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Best Hard Drive For Mac



  1. Best Backup Drive For Mac
  2. Best Hard Drive For Mac Backup
  3. Best Mac External Hd
  4. Best Hard Drive For Macbook Air
  5. Best Hard Drive For Mac Pro

The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the best external hard drive for Mac you can carry around with you at all times. It is formatted for both Mac and Windows right out of the box, and its easy-to-use software can automatically do backups for you as often or as little as you want. WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBU6Y0020BBK, $64.99; Seagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Light Blue USB 3.0 for PC. $109.99; WD 2TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive, USB-C.

We spent over 30 hours researching and testing 20 different external hard drives and found that HDD capacity, warranty, and backup speed were most important. The Western Digital External hard drive scored high marks in every category and is our top pick. This hard drive is the perfect device to back up the information on your Mac computer. This external HD offers fast file transfers with strong USB 3.0 connectivity. The backup drive does not need power to work, as it is powered with a USB. You will have all the storage room you need to protect your important files, documents, and photos.

Mac External Hard Drive Reviews

These days everyone is purchasing external hard drives for their computers, because you never know what’s going to happen. Should you lose your computer, or if something happens to its hard drive, then you have completely lost the data on your computer. That means that owning and using an external drive is a smart way to store your information in a separate location, so that you’re prepared in case the unexpected should happen.

Also, people have more data than ever, when you consider all the photos, videos, music, and so much more that folks keep on their computers. Even MacBooks aren’t designed to store all this information, and that’s why an external hard drive will help you to clear some space on your computer. Lets take a look at the top rated Mac external hard drives so that you can be well on your way to finding the right drive for you and your unique requirements.

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15 mins to read
36 products considered
20 products reviewed
30 hours reviewing

1. Western Digital

Best Overall Mac External Hard Drive

This backup drive for your Mac is manufactured by WD and features a secure portable storage capacity of up to 3TB. You also get an optional 256-bit AES hardware encryption if you so choose. This drive is compatible with Apple Time Machine as well, and its stylish design adds an overall creative style to your work desk.

You get a whopping USB 3.0 connectivity, and the drive is formatted for MAC OS X, so reformatting will be required for Windows. With a 3 year limited warranty, you can be sure that this drive is going to stand the test of time, and should anything go wrong, it’s easy to simply return it for a refund.

The chances are there’s not going to be any reason to return this drive because it’s solidly constructed and made from only the best materials. Perfect for all your backup and storage needs, you’re going to see that this drive outperforms the rest, and that’s why it’s one of the top rated models on the market.

Darius Spieth

2. Toshiba

Best Overall Mac External Hard Drive – Runner Up

With its 1 TB capacity and 5400 RPM speed, this backup drive is a top pick because it provides ample storage and comes in a sleek design. This is a USB 3.0 powered portable device that gives you all the add-on storage that you crave, and at a price that you can afford. With its plug and play operation, it’s easy to use this device with no software to install.

The drive accommodates large digital files with a spacious storage capacity that customers swear by. Also, the body of this drive is compact, and smudge-resistant so that you don’t have to deal with unsightly fingerprints. All in all, this is a top rated external drive for Mac because it offers ample storage space in the perfect sized device.

It’s easy to carry on the go, and you can be confident when you’re using it that you’re getting a safe and effective means of saving your important data, so that you can retrieve it whenever you need it most.

How to reduce size of system on mac. – Darius Spieth

3. Seagate

Best Budget Mac External Hard Drive

This external hard drive from Seagate is the perfect solution for backing up your Mac. You get 200GB of free OneDrive cloud storage for up to 2 years, and this is included with your purchase when you register a new Backup Plus drive. After you have registered the drive on seagate.com, you then get an added 200GB on your new or existing OneDrive account.

You can only redeem one offer with your OneDrive account, but you’re going to see that this is really all the storage that you’re going to need. The program allows you to create customized backup plans that include the signature Seagate dashboard software. You can also backup your mobile device photos and videos anytime using the Lyve App which works automatically.

You experience the fastest file transfer with powerful USB 3.0 connectivity. Also, the USB powered backup drive needs no power supply to operate. Mac os x internet browser. All in all, what you’re getting here is a tremendous backup drive that is going to give you all the storage that you so desperately need.

