The article discusses the best external hard drives for various needs, such as data storage, video editing, and rugged use. It highlights the importance of balancing speed, size, and price when selecting a drive. Solid-state drives (SSDs) offer faster speeds and durability but may wear out faster, while hard disk drives (HDDs) are more cost-effective for large data storage. Reliable brands include Seagate, Western Digital, Samsung, and Toshiba. The article also mentions specific models like the Western Digital My Passport Ultra, LaCie Rugged Pro5, and Samsung EVO 990.