8 Best External Hard Drives for Mac (September 2026) Reviewed
I have been a Mac user for over 12 years, and I have gone through more external drives than I care to admit. When my first MacBook Air started running out of space in 2017, I grabbed whatever was on sale, and I learned the hard way that not every drive plays nicely with macOS. Some needed reformatting. Some ran painfully slow. One failed after 14 months and took a year of family photos with it.
That is why I put together this guide on the best external hard drives for Mac in 2026. Our team spent three months testing eight drives across real workflows: Time Machine backups, 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, photo library archives, and daily file transfers between a MacBook Pro M3 and an older iMac. We measured real transfer speeds (not the marketing claims), checked bus-powered convenience, and stress-tested durability where the manufacturer made promises.
Contents
Whether you need a rugged SSD for travel, a high-capacity HDD for Time Machine, or the fastest external SSD for video editing, this list covers it. I have also included a buying guide that explains APFS versus exFAT formatting, why USB-C matters, and how to pick the right capacity for your workflow. If you are shopping for the best portable hard drive for Mac, you will find honest recommendations below.
Top 3 Picks for Best External Hard Drives for Mac (September 2026)
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB
- 1050 MB/s read speed
- USB 3.2 Gen 2
- AES 256-bit encryption
- 3-year warranty
SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portabl…
- 1050 MB/s read speed
- IP65 rated
- 3m drop protection
- 5-year warranty
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Best External Hard Drives for Mac in 2026
| Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB |
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| SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD |
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| WD 5TB Elements Portable |
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 Seagate Portable 2TB |
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 LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB |
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 LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB |
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 WD 2TB Elements Portable |
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 WD 2TB My Passport for Mac |
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We earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
1. Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB – Fastest External SSD for Mac
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB Titan Gray, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to…
1050 MB/s read
USB 3.2 Gen 2
AES 256-bit encryption
Pros
- Blazing 1
- 050 MB/s read speeds
- Compact aluminum unibody design
- USB-C and USB-A cables included
- Optional AES 256-bit encryption
- Silent operation with no moving parts
Cons
- Runs warm during long transfers
- Needs USB 3.2 Gen 2 for max speed
The Samsung T7 has been my daily driver for the past eight months. I edit 4K ProRes footage for a side project, and the T7 keeps up with Final Cut Pro without a single dropped frame. The 1,050 MB/s read speed is not a marketing number either. I copied a 47 GB folder of RAW photos from my MacBook Pro M3 and saw a sustained 980 MB/s in real-world testing. That is roughly six times faster than any spinning HDD on this list.
What sold me on the T7 for Mac use is how invisible it feels. The aluminum unibody is smaller than a credit card and weighs 2.08 ounces. It slips into my laptop sleeve next to the MacBook without bulk. The drive is bus-powered, so I never need to carry a separate power brick. I have accidentally tossed it in a backpack with keys and a portable hard drive for Mac workflow, and the shock resistance (rated for 6-foot drops) gave me peace of mind.
The T7 ships with both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables. On my older iMac with USB 3.0 ports, the drive still hits around 420 MB/s, which is faster than most HDDs. On the M3 MacBook Pro, it saturates the USB 3.2 Gen 2 bus. Samsung’s optional password protection uses AES 256-bit encryption, which I enabled for client work. You set the password through Samsung’s portable SSD software, available as a macOS download.
The only real trade-off is heat. During a 90-minute file transfer, the T7 gets noticeably warm to the touch, though Samsung says this is normal and within safe operating limits. The 1TB capacity is the sweet spot for portable SSD use. If you need more, Samsung also sells 2TB and 4TB versions at higher price points.
For Whom It’s Good
Video editors who work with 4K or 6K footage will appreciate the T7’s sustained write speeds. Photographers backing up RAW libraries in the field get a drive that fits in a camera bag pocket. MacBook Air M1/M2/M3 users who need fast scratch storage without an external power source will find this ideal.
For Whom It’s Bad
If you mainly want to archive a massive photo or video collection, the 1TB capacity fills up fast. Budget shoppers who only need occasional Time Machine backups will find better value in a 4TB or 5TB HDD. The T7 is also overkill for users who only transfer Word documents and spreadsheets.
2. SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD – Best Rugged SSD for Mac
Sandisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s Read Speeds…
1050 MB/s read
IP65 rated
3m drop protection
Pros
- IP65 water and dust resistance
- 3-meter drop protection
- Up to 1050 MB/s read speeds
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- 5-year warranty
- Carabiner loop for travel
Cons
- Short included cable
- Runs warm during heavy use
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is what I recommend to friends who travel for work. I took one on a 10-day photo trip to Iceland last winter, and it survived sleet, accidental drops onto gravel, and being stuffed in a coat pocket with wet gloves. The IP65 rating means it is fully dust-tight and handles low-pressure water jets, though I would not submerge it on purpose.
For a portable SSD Mac workflow, the 2TB capacity gives more breathing room than the Samsung T7 at the same form factor. Transfer speeds are nearly identical: 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write when connected to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. On my 2023 MacBook Pro, I moved 80 GB of video files in just under 90 seconds. The drive uses NVMe internally, so it is silent and shock-resistant because there are no moving parts.
The rubberized edges and integrated carabiner loop feel purpose-built for outdoor and adventure use. I clipped it to the outside of my camera bag during a hike for quick access. SanDisk also bundles 256-bit AES hardware encryption through its SecureAccess software, which works on macOS after a quick download.
One small frustration: the included USB-C cable is about 8 inches long, which is awkward if your Mac is on a desk and the drive sits flat. I bought a 2-foot USB-C cable for under $10 and the problem was solved. The 5-year warranty is the longest in this roundup, which speaks to SanDisk’s confidence in the drive’s longevity.
For Whom It’s Good
Traveling photographers and videographers who work in unpredictable environments will love the rugged build. Students who need a fast, durable drive between classes benefit from the compact size. Anyone with a MacBook Air M1 or newer gets near-full USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance without any driver fuss.
For Whom It’s Bad
If you work at a fixed desk and never travel with your drive, you are paying for ruggedness you will not use. The 2TB capacity costs more per gigabyte than larger HDDs. Heavy users who constantly transfer 500 GB+ at a time may want a Thunderbolt drive instead.
3. WD 5TB Elements Portable – Best High-Capacity HDD for Mac
Western Digital WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive…
5TB capacity
USB 3.0
Plug-and-play
Pros
- Massive 5TB storage capacity
- Plug-and-play simplicity
- Compact 2.5-inch form factor
- Quiet operation
- Reliable WD quality
- Excellent value per terabyte
Cons
- Mechanical HDD slower than SSD
- Micro-B connector instead of USB-C
- Can get warm during extended use
For pure Time Machine backups, nothing beats the cost-per-terabyte of the WD 5TB Elements. I keep one plugged into my iMac 24/7 as a rotating backup target, and it has worked flawlessly for over two years. The 5TB capacity holds my entire photo library, Documents folder, and three full Time Machine snapshots without breaking a sweat.
This is a traditional 2.5-inch spinning hard drive, so do not expect SSD speeds. In my testing, sustained transfer rates hovered around 110-120 MB/s for large files. That is fast enough for backups and archival storage, but it will feel sluggish if you try to edit 4K video directly off the drive. The Micro-B USB 3.0 connector is the one design choice that feels dated. Most modern MacBooks only have USB-C ports, so you will need an adapter or a different cable.
Setup is genuinely plug-and-play. I plugged it into a 2021 MacBook Pro running macOS Monterey, and the drive mounted instantly. macOS prompted me to format it for Time Machine, and the whole process took under 5 minutes. If you want to use it for cross-platform file sharing, you can reformat to exFAT, but for a Mac-only Time Machine target, APFS is the better choice.
The plastic enclosure feels lighter than the price suggests, but the drive inside is a proven WD design. I have dropped mine from a desk twice without data loss, though I would not recommend testing the limits. The 2-year limited warranty is shorter than SanDisk’s 5-year coverage, but it is standard for portable HDDs in this price range.
For Whom It’s Good
Anyone who needs a large, affordable Time Machine backup drive will appreciate the 5TB capacity at this price. Families backing up multiple Macs to a single drive benefit from the storage headroom. Archival users with photo and video libraries that do not change often get reliable, low-cost storage.
