Best USB hard drives for sharing local storage on TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi router

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TP-Link's Archer C7 router, a popular budget pick for reliable Wi-Fi, has two USB-A 2.0 ports on the back that, when used with an external hard drive, allow for local sharing. If you don't have an extra drive lying around to handle this job, we've put together a list of the best USB hard drives out there right now.

Western Digital My Passport

Western Digital My Passport

Colorful storage

With storage up to 4TB and a USB-A 3.0 connection (compatible with USB-A 2.0), the My Passport is a great pick for the Archer C7. It's available in eight different colors, it doesn't require an external source of power, and it has a great rating on Amazon with thousands of reviews.

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Seagate Backup Plus Slim

Seagate Backup Plus Slim

Compact storage

If size is an issue, this drive from Seagate is lighter and smaller than most yet still manages to pack up to 5TB of storage inside. Choose from four different colors and don't worry about an extra external power supply. It uses USB-A 3.0 to connect, but it's compatible with USB-A 2.0.

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Western Digital My Book

Western Digital My Book

Huge capacity

Space not an issue? This desktop drive offers storage up to 10TB of storage (up to 20TB with a dual drive setup) for a relatively low price. It connects with USB-A 3.0 (compatible with USB-A 2.0) and it does require an external source of power.

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Samsung T5

Samsung T5

Portable SSD

Your hard drive might not always sit next to your Archer C7, so if you need storage elsewhere when not sharing on your network, why not grab a speedy solid-state drive (SSD)? This option includes adapters for USB-C to USB-A, it's capable of speeds up to 540 MB/s under the right circumstances, and it's small enough to fit in your pocket.

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Western Digital My Passport SSD

Western Digital My Passport SSD

Lighter SSD

This SSD is best in a situation where you need the drive to work elsewhere than just with your Archer C7, due to transfer speeds up to 540 MB/s. It will work with the router thanks to an included USB-C to USB-A adapter, and you'll get maximum speeds when connected to a PC with USB-C. It's thinner and lighter than the Samsung T5, making it ideal for carrying around with you.

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If you're adding storage to your Archer C7 and want the most bang for your buck, the Western Digital My Book, with relatively cheap storage from 3TB up to 20TB, is no doubt your best bet. It does require an external source of power, though, and it's not very portable or the fastest when used with other devices, which is why we've included a few worthwhile alternatives.

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Cale Hunt
Cale Hunt
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Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.