External hard drive are one of the most popular computer accessories on the market. And for good reason! They offer a quick and easy way to increase storage space on your computer, and they’re portable so you can take them with you wherever you go. But with so many different external hard drives on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
Today, in this article, we will list the best external hard drive for Mac that you cannot miss up to now. Plus, we also include a buying guide so that you can improve your knowledge and find out other solutions on your own.
What is External Hard Drive?
An external hard drive is a storage device that connects to a computer via a USB port or Thunderbolt port. They are typically used to store large files such as photos, music, and videos. External hard drives come in a variety of sizes, and some include built-in backup software for added convenience.
The best external hard drive for your needs depends on how you plan to use it. If you just need a place to store files, any basic model will do. However, if you plan to use the drive for backups or intensive applications like video editing, look for a high-performance model with a fast interface and plenty of storage space.
USB 3.0 vs Thunderbolt 3
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when shopping for an external hard drive is choosing the right interface. The two most common options are USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3, both of which offer advantages and disadvantages.
- USB 3.0 is the most common interface found on external hard drives. It’s compatible with a wide range of devices, including PCs, Macs, and Android smartphones. USB 3.0 offers data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, which is fast enough for most uses.
- Thunderbolt 3 was announced in 2015 and developed by Intel. It is significantly faster than USB 3.0, with data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 is mainly used by creative professionals who need the extra speed for video editing or other demanding applications.
Best External Hard Drive For Mac (HDD)
LaCie Mobile Drive 1TB External Hard Drive
The LaCie Mobile Drive is the perfect way to quickly backup and store your content. With up to 5TB of storage capacity, it’s perfect for large collections of photos and videos. And with its Mac/Windows compatibility, you can easily use it with your existing computer setup. There is no need to reformat, simply connect the drive to your computer via the USB Type C interface and you’re ready to go.
The LaCie Toolkit software makes it easy to keep your content safe and secure, while the quick start guide ensures you can get started right away. You can get one free month of Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan with purchase, so you can easily edit and share your photos and videos. The Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan provides access to all of Adobe’s creative software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
USB-C cable is included, so you can connect the drive to your computer right away. With its sleek design and easy-to-use interface, the LaCie Mobile Drive is a great way to keep your content safe and secure.
Specifications
- Brand: LaCie
- Color : Moon Silver
- Storage Capacity: 1 TB
- Hard Disk Form Factor: 3.5 Inches
- Included Cable: USB-C
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable is one of the best external hard drives for Windows and Macbook. It is easy to install and has a slim design. The digital storage capacity is two terabytes, which is enough for most users who need extra storage space. It is easy to install and use, and fast. The digital storage capacity is 2 TB which is more than enough for most people. It is also compatible with PS4, PC, gaming console and mac.
The brand provides good quality products and this specific product is designed for business and personal use. The connectivity technology is USB and the hard disk form factor is 3.5 inches. The read speed is 120 megabytes per second which is very fast. There is no software required for this product and the USB cable is included in the package.
Specifications
- Brand: Seagate
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Storage Capacity: 2 TB
- Color: Black
- Included Cable: USB 3.0
SanDisk Professional 12TB G-DRIVE
The SanDisk Professional 12TB G-DRIVE Enterprise-Class is a premium external hard drive that uses USB-C to connect to your Mac. It has a fast 7200RPM Ultrastar drive inside and can achieve read and write speeds of up to 240MB/s. This makes it an ideal choice for reguar and professional users who need to transfer large files quickly.
The SanDisk drive can hold up to 18TB of data, making it a great option for those who need a lot of storage space. It also comes with a premium, all-aluminum enclosure that looks great and is very durable. Plus, it’s Apple Time Machine ready so you can easily back up your data. It can also be easily reformatted for use with Windows. The drive also supports USB Power Delivery, which allows it to be powered by your Mac’s battery for up to 45 watts.