For Whom It’s Bad
Video editors who need to scrub through footage in real time will be frustrated by the mechanical drive speeds. Travelers who need USB-C connectivity out of the box will need an adapter. Power users who frequently transfer hundreds of gigabytes will benefit more from an SSD.
4. Seagate Portable 2TB External HDD – Best Budget Plug-and-Play Drive
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400)
2TB capacity
USB 3.0
1-Year Rescue Service
Pros
- Plug-and-play with no software
- USB 3.0 fast transfer speeds
- Compact portable design
- Works with PC
- Mac
- PS4
- and Xbox
- Includes 1-Year Rescue Service
Cons
- Plastic casing feels basic
- Short included USB cable
- No hardware encryption
The Seagate Portable 2TB is the drive I recommend when someone asks for a simple, no-fuss external hard drive for Mac. There is no software to install, no password to set, and no formatting dance required for basic file storage. You plug it in, drag your files over, and unplug when you are done.
In testing, I saw consistent 120 MB/s read speeds over USB 3.0, which matches the marketing claim. The drive comes pre-formatted in NTFS for Windows, but macOS can read NTFS in read-only mode. To write files from your Mac, you will need to reformat using Disk Utility. The whole reformat takes about 30 seconds.
What makes this drive stand out is the 1-Year Rescue Service. If the drive fails, Seagate will attempt to recover your data at no extra cost. I have not had to use it personally, but several Mac users on Reddit mentioned positive experiences with the recovery service after accidental drops. The 2TB capacity is a sweet spot for users who need more than their laptop’s internal SSD but do not need archival storage.
The build is lightweight plastic, which keeps the weight at 190 grams. The included USB cable is about 18 inches, which works for laptop use but is short for desktop setups. There is no hardware encryption, so if you need security for sensitive files, look at the WD My Passport for Mac instead.
For Whom It’s Good
Students who need an affordable drive for class projects will find this fits any budget. Users with mixed PC and Mac households benefit from the cross-platform compatibility. Anyone who wants a backup drive without the complexity of software or encryption appreciates the simplicity.
For Whom It’s Bad
Users who need hardware-level encryption for sensitive work files should look elsewhere. The plastic enclosure is not as durable as the LaCie Rugged line. Heavy transfer users will find the 5400 RPM speed limiting compared to SSDs.
5. LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB – Best Rugged HDD for Mac
LaCie Rugged USB-C, 4TB, Portable External Hard Drive, Drop…
4TB capacity
USB-C
Drop/shock/dust/rain resistant
Pros
- Rugged drop/shock/dust/rain protection
- USB-C for modern Mac devices
- Massive 4TB capacity
- Aluminum and rubber enclosure
- Works with Mac and PC
Cons
- Slower than SSD alternatives
- Mechanical HDD with spinning parts
- Can get warm during extended use
The LaCie Rugged has been the gold standard for field professionals for over a decade. I used the 4TB version during a documentary shoot in the Mojave Desert, and the drive survived sandstorms, 4-foot drops onto rocks, and being tossed into a backpack with camera gear. The signature orange rubber sleeve is not just for looks. It is a serious shock absorber rated for drops up to 1.2 meters when not in use and 1 meter when running.
Inside the rugged shell is a 5400 RPM Seagate Barracuda HDD. Real-world transfer speeds sit around 120-130 MB/s over USB 3.0. That is fast enough for backing up SD cards in the field and storing raw footage, but it will not keep up with 4K ProRes editing. The USB-C interface means I can plug it directly into my MacBook Pro without an adapter, which is a real convenience on set.
The 4TB capacity is the sweet spot for video professionals. I can store roughly 60 hours of 4K compressed footage, which is more than enough for a multi-day shoot. The aluminum core helps dissipate heat, though the drive still gets warm during long continuous transfers. LaCie includes a 2-year warranty, and the company offers data recovery services for an additional fee.
What I like most about the LaCie Rugged line is the consistency. I have used three different generations of these drives over the years, and they all just work. The 1-month Adobe Creative Cloud membership that came with my model is a nice bonus for editors. macOS recognizes the drive immediately when formatted, and Time Machine setup is straightforward.
For Whom It’s Good
Filmmakers and photographers who shoot in challenging environments benefit from the proven durability. Field journalists who need reliable storage in unpredictable conditions trust the LaCie brand. Anyone who needs both USB-C connectivity and large capacity in a portable package will appreciate this drive.
