1. Good External Hard Drive For Macbook Pro 2020
2. Good External Hard Drive Brands
3. Good External Hard Drive For Macs
4. Western Digital External Hard Drive

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The process of upgrading the internal hard drives of Macs, iMacs and MacBook’s are usually tedious and extremely difficult, because of this challenge users prefer to transfer their files to an external hard drive when they start running out of storage space. Here, we list the top 5 external hard drive for Mac.

5 Best External Hard Drives for Mac

There are a lot of hard drives available but only a few are compatible with apple's file system, and are able to match the range of high speed ports that Macs come with.

When you store important files and documents in an external hard drive, you need to be assured your data will not be lost or corrupted. These hard drives listed below are the best hard drives for mac because of their dependability, durability and affordability.

• Western Digital My Passport 4TB

• Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt

• G-Technology G-Drive USB 3.0 4TB

• Samsung T3 SSD

• Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC

• Best External Hard Drive Recovery Software for Mac

1Best External Hard Drive for Mac - Western Digital My Passport 4TB

This hard drive has a 4TB capacity and an Interface of USB 3.0. It is the latest generation of the Western Digital My Passport external hard drives which comes in capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB and cost about $99.95. It is a brilliant external hard drive that features cloud storage and 256-AES encryption, along with WD's own backup software. It has good data transfer speeds and is a good balance between data speed, capacity and affordability.

2Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt External Hard Drive

This unique thunderbolt external hard drive comes in 1TB and 2TB capacity, its interface is the Thunderbolt, USB 3.0. It is not SSD and it is also mac formatted, which means that if you want to make use of your Mac's Thunderbolt port, then this hard drive is for you, as it provides twice the speeds of the standard USB 3.0 drives. It still uses a traditional hard drive so the speed isn’t as fast. It also comes with an additional USB 3.0 port for connecting to computers without the thunderbolt port. It is very affordable costing about $191.25 which is much cheaper than all the other Thunderbolt drives.

3G-Technology G-Drive USB 3.0 4TB External Hard Drive

This hard drive is one of the best external hard drives for mac. It comes in a slim and stylish design and is one of the fastest high capacity hard drives compatible with a Mac, it has a large storage capacity of 4TB with a USB 3.0 interface, as well as an eSATA and FireWire connection. Although it can be noisy, this all-aluminum sturdy hard drive will certainly protect your data from the impact of falls while also keeping the drive cool when it is being used. It is quite affordable as well costing only $149.99.

4Best External Hard Drive for Mac in Speed - Samsung T3 SSD

The Samsung T3 SSD is one of the fastest external hard drive for Mac, it uses a solid state drive, which means that the read and write speeds of this drive are a lot faster than external hard drives which use traditional hard drives. Its speed sets it at a very high price costing about $468.85. it also has a lower capacity of 1TB and a USB 3.1 interface but if your main concern is transfer speed then this is the best hard drive for you.

5Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC External Hard Drive

The Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC is a flexible hard drive which is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines, it has a 2TB capacity and comes in a dust and water resistant casing, it also has a built-in USB 3.0 cable and its rugged casing ensures your data is protected from the impacts of falls. It has a 256-bit AES security and an NFC (Near Field Communication) feature and cost about$106.99.

Best External Hard Drive Recovery Software for Mac

Recovering files from data loss seems difficult most of the time but with the help of some data recovery softwares you can now successfully retrieve lost data easily, the best data recovery software to use is the AnyRecover for Mac.

This software lets you retrieve all types of documents, emails, photos, videos, etc. from your MacBook, iMac and even their external hard drives. You can also retrieve data lost from empting your trash, accidentally deletion, partition errors, virus attack, hardware failure and also formatted device.

Some of the features of the AnyRecover software are:

• Devices Supported

Hard Drive: SSD, HHD, HDD, VHD

Laptop and Desktop: Internal drive, partition & recycle bin; Windows PC & MAC

• System Supported

Apple: Mac OS 10.13, Mac OS 10.12, Mac OS X 10.11, Mac OS X 10.9, Mac OS X 10.8, Mac OS X 10.7, Mac OS X 10.6

Microsoft: Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

To easily retrieve lost data from your external hard drive using this software follow these steps:

Step 1. Download and install the AnyRecover software and select the External Device Recovery mode.

Step 2. Connect your external hard drive to your computer, and click on Next to select the file type.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed you will see a preview option that lets you view the scanned files. Click on the “Recover” button to retrieve the lost data.

So if any of your hard drives, computer or device has any data loss problem instead of panicking you can download the AnyRecover for Mac software and follow the simple steps to restore your lost data. If you still feel unsure, you can check out the free trial section before you finally purchase the software.

