A physical external storage device is ideal for Keep data and files under user control. The range is exceptional, from small microSDs to external hard drives. However, if you need access anytime, anywhere, from any device, there is nothing like the format we’re going to talk about today.
Wireless external storage devices can create yours own wireless network The devices that are available to you can be accessed remotely and securely with a password. The benefits are undoubted as they allow us to store content that we can access anytime, anywhere and from multiple devices connected at the same time, without the need for cables or power grids.
In addition, these are types of solutions usually contain a battery To offer autonomy in mobility that varies between certain models but offers at least a few hours of activity. Of course, they can also work wired if necessary, as they include a connector for charging and data transfer, as well as some microSD card slots or Ethernet LAN ports to increase their versatility.
Wireless external storage
These solutions are particularly useful for mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, or camcorders, although they really work with any computer that has access to your network. The ability to access multiple computers at the same time is another benefit and feature that we cannot achieve with external cable storage solutions.
Its main use is Data backup and backup Moving to and from any device we connect to your network, the storage capacity of those devices is effectively expanded. Use in photography was also highlighted, as the 4K devours capacity at great speed. In addition to the wireless method, they can also work with cables when we sit at a desk, as they usually contain standard USB ports.
Another advantage of these devices is their use as a Media server. The best wireless hard drives have a number of built-in features that work with smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streamers like Chromecast, and services like Plex. You simply connect the wireless storage device to the network and all stored multimedia content can be played in the entertainment center on screens such as a smart TV.
The design is becoming ever thinner and the dimensions and weight are increasingly being reduced, using solid-state drives as a base. Note that some models included robust housing for use in commercial or industrial environments or simply to protect the device from bumps or falls, which is not uncommon in mobility. Finally, it should be noted that they can also charge devices such as smartphones or cameras via their built-in battery if the user needs it at any time.
Evaluate before buying
Wireless external storage is a special format and therefore do not offer as much as other wired solutions (or clicked) where you can find almost anything you want in formats based on hard drives or NAND flash memories like those used by SSDs. Some of the characteristics to be assessed are:
- If you use hard drives or SSDs as internal hard drive.
- The interface used and the physical connection ports.
- The version of Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth they are using.
- The autonomy they offer.
- The level of resistance they offer.
- Manufacturer warranty and software support.
- Storage capacity.
The costs per GB of these devices are higher than the standard solutions for external storage via cable, as there are more components such as the battery or the wireless chip, the potential for use is undoubtedly greater and the smallest available offer is available. We leave you with some of the series that we find most interesting.
WD My Passport Wireless SSD
Without a doubt the benchmark in wireless external storage. Contains solid-state drives to increase performance and limit size and weight. Create your own WiFi network, it can be wired via a USB 3.0 port and has a microSD slot for direct card charging. The chassis is protected from bumps, scratches and drops up to 1 meter and has a 6,700 mAh battery for 10 hours of autonomy.
It is available in various storage capacities and not in economical quality. In return, you will get the best unit that you can find by characteristics in this market segment:
- 250 GB: 239 euros.
- 500 GB: 345 euros.
- 1 Tbyte: 434 euros.
- 2 Tbytes: 549 euros.
WD My Passport Wireless Pro
The fundamental change is very similar in concept and design to the previous one and consists in the use of hard drives instead of SSD for internal storage. Of the rest of the functions, it maintains its own wireless AC Wi-Fi network. It can be connected by cable via a USB 3.0 port, a microSD slot for direct charging from the card and a 6,700 mAh battery for 10 hours of autonomy.
The use of hard drives can reduce data transfer performance, but it significantly reduces the series while increasing storage capacity:
- 1 Tbyte: 165 euros.
- 2 Tbytes: 154 euros. (Great current offer)
- 3 Tbytes: 228 euros.
- 4 Tbytes: 269 euros.
SSK wireless hard drive
Based on hard drives, it can store and access data wirelessly via a 300 Mbit / s network, via cable via a USB 3.0 connection and also via the included Ethernet LAN connection in the local network. It also has a built-in 3800 mAh lithium polymer battery that can be used for the same or to charge other mobile devices.
It is available in two capacities and if you are looking for economy there is little cheaper:
- 1 Tbyte: 109 euros.
- 2 TB: 139 euros.
SanDisk SDWS1-064G-E57
A light and slim solution that can be taken anywhere thanks to its weight of 160 grams. You can create your own Wi-Fi network that connects up to 8 devices with five simultaneous HD multimedia streams. It has an SD memory card reader for extra capacity or for storing information from these cards.
It has a battery that offers up to 8 hours of autonomy and is available with a storage capacity of 64 GB for 115 euros.
Verbatim VB-98243 Mediashare Wireless
It is a unique portable wireless device as it does not contain internal storage, neither hard drive nor SSD, but offers an SD card reader and USB ports for the user to connect other external storage devices. Create your own wireless network on iOS and Android and it’s specially designed for use with smartphones or tablets.
The good news is that the memory is available for a very affordable price of only 36 euros.
Muvit I / O MIODDUW1
Similar to the SSK model, it uses 2.5-inch hard drives for internal storage and creates its own wireless network with 300 Mbit / s data transfer for connection with up to 10 devices connected at the same time. It also has USB ports for wired connection, an Ethernet LAN port and its own battery.
It is compatible with PCs (Windows, Mac and Linux) as well as iOS and Android mobile phones and is currently available with a storage capacity of 1 TB at a discount of 20% up to 104 euros.
RAVPOWER Filehub
It’s the literal type. It does not contain its own internal storage, but it allows you to create a personal wireless network (dual band WiFi 5) to share files between five devices at the same time. It has a microSD card slot and a USB port. Another curiosity is that the 6700mAh power bank battery is external.
With the Personal Cloud you can exchange all types of content via DLNA technology between mobile devices, PCs and TVs, media players or streamers such as Chromecast.
SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick
In a pendrive-like size and design, it can be connected to devices via the USB port, but also wirelessly. This is the suggestion that interests us in this article. It has its own battery (we don’t know the capacity) and is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows and Mac devices.
It is available in storage capacities ranging from 16GB to 256GB, although not all are available. The ones we are currently seeing
- 16 GB for 39 euros.
- 32 GB for 49 euros.
- 64 GB for 115 euros.
These wireless external storage solutions are very interesting to keep your data under control with a physical unit and to be able to access them from anywhere and via several devices at the same time without any cabling.
Note: This selection contains some links from our affiliates, but none of the products included have been suggested or recommended by them or their manufacturers, and are selected at their own discretion.
