10 Best Mac-Compatible External Hard Drives 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive - Portable External Hard Drive HDD Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBA3P0080HBK-NESN
The WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive offers a large 8TB storage capacity, which is great for storing lots of games, media, or backups, especially if you use a Mac along with gaming consoles or PCs. It features a 7200 RPM mechanical hard drive, providing faster speeds (up to 250 MB/s) than typical external HDDs, which helps load games and transfer files more quickly. The drive connects via USB and has a USB Type-A charging port, making it easy to power your gaming accessories as well.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,346
Speed
Durability
Drive Type
Most important from
1616 reviews
#2
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0010BBK-WESN
The Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD is a solid choice for Mac users looking for a portable external hard drive that excels in speed and durability. With a storage capacity of 1TB, it provides ample space for games, files, and media, making it particularly beneficial for gamers who want to keep multiple titles ready to launch. The USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface allows for impressive speeds up to 2,000MB/s, although actual performance may vary based on usage and device compatibility.
Rating
10.0
Storage Capacity
Portability
Compatibility
Most important from
1559 reviews
#3
Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Grey, Up to 1,050 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible (USB-A for older systems) – WDBAGF0040BGY-WESN
The Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD is a solid choice if you're looking for a fast and reliable external hard drive compatible with Mac systems (macOS 11+). It offers a large 4TB capacity, which is great for storing plenty of files, backups, or media. Thanks to its NVMe technology, it delivers impressive transfer speeds up to 1050 MB/s for reading and 1000 MB/s for writing, making file transfers quick and efficient compared to traditional external drives. It connects via USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C, with a USB-A adapter included for older Macs, ensuring broad compatibility.
Rating
7.9
Speed
Portability
Durability
Most important from
8896 reviews
Top 10 Best Mac-Compatible External Hard Drives 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive - Portable External Hard Drive HDD Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBA3P0080HBK-NESN
WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive - Portable External Hard Drive HDD Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBA3P0080HBK-NESN
Storage Capacity: 8 TB
Connection Interface: USB
Drive Type: Mechanical Hard Drive
Portability: No
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
Durability: Built-in active cooling
Speed: 7200 RPM, up to 250 MB/s
Chosen by 1346 this week
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0010BBK-WESN
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0010BBK-WESN
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen2x2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Portable
Compatibility: Laptop, Console, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox
Durability: Shock-resistant, drops up to 2 meters
Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Grey, Up to 1,050 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible (USB-A for older systems) – WDBAGF0040BGY-WESN
Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Grey, Up to 1,050 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible (USB-A for older systems) – WDBAGF0040BGY-WESN
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen-2, USB-C, USB-A
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Compact, lightweight
Compatibility: Mac (macOS 11+), PC
Durability: Withstands drops up to 7 feet
Speed: Read 1050 MB/s, Write 1000 MB/s
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 4TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC4T0T/AM, Gray
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 4TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC4T0T/AM, Gray
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Compact and lightweight
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, consoles, mobile
Durability: Shock-resistant, drop protection 6 feet
Speed: Read 1,050 MB/s, Write 1,000 MB/s
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
Connection Interface: Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, USB 3.1
Drive Type: Mechanical hard drive
Portability: Desktop drive
Compatibility: Mac
Durability: Aluminum case, 5-year warranty
Speed: 7200 RPM
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LaCie d2 Professional 16TB
LaCie d2 Professional 16TB
Storage Capacity: 16 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.1 Type-C
Drive Type: Mechanical Hard Disk
Portability: Desktop-style, bulky, nearly 4 pounds
Compatibility: Mac and Windows, exFAT formatted
Durability: Aluminum enclosure
Speed: 7200 RPM, up to 260MB/s
