10 Best External Ssd For Mac 2025 in the United States

The SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD offers an impressive storage capacity of up to 8TB, making it ideal for users with large files such as photo and video collections, music libraries, and important documents. It boasts read speeds of up to 1000MB/s, which is significantly faster than traditional desktop hard drives, ensuring quick access to your content and efficient backups using Apple Time Machine or Acronis True Image software.

The SSD uses a USB-C interface with USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology, providing a reliable and speedy connection to your Mac or Windows devices. Its compact design helps save desk space and makes it easy to integrate into any workspace setup. Additionally, the SSD comes with both USB-C to USB Type-A and USB Type-C cables, enhancing its compatibility with various devices out of the box due to exFAT formatting.

The product's desktop form factor limits its portability compared to smaller, pocket-sized SSDs. While it includes useful features like data recovery services, it lacks advanced security features such as hardware encryption, which might be a drawback for users needing enhanced data protection. The build quality appears durable, but its reliance on an AC power adapter could be inconvenient for users looking for a more mobile solution. The SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD is a powerful and capable storage solution for desktop use, particularly suited for multimedia, personal, and business applications, but may fall short in terms of portability and advanced security features.

The SAMSUNG T5 EVO Portable SSD is a robust choice for Mac users needing substantial storage, with its impressive 8TB capacity. It's ideal for gamers and content creators who handle large files regularly. The drive boasts sequential read speeds up to 460MB/s, providing faster performance than traditional HDDs, which can significantly improve workflows for tasks that involve large data transfers. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface ensures solid connectivity and compatibility with a wide range of devices, including PCs, gaming consoles, tablets, smartphones, and particularly Macs, making it versatile for various uses.

Additionally, its shock resistance and fall protection up to 6 feet enhance its durability, making it reliable for on-the-go usage. The compact and lightweight design further adds to its portability, allowing users to easily carry it in a bag or even a pocket. From a security standpoint, the T5 EVO features hardware encryption, ensuring your data remains safe and secure.

While the read speeds are good, they are not the fastest available in the market. Some users looking for ultra-high-speed data transfers might find this limiting. Additionally, it's important to note that the USB 3.2 Gen 2 and newer interfaces offer even better performance, which might be a consideration for future-proofing. Nonetheless, the T5 EVO strikes a good balance between performance, durability, and portability, making it a great choice for those needing large, secure storage on the go.

The SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD is a high-capacity external drive designed to meet the needs of Mac users who want fast and reliable storage on the go. Its 4TB capacity offers plenty of room for large files like videos, photos, and backups. Thanks to the latest USB4 interface, it delivers impressively fast read speeds up to 3800 MB/s and write speeds up to 3700 MB/s, which means transferring big files happens in seconds rather than minutes. It’s also backwards compatible with older USB standards and supports Thunderbolt 4, making it flexible with various Mac models. The build is rugged, featuring a silicone shell and a forged aluminum body that provide water and dust resistance (IP65 rating) and shock protection—ideal if you carry your drive outside the home or office.

At just over 6 ounces and reasonably compact, it’s very portable without sacrificing durability. Security is addressed through physical protection and reliability backed by a 5-year warranty, offering peace of mind. Although the price may be higher compared to slower or smaller SSDs, the speed and durability benefits make it a great choice for creative professionals or anyone needing fast, reliable external storage for Mac. Prioritizing top-tier speed and solid build quality in an external SSD with plenty of space makes this SanDisk unit a strong option.