LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, for Mac and PC Computer Desktop Workstation Laptop, 1 Month Adobe CC (STFR5000800) 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,480. LaCie (LAC9000633) Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, For Mac And PC Computer Desktop and Laptop, Orange.
The best overall external hard drive for Mac or PC In the world of external hard drives, the name Western Digital is known by many current owners because of the quality that they provide and at a great price.
Increase the capacity of your Mac with one of the best external hard drives for Apple computers.
Welcome to our selection of the best external hard drives for Macs. In this guide, we have focused on the best external hard drives, which offer simple and fast (as well as affordable) ways to increase the storage capacity of your Mac or MacBook.
Macs, iMacs and especiallyMacBooks are famous for being particularly complicated when it comes toimproving the internal hard drive, which means that if you run out of space onyour hard drive, you must delete files or store them on an external harddrive. And in this list, we focused only on external hard drives designedspecifically for Apple's Macs and MacBooks.
This means that all the modelslisted here are compatible with Apple's file system, and many of them takeadvantage of the high-speed ports available on Macs, such as Thunderbolt ports. Google drive movies download.
We chose these hard drives for ease of use, price, and reliability. This last consideration and perhaps the most important of all, because if you have to put sensitive or important files in an external hard drive, you must be sure that it will not stop working and that it will not lose not your data. Chrome setup for windows 7 32 bit.
Why trust us?
Our editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and comparing products to find the best value for money.
We do not publish any sponsored articles. We sometimes receive a commission from Amazon when you buy a product via our links. It allows us to finance our work while remaining completely impartial. Read more
The best external hard drives for Mac with great deals at Amazon
Thelatest Macs do not allow any update with regard to internal storage, so thebest solution to the problem is to expand the storage externally.
These external devices are not only useful for expanding storage, but also allow you to backup your Mac. The decision to choose the best external hard drive for Mac can be a complicated task, so we help you with a list updated of the best alternatives of external hard drives.
Most external hard drives are suitable for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and even the iPhone and iPad (the drives have wireless access) and also work under the Windows operating system.
Also, read our other guides on the best external SSD drives for MacBook, MacBook Air 13 cases, and the bestalternatives to the Apple MacBook.
Apple AirPort Time Capsule
Best wireless external hard drive for Mac
The AirPort Time Capsule from Apple itself is a real luxury option to manage all your backups without having to lift a finger. Literally. You only have to set it once, when you take it out of the box, and … you will not have to do anything else anymore. He alone, wirelessly, will make backup copies automatically.
But not only that: the AirPort Time Capsulecan also perform the functions of a Wi-Fi base station, reachingvery high speeds of up to 1.3GB per second. Manage the Wi-Finetwork of this device, likewise, is very simple, and can be done both from Macand from your iPhone or iPad. But the best thing is that, through theaforementioned Wi-Fi network, you can have several Macs connected to it,and all with their corresponding backup made frequently.
In summary, if what you are looking for is the simplest and easiest way to have your Mac data backed up, it is definitely about this one; and is especially recommended for those who have more than one computer at home, or for small offices with several Macs. You have it available in versions of 2 or 3 TB and, as you can imagine, it is somewhat more expensive than normal external hard drives: $300 for the 2TB version, and $ 400 for the 3TB, although we have found both in Amazon with a juicy discount.
Toshiba Canvio Basics
Best cheap external HDD for Mac
External Hard Drive For Mac
If you are looking for an externalhard drive that is very cheap but, at the same time, reliableand fast, the Toshiba Canvio Basics can be the answer toyour prayers. It is the most basic model of the reputed Japanese company,but it comes with what is necessary to satisfy a large part of the users.
For starters, it has a USB 3.0 port, so with it, good speed of data transmission is guaranteed. In addition, it is a fairly compact model, and its casing comes with a shock sensor that increases its resistance to bumps and falls. Not bad for a unit as economical as this one.
By cons, the Toshiba Canvio Basics lacks data encryption software, so you cannot protect your files by password, and it comes preformatted for Windows instead of Mac: that is, to save data on it from your Mac, you will first have to reformat it to the HFS + file system. A little discomfort, but it will be worth it to those who want to save a few euros and do not mind doing this operation (which, in reality, is extremely simple).
Western Digital My Passport 4TB
An awesome external hard drive for Mac and PC
WesternDigital's My Passport comes with a huge 4TB storagecapacity and is equipped with dizzying read and write speeds. It goeswell for those who want fast storage speeds for their MacBook Pro, MacBook Air,as well as PCs.
Itslarge capacity allows you to store lots of data files. Therefore, it isideal for backing up your Mac or PC. In addition, it will not take long totransfer data. Depending on your preferences, you can choose any capacitythat ranges between 1TB and 4TB. The device is also equipped with cloudstorage features and comes with 256-bit AES encryption.
MyPassport also has the backup software of Western Digital, but some of you maynot find it very useful because it is too basic. It is one of the bestexternal hard drives for Mac, as well as PC because it has excellent datatransfer speeds, better than a number of its competitors.
