Keep Your Important Data Safer With the Best Personal Cloud Storage Devices

Keep Your Important Data Safer With the Best Personal Cloud Storage Devices

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Finding Your Next Personal Cloud Storage Device: A Buyer’s Guide

If you’re like most people, you have a lot of essential data you don’t want to lose. Your computer is probably full of photos, videos, documents, and other files that are priceless to you. What would happen if your computer crashed and all your data was suddenly gone? A great way of protecting against losing your data is backing it up on a personal cloud storage device. With some of the leading personal cloud storage devices for 2023, you can help keep track of all your data and store it in a safer place. But, to do all that, you need to pick the perfect device. In this guide, we will discuss some of the different types of personal cloud storage devices and help you decide which one is right for you.

Western Digital Personal Cloud Storage Device

Best Overall

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Buffalo Personal Cloud Storage Device

Easy Setup

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Asustor Personal Cloud Storage Device

Perfect for Gaming

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Terramaster Personal Cloud Storage Device

Elite Design

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Synology Personal Cloud Storage Device

Best Performance

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In this day and age, with cybersecurity threats being so prevalent, it’s always good to have some trustworthy storage for all your personal and official data. Here’s a buyer’s guide to help you find some quality personal cloud storage devices.

What Is Personal Cloud Storage?

Personal cloud storage is a type of cloud storage that gives users some personal space to store data. You can easily log into the cloud from almost anywhere and access your data, too. Personal cloud storage devices usually come with various features, like sharing files and folders, setting permissions, and more. 

Why Do I Need Personal Cloud Storage?

Most people need personal cloud storage because it’s a secure way of storing data. If you are worried about losing important files, backing them up on a personal cloud storage device is the best way to protect them.  Another reason to use personal cloud storage is for convenience. With most devices, you can access your data from anywhere in the world. This is perfect for people who travel a lot or regularly need to share files.  

Different Types of Personal Cloud Storage Devices

There are many different types of personal cloud storage devices, but the most popular ones include: 

Object storage 

Object storage is a type of cloud storage that stores data as objects. These objects can be anything, like photos, videos, or documents. The benefit of using object storage is that it is very scalable and can hold a large amount of data. 

Block storage 

Block storage is a kind of online cloud storage that saves your data in the form of blocks. Blocks are usually used for storing large amounts of data, like videos or photos. The advantage of block storage is that it is speedy and can be used for more high-performance applications. 

File storage

File storage is a type of cloud storage that stores data as files. Since files are easier to access and store, many people choose this option. File storage is perfect for people who just need to store a few files at a time. 

Things to Look for in Personal Cloud Storage Devices

When you are looking for personal cloud storage devices, there are a few things you should keep in mind: 

The type of data you are storing

If you are just storing documents, then cloud storage will work fine. But, if you are storing larger files like videos, then you will need a device with more storage and faster speeds. Depending on the type of data you’re storing, you will also have to choose between uploading your data in either blocks, files, or objects.

How often do you need to access your data

If you only need to access your data once in a while, then you can get a less expensive device. If you need to access your data pretty often though, then you will need a more expensive device. This is because, for 24/7 access, the cloud is constantly backing up your data and making it accessible to you as soon as you enter it into your computer system. 

The security of your data

If you are storing sensitive data, you will need a personal cloud storage device with more robust security features. Security options also help keep an eye on any attempts to hack into your cloud, and they also provide recovery options if you accidentally lose your data.

Western Digital Personal Cloud Storage Device

Best Overall

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Western Digital Personal Cloud Storage Device

Trying to find an easy and convenient way of storing all your digital content in one place? Meet the Western Digital Personal Cloud Storage Device! This option plugs directly into your home Wi-Fi router and lets you access, upload, and share your content from almost anywhere with a stable internet connection.  The My Cloud Home app also allows you to easily organize and find your content, invite family and friends to collaborate, and stream music and movies with popular devices. Whether you’re looking for a simple backup solution or a central place to store all your digital content, this product is perfect! The convenience this pick offers to customers helped us judge it the best overall on this list.

