ElectronicsRanker
Menu

Review

ADATA HD720 2TB External Hard Drive Review

The ADATA HD720 is a 2TB rugged portable external hard drive designed for backup, file transfer, and carrying data beyond a desk setup. Its strongest case is protection: it scores highly for build quality and durability, with stated water, dust, and drop resistance. Transfer speed is more moderate, and a small amount of review evidence raises potential reliability concerns.
Expert reviewed
84
Overall score
Data-driven scoring Expert reviewed Updated analysis

Why we ranked it highly

The ADATA HD720 is a 2.5-inch, 2TB portable hard drive with USB 3.0 connectivity and USB 2.0 compatibility. Its defining feature is its protective construction: ADATA lists IPX8 water resistance, IP6X dust protection, and shock testing from a 1.8m drop, wrapped in a plastic and silicone-rubber enclosure. At 8 ounces and 0.8 inches thick, it is intended to be carried between computers, trips, and less controlled environments. The scoring profile is strongest in build quality, durability, setup, portability, and customer satisfaction. It appears most appropriate for people who need capacity and physical protection for backups or file transport. Buyers focused on the quickest transfers should note its moderate speed score and listed 60 MB/s media speed.
90-day review Expert reviewed User feedback Data scoring

Key specs

Features & Specs

Digital Storage Capacity
2 TB
Hard Disk Interface
Serial ATA
Connectivity Technology
USB
Additional Features
Dust Resistant
Hard Disk Form Factor
2.5 Inches
Compatible Devices
Laptop
Specific Uses For Product
Personal, Outdoor
Media Speed
60 MB/s
Cache Memory Installed Size
2
Data Transfer Rate
5000 Megabits Per Second
Form Factor
2.5-inch
Hardware Connectivity
USB 3.0
Hardware Platform
Mac

User guide

Installation Type
External Hard Drive

Additional details

Color
Blue
Enclosure Material
Plastic / Silicone rubber

Item details

Brand
ADATA
Model Number
AHD720-2TU3-CBL
Hard Disk Description
Portable
Built-In Media
USB 3.1 cable
Model Name
HD720
Manufacturer
ADATA USA
Global Trade Identification Number
04712366963399
Mfr Part Number
AHD720-2TU3-CBL

Measurements

Hard-Drive Size
2 TB
Item Weight
8 ounces
Item Dimensions L x W x Thickness
5.1"L x 3.85"W x 0.8"Th
Number of Items
1

Scores breakdown

76 /100

Performance

89 /100

Features

87 /100

Usability

87 /100

Design

17 /100

App experience

17 /100

Display quality

17 /100

Audio quality

17 /100

Camera quality

Strengths

  • 2TB portable storage capacity for backups, file transfers, and archives.
  • Rugged protection claims include IPX8 water resistance, IP6X dust protection, and a 1.8m military-grade drop test.
  • Strong build quality and durability scores of 90 and 89 support its protection-focused positioning.
  • USB 3.0 connectivity with USB 2.0 backward compatibility.
  • Compact 2.5-inch format, 8-ounce weight, and integrated cable storage improve portability.
  • High customer satisfaction score of 91, supported by a 4.7/5 average from 2,912 reviews.

Limitations

  • Performance and speed scores of 76 and 72 indicate moderate rather than leading transfer performance.
  • The listed media speed is 60 MB/s, so it is not positioned as a high-speed solid-state drive alternative.
  • One supplied review reports clicking, bad sectors, slow access, and suspected data corruption after a month.
  • No password protection was found by one reviewer, and no built-in encryption feature is listed.
  • Warranty and support terms are not provided in the available information.

Ideal user profiles

  • Users who need a rugged portable drive for backing up important files.
  • Travelers and outdoor users who value water, dust, and shock protection.
  • PC and Mac users needing cross-platform external storage within the listed operating-system support.
  • Households looking to store game backups, media libraries, or personal archives.
  • Buyers who prioritize a protective enclosure over maximum transfer speed.

Use cases

  • Creating a secondary backup of documents, photos, and media files.
  • Moving large files between compatible computers through USB.
  • Storing a large music or media library.
  • Backing up data before reinstalling or formatting a computer.
  • Carrying files during travel or outdoor work where dust and accidental drops are concerns.
  • Expanding storage for compatible game backup workflows.

