Most computers have lesser space these days, with only the top models providing 1 TB of storage. While most users have 256 Gb or 512 Gb on their laptops, it becomes hard to store a lifetime of videos and images on them. For creative professionals whose job involves rendering high-quality videos would be scratching their heads without enough storage. So having an external drive to store and backup data is a necessity for most Mac users. And anyway, it is always a better idea to back up your files and data on an external drive. Keeping all this under consideration, we bring to you the six best external hard drives available online.
Types of External Drive
Depending on your requirement and work, you can go for a
- Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD).
The catch is that the SSDs are costlier than HDDs- the reason being SSD is a newer technology. SSDs are smaller in size and more durable. The data retrieving speed is also more in an SSD compared to an HDD. Moreover, SSDs consume less power and are faster. Currently, HDDs offer much more storage capacity compared to an SSD. So depending on what matters more to you, you can select one of the two.
Without any further due, here’s the list of the Six best external drives for Mac in 2021.
1. Western Digital My Passport Hard Drive
4TB | USB 3 | HDD
Key Highlights:
- Large Storage
- Good transfer speeds
Downside:
- Basic WD software
My Passport is the latest generation of Hard drive collection from Western Digital. It comes with a USB 3.0 interface and capacity ranging from 1 TB to 4TB. The speed of My Passport is not over the top, yet it is one of the best Hard drives that balance Good Speed – Price- and High Storage.
2. SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable
2 TB | Type-C | SSD
Key Highlights:
- Water-resistant and dustproof
- SSD with high storage
- Type-C and Type-A USB cables included
Downside:
- Expensive
The Sandisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD offers speed up to 550 Mb per second. It is best for photo and videographers who want to transfer and store large size files. The SSD is shockproof and has a dustproof body, which means it is easy to use on the go.
3. Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch
2 TB | Type-C / Type-A USB 3.0 | HHD
Key Highlights:
- 1 Year Mylio Create, 2 Months
Adobe CC Photography - Stylish Fabric body
- Seagate Rescue Service
- Good transfer Speed
Downside:
- Not SSD
The Seagate Ultra Touch 2 comes with a fabric top body, not that it is a necessity, but why not add a bit of class. Seagate has a good reputation in the Hard drive market, and you can rely on Seagate drives without a doubt. The ultra touch 2 is no different; you can transfer at a 140Mb per second speed and also keep your Hard Drive password protected.
4. LaCie Mobile Drive
5 TB | Type-C USB 3.0 | HDD
Key Highlights:
- Thunderbolt for Mac
- Compact design
- Good transfer speed
Downside:
- The LaCie toolkit has to be externally downloaded
The LaCie Mobile Drive is the only Thunderbolt drive on the list. Unlike other thunderbolt drives, this drive is affordable, almost the same price range as a regular HDD. Since the recent Mac laptops have thunderbolt, the transfer speed becomes even better with this drive. Additionally, the LaCie Mobile Drive is compact and has a Metal Body, a rare thing amongst external drives.
5. Adata HD830 Hard Drive
2 TB | USB 3.0 | HDD
Key Highlights:
- Military-grade shock resistant
- Waterproof and Dust Proof
Downside:
- It is heavy in looks and weight
- Only waterproof and dustproof when the USB cover is closed.
The Adata HD830 is for on the go users. It can withstand rough usage and a few drops. For anyone who has buttery hands, the Adata HD830 will sustain slipping through your palm. For all the military-grade body, the drive is unsurprisingly heavy. Depending on whether weight is your concern, you may go for the Adata HD830, which is available in two colors, Black and Blue.
6.Samsung Portable SSD
500gb | USB 3.0 | SSD
Key Highlights:
- Fast transfer Speed
- Compact
Downside:
- Less Storage Capacity
- Expensive
The Samsung Portable SSD has a read speed of 540Mb per second, which is impressive. Plus it also claims a transfer speed which is 4 times better then a regular HDD. However, the drive is costly and offers only 500gb for $150. The all metal body and the compact look makes it look premium. Additionally, it is also shock resistant, just in case you drop it one or more times.
In case you are looking for high transfer speeds, the Samsung SSD offers that. The compact look and feel make it a better travel companion, not to forget it is also shock resistant.
Our Top Choice
LaCie Mobile Drive
Although all the drives mentioned are best in their own ways, we had to find the best choice for the most common uses. Most people buy hard drives for extra space with good enough speed, which is exactly what the LaCie Mobile Drive has to offer.
Not just the drive look aesthetically pleasing but also comes at an affordable price point. You hardly pay £170 for 5TB. Sounds great to us. Additionally, it is the only drive that offers Thunderbolt; an important aspect for Mac users as it improves the transfer speeds drastically.
Conclusion
With this, we conclude the list of our Best External Drives for Mac in 2020. Before the year ends, make use of the discount and buy yourself an external drive right away. Let us know which Hard Drive remains your favorite. Meanwhile, also check out the Best Mechanical Keyboard for Mac.