Specifications
- Brand: SanDisk Professional
- Storage Capacity: up to 12TB
- Interface: USB-C
- Compatible Devices: Mac/Windows
- Hard Disk Form Factor: 3.5 Inches
Seagate Ultra Touch HDD 2TB External Hard Drive
Seagate is a well-known and trusted brand when it comes to storage devices. With over 30 years of experience, they know how to make a quality product that will last. When it comes to the design of the Seagate Ultra Touch, it’s clear that the company put a lot of thought into making it stand out. The drive features a woven fabric design in either black or white, which makes it look great and also helps to keep it from getting scratched up.
With a digital storage capacity of 2 TB, the Seagate Ultra Touch has plenty of space for all your files. Whether you’re storing photos, videos, or music, you’ll be able to keep everything you need on this drive. One of the best features of the Seagate Ultra Touch is that it’s plug and play for both Windows and Mac. That means you won’t have to go through any hassle to get it up and running. Just plug it in and you’re good to go.
The Seagate Ultra Touch also comes with an 18-inch USB 3.0 Cable and a USB-C adapter, so you can easily connect it to any device. With a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan, you have access to all of the latest tools and features from Adobe, so you can make your photos look their best.
Specification
- Brand: Seagate
- Color: Black and Wite
- Storage Capacity: 2 TB
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Compatible Devices: Mac/Windows
- Hard Disk Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
WD 5TB My Passport for Mac Portable
The design of the WD 5TB My Passport for Mac is very sleek and modern. It is about the size of a smartphone and fits easily in the palm of your hand. The digital storage capacity of the WD My Passport is 5TB, which is plenty of space for storing photos, videos, and other files. The hard disk interface has a read speed of 130 megabytes per second and also comes with two cables, USB-A to USB Micro-B and USB-C to USB Micro-B, so it can be easily connected to a wide variety of devices.
The WD My Passport for Mac is a great external hard drive for Mac users, but it can also be used with PC. If you want to use the drive with a PC, you have two options: reformatting to NTFS or installing the HFS+ driver.
Reformatting to NTFS will clear all of the data on the drive, so make sure you have a backup before doing this. If you don’t want to reformat, you can install the HFS+ driver for Windows provided by Western Digital or other NFTS software for Mac. This will allow you to keep the original formatting and files on the drive, making it easy to switch between Mac and PC.
Specification
- Brand: Western Digital
- Capacity: 5TB
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Dimensions: 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.75″
- Hard Disk Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
Seagate FireCuda Gaming 1TB
The design of the Seagate FireCuda Gaming Hard Drive External is sleek, and it has a bold look. The LED lighting on the Seagate drive is customizable, so you can choose the right color for your needs. You can also control the brightness of the LEDs. The drive is also compatible with Razer Chroma™ RGB, so you can further customize the lighting. The drive has a storage capacity of 1 TB or up to 16TB, which is ample for most people’s needs. You can store a lot of data on this drive, and it will be accessible whenever you need it.
The ports on the Seagate FireCuda Gaming Hard Drive External are very convenient. There are two additional USB ports on the front, one type A and one type C. This makes it easy to connect devices to the drive. You don’t have to fumble around in the back, trying to find the right port. The drive is also compatible with 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Services and 1-year limited warranty. So, if you ever have a problem with the drive, you can rest assured that Seagate will stand behind their product.
Specification
- Brand: Seagate
- Hard Disk Interface: USB 3.0, USB-C
- Digital Storage Capacity: 1 TB
- Hard Disk Form Factor: 3.5 Inches
- Item Weight: 167 grams
Silicon Power Armor A60 Hard Drive
This is another ultra-durable hard drive from the Silicon Power brand, which is assured of quality with a 3-year warranty. Additionally, because of its cable-carry design, it is ideal for people who frequently lose their cables and want an easy way to store them.
On top of that, the military-standard shockproof, in combination with the IPX4 water-resistant protection, will make sure that your hard drive and the data inside it are always safe. The super robust rubber casing and the internal suspension system create an excellent buffer effect and protect the product from scratches, pressure, dust, or slipping, too.
