What is an external SSD?

An external SSD (Solid State Drive) is a portable storage device that uses flash memory to store data.

Why would I need an external SSD for my Mac?

An external SSD can provide additional storage, improve your Mac's performance, and help with data backup.

What should I consider when buying an external SSD for Mac?

Consider factors like storage capacity, data transfer speed, compatibility with your Mac version, and durability.

Are all external SSDs compatible with Mac?

Not all, some SSDs might need reformatting, always check the product's compatibility information.

How do I connect an external SSD to my Mac?

Most external SSDs connect via USB, Thunderbolt, or FireWire ports on your Mac.

April 2, 2026

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10 Best external ssd for macs of 2026

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Best Choice

1

Clicked 311 times in the last month

Sandisk
SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-4T00-G25
Main highlights

High-Speed Performance
Achieve up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds.

Ideal for Travel and Photography
Perfect for mobile DJs, photographers, and videographers needing fast, portable storage.

Praised Durability
Customers love its ruggedness with IP65 water and dust resistance.
Key specs
- Flash Size:4
- Hard Drive:4 TB Solid State Drive
- Interface:USB 3.2
- Read Speed:Up to 1050MB/s
- Write Speed:Up to 1000MB/s
9.8

Exceptional

Our Rating

9.7
movability

9.7
Storage space

8.4
Tech Support
How do we rank?

Powerful technology We scan thousands of products and stores, analyzing reviews to find what matters most to users like you

Careful review Our team ensures quality, value, and fit based on real user feedback

Trusted insights AI and human analysis guide your decisions, reflecting real user priorities
Real users impact

Thousands of users trust our site daily

Based on millions of stores and reviews

Shoppers influence our rankings
Analyzing top stores
Value for Money

2

Samsung
Samsung T7 Shield 2TB, Portable SSD, up-to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged,IP65 Water & Dust Resistant, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Extenal Solid State Drive (MU-PE2T0S/AM), Black
Main highlights

Rugged and Fast Performance
The Samsung T7 Shield offers rugged durability with IP65 water and dust resistance, and fast transfer speeds up to 1050MB/s.

Perfect for Creators and Gamers
Ideal for photographers, content creators, and gamers needing fast, reliable storage on the go.

Highly Praised Durability
Customers love its robust build and drop resistance, ensuring data safety during adventures.
Key specs
- Flash Size:2 TB
- Hard Drive:2 TB Solid State Drive
- Interface:USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Read Speed:Up to 1,050 MB/s
- Write Speed:Up to 1,000 MB/s
9.7

Exceptional

Our Rating

9.9
Storage space

9.9
movability

9.9
For traveling
3

Sandisk
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-1T00-G25
Main highlights

High-Speed Performance
Experience NVMe solid state performance with read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s.

Ideal for Mobile Professionals
Perfect for photographers, videographers, and mobile DJs needing fast, reliable storage on-the-go.

Praised Durability
Customers love its robust build with 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance.
Key specs
- Flash Size:1
- Hard Drive:1 TB Solid State Drive
- Interface:USB 3.2
- Read Speed:Up to 1050MB/s
- Write Speed:Up to 1000MB/s
9.5

Excellent

Our Rating

9.7
movability

9.7
Storage space

8.4
Tech Support
4

Samsung
Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray
Main highlights

Fast and Reliable Storage
The Samsung SSD T7 offers fast speeds and reliable data storage with USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology.

Ideal for Videographers
Perfect for 4K ProRes video shooting on the iPhone 15 Pro.

Highly Praised Portability
Customers love its compact size and lightweight design for easy transport.
9.3

Excellent

Our Rating

9.9
movability

9.9
For traveling

9.9
Light weight
5

Sandisk
SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-2T00-G25
Main highlights

High-Speed Performance
Experience NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds.

Ideal for Multimedia
Perfect for mobile DJs, photographers, and videographers needing fast, reliable storage.

Praised Durability
Customers love its durability with IP65 water and dust resistance and 3-meter drop protection.
9.1

Excellent

Our Rating

9.7
movability

9.7
Storage space

8.4
Tech Support
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6

Seagate
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
Main highlights

High Capacity Storage
Easily store and access 2TB of data on the go.

