Looking Beyond the SP Silicon Power Silicon Power Armor A85B? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

How each alternative compares

Seagate Exos 26TB CMR Hard Drive

The Seagate Exos 26TB CMR Hard Drive shifts your focus from portable convenience to massive internal capacity. It uses a 3.5-inch form factor and SATA interface, meaning it requires a desktop enclosure or NAS rather than direct USB connection. With 7200 RPM rotational speed and 512MB cache, it offers sustained performance for enterprise arrays. You gain 21TB more storage than the 5TB Armor A85B, but you lose all portability. This drive is for users building large-scale storage systems who need reliability over ruggedness. It does not fit in a bag or connect directly to a laptop via USB.

Seagate Exos X22 20TB Renewed HDD

The Seagate Exos X22 20TB Renewed HDD provides high-density internal storage for server environments. Like the Exos 26TB, it uses a 3.5-inch form factor and SATA interface, making it incompatible with the portable use case of the Armor A85B. It operates at 7200 RPM for consistent data access. You sacrifice the rugged, silver, USB-connected design for 20TB of space in a stationary unit. This option suits server builders who prioritize density and sustained throughput. It is not designed for transport or external desktop use. You must integrate it into a compatible chassis to utilize its full capacity and speed.

Seagate Exos X20 20TB SAS Hard Drive

The Seagate Exos X20 20TB SAS Hard Drive targets enterprise servers with SAS-compatible hardware. It shares the 3.5-inch form factor and 7200 RPM speed with other Exos models. Unlike the USB3.2 Gen 1 interface of the Armor A85B, this drive uses SAS connectivity. You gain significant capacity and server-grade performance but lose universal plug-and-play compatibility. This drive is for users with specific SAS infrastructure. It is not suitable for casual desktop setups or portable backups. The rugged exterior of the Armor A85B is replaced by internal server mounting requirements. Choose this only if your system supports SAS connections.

Seagate LaCie 2big Dock 8TB Desktop Array

The Seagate LaCie 2big Dock 8TB Desktop Array offers Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C interfaces for fast desktop connectivity. It weighs 6.39 pounds and measures 8.54 inches in length, making it a substantial desktop unit. It provides 8TB of storage, which is larger than the 5TB Armor A85B but still limited for enterprise needs. This drive suits creators who need speed and durability in a desktop form factor. It does not offer the rugged, pocket-sized portability of the Armor A85B. The Thunderbolt interface provides higher bandwidth than USB3.2 Gen 1. You gain speed and capacity but lose the ability to easily carry it in a bag.

Western Digital 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID

The Western Digital 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID delivers high-capacity desktop storage with built-in encryption. It uses a desktop form factor and weighs 5.2 pounds. It offers 16TB of storage, significantly more than the 5TB Armor A85B. This drive is for users who need secure, high-capacity storage without managing multiple devices. It does not provide the rugged, portable design of the Armor A85B. The desktop size makes it stationary. You gain capacity and security features but lose portability. This option is best for home offices or studios where speed and encryption are priorities over transportability. It requires a dedicated power source and desk space.

Apricorn Aegis Fortress L3 1TB Encrypted SSD

The Apricorn Aegis Fortress L3 1TB Encrypted SSD focuses on security rather than capacity. It uses a USB 3.0 interface and weighs 15.2 ounces, making it highly portable. However, it offers only 1TB of storage, which is less than the 5TB Armor A85B. This drive is for users prioritizing data protection over raw space. It features validated encryption for small files. The SSD technology may offer faster access than the HDD in the Armor A85B, but the capacity trade-off is significant. It is compact and secure but lacks the storage volume needed for large media libraries. Choose this if security is your primary concern and capacity is secondary.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

Silicon Power Armor A85B 5TB Portable Drive

Best for: portable backup and media storage

Storage Capacity

5TB

Hardware Interface

USB3.2 Gen 1

Dimensions

19.7 × 19.7 × 11 inches

Weight

15.5 ounces

View on Amazon: Silicon Power Armor A85B 5TB Portable Drive

The Silicon Power Armor A85B is a 5TB portable hard drive featuring a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface. It offers a rugged design in silver, weighing 15.5 ounces. This drive suits users who need reliable external storage for backups or media files. The compact form factor makes it easy to carry. You get substantial capacity in a lightweight package that fits in a bag.