Crucial X10 8TB Portable SSD, Up to 2,100MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac & Android, Durable Storage for Games, Photos & Files, Blue - CT8000X10SSD9-02
Crucial X10 8TB Portable SSD, Up to 2,100MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac & Android, Durable Storage for Games, Photos & Files, Blue - CT8000X10SSD9-02
Storage Capacity: 8 TB
Connection Interface: USB-C, USB-A
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Portable, compact, light
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Android, consoles
Durability: IP65 dust/water resistance, drop 9.8ft
Speed: 2100 MB/s read speed
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
Connection Interface: USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Compact, lightweight
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, exFAT pre-formatted
Durability: More durable, drop resistant
Speed: Up to 1000MB/s
G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD Durable Portable External Storage - USB-C (USB 3.1), Up to 560 MB/s - 0G06053-1, black
G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD Durable Portable External Storage - USB-C (USB 3.1), Up to 560 MB/s - 0G06053-1, black
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.1 Gen 2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Compact, lightweight, about 3 ounces
Compatibility: Mac OS 10.10+, Windows 7+
Durability: IP67, shock, vibration, drop 3m
Speed: Up to 560MB/s
#10
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
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Small size, light weight
Compatibility: Mac, PC, consoles, iPhones
Durability: Rugged, up to 9.8 ft drop
Speed: Up to 2,000 MB/s
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Buying Guide for the Best Mac-Compatible External Hard Drives
When choosing a Mac-compatible external hard drive, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. External hard drives are essential for expanding storage, backing up data, and transferring files. Understanding the different specs will help you make an informed decision and find a drive that meets your requirements.Storage CapacityStorage capacity refers to the amount of data the external hard drive can hold. This is important because it determines how much information you can store on the drive. Storage capacities typically range from 500GB to several terabytes (TB). If you need to store large files like videos or a large number of files, you should opt for a higher capacity drive, such as 2TB or more. For basic use, like storing documents and photos, a 500GB to 1TB drive may be sufficient.
Connection InterfaceThe connection interface is how the external hard drive connects to your Mac. Common interfaces include USB 3.0, USB-C, and Thunderbolt. This spec is important because it affects the data transfer speed and compatibility with your Mac. USB 3.0 is widely compatible and offers good speeds, while USB-C and Thunderbolt provide faster transfer rates and are ideal for newer Mac models. Choose an interface that matches your Mac's ports and your need for speed.
Drive TypeExternal hard drives come in two main types: 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 better for performance-intensive tasks, but they are more expensive and usually have lower storage capacities. If you need speed and reliability, go for an SSD. If you need more storage at a lower cost, an HDD might be the better choice.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to carry the external hard drive around. This is important if you plan to use the drive on the go. Portable drives are usually smaller, lighter, and powered through the connection interface (bus-powered), making them convenient for travel. Desktop drives are larger, require an external power source, and are better suited for stationary use. Choose a portable drive if you need to carry it with you frequently, and a desktop drive if it will stay in one place.
CompatibilityCompatibility ensures that the external hard drive works seamlessly with your Mac. This is crucial because not all drives are formatted for macOS out of the box. Look for drives that are labeled as Mac-compatible or pre-formatted for macOS. If a drive is not pre-formatted, you can reformat it using Disk Utility on your Mac. Ensure the drive supports the macOS version you are using to avoid any compatibility issues.
DurabilityDurability refers to how well the external hard drive can withstand physical damage and wear over time. This is important if you plan to use the drive in different environments or if it might be subject to drops and bumps. Some drives come with rugged designs, shock resistance, and water resistance, making them more durable. If you need a drive for outdoor use or travel, consider a more durable model. For home or office use, standard durability should suffice.
SpeedSpeed refers to how quickly data can be read from or written to the external hard drive. This is important for tasks that require fast data access, such as video editing or running applications from the drive. Speed is influenced by the drive type (SSD is faster than HDD) and the connection interface (Thunderbolt and USB-C are faster than USB 3.0). If you need high-speed performance, choose an SSD with a fast interface. For general storage, speed may be less critical.