The Best External Hard Drives and SSDs for Mac in 2020 Looking to add storage, or for a smart way to back up your Mac? Here's what you need to know, along with our top-rated Apple-friendly drives. If you want to make use of your Mac's Thunderbolt port, then this is the best external hard drive for Macs. It provides twice the speeds of standard USB 3.0 drives.

1. External Drive For Mac
2. External Hard Drive For Mac
3. Best Mac Compatible External Hard Drive
4. Best External Hard Drives For Mac

With the gradual use of your computer, the need may arise to expand its storage space. The increasing data storage needs make the built-in storage space insufficient for many users. To benefit from a very large storage space, you can go for the 5 TB external hard drives. If you are looking for a hard drive with storage space more than 4 TB, and at an affordable rate then 5 TB hard drives are the suitable options.

The 5 TB external hard drives allow you to prepare a timely backup of data. Moreover, they can work as a portable storage solution. This allows it to easily transfer data between the devices. In addition to PCs, these drives can be used with gaming consoles. It is possible to store plenty of games and other applications. Whether you want to improve the performance of your desktop or your gaming performance, the 5 TB storage space is very much useful. Get to know more about the best 5 TB external hard drives:

Contents

• List of 10 Best 5TB External Hard Drives Review in 2020:
  • Key features to consider for the best 5 TB external hard drives:

List of 10 Best 5TB External Hard Drives Review in 2020:

10. LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive:

Those who are looking for a lightweight and portable HDD with large storage space, this product is useful. It supports USB 3.0 interface. The compatibility is excellent for use with most operating systems. For example, it can quickly connect to Windows and Mac computers. Moreover, the body of this drive is resistant to shock, dust, drop, and rain. There is the inclusion of a reversible USB C cable. With the help of this cable, it is easy to connect the drive to your computer system.

You will benefit from a quick USB C file transfer at 5 Gb/s speed. This speed is enough for transferring a huge amount of data. The process of backups and image browsing is quick. It is easy to access the photo and video editing applications. The included 2-year warranty from the manufacturer gives peace of mind. It makes sure the data transfer and storage are safe. Being compatible with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB-C, this drive is easy to connect

Pros:

• Rugged construction for durability
• Lightweight and portable design
• Easy and quick setup

External Drive For Mac

Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?

This drive can work in any environmental condition. Moreover, it provides easy and reliable backups.

9. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive:

One more external hard drive from LaCie in this list, this drive comes with many advanced features. It is a portable HDD with a USB 3.0 compatibility. The body of this drive is protected against dust, water, drop, and shock. Generally, this drive works well with desktops and workstation laptops. It is easy to transfer the high-speed file.

In this Thunderbolt hard drive, there is support for the USB C interface. It can support a maximum speed of 130MB/s with the included Thunderbolt cable. This cable easily encloses around the enclosure. So, it does not occupy extra space.

Pros:

• Blazing-fast data transfer
• Comes with a long cable
• Durable construction

Why We Liked It?

We liked the rugged construction of this drive. Moreover, it is portable for use anywhere.

8. WD Black 5TB P10 Game Drive:

Designed especially for the gamers, this game drive improves gaming and desktop performance. It is a portable HDD with broad compatibility. It can seamlessly work with Mac, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Within the available storage space, you can store up to 125 games. Hence, you can easily save all your favorite games and still get space for storing new games.

The durable and portable form factor makes sure it is useful anywhere. You can easily fit it in your pocket or bag. The access to your gaming library is quick. This drive features good reliability for long-lasting use.

Pros:

• Suitable for gamers and professionals
• Can store a large number of games
• Compatible with latest game titles

Why We Liked It?

We liked the boost in overall gaming performance. For quick data transfer, this drive comes handy.

7. Seagate STHP5000400 Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drives:

When you want to backup data from your PC, Mac, or laptop, this Seagate drive is handy. It comes equipped with the USB 3.0 interface. This interface provides broad compatibility to this drive. The drive can work successfully with Mac and Windows OS. The classic black design appears beautiful. One great feature is the backup is customizable.

