Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The best external drive for a Mac depends on what you need it to do: choose a hard disk drive (HDD) for more storage at lower cost, or a solid-state drive (SSD) for faster transfers, compact travel storage, and stronger resistance to bumps. For a portable HDD, Macworld’s 2026 guide lists the WD My Passport Ultra for Mac at up to 6TB; for a desk-based drive with much higher capacity, it lists the Seagate Expansion Desktop at up to 24TB. For speed and ruggedness, TechRadar’s 2026 guide lists the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 as an SSD option with Thunderbolt 5, capacity up to 8TB, and IP68 certification.
Which kind of external drive fits your Mac use?
There is no single best drive for every Mac owner. Capacity, transfer speed, portability, power, and how you use the files all affect the choice. The options below are cited from Macworld’s guide published June 24, 2026, and TechRadar’s 2026 buyer’s guide; specifications and product lines can change.
Choose an HDD for capacity and value
An HDD is a practical choice for media libraries, archives, and background backups when you want substantial capacity and do not regularly move very large files. Portable models are generally easier to carry and connect without a separate AC adapter. Desktop HDDs can offer much more capacity, but may need wall power and a permanent spot on a desk. HDD transfer performance is far below that of current fast SSDs.
Recommended Free Tools
Choose an SSD for speed and travel
An SSD is the better category to consider if you routinely transfer large files, need compact storage on the move, or want a more rugged drive. Those benefits come with a different, typically higher-cost use case than a conventional HDD. Confirm that your Mac and cable support the interface you intend to use; a fast drive cannot deliver its full interface speed through an incompatible connection.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Mac external-drive options by use case
| Use case | Drive | What the cited guide reports | Trade-off to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable HDD for media and backups | WD My Passport Ultra for Mac | Macworld lists USB-C and capacity up to 6TB. | It is an HDD, so expect HDD-level rather than SSD performance. |
| Portable HDD with security features | Seagate Ultra Touch HDD | Macworld lists 2TB, 4TB, and 5TB versions, USB-C, password protection, and encryption. | Macworld describes performance as average and says higher-capacity versions are larger and heavier than the original design. |
| Large-capacity desktop HDD | Seagate Expansion Desktop | Macworld lists capacity up to 24TB. Its 16TB test unit reached almost 280MB/s in Macworld’s testing. | It requires an AC adapter. The almost-280MB/s figure is a reviewer measurement of that 16TB test unit, not a speed guarantee for every capacity or setup. |
| Mac-formatted desktop HDD | SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE Desktop | TechRadar lists capacity up to 22TB, USB 10Gbps, and Mac pre-formatting. | It is slower than an SSD, and TechRadar notes that a USB-A cable is not included. |
| Fast, rugged portable SSD | LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 | TechRadar lists Thunderbolt 5, capacity up to 8TB, and IP68 certification. | It is an SSD in a typically higher-cost category than conventional HDDs. Check the Mac’s interface support to know what speed is attainable. |
Capacity and interface details above are what the named publications report, not a guarantee that every retailer’s current listing or product revision is identical. Check the exact model and included accessories before buying.
Check your Mac’s ports, cable, and power needs
Do not assume that every Mac has the same connector, or that a drive described as Mac-compatible includes the cable you need. Apple’s guide to identifying ports on a Mac covers USB-C and Thunderbolt connections across different Mac generations, including MacBook and iMac models. Check the ports on your exact Mac, then compare them with the drive’s interface and included cable; you may need an adapter.
Rank #2
- Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
- 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: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
Also distinguish the connector shape from the data standard. A USB-C plug describes the connector, while the drive’s stated USB or Thunderbolt interface describes how it communicates. A compatible plug alone does not establish that your Mac will support the drive’s maximum interface speed.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute- For a portable setup, check whether the drive is powered through the Mac’s connection or requires its own power supply.
- For a desktop HDD such as the Seagate Expansion Desktop, account for the required AC adapter and a nearby outlet.
- For an SSD marketed with a fast interface, confirm the Mac’s port and the cable support that interface before expecting its highest speeds.
- If the drive does not include the matching cable, budget for a suitable cable or adapter.
Choose a format for the work you do
Formatting needs depend on the workflow; not every external drive used with a Mac must be APFS. For external storage used with Final Cut Pro, Motion, or Compressor, Apple says to use APFS for best performance. Its formatting guidance for those applications, published July 11, 2024, warns that storage sold as ExFAT or FAT32 may not perform as expected with them.
Rank #3
- 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
Reformatting erases the data on the volume, so copy anything you need elsewhere before changing its format. Apple also says a Final Cut Pro library cannot be stored on a device used for Time Machine backups.
If you need to share files between Mac and Windows, TechRadar notes that ExFAT is compatible with both. That convenience is not the same as choosing a format for a dedicated video-editing workflow. TechRadar also cautions that disconnecting an ExFAT drive while it is writing can risk corruption or data loss, so eject it safely and wait for transfers to finish.
Rank #4
- 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
How to make the final choice
- Set the job first. For archives, media, or routine backups where speed is secondary, compare HDDs. For frequent large transfers, travel, or ruggedness, compare SSDs.
- Estimate capacity with room to grow. Compare the capacity you need with the drive’s listed maximum and available versions; the cited models range from smaller portable options to desktop drives listed at up to 24TB.
- Compare total convenience, not only capacity. Consider portability, whether the drive needs AC power, cable inclusion, encryption features, and whether it arrives formatted for your workflow.
- Verify Mac fit. Identify your Mac’s ports and confirm the interface, cable, adapter, and achievable speed for that model.
- Pick a suitable file format before loading files. For Final Cut Pro, Motion, or Compressor external storage, follow Apple’s APFS guidance. For Mac–Windows sharing, ExFAT may be useful, with safe-eject habits.
For a straightforward portable HDD, the WD My Passport Ultra for Mac is a reasonable capacity-oriented option in Macworld’s 2026 guide. For storage that stays on a desk, the Seagate Expansion Desktop is the higher-capacity option among the cited HDDs, with the trade-off of AC power. If fast transfers or rugged travel matter more than HDD capacity per dollar, look at an SSD such as the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 and verify that your Mac can use its interface as intended.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
