Best OWC External Hard Drives of 2026

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 4 Feb 2026

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External hard drives are a reliable and convenient way to store and back up important data. OWC offers a range of external hard drives that are compatible with both Mac and PC systems, making them a versatile option for anyone needing extra storage space. These drives are designed to be durable and shock-resistant, protecting your data from accidental drops or bumps. With various storage capacities and connectivity options, OWC external hard drives are a great choice for anyone looking to expand their storage capabilities.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

OWC ThunderBay 8 External RAID 5 Drive Cover #TOP 1
OWC ThunderBay 8 External RAID 5 Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.9
OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual External Storage Hub Cover #TOP 2
OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual External Storage Hub
ftb score rating icon 9.8
OWC Gemini Thunderbolt Dock with RAID Storage Cover #TOP 3
OWC Gemini Thunderbolt Dock with RAID Storage
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 9 OWC External Hard Drives

#TOP 1

OWC ThunderBay 8 External RAID 5 Drive

OWC
OWCTB38SRKIT0
RAID 5 HDD
0 TB
OWC ThunderBay 8 External RAID 5 Drive Cover
OWC ThunderBay 8 External 8-Bay Drive Enclosure Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports 40Gb/s -Add up to 8 2.5" or 3.5" SATA Drives - Incl softRAID

The OWC ThunderBay 8 offers eight universal drive bays, accommodating both 2.5 and 3.5-inch SSDs or HDDs, ensuring you have ample storage options. With two Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can easily connect and daisy-chain up to six units for a colossal total of 768TB of storage capacity. Additionally, it features a DisplayPort 1.2, allowing you to connect a 4K display for enhanced visuals. Best of all, the device requires no drivers and includes a Thunderbolt 3 cable, providing you with a hassle-free setup.

What We Like
Large storage capacity
Multiple drive compatibility
Easy daisy-chaining
4K display support
No drivers needed
#TOP 2

OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual External Storage Hub

OWC
OWCMEDCH7T00
Enclosure
OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual External Storage Hub Cover
OWC Mercury Elite Pro 0TB Dual 3-Port Hub, USB 3.2 Gen (USB-C), 10Gb/s, Works with any USB-equipped Mac, PC, Chrome, Linux, or mobile device.

The OWC Mercury Elite Pro offers exceptional storage speed with real-world tested performance up to 974MB/s, allowing you to transfer large files swiftly. It features selectable hardware RAID settings, giving you flexibility in data management for your projects. This product is compatible with both USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 computers, ensuring it works seamlessly with your existing devices. Additionally, it provides multiple USB ports for connecting and charging various devices, making it a versatile addition to your workspace.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Flexible RAID configurations
USB-C and Thunderbolt compatibility
Multiple connection options
Whisper-quiet operation
#TOP 3

OWC Gemini Thunderbolt Dock with RAID Storage

OWC
OWCTB3GM000
black
OWC Gemini Thunderbolt Dock with RAID Storage Cover
OWC Gemini Thunderbolt Dock and Dual Bay RAID Box, Add 2 SATA or U.2 Drives (3.5" or 2.5"), 2 Thunderbolt (USB-C) Ports, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports

The OWC Gemini Dock offers exceptional connectivity and storage options. With dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can achieve data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gb/s, ensuring quick access to your files. It supports two bays for both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives, giving you flexibility in your storage choices. Additionally, the HDMI port allows you to connect to an 8K display, enhancing your viewing experience. The integrated SD media slot facilitates easy uploads from your camera, streamlining your workflow.

What We Like
Fast data transfer speeds
Multiple connectivity options
Supports various storage drives
Easy camera uploads
8K display compatibility
#TOP 4

OWC ThunderBay 4 External Storage Enclosure

OWC
OWCTB3SRKIT0GB
Black
enceinte
OWC ThunderBay 4 External Storage Enclosure Cover
OWC ThunderBay 4 (0 TB) Four-Bay Thunderbolt External Storage Enclosure with SoftRAID XT for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA Drives, RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0

The OWC ThunderBay 4 is an impressive external storage solution that features a four-bay design for both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives, eliminating the need for adapters. You can enjoy up to 1527 MB/s sustained performance, which is ideal for demanding applications. With two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a dedicated DisplayPort 1.2, you can easily connect multiple devices. Additionally, smart drive monitoring keeps you informed with desktop and email notifications, ensuring you stay updated on your storage health.

