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Best External SSDs and Hard Drives for Mac
Our guide covers key features, performance, and compatibility to help you choose the best external hard drive or external SSD for your Mac.
Choosing the best external hard drive (HDD) or external solid-state drive (SSD) for your Mac can significantly enhance your computing experience. While SSDs offer speed and efficiency, hard drives (HDDs) provide reliability and ample storage capacity. By understanding the advantages of both SSDs and HDDs, you can make an informed decision about your Mac’s storage needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the best external SSDs and best external hard drives for Mac computers and laptops, with a focus on top-rated Seagate products that cater to a range of user requirements and preferences.
Hard drives offer large storage capacities at an affordable price, making them perfect for users who need to store extensive amounts of data economically. In contrast, SSDs provide superior speed and performance, enabling faster boot times and quicker file transfers. These features are especially advantageous for applications requiring high-performance data storage.
Macs serve various purposes, including business, home productivity, and gaming. Seagate’s extensive experience in data storage means our products deliver opaetimal performance for all these uses, enhancing your Mac’s capabilities whether you’re working, creating content, or gaming.
External drives enhance a Mac’s storage capacity and offer convenient backup solutions, making them ideal for expanding photo libraries, storing massive media files, and safeguarding essential work documents. Additionally, portable external storage facilitates seamless file transfers across Apple® devices like iPads and iPhones.
Users might choose an external HDD for its large storage capacity at a lower cost, making it perfect for archiving massive amounts of data, such as videos and backups.
On the other hand, an external SSD is favored for its superior speed, durability, and reliability, which are essential for tasks requiring fast data access, such as video editing, gaming, and running intensive applications. Whether prioritizing cost-efficiency or performance, there’s an external storage solution to meet every Mac user’s needs.
External SSDs are ideal for Mac users who require fast data transfer speeds, durability, and portability. These drives are perfect for tasks that demand rapid access to large files, such as video editing, gaming, and running applications directly from the drive. Their compact size and resistance to physical damage make them a convenient choice for users who are frequently on the move.
External hard drives offer extensive storage capacity at a low cost, making them suitable for backing up large amounts of data, storing vast media collections, and archiving files that you don’t need to access frequently. They provide a reliable and economical storage solution for everyday use, catering to those who need substantial storage space without a high price tag.
When choosing storage drives for a Mac, you might wonder if the drives used with Mac OS differ from those used with PCs. In most cases, the hardware itself is quite similar, but there are some key differences and considerations to keep in mind.
Before we dive into those differences, it’s important to note that Seagate’s external hard drives come pre-formatted in extended file allocation table (exFAT), a file system that is compatible with both Macs and PCs out of the box. exFAT is particularly useful because it supports large file sizes and is recognized by both macOS and Windows®, allowing for seamless file sharing and usage across different operating systems without reformatting.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when searching for the best SSD or HDD for your Mac:
Although the core technology of storage drives remains consistent across Macs and PCs, considering factors like file system compatibility, connectivity, and bundled software will help you select the best external SSD or external hard drive for your Mac.
Seagate offers top-tier external SSDs for Mac users, combining speed, reliability, and sleek design. Here are our recommendations:
The Seagate OneTouch SSD combines sleek design with high-speed performance, making it an ideal choice for Mac users needing reliable and portable storage. Its compact form factor and stylish finish seamlessly fit into any setup.
The OneTouch SSD is available in several capacities, providing ample space for all your files. It boasts super-fast data transfer speeds, ensuring quick data access and efficient file transfers.
This SSD is perfect for creative professionals, gamers, and anyone needing quick access to large files. It’s also great for users who value portability, aesthetics, and performance.
Where to Buy: You can purchase the Seagate OneTouch SSD from the Seagate official website or other major retailers. Buy now.
The Seagate Expansion Portable SSD delivers high-speed storage in a compact and durable design, making it perfect for on-the-go Mac users.
Available in capacities from 500GB to 2TB, this SSD offers fast transfer speeds up to 400 MB/s. Its sturdy design ensures data protection, even during travel.
It is ideal for students, travelers, and professionals who need reliable and portable storage for quick data access and transfers. It's also an excellent option for users who require extra space for backups and media files.
Where to Buy: You can purchase the Seagate Expansion Portable SSD from Seagate’s official website or other major retailers. Buy now.
Seagate offers some of the best external HDDs for Mac desktop and laptop users, providing robust performance and ample storage at a great price point.
The Seagate Ultra Touch External HDD acombines stylish design with reliable storage, offering a versatile solution for Mac users who need ample space and secure data protection.
Available in capacities up to 5TB, this HDD provides plenty of room for extensive file collections. It includes USB 3.0 connectivity for efficient data transfers and is compatible with both Windows and Mac out of the box.
This option is ideal for users who require large storage capacity for backups, media libraries, and general data storage. It’s perfect for those who prioritize style and portability alongside functionality.
Where to Buy: You can purchase the Seagate Ultra Touch External HDD from Seagate’s official website or other major retailers. Buy now.
The Seagate One Touch HDD provides a reliable and portable storage solution with a sleek and stylish design, perfect for Mac users needing extra space on the go.