Pros

• 5TB storage capacity for large files
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity
• Lightweight at 15.5 ounces
• Rugged portable design

Cons

• Smaller 5TB capacity compared to 12TB-20TB alternatives
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 speed is slower than Thunderbolt 3
• No hardware encryption listed in specs

Good fit if

• You need portable storage for backups
• You prioritize lightweight and rugged design
• You want a simple plug-and-play drive

Skip if

• You require high-speed Thunderbolt 3 transfers
• You need enterprise-grade encryption
• You want maximum capacity per drive

Verdict: Silicon Power Armor A85B 5TB Portable Drive is a solid choice for users needing rugged, portable storage. It fits those who value portability over raw speed or massive capacity.

2 Best budget

Seagate Exos 26TB CMR Hard Drive

Best for: Large-scale enterprise storage arrays

Storage Capacity

26TB

Form Factor

3.5 in

Hardware Interface

SATA 6Gb/s

Rotational Speed

7200 RPM

Cache Size

512MB

Recording Technology

CMR

View on Amazon: Seagate Exos 26TB CMR Hard Drive

The Seagate Exos 26TB offers massive capacity for large-scale storage needs. It uses a 3.5-inch form factor with a SATA 6Gb/s interface and 7200 RPM rotational speed. The drive includes 512MB of cache and CMR recording technology. This model is designed for enterprise-class reliability and continuous operation. You should consider it if you require high workload ratings for data-intensive applications.

Pros

• 26TB ultra-high storage capacity
• 7200 RPM for sustained performance
• 512MB cache size
• CMR recording technology
• SATA 6Gb/s interface

Cons

• 3.5-inch form factor requires a desktop or rack mount
• Internal drive design needs a compatible enclosure or server
• SATA interface is slower than SAS or NVMe options

Good fit if

• You need maximum capacity for a single drive slot
• You are building a large-scale enterprise storage array
• You require sustained performance for data-intensive applications

Skip if

• You need a portable external drive for travel
• You are using a laptop with limited power
• You require Thunderbolt or USB connectivity

Verdict: Seagate Exos 26TB 3.5-inch Enterprise HDD delivers massive capacity for users building large-scale storage arrays. It fits professionals who need sustained performance for data-intensive applications.

3 Best premium

Seagate Exos X22 20TB Renewed HDD

Best for: High-capacity internal server storage

Storage Capacity

20TB

Form Factor

3.5-inch

Hardware Interface

SATA 6Gb/s

Rotational Speed

7200RPM

Weight

1.83 pounds

View on Amazon: Seagate Exos X22 20TB Renewed HDD

The Seagate Exos X22 is a 20TB internal hard drive designed for enterprise environments. It features a 3.5-inch form factor and 7200 RPM rotational speed. The drive uses SATA 6Gb/s interface and helium side-sealing technology for reliability. It offers high capacity for petabytes per rack. You should consider this if you need bulk storage for servers or NAS setups.

Pros

• 20TB storage capacity for large data sets
• 7200 RPM rotational speed for performance
• Helium side-sealing technology for reliability
• SATA 6Gb/s interface compatibility

Cons

• Requires 3.5-inch drive bay space
• SATA interface limits transfer speeds
• Only includes a 2-year warranty

Good fit if

• You need maximum storage density
• You are building a server
• You require enterprise-grade reliability

Skip if

• You need a portable drive
• You have limited 2.5-inch space
• You want a longer warranty

Verdict: Seagate Exos X22 20TB Enterprise HDD is ideal for users needing high-capacity internal storage. It suits server builders who prioritize density over portability.

4 Also great

Seagate Exos X20 20TB SAS Hard Drive

Best for: Enterprise servers and SAS-compatible NAS builds

Storage Capacity

20TB

Form Factor

3.5-Inch

Hardware Interface

SAS 12Gb/s

Rotational Speed

7200 RPM

Cache Size

256MB

Recording Technology

CMR

View on Amazon: Seagate Exos X20 20TB SAS Hard Drive

This is a 20TB enterprise hard drive designed for data centers and RAID arrays. It uses SAS 12Gb/s dual-port connectivity for high availability and includes 256MB of cache. The helium-sealed design supports 7200 RPM speeds and 550TB annual workload limits. You need a SAS HBA or RAID controller to use it, as it does not connect directly to desktop PCs.

Pros

• 20TB storage capacity for large datasets
• SAS 12Gb/s dual-port interface for redundancy
• 256MB cache for improved performance
• Helium-sealed design reduces power use
• 550TB/year workload rate limit

Cons

• Requires SAS HBA or RAID controller
• Not compatible with standard desktop PCs
• No USB or SATA interface included

Good fit if

• You are building a server or NAS with SAS support
• You need high-capacity storage for enterprise workloads
• You require redundant host path support

Skip if

• You are connecting the drive to a standard desktop PC
• You only have USB or SATA ports available
• You need a simple plug-and-play external drive

Verdict: Seagate Exos X20 20TB Enterprise Drive is a high-capacity storage solution for users with SAS-compatible hardware. It suits those needing robust performance for server environments rather than casual desktop use.

