10 Best External Backup Drive For Mac 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
OWC 8TB Express 1M2 80Gb/s Portable NVMe SSD USB4 (Thunderbolt Compatible/USB-C) Ultra Fast External SSD Drive with Aluminum Heat Sink Enclosure
The OWC 8TB Express 1M2 is a high-capacity external SSD designed for Mac users who need fast and reliable backup storage. With 8TB of space, it offers plenty of room for large files, making it suitable for regular backups or creative projects. Its NVMe SSD drive type ensures lightning-fast data speeds up to 6000MB/s, far faster than traditional external drives.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,455
Connectivity
Durability
Portability
Most important from
111 reviews
#2
G-Technology 6TB G-DRIVE USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Desktop External Hard Drive - 0G05670-1
The G-Technology 6TB G-DRIVE USB-C is a solid choice for Mac users needing a reliable external backup drive with generous storage. It offers a large 6TB capacity, which is great for storing extensive files like photos, videos, or business documents. The drive uses a 3.5-inch mechanical hard disk spinning at 5400 RPM, which strikes a balance between storage size and power efficiency but won't be as fast as SSD options. Its USB-C connection with USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface ensures good data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, making backups and file transfers fairly quick for a mechanical drive.
Rating
9.1
Durability
Storage Capacity
Connectivity
Most important from
1034 reviews
#3
OWC 4TB Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD Enclosure External Drive, Ultra Fast with TB5 Transfer Rates Over 6000MB/s, TB3, TB4 and USB4 Compatible, Works with Mac and PC
The OWC 4TB Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD is a powerful external backup drive designed to meet the needs of Mac users who require fast and reliable storage. With a large 4TB capacity, it offers ample space for backing up personal files, creative projects, or business documents. Its standout feature is the ultra-fast transfer speed of over 6000MB/s, which is about twice as fast as previous Thunderbolt versions, making file transfers and backups quick and efficient.
Rating
9.1
Durability
Portability
Most important from
99 reviews
Top 10 Best External Backup Drive For Mac 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
OWC 8TB Express 1M2 80Gb/s Portable NVMe SSD USB4 (Thunderbolt Compatible/USB-C) Ultra Fast External SSD Drive with Aluminum Heat Sink Enclosure
OWC 8TB Express 1M2 80Gb/s Portable NVMe SSD USB4 (Thunderbolt Compatible/USB-C) Ultra Fast External SSD Drive with Aluminum Heat Sink Enclosure
Storage Capacity: 8 TB
Drive Type: NVMe SSD
Connectivity: USB-C, Thunderbolt, USB4
Portability: 280g, compact aluminum, bus-powered
Durability: Aluminum enclosure as heat sink
Chosen by 1455 this week
G-Technology 6TB G-DRIVE USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Desktop External Hard Drive - 0G05670-1
G-Technology 6TB G-DRIVE USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Desktop External Hard Drive - 0G05670-1
Storage Capacity: 6 TB
Drive Type: Mechanical Hard Disk
Connectivity: USB-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1
Portability: Not portable, 3.5-inch, 2.3 Pounds
Durability: Aluminum enclosure
Backup Software: Apple Time Machine
OWC 4TB Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD Enclosure External Drive, Ultra Fast with TB5 Transfer Rates Over 6000MB/s, TB3, TB4 and USB4 Compatible, Works with Mac and PC
OWC 4TB Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD Enclosure External Drive, Ultra Fast with TB5 Transfer Rates Over 6000MB/s, TB3, TB4 and USB4 Compatible, Works with Mac and PC
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Connectivity: Thunderbolt 5, backward compatible
Portability: Portable, powered via Thunderbolt cable
Durability: Aluminum, shock, weather, dustproof
G-Technology 12TB G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Desktop External Hard Drive, Silver - 0G05383-1
G-Technology 12TB G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Desktop External Hard Drive, Silver - 0G05383-1
Storage Capacity: 12 TB
Drive Type: thunderbolt 3
Connectivity: USB, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C
Durability: all-aluminum casing
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students and Professionals,MU-PG4T0B/AM, Black (pack of 1)
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students and Professionals,MU-PG4T0B/AM, Black (pack of 1)
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Portability: 3.46 x 2.36 x 0.55 inches
