In today’s fast-paced digital world, external drives have become a must-have for Mac users for storage, whether you’re a Mac lover or someone who lives a digital life, having a reliable external SSD storage solution is a must.
Whether you’re a professional creative working with large media files or someone who wants faster, more efficient storage for their personal storage, an external solid-state drive (SSD) can greatly boost your Mac’s performance.
However, with so many options on the market, finding the best external solid state drive for Mac can be difficult. However, when it comes to choosing the best external solid-state drive for a Mac, there are many factors to consider, such as compatibility, speed, reliability, and storage capacity.
They are actually required by Mac users who seek to have an additional external SSD for backups in the form of data, video editing, or just more storage. So read on with this article to find the best and, as you can see, the most advisable best external solid state drive for mac for the sake of optimal performance and value for your money.
Why Choose an External SSD for Your Mac?
External SSDs (Solid State Drives) offer a variety of advantages over traditional external hard drives. Here is why they are the best for Mac users:
- Speed: The reading and writing activities of an SSD occurs at a higher level than that of an HDD; therefore, it is possible to transfer large files within a few seconds.
- Portability: External SSDs are very portable due to their small size and light weight, which makes them easy to carry around.
- Durability: Unlike HDDs, SSDs contain no moving parts; therefore, they are less likely to be damaged by drops or shocks.
- Compatibility: There is little to no effort required for recent external SSD models to function properly with macOS.
Be it a professional creative or a user who uses their computer casually, getting the best external SSD for Mac can really change the game of workflow.
Key Features to Look for in an External SSD for Mac
When buying an mac external solid state drive, here are the most critical features to consider:
1. Storage Capacity
- Choose a size based on your needs. Most are found between 256GB and 4TB.
- For general storage, 512GB is sufficient. If you are working on video or photo files, then go for 1TB or 2TB.
2. Speed
- Seek SSDs with high read/write speeds measured in MB/s.
- Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.2 Gen 2 interfaces have super-fast data transfer speeds.
3. Compatibility
- Ensure that the SSD works with macOS, and it does support Time Machine for backups.
- Check whether it is formatted as APFS or exFAT to work without a hitch with your Mac.
4. Build Quality and Design
- Choose SSDs that are sturdy in design so that they last long in regular usage.
- Compact models are best for mobility.
5. Price
- Compare prices and reviews to find out which SSD to buy, ensuring the best ratio of performance against cost.
Top 5 Best External Solid State Drives for Mac in 2025
Here are our top recommendations for the best external SSDs for Mac:
1. Samsung T7 Shield
- GO THE DISTANCE: Withstand whatever adventure with the wildly reliable T7 Shield; It’s designed for the elements with wa…
- YOUR CONTENT CAPTURED: Take on the project, then transfer all your heavy files within seconds with the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Por…
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVME technology that brings you fast read and write speeds up to 1,…
- Storage Options: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Read/Write Speed: Up to 1,050 MB/s
Why It’s Great: Samsung T7 Shield’s IP65 rating makes it highly resistant to water and dust which adds to its durability. Its compact size enhances its fast performance, making it ideal for Mac users who require great mobility and dependability.
2. SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD
- Powerful NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 2000MB/s read/write speeds.(1) (Based on internal testing; perform…
- A forged aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink to deliver higher sustained speeds in a portable drive that’s tough enough …
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance(4), and a handy carabiner loop. (Previously rated for 2…
- Storage Options: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Read/Write Speed: Up to 2,000 MB/s
Why It’s Great: Designed for creative professionals, this SSD boasts exceptional speed and a rugged build. It’s ideal for video editing, photo backups, and other intensive tasks.
3. Crucial X8 Portable SSD
- Incredible performance with read speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Works with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Android, Linux, PS4, and Xbox One with USB-C 3.1 Gen2 and USB-A connector…
- Durable design featuring an anodized aluminum core, drop proof up to 7.5 feet, extreme-temperature, shock and vibration …
- Storage Options: 1TB, 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Read/Write Speed: Up to 1,050 MB/s
Why It’s Great: The Crucial X8 is one of the most affordable and reliable options for excellent performance with seamless compatibility on macOS.
4. LaCie Rugged SSD Pro
- Harness top Thunderbolt 3 speeds with the 2TB Seagate FireCuda NV Me SSD for playback/recording of up to 2800MB/s on 6K,…
- Tackle any terrain with extreme IP67-rated water resistance, three-meter drop tolerance, two-ton car crush resistance, a…
- Includes a Thunderbolt 3 cable for easy connectivity with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports on IPAD, Mac and Windows computer…
- Storage Options: 1TB, 2TB
- Interface: Thunderbolt 3, USB-C
- Read/Write Speed: Up to 2,800 MB/s
Why It’s Great: This SSD is the top pick for outdoor professionals. Its rugged design shields it from shocks, dust, and water while offering blazing-fast speed to support demanding workflows.
5. WD My Passport SSD
- Blazing fast NVMe technology with speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s. | Based on reading speed …
- Password enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Shock and vibration resistant. Drop resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m)
- Storage Options: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Read/Write Speed: Up to 1,050 MB/s
Why It’s Great: A sleek design coupled with reliable performance makes the WD My Passport SSD an excellent choice for storing pictures, videos, and documents.
Conclusion
Investing in the best external solid state drive for Mac assures faster performance, reliable backups, and seamless file management. Regardless of whether one is a professional or a regular user, an SSD exists for every need – from the ultra-fast rugged LaCie Rugged SSD Pro to the Crucial X8, which costs less. Consider your requirements, and make the right choice for your Mac today.
If you’re ready to upgrade your storage, explore your options and buy an external SSD for Mac to experience the difference in speed and reliability. Your Mac deserves nothing but the best!