10 Best Mac External Hard Drives 2025 in the United States

The Crucial X10 1TB Portable SSD is a strong choice for Mac users looking for fast and reliable external storage. With a 1TB capacity, it offers plenty of space for photos, videos, games, and backups, making it suitable for students, creators, and everyday users who need ample storage on the go. Its speed is impressive—up to 2,100MB/s read speed—so transferring large files happens quickly, which is a big step up from traditional hard drives. The USB 3.2 USB-C connection ensures compatibility with Macs while also working well with other devices like Windows PCs, gaming consoles, and Android devices.

Durability is a highlight here; it’s dust and water resistant (IP65) and can survive drops from nearly 10 feet, making it ideal for someone who travels or works outdoors. The drive is very lightweight and compact, enhancing its portability without sacrificing robustness. While the drive is fast in reading data, write speeds may vary depending on your device, which is common for many SSDs. The matte blue color is a nice touch but purely cosmetic. Bonus software offers extra value, especially for photo management and backups, which adds to its appeal.

If you want a portable, sturdy, and speedy SSD that works seamlessly with a Mac and other gadgets, the Crucial X10 is a reliable option. However, if you only need storage for occasional use or at lower speeds, there are simpler and cheaper alternatives available.

The LaCie d2 Professional 20TB is a solid choice for Mac users needing a large external hard drive primarily for desktop use. Its huge 20TB storage can handle massive files, making it great for creative professionals working with video, photos, or design projects. With a 7200 RPM speed and transfer rates up to 290MB/s, it offers decent performance for editing and archiving, although it’s not as fast as SSD options. The USB-C connectivity with USB 3.1 Gen 2 ensures compatibility with modern Macs and speeds up data transfer, while the aluminum casing helps reduce noise and vibration, adding to its durability. However, because it’s a 3.5-inch mechanical drive, it’s heavier and less portable than smaller external drives or SSDs—so it’s best as a stationary desktop solution rather than for on-the-go use.

The included one-month Adobe Creative Cloud plan adds value for creatives, and the 5-year warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services provides peace of mind against data loss. Despite the mention of Thunderbolt connectivity, this drive lacks that feature, and some users may find the transfer speed limiting compared to SSDs. For those who need a reliable, high-capacity drive for a Mac desktop setup and can trade portability for storage and durability, this LaCie is a strong contender.

The G-Technology 10TB G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C offers a very generous 10TB storage capacity, making it an excellent choice for users who need a lot of space for their files, such as video editors or data-heavy professionals. Its dual Thunderbolt 3 ports and single USB-C port provide high-speed data transfers, which means quick backups and file transfers.

The ability to daisy chain up to 5 additional devices adds to its versatility, allowing you to connect multiple drives and other peripherals through a single port. The all-aluminum case not only gives it a sleek and stylish look but also enhances durability, protecting the drive from potential damage.

However, its 3.5-inch form factor and mechanical design make it bulkier and less portable compared to smaller, solid-state drives. It's mainly suitable for desktop use rather than being carried around frequently. Also, while it is listed as 'portable,' its size and need for external power make it less convenient for on-the-go use. This external hard drive is ideal for users needing high capacity and fast connectivity, especially those who work at a fixed location like a home office or studio, rather than for those who need a travel-friendly option.