This HDD offers capacities up to 5TB, ensuring ample room for all your files. It features USB 3.0 connectivity for quick data transfers and is compatible with Windows and Mac systems.
This drive is ideal for users who need a large storage capacity for backups, media files, and everyday data storage. It’s also great for those wanting a portable, easy-to-use drive with a modern design
Where to Buy: You can purchase the Seagate One Touch HDD from Seagate’s official website or other major retailers. Buy now.
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim Drive is a compact and efficient external hard drive designed for Mac users needing a dependable, portable backup solution.
Available in capacities up to 2TB, this slim HDD ensures you have enough space for essential files and backups. It features USB 3.0 connectivity for fast data transfers and is formatted for compatibility with Mac and Windows systems.
This is an excellent choice for users seeking a portable, stylish, and reliable backup solution. It’s perfect for those who need to carry their data with them, whether for work, travel, or personal use.
Where to Buy: You can purchase the Seagate Backup Plus Slim Drive from Seagate’s official website or other major retailers. Buy now.
The Seagate Expansion Portable HDD is an easy-to-use, high-capacity external hard drive, perfect for Mac users looking for straightforward storage expansion.
This HDD is available in capacities up to 5TB, providing plenty of space for all your documents, photos, and videos. It features USB 3.0 connectivity for quick and efficient data transfers, and it’s pre-formatted for compatibility with both Windows and Mac systems.
Ideal for users who need a simple and cost-effective solution for large data storage. It’s a perfect way to expand storage without additional software or complex setups.
Where to Buy
You can purchase the Seagate Expansion Portable HDD from Seagate’s official website or other major retailers. Buy now.
Choosing the right external drive for your Mac ensures efficient data management and protection. Whether you prefer the speed and portability of SSDs or the high capacity and affordability of HDDs, Seagate offers reliable options tailored to your needs. Explore the range of Seagate external drives to find the best solution for your Mac, and enjoy seamless, secure storage for all your essential files.
Visit our external hard drives and external SSDs pages today to find the perfect external storage solution for your Mac.
The amount of external drive storage you need for your Mac depends on your usage. For personal use, such as storing photos, videos, and music, 1TB to 2TB is typically sufficient. Professionals working with large files—like photographers and video editors— should consider 2TB or more to accommodate high-resolution media. For general backups and documents, 500GB to 1TB should suffice. Evaluate your storage needs based on the type and volume of data you manage.
Yes, there are a few compatibility requirements for external SSDs or HDDs with your Mac. Confirm the drive supports macOS file systems like APFS or HFS+. Many drives, including Seagate external hard drives and SSDs, come pre-formatted in exFAT, making them compatible with both Macs and PCs.
Check for appropriate connectivity options such as USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 for optimal performance. Additionally, verify if any bundled software is compatible with macOS. Most modern external drives are designed to be plug-and-play with Mac systems.
Your external hard drive or SSD should ideally have a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 connection for optimal performance with your Mac. These connections provide high data transfer speeds, essential for tasks like video editing and large file transfers. USB-C is widely compatible with modern Macs, while Thunderbolt 3 offers even faster speeds and additional features like daisy-chaining multiple devices. Verify your Mac supports the chosen connection type for seamless integration.
To back up your Mac to an external hard drive or SSD, follow these steps:
Connect the Drive: Plug the external drive into your Mac using a USB-C, USB, or Thunderbolt connection.
Open Time Machine: Go to System Preferences and select Time Machine.
Select Backup Disk: Click Select Backup Disk and choose your external drive.
Start Backup: Click Use Disk and Time Machine will start backing up your Mac automatically.
Monitor Backups: Ensure your external drive remains connected for regular, automatic backups.
To back up your files manually, follow these steps:
Connect the External Drive: Plug your external hard drive or SSD into your Mac using the appropriate connection (USB-C, USB, or Thunderbolt).
Open Finder: Launch Finder from the dock or applications folder.
Locate Files: Navigate to the files or folders you want to back up.
Copy Files: Select the files or folders, right-click, and choose copy.
Paste to External Drive: Go to your external drive in Finder, right-click, and select paste.
Repeat as needed for additional files or folders.
To format an external hard drive or SSD for Mac, follow these steps:
Connect the Drive: Plug the external drive into your Mac using the appropriate connection (USB-C, USB, or Thunderbolt).
Open Disk Utility: Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select the Drive: In Disk Utility, select your external drive from the list on the left.
Erase: Click the erase button at the top.
Choose Format: Choose a format like APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) from the dropdown menu.
Name the Drive: Enter a name for your drive.
Erase: Click erase to format the drive.
Your drive is now formatted for use with your Mac.
To use an external hard drive or SSD with a Mac, follow these steps:
Connect the Drive: Plug the external drive into your Mac using the appropriate connection (USB-C, USB, or Thunderbolt).
Check Format: Ensure the drive is formatted for macOS (APFS, Mac OS Extended, or exFAT). If not, use Disk Utility to format it.
Access Drive: Open Finder and you should see the drive listed under locations.
Transfer Files: Drag and drop files to and from the external drive to use it for storage, backup, or file transfer.