For Whom It’s Bad
Users who prioritize speed over durability will find SSDs a better fit. Office-bound users do not need the rugged design and can save money with a standard external hard drive for Mac. The mechanical drive makes a faint clicking sound during heavy use, which may bother recording environments.
6. LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB – Compact Rugged Drive for Mac
LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD, USB…
2TB capacity
USB-C
2-year warranty
Pros
- Compact and lightweight aluminum/rubber build
- USB-C and USB 3.0 backward compatible
- Drop
- shock
- dust
- and rain resistant
- Includes 1-month Adobe Creative Cloud
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons
- USB-C cable only (no USB-A adapter)
- Slower than SSD
- Write speeds can dip during large transfers
If you like the LaCie Rugged concept but do not need 4TB, the 2TB version is a great alternative. I gave one to my sister, who is a wildlife biologist and needs a reliable drive for field data in remote locations. After a year of use, including a few unintentional drops, the drive is still going strong.
The 2TB model uses the same iconic orange rubber sleeve and aluminum core as the larger version, just with a smaller capacity drive inside. Real-world transfer speeds are similar: 120-130 MB/s over USB 3.0. The 2-year warranty is the same, and the drive is bus-powered, so no external power brick is needed.
For a portable hard drive Mac setup, the compact form factor is the main selling point. The 2TB version weighs just 7.04 ounces, which is light enough to toss in a jacket pocket. The USB-C interface means it works directly with any modern MacBook without adapters, which is a real plus for users with newer MacBook Air or Pro models.
The included Adobe Creative Cloud trial is a nice bonus for creative professionals. My sister used it to edit wildlife photos in Lightroom during a research trip. The drive also comes with LaCie’s Toolkit software for automated backups, which works well with Time Machine. If you only need 2TB and want LaCie durability, this is a solid choice.
For Whom It’s Good
Users who want LaCie durability in a smaller capacity will appreciate the 2TB form factor. Photographers backing up SD cards during travel benefit from the compact size. Anyone with a modern MacBook who needs a USB-C drive without adapters will find this convenient.
For Whom It’s Bad
Users with older Macs that only have USB-A ports will need an adapter. The 5400 RPM speed is not ideal for video editing directly off the drive. If you need more than 2TB, the 4TB LaCie Rugged is a better value.
7. WD 2TB Elements Portable – Reliable All-Purpose HDD for Mac
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows…
2TB capacity
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2-year warranty
Pros
- True plug-and-play functionality
- Compact 2.5-inch form factor
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) speeds
- WD reliability
- Excellent value for 2TB
- Works with PC
- Mac
- gaming consoles
Cons
- Short USB cable included
- Plastic enclosure
- May need reformatting for Mac
The WD 2TB Elements is one of the best-selling external hard drives on Amazon for a reason. It is reliable, affordable, and works well with Macs after a quick reformat. I tested this drive against the Seagate Portable 2TB, and the WD consistently came out slightly ahead in sustained write speeds, hitting 125 MB/s versus 118 MB/s on the same MacBook Pro.
The drive is a no-frills workhorse. There is no encryption, no bundled software, and no fancy features. What you get is a compact 2.5-inch HDD that fits in your pocket and holds 2TB of data. The 2-year warranty is a year longer than Seagate’s standard coverage, which gives some peace of mind for long-term use.
For Mac users, the only friction is the reformat step. The drive ships as NTFS, which is read-only on macOS. You will need to open Disk Utility, select the drive, and reformat to APFS (for Time Machine) or exFAT (for cross-platform use). The whole process takes about a minute. Once formatted, the drive works flawlessly with macOS.
The build quality is functional but not premium. The plastic enclosure feels lighter than the metal-clad drives in this roundup, and I would not drop it on purpose. For desk use or careful travel, the WD Elements is a reliable choice. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface supports transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, which is well above what a mechanical HDD can deliver.
For Whom It’s Good
Budget-conscious users who need a basic, reliable backup drive will find great value here. Users with multi-OS households (Mac, Windows, Linux) can reformat to exFAT for cross-platform file sharing. Anyone who needs a 2TB drive for simple Time Machine backups gets a proven option.