The speedy USB 3.0 interface lets users transfer large files with blazing-fast speed performance. Big libraries of high-resolution photos and HD videos, or a number of bulky documents can be transfered easily in a few seconds to several minutes. However, if your device features an older interface, don’t worry because the hard drive can also be backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports.
Last but not least, the Silicon Power Armor A60 hard drive is pre-formatted to FAT32. Thereby, clients manage to utilize it instantly on both Mac and Windows platforms without having to format. Nevertheless, in case you want to transfer a single file that is larger than 4GB, you will need to reformat the hard drive to the exFAT format first. (You might like to backup your drive before you reformat it.)
- Very sturdy and well-protected.
- Big capacity is available.
- Wide compatibility.
- High-speed data transference.
- It is smartly designed and programmed from inside out.
- Inconvenient for people who need to transfer over-4Gb single files.
Best SSD External Hard Drive For Mac
Sabrent Rocket Nano 2TB External SSD
The SABRENT Rocket Nano 2TB is a high-speed external hard drive that is perfect for your Macbook. It has a sleek, durable aluminum design and is very compact and portable, making it perfect for traveling. The SABRENT drive is available in a variety of colors, including blue, red, gold, pink, black, and silver. This makes it easy to find the perfect color to match your style.
The device has a built-in USB 3.2 interface that allows you to transfer data at speeds up to 1000MB/s. The hard drive has a 2TB capacity, making it perfect for storing large files such as multimedia and gaming files. The SABRENT Rocket Nano 2TB is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS. It comes with a 8″ Type-C to Type-C cable and a 12″ Type-A to Type-C cable, so you can easily connect it to your laptop or desktop. The hard drive is also plug and play, so you don’t need to install any drivers.
Specification
- Brand: SABRENT
- Color: Blue, Red, Gold, Pink, Black, Silver
- Material: Aluminum
- Hard Disk Interface: USB 3.2
- Hard Disk Form Factor: M.2
- Weight: 2 oz
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD
The SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is a great external hard drive for your MacBook Pro, Laptop, and other Smartphone devices. It has up to 1050MB/s read and up to 1000MB/s write speeds, so you can quickly transfer your data to and from your computer with ease. Plus, it also has up to 2 meter drop protection and IP55 water resistance, so you don’t have to worry about your data being lost or damaged.
The Hard Disk Interface on the SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is USB 3.2, which allows for fast data transfer speeds. This is especially beneficial if you have a lot of data that needs to be transferred, as it can be done much more quickly with this interface than with other interfaces. And the included a USB-C to USB-3 adapter and a USB-C to USB-C makes it easy to connect to a variety of devices, and the compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
Specification
- Brand: SanDisk
- Digital Storage Capacity: 1 TB
- Hard Disk Interface: USB 3.2
- Hard Disk Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
- Special Feature: Smartphone
WD 1TB Elements SE
The design of the WD 1TB Elements SE is very sleek and compact. It is easy to transport with its lightweight and small form factor. The hard drive is also drop resistant up to 2 meters, making it a durable option for on-the-go use. Additionally, the WD 1TB Elements SE plugs in and plays without any additional software or drivers needed, making it a user-friendly option.
The WD 1TB Elements SE has a maximum read speed of 400MB/s, allowing you to quickly access your stored data. This is a fast and reliable hard drive that will be able to keep up with your needs. The device also is compatible with a variety of devices, including laptops, gaming consoles, desktops, televisions, and tablets. This hard drive is a versatile option that can be used with many different types of devices.
There is only one downside to the WD 1TB Elements SE and that is the lack of a USB-C connection. The hard drive only comes with a USB 3.0 cable, so if you have a device that uses USB-C, you will need to use an adapter or a USB-C hub.
