Best External Hard Drives for Mac of 2025

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External hard drives for Mac are a great way to store and backup files. They come in various sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. Many external hard drives for Mac are designed to be plug-and-play, meaning they don't require any software or drivers to be installed. This makes them very easy to use and perfect for people who are not tech-savvy. Additionally, they can be used to expand the storage capacity of your Mac, allowing you to store more files and media without having to upgrade your computer. Overall, external hard drives for Mac are a reliable and convenient way to store and backup your data.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 External Hard Drives for Mac
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
The Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive is a USB 3.0 drive designed for PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox. It provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable, and is easy to set up with automatic recognition and no software required. Customers have found it easy to install and use on their PS4, and it is compatible with Mac running Monterey. However, some customers have reported that it lags when handling large amounts of data.
WD 2TB My Passport for Mac External Hard Drive
The WD 2TB My Passport for Mac is an external hard drive designed for use with Mac computers. It comes with software for device management and backup, password protection, and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The device has a SuperSpeed USB port (5Gbps) and is compatible with USB 2.0. The product also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
WD 2TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive
This external hard drive is designed for Mac users with features that include USB-C and USB 3.1 compatibility, a stylish metal cover, password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and being pre-formatted for Mac.
Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is designed for PC, Mac, and Tablet compatibility. It features USB-C and USB-A cables, and is formatted exFAT for cross-device compatibility. It offers a versatile design and a 2TB digital storage capacity. Customers have reported both positive and negative experiences with the product.
LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive
The LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive is a reliable and durable storage solution for all-terrain use. It is dust and water resistant, and can withstand drops up to 4 feet. It is USB 3.0 compatible, up to 4 times faster than USB 2.0, and includes a 1-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. It is perfect for storing large amounts of data, and is easy to use and set up.
WD 2TB Elements Portable HDD
The WD 2TB Elements Portable HDD is the perfect device for storing your videos, music, photos, and files. With USB 3.0 compatibility, you can transfer data at maximum speed, and it is also USB 2.0 compatible. This portable hard drive can improve your PC performance by freeing up space on your internal hard drive, which can slow down your computer when it's almost full. With a high capacity of up to 5TB, it is the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
UnionSine 500GB Ultra Slim External Hard Drive
The UnionSine 500GB external hard drive offers ultra-fast data transfer speeds with USB 3.0 connectivity, providing a theoretical read speed of up to 133MB/s and a write speed of up to 103MB/s. Its ultra-thin design and quiet operation make it easy to carry and perfect for a quiet working environment. It is compatible with various devices including PS4, Xbox, PC, and Mac without any software installation required. In addition, the hard disk chip is wrapped in an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data, and it also comes with double anti-interference protection for stable and undisturbed performance.
Maxone 1TB Ultra Slim HDD
The Maxone Slim HDD offers a sleek and sturdy design, measuring just 0.4 inches thick. Its all-aluminum body not only provides excellent durability but also ensures quiet operation, making it an ideal choice for on-the-go use. With compatibility across multiple platforms, including Windows and gaming consoles like PS4 and Xbox One, you can easily plug it in and start using it without any complicated setup. The USB 3.0 technology allows for incredibly fast data transfers, reaching speeds up to 5 Gbit/s, significantly boosting your PC's performance and saving you time when backing up files.
Aiolo Innovation 5TB Portable HDD
The Aiolo Innovation Portable HDD offers ultra-fast data transfers with its USB 3.0 connection, making it easy for you to move large files quickly. You can enjoy a quiet working environment, thanks to its noise-free design, perfect for those who need peace while working or gaming. This external hard drive is compatible with various devices, including gaming consoles and computers, ensuring seamless performance whether you're downloading games or transferring files. Plus, its plug-and-play feature means you can start using it right away without any software installation, providing you with convenience and efficiency.
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB External Hard Drive
The Toshiba Canvio Basics external hard drive is a sleek, easy-to-use storage solution for your PC and other compatible devices. With its plug-and-play design, there is no software to install, making it simple to quickly add more storage capacity. The matte, smudge-resistant finish gives it a modern look while also protecting it from fingerprints and scratches. The USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility means that no external AC power cord is needed, and you can transfer files quickly. The pre-formatted NTFS for Windows PC makes it ready to use right out of the box.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will any external hard drive work with Mac?
Generally, yes—for the most part, a hard drive is a hard drive, and any hard drive you buy for a Windows PC should work fine on a Mac as well.
2. Can you attach an external hard drive to a Mac?
Most hard drives connect via USB, so you'll just need to plug the USB cable into an open port on your Mac. You'll typically find at least one USB port along each side of the Mac. Some Mac-specific drives may come with a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable instead.
During our external hard drive for mac research, we found 24 external hard drive for mac products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,326,852 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external hard drives for mac list. We found that most customers choose external hard drives for mac with an average price of $123.87.
The external hard drives for mac are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external hard drives for mac, including Seagate, WD, TOSHIBA, LaCie, UnionSine. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.