By Capacity
    - 9.3.7.2.2. By End-User
    - 9.3.7.2.3. By Application

10. South America External Hard Drive Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 10.1.1. By Value
10.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 10.2.1. By Capacity
- 10.2.2. By End-User
- 10.2.3. By Application
- 10.2.4. By Country
10.3. South America: Country Analysis
- 10.3.1. Brazil External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 10.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 10.3.1.2.1. By Capacity
    - 10.3.1.2.2. By End-User
    - 10.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 10.3.2. Colombia External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 10.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 10.3.2.2.1. By Capacity
    - 10.3.2.2.2. By End-User
    - 10.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 10.3.3. Argentina External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 10.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 10.3.3.2.1. By Capacity
    - 10.3.3.2.2. By End-User
    - 10.3.3.2.3. By Application
- 10.3.4. Chile External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 10.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 10.3.4.1.1. By Value
  - 10.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 10.3.4.2.1. By Capacity
    - 10.3.4.2.2. By End-User
    - 10.3.4.2.3. By Application

11. Middle East & Africa External Hard Drive Market Outlook

11.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 11.1.1. By Value
11.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 11.2.1. By Capacity
- 11.2.2. By End-User
- 11.2.3. By Application
- 11.2.4. By Country
11.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis
- 11.3.1. Saudi Arabia External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 11.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 11.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 11.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 11.3.1.2.1. By Capacity
    - 11.3.1.2.2. By End-User
    - 11.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 11.3.2. UAE External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 11.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 11.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 11.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 11.3.2.2.1. By Capacity
    - 11.3.2.2.2. By End-User
    - 11.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 11.3.3. South Africa External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 11.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 11.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 11.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 11.3.3.2.1. By Capacity
    - 11.3.3.2.2. By End-User
    - 11.3.3.2.3. By Application
- 11.3.4. Turkey External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 11.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 11.3.4.1.1. By Value
  - 11.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 11.3.4.2.1. By Capacity
    - 11.3.4.2.2. By End-User
    - 11.3.4.2.3. By Application
- 11.3.5. Israel External Hard Drive Market Outlook
  - 11.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 11.3.5.1.1. By Value
  - 11.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 11.3.5.2.1. By Capacity
    - 11.3.5.2.2. By End-User
    - 11.3.5.2.3. By Application

12. Market Dynamics

12.1. Drivers
12.2. Challenges

13. Market Trends and Developments

14. Company Profiles

14.1. Toshiba Corporation
- 14.1.1. Business Overview
- 14.1.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.1.3. Recent Developments
- 14.1.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.1.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.2. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- 14.2.1. Business Overview
- 14.2.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.2.3. Recent Developments
- 14.2.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.2.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.3. Seagate Technology LLC
- 14.3.1. Business Overview
- 14.3.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.3.3. Recent Developments
- 14.3.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.3.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.4. ADATA Technology Co., Ltd.
- 14.4.1. Business Overview
- 14.4.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.4.3. Recent Developments
- 14.4.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.4.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.5. Buffalo EU B.V.
- 14.5.1. Business Overview
- 14.5.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.5.3. Recent Developments
- 14.5.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.5.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.6. Western Digital Corporation
- 14.6.1. Business Overview
- 14.6.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.6.3. Recent Developments
- 14.6.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.6.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.7. Transcend Information, Inc.
- 14.7.1. Business Overview
- 14.7.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.7.3. Recent Developments
- 14.7.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.7.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.8. Kingston Technology Company, Inc.
- 14.8.1. Business Overview
- 14.8.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.8.3. Recent Developments
- 14.8.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.8.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.9. Micron Technology, Inc.
- 14.9.1. Business Overview
- 14.9.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.9.3. Recent Developments
- 14.9.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.9.5. Key Product/Services Offered
14.10. Corsair Memory Inc.
- 14.10.1. Business Overview
- 14.10.2. Key Revenue and Financials
- 14.10.3. Recent Developments
- 14.10.4. Key Personnel/Key Contact Person
- 14.10.5. Key Product/Services Offered