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Reformatting erases the drive, so back up first.
This guide is built from Amazon product listings and maker specs, not our own testing, so confirm compatibility, capacity and current price on each product page.
Prices are approximate and were shown on Amazon.com on November 1, 2026; check the current price.
Last updated: November 1, 2026.
Quick Picks
| Product | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB | Mac-formatted portable HDD | Mac users |
| LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB (AES Encryption) | Rugged portable HDD | Mac users |
| SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD (up to 2000MB/s) | Portable SSD | Mac users |
| Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive | Portable HDD, USB 3.0 | Mac users |
| WD My Passport for Mac 5TB | Mac-formatted portable HDD | Mac users |
| Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB | Portable SSD (up to 1,050MB/s) | Mac users |
Our Picks
1. WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB
A WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB (mac-formatted portable hdd), per the listing. It showed at about $295 on Amazon.com on November 1, 2026.
Good for: Mac users. Watch out: Higher price.
2. LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB (AES Encryption)
A LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB (AES Encryption) (rugged portable hdd), per the listing. It showed at about $150 on Amazon.com on November 1, 2026.
Good for: Mac users. Watch out: Check cable and port.
3. SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD (up to 2000MB/s)
A SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD (up to 2000MB/s) (portable ssd), per the listing. It showed at about $239 on Amazon.com on November 1, 2026.
Good for: Mac users. Watch out: Check port speed.
4. Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive
A Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive (portable hdd, usb 3.0), per the listing. It showed at about $190 on Amazon.com on November 1, 2026.
Good for: Mac users. Watch out: Slow compared with an SSD.
5. WD My Passport for Mac 5TB
A WD My Passport for Mac 5TB (mac-formatted portable hdd), per the listing. It showed at about $249 on Amazon.com on November 1, 2026.
Good for: Mac users. Watch out: Check Mac format and port.
6. Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB
A Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB (portable ssd (up to 1,050mb/s)), per the listing. It showed at about $400 on Amazon.com on November 1, 2026.
Good for: Mac users. Watch out: SSD is pricier per TB than HDD.
How to Choose
HDD vs SSD
Hard drives cost less per terabyte; SSDs are faster and tougher.
Capacity
Pick 2TB to 5TB for backups and media.
Format
Windows drives may need reformatting for Mac. Back up before reformatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do hard drives last?
Often several years; replace and back up regularly.
Do I need external power?
Portable drives use USB power; desktop drives need an adapter.
Is one backup enough?
No. Keep another copy.
Bottom Line
For Mac, choose a Mac-formatted drive or reformat to APFS or exFAT.
More Storage Guides
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- Best Shockproof and Waterproof Portable Drives
- Best Photo Backup Drives for Photographers
- Best Portable SSDs for Video Editors
- Best Hardware-Encrypted Portable Drives
- Best Hard Drives for NAS and Home Servers
- Best Hard Drives for DVRs and NVRs
- Best 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drives for PCs