External Hard Drive For Mac Reviews
BestExternal Hard Drives for MaciMore2019
When it comes to storing data, personal information, and essential documents, you can never be too safe. External hard drives are not only useful for storing data but are an excellent way to transport files from one location to another. When you take into account price, ease of use, and portability, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the most reliable hard drive you can carry around with you at all times.
Best Overall: Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
If you want a reliable external hard drive that has a decent amount of storage, is super easy to carry around and has a very affordable price tag, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the best option for most people. Formatted for Windows and Mac right out of the box, it's easy to carry all your essential documents from desktop to laptop without missing a beat.
The Seagate Dashboard back up system is a fantastic simple tool that can let you schedule backups to ensure you never miss any critical files you need in case something terrible happens to your computer. You can set automatic backups daily, weekly, or monthly, and change the frequency whenever you want.
Seagate also throws in a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create. This can help you wrangle your photo library if you don't already use some photo managing tool, and a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.
Jan 02, 2019 Top capacity USB 3.0 portable drive. Seagate's new Backup Plus Fast portable drive is the quickest and most capacious compact external hard drive to date. Here's CNET's full review. Here then is our selection of the best external hard drives for Mac in 2019 in order of ranking. WD My Passport For Mac. The Western Digital 2TB My Passport For Mac is the perfect 2TB portable external hard drive for Mac users. It’s ready formatted for use on Mac, Time Machine ready and small enough to fit in your coat pocket. The Best External Hard Drives for Mac in 2019. Buying an external hard drive for your Mac is not all that different from buying one for your Windows PC. Tom tests and reviews laptops. But if speed is your top priority – for example, if you move a lot of large files, or want to run programs off the drive – then choose an SSD. External hard drive connections. The connection between the external hard drive and your Mac or PC is also important.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great backup software
- USB 3.0
- Metal enclosure
Best Overall
Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
Reliable, portable, and affordable.
Don't worry about lengthy setups or formatting procedures. Plug in the Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB which is formatted for Mac right out of the packaging.
Best USB-C hard drive: Samsung T5 Portable SSD (1 TB)
This small compact SSD drive from Samsung comes with both a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A, meaning it's perfect to use with your MacBook or Mac.
Its fast 540 MB/s read and write speeds are more than enough to transfer any file. And should be able to store all your photo and video files with ease thanks to its straightforward software. Plus, if you're worried about encryption, the Samsung T5 Portable SSD has you covered with an optional password to launch the drive, and AES 256-bit hardware encryption on all your files.
Pros:
- USB-C
- SSD
- Super compact
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption
Best USB-C
Samsung T5 Portable SSD (1 TB)
Fast and encrypted
With 540 MB/s read and write speeds the Samsung T5 Portable SSD is fast enough for photographers and videographers to transport all their work.
Compatible with Time Machine right out of the box, the 8 TB storage capacity on the Western Digital My Book is perfect for people looking for a lot of stage at a reasonable price. It's USB 3.0 meaning it's easy to take advantage of its storage speed with fast transfer speeds.
While portability is not the Western Digital My Book's strong suit and it needs a separate power source, it does offer 256-AES encryption when you download its easy-to-use security software. It ensures all your important files and documents stay private.
If you're looking for a drive that has lots of space, os you don't have to have multiple as your storage needs grow, look no further.
Pros:
- Lots of storage
- 256-AES encryption
- Time Machine compatible
Best Capacity
Western Digital My Book (8TB)
Lots of storage for those who need it
Western Digital offers 256-AES encryption when you download its security software, meaning you can rest easy knowing your private information and personal data is safe.
Best Thunderbolt 3 Drive: LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt
LaCie hard drives have always been good for people on the go because of the rugged design. The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt can withstand some dust, dirt, and even a tiny bit of water being splashed on it.
It's 7200 RPM Hard drive keeps things running smoothly. And the included USB-C cable — which supports Thunderbolt 3 — makes it perfect for MacBook and Mac users alike!
Cons:
- Only 130MB/s
External Hard Drive For Mac Reviews 2017
Best Thunderbolt 3 Drive
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt
Rugged design with Thunderbolt 3
The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt 3 is a favorite because it can withstand drops, dust, and even the occasional splash of water, making it easy to carry around!
Best for Legacy Hardware : G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
While Apple has been going the way of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 for a while now, some of us still use older hardware and thus don't need hard drives that have USB-C connections. If you're still rocking USB-A or even a Thunderbolt 2 connection from your Mac, the G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB) is a perfect companion.
Its all-metal design is not only more durable than plastic hard drives, but it also looks stylish! Plus, it's 7200 RPM speed allows the G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 to achieve 195 MB/s read and write speeds. This makes it fast enough to transfer large video files quickly and efficiently.