5 Best thunderbolt

Seagate LaCie 2big Dock 8TB Desktop Array

Best for: Thunderbolt 3 desktop storage

Storage Capacity

8000GB

Hardware Interface

Thunderbolt 3

Form Factor

Desktop

Dimensions

8.54 × 4.65 × 3.67 inches

Weight

6.39 pounds

View on Amazon: Seagate LaCie 2big Dock 8TB Desktop Array

The LaCie 2big Dock is a desktop array with 8 TB of storage. It connects via Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C for fast data transfer. The one-piece aluminum housing helps reduce noise and vibration. It includes AES 256-bit encryption software and a Kensington lock. This unit suits on-the-go content creators who need reliable, high-speed mobility and durability for their data.

Pros

• Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C interfaces for high-speed transfers
• 8 TB storage capacity in a desktop form factor
• One-piece aluminum housing reduces noise and vibration
• AES 256-bit encryption software for data security

Cons

• Heavier build at 6.39 pounds
• Larger dimensions than portable drives
• No mention of wireless connectivity

Good fit if

• You need Thunderbolt 3 speeds for large files
• You want a desktop array with encryption
• You value a durable aluminum design

Skip if

• You require a portable, lightweight drive
• You only have USB 2.0 ports
• You need wireless transfer capabilities

Verdict: LaCie 2big Dock 8TB Thunderbolt 3 is ideal for creators who need fast, secure desktop storage. It fits users who prioritize speed and durability over portability.

6 Also great

Western Digital 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID

Best for: High-capacity desktop storage with encryption

Storage Capacity

16TB

Hardware Interface

USB 3.1, USB 3.0

Form Factor

Desktop

Dimensions

6.3 × 3.94 × 7.09 inches

Weight

5.2 pounds

View on Amazon: Western Digital 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID

The WD 16TB My Book Duo is a desktop RAID external hard drive designed for high-capacity storage. It features two drive bays and supports RAID-0 out of the box for speed. The unit includes 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection for security. It connects via USB 3.1 Gen 1 and offers two additional USB 3.0 hub ports. This black desktop unit weighs 5.2 pounds and measures 7.09 inches in height.

Pros

• 16TB total storage capacity in a dual-drive desktop enclosure
• 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection
• RAID-0 ready out of the box for performance
• Includes two USB 3.0 hub ports for peripherals

Cons

• Desktop form factor requires dedicated desk space
• Heavier at 5.2 pounds compared to portable drives
• No mention of Thunderbolt or SAS connectivity options

Good fit if

• You need 16TB of storage in a single desktop unit
• You want hardware encryption for sensitive data
• You prefer RAID-0 performance for large file transfers

Skip if

• You need a portable drive for travel
• You require Thunderbolt 3 connectivity
• You are looking for a smaller 3.5-inch single drive

Verdict: WD 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID is a secure desktop solution for users who need high capacity and encryption without managing multiple devices.

7 Best usb 3.0

Apricorn Aegis Fortress L3 1TB Encrypted SSD

Best for: small, highly secure portable data storage

Storage Capacity

1TB

Hardware Interface

USB 3.0

Dimensions

4.75 × 3 × 0.6 inches

Weight

15.2 ounces

View on Amazon: Apricorn Aegis Fortress L3 1TB Encrypted SSD

The Apricorn 1TB Aegis Fortress L3 is a rugged, hardware-encrypted portable SSD. It features FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation and 256-bit AES XTS encryption. The drive uses a USB 3.0 interface and includes separate admin and user modes with brute-force defense. It measures 4.75 by 3 by 0.6 inches and weighs 15.2 ounces. This unit suits users who need high security for small, portable data storage.

Pros

• FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated encryption
• 256-bit AES XTS hardware encryption
• Separate admin and user access modes
• Brute-force defense protection

Cons

• 1TB capacity is much smaller than the 5TB or 20TB options on this list
• USB 3.0 interface is slower than the USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3 ports on other drives
• No mention of RAID configuration support for data redundancy

Good fit if

• You need FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated security
• You require a compact, portable drive under 1TB
• You want hardware encryption with separate admin modes

Skip if

• You need storage larger than 1TB
• You require USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3 speeds
• You want a standard desktop drive with RAID options

Verdict: Apricorn 1TB Aegis Fortress L3 Encrypted SSD is a secure, compact option for users prioritizing data protection over raw capacity. It fits those who need portable, validated encryption for small files.

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