Are you trying to find external hard drives for macs among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling external hard drives for macs on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 26 hours of research and did 21 external hard drives for macs tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best external hard drives for macs you can buy today
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible.Specific uses: Business, personal
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Mac
- ✔Latest Version: 2.5-inch external hard drive, super fast transfer speed with upgrade USB 3.0(up to 5 Gbit / s), which is ten times as fast as - but still compatible with - USB 2.0, ready to backup massive data in seconds
- ✔System Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 10/ Windows 8.1/ Windows 8/ Windows 7/ Mac OS (10.6.5 and above)/ Xbox/ PS4/ smart TV
- ✔Plug-and-Play: Ready to go without external power supply and software installation needed
- ✔Slim Style Pocket Sized Design: Mini portable hard drive protected by sturdy and durable case, comfortably fits your palm
- ✔What You Get: 1 x portable hard drive, 1 x USB 3.0 cable, 1 x user manual, 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- The LaCie d2 Professional is the go to external desktop hard drive for creatives using SSD based laptops or all in one computers with limited storage capacity
- Easily edit and archive projects with 10TB of massive capacity and speeds of upto 240MB/s
- Seamlessly connect to USB C and Thunderbolt 3 computers and enjoy reduced noise and vibration thanks to an aluminum form factor
- Equipped with BarraCuda Pro enterprise class drive for ultimate reliability and performance
- Fantom Drives Gforce3 Features USB 3. 0 connection allowing transfer rates up to 10 times the rate of USB 2. 0
- The Gforce3 USB 3. 0 Hard Drive is perfect for Audio and video professionals requiring maximum performance and reliability
- Rugged Features provide optimal storage for all your photos, videos, and backups
- The USB 3. 0 is backwards compatible with USB 2. 0. Plug & play simplicity.
- Aluminum casing doubles as a heat sink and provides maximum durability.
- High speed 7200RPM offers faster speed than 5400RPM hard drives
- Great for your home network, MAC, and PC
- Designed for Mac.Specific uses: Personal
- Software for device management and backup with password protection. (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB port (5Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
- 3-year limited warranty
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
- Sleek profile design with a matte, smudge-resistance finish
- Plug & Play - Easy to use with no software to install
- Quickly add more storage capacity to your PC and other compatible devices
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible with no external AC power cord needed
- Pre-formatted NTFS for Windows PC (reformatting required for Mac computers)
- Adding extra storage for your videos, music, photos, and files..Date transfer rate:5Gbps.Operating temperature: 5°C to 35°C, Non-op. temperature: –20°C to 65°C.
- Transfer data at maximum speed with USB 3.0; USB 2.0 compatible
- Improve PC performance - When your internal hard drive is almost full your PC slows down. Don’t delete files. Free up space on your internal hard drive by transferring files to your WD Elements portable hard drive and get your laptop moving again.
- Plug-and-play ready for Windows PC
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 5TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- USB-C (5Gbps) drive for quick file backup and storage
- USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible
- Transfer rates of up to 130MB/s read (1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.)
- Premium, anodized aluminum enclosure for strength you can feel
- Built tough with an easy-grip bumper for pro-grade durabilty you can trust
- Designed for PC, Mac, and Tablet (check compatibility at Toshiba's Consumer HDD website).
- Formatted exFAT for cross-device compatibility (2).
- USB-C ready, USB 3.0 compatible.
- Versatile design. Includes USB-C and USB-A cables.