Along with the purchase, you get a subscription to Mylio Create. This app helps you to arrange photos in the life calendar. Moreover, it supports editing and sharing on multiple devices. The pack contains an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and a quick-start guide.

Pros:

• All necessary tools included
• Customizable backup
• Fast data transfer rate

Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?

To store a huge amount of photos, videos, games, and apps, this drive is useful. The included cable makes connection easy.

6. WD 5TB My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drives:

Now you can keep the digital data safe with this My Passport hard drive. It comes with password protection. Moreover, the256-bit AES hardware encryption offers more security of the data. You only need to set and make your password with the help of WD Discovery. WD designs this drive to work with USB-A and USB-C ports.

To ensure the security of data, it comes with password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. This encryption makes sure all your data stays safe. No security hassles during storage and transfer. The drive comes with Western Digital Discovery software. It provides daily backup and drive management. You can start using the drive right out of the box.

Pros:

• Comes with password protection
• The easy file transfer process
• Future-proof backup structure

Why We Liked It?

We liked its ability to protect your digital content. You can easily backup large data.

5. WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drives:

With the help of automatic backup, it is easy to store and access your data. This external hard drive fulfills this need. It makes sure all your photos, music, videos, and documents stay safe and easily accessible. In this My Passport drive, you will get access to WD Backup software. This software runs automatically to ensure data protection. With the help of this software, this drive offers password protection and easy backup.

Discussing the compatibility, this drive can work with USB 2.0 and superspeed USB port. Moreover, it is compatible with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. To use it with other operating systems, you need reformatting. A 3-year warranty from the manufacturer is included. You can set your desired password with the help of WD Discovery.

Pros:

• Includes hardware encryption
• Seamless backup and sharing
• The slim form factor for portability

Why We Liked It?

This external hard drive can easily import, arrange, and share the data. The process of backup is easy and quick.

4. WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drives:

The WD SN750 NVMe hard drive offers first-class performance for games. It is a suitable choice for those who want to upgrade their PC. One of the best things is that it comes with portability and lightweight design. The body of this drive is shock-resistant. Moreover, this drive comes with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility. This drive can work with Windows 7. 8.1, and 10.

When you want to improve the overall performance of your PC, this drive is useful. It comes with 2 years of warranty from the manufacturer.

Pros:

• Enough space for games
• Works with all Windows OS
• Lightweight and sleek design

Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drive?

There is no need to delete old files on your PC or gaming console. For typical use or gaming, this drive is useful.

3. Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drives HDD:

Now you can easily store and access around 5 TB of data on the go with the help of this Seagate hard drive. It is famous for its compact size and portability. There is support for the USB 3.0 interface. Generally, this drive is useful for Mac, Xbox, PC, and PS4. The process of backup is quick –just drag and drop. To complete the setup, you need to connect this drive to a PC. Hence, recognition is automatic. No need for extra software.

It comes with easy plug and play convenience. The included USB 3.0 cable is 18 inches long. Hence, the setup is easy. With this drive, you get a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.

Pros:

• Easy to move files to the gaming console
• Comes with a long USB 3.0 cable
• Easy-to-follow instructions

Why We Liked It?

We admire the straightforward setup process. It is easy to connect and disconnect.

2. Seagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive:

This portable hard disk drive is presented in a beautiful silver color. It is compatible with laptop, PC, and Mac. Now you can easily store and access 5 TB of images and files. There are no problems with Windows and Mac OS. The design shows a brushed metal enclosure. It gives a beautiful appearance.

To use it, just plug in through the USB 3.0. As a result, backup is easy with one click. The backup is completed automatically daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

Pros:

• Reliable and durable
• Beautiful appearance
• Backup is customizable

Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?

It is durable and beautiful looking hard drove. You can schedule backup as per your preference.

1. WD 5TB My Passport Ultra 5TB External Hard Drives:

This WD My Passport hard drive is USB-C Ready and USB 3.0 compatible. To ensure data security, it comes with password protection. Moreover, there is support for the 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The modern design shows a metal cover. This cover protects against external elements. The included USB 3.0 adapter makes this drive compatible with older computers.

Pros:

• Quick and easy storage
• Password protected
• Compatible with old computer systems

Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drive?

