In this post you will find some of the best portable external hard drives for Mac that you can buy today. These are some great portable hard drives that are designed to keep your data safe and secure no matter if you are on the go or want to keep backup of your data in your home.
If you own a Mac, there’s a high chance you have important data on it. Keeping a copy on an external drive is one of the most effective ways to prevent data loss.
It is a handy and inexpensive way to back up your sensitive files or store any overflows. Additionally, it can be used to transfer files from one device to another.
Certainly, you will need more storage as data files grow and become larger. When it comes to emergency backups, an external drive is a viable option.
So, we decided to come up with a list of the best external hard drive 2024.
Best External Hard Drives
The following recommendations will help you make an informed decision before buying the best external hard drive for backup.
1. Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD
External hard drives from Seagate are excellent and reliable. They aim to simplify the lives of those who have a lot of important files to store and protect.
With the Seagate Portable Drive, you can easily store and access 2TB of content on the go. This best external hard drive 2TB has a metal finish that not only extends its lifespan but also looks sleek and improves its aesthetics. The metal finish is available in blue, red, silver, and classic black colors. You can back up your computer using this compact external hard drive, which is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
You simply need to connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition, requiring no software, and enjoy plug-and-play simplicity with the included USB 3.0 cable.
Buy Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD for $61.99 here
2. WD_BLACK 2TB P10 Game Drive
With the WD Black P10 Game Drive, you can keep your console or PC on top of its game with performance-enhancing features. It’s a top-tier external HDD with a capacity of up to 5TB, designed especially for gaming consoles and PCs to save their game libraries on the go. You can now play your game in the way you want with the WD Black P10 Game Drive.
There are capacities of up to 5TB which can hold up to 125 games, so you can save old favorites and still have space for new ones. A terabyte (TB) is equal to one trillion bytes. Depending on the operating environment, the total accessible capacity varies. The number of games is based on an average of 36GB per game. Depending on your file size, formatting, and other programs, the number of games you can install will vary.
Buy WD_BLACK 2TB P10 Game Drive for $74.99 here
3. Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
Featuring high storage capacity, plug-and-play operation, and reliable performance, the Canvio Basics portable external hard drive allows you to store and take your files anywhere. The device has a classic matte black finish and is USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible. To the power of 10, one Terabyte (1TB) is equivalent to one million,000,000 bytes. However, the actual formatted storage capacity may differ.
What’s more, the matte finish resists smudges and is sleek in design.
It requires no software to be installed and is plug-and-play. It is worth mentioning here, for Mac OS v10.12/OS X v10.11/OS X v10.10, reformatting is required.
Buy Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive for $59.99 here
4. Toshiba Canvio Advance 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
Whenever you feel inspired, Canvio Advance is there to help you capture your most creative work. In addition to its easy-to-use backup and security software, the drive has a stylish textured finish with vibrant color options.
With up to 4TB(1) of storage capacity, you can keep track of a growing amount of content and files. As a bonus, USB 3.0 & 2.0 compatibility allows for high-speed data transfer with no need for an external power source.
You can protect your files with features such as automatic backups and password protection. Protect your content easily and hassle-free with Toshiba Storage Security and Storage Backup software.
You have the option to pick from a variety of vibrant colors in a stylish textured finish for your portable storage on this best external hard drive for photos.
Buy Toshiba Canvio Advance 2TB Portable External Hard Drive for $54.99 here
5. Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
Your storage solution shouldn’t be limited to just one device. A cross-device storage solution tailored to your adaptable lifestyle, the Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive combines compatibility and portability. With up to 4TB(1) of storage capacity, the Canvio Flex makes transferring your files easier than ever with its interchangeable USB device platforms and operating systems(2).
In addition to supporting Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, and Android tablets, the Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive includes a USB-C port(2). This enables seamless file access right out of the box.
Stay up-to-date with the Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive, which is compatible with any USB-equipped device(2). You can easily connect to both old and new devices with the included USB-A and USB-C cables, so you don’t need an adapter.
Buy Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive for $64.99 here
6. SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD
This versatile USB-C (5Gbps) drive supports Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.0 and provides reliable plug-and-play storage and backup. You can also use it with a MacMac (HFS+).
With the premium aluminum enclosure, internal shock mounts, and ease-of-grip rubber bumper for durability, you can rest assured your photos, footage, and files are protected from accidental drops.
Your critical content can brave the elements with an IP54 rain/dust rating, and crush resistance up to 1000lbs.
You can extend your laptop storage or back up your photos, footage, and files wherever your adventures take you with the rugged, portable G-DRIVE ArmorATD hard drive.
Buy SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD for $92.84 here
7. SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD offers fast read and write speeds of 1050MB/s and 1000MB/s respectively. This makes them perfect for storing footage and data that require fast transfers.
This extreme portable SSD comes with respectable 2-meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance, so your data stays safe even after the drive falls.
For those looking for extra security, this SSD offers 256-bit AES hardware encryption and can be protected with a password.
You can buy the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD in 2TB capacity for $169.99 here.
Final Words
A USB-connected external hard drive is a small, nondescript box that adds extra storage to your computer. Although these devices may not look like much, they are crucial tools for backing up files and transporting files that cannot be sent over the Internet.
That is all about the best external hard drive 2024 for Mac. You can any of the above-mentioned external drives for your Mac devices according to your needs.
Despite their similar appearances, external hard drives can differ significantly in capacity, stability, and speed, so it pays to know what to look for before you buy one.
So, which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.