What We Like
High-speed performance
User-friendly drive compatibility
Smart monitoring notifications
Multiple RAID configurations
#TOP 5

OWC Mercury Elite Pro 2TB External Hard Drive

OWC
OWCME3QH7T2.0
Multicolor
OWC Mercury Elite Pro 2TB External Hard Drive Cover
OWC Mercury Elite Pro 2TB 2000GB Silver - external hard drives (Wired, 5 - 42 °C, FireWire 800, USB 3.0 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-B, eSATA, HDD, -40 - 65 °C, FireWire, USB, eSATA)

The OWC Mercury Elite Pro is a 2TB external hard drive designed for both Mac and PC users. With its 7200 RPM speed and 64MB cache, you can enjoy faster data transfers and improved performance for your files. The various connection options, including eSATA, FireWire, and USB 3.0, provide versatility, allowing you to connect to multiple devices effortlessly. Included connection cables make setup straightforward, meaning you can start using your new drive right away, without the hassle of additional purchases.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Multiple connection options
Ready-to-use with included cables
Compatible with Mac and PC
#TOP 6

OWC miniStack STX Thunderbolt Storage Hub

OWC
OWCT4MSS000
Silver
Enclosure
OWC miniStack STX Thunderbolt Storage Hub Cover
OWC 0TB miniStack STX Stackable Storage and Thunderbolt Hub Xpansion Solution Enclosure

The OWC miniStack STX offers impressive Thunderbolt connectivity, allowing you to connect multiple accessories with ease. With three Thunderbolt ports, you can mix up to five Thunderbolt devices and two displays, maximising your workspace. It also provides massive storage capabilities, significantly expanding your Mac mini's capacity. This feature is ideal for those who require ample space for files and applications. Additionally, the miniStack STX is compatible with a range of devices, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your existing setup.

What We Like
Excellent Thunderbolt connectivity
Massive data storage capacity
Wide device compatibility
High-speed performance
#TOP 7

OWC Thunderbay Flex 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage System

OWC
OWCTB3F80C000
enclosure
OWC Thunderbay Flex 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage System Cover
OWC Thunderbay Flex 8 - Thunderbolt 3 storage system

The OWC Thunderbay Flex 8 is a versatile Thunderbolt 3 storage system designed to meet your demanding data storage needs. With eight drive bays, it supports both U.2 NVMe and SATA/SAS2 drives, offering a massive capacity of up to 128TB and impressive speeds of up to 2750MB/s. You can easily transfer files using the SD 4.0 and CFExpress card reader located on the front, which provides speeds of up to 985MB/s. Additionally, its powerful RAID capabilities allow you to create, manage, and monitor advanced RAID sets effortlessly, ensuring your data is both secure and accessible.

What We Like
High storage capacity
Fast data transfer speeds
Supports U.2 SSDs
Advanced RAID management
#TOP 8

OWC ThunderBay 8 External Drive Enclosure

OWC
OWCTB38JBKIT0
Casing
OWC ThunderBay 8 External Drive Enclosure Cover
OWC ThunderBay 8 Drive Enclosure, Black, 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 External Drive

The OWC ThunderBay 8 offers impressive transfer speeds of up to 2586 MB/s, making data transfer quick and efficient for your projects. With eight hot-swappable drive bays, you can easily mix and match 2.5" and 3.5" HDDs and SSDs without needing any adapters. The DisplayPort 1.2 allows you to connect to a 4K display, providing a clear view of your work. Additionally, the second Thunderbolt 3 port enables you to daisy chain up to five more Thunderbolt devices, expanding your workspace effortlessly.

What We Like
High transfer speeds
Hot-swappable drive bays
4K display support
Daisy chain multiple devices
#TOP 9

OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad Four-Bay Storage Enclosure

OWC
OWCMEQCTSRT00
Raid 5
OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad Four-Bay Storage Enclosure Cover
OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad (0 TB) - Four-Bay External Storage Enclosure with SoftRAID XT for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA Drives

The OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad is a versatile external storage enclosure designed to accommodate both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives, giving you flexibility to use different drive sizes. It features four universal drive bays, allowing you to add your own drives and expand your storage effortlessly. With SoftRAID XT software included, you can easily manage your drives and improve data protection. The enclosure is compatible with all USB systems and supports Thunderbolt 3, ensuring fast and reliable connections for your data transfer needs.

What We Like
Supports 2.5" and 3.5" drives
Includes SoftRAID XT software
Four drive bays for expansion
Compatible with USB and Thunderbolt 3
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our OWC external hard drive research, we found 34 OWC external hard drive products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,172 customer reviews through our big data system to write the OWC external hard drives list. We found that most customers choose OWC external hard drives with an average price of £492.16.

The OWC external hard drives are available for purchase. The top 9 picks range in price from a low of £149.00 to a high of £1,329.00, find the one that fits your budget.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

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.