10 Best External Drive For Ipad 2025 in the United States

The Crucial X10 1TB Portable SSD is a solid choice for anyone looking to expand their iPad storage with fast and reliable external drive options. With 1TB of space, it offers plenty of room for photos, videos, games, and backups. It connects via USB-C, which works natively with the iPad Pro and many other devices, ensuring broad compatibility. Transfer speeds of up to 2,100MB/s mean you can quickly move large files without long waits, a clear advantage over traditional hard drives.

The drive is very portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry around with your iPad. It’s also durable, with features like dust and water resistance (IP65) and drop protection up to 3 meters, so it can handle being used on the go. While it does not include built-in encryption or advanced security features, users needing strong data protection might want to consider additional solutions. The included bonus software may be useful for photo management and data backup but could be less relevant on iPads.

This SSD effectively balances speed, capacity, and durability, making it a practical external storage solution for iPad users who want fast access and reliable protection for their files.

The SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD is a strong choice if you’re looking to expand your iPad’s storage with a fast and durable external drive. Its large 4TB capacity means you can store lots of photos, videos, or apps without worrying about running out of space. It connects via USB-C and supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, which matches well with many iPads that have USB-C ports, offering smooth compatibility. The drive’s transfer speeds are impressive, with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write, so moving large files or streaming directly from the drive feels quick and responsive.

Portability is a highlight here — it’s very compact and light, and the included carabiner loop helps you attach it safely to a bag or belt, making it easy to carry around. Durability is another plus, with its IP65 rating protecting it from dust and water splashes and the ability to survive drops from up to 3 meters, which means it can handle everyday bumps and accidents. For security, it offers hardware encryption with 256-bit AES, letting you protect sensitive files with a password, which is great if you store personal or work data.

One limitation to consider is that to achieve the highest transfer speeds, your iPad must fully support USB 3.2 Gen 2 over USB-C; otherwise, speeds could be slower. Also, while the drive is rugged, it’s not fully waterproof, so submerging it in water would still damage it. If you want a reliable, fast, and secure external SSD to boost your iPad’s storage and handle on-the-go use, this SanDisk model is a solid pick.

The Seagate Expansion 14TB is a large-capacity external hard drive designed mainly for desktop use, offering plenty of storage space if you need to back up or store many files. It uses USB 3.0, which allows for decent transfer speeds, helping you move files relatively quickly compared to older USB standards.

However, it is a bulky and heavier drive (over 3 pounds and about 8.5 inches in size), making it less portable or convenient to carry around with an iPad, especially if you’re looking for something compact. In terms of compatibility, this drive is primarily meant for Windows and Mac computers and doesn’t natively support iPad or iPadOS devices. You would likely need additional adapters or apps to connect it to an iPad, which may complicate its use.

The drive does not include built-in encryption or security features, so it may be less suitable if you want to protect sensitive data without using third-party security tools. Since it is a desktop hard drive, it is not designed to withstand drops or rough handling like rugged portable drives. If you need a large amount of storage and plan to use it mainly with a computer rather than directly with an iPad, this drive offers good value. For those prioritizing portability, iPad compatibility, or built-in security, other options made specifically for mobile or iPad use might be better.