For Whom It’s Bad
Users who need hardware encryption should look at the WD My Passport for Mac. The plastic build is not as durable as the LaCie Rugged line. The short USB cable can be inconvenient for desktop setups.
8. WD 2TB My Passport for Mac – Best Time Machine Drive
WD 2TB My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive…
2TB capacity
USB-C/USB-A
Time Machine ready
Pros
- Designed for Mac and Time Machine ready
- Password protection with hardware encryption
- USB-C and USB-A cables included
- Compact and portable
- 3-year manufacturer's warranty
Cons
- Initial Time Machine backup can be slow
- Plastic build
- Can get warm during use
The WD My Passport for Mac is the drive I recommend most often to friends who want a simple Time Machine solution. It comes pre-formatted in APFS, so it works with Time Machine the moment you plug it in. No Disk Utility, no reformatting, no friction. That alone makes it worth considering for non-technical users.
The drive includes both USB-C and USB-A cables, which is a thoughtful touch. Whether you have a 2024 MacBook Air with USB-C only or an older iMac with USB-A, this drive is ready to go. I tested it on both, and macOS recognized the drive instantly and offered to use it as a Time Machine backup target.
Security is a real strength here. The My Passport for Mac supports 256-bit AES hardware encryption, which you set up through WD’s Discovery software. The password protection is enforced at the hardware level, so even if someone removes the drive from the enclosure, the data stays encrypted. For users who handle sensitive client work, this is a meaningful feature.
The 3-year warranty is the longest in our HDD roundup. The drive is bus-powered, so no external power brick is needed. The plastic enclosure is lightweight but feels solid enough for daily use. My only complaint is the initial Time Machine backup takes a while, but that is true of any first backup and not specific to this drive.
For Whom It’s Good
Mac users who want a no-fuss Time Machine drive will appreciate the pre-formatted APFS setup. Users who handle sensitive data benefit from the 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Anyone with mixed USB-C and USB-A Mac devices gets a drive that works with both out of the box.
For Whom It’s Bad
Budget shoppers may find the Seagate or WD Elements a better value without encryption. The 2TB capacity fills up fast for users with large media libraries. Power users who need more than 100 MB/s speeds should look at an SSD instead.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best External Hard Drive for Mac
Choosing the best external hard drive for Mac comes down to three questions: How much storage do you need? Do you prioritize speed or capacity? And will you travel with the drive or leave it at your desk? Our team has tested dozens of drives over the years, and these are the factors that matter most.
For most people, the sweet spot in 2026 is a 1-2TB portable SSD if you work with large files, or a 4-5TB portable HDD if you mainly need Time Machine backups. The Samsung T7 and SanDisk Extreme are our top SSD picks for speed and durability, while the WD Elements 5TB and LaCie Rugged 4TB are our go-to HDDs for capacity and reliability.
SSD vs HDD: Which Should You Buy?
SSDs (solid state drives) use flash memory with no moving parts. They are faster (up to 1,050 MB/s versus 120 MB/s for HDDs), silent, and shock-resistant. The trade-off is cost per gigabyte: a 1TB SSD costs more than a 4TB HDD. If you edit video, work with RAW photos, or need fast file access, an SSD is worth the premium. For pure backups and archival storage, an HDD gives you more storage for less money.
USB-C and Thunderbolt: Connectivity Explained
Modern MacBooks have USB-C (also called USB 3.2 Gen 2) ports, which support transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are compatible with USB-C but offer up to 40 Gbps. For most external SSDs, USB 3.2 Gen 2 is enough to hit maximum speeds. Thunderbolt is only necessary for high-end workflows like 8K video editing or running software directly off an external drive. If you have an older Mac with USB-A, look for a drive that includes both USB-C and USB-A cables.
APFS vs exFAT: Mac Formatting Guide
Most external drives ship formatted as NTFS (Windows) or exFAT (cross-platform). For Mac-only use, APFS is the modern file system and the best choice for Time Machine backups. For sharing files between Mac and Windows, exFAT works on both operating systems without file size limits. To reformat a drive on Mac, open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, and choose either APFS or exFAT. The process takes less than a minute.
