Best AIO backup/cloning software options

I'm currently re-working my computers and networking setup and would like to upgrade my backup routine to be more automated. I'm also looking for a program that can handle drive cloning as well.

I've used Acronis before, but am not a fan of their current lineup. I've seen Macrium Reflect mentioned a bunch - would its free version do what I need? I'm happy to pay for a good solution, but $70 is a bit steep. There's EaseUS, which can be had pretty cheaply, but I'm not 100% certain of the software's reliability.

I'm sure there are others I might have missed. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

In the past , the free version of Macrium Reflect didn't allow you to restore an image without the use of the external recovery media so the only option was to get the paid version but now even the free version allows you to restore by adding the Macrium Reflect entry to the boot options then hiding it so it's there but you would boot into Windows directly in normal situations. It is the best out there. Acorn is now crap, creating images is fine but restoring them on a GPT partition is a hit or miss. If you have an NVMe SSD then forget Acronis

 

I use Macrium reflect freeware on both laptops as too cloning it has this feature though I have not used it, free version has full backup and incremental and scheduling both, free version has adjustable compression,file size, password protection, auto verify image,adding comments and can email you a successful and or failed backup, differential backup is on paid version with other goodies.

 

@Phoenix , what's the method for restoring a Macrium image? Do they have a downloadable boot image or iso to burn on a usb drive?

 

Arconis 2016 works fine with my NVME machines.

 

Create rescue media in case you cant boot into windows and run it,windows pe image with macrium application on usb drive or cd/dvd disk.

 

I would instead rather then cloning use the Window backup feature to backup files changes only that way you only need the space for file/data saves rather then a complete drive backup. This is a wasted option going that route IMO. I rather just backup the files/data created as those are the most important ones to keep HDD/SSD can be replaced or upgraded-data/files can't be replaced or upgraded. I think alot of people are going about it the wrong way and just wasting drive space when all they really need to do is backup the files/data files they created.