While they are fancy in every way imaginable, Macs, Macbooks and iMacs are sometimes tricky to manage or upgrade. We all know that computers have limited space and will surely get full someday. To help with that, you can always add or use an external storage, which also comes handy when transferring or moving around with them. If you have a lot of creative work to store or just want extra space, then you need a good external hard drive for Mac. And to help you find the right one from the bazillions that have flooded the market, we have created this comprehensive guide detailing everything that you need to know and also listed down some of the best that you can count on.
Best Pick – Seagate Backup Plus Hard Drive
Reliable, High Performance & Impressive Speeds
Want a high performance external hard drive for your Mac? The Seagate is the one you are looking for. It is a highly portable hard drive that offers robust transfer speeds and employs some of the latest features and functionalities to give users the ultimate experience. It has gone above and beyond and you surely won’t find any other that comes close to it. The hard drive makes storage and backups effortless.
Table of The Best External Hard Drive For Mac in 2020
Best External Hard Drives For Mac 2021
If you are looking for the best external hard drive or Mac, then here you is a countdown of the best out there.
9. ADATA HD710 Pro External Hard Drive
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Rugged design, triple-layered construction, G Shock technology.
Dimensions: 3.8 x 1 x 5.2 inches & weighs 9.6 ounces.
Designed to look like it is out of space, the ADATA is a high quality external hard disk. It is made using military-grade materials and is designed to be tough and durable. The G-shock vibration technology it has is meant to protect the drive from shock by stopping all drive activities in case of such activities.
To make it a completely convenient and all weather reliable drive, this is hard drive is made with a waterproof and rustproof cover.
Pros and Cons
- It is solidly designed with durable materials.
- The drive offers great transfer speeds.
- Some people have noted an issue with the connectors.
8. Fantom Drives External Hard Drive Review
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: Aluminum case, USB 3.0, High speed technology.
Dimensions: 10.8 x 3.8 x 9 inches & weighs 2.4 pounds.
Fantom hard drive is distinct in both design and performance. It is well constructed with a heavy duty construction and finished with an aluminum coating. It comes packed with rugged features that makes it convenient and easy to store almost anything inside.
The Aluminum casing it comes with not only offer protection, but also acts as a heat sink to cool the hard drive. It makes a good addition to video and audio professionals that are looking for an extra storage and back up external drive for their Mac.
Pros and Cons
- It comes with amazing transfer speeds.
- The hard drive is very convenient.
- It is a bit bulky as compared to others.
7. Transcend Rugged External Hard Drive Review
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: One-touch backup button, USB 3.1 Gen interface.
Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.2 x 0.8 inches & weighs 6.9 ounces.
Transcend has been a leader and among the pioneering companies to make external hard drives and other storage devices. It comes equipped with a USB 3.1 Gen interface which boosts transfer speeds. The storage capacity can range from 1 to 4 Tera-bite depending on the user’s desire.
The hard drive comes with a One-touch auto backup button to make it seamless to store data and transfer to the drive. Users will also get an elite data management and RecoverRX software to manage and retrieve lost data.
Pros and Cons
- The hard drive is convenient and easy to cue.
- It is durable, thanks to the solid construction it has.
- Some people feel that the speed could be better.
6. G-Technology Desktop External Hard Drive Review
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Time Machine backup button, Aluminum case.
Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.4 inches & weighs 2.44 pounds.
With the ability to store up to 10TB of data, this G-Technology hard drive is not only stylish in design, but also a robust data storage gadget worth investing in. The Aluminum casing that it comes with makes it a perfect to be used for both desktop and as a portable external hard drive.
The hard drive comes with a unique Time Machine button that makes storing and backing up data a breeze. If convenience and ease of use is what you are after, they
Pros and Cons
- Installing and using it is very easy.
- Comes with tons of convenient features.
- It is not very durable.
5. Maxone External Hard Drive Review
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Ultra-slim design, Anti-scratch construction, Cross-compatible.
Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.4 x 1.3 inches & weighs 8 ounces.
Maxone portable hard drive is an inexpensive option for the average Mac user. It comes in an ultra-slim design and 3 variant finishes to choose from. The outer casing is made of an anti-scratch casing that ensures that carrying and
It is a reliable hard drive that you can always count on whether you are a gamer or just need one for office work. The performance it brings is amazing and one not many can deliver.
Pros and Cons
- It is lightweight and convenient, hence easy to carry.
- It is well constructed which makes it durable.
- The tech support by the maker could be improved.
4. Kesu External Hard Drive Review
Price: Very affordable.
Special features: Compact & slim design, Plug-and-play.
Dimensions: 4.6 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches & weighs 5 ounces.
KESU is a high performance plug and play external hard drive that is designed to work with almost any operating system. It uses one of the latest USB 3.0 and SATA 2.5 which ensures that it has decent transfer speeds. It is sturdy and solid enough to last long and stand up to regular abuse.
The military-grade materials used in making the external hard drive ensures that it is scratch-proof, waterproof and shockproof.
Pros and Cons
- It comes with an affordable price range.
