HWAYO 160GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 2.5'' HDD Storage for PC
Bottom line: The HWAYO 160GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 2.5'' HDD ($23.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): USB 3.0 rated up to 5Gbps, about 10x USB 2.0 ceiling; main trade-off: 160GB is small next to 1TB drives at similar prices.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ USB 3.0 rated up to 5Gbps, about 10x USB 2.0 ceiling
- ✓ Bus-powered - no AC adapter or second cable needed
- ✓ Plug and play, no driver or software install
- ✓ Works with PC, desktop, laptop, MacBook and Chromebook
Cons
- ✗ 160GB is small next to 1TB drives at similar prices
- ✗ Spinning 2.5in HDD, so slower than any SSD
- ✗ Mechanical platters are vulnerable to drops in transit
- ✗ No stated encryption or backup software included
Manufacturer description
The HWAYO 160GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive is a pocket-sized USB 3.0 backup drive built for people who need extra storage without carrying a bulky enclosure or a power brick. The 2.5-inch HDD sits inside a slim aluminum shell, draws power over the single USB cable, and mounts as soon as you plug it in - there is no software to install and no driver to chase down. HWAYO rates the USB 3.0 connection at up to 5Gbps, roughly ten times the ceiling of USB 2.0, and the drive stays backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports on older machines. Compatibility spans PC, desktop, laptop, MacBook…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored HWAYO 160GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 2.5'' HDD… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. HWAYO'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 fast is the HWAYO 160GB portable hard drive?
HWAYO rates the USB 3.0 interface at up to 5Gbps, roughly ten times the USB 2.0 ceiling. Actual throughput depends on your port and the 2.5-inch mechanical drive inside, which is slower than an SSD.
Does it work with a MacBook or Chromebook?
Yes. HWAYO lists compatibility with PC, desktop, laptop, MacBook and Chromebook. Mac users may want to reformat to a Mac-friendly file system for full read/write support - check the product listing for the preformatted file system.
Does the drive need a separate power supply?
No. It is bus-powered and runs off the single USB connection, with no external power adapter or software installation required.
Is 160GB enough storage for me?
160GB fits document archives, photo libraries, music collections and travel backups. If you plan to image a full modern laptop drive or store large game installs, a higher-capacity model is the better fit.
Key Features
- High-capacity storage to go, fast data transfer rates, you can save and backup any files, movies, music, photos, games and more.
- Simple & Ultra slim, the small, light weight enclosure features massive capacity and high quality and reliability.
- Plug and Play - Without software to install, just plug and play with USB connection.
- Ultra-fast Data Transfers - Works with USB3.0 and USB2.0 to deliver, up to 5Gbps transfer speed, which is about 10 times as fast as USB 2.0
- System Compatibility - It can compatible with PC / Desktop / Laptop / MacBook / Chromebook
Full Specifications
| Brand | HWAYO |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | HWAYO |
| Read Speed | 5 gigabytes_per_second |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | 701851277343 |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Hard-Drive Size | 160 GB |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | Plug In |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Gaming Console, Laptop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5 gigabytes_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Aluminum |
| Additional Features | Portable |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 1.1 |
| Hard Disk Description | usb 3 |
| Full listing title | HWAYO 160GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 2.5'' HDD Storage for PC, Desktop, Laptop, MacBook, Chromebook (Black) |
Ready to buy?
HWAYO 160GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 2.5'' HDD Storage for PC, Desktop, Laptop, MacBook, Chromebook (Black) 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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
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