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Buffalo USB 3.1 (Gen 1)/USB 3.0 External hard drive HDD HD – adu3 Series
BUFFALO

Buffalo USB 3.1 (Gen 1)/USB 3.0 External hard drive HDD HD – adu3 Series

Bottom line: The Buffalo USB 3.1 /USB 3.0 External hard drive HDD HD ($193.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 06:15 UTC): 4TB capacity handles large media libraries and full-system backups; main trade-off: AC powered, so it needs a wall outlet and is not bus-powered. Another in-stock pick with the same hard drive: the WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for…, $131.80 on Amazon as of (price may vary).

$193.00

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Buy on Amazon — $193.00 Compare to similar external storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 4TB capacity handles large media libraries and full-system backups
  • ✓ USB 3.1 Gen 1 with fallback to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Type-A ports
  • ✓ Works with both Windows 10/8.1/7 and Mac OS X 10.11 or later
  • ✓ Listed TV-recording support for Aquos, BRAVIA, VIERA, REGZA, Wooo and more

Cons

  • ✗ AC powered, so it needs a wall outlet and is not bus-powered
  • ✗ 900g and 114 x 33 x 171mm means desktop-only, not travel friendly
  • ✗ Type-A connector only; USB-C machines require an adapter
  • ✗ TV compatibility varies by model, so you must check the manufacturer list

Manufacturer description

The Buffalo adu3 Series external hard drive is a 4TB desktop-class USB drive built for people who need bulk storage that plugs into almost anything with a Type-A port. It connects over USB 3.1 Gen 1 with backward compatibility down to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, so it works with Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 machines as well as Macs running OS X 10.11 or later without swapping cables or adapters. What sets this BUFFALO drive apart from a generic portable disk is its television recording support. It is listed as compatible with a long roster of TV brands, including Sharp Aquos, Sony BRAVIA, Panasonic…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Buffalo USB 3.1 /USB 3.0 External hard drive HDD HD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. BUFFALO's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much storage does this Buffalo drive have?

This adu3 Series model is a 4.0TB drive.

Will it work with my Mac?

Yes. Buffalo lists compatibility with Macs running OS X 10.11 or later that have a USB Type-A port, alongside Windows 10, 8.1, and 7.

Can I use it to record TV shows?

It is listed as compatible with recording-capable TVs from Sharp Aquos, Sony BRAVIA, Panasonic VIERA, Hisense, Toshiba REGZA, FUNAI, Orion, Mitsubishi Electric, LG Electronics, Hitachi Wooo, PIXELA, DX Antenna, and Dion. Check the TV manufacturer's page for your exact model before buying.

Does it run off USB power or need a power adapter?

It uses AC power, so it must be plugged into a wall outlet in addition to the USB data connection.

How big and heavy is it?

The body measures 114 x 33 x 171mm (width x height x depth) excluding protrusions and weighs about 900g, so it is a desktop unit rather than a portable one.

Full Specifications

BrandBUFFALO
ColorBlack
Model NameHD-AD4U3
Read Speed10 gigabytes_per_second
Form Factor2.5-inch
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberHD-AD4U3
Built-In MediaData Recovery Service, Protective Case/Bag
Hard-Drive Size4 TB
Mfr Part NumberHD-AD4U3
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate5 gigabits_per_second
Additional FeaturesPortable
Hard Disk InterfaceUSB 3.1
Hard Disk Descriptionusb 3 1
Hard Disk Form Factor2.5 inches
Hardware ConnectivityUSB 3.2 Gen 1

Ready to buy?

Buffalo USB 3.1 (Gen 1)/USB 3.0 External hard drive HDD HD – adu3 Series is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $193.00

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

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Buffalo USB 3.1 (Gen 1)/USB 3.0 External hard drive HDD HD – adu3 Series
$193.00
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