Mac External Hard Drive Reviews

These days everyone is purchasing external hard drives for their computers, because you never know what’s going to happen. Should you lose your computer, or if something happens to its hard drive, then you have completely lost the data on your computer. That means that owning and using an external drive is a smart way to store your information in a separate location, so that you’re prepared in case the unexpected should happen.

Also, people have more data than ever, when you consider all the photos, videos, music, and so much more that folks keep on their computers. Even MacBooks aren’t designed to store all this information, and that’s why an external hard drive will help you to clear some space on your computer. Lets take a look at the top rated Mac external hard drives so that you can be well on your way to finding the right drive for you and your unique requirements.

1. Western Digital

Best Overall Mac External Hard Drive

This backup drive for your Mac is manufactured by WD and features a secure portable storage capacity of up to 3TB. You also get an optional 256-bit AES hardware encryption if you so choose. This drive is compatible with Apple Time Machine as well, and its stylish design adds an overall creative style to your work desk.

You get a whopping USB 3.0 connectivity, and the drive is formatted for MAC OS X, so reformatting will be required for Windows. With a 3 year limited warranty, you can be sure that this drive is going to stand the test of time, and should anything go wrong, it’s easy to simply return it for a refund.

The chances are there’s not going to be any reason to return this drive because it’s solidly constructed and made from only the best materials. Perfect for all your backup and storage needs, you’re going to see that this drive outperforms the rest, and that’s why it’s one of the top rated models on the market.

– Darius Spieth

2. Toshiba

Best Overall Mac External Hard Drive – Runner Up

With its 1 TB capacity and 5400 RPM speed, this backup drive is a top pick because it provides ample storage and comes in a sleek design. This is a USB 3.0 powered portable device that gives you all the add-on storage that you crave, and at a price that you can afford. With its plug and play operation, it’s easy to use this device with no software to install.

The drive accommodates large digital files with a spacious storage capacity that customers swear by. Also, the body of this drive is compact, and smudge-resistant so that you don’t have to deal with unsightly fingerprints. All in all, this is a top rated external drive for Mac because it offers ample storage space in the perfect sized device.

It’s easy to carry on the go, and you can be confident when you’re using it that you’re getting a safe and effective means of saving your important data, so that you can retrieve it whenever you need it most.

Good External Hard Drive For Macbook Pro 2020

– Darius Spieth

3. Seagate

Best Budget Mac External Hard Drive

This external hard drive from Seagate is the perfect solution for backing up your Mac. You get 200GB of free OneDrive cloud storage for up to 2 years, and this is included with your purchase when you register a new Backup Plus drive. After you have registered the drive on seagate.com, you then get an added 200GB on your new or existing OneDrive account.

You can only redeem one offer with your OneDrive account, but you’re going to see that this is really all the storage that you’re going to need. The program allows you to create customized backup plans that include the signature Seagate dashboard software. You can also backup your mobile device photos and videos anytime using the Lyve App which works automatically.

You experience the fastest file transfer with powerful USB 3.0 connectivity. Also, the USB powered backup drive needs no power supply to operate. All in all, what you’re getting here is a tremendous backup drive that is going to give you all the storage that you so desperately need.

– Darius Spieth

Summary of Our Top Picks
Mac computers are superior in a number of different ways, but they’re not completely perfect. Like all computers, they have a limited amount of storage, and in our data-heavy lives, this storage can run out in no time. Owning an external hard drive for your Mac is a wonderful way to not only have a place for this excess data, but also store it safely in case anything should happen to your computer.

We highlighted the top rated external hard drives on the market, and these are popular because they have an ample amount of storage, are affordable, and constructed from the highest quality materials. These top rated models also have the latest technology that makes them easy to use and reach lightening-fast speeds.

If you’re not yet convinced that one of these drives is right for you, then you can take a look at this buyer’s guide to find some other options that are out there for you. Each drive is so different, so it’s important to know what options are available to you so that you can make an informed decision.

Mac External Hard Drive Comparison

Western Digital	Toshiba	Seagate	G-DRIVE	My Passport	Buffalo	U32 Shadow	Air	Mac	Studio
Interface Transfer Rate (GB/s)	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00	10.00	4.80	5.00	5.00	5.00
HDD Capacity (GB)	1,000 – 3,000	500 – 3,000	500 – 2,000	1,000	500 – 1,000	500 – 1,000	500 – 2,000	1,000	500 – 2,000	500 – 2,000
Disk Speed (RPM)	7,200	5,400	5,400	7,200	5,400	5,400	4,800	7,200	7,200	7,200
Sustained Data Transfer Rate (MB/s)	480	100	120	136	640	480	450	640	640	800
Warranty (Years)	3	1	2	3	3	3	3	3	3	3

Mac External Hard Drive Buying Guide

When it comes to finding the right external hard drive for your Mac, you have a lot of options out there. When looking for the right solution, you need to consider how much data you have to store, and whether you have multiple computers that are connected to your home network. You also need to take into account backup speed, the sensitivity of our data, how good you are with computers, and the physical size of the drive. This is going to effect the portability.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

It’s possible to spend up to $200 on a 2 terabyte drive, or even $300 for a 4TB model, but having all that space may not be necessary for you. You basically want to get the largest drive that you can afford, because this will allow you to store all your data for years to come. Keep in mind that your storage is going to accumulate, but it’s about knowing how much data you really have on a consistent basis.