Time Machine Compatibility
Time Machine works with any drive formatted as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). The drive should be at least twice the size of the data you want to back up, since Time Machine keeps multiple snapshots. For a 256GB MacBook, a 1TB drive is the minimum. For a 1TB MacBook, a 2TB or larger drive gives you room for historical backups.
Capacity Planning: How Much Storage Do You Need?
For Time Machine backups, multiply your Mac’s internal storage by 2.5 to get a comfortable target. For a 512GB MacBook, that means a 1-2TB drive. For video and photo storage, plan for 2-4TB depending on your library size. SSDs above 2TB get expensive quickly, so many users pair a smaller SSD for active projects with a larger HDD for archives.
If you are interested in portable hard drive options, our guide on the 10 best portable external hard drives for backup covers additional HDD-focused recommendations. We also keep an updated list of the best external hard drive deals if you are shopping on a budget.
Rugged vs Standard: Do You Need a Tough Drive?
If your drive lives on a desk and never moves, a standard enclosure is fine. If you travel, shoot photos in the field, or commute with your drive, look for IP65 water/dust resistance (SanDisk Extreme) or drop-rated enclosures (LaCie Rugged). The cost premium is usually 20-30% over a standard drive, and it pays for itself the first time you drop it.
Photographers who need portable storage should also check our guide to the best portable hard drives for photographers for more workflow-specific recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which external hard disk is best for a MacBook?
The Samsung T7 Portable SSD is the best overall external hard drive for MacBook in 2026. It delivers 1,050 MB/s read speeds over USB 3.2 Gen 2, weighs just 2 ounces, and includes both USB-C and USB-A cables. For MacBook Air M1/M2/M3 users who need bus-powered speed, it is hard to beat. If you need more capacity for Time Machine backups, the WD 5TB Elements offers better value per terabyte.
What is the fastest external hard drive for a Mac?
Among the drives in this roundup, the Samsung T7 and SanDisk Extreme both reach up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write speeds over USB 3.2 Gen 2. For Thunderbolt-level performance, you would need a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 SSD, but for most Mac users, USB 3.2 Gen 2 is more than enough. Real-world speeds on a MacBook Pro M3 hit around 980 MB/s for sustained transfers, which is roughly 8x faster than a 5400 RPM HDD.
Is SanDisk or LaCie better?
It depends on your use case. SanDisk makes faster, more compact SSDs with IP65 water and dust resistance, which is great for travel and active workflows. LaCie makes rugged HDDs and SSDs with iconic orange sleeves that prioritize durability and large capacity over pure speed. For a portable SSD Mac workflow with high speed, SanDisk is the better choice. For field backup of large files, LaCie Rugged drives are proven and reliable.
Do I need to format an external hard drive for Mac?
Most external hard drives ship formatted as NTFS for Windows. macOS can read NTFS but cannot write to it without third-party software. To use an external drive for Time Machine or full read/write access on Mac, you need to reformat it to APFS (Mac-only) or exFAT (cross-platform). Open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, and choose your preferred format. The process takes about 30 seconds.
What is the difference between APFS and exFAT?
APFS is Apple’s modern file system, optimized for SSDs and required for Time Machine backups. It supports encryption, snapshots, and advanced features but is read-only on Windows without extra software. exFAT is a cross-platform file system that works on both Mac and Windows without compatibility issues. Use APFS for Mac-only drives and Time Machine. Use exFAT for drives shared between Mac and PC.
Conclusion
Choosing the best external hard drives for Mac in 2026 comes down to matching the drive to your workflow. After three months of testing, the Samsung T7 stands out as the best overall portable SSD, combining speed, compact design, and broad Mac compatibility. The SanDisk Extreme is the right call if you need rugged durability. And for Time Machine backups where capacity matters most, the WD 5TB Elements delivers the best value per terabyte.
If you are still weighing options, our top recommendation is to start with the Samsung T7 1TB for active projects, then add the WD 5TB Elements as a dedicated Time Machine drive. That combination covers most Mac users’ needs without breaking the bank. For a portable hard drive Mac setup that balances speed, capacity, and reliability, this pairing is hard to beat.
Remember to format your new drive to APFS for Mac-only use or exFAT for cross-platform sharing. Enable Time Machine as soon as you plug in your backup drive. And do not wait until your internal SSD is full to buy an external drive. The best time to set up a backup is before you need one.
