Best Quietest Hard Drives With Complete Shopping Tips


No one likes a noisy computer. Annoying hard drive sounds can be the death of an otherwise perfect work day. Quiet hard drives are designed specifically to minimize noise, making them a good choice for people who work in quiet environments or have roommates. These days, almost all hard drives are designed with low noise in mind, but some models are quieter than others.

The best quietest hard drives provide ample storage space for your important files and data while remaining relatively quiet. These drives typically have large capacities and fast data transfer speeds, making them ideal for gaming, video editing, and other resource-intensive tasks. They are also energy-efficient, which helps to extend the life of your computer.

Our Top 3 Recommendations

Best Pick Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive

Fast data transfer

Compact and portable design

Plug-and-play compatibility

Most Popular WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard

Large capacity

Simple and easy to use

It has a low price

Budget Pick Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard

Access data faster with a SATA III interface

Cache memory boosts

It has a large storage capacity

Why is it So Important For a Hard Drive to be Quietest?

There are several reasons why it is important for a hard drive to be quietest. 

Reliable:

The quietest drives tend to be more reliable. This is because the quieter a drive is, the less likely it is to have potential sources of vibration that can cause problems. 

Batter Cooling:

These drives usually have better cooling, which can extend their lifespan. They also tend to have lower power consumption, which can help prolong the life of your computer. 

Performance:

A noisy hard drive can also lead to performance issues. The more noise your hard drive makes, the harder it is for your computer to read and write data properly. While the quietest drives might be the fastest, they will still offer better performance than their noisy counterparts.

List of Top 6 Best Quietest Hard Drives

Best Quietest Hard Drives Detailed Reviews 2023:

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive (Image credit: Amazon)

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive

SPECIFICATIONS

Digital Storage Capacity : 2 TB | Connectivity Technology : USB

REASONS TO BUY

Fast data transfer

Compact and portable design

Plug-and-play compatibility

Included USB 3.0 cable for fast connectivity

REASONS TO AVOID

It may require a power adapter

We are starting with the Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive because it is one of the best and quietest hard drives that you can ever find. This USB external hard drive is perfect for storing all your important photos, videos, music, documents, and more. With its sleek and compact design, it fits easily into your backpack, purse, or suitcase, making it the perfect solution for traveling or on-the-go storage.

This hard drive is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, so you can use it no matter what type of system you have. And with Seagate’s renowned reliability, you can rest assured knowing your data is safe and sound. It requires no software to be installed and will be automatically recognized when connected to a computer.

With its plug-and-play functionality, you can simply connect the hard drive to your computer’s USB port and start storing and accessing your content with no hassle. So whether you’re looking for extra storage for your favorite movies and music, or a way to easily backup and transport important files, the Seagate Portable External Hard Drive is the perfect solution. Order yours today!

WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard (Image credit: Amazon)

WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard

SPECIFICATIONS

Digital Storage Capacity : 2 TB | Hard Disk Interface : USB 2.0/3.0

REASONS TO BUY

Large capacity

Simple and easy to use

It has a low price

The drive is small and lightweight

REASONS TO AVOID

It may a little bit slow

WD is a brand that is synonymous with quality, and their 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive is no different. This hard drive offers plenty of storage space for all of your files, while also being one of the quietest hard drives. With USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, it offers fast data transfer speeds to improve your PC performance.

This external hard drive is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7, so you can use it with all your devices. It is also formatted NTFS for easy compatibility with all your devices. The compact and portable design makes it easy to take this hard drive with you on the go, and the included cable makes it easy to connect to your devices.

The high-capacity storage lets you store all your important files, photos, and videos in one place, making it easy to access them whenever you need them. Whether you’re looking for extra storage space for your photos, music, or videos, or you need a reliable way to back up your important files, the WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive is the perfect solution.

Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard (Image credit: Amazon)

Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard

SPECIFICATIONS

Digital Storage Capacity : 2 TB | Hard Disk Interface : Serial ATA

REASONS TO BUY

Access data faster with a SATA III interface

Cache memory boosts

It has a large storage capacity

It is easy to use and install

REASONS TO AVOID

It may not have a built-in backup feature

Meet with our next product, Seagate BarraCuda which comes with a space of 2TB. It is one of the fastest 3.5 hard drives that offer a speed of 6Gb per second. With the help of this product, you can easily transfer files of size 25GB in just 12 seconds. This product provides a rotational speed of 7200 rpm which is quite enough for a 3.5 hard drive.

Apart from that, it also has a good cache memory of 256 MB. It is also one of the great hard drives which come with the quietest features. You will not face any kind of noise or vibration while using this product. It features a sleek black design with a sturdy aluminum casing. With a variety of capacities and form factors to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect fit for your needs.

This drive is compatible with both PC and Mac systems, making it a great choice for both home and office use. And with a 20-year warranty, you can rest assured that your data is safe and sound. Whether you’re looking for a reliable hard drive for everyday computing or for storing large amounts of data, the Seagate BarraCuda is a great option.

Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External (Image credit: Amazon)

Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External

SPECIFICATIONS

Digital Storage Capacity : 2 TB | Hard Disk Interface : USB 2.0/3.0

REASONS TO BUY

It is shockproof

The drive has a password protection feature

It is easy to use and has a plug-and-play design

This is portable and affordable

REASONS TO AVOID

It may not the fastest hard drive

Toshiba is a recognized brand when it comes to electronics, and their Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is one of the best and quietest hard drives. The drive is plug-and-play compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, and it comes with a USB 3.0 cable for quick and easy connections. This external drive is perfect for storing all kinds of files, including photos, music, documents, and more.

It has a maximum external data transfer rate of 5.0 Gb/s and a rotational speed of 5400 RPM. This hard drive features a sleek profile design with a matte, smudge resistance finish, making it perfect for those who want a stylish, yet practical, solution for storing their data. This is also easy to use, thanks to its plug-and-play design.

Simply connect the hard drive to your computer’s USB port and you’re ready to start backing up your data. With a high capacity, you’ll have plenty of room to store all your important files. Whether you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use hard drive for your home office or you need a portable solution for backing up your data while you’re on the go, the Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is a great option.

Seagate (STGD2000100) Game Drive for PS4 (Image credit: Amazon)

Seagate (STGD2000100) Game Drive for PS4

SPECIFICATIONS

Digital Storage Capacity : 2 TB | Hard Disk Interface : USB 3.0

REASONS TO BUY

Seagate offers a 2-year warranty for this device.

It is easy to set up and use, with no software installation needed.

This Game Drive can hold up to 200 games.

The design is attractive and fits well in most gaming consoles.

REASONS TO AVOID

It may not come with any driver

Check out the Seagate (STGD2000100) Game Drive if you are looking for one of the quietest hard drives. This product offers a sleek design and has a capacity of 2TB which is enough to store 50+ Xbox One games. The external hard drive is also quite portable so you can easily take it with you on the go.

The officially licensed product guarantees seamless operation and compatibility with your PS4 console. The hard drive operates under the PS4 hard drive firmware, making it easy to use and install. This external hard drive features a quick step-by-step setup and plug-and-play USB 3.0 connectivity, so you can dive into the action right away.

This external hard drive features a sleek, black and blue design that is sure to complement any themed setup. With plenty of space to store all your games, DLC, and save files, the Game Drive is a must-have for any serious gamer. Whether you are a casual player or a hardcore competitive gamer, the Seagate (STGD2000100) Game Drive is a great choice for you.

Western Digital 1TB WD Blue PC Hard (Image credit: Amazon)

Western Digital 1TB WD Blue PC Hard

SPECIFICATIONS

Digital Storage Capacity : 1 TB | Hard Disk Interface : Serial ATA-600

REASONS TO BUY

Good value for the price

1 TB of storage space

Decent speed (7200 RPM)

Reliable brand

REASONS TO AVOID

No built-in encryption software

The last quietest hard drive on our list is the Western Digital 1TB WD Blue. This hard drive is perfect for those who want a reliable and affordable product. It has a 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, and 64 MB Cache. This drive is designed for everyday computing and offers plenty of storage space for all your important files.

