Are you trying to find external thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives 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 25 hours of research and did 20 external thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives you can buy today
- Up to 6TB of space to back up and save your valuable project work. (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
- Ultra-reliable 7200RPM Ultrastar enterprise-class hard drive inside for long-term storage and up to 250MB/s transfer speeds. (1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device & other factors.)
- PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot (10Gbps) to easily add SSD capacity and performance for fast transfers, editing, and backup without adding to your workspace. (PRO-BLADE SSD Mag sold separately.)
- High-performance Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) interface and USB (10Gbps) compatibility.
- Color-coded cable indicators to connect the right cables and get the most out of your device performance.
- Unmatched speed: Experience ultra-fast read/write speeds up to 6700/5300MB/s, streamlining your workflow and maximizing productivity for all creative projects.
- Rugged protection: With an IP68 rating and resistance to water, dust, drops up to 3m, and pressure from a 2-ton vehicle, your data stays safe in any environment.
- Seamless editing: Effortlessly edit real-time 8K/6K videos on your Thunderbolt 5 MacBook Pro or Mac Mini allowing you to focus on creativity without performance concerns.
- Versatile compatibility: Connect easily with Thunderbolt 5/4 and choose from 2TB or 4TB capacities to fit your specific storage needs.
- Long-term assurance: Enjoy peace of mind with a 5-year limited warranty, ensuring your investment is protected and reliable for the long haul.
- Unmatched speed: Experience ultra-fast read/write speeds up to 6700/5300MB/s, streamlining your workflow and maximizing productivity for all creative projects.
- Rugged protection: With an IP68 rating and resistance to water, dust, drops up to 3m, and pressure from a 2-ton vehicle, your data stays safe in any environment.
- Seamless editing: Effortlessly edit real-time 8K/6K videos on your Thunderbolt 5 MacBook Pro or Mac Mini allowing you to focus on creativity without performance concerns.
- Versatile compatibility: Connect easily with Thunderbolt 5/4 and choose from 2TB or 4TB capacities to fit your specific storage needs.
- Long-term assurance: Enjoy peace of mind with a 5-year limited warranty, ensuring your investment is protected and reliable for the long haul.
- English (Publication Language)
- Powerful NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 2000MB/s read/write speeds.(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- A forged aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink to deliver higher sustained speeds in a portable drive that’s tough enough to take on any adventure.
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance(4), and a handy carabiner loop. (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- 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) (Download and installation required.)
- Capacity Reminder: Display capacity of 1TB SSD often appears as around 931GB on Windows. MacOS typically shows full 1TB. This display capacity reduction of 7% to 10% from SSD actual capacity is from algorithms differences in which 1GB is interpreted as 1024MB on Windows and 1000MB on SSDs
- 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
- Data Security: Master solid state drives health with S.M.A.R.T. monitoring. TRIM technology ensures consistent write speeds and extends the lifespan of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both USB-C and USB-A cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers between computers, smartphones, tablets and Phones
- Always Fast: No slowdowns during large file transfers. When transferring files smaller than 250GB, this external ssd remains steady 10Gbps with SLC caching (25%of the current available capacity is allocated for high speed cache)
- For iPhone 4K ProRes: Our portable SSD empowers 4K60Hz ProRes HDR video capture for iPhone. Power consumption less than 2.4 Watts, this external SSD effortlessly operates on various mobile devices, ensuring seamless usability on the go
- Less Heat: 2mm thick aluminum alloy case of this portable SSD brings superior heat dissipation and premium touch. Case temperature peaks at 105.58°F, ensuring reliable performance without worries of overheating inside the SSD
- Powerful Portability: Impressive external solid state drives weighs just 36.6g with a dimension of 2.6*1.5*0.5 inch, Experience unparalleled convenience with this remarkably lightweight portable SSD
- Enjoy high-speed file transfers and extreme in-field durability with Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C, an external hard drive
- For those who have a need for speed, transfer files with speeds of up to 130MB/s using the integrated Thunderbolt cable that seamlessly wraps around the enclosure when not in use
- Trek confidently with a portable external hard drive that’s drop, dust, and water resistant
- Includes a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with an included three-year limited warranty protection plan and Rescue Data Recovery services
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- CROSS PLATFORM: The LaCie d2 Professional is the go-to external desktop hard drive for creatives using Mac/PC SSD-based laptops or all-in-one-computers with limited storage capacity.Specific uses: Business,Personal,Gaming
- FAST DATA: Easily edit and archive projects with massive massive capacity and speeds of up to 240MB/s
