Best External Hard Drives for Mac at a Glance
| Feature | Best Overall | Best Portable SSD | Best High-Capacity | Best Rugged Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | SanDisk Professional G-Drive | Crucial X9 Pro for Mac | SanDisk Desk Drive | LaCie Rugged SSD Pro |
| Type | HDD | SSD | HDD | SSD |
| Capacity | Up to 22TB | Up to 4TB | Up to 8TB | Up to 4TB |
| Best For | All-around performance and reliability | MacBook users on the move | Massive desktop backups and archives | Creatives in the field, extreme durability |
| Key Feature | Fast transfers for an HDD, pre-formatted for Mac | Incredibly compact, plug-and-play with Mac | Enormous storage for a low price per GB | IP67 water/dust resistance, drop-proof |
| Verdict | The hard drive for most people seeking a solid desktop solution. | The perfect pocket-sized companion for your laptop. | The ultimate choice when you need to back up everything. | The toughest drive that can withstand almost anything. |
Let’s be honest for a second.
That sleek MacBook or powerful iMac you love has a finite amount of space. Every photo, every video file, every project is slowly filling up your internal drive.
That’s why finding the best external hard drive for mac isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential.
This guide is your ticket to finding the perfect external drive, whether you need a lightning-fast external SSD for editing on the go or a massive desktop drive for a complete backup.
We’ll look at traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and modern solid-state drives (SSDs) to help you back up your Mac without the headache.
Forget worrying about a potential drive failure; we’re here to help you find the best external storage solution for your needs.
Why Your Mac Desperately Needs a Best Portable Hard Drive
That feeling of dread when your Mac slows down or, even worse, won’t boot up?
An external backup drive is your best defense against it. Your Mac’s internal drive is constantly working, and like any piece of hardware, it can fail.
Relying solely on it is like walking a tightrope without a net.
A good external hard drive gives you that safety net, allowing you to back up your files and restore them in a snap.
You’ve got two main choices on the market: the old-school hard disk drives (HDDs), which use a spinning hard platter and other moving parts to store data, and the newer, faster solid-state drive (SSD) technology.
Hard disk drives are the workhorses, offering huge amounts of storage for a great price, while SSDs are the sprinters, built for speed and durability.
Choosing the right one depends entirely on how you plan to use the drive.
SSD vs. HDD: Which Hard Drive For Your Mac is Right For You?
So, what’s the real difference?
Think of it like this: an HDD is a vast library where a mechanical arm has to physically locate a book, while an SSD is a digital index that pulls up your data instantly.
For Mac users who are editing large video files or need to transfer data quickly, an external SSD is a game-changer.
These portable SSDs offer incredible read and write speeds, meaning less time staring at progress bars and more time creating. Because they have no moving parts, they are also more durable, making them the best portable option if you’re constantly on the move with your MacBook Pro.
On the other hand, if your main goal is to create a massive archive or a Time Machine backup that sits on your desk, a traditional desktop hard drive is often the best budget choice.
These spinning hard drives give you the most terabytes for your buck, making them perfect for storing years of photos, documents, and system backups.
While an HDD might be slower, for archival purposes where you set it and forget it, that speed difference may not matter. It’s the ideal choice for a stationary desktop setup where you want maximum storage without breaking the bank.
The Rise of the Portable SSD for Mac
For anyone with a MacBook, the portable SSD for mac has become the ultimate accessory.
They are tiny, draw power directly from the USB port, and are rugged enough to be tossed in a bag.
The convenience of having a super-fast external storage device that fits in your pocket is simply unmatched, especially for students, photographers, and professionals who work from multiple locations.
Key Features to Look For When You Choose the Best External Hard Drive
Before you buy an external drive, you need to know what to look for.
The first thing is capacity. A good rule of thumb is to get a drive that is at least two to three times the size of your Mac’s internal storage.
This gives you plenty of room for years of backups and large files. So if you have a 1TB Mac, a 2TB or 4TB external drive is a great starting point.
A larger TB drive ensures you won’t be shopping for a second drive anytime soon.
Next up is connectivity.
Modern Macs use the USB-C port, so finding a drive that connects directly via USB-C is ideal. Many drives now come with both USB-C and older USB-A adapters, giving you flexibility.
Finally, consider reliability.
If you’re a field photographer or a travel vlogger, you’ll want a drive that’s built to last. Look for rugged drives with features like drop protection and water resistance.
You need a drive that can withstand the bumps and bruises of life on the road.
Our Top Picks: The Best External Hard Drive and SSDs for Mac Users
Navigating the sea of options can be tough, so we’ve tested the top contenders to find the best drive for every type of Mac user.
From the fastest external SSDs to the most spacious desktop drives, here are our winners.
Best Overall: The SanDisk Professional G-Drive
For most people, the SanDisk Professional G-Drive hits the sweet spot.
It’s a desktop hard drive that offers a fantastic blend of speed, capacity, and reliability. It comes pre-formatted for Mac, so it’s ready to go right out of the box.
While it’s an HDD, its performance is impressive for a spinning drive, easily handling large file transfers and backups.
With capacities going up to a massive 22TB, you’ll have all the space you could ever need. This is the hard drive for most people looking for a dependable workhorse for their desk.