Pros
  • 8-terabyte hard disk
  • Easy to carry and transport
  • Includes variable storage
Cons
  • Limited integration with computers

Buffalo Personal Cloud Storage Device

Easy Setup

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Buffalo Personal Cloud Storage Device

Do you want some cloud storage that’s easy to set up and use? Check out this option from Buffalo. This Network Attached Storage (NAS) comes with a hard drive and doesn’t require a computer for installation — simply connect it to your router, and you’re good to go!  With its 2.5-gigabyte Ethernet (GbE) you get twice the transfer speed as 1 GbE without needing special cabling, and because it is subscription-free, you can store and back up videos, music, and photos without any monthly charges. The NAS also makes your data less vulnerable to attack from external apps, and it comes with SSL encryption that provides safer file sharing. You can even integrate it with storage clouds like Dropbox and OneDrive to make your own hybrid cloud!

Pros
  • Works well with different computer systems
  • Comes with variable storage
  • Creates secure, hybrid clouds
Cons
  • Has an automatic backup error

Asustor Personal Cloud Storage Device

Perfect for Gaming

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Asustor Personal Cloud Storage Device

The Asustor Personal Cloud Storage Device is a great way of making sure your data is in the most secure hands possible. Its dual-core, 2.7GHz CPU and 2GB DDR4 RA help it store and manage all your files easily. Plus, with its two 2.5 gigabit Ethernet ports, you can enjoy speeds up to 150% faster than gigabit Ethernet.  And if that’s not enough, the device also features HDMI 2.0a with 10-bit 4K hardware decoding, HEVC decoding, and VP9 10-bit Profile2 decoding for an overwhelming 4K HDR experience. So if you’re in the market for a powerful and flexible storage solution, this is a perfect choice.

Pros
  • Provides cross-platform and multi-user access
  • Can be installed on mobile platforms
  • Perfect for gaming and live streaming
Cons
  • The front cover is pretty unsecure

Terramaster Personal Cloud Storage Device

Elite Design

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Terramaster Personal Cloud Storage Device

Searching for an affordable, high-performance two-bay NAS ideal for high-congestion users? Look no further than this pick from Terramaster! This NAS comes with the latest TOS 4.2 operating system and an ARM v8 quad-core 1.4GHz CPU with 1 GB RAM.   The TerraMaster Personal Cloud Storage Device supports Emby and Plex media servers and is also compatible with 3.5 and 2.5-inch SATA HDD and 2.5-inch SATA SSD. Each bay supports the HDD up to 20 terabytes. This option is perfect for people looking for stable performance too, and dedicated NAS drives are recommended. Overall, it’s perfect for any home or Soho user’s needs.

Pros
  • Accesses multi-media without restrictions
  • Perfect for both android, iOS, and other operating systems
  • Setup isn’t difficult
Cons
  • Drives goes to sleep after 10 minutes of inactivity

Synology Personal Cloud Storage Device

Best Performance

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Synology Personal Cloud Storage Device

This product from Synology’s is a great way of keeping your data organized and accessible. For some extra safety for your data, it also provides well-rounded data protection and recovery options. With this pick’s faster-working CPU, you can also quickly sort out your photo memories.  This option also lets you share files between computers and mobile devices while accessing web applications. The greatest part is that this product can be used across multiple devices without lagging the cloud, and it also lets you sync your files and data across devices too! So keep your data safe and sound with this personal cloud storage device!

Pros
  • Surveillance station for 24/7 data monitoring
  • Prevents accidental data loss
  • Easy to use across different platforms
Cons
  • The setup is time-consuming and confusing

People Also Asked

Can someone hack into my cloud storage device via my computer?

If you stay logged into your cloud storage on your computer, anyone who gets into your computer can access your data. You should put a password for accessing your cloud storage so only you can access it.

Will my cloud storage device impact the quality of my files?

No, most storage devices do not impact the quality of the files uploaded onto the cloud. If you are viewing your files in storage though, they may appear to be lesser quality since it’s only a preview mode. You can download video and audio files from your storage and play them on your device for the best quality possible.

Are personal cloud storage devices reliable in areas with low internet?

No, cloud storage devices rely on the internet for accessing the cloud where all your data is stored. If you are going somewhere where the internet may be spotty, consider taking your important files in the form of a USB — and make sure that it has password protection for opening and downloading your files for some extra security.

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