It will not beat many flash drives that are available in the market, but when it comes to hard drives, My Passport is one of the best alternatives in the market.
iStorage diskAshur PRO2
An excellent external hard drive for security
It isone of the best external hard drives in terms of security. The iStoragediskAshur offers a storage capacity of 2 TB and isequipped with USB 3.0. The unit provides physicalsecurity thanks to a robust design. The disadvantage is its high price,especially if its capacity and characteristics are compared with other marketoptions.
Thisdevice is best for staff working in multinational and government corporationsbecause these devices are equipped with very strong security features.
Thebest feature it has to offer is that it can be configured to self-destruct ifsomeone tries to manipulate it. Storage data is encrypted with 256-bitAES protocol encryption with other multiple security features dueto which it has a higher price.
However, with the only 2TB of storage capacity, you may well consider other options unless security is the highest priority for you.
External Hard Drive For Mac
If you are looking for an externalhard drive that is very cheap but, at the same time, reliableand fast, the Toshiba Canvio Basics can be the answer toyour prayers. It is the most basic model of the reputed Japanese company,but it comes with what is necessary to satisfy a large part of the users.
For starters, it has a USB 3.0 port, so with it, good speed of data transmission is guaranteed. In addition, it is a fairly compact model, and its casing comes with a shock sensor that increases its resistance to bumps and falls. Not bad for a unit as economical as this one.
By cons, the Toshiba Canvio Basics lacks data encryption software, so you cannot protect your files by password, and it comes preformatted for Windows instead of Mac: that is, to save data on it from your Mac, you will first have to reformat it to the HFS + file system. A little discomfort, but it will be worth it to those who want to save a few euros and do not mind doing this operation (which, in reality, is extremely simple).
Western Digital My Passport 4TB
An awesome external hard drive for Mac and PC
WesternDigital's My Passport comes with a huge 4TB storagecapacity and is equipped with dizzying read and write speeds. It goeswell for those who want fast storage speeds for their MacBook Pro, MacBook Air,as well as PCs.
Itslarge capacity allows you to store lots of data files. Therefore, it isideal for backing up your Mac or PC. In addition, it will not take long totransfer data. Depending on your preferences, you can choose any capacitythat ranges between 1TB and 4TB. The device is also equipped with cloudstorage features and comes with 256-bit AES encryption.
MyPassport also has the backup software of Western Digital, but some of you maynot find it very useful because it is too basic. It is one of the bestexternal hard drives for Mac, as well as PC because it has excellent datatransfer speeds, better than a number of its competitors.
It will not beat many flash drives that are available in the market, but when it comes to hard drives, My Passport is one of the best alternatives in the market.
iStorage diskAshur PRO2
An excellent external hard drive for security
It isone of the best external hard drives in terms of security. The iStoragediskAshur offers a storage capacity of 2 TB and isequipped with USB 3.0. The unit provides physicalsecurity thanks to a robust design. The disadvantage is its high price,especially if its capacity and characteristics are compared with other marketoptions.
Thisdevice is best for staff working in multinational and government corporationsbecause these devices are equipped with very strong security features.
Thebest feature it has to offer is that it can be configured to self-destruct ifsomeone tries to manipulate it. Storage data is encrypted with 256-bitAES protocol encryption with other multiple security features dueto which it has a higher price.
However, with the only 2TB of storage capacity, you may well consider other options unless security is the highest priority for you.
LaCie 1TB USB 3.0 Porsche Design Mobile Hard Drive
External hard drive for Mac with better design
If the design is especially important for you, the Porsche Design from the American brand LaCie will seem like the perfect external hard drive. With a spectacular aluminum finish that marries perfectly with the MacBook Pro, this model provides a fabulous mix between elegance and resistance, thus having a plus on the WD My Passport for Mac that we proposed before.
Italso comes with USB 3.0 connection,which guarantees good data transmission speeds, and preformatted directly in HFS+ so you can use it with your Mac without doing anythingelse than take it out of the box and plug it into your computer. As fordata encryption, the hard drive does not come with the correspondingpre-installed software, but it is possible to download it free from theofficial LaCie website (the application is called LaCiePrivate-Public and you can find it in this link).
The LaCie Porsche Design is available in 5 different storage capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 5TB.
External Hard Drives for MacBook: LaCie Thunderbolt
Best Ultra-Rugged External Hard Drive for Mac
The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt isthe ideal choice for those who seek, mainly, two things: speed andendurance.
The speed is provided by the connection Thunderbolt, connection included for sometime in the different models of Mac and that is twice as fast as USB3.0. This hard drive, in fact, not only has a port of this typeincluded, but comes with a Thunderbolt cable directly integrated intoits own design, so you will not need anything else: plug it, and run (andnever rather!).