Best External SSD for MacBook Pro: Crucial X9 Pro for Mac
When it comes to the best external SSD for MacBook Pro, the Crucial X9 Pro is a clear winner.
It’s designed specifically for Mac users and offers a seamless plug-and-play experience. This portable drive is incredibly fast and so small you’ll barely notice it in your pocket.
It’s the perfect companion for anyone who needs to edit photos or videos on their laptop without being weighed down.
The X9 Pro makes transferring huge files a breeze.
When I first picked up the Crucial X9 Pro for Mac, the first thing I noticed was how incredibly light and compact it was—it’s smaller than a deck of cards.
In my field test, the result was a seamless plug-and-play experience. I transferred a 50GB photo library from my MacBook Pro, and the drive didn’t even break a sweat, maintaining consistent read and write speeds.
It’s the perfect companion for a laptop bag and my top recommendation for a portable ssd.
Best High-Capacity Desktop Drive: SanDisk Desk Drive
If raw storage capacity is what you’re after, look no further than the SanDisk Desk Drive.
This beast offers up to 8TB of space in a sleek desktop form factor. It’s perfect for creative professionals who work with massive files or anyone who wants to back up multiple computers to a single location.
It does require an external power source, but for a stationary setup, the sheer amount of storage you get for the price is unbeatable.
This is the best desktop drive for Mac users with a digital hoarding habit.
Best Rugged Option: LaCie Rugged SSD Pro
For the adventurers and creatives working in the field, the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro is the best rugged external drive money can buy.
Its iconic orange bumper isn’t just for show—it provides serious protection against drops, dust, and water. This rugged SSD is built like a tank, ensuring your data stays safe no matter where your work takes you.
It’s a high-performance external SSD that offers peace of mind alongside blazing-fast speeds, making it the go-to drive for your needs when durability is non-negotiable.
Setting Up Your Time Machine Backup Drive
One of the best things about being a Mac user is the built-in backup software, Time Machine.
It’s an incredibly simple yet powerful tool that automatically creates incremental backups of your entire system. To get started, all you have to do is plug in your new external hard drive, and your Mac will likely ask if you want to use the drive for Time Machine.
Just say yes!
Once set up, Time Machine will handle the rest, creating hourly, daily, and weekly backups so you can restore your Mac to any point in time.
It’s the easiest way to back up your mac and protect yourself from data loss. Using a dedicated time machine backup drive is one of the smartest things any Mac user can do.
A Word on the My Passport for Macbook
You can’t talk about external drives without mentioning the Western Digital My Passport for Macbook.
For years, the My Passport for Macbook has been a go-to choice for Mac users looking for an affordable and reliable portable hard drive. It’s a no-fuss hard disk that gets the job done, offering a good balance of storage and portability at a price that’s hard to beat.
While the drive isn’t going to win any speed contests against an external SSD, it’s more than capable for daily backups and storing files you don’t need to access instantly.
If you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective macbook external hard drive for your Time Machine backups or extra storage, the My Passport remains a solid contender.
It’s a great drive for anyone on a budget.
FAQ
What is the best external hard drive for Mac?
The best external hard drive for Mac varies based on your needs. Generally, drives like the Western Digital Elements Desktop and the Seagate Backup Plus are highly recommended for their reliability and speed. If you need a mobile drive, consider a USB-C drive for faster data transfer rates. For larger storage needs, a RAID hard drive setup might be ideal.
How do I use my external drive for online backup?
To use your external drive for online backup, first, connect it to your Mac. Many backup software options allow you to select the external hard disk as a backup location. Make sure to configure the backup settings to automate the process, ensuring your data is regularly backed up without manual intervention.
What are the differences between a 2.5-inch hard drive and a 3.5-inch hard drive?
A 2.5-inch hard drive is typically used for mobile drives due to its compact size and lower power consumption, making it ideal for portability. In contrast, a 3.5-inch hard drive is often used in desktop setups, providing higher storage capacities and performance, but requires external power. Depending on your needs, you might prefer one over the other.
Can I use a Mac external hard drive with a PC?
Yes, you can use a Mac external hard drive with a PC, but it may require reformatting the drive to a compatible file system like NTFS or exFAT. This ensures that both systems can read and write data on the drive. However, keep in mind that reformatting will erase all data on the drive.
What should I consider when choosing a backup hard drive?
When choosing a backup hard drive, consider factors like storage capacity, speed, reliability, and compatibility with your devices. Look for drives that offer fast data transfer rates, especially for large files. Additionally, check reviews to find the best drives on the market, ensuring you select one that meets your specific backup needs.
How does a RAID hard drive setup work?
A RAID hard drive setup combines multiple drives to improve performance, redundancy, or both. Depending on the RAID level chosen, data is distributed across the drives, which can enhance speed (RAID 0) or provide data protection (RAID 1). For users with large data sets, a RAID setup might be an effective way to ensure data safety while maximizing performance.
What is the best cloud service for online backup?
The best cloud service for online backup often depends on your personal or business needs. Services like Backblaze, Carbonite, and Dropbox provide robust options for backing up data securely online. These services typically offer features like automatic backups and easy access to your files from anywhere, making them a great complement to your external hard drive.