You for sure want to get a drive that has at least the same amount of storage as your computer’s hard drive. The physical size of the drive is another consideration, especially if you want it to be portable. Should you need to take your backup with you, then you want to make sure that it’s small enough to carry.

How Fast Should it Be?

The speed of the external hard drive is another consideration that you need to take into account. Some people think that online storage options are a good idea but the problem is that they’re really too slow. Sometimes after your first backup it can take almost days to complete the next one, and that’s why an external hard drive offers you a faster solution. This makes it quick and easy to store music, videos, and images in a flash. Keep in mind that installation of the drive is going to require a little bit of technical know-how. Once you learn the ropes, you’re going to see that an external hard drive is a great alternative to all other forms of storage.

How Many Computers Do You Have?

This is something you definitely need to consider when buying an external hard drive. If you have many computers running on the same network then consider purchasing a network drive that can cover all these devices at once, and helps you to share data that you save. It’s going to take a little more time to figure out the installation, but in the long run it’s the easiest solution. Also, if your computer is placed near a router then connecting it with an Ethernet cable is a smart choice that is going to give you faster speeds. When you have a wired connection it makes it up to 50 times faster than your usual wireless connection.

Are You Good With Computers?

This is going to help determine which drive you purchase. It’s fairly easy to set up a backup, but when you’re not tech savvy it’s important to choose the simplest option. When it comes to going with the handiest choice, and these are thumb drives and optical discs, it’s going to require you to use multiple discs and devices to get the backup done. A good alternative if you know you’re not adept at technology is an external hard drive that runs without software or a drive that does backup at the push of a button.

Supplementing your Software

You can find inexpensive drives that do not require software but they’re a bit short when it comes to features and flexibility. You can even get software that is bundled with other drives, and these have their limitations as well. Often these are not able to back up onto CDs and DVDs. Third-party backup software is going to be quite inexpensive, and sometimes this option is well worth it. Some operating systems come with their own backup software such as Max OS X 10.5, and these will automatically back up everything that you have and they let you restore anything from a single file onto the entire drive.

It’s possible to restore the most recent version of a file that you have modified, and Time Machine in particular makes it easy to do this. The interface of this is quite simple to use, but it does take a little effort to learn the basics of the backup process. Windows 8 also comes with a backup program that has a feature called ‘File History’ that will backup copies of files similar to the way that Mac OS X does it.

Add More Protection

Should your backup and computer live in the same area then your data can be prone to fire, burglary, flood and other problems. If you want your content to be as safe as possible then consider a supplementary backup that is in a different location. This means that your content will always be safe should something happen to your computer.

Good External Hard Drive Brands

Types of Backup

There are a number of different backup options, including internal, external, online services, network drives, and thumb devices. You get the fastest backup with an internal drive, but installation of this can be quite complicated. This kind of backup is also susceptible to malware that may infect the primary drive. Optical discs are quite easy to use, but you’re going to need a lot of them, and the discs themselves are prone to wear and tear.

Good External Hard Drive For Macs

Thumb drives are another good option and they offer higher capacities than optical drives. Keep in mind that it is easy to lose these and they don’t have the same capacity as hard drives. With all the types of backup that you should consider, an external hard drive seems to be the most appealing.

Conclusion

If you’re someone that owns a lot of data then having an external hard drive is a must to ensure that all that data is safe and secure. Most computers just don’t have the storage capacity that people need, and that is why an outside source helps to take the load off your computer while also keeping this data safe in a remote location. There are a lot of external drives out there to choose from, and when you’re looking for a model that is specifically designed for the Mac then you’re going to see that the options almost seem endless. We highlighted the top rated external drives on the market, and these are praised by customers because they deliver solid performance, durability, and are made from the highest quality materials. You can be confident when you purchase one of these models that you’re getting a product that will safely store all your material and will be able to handle ample volume.

Western Digital External Hard Drive

The buyer’s guide took it a step further by highlighting the various features that are available to you. When it comes to finding the right drive for you, it’s really about knowing yourself and what you’re looking for. If you’re someone who is not very tech savvy, then it’s smart to go with a simpler option that isn’t going to require as much installation and upkeep. If you’re very good with technology, then you can select one of the more complicated options that is probably going to work faster and more efficiently. No matter what device you choose, you’re going to love the benefit that you get from owning an external hard drive, and the peace of mind that it gives you.

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