10 Best Time Machine Backup Drive For Mac 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Samsung T5 EVO Portable SSD 8TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MB/s for Gaming and Content Creation, MU-PH8T0S/AM, Black
The Samsung T5 EVO 8TB is a solid external SSD that offers a huge storage capacity, making it a strong candidate for anyone needing to back up large amounts of data, such as Mac users running Time Machine backups. Its 8TB size means you can store years of files, photos, and videos without worrying about space. Being an SSD, it’s much faster than traditional external hard drives, with read speeds up to 460MB/s, which helps reduce backup and file transfer times.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,373
Storage Capacity
Drive Type
Portability
Most important from
757 reviews
#2
G-Technology 18TB G-DRIVE USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive, Silver - Compact, High-Performance Storage - 0G10822-1
The G-Technology 18TB G-DRIVE USB 3.0 is a solid choice if you need a large amount of storage for backing up your Mac with Time Machine. Its 18TB capacity offers plenty of room for heavy multimedia files and ongoing backups, which is great if you have a lot of data to protect. The USB 3.0 connection ensures decent transfer speeds, making backups and file access relatively quick for a desktop external drive.
Rating
9.7
Portability
Reliability and Durability
Backup Software Compatibility
Most important from
1633 reviews
#3
Samsung T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD - 1050MB/s, Rugged, Water & Dust Resistant, for Content Creators - Black
The Samsung T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD is a strong candidate for anyone needing a reliable and speedy backup drive for Mac, especially for Time Machine use. It offers a generous 4TB of storage, enough to hold years of backups or large creative projects. Being a solid-state drive (SSD), it’s much faster and more durable than traditional hard drives, with read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s—this means backups and file transfers happen quickly, saving you time. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface is fully compatible with Macs, ensuring smooth connectivity without slowdowns.
Rating
9.1
Storage Capacity
Connection Interface
Portability
Most important from
16300 reviews
Top 10 Best Time Machine Backup Drive For Mac 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Samsung T5 EVO Portable SSD 8TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MB/s for Gaming and Content Creation, MU-PH8T0S/AM, Black
Samsung T5 EVO Portable SSD 8TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MB/s for Gaming and Content Creation, MU-PH8T0S/AM, Black
Storage Capacity: 8 TB
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1
Portability: compact, lightweight
Reliability and Durability: shock resistant, drops up to 6 feet
Backup Software Compatibility: Time Machine
Chosen by 1373 this week
G-Technology 18TB G-DRIVE USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive, Silver - Compact, High-Performance Storage - 0G10822-1
G-Technology 18TB G-DRIVE USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive, Silver - Compact, High-Performance Storage - 0G10822-1
Storage Capacity: 18 TB
Drive Type: spinning hard drive
Connection Interface: USB 3.0
Portability: Portable
Reliability and Durability: all-aluminum case for durability
Backup Software Compatibility: Time Machine-ready
Samsung T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD - 1050MB/s, Rugged, Water & Dust Resistant, for Content Creators - Black
Samsung T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD - 1050MB/s, Rugged, Water & Dust Resistant, for Content Creators - Black
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
Portability: Portable
Reliability and Durability: Water, dust resistant; drops up to 10ft
Backup Software Compatibility: Works with Time Machine; may reformat
Samsung T7 Shield 2TB, Portable SSD, up-to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged,IP65 Water & Dust Resistant, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Extenal Solid State Drive (MU-PE2T0S/AM), Black
Samsung T7 Shield 2TB, Portable SSD, up-to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged,IP65 Water & Dust Resistant, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Extenal Solid State Drive (MU-PE2T0S/AM), Black
Storage Capacity: 2 TB
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
Portability: Portable, 3.39"L x 2.24"W x 0.49"Th
Reliability and Durability: IP65 water/dust resistance, 10ft drop
Backup Software Compatibility: Mac Time Machine
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB420XK3AA
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB420XK3AA
Storage Capacity: 2 TB
Drive Type: Mechanical Hard Disk
Connection Interface: USB 3.0, backward compatible USB 2.0
Portability: Compact, lightweight, 0.33 Pounds
Reliability and Durability: Aluminum casing, 1 Year warranty
Backup Software Compatibility: Compatible with Time Machine Mac
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G-Technology 5TB G-DRIVE Mobile USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Portable External Hard Drive, Space Gray - 0G10477-1
G-Technology 5TB G-DRIVE Mobile USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Portable External Hard Drive, Space Gray - 0G10477-1
Storage Capacity: 5 TB
Drive Type: Hard Drive
Connection Interface: USB-C, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3
Portability: Portable, 2.5-inch, 8.1 ounces