- FUTURE PROOF: Seamlessly connect to USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 computers, enjoy reduced noise and vibration thanks to an aluminum form factor, and get ultimate reliability and performance with BarraCuda Pro enterprise-class drives
- BOUNDLESS CREATIVITY: Includes one-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan
- RECOVERY INCLUDED: Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included five-year limited warranty including Rescue Data Recovery Services
- NONSTOP SPEED: Race through projects with our fastest SSD for creators; Load, edit and transfer with sustained read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s1; The T9 Portable SSD performs at high speeds even during longer processes
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: When you’re elbow-deep in a passion project, the T9 Portable SSD stays cool; Its advanced thermal solution withstands and controls heat to keep the SSD at ideal temperatures—even in heavy use2
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether you’re using a desktop, camera or a gaming console3, count on the T9 Portable SSD for extensive compatibility; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- STRONG. SOLID. STABLE: From concept to completion – the T9 Portable SSD gives you the longevity to last through heavy use with one convenient drive that dares to go the distance
- WORKS LIKE MAGIC: Your T9 Portable SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software; With firmware updates, extra encryption and continual monitoring of your drive health, it works like a charm
- WORLD’S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Performance and reliability from the world’s #1 brand for flash memory since 20034; 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 more5; Included SSD cable recommended
- Fantom Drives eXtreme Portable NVMe SSD is the perfect collision of Power and Speed. Equipped with Thunderbolt 3 technology and PCIe Generation 3 M.2 3D NAND NVMe, FD eXtreme is capable of handling all your creative needs including 6K and 8K videos. It is now possible to work, edit, and render large files inside eXtreme without having to wait
- The eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD is an officially licensed and certified product that passes the stringent tests performed by Intel. With read speeds up to 2,800MB/s and write speeds up to 2,300MB/s, Fantom Drive eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD is designed specifically in mind for Mac enthusiasts and production-level creative professionals that are searching for high-quality storage devices. eXtreme allows you to continue creating and transferring data instantly
- Built with high-quality aluminum -- legend has it that FD eXtreme is strong enough to stand against Thor's Mjölnir and durable enough to tackle everyday storage challenges. The full metal body design with slick sand blasted finish provides the ultimate protection for your crucial data. Measuring at 2.5” x 0.5" x 4.25”, Fantom Drives eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 SSD is portable and can fit in any pocket. No power supply is needed
- Fantom Drives eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 is designed to alleviate any NVMe heat issues and allow proper cooling to extend its life and maximize its technological functionality. This product features Thermal Dissipation Technology which transfers heat exuding from the NVMe to a thermal pad. The produced heat from the NVMe is then dissipated to each edge of the device. FD eXtreme grooved edges are inspired by the design of a CPU heat sink and its efficiency
- eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 SSD comes formatted APFS and is compatible with Mac OS 10.13 or higher. eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 SSD comes with easy instructions to format to HFS+ (if Mac OS version is lower than 10.13) and NTFS for Windows. IMPORTANT: Thunderbolt 3 drives only work with Thunderbolt 3 ports. eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 SSD is covered with best in class 5 year 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
- Ultra-fast: over 2x faster than Thunderbolt portable enclosures with up to 3151MB/s real-world performance
- Ultra-compatible: use with USB4, Thunderbolt, and USB-C computers and devices
- Ultra-reliable: aircraft grade aluminum offers rugged protection of your SSD while silently keeping drive cool for consistent top speed
- Flexible DIY: use your choice of NVMe M.2 2280, 2242, or 2230 SSD
- Portable: bus-powered and palm-sized for convenient use anywhere
- Complete: includes 40Gb/s USB-C cable and screwdriver for enclosure
- Worry-free: 2 Year (enclosure) or 3 Year (solution) OWC Limited Warranty
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
- ALL FOR THE SHOT: This strong, sturdy sidekick will help you see it through with shock resistance and fall protection up to 6 feet⁴; With its solid aluminum unibody construction, it’s made to withstand any adventure
- WORLD’S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Performance and reliability from the world’s #1 brand for flash memory since 2003⁵; All firmware and components are produced in-house, including our world renowned DRAM and NAND, for quality and you can trust
- Up to 48TB (1) of max capacity on two 7200RPM Ultrastar Enterprise-class hard drives inside
- Ships in RAID 0 for improved performance with transfer speeds up to 540MB/s read and 490MB/s write (2) (48TB only)
- PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot to easily add SSD capacity and performance for fast transfers, editing, and backup without adding to your workspace.
- Color-coded cable indicators to connect the right cables and get the most out of your device performance.
