Best Thunderbolt External Hard Drives of 2025

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Thunderbolt external hard drives are a great option for anyone looking for high-speed data transfer and reliable storage. These drives use Thunderbolt technology to provide lightning-fast data transfer rates, making them perfect for tasks like video editing and backing up large files. They are available in a range of capacities, from small portable drives to large desktop models, and are compatible with both Mac and PC systems. With their sleek designs and rugged construction, Thunderbolt external hard drives are a great choice for anyone who needs dependable storage that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Thunderbolt External Hard Drives
LaCie d2 Professional External Hard Drive
The LaCie d2 Pro HDD is the go-to external desktop hard drive for creatives using Mac/PC SSD-based laptops or all-in-one-computers with limited storage capacity. With its massive capacity and speeds of up to 240MB/s, you can easily edit and archive projects without worrying about running out of space. The USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity options ensure seamless connection to your computers, while the aluminum form factor reduces noise and vibration. The BarraCuda Pro enterprise-class drives provide ultimate reliability and performance. Additionally, the LaCie d2 Pro HDD comes with a one-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan, allowing you to unleash your boundless creativity. And with the included five-year limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services, you can enjoy long-term peace of mind.
G-Technology 4TB G-DRIVE External Hard Drive
The G-Technology G-DRIVE 4TB offers exceptional data transfer speeds with its Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports, making it ideal for quickly moving large files like videos, music, and photos. Its integrated heat-sink ensures that the drive operates quietly while keeping cool, so you can focus on your work without distractions. The sturdy all-aluminum casing not only enhances its durability but also adds a sleek look to your setup. With storage capacities reaching up to 10TB, this drive can accommodate your growing digital library with ease.
SanDisk Professional G-Drive 12TB
The SanDisk G-Drive 12TB offers ample space to securely back up and store your important projects. With its robust 7200RPM Ultrastar hard drive, you can enjoy reliable long-term storage and impressive transfer speeds of up to 250MB/s, making your file transfers quick and efficient. The PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot allows you to easily expand your storage and enhance performance for fast editing and backup, all while keeping your workspace tidy. Additionally, the high-speed Thunderbolt 3 interface ensures compatibility with various devices, so you can connect effortlessly and maximize your productivity.
LaCie Rugged Secure 2TB External Hard Drive
The LaCie Rugged Secure 2TB External Hard Drive is a portable HDD that offers AES-256 government-grade hardware encrypted password protection to keep your important files safe. With 2TB of capacity, it allows you to shuttle large-scale projects, while fast speeds of up to 130MB/s enable you to directly ingest files. This portable hard drive is drop, crush, and rain resistant, and is compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and USB 3.0. Moreover, you can enjoy a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to photo and video editing apps.
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD
The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD is a high-speed and durable external hard drive. With speeds of up to 130MB/s, you can transfer files quickly using the integrated Thunderbolt cable. This portable hard drive is drop, dust, and water-resistant, making it perfect for use in the field. It also includes a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. The three-year limited warranty protection plan and Rescue Data Recovery services provide long-term peace of mind.
SanDisk Professional 24TB G-RAID Mirror
The SanDisk G-RAID Mirror offers a massive 24TB of storage capacity, perfect for users needing ample space for their files. It comes pre-configured in RAID 1, providing you with peace of mind through data redundancy and read speeds of up to 250MB/s. You can also switch to RAID 0 for faster performance, achieving read speeds up to 480MB/s. Additionally, it features a PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot, allowing you to expand storage and improve transfer speeds without cluttering your workspace. Color-coded cables make it easy to connect the right devices, ensuring optimal performance.
SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD
The SanDisk G-Drive ArmorATD is designed for users who need fast and reliable storage. With its USB-C connection, you can quickly back up files at impressive speeds of up to 130MB/s, making it perfect for transferring large files. It also supports USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3, ensuring compatibility with various devices. The robust aluminum casing not only provides a premium feel but also enhances durability, protecting your data from accidental drops. Plus, the easy-grip bumper ensures you can handle this drive confidently, knowing it can withstand tough conditions.
OWC 1TB Envoy External SSD
The OWC Envoy SSD is designed for both professionals and casual users, offering impressive speeds over 1000MB/s for various tasks, from editing videos to backing up personal files. Its universal compatibility means you can connect it to any USB-C device, whether it's a Mac, PC, or tablet. This ultra-portable drive is small enough to fit in your palm, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. With a rugged aluminum casing, it not only protects your data but also ensures consistent performance in any environment.
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt 1TB HDD
The LaCie Rugged 1TB HDD is designed for professionals who need a reliable and fast external storage solution. With transfer speeds reaching up to 130MB/s via the integrated Thunderbolt cable, you can quickly move large files, making your workflow more efficient. Its robust design ensures it can withstand drops, dust, and even water, allowing you to take it anywhere with confidence. Additionally, you’ll receive a one-month free membership to Adobe Creative Cloud, giving you access to powerful photo and video editing tools. This hard drive not only meets your storage needs but enhances your creative capabilities.
Oyen Digital Novus 16TB Hard Drive
The Oyen Digital 16TB Drive is designed for seamless use with both Windows and Mac systems, making it incredibly easy to set up and start using right away. Its USB-C connectivity ensures compatibility with all USB and Thunderbolt 3 devices, providing flexibility for various setups. With a fast 7200 RPM enterprise drive, you can enjoy rapid data transfer speeds of up to 250 MB/s, saving you time when moving large files. The hard drive is also encased in a silicon sleeve, which not only prevents slipping but also enhances durability, ensuring it withstands everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there a Thunderbolt for external hard drive?
Best Buy customers often prefer the following products when searching for thunderbolt 3 external hard drive. Thunderbolt 3 is a quick and easy way to add more storage to your computer. It's also the first cable standard that can carry enough bandwidth to power... two 4K monitors, or one 5K monitor, at the same time.
2. Are there Thunderbolt 4 external drives?
At the time of this writing, there are no Thunderbolt 4 external drives on the market. However, some of the best external hard drives support Thunderbolt 3, including our favorite, the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt (4TB).
3. Are Thunderbolt hard drives worth it?
And Thunderbolt's superior bandwidth makes it a better choice if you are moving lots of data. You can frequently find Thunderbolt interfaces on RAID drives—drive systems that combine two or more hard drives in a single chassis together, providing enhanced performance and reliability compared to single-drive mechanisms.
4. Is there a Thunderbolt drive?
The Atom Pro is an ultra-portable Thunderbolt 3 drive, built to go wherever you do. It's been designed to MIL-Standard 810F for resisting shock, vibration, dust, and sand. The Atom Pro boasts read speeds up to 2,800 megabytes per second and read speeds up to 2,600 megabytes per second.
During our thunderbolt external hard drive research, we found 24 thunderbolt external hard drive products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 146,354 customer reviews through our big data system to write the thunderbolt external hard drives list. We found that most customers choose thunderbolt external hard drives with an average price of $237.25.
The thunderbolt external hard drives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of thunderbolt external hard drives, including LaCie, G-Technology, SanDisk Professional, OWC, Oyen Digital. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 3,259 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

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.