Best Thunderbolt External Hard Drives of 2025

The LaCie d2 Professional is an ideal external hard drive for those using Mac or PC laptops with limited storage. With speeds of up to 290 MB/s, you can easily edit and archive large projects without a hitch. Its compatibility with USB-C ensures that it will work seamlessly with future devices. The aluminium design not only reduces noise and vibration but also enhances reliability, making it a perfect choice for creatives who demand both performance and convenience.

The LaCie Rugged SSD offers lightning-fast Thunderbolt 3 speeds, allowing you to playback and record high-resolution 6K and 8K videos at up to 2800 MB/s. Its extreme water resistance and three-metre drop tolerance ensure that this palm-sized external SSD can withstand tough conditions, making it perfect for outdoor use. Compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, you can easily transfer files across devices. Plus, you receive a complimentary one-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud, giving you access to powerful editing tools for your photos and videos.

The SanDisk G-Drive ArmorATD is a portable rugged external hard drive designed for quick and efficient file backup and storage. With its USB-C connectivity, you can enjoy transfer rates of up to 130MB/s, making it easy to move large files swiftly. Its premium anodised aluminium enclosure not only provides a sleek look but also ensures durability. You can trust its triple-layer shock resistance and easy-grip bumper to protect your data from drops and impacts, giving you peace of mind wherever you go.

The OWC ThunderBay 4 Mini is a compact external drive enclosure that allows you to install up to four 2.5-inch HDDs or SSDs. Its hot-swappable drive bays let you easily mix and match drives, making upgrades and maintenance a breeze. With speeds of up to 1556MB/s, you can enjoy quick data access, which is perfect for demanding applications. The two Thunderbolt 3 ports allow for daisy-chaining, so you can connect multiple devices without hassle, enhancing your workstation's capabilities.

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.

The SanDisk G-DRIVE Project offers an impressive 24TB of space, allowing you to back up and save your valuable projects with ease. Inside, it features a reliable 7200RPM Ultrastar enterprise-class hard drive that ensures long-term storage and delivers transfer speeds of up to 260MB/s, making file access quick and efficient. The PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot enables you to add SSD capacity effortlessly, enhancing performance for fast transfers and editing. With high-performance Thunderbolt 3 and USB compatibility, you can connect easily and get the most out of your device.

The LaCie d2 Professional is an impressive external hard drive offering up to 10TB of storage capacity, perfect for safeguarding your vast photo libraries, video footage, and important files. With its USB-C connector, you can easily connect to next-generation computers, including those with Thunderbolt 3, ensuring a fast and seamless transfer experience. The drive delivers speeds of up to 240MB/s, which enhances your workflow efficiency. Built with a Seagate Barracuda Pro enterprise-class drive, it provides top-notch performance and reliability, while its aluminium unibody design helps to minimise noise and vibration during operation.

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.

The StarTech PCIe Expansion Chassis is designed to enhance the capabilities of your Thunderbolt 3 or 4 laptop or desktop. It offers a PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot, allowing you to integrate various devices such as video capture cards and NVMe drives, increasing your productivity. With support for 5K and 4K displays, you can connect high-resolution monitors effortlessly. The chassis delivers robust power, providing 25W via the PCIe slot, ensuring your devices perform optimally. Its driverless design makes it compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux systems.

The SanDisk G-DRIVE PRO offers exceptional performance with its dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, enabling lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 260MB/s for both reading and writing. This means you can quickly back up large files or access your data without frustration. Additionally, the single USB-C port ensures compatibility with a range of devices. With the ability to daisy chain up to five additional devices, you can expand your storage setup effortlessly. The enterprise-class 7200RPM Ultrastar drive inside guarantees reliability and efficiency for your data needs.