Does your Mac’s storage feel like it’s constantly bursting at the seams? You snap more photos, download bigger games, and save huge work files. Soon, that “Storage Almost Full” warning pops up, slowing everything down. It’s frustrating when you need space but don’t know how to get more.
Choosing the perfect external storage for your Mac feels like navigating a maze. Should you pick a fast SSD or a roomy HDD? Do you need Thunderbolt or USB-C? These choices confuse even experienced users. Finding the right balance between speed, size, and budget is a real challenge.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain the best external storage options available for your Apple machine. You will learn exactly what features matter most for your needs, whether you edit videos or just back up family photos. By the end, you will confidently choose the drive that gives you the perfect blend of performance and capacity.
Top External Storage Mac Recommendations
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- Plug-and-play expandability
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
- Ultra fast data transfers: the external hard drive works with USB 3.0 thickened copper cable to provide super fast transfer speeds. Theoretical read speed is as high as 110MB/s-133MB/s and write speed is as high as 103MB/s.
- Ultra-thin and quiet: the motherboard adopts a noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- Compatibility: compatible with PS4/xbox one/Windows/Linux/Mac/Android,Stable and fast downloading on game console no difference from fast transmission when using on PC.
- Plug and Play: no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use. The hard drive chip is wrapped with aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data
- Package Contents: 1* portable hard drive, 1 *USB 3.0 cable, 1*USB to type C adapter，1 *user manual, shell packaging, three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
- English (Publication Language)
- 【Plug and play for home and office equipment】YOTUO HDD01 USB 3.0 external hard drive. Suitable for Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10/11, Linux, Mac OS system. As well as laptops, desktop computers, PS4, PS5, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, XBOX series X/S and other office equipment and gaming equipment. The product is plug-and-play when used in Windows. For Mac users, first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【The first time you use this product in your gaming device, you will need to install an external hard disk into your gaming device】XBOX Simply follow the steps prompted by the system pop-up window to use it in the device. PS5 may receive the message "This USB drive's file system is unsupported" when plugging in an external hard disk and may display an incorrect storage capacity. There is no need to worry. You can simply find "USB Storage Device" in the "Settings" screen, follow the steps prompted by the system to install the drive and format it, and it will be ready for use. PS4, please find "USB Storage Device" in "Device" interface in "Settings".
- 【Gaming device manufacturer restrictions for different generations of games】Due to restrictions imposed by gaming device manufacturers, the PS5 can read and run PS4 games directly from an external hard drive, but cannot run PS5 games directly from an external hard drive; PS5 games on the external hard drive need to be moved to the device in order to run. Similarly, the Xbox X Series and Xbox S Series can only run Xbox One games directly from an external hard drive.
- 【Patented silicone sleeve protects hard drive】 The patented silicone sleeve inside wraps around the hard disk. It protects the hard disk more effectively against shocks and drops.
- 【About the discrepancy between the nominal capacity and the actual capacity】The actual capacity of the hard disk is not the same as the nominal capacity because the measurement method (binary) used by the hard disk manufacturer is different from the measurement method (decimal) used by the computer system. This is normal.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best External Storage for Your Mac
Your Mac is great, but it fills up fast! Photos, videos, and big apps take up space. External storage helps you keep everything safe and makes your Mac run smoothly. This guide shows you what to look for when buying that perfect drive.
1. Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on these important features first. They decide how fast and reliable your storage will be.
Speed and Connection Type
- Thunderbolt (3 or 4): This is the fastest option for modern Macs. It’s great for editing big video files right from the drive.
- USB-C (3.1 or 3.2): Very fast and common. Most new Macs use this port. It offers a good balance of speed and price.
- USB-A (Older Macs): Slower than the others, but still useful for simple backups or older computers.
Capacity (How Much Space You Get)
Think about what you store. Do you just need space for documents, or huge movie libraries?
- 500GB to 1TB: Good for documents, photos, and light backups.
- 2TB to 4TB: Best for most users, including photographers and casual video editors.