Fit and positioning

Who this works for

Category positioning

The HD720 sits in the rugged portable hard-drive segment rather than the high-speed portable SSD segment. Its 2TB capacity, USB 3.0 connection, and 2.5-inch mechanical-drive format address mainstream backup and storage needs, while its rated protection gives it a specialist outdoor and travel angle. Strong scores for build quality, durability, and portability indicate that physical resilience is its central differentiator. It is value-oriented for users who need protected capacity, but less performance-focused than faster external storage options.

Best for

The HD720 is best for users who want a portable 2TB backup drive that can better tolerate dust, water exposure, and accidental drops than a standard enclosure. Its build quality score of 90, durability score of 89, setup score of 91, and portability score of 88 support this role. It also suits users transferring files between the listed Windows, Mac, or Linux platforms through USB.

Not best for

This drive is not the clearest choice for users who need the fastest possible external storage, as its speed score is 72 and its listed media speed is 60 MB/s. Security-conscious buyers should also look elsewhere if they need explicitly specified built-in encryption or password protection. Finally, anyone storing irreplaceable data should maintain multiple backups, given one supplied review reporting clicking, bad sectors, and suspected data corruption.

Performance analysis

How it performs in practice

Each scoring dimension is separated into a compact card so the strengths and tradeoffs are easier to compare without reading one long block.

Performance analysis

The HD720 earns a performance score of 76, suggesting capable everyday performance rather than a class-leading result. USB 3.0 provides a practical interface for backups and file transfers, and several supplied reviews describe transfers or general operation positively. However, the listed media speed is 60 MB/s and the speed score is 72, so expectations should remain aligned with a portable mechanical hard drive. It is more suited to archiving, backups, and routine transfers than time-critical high-throughput work.

Feature analysis

The feature score of 89 is driven by a notably protection-focused package. ADATA lists IPX8 water resistance, IP6X dust protection, and 1.8m military-grade shock testing, along with a silicone case and integrated USB cable arrangement. The drive also offers 2TB capacity and USB 3.0 with USB 2.0 compatibility. No encryption, password protection, companion software, or advanced storage-management features are specified in the supplied data.

Usability analysis

With an usability score of 87 and setup score of 91, the HD720 appears straightforward for its core task: connecting by USB and storing files. Reviews mention seamless transfers, easy operation, and use across backup scenarios. The attached cable design was also positively noted by one reviewer. Practical usability is reduced somewhat for users who require integrated security controls, because one reviewer could not find a password option and none is listed in the specifications.

Design

The HD720 has a sporty, rugged design that makes its protective purpose immediately clear. Its 5.1 by 3.85 by 0.8-inch body is compact enough for a bag, while the silicone outer layer adds bulk compared with a basic portable drive. The design score of 87 reflects the practical balance of grip, protection, and cable management. It is a functional choice for mobile storage, though its protective casing prioritizes resilience over the smallest possible footprint.

How it compares

Within portable external storage, the HD720 distinguishes itself through protection and physical practicality. Its stated water, dust, and drop resistance, together with high build and durability scores, make it better aligned with travel, outdoor use, and accident-prone environments than a basic unprotected portable drive. It also offers a useful 2TB capacity in a compact 2.5-inch format. The trade-off is speed: its 72 speed score and listed 60 MB/s media speed indicate more conventional hard-drive behavior than performance-oriented external SSD storage. It is also less feature-rich for security-minded users because no built-in password or encryption feature is specified.

Ranking summary

The ADATA HD720 earns an overall score of 84 because it performs particularly well in the areas most important to a rugged portable hard drive. Build quality scores 90, durability scores 89, setup scores 91, portability scores 88, and customer satisfaction scores 91. Its IPX8, IP6X, and stated 1.8m drop-test credentials give it a clear advantage for users concerned about physical handling risks. The score is held below top performance-focused storage options by its 76 performance score and 72 speed score. Reliability is generally positive at 82, but one review reporting clicking and suspected corruption reinforces the need for redundant backups.