Specification
- Brand: Western Digital
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Capacity: 1TB
- Read Speed: up to 400MB/s
- Dimensions: 2.54 x 2.54 x 0.34″
- Weight: 0.952ounces
SAMSUNG SSD T7
The SAMSUNG T7 SSD drive is designed with a sleek, minimalist style in mind. It is made with a solid aluminum unibody construction that gives it a strong and durable build. It also has a color choice of gray, blue, or red to fit your personal style. The light weight and small size make it easy to take with you on the go, and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 speed allows for quick and easy transfers of your data. The read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s also make it a fast drive to use. Plus, with ePCM technology and Dynamic Thermal Guard, your data will be safe from overheating.
The digital storage capacity of the SAMSUNG T7 SSD drive is 1 TB. This gives you plenty of space to store all your important files and data. The drive is also compatible with macOS, Windows and Android. The drive also comes with a USB Type-C to C cable and a USB Type C-to-A cable for easy connectivity. And with a 3 year limited warranty, you will have peace of mind knowing your drive is covered.
Specification
- Brand: SAMSUNG
- Color: Gray
- Item Weight: 2.08 ounces
- Hard Drive Interface: USB-C
- Storage Capacity: 1 TB
- Dimensions: 3..3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
How to Choose an External Hard Drive For Mac
Macs are popular because they are reliable and user-friendly. However, one of the downsides to using a Mac is that the hard drive is not as large as those found in a PC. This means that you will need to purchase an external hard drive if you want to back up your computer or store additional files. When you are choosing an external hard drive for Mac, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.
1. Storage Capacity
Of course, more storage means extra cost. However, hard drive storage is inexpensive. If you are not struggling with your life, you had better purchase at least a 1-TB model. When you need more storage capacity, upgrading to 2TB, 3TB, or even 5TB is dramatically more cost-effective and convenient than buying multiple hard drives at the same time.
Therefore, investment in the new model is a wise choice. 1TB can achieve approximately more than ten thousand 192 kbps-quality music albums, which seems to be redundant. However, it becomes a small number when it comes to 4K video.
Supposed that you are using an iPhone X/11/12/13, every three minutes of a 4K video will take up to 1GB of data. Then if you have a big collection of high-resolution images and videos, heavyweight games, some extra TBs of data are necessary for the future.
2. Speed
The data rate is generally determined by the interface and rotational speed. The faster the spindle rotates, the higher the data rate. In general, 5400rpm is suitable for general office use and light multimedia editing, while 7200rpm is better for more demanding tasks such as video editing. If you want to further improve performance, you can choose an SSD with a USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface.
3. Durability
For most people, the durability of an external hard drive is not a big concern. Shockproof is the most critical protection for a hard drive because their moving parts are likely to be damaged permanently after a drop. Sturdy drives should feature a kind of rubber coat that decreases impact forces, or a tough enclosure that can stand against types of normal pressure.
While some models are water-resistant, not many of them are rated IP67 like an iPhone X. In other words, a few can endure the underwater environment, and some can prevent liquid drops or fluid splashes. Don’t hesitate to pay extra fees for useful protective functions because they can not only protect your data from loss but also save you even more money from buying new hard drives.
4. Connectivity
You will also need to consider connectivity when you are choosing an external hard drive for Mac. Most drives use USB, which is compatible with most computers. However, there are some newer models that use Type-C or other types of connections. Make sure to choose a drive that you can connect to your computer without any issues.
In some case, you can buy a USB-C hub for Mac which offer more than one port to connect different devices at the same time, which is very useful.
5. Warranty
When you are choosing an external hard drive for Mac, you need to make sure that it comes with a good warranty. This way, you will be covered if the drive fails within the first few years. Look for a drive that comes with at least one or a three-year warranty.
Conclusion
So, we have found out how to pick the best portable hard drive for Mac and learn through five good examples of them. We strongly believe that you must find out the best choice for your own after this article. Bear in mind our guide, and you will succeed. Ask us in the comment if you need that. Thanks for reading!
