Brands make a huge difference. Personally I don't buy anything but Western Digital HDDs, in my experience they have been most reliable. Definitely not seagate.
Here's an interesting article:
https://lifehacker.com/the-most-and-least-reliable-hard-drive-brands-1505797966
I haven't had too much experience with Hitachi, and I serviced a few when I worked in IT, but I also serviced some WD so not too sure how it stacks up.
Also try to use the external only for holding data (backups) and not so much active use (e.g. installing games or editing movies on it).
Don't move, shake, or otherwise bump the drive when it's spinning (but really at all).
Don't power it off until it has been "safely" removed from whatever OS was accessing it.
Don't try to water it, it won't grow.
Don't leave it in the sun, see above reason.
Don't place it somewhere where there is heat, a heat source, or generally hot air/environment.