Cons:
- Needs to be reformatted for Windows
Best for legacy hardware
G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
Stylish and fast even on older computers
With 7200 RPM, this hard drive works hard and fast to get your files transferred quickly. Plus, it uses USB 3.0, and it even has a Thunderbolt 2 port.
The CalDigit Tuff does the best it can to live up to its name, giving you a hard drive that isn't as delicate as most. Landscape design software for mac. Its official IP rating is IP57, meaning it can be submerged in 3-feet of water for 30 mins and come out the other side functional. That's not all; this Thunderbolt 3 compatible drive can also withstand falling from about 4-feet high. We still don't suggest that you purposely abuse the CalDigit Tuff. Still, it's always good to have peace of mind when you're carrying your hard drive around.
Cons:
- Only come in 2TB
Best rugged drive
CalDigit Tuff
Can withstand drops and water
Official rated IP57, the CalDigit Tuff can survive an accidental dip into the water and has a great price tag.
If you're used to dealing with giant file sizes and need a hard drive that can handle transfer data fast, the Samsung X5 is one of the fastest SSD's you'll find. Its read and write speeds are 2,800MB/s and 2,300MB/s respectively, and the entire body is made of metal, making it much harder than plastic drives. Plus, The internal frame on the inside is shock resistant for drops from 2 meters.
This SSD comes with Thunderbolt 3 technology included. This you can take advantage of the fast speeds on your Mac or MacBook Pro, and it doesn't need any formatting, so it's plug and play!
Pros:
- 2,800MB/s read speed
- Shock resistant
- Thunderbolt 3
Best fast drive
Samsung X5
Incredibly fast SSD
If you need blazing fast speeds for giant files, the Samsung X5 is a monster external SSD that can handle any workload.
Bottom line
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the most reliable hard drive you can carry around with you at all times. It is formatted for both Mac and Windows right out of the box, and its easy-to-use software can automatically do backups for you as often or as little as you want.
Seagate also throws in a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create. This program can help you wrangle your photo library if you don't already use some photo managing tool. A two-month membership to Adobe's Creative Cloud Photography Plan means it's perfect for budding photographers as well.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Luke Filipowicz is an iMore staff writer who has been carrying around his Seagate Backup Plus Slim since his college days.
Lory Gil is the Managing Editor of iMore and an avid believer in having as many backups of your important files and documents as possible.
Rene Ritchie is the foremost authority on all things Apple and has insider knowledge about the goings-on at the biggest tech company in the world. When it comes to accessories for Mac, Rene has used them all.
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Can you imagine the horror of switching your computer on only to find out that all of your work files and personal memories have been swept clean by a virus, or a software or hardware malfunction?
Why not eliminate this possibility with the help of a large capacity external drive which you can use both for backing up your data, as well as an extension for your computer’s storage?
We tested numerous 8TB external hard drives and came up with our top favorite list for 2019, our top choice being the STGY8000400 Seagate Desktop external hard drive.
Read on to find out more about these incredibly useful devices, and why you should definitely get one right away!
Best overall
Seagate STGY8000400 Desktop 8TB External Hard Drive USB 3.0
The desktop Seagate 8TB external drive is our definite favorite among all options we could test this year.
It is an excellent option for expanding the capacity of your computer and is amazingly easy and intuitive to use. All you need to do is connect it to the USB port of your computer and drag and drop all of the files and content which you need to be transferred to the external hard drive.
The unit has a USB 3.0 port which allows for fast transfer of large files. It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0.
With a storage capacity of 8TB, you can easily use this device to back up all of your content from your computer. You don’t need to install any special programs just plug it in and you are set to go.
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You can leave it plugged in to access all of the content you need at all times, just like you would with the internal hard disk of your computer.
This hard drive by Seagate is PC compatible and is one of the simplest ones to use, with no complicated settings and configurations necessary.
You just plug it in and your computer will recognize it immediately, and you can use it for backup or for added space immediately.
The unit is 7.1 x 4.7 x 1.6 inches in size and weighs 2.43 lbs.
It can work with Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 11.
For such a reasonable price and ease of use, this is a must-have piece of hardware for anyone who wants to safely backup your precious content and to have access to it easily and without hassle when necessary.
Best bang for the buck
WD WDBWLG0080HBK-NESN 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive – USB 3.0
This top quality Western Digital external hard drive is the best deal we could find this year. With an 8TB capacity and plug-and-play functionality, this device is a superb choice for all PC users.
Wd External Hard Drive For Mac Reviews
Thanks to its vertical design, it will take up very little space on your desk or workplace.