Darius Spieth

Summary of Our Top Picks
Mac computers are superior in a number of different ways, but they’re not completely perfect. Like all computers, they have a limited amount of storage, and in our data-heavy lives, this storage can run out in no time. Owning an external hard drive for your Mac is a wonderful way to not only have a place for this excess data, but also store it safely in case anything should happen to your computer.

We highlighted the top rated external hard drives on the market, and these are popular because they have an ample amount of storage, are affordable, and constructed from the highest quality materials. These top rated models also have the latest technology that makes them easy to use and reach lightening-fast speeds.

If you’re not yet convinced that one of these drives is right for you, then you can take a look at this buyer’s guide to find some other options that are out there for you. Each drive is so different, so it’s important to know what options are available to you so that you can make an informed decision.

5. My Passort

7. U32 Shadow

9. Mac

Mac External Hard Drive Comparison


Western Digital

Toshiba

Seagate

G-DRIVE

My Passport

Buffalo

U32 Shadow

Air

Mac

Studio
Interface
Transfer
Rate
(GB/s)
5.005.005.005.005.0010.004.805.005.005.00
HDD
Capacity
(GB)
1,000 – 3,000500
– 3,000
500
– 2,000
1,000500
– 1,000
500
– 1,000
500
– 2,000
1,000500
– 2,000
500
– 2,000
Disk Speed
(RPM)
7,2005,4005,4007,2005,4005,4004,8007,2007,2007,200
Sustained
Data
Transfer
Rate (MB/s)
480100120136640480450640640800
Warranty
(Years)
3123333333

Mac External Hard Drive Buying Guide

When it comes to finding the right external hard drive for your Mac, you have a lot of options out there. When looking for the right solution, you need to consider how much data you have to store, and whether you have multiple computers that are connected to your home network. You also need to take into account backup speed, the sensitivity of our data, how good you are with computers, and the physical size of the drive. This is going to effect the portability.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

It’s possible to spend up to $200 on a 2 terabyte drive, or even $300 for a 4TB model, but having all that space may not be necessary for you. You basically want to get the largest drive that you can afford, because this will allow you to store all your data for years to come. Keep in mind that your storage is going to accumulate, but it’s about knowing how much data you really have on a consistent basis.

You for sure want to get a drive that has at least the same amount of storage as your computer’s hard drive. The physical size of the drive is another consideration, especially if you want it to be portable. Should you need to take your backup with you, then you want to make sure that it’s small enough to carry.

How Fast Should it Be?

The speed of the external hard drive is another consideration that you need to take into account. Some people think that online storage options are a good idea but the problem is that they’re really too slow. Sometimes after your first backup it can take almost days to complete the next one, and that’s why an external hard drive offers you a faster solution. This makes it quick and easy to store music, videos, and images in a flash. Keep in mind that installation of the drive is going to require a little bit of technical know-how. Once you learn the ropes, you’re going to see that an external hard drive is a great alternative to all other forms of storage.

How Many Computers Do You Have?

This is something you definitely need to consider when buying an external hard drive. If you have many computers running on the same network then consider purchasing a network drive that can cover all these devices at once, and helps you to share data that you save. It’s going to take a little more time to figure out the installation, but in the long run it’s the easiest solution. Also, if your computer is placed near a router then connecting it with an Ethernet cable is a smart choice that is going to give you faster speeds. When you have a wired connection it makes it up to 50 times faster than your usual wireless connection.

Are You Good With Computers?

This is going to help determine which drive you purchase. It’s fairly easy to set up a backup, but when you’re not tech savvy it’s important to choose the simplest option. When it comes to going with the handiest choice, and these are thumb drives and optical discs, it’s going to require you to use multiple discs and devices to get the backup done. A good alternative if you know you’re not adept at technology is an external hard drive that runs without software or a drive that does backup at the push of a button.

Supplementing your Software

You can find inexpensive drives that do not require software but they’re a bit short when it comes to features and flexibility. You can even get software that is bundled with other drives, and these have their limitations as well. Often these are not able to back up onto CDs and DVDs. Third-party backup software is going to be quite inexpensive, and sometimes this option is well worth it. Some operating systems come with their own backup software such as Max OS X 10.5, and these will automatically back up everything that you have and they let you restore anything from a single file onto the entire drive.

