External hard drives for PC and Mac are incredibly useful for backing up data and handling excess data that might exceed your internal storage capacity.
In this article, you’ll discover the 12 best external hard drives for both PC and Mac for protecting important data on your system.
12 Best External Hard Drives for PC and Mac
Embark on a journey as we reveal the 12 best external hard drives, your ultimate companions for data backup and storage expansion for both PC and Mac:
1. Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile HDD
- Disk Format: 3.5 inches
The Seagate Backup Plus, with its powerful performance, ample storage, and sleek aesthetics, takes the crown as our top choice for the best overall external hard drive. This ultra-portable device is perfect for on-the-go use and is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. The drive utilizes USB 3.0 for swift file access and provides the flexibility to arrange automatic backups on a daily, weekly, monthly, or as-needed basis.
Its compact, minimalist design is ideal for constrained spaces, while the sturdy metal casing guarantees it can withstand occasional drops. In addition to these features, the purchase includes a complimentary two-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan, and a two-year warranty on the device.
Another reliable external hard drive with the same capacity: Toshiba 4TB External Hard Drive HDD.
2. WD My Passport 5 TB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile HDD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
The WD My Passport stands out as an economical choice, offering reliable hard drive functionality without breaking the bank. With compatibility spanning across desktops and gaming consoles, it boasts versatility. Its storage capacity peaks at 5TB, providing ample space for regular documents and files.With the built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption in My Passport, your files are kept secure and well-protected.
At 2.5 inches, the WD My Passport has a smaller disk form factor than the WD My Book Duo, enhancing its portability. The My Passport Drive also includes automatic backup features, facilitated by WD Discovery, allowing easy connections to Google Drive or Dropbox.
3. WD Black P10 Game Drive 5 TB
- Connection: USB 3.0
- Type: Mobile, Desktop, Gaming Console HDD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
Our top choice for the best gaming-specific external hard drive is the WD Black P10 Game Drive. It offers a generous storage capacity of up to 5TB, enough to accommodate up to 125 games, and uses USB 3.0 connectivity, despite a more compact hard disk form factor of 2.5 inches. The drive is compatible with USB Type-A interfaces, using a Micro-B cable and a SuperSpeed interface. It also works with selected Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
Its cable provides rapid data transfer rates up to 5Gbps. To top it off, the drive comes with a three-year limited warranty.
More external hard drives for gaming: 7 Best External SSD Drive for Xbox Series X and S.
4. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt 2 TB
- Connection: Thunderbolt, USB C
- Type: Mobile HDD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
Living up to its moniker, the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt emerges as our top pick for the most robust external hard drive, boasting not just resilience but also swift performance. The embedded Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C facilitates impressively fast transfer rates reaching up to 130Mbps, ensuring rapid data movements.
The true standout feature of this hard drive, however, is its hardiness. Encased in a textured, padded shell, the Thunderbolt is resistant to drops, water, and dust, rendering it impressively rugged and perfectly suited for travel.
5. Samsung T7 Touch 500 GB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile SSD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
Designed with a heavy emphasis on security, the Samsung T7 Touch shines in this area. Leveraging USB 3.2 for connectivity, it employs PCIe NVMe technology to deliver blisteringly fast read speeds of 1,050 megabytes per second and write speeds of up to 1,000 megabytes per second.
But what sets it apart is the meticulous focus on data protection. It uses AES 256-bit encryption for data safety and features a unique fingerprint recognition system, enabling users to lock or unlock the external drive using their fingerprint. Should you accidentally drop the drive, rest easy knowing it’s protected by 2-meter drop resistance. The built-in LED indicator serves as a helpful visual cue, letting you know when your data is being processed.
More 500 GB hard drives: 500GB External Hard Drive: 7 Best HDD & SSD.
6. Sandisk Extreme Portable 1TB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile SSD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
Designed for those who are always on the move, the SanDisk Extreme Portable stands out as the perfect pick. It features a water-resistant and dust-resistant design, coupled with a robust two-meter drop protection for added assurance. The compatibility extends across various devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and even smartphones, offering unparalleled versatility.
The NVMe solid state performance translates into impressive speeds, delivering read speeds of up to 1050 megabytes-per-second and write speeds reaching up to 1000 megabytes-per-second. What’s more, the integrated password protection made possible by Bluetooth technology adds an extra layer of security to your data.
7. WD My Book Duo 16 TB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile HDD
- Disk Format: 3.5 inches
The WD My Book Duo offers an expansive range of storage capacities 16 TB. This makes it the highest-capacity option among our top external hard drives, although its premium storage comes with a higher price tag.
