Looking for the best external storage solution for your Mac can be overwhelming with so many options available in 2025. From traditional hard drives to lightning-fast SSDs, the market offers various choices to fit different needs and budgets. Based on recent expert testing, the SanDisk Professional G-Drive remains the top external hard drive choice for most Mac users, while Crucial’s X9 Pro stands out as the best external SSD option.
For those needing exceptional speed, the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 with Thunderbolt connectivity delivers outstanding performance in a durable package. This makes it ideal for professionals working with large files or in challenging environments. Samsung’s T7 series also continues to earn praise from users for reliability and build quality, making them worth considering for everyday backup and storage needs.
🥇 1. SanDisk Professional G-Drive (2025 Edition)
Best Overall for Most Mac Users
Why it’s great:
- Designed specifically for macOS, the G-Drive offers rugged durability (IP67 water/dust resistance) and fast performance.
- Available in sizes up to 4TB, with USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility.
- Perfect for creative professionals, photographers, and video editors.
Pros:
✅ Rugged and portable
✅ Fast read/write speeds
✅ macOS-ready out of the box
Cons:
❌ Pricier than standard HDDs
Ideal for: MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, and iMac users who need reliability and speed.
(source: Yahoo Tech)
🥈 2. Samsung T7 Portable SSD
Best for Speed and Portability
Why it’s great:
- The Samsung T7 remains one of the fastest portable SSDs, with speeds up to 1,050 MB/s.
- Compact, durable, and compatible with USB-C/USB-A.
- Ideal for Time Machine backups and transferring large files quickly.
Pros:
✅ Ultra-fast performance
✅ Compact and lightweight
✅ Great encryption and security options
Cons:
❌ More expensive per GB than HDDs
Ideal for: Power users who prioritize speed and portability.
(source: Analytics Insight)
🥉 3. WD My Passport for Mac (2025 Model)
Best Budget Option
Why it’s great:
- Affordable, reliable, and designed with macOS formatting.
- Offers capacities from 1TB to 5TB, with USB 3.2 support.
- Great for everyday backups and file storage.
Pros:
✅ Plug-and-play on Mac
✅ Compact and durable
✅ Excellent value
Cons:
❌ Slower than SSDs
Ideal for: Students, casual users, and anyone needing affordable storage.
(source: GoodSidekick)
🏅 4. LaCie Rugged USB-C
Best for Durability and Outdoor Use
Why it’s great:
- Iconic orange rubber bumper for shock, drop, and rain resistance.
- Works seamlessly with macOS Time Machine.
- Available in both HDD and SSD versions.
Pros:
✅ Extremely durable
✅ Cross-platform compatible
✅ Good balance of speed and protection
Cons:
❌ Bulkier design
Ideal for: Filmmakers, photographers, and travelers.
(source: Analytics Insight)
💾 5. Seagate Ultra Touch HDD
Best for Everyday Backup and Design
Why it’s great:
- Stylish, fabric-covered design with USB-C connectivity.
- Works with Time Machine and offers Seagate Toolkit software for backup automation.
- Available in 2TB–5TB capacities.
Pros:
✅ Sleek and modern look
✅ Good performance for the price
✅ Includes backup software
Cons:
❌ Not as rugged as LaCie or G-Drive
Ideal for: Everyday Mac users who want a stylish, reliable backup drive.
(source: Analytics Insight)
🧠 Buying Tips for Mac Users
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Connection Type | Prefer USB-C or Thunderbolt 3/4 for fastest speeds |
| Drive Type | SSD = faster, more durable; HDD = cheaper, higher capacity |
| Compatibility | Make sure it’s formatted for APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) |
| Use Case | Time Machine backups need reliability; video editing needs speed |
✅ Summary: Best External Hard Drives for Mac (2025)
| Rank | Model | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | SanDisk Professional G-Drive | HDD | Overall performance & durability |
| 🥈 2 | Samsung T7 SSD | SSD | Speed & portability |
| 🥉 3 | WD My Passport for Mac | HDD | Budget & simplicity |
| 4 | LaCie Rugged USB-C | HDD/SSD | Outdoor & travel use |
| 5 | Seagate Ultra Touch | HDD | Everyday backup & design |
Key Takeaways
- Traditional hard drives offer more storage for the money, while SSDs provide significantly faster speeds and better durability for Mac users.
- The best external drives for Mac in 2025 include the SanDisk Professional G-Drive, Crucial X9 Pro SSD, and LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 for different use cases.
- Consider factors like connection type, transfer speeds, and portability when selecting an external storage solution for your Mac.
💰 Comparison Table — Best External Hard Drives for Mac (October 2025)
| Rank | Model | Type | Storage Options | Avg. Read / Write Speed | Connection | Approx. Price (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | SanDisk Professional G-Drive (2025) | HDD (7200 RPM) | 2TB – 4TB | 250 / 230 MB/s | USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 | $149 – $249 | Pro users, large backups, creative work |
| 🥈 2 | Samsung T7 Portable SSD | SSD | 500GB – 4TB | 1,050 / 1,000 MB/s | USB-C / USB 3.2 Gen 2 | $89 – $299 | Speed, portability, everyday use |
| 🥉 3 | WD My Passport for Mac (2025) | HDD | 1TB – 5TB | 130 / 120 MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | $59 – $139 | Budget backups, students |
| 4 | LaCie Rugged USB-C (SSD or HDD) | SSD/HDD | 1TB – 5TB | 540 / 520 MB/s (SSD) 130 / 120 MB/s (HDD) | USB-C / Thunderbolt | $99 – $279 | Travel, outdoor use, durability |
| 5 | Seagate Ultra Touch HDD | HDD | 2TB – 5TB | 140 / 130 MB/s | USB-C / USB 3.0 | $69 – $139 | Stylish backups, everyday users |
(Sources: PCMag, Macworld, TechRadar, Analytics Insight)
⚙️ Recommendations by Use Case
| Use Case | Recommended Drive | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Time Machine Backup | WD My Passport for Mac | Preformatted for macOS, reliable, affordable |
| Video Editing / 4K Media | SanDisk G-Drive or Samsung T7 | High-speed performance, Thunderbolt support |
| Travel & Outdoor Work | LaCie Rugged USB-C | Shockproof, water-resistant |
| Stylish Everyday Use | Seagate Ultra Touch | Compact, aesthetic, good value |
| High-Capacity Archiving | G-Drive HDD (4TB) | Large capacity, long lifespan |
🧩 Quick Buying Tips (2025)
- For Apple Silicon Macs (M1–M4): Choose USB-C or Thunderbolt 3/4 drives for full-speed performance.
- For Time Machine: macOS formats drives as APFS (SSD) or Mac OS Extended (HDD) — check before first use.
- SSD vs HDD:
- SSD = Faster, smaller, more durable
- HDD = Cheaper, better for large archives
Essential Criteria for Mac-Compatible External Drives
When choosing an external drive for your Mac, you need to consider both the filesystem format and connection type. These factors determine whether the drive will work properly with your Mac and how fast data will transfer.
Compatibility with Mac Filesystems
macOS works best with specific filesystem formats. While many external drives come pre-formatted as ExFAT (which works with both Mac and Windows), this isn’t always ideal for Mac-only use.
Best filesystem options for Mac:
- APFS (Apple File System): The newest format for Mac, optimized for SSDs. It offers better encryption, faster file copying, and improved space management.
- Mac OS Extended (HFS+): Older but still compatible format, better for traditional hard drives.
- ExFAT: Good choice if you need to use the drive with both Mac and Windows computers.
Reformatting is simple using Disk Utility, which comes pre-installed on all Macs. This process takes just a few minutes but erases all existing data on the drive.
Connectivity Options
Modern Macs offer several connection types, each with different speed capabilities. The right port determines how quickly you can transfer data.
Common connection options:
- Thunderbolt 3/4: Offers exceptional speeds up to 40Gbps. The newest iMacs support this standard, which uses the same connector as USB-C.
- Thunderbolt 5: Emerging technology with speeds up to 80Gbps, beginning to appear in premium external drives.
- USB-C/USB 3.2: Provides speeds up to 10Gbps, widely available and more affordable than Thunderbolt options.
- USB-A 3.0: Common on older drives, delivers up to 5Gbps speeds.
Brands like LaCie and OWC make drives specifically optimized for Mac, often featuring NVMe technology for faster performance than traditional SATA drives. If your Mac lacks certain ports, a USB-C adapter can expand your connectivity options.
Performance and Design Analysis
External drives for Mac offer impressive performance metrics and thoughtful design elements that cater specifically to Apple users. The market now features models that balance speed, durability, and storage capacity to handle various professional and personal needs.
Speed and Efficiency
The speed difference between SSDs and traditional HDDs remains significant in 2025. SSDs like the SanDisk Extreme Portable V2 demonstrate exceptional read speeds reaching up to 1066 MB/s, making them ideal for video editors and creative professionals.
The Crucial X9 Pro stands out as a top performer for Mac users, offering the perfect balance of speed and reliability. For those working with large files, the transfer speeds of modern SSDs can save hours compared to traditional hard drives.
NVMe technology has become more common in external drives, with models like the SK Hynix Tube T31 and ADATA SE920 pushing boundaries with speeds approaching internal drive performance. These drives connect via USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, maximizing data throughput for Mac systems.
Mac-formatted drives (using APFS or HFS+) typically show better performance on Apple systems compared to drives using other file systems, though many new models come pre-formatted or support multiple formats.
Durability and Form Factor
Modern external drives for Mac feature significantly improved rugged designs to withstand daily use and occasional accidents. Many premium models offer water and dust resistance with IP67 or IP68 ratings.