This drive features a massive 1TB of storage capacity, allowing you to store all of your important files and data with ease. The WD Blue is also designed for reliability, with an MTBF of up to 1 million hours. And with a SATA III interface, this drive is optimized for use in today’s PCs.

It comes with free Acronis true image WD edition cloning software, which makes it easy to upgrade your existing hard drive. And with its super fast speed, you’ll be able to access and use your files in a flash. Whether you’re a power user or casual user, the Western Digital 1TB WD Blue PC Hard Drive HDD is the perfect choice for you.

Quick Shopping Tips For The Top Quietest Hard Drives:

When you’re shopping for a new hard drive, it’s important to consider the noise it makes. Some drives are much louder than others and can be really annoying if you’re trying to work on your computer or watch a movie. Here are some quick tips for finding the quietest hard drives:

Noise Cancelling Feature:

Make sure to look for a drive that has a noise-canceling feature. This will help to reduce the overall noise of the drive.

Size:

Pay attention to the size of the drive. Some hard drives are much larger than others and can produce more noise.

RPM:

The rotational speed of the drive (measured in RPM) can also affect the noise level. Lower RPM drives tend to be quieter than higher RPM drives.

Thermal:

Be sure to check the thermal rating of the drive. This will help to determine how well the drive can dissipate heat and give you an idea of how noisy it will be while in use.

Cache:

Consider the cache size when shopping for a new hard drive. Larger caches can help to improve performance and potentially reduce noise.

Price:

Of course, price is always a factor when shopping for a new hard drive. Keep in mind that the quietest drives tend to be more expensive than their louder counterparts.

Conclusion:

The quietest hard drives are the ones that have been specifically designed for quiet operation. These drives have special features that help to reduce the amount of noise that they generate. We’ve rounded up some of the top quietest hard drives, so you can find the perfect one for your needs. 

Our recommendation is Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive based on our personal experiences. It has been super quiet and portable, making it the best choice when you need to take your data with you on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Quietest Hard Drive is Best?

The Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive is the best because it is the quietest hard drive. It runs at a noise level of only 2.0 bels, which makes it ideal for use in quiet environments like home theaters and libraries. This hard drive also comes with a host of other features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for an external storage solution.

What Are The Benefits of Quietest Hard Drives?

There are a number of benefits to using hard drives that operate more quietly than other models. 

  • For starters, quiet hard drives can help reduce the overall noise level in your computer, which can be beneficial if you’re trying to create a quieter working environment. 
  • Additionally, some people find that hard drives that generate less noise are easier on their ears and therefore more pleasant to use. 
  • Another advantage of quiet hard drives is that they typically run cooler than their louder counterparts. This can prolong the life of the drive as well as improve its overall performance. 
  • It can also help keep your computer’s components cooler, which may reduce the risk of damage due to heat.

What Are The Tricks to Make a Hard Drive Quieter?

There are a few things you can do to make your hard drive quieter.

  • One is to minimize the number of files that are stored on your hard drive. 
  • Another is to defragment your hard drive on a regular basis. 
  • Finally, you can purchase an external hard drive enclosure that keeps your hard drive cooler and therefore quieter.

Kevin Soundy
I'm Kevin Soundy, and I love all things tech. I started my own business, TeamSoundProof, to help others learn about the best tech products out there. I'm passionate about helping others, and I believe that soundproofing can play a huge role in making our world a better place. I'm a huge soundproofing nerd and love anything to do with it. I've been working in the industry for over 10 years now, and have a wealth of knowledge that I love to share with others. I've always been fascinated by technology, and I love nothing more than helping people understand it better. My goal is to make sure that everyone has all the information they need to make informed decisions about the soundproofing items they buy.
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