And the resistance is provided by the hard construction of the hard disk: it is made of high-quality metallic materials, and also comes wrapped in a silicone cover that further increases the level of protection. To give you an idea, the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt comes prepared to easily withstand falls of up to 2 meters in height and is IP54 certified, which ensures the survival of the device against dust and water splashes. Not in vain, 'rugged' is the English word for 'resistant'.
But it is also that this model has other virtues: it allows you to encrypt data by password, so that your files are safe, and comes prepared to work directly with Mac, as well as to manage your backups easily through Time Machine. An external hard drive, without a doubt, the most complete.
Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC USB 3.0
Top quality HDD for Apple computers with wireless security
TheBuffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC offers wireless security and has a capacityof 2 TB. The device comes with a USB 3.0 interface. Itis ideal for users who prefer to store a wireless device; Thedevice is not very fast when it comes to the read and write operation.
But it is the best option for those who do not want to break their wallet. The device is compatible with MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Windows PC. The MiniStation Extreme comes with a dust and water resistant housing, as well as very good durability. The device allows you to protect your data from falls and bumps, thanks to its rugged housing.
The MiniStation Extreme is equipped with a 256-bit AES security function, as well as Near Field Communication. The device allows you to unlock and quickly access your files with the help of the NFC card that comes with it. The device also comes with a three-year manufacturer's warranty.
The only disadvantage of this device is that for many users it may not be the fastest available options in the market. For those who want more storage, 2TB could run out quickly.
WD 4TB My Passport Wireless Pro
It isthe wireless version of Western Digital's My Passport and comes in storagecapacities ranging from 1 TB to 4 TB. The devicesupports a USB 3.0 interface, as well as Wi-Fi. Despite having a Wi-Fiinterface, it offers a great battery life. However, it does nothave a USB Type C port, and it is also expensive due to the Wi-Fi features.
Thedevice is the updated version of My Passport Wireless from 2015, and thecompany has come a long way since then. The device is equipped withan integrated SD card slot, as well as an SD transferbutton.
Thestorage device is ideal for photographers since the device comes with anexcellent application. Because it is equipped with Wi-Fi features, it alsohas a 6400 mAh battery.
However, when the device is connected to cables, transfer speeds of the cutting edge is reduced because the device uses USB Type A and Type B. The device is expensive but justifies the expense with a lot of features offered to its users.
External Hard Drives for MacBook: Seagate
Top HDD that combines capacity and portability
TheInnov8 8TB from Seagate joins portability with capacity. The device comeswith USB 3.0 as well as USB type C interfaces,however, Type-C is still in its early stages. The device offers a highstorage capacity and does not require power through USB.
However, the gadget is relatively expensive. It is an ideal device for MacbBook Pro and MacBook Air users who work in the creative industry or own a small business.
Forregular users of hard drives, this may not be the ideal option simply becauseit is an expensive device. Innov8 8TB works exceptionally well when itcomes to data transfer, and also provides a good amount of storage capacity.
However, there are other options available in the market that are not only cheaper but also at the same level as the Innov8 8TB from Seagate.
Final words
We know that each product comes with its own characteristics, which make them excel in certain categories over others. A hard disk could provide higher speed, higher security, etc. While another may come with additional features such as a USB-C port.
The important thing is that all theexternal hard drives here detailed are very good, there are obviously some thatare the best, but also its price is higher. The important thing is thatwhatever external hard drive for Mac you choose, it complies with the specificrequirements that you need for your particular storage and security needs.
Backup & Restore your data, manage storage devices and maintain up to 100 corporate Windows end-points with a single license!
Сreate Paragon bootable media and use it as a portable software tool to service all of the corporate end-points. Request a free trial to test the main features.
Already using Hard Disk Manager Technician License? Renew now!
External Drive For Imac Backup
How it Works
HDM for Business Key Features
Backup and Recovery data
- Run all backup types; perform sector- and file-level backups
- Restore entire disks and partitions
- Recover individual folders, files, and application-specific data
- Regain access to corrupted or malware-inflicted information
Migrate OS
- Move live and simply switch over
- Move to a new large-capacity storage device
- Support Windows Server 2012/2016/2019
- Recover in the event of a malfunction or failure
Partition disks
- Simplify the backup process by separating your data from your operating system
- Easily organize your hard drive and redistribute free space to enhance system performance
- Organize and optimize your hard disk with Create-, Resize-, Format- and Delete-partition Dialogues
Erase disks
- Permanently wipe sensitive data on partitions and disk volumes.
- 10 industry-grade data sanitization algorithms for HDD
Other Paragon Products
Solutions for Home
The robust set of tools and drivers for personal and business use.
Solutions for Business
The robust set of tools and drivers for personal and business use.
Solutions for Windows
The comprehensive set of tools and drivers required for daily work
Solutions for MacOS
The comprehensive set of tools and drivers required for daily work
Need support?
Before submitting a ticket, check out our knowledge base.
Request support anywayFAQ
Find answers to the most common questions and access our documentation