Best External Drives for Mac Updated April 2026

Join the millions that have trusted BuyersGuide.org to help them make smarter buying decisions. Let our independent expert reviews and data-driven shopping recommendations help you find the one that's right for you.

Best External Drives for Mac
2026 Buyer's GuideUpdated April 2026
Sort by:
1

10.0

WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and pas...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 10000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.1
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

10.0

1
WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and pas...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 10000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.1
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
2

9.8

WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0020B...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

9.8

2
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0020B...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
3

9.6

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 120 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox
Compare

9.6

3
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 120 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox
4

9.5

SANDISK 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - Ext...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 1050 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

9.5

4
SANDISK 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - Ext...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 1050 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
5

9.3

LaCie Rugged 5TB Portable External HDD - USB 3.0/2.0 Compatible, Shock/Dust/Rain Resistant for Mac & PC, Orange, Grey
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

9.3

5
LaCie Rugged 5TB Portable External HDD - USB 3.0/2.0 Compatible, Shock/Dust/Rain Resistant for Mac & PC, Orange, Grey
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare
6

9.2

Western Digital WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Rea...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 95 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox
Compare

9.2

6
Western Digital WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Rea...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 95 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox
7

9.0

PILCNLA Portable External Hard Drive,USB-C,HDD USB 3.0,for Windows, Mac,Android,TV,Phone,Laptop,Desktop,PS4/5,Xbox One X/S, Xbo...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, & 1TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox, iOS, Android, smart TV
Compare

9.0

7
PILCNLA Portable External Hard Drive,USB-C,HDD USB 3.0,for Windows, Mac,Android,TV,Phone,Laptop,Desktop,PS4/5,Xbox One X/S, Xbo...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, & 1TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox, iOS, Android, smart TV
Compare
8

8.9

Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , ...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 20 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox
Compare

8.9

8
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , ...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 20 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox
9

8.7

LaCie Rugged Mini, 2TB, 2.5", Portable External Hard Drive, for PC Mac iPad and iPhone, Data Rescue Service (LAC9000298)
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

8.7

9
LaCie Rugged Mini, 2TB, 2.5", Portable External Hard Drive, for PC Mac iPad and iPhone, Data Rescue Service (LAC9000298)
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
10

8.6

Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & PlayStation - 1-Year Rescue Service (SRD0NF1)
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 120 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

8.6

10
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & PlayStation - 1-Year Rescue Service (SRD0NF1)
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 120 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Our Top Choice

1

10.0

WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and pas...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 10000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.1
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

10.0

1
WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and pas...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 10000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.1
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Compare Features

Hardware Interface
Best External Drive for Mac
1. WD My Passport Ultra External Hard Drive for Mac
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
2. Western Digital Elements Portable Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
3. Seagate Portable External Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
4. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2
SANDISK Preview SANDISK Preview
SANDISK
at Amazon
Premium Pick
5. LaCie Rugged Portable External HDD
LACIE Preview LACIE Preview
LACIE
at Amazon
6. WD 5 TB Portable External HDD Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
Best Value
7. PILCNLA Portable External Hard Drive
PILCNLA Preview PILCNLA Preview
PILCNLA
at Amazon
8. Seagate Portable Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
9. LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive
LACIE Preview LACIE Preview
LACIE
at Amazon
10. Seagate Portable Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
Deal
— — — — -11% — — — — —
Deal — — — — -11% — — — — —
Type
Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD External HDD External HDD Portable external HDD
Type
Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD External HDD External HDD Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity
2, 4, 5, & 6TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, & 1TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Storage Capacity
2, 4, 5, & 6TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, & 1TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate
Up to 10000 MB/s 5 GB/s 120 MB/s 1050 MB/s 130 MB/s 95 MB/s Up to 5 GB/s 20 GB/s 130 MB/s 120 MB/s
Transfer Rate
Up to 10000 MB/s 5 GB/s 120 MB/s 1050 MB/s 130 MB/s 95 MB/s Up to 5 GB/s 20 GB/s 130 MB/s 120 MB/s
Hardware Interface
USB-C, USB 3.1 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C, USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0
Hardware Interface
USB-C, USB 3.1 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C, USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0
Compatibility
Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox, iOS, Android, smart TV Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac
Compatibility
Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox, iOS, Android, smart TV Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac