Sep 01, 2019 Best External Hard Drives 2019. Dive into these HDD reviews to pick the best ideal and most reliable storage drive for you. Western Digital 4TB My Passport – Best External Hard Drive For Mac I bought the WD My Passport 2TB back in 2017 and guess what? I just love the transfer speed and it’s still working fine for me. Friendly Review of the 2 TB Western Digital My Passport for Mac External Hard Drive (The setup, size, connector, fit and finish, uti. The best external hard drive needs to support time machine. This is the default backup software that runs on Macs. A hard drive that supports this software makes it easy for you to backup all your files in it. It is always good to have this backup because you never know when your Mac will crash or experience any other issue. It can be a challenge to tell different external hard drives apart. Here’s a cheat sheet to the most important differences between models. Capacity: The most important feature on an external hard drive is how much storage it has, so prioritize capacity and get the biggest drive you can afford. Just remember that your actual storage will be less than the amount noted on the box (based on the. In this guide to the best external hard drives for Macs, we look at the top devices for plugging in and expanding the storage space of your Mac or MacBook. While there's a lot to love about Macs.
Can you imagine the horror of switching your computer on only to find out that all of your work files and personal memories have been swept clean by a virus, or a software or hardware malfunction?
Why not eliminate this possibility with the help of a large capacity external drive which you can use both for backing up your data, as well as an extension for your computer’s storage?
We tested numerous 8TB external hard drives and came up with our top favorite list for 2019, our top choice being the STGY8000400 Seagate Desktop external hard drive.
Read on to find out more about these incredibly useful devices, and why you should definitely get one right away!
Best overall
Seagate STGY8000400 Desktop 8TB External Hard Drive USB 3.0
The desktop Seagate 8TB external drive is our definite favorite among all options we could test this year.
It is an excellent option for expanding the capacity of your computer and is amazingly easy and intuitive to use. All you need to do is connect it to the USB port of your computer and drag and drop all of the files and content which you need to be transferred to the external hard drive.
The unit has a USB 3.0 port which allows for fast transfer of large files. It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0.
With a storage capacity of 8TB, you can easily use this device to back up all of your content from your computer. You don’t need to install any special programs just plug it in and you are set to go.
You can leave it plugged in to access all of the content you need at all times, just like you would with the internal hard disk of your computer.
This hard drive by Seagate is PC compatible and is one of the simplest ones to use, with no complicated settings and configurations necessary.
You just plug it in and your computer will recognize it immediately, and you can use it for backup or for added space immediately.
The unit is 7.1 x 4.7 x 1.6 inches in size and weighs 2.43 lbs.
It can work with Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 11.
For such a reasonable price and ease of use, this is a must-have piece of hardware for anyone who wants to safely backup your precious content and to have access to it easily and without hassle when necessary.
Best bang for the buck
WD WDBWLG0080HBK-NESN 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive – USB 3.0
This top quality Western Digital external hard drive is the best deal we could find this year. With an 8TB capacity and plug-and-play functionality, this device is a superb choice for all PC users.
Thanks to its vertical design, it will take up very little space on your desk or workplace.
The hard drive has a fast USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port. It works with Windows 7 and above and no special software or configurations are required to get it working. All you have to do is connect it to your computer and you will get instant access to the huge storage space where you can back up all of your important data, and where you can store your precious work and personal files.
Its dimensions are 5.31 x 1.89 x 6.53 inches and it weighs 2.09 lbs. With its elegant design, this 8TB external hard disk will look great on any desk, and most importantly will allow you to rest assured that you have all of your important data safely backed up and secured, in case something goes horribly wrong with your computer.
Best runner-up
Glyph Studio S8000 8TB External Hard Drive 7200RPM, USB 3, FW800 or eSATA
This premium quality external hard drive is a perfect solution for those of you who want the best of the best for your computer content and the safety of your files.
It has an 8TB capacity which is sufficient for backing up your documents, media files and whatever you need to store.
It has an all-aluminum durable casing and has an internal power supply as well as a smart and very quiet fan to keep the device safe from overheating and your files intact.
It has fast transfer USB 3.0, a FireWire 800 and an eSATA which allows for the transfer of file with a speed of up to 184Mb per second.
The Glyph Studio S8000 works with Windows XP and above Windows versions, as well with Mac OSX 10.4 and above versions.
It can be mounted on a rack which is sold separately. The hard disk is 11 x 2.5 x 10.25 inches in size and weighs 4 lbs.
You will receive top quality USB 3.0. FireWire 800 and an IEC power cables with the device.
