Best External Hard Drives for Mac of 2026
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External hard drives for Mac are a great solution for those who need extra storage space or want to backup important files. These hard drives are specifically designed to work with Mac computers and come in various sizes and speeds. They can be easily connected to the computer via USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire ports, and are compatible with Time Machine, Apple's built-in backup software. With a wide range of options available from different manufacturers, it's important to choose one that meets your specific needs and requirements.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 External Hard Drives for Mac
UnionSine HD2510 500GB Portable External Hard Drive
The UnionSine HD2510 Hard Drive offers versatile compatibility, allowing you to connect it to various devices like TVs, game consoles, and computers. This ensures you can easily access your data wherever you need it. Its improved design features rounded corners and a non-slip surface, providing a comfortable grip during use. With lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 120MB/s read and 103MB/s write, you can quickly move large files. Plus, the plug-and-play functionality makes setup effortless, as there's no need for software installation.
UnionSine 1TB Ultra Slim Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive
The UnionSine HD2510 Drive is a versatile external hard drive compatible with a wide range of devices, including TVs, gaming consoles, and computers, making it ideal for all your storage needs. Its improved non-slip design with rounded corners offers a comfortable and secure grip, so you can carry it easily without worry. Thanks to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, you can enjoy lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 120MB/s read and 103MB/s write, saving you valuable time. Plus, it’s simple to use with plug-and-play functionality, and the aluminium anti-interference layer helps protect your data and keep the drive cool during use.
Seagate 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Seagate Portable Drive is a handy 2TB external hard drive that allows you to easily store and access your content while on the go. It is designed for seamless compatibility with both Windows and Mac computers, making backup as simple as drag and drop. Setting it up requires no software, just connect it to your computer for automatic recognition. Additionally, the included 18-inch USB 3.0 cable ensures plug and play convenience, allowing you to transfer files effortlessly.
ModusTech 500GB Portable External Hard Drive
The ModusTech External HDD is an excellent choice for quick and efficient data management. With ultra-fast USB 3.0 connectivity, you can transfer files at speeds up to 5 Gbps, making backups and data transfers effortless. Its compact and portable design allows you to carry large amounts of data easily, whether for work or leisure. Additionally, it features a plug-and-play setup, meaning you can start using it immediately without any software installation. This convenience lets you focus on your tasks without delays or complications.
Toshiba Canvio Partner 2TB Portable Hard Drive
The Toshiba Canvio Partner is an external hard drive that offers a generous 2TB of storage space, allowing you to keep all your important documents, photos, music, and videos in one place. With its USB 3.0 interface, you can enjoy fast transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, making it effortless to move large files quickly. Its user-friendly design means you can simply plug it in and start using it immediately, without the need for any software. Plus, its lightweight and compact structure makes it perfect for carrying on the go.
Sonnics 1TB Silver USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive
The Sonnics 1TB Portable Drive offers super-fast transfer speeds with its USB 3.0 connection, allowing you to move large files quickly and efficiently. Its ultra-slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, perfect for those on the go. You don’t need an external power source as it runs straight from any USB 2.0 or 3.0 port, giving you hassle-free use. Plus, it comes pre-formatted to FAT32, ensuring compatibility with both Mac OS and Windows systems, so you can easily share files across devices.
Sonnics 1TB Portable Hard Drive for All Devices
The Sonnics 1TB Hard Drive offers a super-fast USB 3.0 transfer speed of up to 5Gbps, making it incredibly efficient for transferring files quickly. Its ultra-slim and lightweight design means you can easily carry it around, perfect for on-the-go use. You won’t need an external power source, as it runs directly from USB ports, ensuring convenience wherever you are. Additionally, it is formatted to FAT32, allowing you to use it with both Windows and Mac systems without any hassle.
Seagate 5TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Seagate 5TB Drive is an Amazon exclusive that simplifies file backups for both Windows and Mac users. You can easily back up your files using the drag-and-drop method, making the process quick and straightforward. Installing the drive is hassle-free as it connects directly to your computer and is automatically recognised, eliminating the need for software. With the included 46cm USB 3.0 cable, you can enjoy fast file transfers, ensuring that your data is moved swiftly and efficiently.
LaCie Mobile Drive Moon 2TB Portable Hard Drive
The LaCie Mobile Drive offers seamless compatibility with PC, Mac, and iPad USB-C devices right from the start. You can easily back up your files with a single click or set up automatic backups using the LaCie Toolkit, ensuring your important data is always safe. Made from post-consumer recycled materials, the drive's case is environmentally friendly while maintaining a sleek design by Neil Poulton. This combination of style and functionality makes it a perfect choice for users seeking both convenience and sustainability.
Sonnics 1TB Blue Portable External Hard Drive
The Sonnics 1TB Hard Drive offers a USB 3.0 super speed transfer rate of 5Gbps, ensuring quick and efficient file transfers for your Windows PC and Apple Mac. Its ultra-slim and lightweight design makes it easy to transport, perfect for users on the go. You can connect it directly to a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port without needing an external power source, simplifying your setup. Additionally, it is formatted to FAT32, allowing seamless compatibility with various operating systems and devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do Macs work with external hard drives?
Generally, yes—for the most part, a hard drive is a hard drive, and any hard drive you buy for a Windows PC should work fine on a Mac as well.
2. Can you add an external hard drive to Mac?
Usually, when you want to connect an external hard drive to your computer, you just plug it in and that's it. However, if you are using a Macbook Pro or any Mac computer, the hard drive must be formatted with a file system your Mac can support. Formatting the drive will erase all of the data on it.
3. How do I know if my external hard drive is compatible with Mac?
Check Apple's Disk Utility to see if an external drive is showing up. Disk Utility is within System Preferences, or you can find it using Spotlight. If it is visible, then click the option to Mount, which should make it visible on the desktop and in the External Drives option in the Finder menu.
4. How do I move everything from my Mac to an external hard drive?
Browse to the folder on your external drive where you want to store the files or folders and then drag and drop folders and files from your Mac's Finder window into the external hard drive's window. A status bar appears on your screen indicating progress. Wait until the full transfer completes.
During our external hard drive for mac research, we found 127 external hard drive for mac products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,024,870 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external hard drives for mac list. We found that most customers choose external hard drives for mac with an average price of £48.31.
The external hard drives for mac are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external hard drives for mac, including UnionSine, Seagate, ModusTech, Toshiba, Sonnics.
Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.