Buying advice

Consider the ADATA HD720 if you need 2TB of portable storage for backups, archives, media, or file transport and expect the drive to face travel, dust, moisture, or occasional knocks. Check that your computer supports the listed USB and operating-system requirements, and confirm current formatting needs if moving files between platforms. Buyers who handle very large files regularly should compare expected transfer speeds with faster storage options. If the data is private or irreplaceable, plan for encryption at the operating-system level where appropriate and maintain at least one separate backup. Also verify current warranty and return coverage, as these terms were not supplied.
84
Overall score

Final verdict

The ADATA HD720 2TB is a strong rugged portable hard-drive option, earning an overall score of 84 through excellent build quality, durability, straightforward setup, and high buyer satisfaction. Its main strength is the protection-led design, with stated water, dust, and drop resistance in a manageable 2.5-inch package. Its main limitation is moderate transfer performance, and the isolated report of clicking and bad sectors means it should not be the sole home for important files. For protected everyday backup and transport, it is a well-balanced choice; for maximum speed or built-in security, it is more limited.
Back to review

Key topics

ADATA HD720 2TB review, ADATA HD720 external hard drive, rugged external hard drive review, waterproof external hard drive, 2TB portable hard drive, ADATA HD720 comparison, best rugged external hard drives

Frequently asked questions

Is the ADATA HD720 2TB worth it?
The ADATA HD720 2TB is a strong option for buyers who value protected portable storage. Its overall score of 84 reflects especially good build quality, durability, setup, and customer satisfaction. Its main trade-off is moderate transfer performance, so it is better suited to backup and general file storage than buyers seeking SSD-class speed.
Is the ADATA HD720 good for backups?
Yes, the available information positions the HD720 well for backups. It offers 2TB of capacity, USB connectivity, and a protection-focused enclosure rated for water, dust, and shock resistance. Reviews mention backing up files, media libraries, and data before system reinstalls. Keep a separate backup as well, since one review reported a possible drive failure.
What are the main limitations of the ADATA HD720?
The key limitations are speed and the limited evidence around long-term reliability. It has a speed score of 72 and a listed media speed of 60 MB/s, which is modest beside faster storage options. One review describes clicking, bad sectors, slow access, and suspected corruption. No built-in password protection is listed, and warranty details are unavailable.
Is the ADATA HD720 waterproof and dustproof?
ADATA states that the HD720 meets IPX8 water-resistance testing for submersion to 2 metres for 120 minutes and IP6X dust protection. These are manufacturer-provided protection claims rather than independently verified results in the supplied information. The drive is designed for rugged use, but important data should still be stored in more than one location.
Is the ADATA HD720 easy to set up?
The HD720 earns a setup score of 91 and is described as an external hard drive with USB 3.0 connectivity. Reviewers describe transfers as seamless and the drive as easy to use. Compatibility is listed for Windows XP through 8.1, Mac OS X 10.6 or later, and Linux kernel 2.6 or later; confirm compatibility with your current device before buying.
Is the ADATA HD720 compatible with Mac and Windows?
The supplied specifications list support for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1, plus Mac OS X 10.6 or later and Linux kernel 2.6 or later. It supports USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. Because newer operating systems and device-specific formatting needs are not detailed, buyers should verify current compatibility and preferred file-system requirements.
How portable is the ADATA HD720 2TB?
The ADATA HD720 is portable for a mechanical external hard drive. It uses a 2.5-inch form factor, weighs 8 ounces, and measures 5.1 by 3.85 by 0.8 inches. Its portability score is 88, while the silicone enclosure and cable attachment make it practical for carrying, although it remains larger and less speed-focused than many compact SSDs.
Does the ADATA HD720 have password protection?
No password or encryption function is listed in the supplied specifications. One reviewer specifically said they could not find a way to password-protect the drive. If encryption is essential, confirm whether your computer operating system can provide it or choose a drive with clearly specified hardware or software security features.

Related Guides & Rankings

ADATA SU800 256GB Review: SATA SSD Ranked ADATA SU800 256GB Review: SATA SSD Ranked G-Technology ArmorATD 5TB Rugged Hard Drive Review G-Technology ArmorATD 5TB Rugged Hard Drive Review Intel 660p 1TB Review: M.2 NVMe SSD Ranked Intel 660p 1TB Review: M.2 NVMe SSD Ranked Intel 660p 2TB Review: NVMe SSD for Gaming Storage Intel 660p 2TB Review: NVMe SSD for Gaming Storage

Comparisons featuring this product

ADATA HD720 vs A-Data HV620S 2TB Comparison

Compare

ADATA HD720 vs ADATA HD770G 2TB External HDD Co...

Compare

ADATA HD720 2TB vs ADATA HD770G 1TB RGB Comparison

Compare

ADATA HD710 Pro 1TB vs ADATA HD720 2TB Comparison

Compare