The SanDisk Professional G-Drive combines aluminum construction with effective heat dissipation, making it both durable and performant under extended use. Portable SSDs typically feature no moving parts, greatly reducing failure rates compared to traditional HDDs.
Manufacturers have focused on creating Mac-aesthetic compatible designs that complement Apple’s design language. Most premium drives now feature:
- Aluminum casings matching MacBook finishes
- Shock-absorbing internal components
- Drop protection from 6-10 feet
- Compact, travel-friendly dimensions
Weight has also become a consideration, with most portable SSDs weighing less than 100 grams while external HDDs typically range from 150-300 grams depending on capacity.
Storage Capacity and Expandability
Storage capacity options have expanded considerably in recent years. Standard external HDDs now regularly offer 4-20TB options, while portable SSDs commonly provide 500GB to 4TB configurations.
The Western Digital My Passport Ultra leads in capacity for portable drives, offering an excellent price-per-terabyte value. Professional-grade drives for creative workflows now offer RAID configurations with easily expandable storage solutions.
Mac users should consider future capacity needs when purchasing, as many creative professionals find their storage requirements doubling every 18-24 months. Some considerations when evaluating storage capacity:
- Raw photo files: 25-100MB each
- 4K video: Approximately 5GB per minute
- 8K video: Around 20GB per minute
- Music production files: 2-5GB per project
Many drives now feature quick-access partitioning tools specifically designed for Mac, allowing users to split storage between Time Machine backups and working files without needing to reformat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many Mac users have specific questions about external hard drives for their devices. The following addresses common inquiries about compatibility, performance, reliability, and capacity considerations.
What are the top-rated external hard drives for MacBook Pro users as of 2025?
According to recent testing, the SanDisk Professional G-Drive remains the highest-rated external hard drive for Mac users in 2025. This drive offers an excellent balance of performance, reliability, and value.
Western Digital’s My Passport Ultra for Mac is another top-rated option, offering up to 6TB of storage for approximately $200. The drive is specifically formatted for Mac systems out of the box.
For users seeking more affordable options, standard WD Passport drives provide adequate performance at lower price points, though they may be slightly slower than premium alternatives.
Which external SSDs offer the best performance and compatibility with Mac Thunderbolt ports?
External SSDs with Thunderbolt connectivity deliver significantly faster transfer speeds than traditional hard drives. The Samsung T7 Shield and SanDisk Extreme Pro provide exceptional performance with Mac Thunderbolt ports.
These high-speed drives can reach transfer rates of 1,000MB/s or higher, making them ideal for creative professionals working with large files. Many feature aluminum housings that complement Mac aesthetics while providing better heat dissipation.
Most premium SSDs now include both Thunderbolt and USB-C cables for maximum compatibility across different Mac models.
For Mac users, which external hard drive brands are known for their reliability and durability?
Western Digital, Seagate, and Toshiba consistently rank among the most reliable external hard drive manufacturers for Mac users. These brands have established reputations for producing durable products.
SanDisk Professional (formerly G-Technology) drives are specifically designed with Mac users in mind. They typically feature aluminum enclosures that match Mac aesthetics while providing enhanced durability.
Many professional-grade drives now include shock resistance, temperature tolerance, and water resistance features to protect valuable data under various conditions.
What are the optimal external hard drive formats for use with a Mac’s Time Machine backup feature?
The optimal format for Time Machine backups is Apple’s APFS (Apple File System) for SSDs or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for traditional hard drives. These formats ensure full compatibility with macOS backup functions.
Time Machine requires a dedicated drive or partition of at least the size of the data being backed up. Drives can be easily formatted using Mac’s Disk Utility application before setting up Time Machine.
While exFAT and FAT32 formats allow drives to work with both Mac and Windows systems, these formats don’t support all Mac-specific features and are not ideal for Time Machine backups.
What considerations should be taken into account when selecting an external hard drive for a MacBook Air?
Portability is a key consideration for MacBook Air users, as these laptops are designed for mobility. Compact, bus-powered drives that don’t require separate power adapters are ideal companions.
Power efficiency matters for MacBook Air users. SSDs generally consume less power than traditional hard drives, helping preserve battery life when using the drive on the go.
Connection types should match your MacBook Air’s ports. Newer models use USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, so drives with these connections will work without adapters.
How does one determine the most suitable external hard drive capacity for a Mac user’s needs?
A good rule of thumb is to purchase an external drive with at least twice the storage capacity of your Mac’s internal drive. This provides adequate space for backups plus additional storage.
Consider your specific usage patterns when choosing capacity. Video editors, photographers, and gamers typically need larger drives (4TB+) while casual users might be fine with 1-2TB drives.
Future needs should also factor into your decision. Storage requirements tend to grow over time, so purchasing a larger drive than currently needed can be a wise long-term investment.