- 8TB and Up: Necessary for professional video editors or anyone archiving large amounts of data.
Drive Type: SSD vs. HDD
This is the biggest choice you will make for speed.
- SSD (Solid State Drive): These drives have no moving parts. They are super fast, quiet, and very durable against bumps. They cost more per gigabyte.
- HDD (Hard Disk Drive): These use spinning disks. They are much cheaper for huge amounts of storage, but they are slower and more fragile.
2. Important Materials and Build Quality
The outside matters! A good case protects your valuable data.
- Aluminum Casing: Many premium drives use aluminum. This material helps keep the drive cool, which improves performance and lifespan.
- Rugged or Rubberized Shells: If you travel a lot or work outdoors, look for drives built to resist drops and dust. These are often labeled as “rugged.”
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one drive better than another? It’s often about speed and reliability.
Quality Boosters
- Native Mac Formatting (APFS/HFS+): Drives that come ready for Mac (using APFS) work right out of the box.
- Good Controller Chip: The internal chip manages data flow. Better chips mean faster, more stable transfers.
- DRAM Cache (For SSDs): This small buffer memory helps the drive handle many tasks at once without slowing down.
Quality Reducers (Things to Avoid)
- Slow Spin Speed (For HDDs): Avoid older 5400 RPM drives if speed is important. Look for 7200 RPM for better performance.
- Cheap Plastic Cases: These offer poor heat dissipation and break easily if dropped.
- Unbranded Controllers: Drives using very cheap, unknown internal parts might fail sooner.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the drive changes what you should buy.
Backup Powerhouse (Reliability First)
If you only use the drive for Time Machine backups, speed is less critical than capacity and reliability. A large, inexpensive HDD is often perfect here.
Creative Workflow (Speed is King)
For video editing, graphic design, or running virtual machines, you need speed. An external SSD connected via Thunderbolt or fast USB-C is necessary. This lets you work directly on the drive without frustrating lag.
Portability and Travel
If you carry it daily, choose a small, light SSD. They handle being tossed in a backpack much better than bulky HDDs. Battery life matters too—some high-speed drives draw more power than older Macs can comfortably supply through one port.
External Storage Mac: 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need a special cable for my Mac?
A: Newer Macs use USB-C ports. Check if the drive has a USB-C cable or if you need an adapter. Thunderbolt drives require their specific Thunderbolt cable.
Q: Can I use a Windows-formatted drive on my Mac?
A: Sometimes. If the drive is formatted as exFAT, Mac can read and write to it. However, for best performance and reliability, it is recommended that the drive be formatted specifically for Mac (APFS).
Q: What is the best format for Time Machine backups?
A: Time Machine works best with drives formatted in Apple’s APFS format. Most new external drives are ready for this.
Q: Are SSDs worth the extra money over HDDs?
A: Yes, if you need speed for active work like editing. If you just need long-term, slow storage, HDDs save you money.
Q: How do I know if a drive is compatible with my specific Mac model?
A: Check the connection type. A 2020 MacBook Air needs USB-C/Thunderbolt. An older iMac might only have USB-A ports.
Q: Will an external drive slow down my Mac?
A: Only if you are using a very slow HDD or if the connection is bottlenecked (like using a slow USB 2.0 port). Fast SSDs will not slow your computer down.
Q: What does “Bus-Powered” mean?
A: Bus-powered means the drive gets all its power from the Mac’s port. It does not need a separate wall plug. This is common for portable SSDs.
Q: Should I buy a drive with more space than I need right now?
A: Yes. It is cheaper to buy a larger drive now than to buy a second drive later. Always buy more space than you think you need.
Q: What is the difference between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4?
A: Both are extremely fast, but Thunderbolt 4 offers slightly better features for connecting multiple high-resolution monitors, though the speed is similar for standard drive use.
Q: How long should a good external drive last?
A: Quality HDDs should last 3 to 5 years with normal use. Quality SSDs often have warranties of 5 years or more because they have no moving parts to wear out.