- High-performance Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) interface and USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10Gbps)
- High-capacity add-on storage.Compatibility : Windows 10 plus, Reformatting required for use with MacOS.
- Fast data transfers
- Plug-and-play ready for Windows PCs
- WD quality inside and out
- Always Works: The Rocket nano XTRM (SB-XTMN) is designed with maximum performance in mind with its Thunderbolt 3 transfer mode, but it’s also compatible with older USB systems. You can plug it into just about anything and get reliable results. Share away.
- Speed To Keep Up: Don’t settle for low compatibility and slow connections: the Rocket nano XTRM’s Thunderbolt 3 mode connects at 40Gbps for transfer speeds of up to 2700MBps. This is blazing fast, but the USB mode also transfers at up to 900MBps (USB 3.2 Gen 2x1) and has backward compatibility.
- Rugged Portability: The SB-XTMN is meant to be taken on the go, designed to be small and able to handle the hazards of travel. The solid aluminum body helps with heat dissipation and improves durability. An optional, included silicon sleeve can further protect from drops and harsh environments.
- Convenience At Your Fingertips: This portable SSD is designed to never get in your way. It’s plug and play with no drivers required, and is bus-powered. There’s no need to buy extra cables as it comes with both Thunderbolt and USB-C to USB-A cables to fit all of your devices.
- It’s Sabrent: The Rocket nano XTRM is designed to work with Windows and macOS systems. It will also operate with other compatible Thunderbolt and USB devices.
- Top Tier Performance - Achieve real-world data transfer speeds of 252MB/s, perfect for professional video editing, backups, and data storage with this 12TB 3.5-inch hard drive enclosure.
- Versatile Compatibility - This 12TB SATA hard drive enclosure is Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux systems, as well as PlayStation, Xbox, and Smart TVs.
- Fast connectivity - The enclosure features USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-B for up to 5Gb/s transfer speeds and supports both USB-C (Thunderbolt) and USB-A connections for flexibility.
- Flexible setup options - Position it vertically using the included stand or horizontally with non-skid feet, and stack multiple units for expanded storage.
- Includes - OWC Mercury Elite Pro 12TB External Storage Solution, USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) Type-B to Type-A Cable, External Power Supply, US Power Cable, Quick Start Guide, Assembly Manual & User Guide, 3-Year OWC Limited Warranty.
- Up to 44TB of max capacity on two 7200RPM Ultrastar Enterprise-class Hard Drives Inside (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment and RAID configuration. For RAID products, storage capacity is based on RAID 0 mode.)
- Ships in RAID 1 for peace of mind with transfers rates up to 260MB/s read, or use the hardware RAID selector for up to 510MB/s read in RAID 0 (1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, RAID configuration and other factors)
- PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot to easily add SSD capacity and performance for fast transfers, editing, and backup without adding to your workspace.
- Color-coded cable indicators to connect the right cables and get the most out of your device performance.
- High-performance Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) interface and USB (10Gbps)
![SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD - Up to 3000MB/s, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), IP68 dust/Water Resistance, External Solid State Drive - SDPS31H-004T-GBC1D [exFAT Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31yADaPnvaL.jpg "The 8 Best external thunderbolt hard drives of %currentyear% 75")
- PC ready with exFAT format
- Super-fast speeds up to 3000MB/s read with Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) (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.)
- Dual-mode compatibility with both Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) and USB-C (10Gbps) verified to work with Intel EVO laptops and desktops.
- Ultra-rugged design with high-level IP68 dust/water resistance, 4000lb. crush resistance, and up to 3m drop protection (Based on internal testing.)
- Cool aluminum core pulls heat away from the internal drive to help maintain super-fast transfer speeds
- Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports for ultimate high-speed data transfer
- Integrated heat-sink for quiet operation and cooling
- Solid all-aluminum case makes for durability and stylish looks
- With capacities up to 10TB of storage to handle digital video, music and photo files (Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.)
- Formatted for Mac and easily reformatted for Windows
- 3-year limited manufacturer's warranty
- Shock and drop resistant up to 2 m in non-operating mode, conforming to military standard 810-F
- Thunderbolt and USB-C connectivity (backwards compatible with USB 3.0)
- Automatic backup software and AES 256-bit encryption provide seamless protection of your important data
- Compatible with PC and Mac
- Includes free three year rescue data recovery plan
How to choose a good external thunderbolt hard drives
Does the idea of finding a fantastic external thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives. 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 thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives, 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 thunderbolt hard drives.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting external thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives. 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 thunderbolt hard drives 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 thunderbolt hard drives.