With USB connectivity and a larger 3.5-inch hard disk form factor, this desktop unit is also ideal for gaming. If data security is a concern, the WD My Book Duo addresses this with its robust 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Additionally, it provides the option to switch to a RAID-1 configuration for data mirroring, enhancing the protection of your important files.
8. Samsung T7 Shield 4 TB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile, Desktop, Gaming Console HDD
- Disk Format: 3.5 inches
The Samsung Touch’s successor, the T7, stands out for its emphasis on physical protection. Sporting an IP65 rating, it’s designed to withstand dust and water spray, making it an ideal choice for those who need their data on outdoor adventures. Although it lacks the Touch’s fingerprint reader, it offers software-based password protection for securing your data.
The 4TB model of the T7 Shield is capable of accommodating larger data sets, although its price is proportionately higher. If you don’t require that much storage, the more budget-friendly 1TB or 2TB options are worth considering. Regardless of the capacity, all T7 Shields feature impressive 10Gbps transfer speeds, a notable upgrade from the older 5Gbps external drives.
Check out also: Corsair vs Samsung SSD: Performance, Price, Recommendation.
9. WD Black P50 1TB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile, Desktop, Gaming Console HDD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
Should you desire a drive that swiftly loads extensive games, along with subsequent levels from your gaming laptop, we propose considering WD’s Black P50 Game Drive. Our recommendation isn’t solely due to its apt “Game Drive” moniker, but rather because launching games from an SSD typically offers a competitive edge due to its superior speed. In comparison, traditional hard drives tend to lag behind.
10. Crucial X6 Portable SSD 2TB
- Connection: USB
- Type: Mobile, Desktop, Gaming Console SSD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
Set to stand out with its unique square design, the Crucial X6 Portable SSD is trendy yet practical enough to easily slip into your hip pocket. Amidst a variety of portable SSDs, its thin structure with smoothed edges makes it a comfortable fit in your shirt or pants pocket, eschewing the discomfort often associated with sharper, bulkier drives. While its speed might not be top-tier, it provides adequate performance for most users and comes at a notably affordable price.
More Crucial drives: Top 7 Best SSD Drive Crucial.
11. Adata Elite SSD 2TB
- Connection: USB
- Type:Mobile, Desktop, Gaming Console SSD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C offers outstanding performance, with speeds reaching up to 2000MB/s when paired with USB Gen 2×2 supported devices, although the speed will depend on the host system’s capabilities for other port types. Its super compact design makes it exceptionally portable; its size is smaller than a credit card and it weighs slightly more than a pen, making it a convenient carry-along for any journey. What’s more, it supports next-generation gaming consoles, extending its utility beyond just conventional computing devices. Compatibility is also a strong point for this drive as it supports multiple operating systems, including Windows and Mac.
12. Sandisk Pro G40 Thunderbolt 1TB
- Connection: USB, Thunderbolt
- Type:Mobile, Desktop, Gaming Console SSD
- Disk Format: 2.5 inches
The Pro-G40 emerges as the definitive choice if you’re seeking unrivaled speed – it’s the quickest dual-bus drive we’ve assessed to date. This drive shone in our tests, displaying impressive prowess in 48GB and 450GB transfers when connected via Thunderbolt, while matching the highest-performing 10Gbps drives when hooked up through USB.
In addition to its stellar speed, the Pro-G40 comes with an IP68 rating, granting it commendable resistance to weather and dust. This makes it an excellent companion for outdoor excursions; you can confidently toss it into your backpack without worrying about the elements. As with all Thunderbolt drives, the Pro-G40 does come with a higher price tag, but it’s a worthwhile investment for those who value time over cost. In conclusion, the Pro-G40 is an exceptional drive that is absolutely worth considering.
If you face problems with your hard drive on Mac, the following articles might solve your situation:
- External Hard Drive Data Recovery (Easy FREE Way)
- Hard Drive Won’t Show Up on Mac: How To Fix It
- How to Format Your External Hard Drive for Mac (Easy Way)
Which External Hard Drive Will You Choose?
In the realm of external hard drives, different devices cater to different needs, and the perfect choice depends on your usage. For general, everyday use, the WD My Passport is an excellent choice due to its balance of affordability, reliable features, and generous storage capacity.
For the gamers out there, the WD Black P10 Game Drive takes the crown with its ability to store up to 125 games and impressive USB 3.0 connectivity, ensuring swift and smooth gameplay experiences. This drive is designed specifically to cater to the demands of modern gaming, making it the go-to option for gamers.
For professional use, especially for those who work with large files or require swift data transfer, the Pro-G40 is the ultimate choice. Its unrivaled dual-bus speed, combined with a weather and dust resistant rating of IP68, makes it ideal for professional environments that require top-tier performance and durability.
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