We liked the durability and beautiful design. Password protection ensures more data security.

What is the best 5tb external hard drive?

The best 5RB external hard drive works with most computer systems out there. It compatible with different brands and is also easy to install and use. It won’t need the installation of any specials software or programs. Also, no tweaking is necessary and it comes in Plug & play. To find a good choice, you need to look at the top brands that enjoy good credibility in the market. You’ll also realize that they will have been in the scene for quite some time and enjoy positive comments from content customers. Here, we are talking about the likes of Samsung, Adata, Buffalo, Seagate, LaCie, and WD.

When looking for this external hard drive, prospective buyers want to increase the storage as well as a performance of their computer systems. This unit offers a decent capacity to handle lots of data, music files, videos, games, graphic files, and much more. And by picking the best, you are more certain of reliability, longevity, and maximum contentment.

How much does a 5tb hard drive hold?

A 5TB unit can hold quite a lot. In fact, it’s more than enough for everyday use and will take some time for you to reach the capacity. A 5TB HDD holds 5000 gigabytes. The true utility space will be about 4.5TB, which is still large. Here we are talking about holding as many as 125 large games or even more if they are small. Also, it will accommodate as many as 1,000 DVD images; about 100-110 Bluray dips, and also HD videos lasting for as many as 2,000 hours. This applies to the normal format. If you compress the files, then the number greatly increases.

Thanks to its large capacity, it’s a top pick for intense gamers, graphic designs, music and video productions, and other memory-intense applications. One unit will be able to serve you for a decent period before depleting the available space.

What is the best external hard drive?

When talking about the best external hard drive, there are some things that need to be well thought about. One, we focus on the storage capacity which is simply the amount of data or information the unit can hold. Nowadays, we talk about Terabytes or simply TB, and the higher the value the more stare space available. A 4TB unit is larger than a 2TB options, and a 5TB HDD is bigger than a 4TB.

Two, we look at the transfer speed and the aim is to get the fastest available. It will be less prone to lag, freezing, and also supports faster uploads and downloads. Three, people want a unit that comes with the latest security features as this offers more surety in relation to the safety of the data and contents. Portability, compatibility, durability, and extra features are also important to look at.

Key features to consider for the best 5 TB external hard drives:

The buying decision for the best 5 TB external hard drives becomes easy if you keep in mind the below-discussed features:

Speed:

Your money spent on a 5 TB hard drive is useless if it takes more time for data transfer. Therefore, make sure the data transfer rate is very high. It is important to choose the drive equipped with the fast sequential read and write speeds. Generally, the higher the speed, the more data the drive can transfer in less time.

Many of the typical 5 TB hard drives are rated at 5,400 RPM. However, there are some faster models available on the market. In most cases, the 5,400 RPM is enough speed for most applications. However, if there is a need for quick downloads, then choose a faster drive. The higher the speed, the more would be the price. In many of the 5 TB hard drives, you may find speed up to 5 Gb/s.

Compatibility:

In recent times, computers can come with various combinations of hardware and OS. Hence, hard drive compatibility is an important aspect to consider before making a purchase. On the basis of the USB port presents your computer you may find different data transfer speeds.

Your selected drive must be compatible with the operating system of your computer. Whether you are running Windows, Mac, or Linux, the drive must be compatible. Make sure to research before purchasing. Most of the 5 TB hard drives are compatible with the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interfaces. You need to check the ports present on your system and also check the compatibility of the drive with the ports.

Portability:

Depending on the needs, you may need to carry your external hard drive at different places. Therefore, portability and sleek design are important features to consider. In the below list, you will find many 5 TB hard drives with lightweight and portable design. Due to the compact size, it becomes easy to transport. Moreover, a thin and lightweight drive can easily fit in a backpack or purse or laptop bag.

Concluding Note:

These 5 TB external hard drives improve the performance of your desktop. The backup is quick, easy, and reliable. Here are the good related products to recommend to you more here:

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.

External Hard Drive For Mac

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.

– 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?

Best Mac Compatible External Hard Drive

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

Best External Hard Drives For Mac

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

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.

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