Durability: Withstands drops up to 9.8 feet
Backup Software: Magician
Encryption: AES 256-bit hardware encryption
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SANDISK 4TB Desk Drive SSD – Desktop External Solid State Drive, Up to 1000MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - SDSSDT40-4T00-NA25
SANDISK 4TB Desk Drive SSD – Desktop External Solid State Drive, Up to 1000MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - SDSSDT40-4T00-NA25
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Connectivity: USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2
Durability: Good
Backup Software: Included software for automatic backups
Seagate Expansion 22TB External Hard Drive HDD - USB 3.0, with Rescue Data Recovery Services (STKP22000400)
Seagate Expansion 22TB External Hard Drive HDD - USB 3.0, with Rescue Data Recovery Services (STKP22000400)
Storage Capacity: 22 TB
Drive Type: 3.5-inch mechanical HDD
Connectivity: USB 3.0
Portability: Not very portable
Durability: Aluminum and glass enclosure
Backup Software: Needs reformat for Apple Time Machine
#10
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Buying Guide for the Best External Backup Drive For Mac
When choosing an external backup drive for your Mac, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get a product that meets your needs. An external backup drive is essential for safeguarding your data, providing additional storage, and ensuring you have a reliable backup in case of hardware failure or data loss. Here are the key specs to consider and how to choose the best fit for you.Storage CapacityStorage capacity refers to the amount of data the drive can hold. This is crucial because it determines how much data you can back up. Storage capacities typically range from 500GB to several terabytes (TB). If you have a lot of large files, such as videos and high-resolution photos, you might need a drive with 2TB or more. For general use, such as documents and smaller files, 500GB to 1TB might be sufficient. Assess your current data size and consider future needs to choose the right capacity.
Drive TypeThere are two main types of external drives: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD). HDDs are generally cheaper and offer larger storage capacities, but they are slower and more prone to physical damage. SSDs are faster, more durable, and more reliable, but they are more expensive and typically offer less storage space. If speed and durability are important to you, especially if you plan to frequently access the data, an SSD might be the better choice. For less frequent use and larger storage needs, an HDD could be more suitable.
ConnectivityConnectivity refers to how the drive connects to your Mac. Common options include USB 3.0, USB-C, and Thunderbolt. USB 3.0 is widely compatible and offers decent speeds, while USB-C and Thunderbolt provide faster data transfer rates and are more future-proof. If your Mac has USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, opting for a drive with these connections can offer better performance. Ensure the drive you choose is compatible with your Mac's available ports.
PortabilityPortability is about how easy it is to carry the drive around. If you need to take your backup drive with you frequently, a smaller, lighter drive is preferable. SSDs are generally more portable than HDDs due to their smaller size and lack of moving parts. Consider how often you will need to transport the drive and choose one that fits your lifestyle.
DurabilityDurability refers to how well the drive can withstand physical shocks and environmental factors. SSDs are more durable than HDDs because they have no moving parts. Some drives are also designed to be rugged, with features like water and shock resistance. If you plan to use the drive in various environments or are concerned about accidental drops, look for a drive with enhanced durability features.
Backup SoftwareSome external drives come with built-in backup software that can automate the backup process. This can be a valuable feature if you want a hassle-free way to ensure your data is regularly backed up. Check if the drive includes software that is compatible with macOS and meets your backup needs. If you prefer to use your own backup software, ensure the drive is compatible with it.
EncryptionEncryption is the process of encoding your data to protect it from unauthorized access. This is important if you have sensitive information that you want to keep secure. Some drives offer hardware encryption, which is more secure and efficient than software encryption. If data security is a priority for you, look for a drive with built-in encryption features.