10 Best Mac-Compatible External Hard Drives 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
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
The Crucial X10 8TB Portable SSD is a strong choice if you need a large, fast external drive compatible with Mac and other devices. Its 8TB of storage offers plenty of space for photos, videos, games, and backups. Thanks to its solid-state design, it reaches impressive read speeds up to 2,100MB/s, meaning files open and transfer quickly—much faster than traditional hard drives. This speed makes it well-suited for creative work, gaming, and everyday file storage.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,152
Speed
Portability
Storage Capacity
Most important from
2305 reviews
#2
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
The Samsung T7 Portable SSD with 4TB storage offers a spacious and fast external drive option that works well with Macs and other devices like PCs and smartphones. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface supports impressive read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s, making file transfers and backups quick and efficient. This speed is especially helpful for users dealing with large files, such as videos or high-resolution photos. The drive’s solid-state design means it's more durable and shock-resistant compared to traditional hard drives, helping protect your data if you accidentally drop it up to 6 feet.
Rating
9.7
Speed
Portability
Durability
Most important from
38063 reviews
#3
Crucial X9 4TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac, & Android, Reliable Storage for Games, Files, & Backups, Black - CT4000X9SSD902
The Crucial X9 4TB Portable SSD is a solid choice if you need a large amount of fast, reliable storage that works smoothly with Mac computers. With 4TB capacity, it offers plenty of space for photos, videos, backups, and games. Its USB-C connection ensures good compatibility with Macs and other devices, while supporting transfer speeds up to 1050MB/s, which is much faster than traditional external hard drives. This makes moving large files or editing media quicker and less frustrating.
Rating
9.1
Storage Capacity
Connection Interface
Portability
Most important from
7794 reviews
Top 10 Best Mac-Compatible External Hard Drives 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
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
Chosen by 1152 this week
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
Crucial X9 4TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac, & Android, Reliable Storage for Games, Files, & Backups, Black - CT4000X9SSD902
Crucial X9 4TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac, & Android, Reliable Storage for Games, Files, & Backups, Black - CT4000X9SSD902
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Connection Interface: USB-C
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Portable
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Android, consoles
Durability: Water, dust resistant; drop resistant 7.5ft
Speed: 1050MB/s
Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC2T0T/AM, Gray
Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC2T0T/AM, Gray
Storage Capacity: 2 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Small, lightweight design
Compatibility: Mac, PC, consoles, smartphones
Durability: Aluminum body, drop resistant 6ft
Speed: Read 1050 MB/s, Write 1000 MB/s
BUFFALO DriveStation 8TB High Speed 7200RPM TAA Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.2
BUFFALO DriveStation 8TB High Speed 7200RPM TAA Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.2
Storage Capacity: 8 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1
Drive Type: Mechanical HDD
Portability: Portable
Compatibility: PC, Mac
Durability: Aluminum
Speed: 100-150 MB/s
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Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students and Professionals, MU-PG1T0B/AM, Black
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students and Professionals, MU-PG1T0B/AM, Black
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Compact, lightweight, just over 4 oz
Compatibility: Mac, PC, Tablet, iPhone 15/16
Durability: Rugged, survives 9.8 ft drop
Speed: Up to 2,000 MB/s
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0H/AM, Blue
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0H/AM, Blue
Storage Capacity: 1TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Portability: Portable, 2.08 oz, 3.3x2.2x0.3 inches
Compatibility: PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Smartphone
Durability: Aluminum case, drop protection 6 feet
Speed: Read 1050 MB/s, Transfer 10 Gbps
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
Storage Capacity: 5 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.0
Drive Type: Mechanical Hard Disk
Portability: 9.2 oz, 9.2x6x1.1 in
Compatibility: Mac, PC
Durability: Plastic casing, basic protection
Speed: Decent everyday transfer speeds
Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray
Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
Drive Type: Solid State Hard Drive
Portability: Compact and lightweight
Compatibility: PC, Console, Tablet, Smartphone, Mac
Durability: Shock resistance, fall protection, aluminum
Backup and Security Features: 256-bit AES encryption, thermal control
#10
WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN
WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.0 compatible
Drive Type: Mechanical (HDD)
Portability: Portable
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Speed: USB 3.2 Gen 1; Read 1050 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.