Best External Solid State Drives for Mac of 2026

Name: Crucial X9 1TB Portable External SSD
Brand: Crucial

Kenneth Collin

Last Updated: 4 Feb 2026

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External Solid State Drives for Mac are high-performance storage devices that can help Mac users to easily store, backup and access their important data. These drives are designed to work seamlessly with Mac operating systems and are available in a range of sizes, from small portable drives to larger desktop models. They offer faster read and write speeds than traditional hard drives, which makes them ideal for tasks such as video editing, photo storage, and running virtual machines. With their durable and compact design, these drives are a great investment for anyone who needs reliable and fast storage solutions for their Mac.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

#TOP 1

Crucial X9 1TB Portable External SSD

9.8

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#TOP 2

Crucial X9 2TB Portable External SSD

9.7

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#TOP 3

Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD for Mac

9.5

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Top 6 External Solid State Drives for Mac

#TOP 1 Best SSD External Solid State Drive

Crucial X9 1TB Portable External SSD

Crucial
CT1000X9SSD902
black

Crucial X9 1TB Portable External SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, External Solid State Drive, Works with PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox, USB-C 3.2 - CT1000X9SSD902

The Crucial X9 SSD offers impressive read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s, allowing you to load files significantly faster than traditional portable hard drives. Its plug-and-play compatibility means you can easily connect it to your PC, Mac, tablet, or gaming console without hassle. Built for durability, this SSD resists shock and vibration, making it ideal for on-the-go use. You can back up all essential files, photos, and videos effortlessly, ensuring you never lose what matters most.

9.8

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What We Like

High-speed data transfer
Wide compatibility
Durable and portable
Reliable data backup

#TOP 2

Crucial X9 2TB Portable External SSD

Crucial
CT2000X9SSD902
black

Crucial X9 2TB Portable External SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, External Solid State Drive, Works with PlayStation, Xbox, PC and Mac, USB-C 3.2 - CT2000X9SSD902

The Crucial X9 SSD offers impressive read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s, allowing you to transfer files significantly faster than traditional portable hard drives and USB flash drives. Its plug-and-play compatibility means you can easily connect it to your PC, Mac, tablet, or gaming console without any hassle. With its durable design, the X9 is built to withstand shocks and drops, ensuring your data remains safe on the go. You can back up all your important files, photos, and videos, preventing any risk of loss.

9.7

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What We Like

Fast file transfer speeds
Easy plug-and-play setup
Durable and shock-resistant
Large storage capacity options

#TOP 3 Best Water Resistant External Solid State Drive

Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD for Mac

Crucial
CT1000X9PROMACSSD9B02
Light Gold

Crucial X9 Pro for Mac 1TB Portable External SSD - Up to 1050MB/s Read/Write, Mac Ready, External Solid State Drive, IP55 Water and Dust Resistant, USB-C 3.2 - CT1000X9PROMACSSD9B02

The Crucial X9 Pro SSD offers impressive read and write speeds of up to 1,050MB/s, making it perfect for quick data transfers. It comes preformatted for Time Machine, allowing for seamless backups on your Mac. This portable SSD is compatible with various Apple devices, enhancing its versatility for users. Its durable design features IP55 water and dust resistance, ensuring it survives the rigours of everyday use, which is particularly useful if you often work on the go.

9.5

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What We Like

Fast transfer speeds
Compatible with multiple Apple devices
Durable and water resistant
Palm-sized and portable design
Data protection with encryption

#TOP 4

Lexar ES3 1TB Portable External SSD

Lexar
LES3XXX001T-RNSNG

Lexar ES3 External SSD 1TB, USB3.2 Gen2 Portable SSD, PSSD up to 1050MB/s Read, 1000MB/s Write, External Solid State Drive Compatible with iPhone15 Series/Mac/PS5/XBOX/Laptop/PC (LES3XXX001T-RNSNG)

The Lexar ES3 SSD offers high-speed data transfer with USB 3.2 Gen 2, reaching up to 1050MB/s for reading and 1000MB/s for writing. This means you can efficiently transfer large files in no time, enhancing your productivity. It boasts wide compatibility with various devices, including the iPhone 15 series and gaming consoles, making it versatile for your needs. Its sleek, lightweight design ensures that it is easily portable, fitting comfortably in your pocket, and the included Type-C cable adds to its convenience. Data security is prioritised with 256-bit AES encryption, keeping your files safe.

9.5

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What We Like

Fast data transfer speeds
Wide device compatibility
Compact and portable design
Includes data encryption

#TOP 5 Best USB External Solid State Drive

Samsung T9 1TB Portable SSD with Fast Transfer

Samsung
MU-PG1T0B/EU
Black
1 TB

Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, Up to 2,000MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Up to 3 m drop resistant, for Creative professionals, YouTubers, Content creators, Mac compatible, MU-PG1T0B

The Samsung T9 SSD offers incredibly fast data transfer speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s, making it ideal for boosting your workflow, especially if you frequently handle large files. Its compatibility with a range of devices, including PCs, Macs, and game consoles, ensures flexibility in your storage options. With a drop-proof design from heights of up to 3 metres, you can trust it to withstand everyday bumps and knocks. Weighing just 122 grams, this compact SSD is easy to carry, allowing you to take your data wherever you go.

9.3

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What We Like

Fast data transfer speeds
Highly compatible with devices
Drop-proof up to 3 metres
Lightweight and portable

#TOP 6

SSK 250GB Portable NVME SSD with 1050MB/s Speed

SSK
SD500
Grey
250GB

SSK Portable SSD 256GB External Solid State Drives, up to 1050MB/s USB C SSD External Hard Drive USB 3.2 Gen2 for iPhone 15/16/Pro, Windows, Mac, Android Phones and Tablets

The SSK NVME SSD offers impressive performance with read speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds reaching 1000MB/s, allowing you to transfer large files in mere seconds. Its high-performance controller enhances speed and prolongs the drive's lifespan, ensuring reliable usage. With universal compatibility across various operating systems, including Windows and MacOS, you can easily connect it to your devices. The compact design, made from durable materials, means you can effortlessly carry it in your bag without adding extra weight.

9.3

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What We Like

High-speed data transfer
Universal compatibility
Portable and lightweight design
Durable and shock-proof

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do external SSDs work on Mac?

If you need more storage space on your new Mac, you have plenty of different options to choose from. Here are our favorite external hard drive and SSD choices for Mac, from smaller, zippy options to rugged hard drives that will protect your data, drop after drop.

Editor's Notes

During our external solid state drive for mac research, we found 163 external solid state drive for mac products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 492,584 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external solid state drives for mac list. We found that most customers choose external solid state drives for mac with an average price of £96.16.

The external solid state drives for mac are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external solid state drives for mac, including Crucial, Lexar, Samsung, SSK.

Written by

Kenneth Collin

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.