Plus, you will get a 3-year warranty for the hard drive, a 2-year data recovery warranty and 1-year replacement guarantee, so you can be pretty sure that you will be making a wise and long-term investment with this reliable, durable and easy to use professional grade 8TB external hard disk.
Seagate Backup Plus Hub 8TB External Desktop Hard Drive Storage + Adobe CC Photography
This 8TB external hard disk from Seagate is the perfect solution if you need a backup device for your PC or Mac. It has two high-speed USB 3.0 ports which you can use for quick transfer of your data, as well as for quick charging of your phone or other devices.
The hard drive is formatted for Windows, but you can install the NTFS driver provided by the manufacturer if you plan on using it with a Mac computer.
The unit allows for easy one-click backing up of your content on schedule, which will help protect your files and allow you to rest assured that everything you need is safely stored.
The size of the device is 4.65 x 1.61 x 7.8 inches, and it weighs 2.34 lbs.
You will receive a 2-month complimentary membership for Adobe’s Creative Cloud Photography Plan with this hard disk, which is an excellent opportunity for the reasonable price of this nifty piece of hardware.
You will also get a USB 3.0 cable, a quick start guide, backup software from Seagate as well as an optional driver for Mac computers with this excellent Backup Plus Hub external hard disk.
Fantom Drives GF3B8000UP 8TB External Hard Drive – 7200RPM USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 – Mac, Windows, PS4, and Xbox
This sleek and stylish looking external hard disk is one of the best options if you want a reliable, easy to use and versatile backup option for your data, memories and work files. You can use it with both Windows and Mac computers, as well as with PlayStation4 and Xbox consoles.
The Fantom Drives external hard drive has an 8TB capacity but is also available in options from 500GB up to a whopping 12GB.
It has a beautiful looking stylish aluminum case and provides an intuitive and hassle-free plug-and-play performance. So, you won’t need to install any additional drives and software to use it.
The construction of the hard drive allows for fan-less cooling.
It is sold with a 1-year warranty.
Excel shortcut for mac. This hard drive has a speed of 7200 RPM which is about 33% faster than drives with 5400 RPM.
The external drive is very suitable for storing all kinds of data, including media files. It is an excellent option both for home use and for the office.
It is sold with a stand which adds to its flawless design and will make it look perfect wherever you decide to place it.
The hard drive is compatible with Windows 7 and above and with Mac OSX 10.6 and above versions. The fast transfer of your files will be ensured by the USB 3.0 port. It is sized 4.75 x 1.75 x 4.75 inches and weighs 2.5 lbs.
Final words
A good quality, reliable external hard drive is the most affordable and easiest way to ensure that all of your data from your computer is safe. The capacity of 8TB is perfect if you want to have enough storage space to keep adding your work files, your new photos and videos and all of your personal memories without running out of space.
These devices are easy to use and do not require any complicated setups, so even those of you who are not so tech savvy can work with a hard drive like one of our top picks.
All of them simply need to be plugged into the computer and then can be used for backing up everything or dragging and dropping only particular files or directories to the safe storage unit.
When you come to think about the number of files you already have stored in your computer, it is definitely worth investing in one of these excellent 8TB external hard drives, so that you can ensure that you never have to deal with the agonizing problem of losing all of your files.
Good luck with your purchase, and remember to keep your personal and work data safely backed up at all times!
Last update on 2019-11-05 at 12:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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.
36 products considered
20 products reviewed
30 hours reviewing
Top 10 Mac External Hard Drives
| Picture | Hard Drive | HDD Capacity (GB) | Data Transfer Rate (MB/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Digital | 1,000 - 3,000 | 480 | |
| Toshiba | 500 - 3,000 | 100 | |
| Seagate | 500 - 2,000 | 120 | |
| G-DRIVE | 1,000 | 136 | |
| My Passort | 500 - 1,000 | 640 | |
| Buffalo | 500 - 1,000 | 480 | |
| U32 Shadow | 500 - 2,000 | 450 | |
| Air | 1,000 | 640 | |
| Mac | 500 - 2,000 | 640 | |
| Studio | 500 - 2,000 | 800 |
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.
– 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 PicksMac 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.
5. My Passort
7. U32 Shadow
9. Mac
Mac External Hard Drive Comparison
Western Digital View | Toshiba View | Seagate View | G-DRIVE View | My Passport View | Buffalo View | U32 Shadow View | Air View | Mac View | Studio View | |
| 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.
Wd External Hard Drive For Mac Reviews
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.
Types of Backup
External Hard Drive For Mac Reviews Mac
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.
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.
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.