10 Best External Hard Drives For Macs 2025 in the United States

The G-Technology 12TB G-DRIVE is a great choice if you need a large amount of reliable storage for your Mac. With 12 terabytes of space, it offers plenty of room for backing up photos, videos, and other important files. It connects using Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, which means fast data transfer speeds that help you move or access files quickly. This drive also allows daisy chaining, so you can connect up to five more devices without needing extra ports. Its all-aluminum case gives it a sturdy build and a sleek, modern look, which fits nicely on a desk. The drive spins at 7200 RPM, contributing to its speed, which is good for professional or creative work where performance matters.

It’s designed mainly as a desktop device—it weighs nearly 3 pounds and is not very compact, so it’s best kept in one place rather than carried around. Compatibility-wise, it works well with Macs, making it a solid fit for Mac users. Plus, the 5-year warranty offers extra peace of mind. If you’re looking for something ultra-portable or budget-friendly, this might not be the best fit. This external hard drive suits Mac users who want high capacity, fast connection, and durable design for desktop use.

The LaCie d2 Professional 20TB External Hard Drive stands out for its impressive storage capacity, making it an excellent choice for users needing extensive space for large files and projects. The 20TB capacity ensures that you have more than enough room for archiving data and software without worrying about running out of space anytime soon. This is particularly useful for professionals in creative fields who work with large media files.

It connects via USB-C USB 3.1 Gen 2, a modern and fast connection type that is compatible with many current Mac and PC models, ensuring smooth and efficient data transfer speeds up to 290MB/s. This feature allows for quick editing and archiving, enhancing productivity. However, it is worth noting that this hard drive uses a mechanical HDD, which might not be as fast as SSDs for certain operations, but still offers reliable performance with its 7200 RPM speed. The aluminum form factor provides durability and reduces noise and vibration, making it a sturdy and relatively quiet addition to your workspace.

The included five-year warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services add a layer of security, knowing your data is protected. On the downside, the LaCie d2 Professional is not particularly portable due to its larger size and heavier weight (3.08 pounds), making it more suitable for desktop use rather than on-the-go. Additionally, it may not be the best choice for users who need a more compact and lightweight solution. In terms of compatibility, it works well with both Mac and PC, ensuring versatility. The one-month Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan can be a bonus for creatives. This makes the LaCie d2 Professional a robust and reliable option for stationary use, ideal for professionals who need vast storage capacity and speed in their daily workflow.

The SAMSUNG T5 EVO Portable SSD with 8TB storage is an impressive option for Mac users who require large storage capacity and fast data transfer speeds. With a substantial 8TB of digital storage, this SSD is perfect for gamers and content creators who need to store and work with large files. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection ensures quick data transfer speeds up to 460MB/s, making it significantly faster than traditional HDDs. This means you can transfer large files efficiently, which is ideal for tasks such as video editing and gaming.

Additionally, its compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable, so you can easily carry it with you wherever you go. The drive's shock resistance and fall protection up to 6 feet add to its durability, giving you peace of mind when handling the device on the move. In terms of compatibility, the T5 EVO works seamlessly with a range of devices, including PCs, gaming consoles, tablets, smartphones, and Macs, providing versatility for various users.

However, one potential drawback is that it uses the USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, which is not the latest version and may not fully utilize the speed potential of newer devices with USB 3.2 Gen 2. Nonetheless, for most users, the performance and features of the SAMSUNG T5 EVO make it a strong contender for those in need of reliable, high-capacity storage on the go.