- The external hard drive is sturdy and durable.
- The transfer speeds could be better.
3. LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive Review
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Drop-shock, Rain resistant shuttle.
Dimensions: 3.4 x 0.8 x 5.3 inches & weighs 14.1 ounces.
Specially designed with handy features and capabilities, the Rugged LaCie could be your best external hard drive for Mac. It is well laced with a rugged casing which makes it sturdy and stand up to being dropped, crushed or soaked in water. Simply, it is the ultimate external drive that lives beyond expectations.
The storage capacity options available from this hard drive can reach up to 8TB, which by industry standards is excellent. This is the kind of external hard drive that gives users peace of mind for any use.
Pros and Cons
- Installing and using the drive is easy.
- The material quality and casing ensures good durability.
- Some people find it slow, especially in Light-room.
2. Toshiba HDTB410XK3AA Canvio Basics External Hard Drive Review
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Sleek design, Plug & Play configuration.
Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.1 x 0.6 inches & weighs 5.3 ounces.
With decades of experience, there is really no doubt that Toshiba gives us one of the best external hard drives for Mac. It is well constructed with a slim design and features some of the latest technologies used in storage drives. Users can choose to either get a classic styled or a contemporary one.
You can store up to 4TB depending on the one you opt for. The hard drive is easy to use, thanks to its plug-and-play capabilities that requires no installation or setup.
Pros and Cons
- It is easy to use.
- It offers incredible speed and performance.
- Some people have complained of speed inconsistencies.
1. Seagate Backup Plus Portable Review
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: Sleek 7 solid construction, Time Machine feature, Automated backups.
Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.1 x 0.8 inches & weighs 12 ounces.
No other company across the globe beats Seagate when it comes to data storage devices. With thousands of positive customer reviews, it is perfect for use on anything from office work to gaming and graphical work.
To set the record straight, this is all you need when you are looking for the best external hard drive for Mac. It offers incredible speeds, unmatched performance and reliability that you won’t find with any other.
Pros and Cons
- It has a durable construction that is sure to go a long way.
- The hard drive is easy to use.
- Some bad sector errors reported.
Choosing The Perfect External Hard Drive For Mac
Here are some of the factors to consider when shopping for the right external hard drive for your Mac.
Storage Capacity
Like in-built drives, external hard drives too come in different capacities. Before you place an order on an external drive, you should consider the space it has. Make sure that it is enough to handle all the work that you will be putting it. For an external storage, it is always recommended to get one that is above 500Gb, and you can get up to 2TB depending on what you intend to store.
Transfer Speed
Speed is everything when it comes to technology. The higher the speed, the better. The hard drive you choose can also be speedy or less speedy. This is mostly due to the speed technology that has been used in making it as well as the connectors used when transferring files. To make sure that you are getting the best transfer speeds with your external hard drive, make sure you have USB 3.0 and above. Thunderbolt 3 devices boast having speeds upwards of 40Gbps which can be excellent to have.
Portability
Most people opt to get an external hard drive simply to conveniently carry them as they go. The portability of the hard drive you get matters mostly if you expect to be using it on occasions that will have you moving from one place to another. Most external hard drives are designed with rugged or rubber casings that are easy to hold and protect them from damage when they are dropped.
Security & Advanced Features
Everybody wants to have total control of their belongings, and this includes data and important information. In a world where cyber crime is always rising, there is need to protect your documents and important information. Modern external hard drives for Mac comes with encryption capabilities that will add a secure layer of protection to your data. Besides security, you can always consider getting an external hard drive with extra features. Some of the features you should be looking ranges from Wi-Fi connectivity to advanced hardware encryption features.
Final Verdict
If you are an avid computer or a laptop user, then you know that it can sometimes be inconvenient relying on it for all the storage. Sometimes you just need a more flexible storage, either free up more space or as a backup. Shared in this guide is a comprehensive review of the best external hard drives for Mac users.
Frequently Asked Question
Q: Do you need a special external hard drive for Mac?
A: With previous models of external hard drives, using hard drives needed one to have a special one that is suited for use on Mac computers. However, with modern ones, there is no need to because they have universal compatibility. Similarly, some devices and stuff such as FireWire and Thunderbolt are designed to be used on any platform besides just Mac.
Q: Can I run programs off an external hard drive?
A: External hard drives can work the same way as inbuilt drives. That said, one can simply install programs and softwares on the eternal drive and run them normally as they would on their Mac computer or laptop. However, the programs should also be compatible with the operating system installed for them to work.
Q: Is it safe to work off an external hard drive?
A: There is no known problem associated with using an external hard drive. Whether it is for running programs or using it as a back up. The only thing that one needs to keep in mind is that using it to run programs and using it as a backup at the same time might not be a good idea since you can lose everything in case it crashes or gets damaged.
Q: How long should an external hard drive last?
A: The life span of an external hard drive depends on a number of things including the quality, sturdiness and how it has been handled. Based on an analysis, over 90% of external hard disks survive more than 3 years. If a good quality external hard drive is well taken care of, it can last even more than 6 years.