It’s possible to restore the most recent version of a file that you have modified, and Time Machine in particular makes it easy to do this. The interface of this is quite simple to use, but it does take a little effort to learn the basics of the backup process. Windows 8 also comes with a backup program that has a feature called ‘File History’ that will backup copies of files similar to the way that Mac OS X does it.

Add More Protection

Should your backup and computer live in the same area then your data can be prone to fire, burglary, flood and other problems. If you want your content to be as safe as possible then consider a supplementary backup that is in a different location. This means that your content will always be safe should something happen to your computer.

Types of Backup

There are a number of different backup options, including internal, external, online services, network drives, and thumb devices. You get the fastest backup with an internal drive, but installation of this can be quite complicated. This kind of backup is also susceptible to malware that may infect the primary drive. Optical discs are quite easy to use, but you’re going to need a lot of them, and the discs themselves are prone to wear and tear.

Thumb drives are another good option and they offer higher capacities than optical drives. Keep in mind that it is easy to lose these and they don’t have the same capacity as hard drives. With all the types of backup that you should consider, an external hard drive seems to be the most appealing.

Conclusion

If you’re someone that owns a lot of data then having an external hard drive is a must to ensure that all that data is safe and secure. Most computers just don’t have the storage capacity that people need, and that is why an outside source helps to take the load off your computer while also keeping this data safe in a remote location. There are a lot of external drives out there to choose from, and when you’re looking for a model that is specifically designed for the Mac then you’re going to see that the options almost seem endless. We highlighted the top rated external drives on the market, and these are praised by customers because they deliver solid performance, durability, and are made from the highest quality materials. You can be confident when you purchase one of these models that you’re getting a product that will safely store all your material and will be able to handle ample volume.

The buyer’s guide took it a step further by highlighting the various features that are available to you. When it comes to finding the right drive for you, it’s really about knowing yourself and what you’re looking for. If you’re someone who is not very tech savvy, then it’s smart to go with a simpler option that isn’t going to require as much installation and upkeep. If you’re very good with technology, then you can select one of the more complicated options that is probably going to work faster and more efficiently. No matter what device you choose, you’re going to love the benefit that you get from owning an external hard drive, and the peace of mind that it gives you.

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For MAC Owners Who Love Doing More…

If it isn’t the biggest and best wireless hard drive for MAC, then I don’t want it for my precious videos, photos, and backups…

But hey, it’s because I take my work personal.

It’s also because I never stop…

Wireless Storage Lets You Work from Bed

Even before I get out of bed I’m already hitting the keys with new ideas…

You might say I’m obsessed with my work.

And you’d be right because I love to create!

But to fuel my creativity I need space, disk space that is…

WiFi Storage Makes Sense

Lots of disk space which is why having a portable WiFi hard drive makes total sense for me.

Look, for a while I tried to store my files on cheap USB thumb drives.

Hey, they’re big enough and they come 3 in a pack, right? Fortnite battle royale free download mac.

Then I lost the thumb drive that had an important project saved on it.

I’d spent days working on this project and it really pissed me off so I don’t save my important files on thumb drives anymore…

Alternative for USB Thumb Drive

Hard

But now I needed a solid alternative for storing my projects, something that was as easy to use as a thumb drive.

So after some research, and reading lots of product reviews, I figured out that buying a wireless hard drive was the answer to my storage problem.

Allison’s WD Wireless SSD video convinced me…

Here’s a link to see the WD 500GB My Passport Wireless SSD External Portable Drive.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALLa wireless hard drive has more benefits…

  • Simple – I can download 100s of photos from my MAC, iPhone, and DLSR every day for editing and storing.
  • Fast – I can directly access and edit video files that would normally take up a huge amount of storage on my MAC. Now I only keep a few working files on my laptop hard drive and copy everything else to external storage.
  • Versatile – It allows all my devices to connect using wireless so I can move around while I work (or work from bed).
  • Big – I’ve learned the hard way to keep backups of my work. And now I even back up my backups for extra protection.

Look, I could keep on going but you can imagine by now, especially if you also love to create that having gigabytes of easy to access extra storage space is crucial for your job…

Best Wireless Hard Drive for MAC (pick from 10 Best Sellers)

#1 Best SellerWD 4TB My Passport Wireless Pro Portable External Hard Drive, Wifi USB 3.0 - WDBSMT0040BBK-NESN
  • SD 3.0 card reader for fast media offloads
  • Wireless 802.11ac to stream 4K videos and view photos with the My Cloud mobile app on iOS and Android* |*4K streaming requires native player on mobile device with codec support for 4K video files and is subject to mobile device capabilities, hardware and software components and configurations.
  • All-day battery (up to 10 hours)* |*Based on streaming HD 720p, 3 Mbps video to one device over Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz single band only. Actual battery life depends on file size, type, format, bitrate, devices connected, Wi-Fi connectivity, settings and other factors.
  • Built-in power bank to charge your phone, action camera and more (with output up to 1.5A). Compatibility - Compatible with Windows10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, Mac OS X El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks or Mountain Lion operating systems. Requires DLNA/UPnPor Plex-enabled devices for streaming
  • 2-year manufacturer's limited warranty
#2 Best SellerWD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, Compatible with PC, Mac, PS4 & Xbox - WDBU6Y0020BBK-WESN
  • USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Compatibility
  • Fast data transfers
  • Improve PC Performance
  • High Capacity; Compatibility Formatted NTFS for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7; Reformatting may be required for other operating systems; Compatibility may vary depending on user’s hardware configuration and operating system
  • 2 year manufacturer's limited warranty
#3 Best SellerWD 2TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive, USB-C - WDBKYJ0020BSL-WESN
  • USB-C ready, USB 3.0 compatible
  • Innovative style with refined metal cover
  • Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
  • Formatted for Mac
  • 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty
#4 Best Seller

Best Backup Drive For Mac

WD 2TB My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive - Blue, USB-C/USB-A - WDBA2D0020BBL-WESN
  • Designed for Mac and Time Machine ready
  • USB-C and USB-A compatible
  • Password protection + 256-bit AES hardware encryption
  • WD Discovery software for WD Backup, password protection and drive management
  • SuperSpeed USB port; USB 2.0 compatible

