Best Apple External Hard Drive

The Seagate Portable 2TB drive impressed us with its ease of use. We simply plugged it in and it was ready to go – no software installation needed. This plug-and-play simplicity makes it great for quickly backing up files or adding extra storage to laptops.

We like how compact and lightweight this drive is. It easily slips into a laptop bag or pocket without adding much bulk. The sleek black casing looks nice too. In our tests, file transfers were reasonably quick over the USB 3.0 connection.

One thing to note is that as a mechanical drive, it’s not as fast as an SSD. It also needs to be handled carefully to avoid damage from drops. The included 18-inch cable felt a bit short to us. But for the price and capacity, we think this Seagate drive offers good value for basic storage needs.

We’ve been using the Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB for a few weeks now, and it’s been a solid performer. The drive is small enough to slip into a pocket, which makes it great for on-the-go use. We like that it comes with both USB-C and USB-A cables, so we can use it with all our devices without buying extra cords.

The exFAT formatting out of the box is a nice touch. We were able to plug it into our Mac, PC, and even an iPad Pro without any issues. Keep in mind that if you want to use it with Time Machine on a Mac, you’ll need to reformat it first.

Transfer speeds are good, but not the fastest we’ve seen. For most users, this won’t be a problem. We moved large video files and photo libraries without much wait. The silver color looks nice, but we wish there were more options to choose from. All in all, the Canvio Flex is a reliable drive that won’t let you down.

We’ve used the LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB extensively, and it’s proven to be a reliable workhorse. Its orange rubber casing isn’t just for looks – it really does protect against drops and bumps. We’ve accidentally knocked it off desks a few times, and it kept working without a hitch.

The transfer speeds are impressive. We moved large video files in no time, which is great for our on-the-go editing work. The USB 3.0 connection is snappy, though we wish it had USB-C for newer laptops.

One thing to note: Mac users will need to reformat the drive before use. It’s a quick process, but worth mentioning. We also like the included month of Adobe Creative Cloud – it’s a nice bonus for creatives. While it’s a bit chunkier than some ultra-slim options, we think the extra protection is worth it for photographers and videographers who work in tough conditions.

We’ve put the Samsung T7 Shield through its paces, and it’s clear why it’s a standout choice. This little powerhouse zips through file transfers at speeds up to 1,050 MB/s. We moved a 4K video file in seconds, which is a game-changer for content creators on the go.

The drive’s tough exterior isn’t just for show. We accidentally knocked it off our desk, and it kept working without a hitch. Its IP65 rating means it can handle dust and water splashes, making it perfect for outdoor shoots or clumsy hands.

We love how versatile this drive is. It played nice with our Macs, iPads, and even our iPhone 15 Pro. The ability to record ProRes video directly to the drive is a huge plus for mobile filmmakers. Just remember to use the included cable for the best results.

While it’s not the cheapest option out there, we think the speed and durability make it worth the investment for pros and serious hobbyists. Casual users might find it more than they need, but for those who value their data and time, it’s a solid choice.

We’ve used the SanDisk G-DRIVE ArmorATD 5TB in the field, and it’s built to take a beating. The anodized aluminum case feels solid, and the rubber bumper adds extra protection. We dropped it a few times by accident, and it kept working without a hitch.

The drive is fast for a portable HDD. We transferred a 50GB video file in about 7 minutes. It’s not as quick as an SSD, but it’s speedy enough for most tasks. The USB-C connection works with newer Macs and PCs, while the included USB-A cable covers older devices.

We love the 5TB capacity. It’s enough to store thousands of RAW photos or hours of 4K video. The IP54 rating means it can handle dust and rain, which is great for outdoor shoots. It’s a bit pricey, but the durability makes it worth it for pros who can’t risk losing their work.

The Maxone Slim 500GB drive impressed us with its sleek metal design. At just 0.4 inches thick, it easily slips into a pocket or laptop bag. We found the aluminum casing sturdy and scratch-resistant, giving us peace of mind when tossing it in our backpack.

In our tests, the USB 3.0 connection provided quick file transfers. We moved a 4GB movie file in under a minute. The drive works right out of the box with Windows PCs and game consoles. Mac users will need to reformat it first, which only took us a few minutes.

We liked the versatility of this drive. It handled our PC backups, extra PlayStation 4 game storage, and even worked as a Time Machine drive for our MacBook. The 500GB capacity is enough for most users, though heavy media collectors may want more space. While not the fanciest option, this Maxone drive offers good value for basic storage needs.

The Buffalo SSD-PUT caught our eye with its tiny form factor. It’s about the size of a USB stick, making it perfect for slipping into a pocket or bag. We found it super convenient for transferring files between home and office.

In our tests, the SSD-PUT lived up to its speed claims. We moved large video files in seconds, which was a huge time-saver. The drive works with PCs, Macs, and even gaming consoles like the PS4 and PS5. This flexibility is great if you use multiple devices.

We did notice the plastic casing feels a bit flimsy. While it’s designed to be durable, we’d be careful not to drop it too often. The drive comes in 500GB and 1TB sizes, which should be plenty for most users. Keep in mind it costs more than a regular hard drive, but we think the speed boost is worth it for frequent use.

This fanxiang portable SSD impressed us with its blazing fast performance. We were able to transfer large video files in seconds. The read and write speeds lived up to the 2000MB/s and 1800MB/s claims.

We really liked how tough this drive is. The aluminum case feels solid, and the rubber sleeve adds extra protection. We accidentally dropped it a few times with no issues. The IP68 water resistance gave us peace of mind using it outdoors.

The compact size was super convenient. We easily slipped it in a pocket or clipped it to a bag. It worked great with our laptops, phones, and game consoles. The 1TB capacity held tons of photos, videos, and documents.

The Seagate 5TB Portable Drive packs a ton of storage into a compact package. We found it super easy to set up – we just plugged it in and it was ready to go on our Windows PC. The included 18-inch USB cable gave us plenty of flexibility for connecting to our desktop or laptop.

In our tests, file transfers were speedy thanks to the USB 3.0 connection. We moved a 50GB folder of photos and videos in under 15 minutes. The drive stayed cool and quiet even during long file transfers.

We like that this drive works with game consoles too. We hooked it up to a PS4 and were able to offload games to free up space on the internal drive. The sturdy plastic case seems like it can handle being tossed in a bag. While it’s not the smallest portable drive, the huge capacity makes up for the slightly chunky size.

We’ve been using the WD My Passport Ultra for Mac for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The silver metal casing looks great next to our MacBook. It’s small enough to slip into a pocket or bag, making it perfect for travel.

The USB-C connection is fast and works with newer Macs right out of the box. We transferred a 4GB movie file in just under a minute. For older Macs, there’s a USB-A adapter included. The drive comes formatted for macOS and works with Time Machine, so backups are a breeze.

We like the added security of password protection and hardware encryption. It gives us peace of mind when storing sensitive files. The drive is quiet and doesn’t get hot during use. While 2TB might not be enough for some power users, we found it plenty for most needs. If you’re looking for a reliable, stylish external drive for your Mac, this one’s worth considering.