Reliability and Durability: Durable aluminum case, bump protection
Backup Software Compatibility: Mac Time Machine
Seagate Expansion 6TB External Hard Drive HDD - USB 3.0, with Rescue Data Recovery Services (STKP6000400)
Seagate Expansion 6TB External Hard Drive HDD - USB 3.0, with Rescue Data Recovery Services (STKP6000400)
Storage Capacity: 6 TB
Drive Type: Mechanical Hard Disk
Connection Interface: USB 3.0
Portability: Needs external power, less portable
Backup Software Compatibility: Works with Mac Time Machine after reformat
G-Technology 2TB G-DRIVE mobile USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Portable External Hard Drive, Space Gray - 0G10317
G-Technology 2TB G-DRIVE mobile USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Portable External Hard Drive, Space Gray - 0G10317
Storage Capacity: 2TB
Data Transfer Speed: 140MB/s
Drive Type: Mechanical Hard Disk
Compatibility: Mac, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3
Portability: 4.33 x 3.23 x 0.41 inches
Durability: Aluminum design
G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE Mobile USB-C (USB 3.1) Portable External Hard Drive, Space Gray - 0G10265
G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE Mobile USB-C (USB 3.1) Portable External Hard Drive, Space Gray - 0G10265
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Drive Type: Hard Drive
Connection Interface: USB-C, USB 3.1, 3.0, 2.0
Portability: Portable, 2.5 inch, 4.87 oz
Reliability and Durability: Aluminum case, 3-year warranty
Backup Software Compatibility: Time Machine, reformattable for Windows
#10
SANDISK 1TB Extreme PRO Dual Drive - Up to 1,000MB/s, USB Type-C, and USB Type-A, High-Performance Flash Drive - SDDDE1-1T00-G46
SANDISK 1TB Extreme PRO Dual Drive - Up to 1,000MB/s, USB Type-C, and USB Type-A, High-Performance Flash Drive - SDDDE1-1T00-G46
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Drive Type: flash drive
Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-C/A
Portability: light and compact
Reliability and Durability: metal casing adds durability
Backup Software Compatibility: supports SanDisk app backups
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Buying Guide for the Best Time Machine Backup Drive For Mac
Choosing the right backup drive for your Mac is crucial to ensure your data is safe and easily recoverable. Time Machine, the built-in backup feature of macOS, works seamlessly with external drives, but selecting the right one involves considering several key specifications. Understanding these specs will help you pick a drive that meets your needs in terms of capacity, speed, reliability, and portability.Storage CapacityStorage capacity refers to the amount of data the drive can hold. This is important because you need enough space to store all your files, applications, and system backups. Capacities typically range from 500GB to several terabytes (TB). For light users with basic documents and photos, 500GB to 1TB might be sufficient. For those with large media libraries or professional files, 2TB or more is recommended. Consider your current data size and future growth when choosing the capacity.
Drive TypeThere are two main types of drives: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD). HDDs are generally cheaper and offer larger capacities, but they are slower and more prone to physical damage. SSDs are faster, more durable, and consume less power, but they are more expensive per gigabyte. If speed and durability are priorities, especially for frequent backups and quick restores, an SSD is a better choice. For larger, less frequently accessed backups, an HDD might be more cost-effective.
Connection InterfaceThe connection interface determines how the drive connects to your Mac and affects data transfer speeds. Common interfaces include USB 3.0, USB-C, and Thunderbolt. USB 3.0 is widely compatible and offers decent speeds. USB-C is newer, faster, and reversible, making it easier to plug in. Thunderbolt offers the fastest speeds and is ideal for large data transfers and frequent backups. Choose an interface that matches your Mac's ports and your speed requirements.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to carry the drive around. Portable drives are smaller, lighter, and often powered by the connection to your Mac, making them ideal for on-the-go use. Desktop drives are larger, require external power, and are better suited for stationary use. If you need to back up data while traveling or moving between locations, a portable drive is more convenient. For home or office use where the drive stays in one place, a desktop drive might offer better value and larger capacities.
Reliability and DurabilityReliability and durability are crucial for ensuring your data remains safe over time. Look for drives with good reviews and a reputation for longevity. Some drives come with additional features like shock resistance, water resistance, or rugged casings, which can be important if you plan to transport the drive frequently. Consider the environment in which you'll use the drive and choose one that can withstand those conditions to ensure your data is protected.
Backup Software CompatibilityWhile Time Machine is compatible with most external drives, some drives come with their own backup software that can offer additional features like encryption, scheduling, and cloud integration. Ensure the drive you choose works seamlessly with Time Machine and consider any extra software features that might be beneficial for your backup strategy. This can provide added convenience and security for your backups.