Versatile Compatibility
Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Customer Praise for Reliability
Praised for reliable performance in long-term data backup.
Key specs
- power source:USB powered
- interface:USB 3.0
- compatibility:Windows, Mac
- capacity:2 TB
- dimensions:4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches
9.0

Excellent

Our Rating

9.7
Light weight

9.5
Simple to use

9.5
movability
7

Samsung
Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC2T0T/AM, Gray
Main highlights

Fast and Portable Storage
The Samsung SSD T7 offers 2TB of fast, reliable storage in a compact, portable design.

Ideal for 4K Video and Gaming
Perfect for storing and transferring large files like 4K video and games with ease.

Highly Praised for Speed
Customers consistently praise its fast transfer speeds and reliability.
8.8

Very Good

Our Rating

9.9
movability

9.9
For traveling

9.9
Light weight
8

Crucial

Crucial X10 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 2,100MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac & Android, Durable Storage for Games, Photos & Files, Blue - CT1000X10SSD9-02

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8.6

Very Good

Our Rating
9

BUFFALO
BUFFALO External SSD 1TB - Compatible with PS4 / PS5 / Windows/Mac - USB-C - USB-A - USB 3.2 - External Solid State Drive - SSD-PG1.0U3B
Main highlights

Compact and Reliable SSD
Compact and reliable SSD perfect for on-the-go use, compatible with PS4/PS5, Macs, and PCs.

Ideal for Fast Backups
Ideal for professionals needing fast, secure storage for photos, videos, and documents.

Praised for Speed and Compatibility
Customers love its fast speeds and easy setup with various devices.
Key specs
- Flash Size:1 TB
- Hard Drive:1 TB Solid State
- Interface:USB 3.0
- Read Speed:N/A
- Write Speed:N/A
8.4

Good

Our Rating

9.9
Light weight

8.9
Simple to use

8.7
Storage space
10

Lexar

Lexar ES3 1TB External SSD, USB 3.2 Gen2 Portable SSD, PSSD Up to 1050MB/s Read, 1000MB/s Write, External Solid State Drive Compatible with iPhone 16/15 Series/Mac/PS5/XBOX/Laptop/PC, Silver
8.3

Good

Our Rating

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an external SSD?
An external SSD (Solid State Drive) is a portable storage device that uses flash memory to store data.

Why would I need an external SSD for my Mac?
An external SSD can provide additional storage, improve your Mac's performance, and help with data backup.

What should I consider when buying an external SSD for Mac?
Consider factors like storage capacity, data transfer speed, compatibility with your Mac version, and durability.

Are all external SSDs compatible with Mac?
Not all, some SSDs might need reformatting, always check the product's compatibility information.

How do I connect an external SSD to my Mac?
Most external SSDs connect via USB, Thunderbolt, or FireWire ports on your Mac.

10 Best external ssd for macs of 2026

1

SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-4T00-G25

9.7

9.7

8.4

How do we rank?

How do we rank?

Analyzing top stores

2

Samsung T7 Shield 2TB, Portable SSD, up-to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged,IP65 Water & Dust Resistant, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Extenal Solid State Drive (MU-PE2T0S/AM), Black

9.9

9.9

9.9

3

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-1T00-G25

9.7

9.7

8.4

4

Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray

9.9

9.9

9.9

5

SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-2T00-G25

9.7

9.7

8.4

6

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)

9.7

9.5

9.5

7

Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC2T0T/AM, Gray

9.9

9.9

9.9

8

Crucial X10 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 2,100MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac & Android, Durable Storage for Games, Photos & Files, Blue - CT1000X10SSD9-02

9

BUFFALO External SSD 1TB - Compatible with PS4 / PS5 / Windows/Mac - USB-C - USB-A - USB 3.2 - External Solid State Drive - SSD-PG1.0U3B

9.9

8.9

8.7

10

Lexar ES3 1TB External SSD, USB 3.2 Gen2 Portable SSD, PSSD Up to 1050MB/s Read, 1000MB/s Write, External Solid State Drive Compatible with iPhone 16/15 Series/Mac/PS5/XBOX/Laptop/PC, Silver

Frequently Asked Questions

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