The hard drive has a fast USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port. It works with Windows 7 and above and no special software or configurations are required to get it working. All you have to do is connect it to your computer and you will get instant access to the huge storage space where you can back up all of your important data, and where you can store your precious work and personal files.
Its dimensions are 5.31 x 1.89 x 6.53 inches and it weighs 2.09 lbs. With its elegant design, this 8TB external hard disk will look great on any desk, and most importantly will allow you to rest assured that you have all of your important data safely backed up and secured, in case something goes horribly wrong with your computer.
Best runner-up
Glyph Studio S8000 8TB External Hard Drive 7200RPM, USB 3, FW800 or eSATA
This premium quality external hard drive is a perfect solution for those of you who want the best of the best for your computer content and the safety of your files.
It has an 8TB capacity which is sufficient for backing up your documents, media files and whatever you need to store.
It has an all-aluminum durable casing and has an internal power supply as well as a smart and very quiet fan to keep the device safe from overheating and your files intact.
It has fast transfer USB 3.0, a FireWire 800 and an eSATA which allows for the transfer of file with a speed of up to 184Mb per second.
The Glyph Studio S8000 works with Windows XP and above Windows versions, as well with Mac OSX 10.4 and above versions.
It can be mounted on a rack which is sold separately. The hard disk is 11 x 2.5 x 10.25 inches in size and weighs 4 lbs.
You will receive top quality USB 3.0. FireWire 800 and an IEC power cables with the device.
Plus, you will get a 3-year warranty for the hard drive, a 2-year data recovery warranty and 1-year replacement guarantee, so you can be pretty sure that you will be making a wise and long-term investment with this reliable, durable and easy to use professional grade 8TB external hard disk.
Seagate Backup Plus Hub 8TB External Desktop Hard Drive Storage + Adobe CC Photography
This 8TB external hard disk from Seagate is the perfect solution if you need a backup device for your PC or Mac. It has two high-speed USB 3.0 ports which you can use for quick transfer of your data, as well as for quick charging of your phone or other devices.
The hard drive is formatted for Windows, but you can install the NTFS driver provided by the manufacturer if you plan on using it with a Mac computer.
The unit allows for easy one-click backing up of your content on schedule, which will help protect your files and allow you to rest assured that everything you need is safely stored.
The size of the device is 4.65 x 1.61 x 7.8 inches, and it weighs 2.34 lbs.
You will receive a 2-month complimentary membership for Adobe’s Creative Cloud Photography Plan with this hard disk, which is an excellent opportunity for the reasonable price of this nifty piece of hardware.
You will also get a USB 3.0 cable, a quick start guide, backup software from Seagate as well as an optional driver for Mac computers with this excellent Backup Plus Hub external hard disk.
Fantom Drives GF3B8000UP 8TB External Hard Drive – 7200RPM USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 – Mac, Windows, PS4, and Xbox
This sleek and stylish looking external hard disk is one of the best options if you want a reliable, easy to use and versatile backup option for your data, memories and work files. You can use it with both Windows and Mac computers, as well as with PlayStation4 and Xbox consoles.
The Fantom Drives external hard drive has an 8TB capacity but is also available in options from 500GB up to a whopping 12GB.
It has a beautiful looking stylish aluminum case and provides an intuitive and hassle-free plug-and-play performance. So, you won’t need to install any additional drives and software to use it.
The construction of the hard drive allows for fan-less cooling.
It is sold with a 1-year warranty.
This hard drive has a speed of 7200 RPM which is about 33% faster than drives with 5400 RPM.
The external drive is very suitable for storing all kinds of data, including media files. It is an excellent option both for home use and for the office.
It is sold with a stand which adds to its flawless design and will make it look perfect wherever you decide to place it.
The hard drive is compatible with Windows 7 and above and with Mac OSX 10.6 and above versions. The fast transfer of your files will be ensured by the USB 3.0 port. It is sized 4.75 x 1.75 x 4.75 inches and weighs 2.5 lbs.
Final words
A good quality, reliable external hard drive is the most affordable and easiest way to ensure that all of your data from your computer is safe. The capacity of 8TB is perfect if you want to have enough storage space to keep adding your work files, your new photos and videos and all of your personal memories without running out of space.
These devices are easy to use and do not require any complicated setups, so even those of you who are not so tech savvy can work with a hard drive like one of our top picks.
All of them simply need to be plugged into the computer and then can be used for backing up everything or dragging and dropping only particular files or directories to the safe storage unit.
When you come to think about the number of files you already have stored in your computer, it is definitely worth investing in one of these excellent 8TB external hard drives, so that you can ensure that you never have to deal with the agonizing problem of losing all of your files.
Good luck with your purchase, and remember to keep your personal and work data safely backed up at all times!
Last update on 2019-11-05 at 12:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API