Top 7 External Hard Drives to Purchase in 2026

At a Glance

Category	Product	Why We Picked It
Best overall	Crucial X9 Pro	fast SSD with good value
Best value	WD Elements	reliable backup drive at low cost
Best for portability	Western Digital My Passport Ultra	high capacity in compact form
Best desktop drive	Seagate Expansion Desktop	lots of storage for the money
Best rugged option	LaCie Rugged	protection for on-the-go work
Also recommended	Samsung T9	fast and reliable, but a bit pricier
Also recommended	Seagate One Touch	has built-in encryption for secure backups

How we chose and tested

We looked at recent We focused on drives that work reliably with macOS, offer good value, and serve clear purposes like backups, portability, or speed.

The best external hard drives for Mac right now

Crucial X9 Pro - Best overall

This SSD hits the sweet spot between speed and price, making it the best general-purpose drive for most Mac users.

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Key highlights

Fast SSD performance for quick file transfers
Compact and portable design
USB-C connectivity that works with modern Macs
Good balance of speed and storage capacity

Pros

Much faster than traditional hard drives
Small enough to carry in a bag
Reliable performance for everyday tasks
Compatible with both Mac and Windows if needed

Cons

More expensive per terabyte than hard drives
Limited maximum capacity compared to desktop drives

Who it is for: Anyone who wants faster file transfers and doesn't need massive storage space.

Skip if

You need 8TB+ of storage or are on a very tight budget.

Western Digital My Passport Ultra - Best for portability

With up to 6TB in a portable package, this drive offers serious storage that you can actually take with you.

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Key highlights

High capacity in portable form factor
USB-C port built into the drive body
Three-year warranty for peace of mind
Available in multiple color options

Pros

Excellent storage-to-size ratio
USB-C makes connection easy with modern Macs
Longer warranty than many competitors
Good value for the capacity

Cons

Slower than SSDs for file transfers
Requires separate power adapter for some models

Who it is for: People who need lots of portable storage for photos, videos, or project files.

Skip if

You need lightning-fast transfer speeds or work with very large video files regularly.

WD Elements - Best value

For basic backups and additional storage, the WD Elements delivers reliable performance without breaking the bank.

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Key highlights

Very affordable price per terabyte
Simple, no-fuss design
Available in both portable and desktop versions
Compatible with Time Machine backups

Pros

Excellent value for money
Works reliably for overnight backups
Available in capacities up to 12TB
Simple plug-and-play operation

Cons

Basic design without extra features
Slower transfer speeds
Not ideal for active project work

Who it is for: Anyone who needs affordable backup storage or extra space for archived files.

Skip if

You need fast access to files or plan to work directly from the drive.

Seagate Expansion Desktop - Best desktop drive

When you need serious storage capacity at home or in the office, this desktop drive delivers terabytes without complexity.

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Key highlights

High capacity options (8TB+)
Desktop form factor with AC power
Simple expansion of your Mac's storage
Reliable performance for stationary use

Pros

Best cost per terabyte
Large capacities available
Stable performance for backup duties
Easy to set up and forget

Cons

Requires wall power (not portable)
Bulkier than portable drives
Slower than SSD options

Who it is for: Users who need lots of storage for backups, media libraries, or archives at a fixed location.

Skip if

You need portability or fast access to files.

LaCie Rugged - Best rugged option

Built to withstand bumps and drops, this drive is for people who work in less-than-ideal environments.

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Key highlights

Shock, dust, and water resistance
Orange rubber bumper for protection
USB-C connectivity
Mac-focused design and software

Pros

Excellent physical protection
Designed with Mac users in mind
Good performance for a rugged drive
Includes useful backup software

Cons

Premium price for the protection
Heavier than standard portable drives
Capacity options may be limited

Who it is for: Photographers, videographers, or anyone who works in the field with their Mac.

Skip if

Your drive stays on a desk or you're on a tight budget.

Also Good

Samsung T9 - fast and reliable, but a bit pricier.
Seagate One Touch - has built-in encryption for secure backups.

How to Choose

1.Speed vs. capacity: SSDs are faster but more expensive per terabyte. Hard drives offer more storage for less money but are slower.
2.Portability needs: Portable drives are smaller and powered by USB. Desktop drives need wall power but offer more capacity.
3.Connection type: USB-C is standard on modern Macs. Make sure your drive has the right cable or adapter.
4.Use case: Backups can use slower drives. Active project work benefits from faster SSDs.
5.Budget: More money gets you either more speed (SSD) or more capacity (HDD). Decide which matters more.

FAQ

Do I need to reformat drives for Mac?

Most new drives work fine with Macs out of the box. Some may come formatted for Windows, but macOS can read them. For Time Machine backups, you'll need to reformat to APFS or Mac OS Extended.

Is Thunderbolt necessary?

For most users, no. USB-C drives offer plenty of speed for backups and general file transfers. Thunderbolt matters if you work with very large video files or need maximum performance.

How much storage do I need?

For backups: at least double your Mac's internal storage. For extra project space: consider what you actually need plus room to grow. 1-2TB is good for most individuals.

Should I get an SSD or hard drive?

SSDs if you need speed and can afford less capacity. Hard drives if you need lots of storage on a budget. Many people use both: an SSD for active work and a hard drive for backups.

Do external drives work with Time Machine?

Yes, any compatible drive can be used with Time Machine. Just make sure it's formatted correctly and has enough space for your backups.