- PORTABLE STORAGE ON THE GO: The light, pocket-sized Portable SSD T7 delivers fast speeds with easy and reliable data storage for transferring large files, including crucial business documents, games, or movies
- TRANSFER IN A FLASH: Transfer massive files with the incredible speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2; PCIe NVMe technology delivers blazing fast sequential read/write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s1, making the T7 2x as fast as the previous T5 model2
- STRONG & SECURE: Unlike HDDs, the Portable SSD T7 has no moving parts so it's more resistant to shock; Plus, its solid aluminum unibody adds more protection, keeping it safe from falls of up to 6 ft3 and is backed by a 3-year limited warranty4
- RELIABLE THERMAL SOLUTION: The T7’s advanced thermal solution uses the Dynamic Thermal Guard to withstand and control heat, so the portable SSD stays at an optimal temperature even at fast speeds5
- SLEEK & COMPACT STYLE: Roughly the size of a credit card and only weighing 2 ounces, the T7 fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and is light enough to take your files on the go
- FIND YOUR BEST FIT: Pick a color from classic gray to striking blue and red, and choose from three capacities to fit what your lifestyle demands: 500 GB, 1TB, or 2TB
- SIMPLE SETUP: The T7 comes embedded with software6 to help you set up a password to get the latest firmware updates for your PC, Mac, or Android mobile devices7; You can also download the mobile app for Android smartphones and tablets
- MULTI-DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: The T7 is compatible with PC, Mac, Android devices, gaming consoles, and more8; Included in the box are USB Type C-to-C and Type C-to-A cables for added convenience
- WORLD’S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Performance and reliability from the world’s #1 brand for flash memory since 20039; All firmware and components are produced in-house, including our world renowned DRAM and NAND, for quality and you can trust
- SUPPORTS iPHONE: Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more10; Included SSD cable recommended
- Quickly and easily connect to the latest Windows and Mac computers with Rugged’s reversible USB-C cable, or legacy computers using the included USB 3.0 adapter
- Enjoy fast USB-C 130MB/s file transfers, backups, and image browsing
- Confidently tackle any terrain with drop, crush, and rain resistance
- Take advantage of a complimentary one-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps
- Available in capacities up to 5TB that can hold up to 125 games, so that you can save old favorites and still have room for new titles (As used for storage capacity, one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment. Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.)
- Comes with an 18-inch (457mm) USB Type-A to Micro-B cable with SuperSpeed interface up to 5Gbps (Cable length may vary.)
- Compatible with Xbox Series X/S (play and store Xbox One games, archive Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S games) and PlayStation 5 (play and store PS4 games, archive PS5 games) consoles
- Portable form factor with sleek metal top covering that provides fast access to your growing game library
- Premium HDD with 3-year limited warranty, purpose-built for gamers based on WD_BLACK quality and reliability
- English (Publication Language)
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】-This external hard drive is designed for easy, space-saving use. With a thin and compact size, it pops into your pocket for easy storage
- 【Upgraded version cable】The aluminum anti-interference layer is added to the outside of the cable, which can prevent all electromagnetic interference, stabilize the transmission speed, and extend the service life
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers 】- The external Hard Drive is used in conjunction with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports to provide ultra-fast transfer speed. The theoretical read speed is up to 125MB/s, and the write speed is up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data
- 【Double anti-interference】-The external hard drive chip adds a signal shielding layer, the transmission speed of the hard disk will be faster than other hard disks, stable and undisturbed
- Compact design with stylish, textured finish and color options to fit your lifestyle.
- Automatic backup software to easily back up your content (free download, for Windows PC only).
- Password protection software to help prevent unauthorized access to your data (free download, for Windows PC only).
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible.
- High-capacity add-on storage.Specific uses: Business, personal
- Fast data transfers
- Plug-and-play ready for Windows PCs
- WD quality inside and out
- Massive capacity, up to 18TB capacity (1 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).Specific uses: Business, personal
- Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Tulley, Charles (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 26 Pages - 04/05/2015 (Publication Date)
- Holds up to 3.5 pounds of hard drives, peripherals- even MacBook Air
- Built-in cable management rails keep cables nearby
- Included support pegs hold up vertically-oriented peripherals
- Fits all current iMacs, Apple Thunderbolt Displays and Apple Cinema Displays
How to choose a good external hard drives for macs
Does the idea of finding a fantastic external hard drives for macs make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in external hard drives for macs. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top external hard drives for macs products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top external hard drives for macs on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top external hard drives for macs brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top external hard drives for macs based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the external hard drives for macs were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good external hard drives for macs, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your external hard drives for macs.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting external hard drives for macs for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our external hard drives for macs. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what external hard drives for macs should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on external hard drives for macs.
