Best External Hard Drive for Mac

Mac computers are a beast when it comes to performance. These come with top-notch features and the best performance. However, most Mac computers have 256 GB SSD storage, which could be less for you if you’re a heavy user. Here’s where the best external hard drive for Mac comes into the picture.

The right hard drive can increase your storage by two or three times, allowing you to store much more data than before. However, finding the best drive for Mac can be challenging. Let’s look at the top nine hard drives for Mac you can buy.

Western Digital My Passport: Best External Hard Drive for Mac

If you don’t want to spend too much time researching and looking for a quick answer, your search ends with Western Digital My Passport. The drive has a capacity of 2-4 TB and rocks a USB 3.0 interface, providing a transfer speed of up 480 Mb per second. The drive also comes with 256-bit AES encryption.

The high data transfer speed allows you to move files quickly. Plus, it looks solid and premium from the outside. On the downside, WD My Passport has basic backup and recovery software. Also, you’ll need to format it before using it for Mac.

G-Technology G-Drive

If high capacity is your priority, don’t look beyond G-Technology G-RAID with Thunderbolt 3. It has a capacity of 8-25 TB, which is massive. It comes with the Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 interface and provides a transfer speed of up to 440 Mb per second. You also get a warranty of five years.

The drive also has easy-to-remove disks, making it easy to use. Lastly, it comes with an HDMI 2.2 port. The only downside to G-Technology G-Raid is it’s bulky and heavy. You won’t be able to carry it freely.

Buffalo MiniStation Extreme: Best External Hard Drive for Mac

Some people want a drive that offers a fast transfer speed. While the drives mentioned earlier provide a transfer speed of over 400 Mbps, which is quite fast, this drive takes it to a whole new level. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme has a transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps! Yes, you read that right.

The drive comes with USB 3.0 and 256-bit AES encryption. It also has NFC security, making it ideal for speed and security. On top of everything, the MiniStation Extreme has a rugged design, making it ideal for carrying. On the downside, this drive has a storage space of 2 TB, which could be less for some people.

LaCie Porsche Design

If you’re looking for a sharp and sleek-looking external hard drive for mac, you can try LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive. The drive comes with USB Type-C to Type-A and Type-C to Type-C connectors, making it ideal for all users.

The drive has a capacity of 4 TB and offers an output speed of up to 5 Gbps. All in all, if you’re looking for a stylish and highly functional hard drive, the Porsche Design can be an ideal pick. The only downside to this hard drive is that it’s pretty expensive compared to other drives. Amazon doesn’t mention its price, but its reviews state that it’s a bit too expensive.

Samsung Portable SSD T5: Best External Hard Drive for Mac

Samsung Portable SSD T5 can be an ideal pick for you if you need an affordable drive that lets you store video, games, etc. It has a storage capacity of 250 GB to 2 TB, which is lower than other drives on this list. However, it provides a decent transfer speed of 540 Mbps.

The Samsung Portable SSD T5 is ideal for you if you’re a fast worker who needs a drive for storing movies, videos, or games. On the downside, it has limited storage and lacks any security features.

Seagate Backup Plus

With a storage capacity of 1-5 TB, Seagate backup plus is one of the best external drives for Mac backups. It comes with a USB 2.0/3.0 interface. However, the transfer speed is only up to 120 Mbps, which is significantly slower than other drives on this list.

On the positive side, it comes with excellent backup software and considerable capacity to back up a PC or Mac computer. So, if you’re looking for a straightforward solution with basic but effective features, Seagate Backup Plus will be the right choice for you.

iStorage diskAshur2

If security is your topmost priority, you can opt for iStorage diskAshur2. It comes with military-grade encryption and a self-destruction feature. If you need the drive to transfer highly confidential information, you can go for this product.

It has a 1 TB storage capacity. The transfer speed is slow — up to 160 Mbps — but the drive compensates with its top-notch security. The design is also not for everyone. It has physical buttons for locking and unlocking the drive.

WD My Book Duo: Best External Hard Drive for Mac

If you’re looking for a beast in terms of storage capacity, your search ends with WD My Book Duo. With a storage capacity of 4-36 TB, My Book Duo is the best pick if you have massive storage requirements. It has a USB-C (Gen 1) interface and offers a transfer speed of up to 360 Mbps.

The My Book Duo also comes with backup software. The only drawback to using this drive is that you’ll need to reformat it if you want to use it for Mac.

Adata SD700

Let’s end this list with another straightforward hard drive for Mac — Adata SD700 External SSD. It comes in three storage capacity variants: 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB. The drive offers a transfer speed of up to 440 Mbps. If you’re looking for an affordable external drive that is rugged and highly functional, you can go for Adata SD700.

Conclusion: Best External Hard Drive for Mac

Finding the best external hard drive for Mac doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need to do is determine your requirements and pick a product that suits you. If speed is your priority, Buffalo MiniStation Extreme and G-Technology G-Drive will be ideal. If you’re looking for generous storage, WD My Book Duo will be the best pick.