Best Hard Drive For Mac Backup

#5 Best SelleriDiskk [Apple Mfi Certified] 1TB External Hard Drive for iPad pro iPhone 12/11 (Pro/SE/6/7/8,X,XR,XS MAX),iPad Series,Mac Windows PC,USB C Lightning Photo Stick Flash Drive with 10000mAh Power Bank
  • ✔【 1TB HDD Hard Drive】- The iDiskk iPhone Hard Drive lets you easily transfer content between your iPhone, iPad, PC and Mac computer and instantly expands your storage by up to 1TB, freeing up your space to lets you enjoy vide/photo anytime anywhere.
  • ✔【One Key Backup Photos or Videos 】-One key backup your iphone/ipad camera roll via app anytime the external hard drive is connected.Future backups only save newly added files,to avoid storage-consuming duplications.Also you can use in-app camera to take photos/videos,which will be automatically stored into the drive.
  • ✔【MFi Certified & Widely Compatibility】- MFi Certified chip and connector guarantee stable and safe data transfer; USB+Type C+Micro USB (USB-C) ports guarantee it compatible with most devices (iPhone 5/6/7/8/X/XR/XS MAX,iPad series,Macbook and PC)
  • ✔【Plug & Play】- iDiskk Portable Hard Drive offer simple plug and play operation,just plug it into your iphone/ipad and watch the movies directly from the hard drive during your trip or on travel.No software instalation required and intuitively drag and drop files to and from your PC or Macbook.
  • ✔【What you get 】- You will get 1 x 1TB iPhone External Hard Drive, 1 x MFi Charging Cable,1 x Type-C Cable,1 x User Manual. 18 Months Worry-free Warranty & Replacement Warranty and Dedicated Email Customer Support
#6 Best SellerSeagate Backup Plus Hub 4TB External Hard Drive Desktop HDD – USB 3.0, for Computer Desktop Workstation PC Laptop Mac, 2 USB Ports, 2 Months Adobe CC Photography (STEL4000100), Model:STEL4000100
  • Store and access content for years with up to 14TB in a USB drive
  • A great external hard drive for Mac and Windows, this hub can charge mobile devices and transfer files from USB cameras and USB thumb drives via its two USB 3.0 ports
  • Use seamlessly between windows and Mac by installing the provided NTFS driver for Mac
  • Complimentary four-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan’s photo and video editing apps (Must be redeemed within 1 year of drive registration. Not available in all countries)
  • Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty External desktop hard drive offers two front-facing, high-speed USB 3.0 ports for connecting to and recharging other USB devices like phones, cameras, and tablets
#7 Best SellerSSK 1TB Personal Cloud External Wireless Hard Drive Portable NAS Storage with WiFi Hotspot for Travel, Support Auto-Backup Connect SD Card Reader Share Data for iPhone iPad Tablet Smart Phone Laptop
  • High speed and large capacity: 1TB storage capacity(HDD), Up to 300Mbps high speed wireless transmission, without geographical restrictions,remote access and manage the storage freely at any where by PC/Mobile phone, Point to Point(P2P) confidential transmission to ensure data security;
  • Portable: Small size can be carried at any time, Built-in 3800Mah li-polymer battery, also can be used as power bank, charge your other usb devices;
  • Smart Control: Smart App(IOS & Android supported), smart upload/download, one key backup, remote access, multi-people sharing at the same time;Support Samba and DLNA Protocol, all smart devices interconnection in the LAN, smart TVs, laptops and mobile phones can share SSKCloud data freely; Divide Hard drive to Private Area and Public Area, better to keep private information, more safety;One Click backup On Mobile Phone, Tablet ,PC and iPad
  • Centralize all your data: Support IOS, Android, Windows, MAC, all have proprietary client software, Centralize all your photos, videos, music and files in one secure place and access easily. With USB Host port , support all kinds of USB storage devices, such as USB Disk, Card reader ect. and managed by SSKCloud App/Software.➤ SSKCloud App Download Website:http://eng.ssk.cn/
  • Function expansion: Support USB 3.0 high speed transmission, Support wireless relay and bridging function
#8 Best SellerSeagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Light Blue USB 3.0 for PC Laptop and Mac, 1 year MylioCreate, 2 Months Adobe CC Photography, 2-Year Rescue Service (STHP5000402)
  • Store and access 5TB of photos and files with Seagate Backup Plus Portable, an on-the-go USB drive for Mac and Windows
  • The perfect compliment to personal aesthetic, this portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure
  • Great as a laptop hard drive or PC hard drive, simply plug in via USB 3.0 to back up with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups. Reformatting may be required for use with Time Machine.
  • Edit, manage, and share photos with a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
  • Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty and two-yr Rescue Data Recovery Services
#9 Best Seller

Best Mac External Hd

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
  • Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
  • Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
  • To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
  • This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
  • Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included one-year limited warranty and one-year Rescue Data Recovery Services
#10 Best SellerToshiba (HDTB410XK3AA) Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black
  • Sleek profile design with a matte, smudge resistance finish
  • Plug & play; Easy to use with no software to install
  • Quickly add more storage capacity to your PC and other compatible devices
  • USB 2.0 compatible with no external AC power cord needed. System requirements - Formatted NTFS for Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7. Requires reformatting for Mac OS v10.12 /OS X v10.11 / v10.10. Available USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 Port
  • Includes Toshiba 1 year standard limited warranty. Ready to use with your PC4 and no software installation required

Best Hard Drive For Macbook Air

Last updated on 2020-12-08 at 17:00.

Which is the best wireless hard drive?

You’re probably wondering which wireless hard drive I use, right?

Like I said, I like the Western Digital Passport with the 500 GB SSD for extra speed that lets me connect using WiFi or with USB.

But you can also get the same wireless hard drive with a large hard drive that isn’t SSD.

Mac

I like to store my work files on my drive but you can use the storage for anything.

Which wireless hard drive did you choose?

Actually, they’re all pretty good choices but I’ve always had pretty good luck with Western Digital. Plus the Passport works great with my MAC.

Best Hard Drive For Mac Pro

But hey, I’m still interested in knowing which portable drive you think is the best wireless hard drive for MAC owners…

Read about NAS storage devices…

  • Best NAS for Home Backup – Network storage for doing full backups of your desktop for safekeeping.
  • Best NAS Drive for Media Streaming – Network storage for storing and streaming a lot of large videos.




Best Hard Drive For Mac
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