Including high-speed plug-in storage capability to your laptop is very easy it’s one thing each Mac consumer ought to contemplate. Listed here are a few of the finest consumer-oriented exterior SSDs which can be designed for portability. Even higher: many of those are on sale.
We did hands-in testing for almost all of those — search for hyperlinks to our opinions.
Finest exterior SSDs for Mac or iPad in 2025
Apple prices an arm and a leg for added built-in storage capability. Configuring a MacBook Air with an extra 256GB prices a whopping $200, as an example. An exterior SSD it’s much more reasonably priced — you may add terabytes of storage for that very same quantity.
True, the plug-in accent isn’t fairly as handy, however it’s shut. And it’s the higher possibility for Time Machine backups as a result of you may go away the drive at dwelling the place it’s not in danger.
To make a “better of” listing in 2025, any moveable SSD has to incorporate USB-C. Which means you need to use it with a number of Macs but additionally your iPad and possibly even your iPhone.
Plus, take into consideration the longer term. While you change to a more moderen laptop in a few years, the moveable SSD you purchase now continues to be helpful. Constructed-in storage goes with the Mac.
Desk of contents: Finest exterior SSDs for Mac or iPad in 2025
Samsung T9
Picture: Samsung
One of the best exterior SSD I’ve examined is the Samsung T9. The solid-state drive is sufficiently small and difficult sufficient to go virtually anyplace. And it’s accessible in capacities as much as 4 terabytes.
It’s 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.6 inches, and coated in a layer of rubber. That permits it to outlive drops as much as 9.8 ft (3 meters), and it’s a lot much less slick than aluminum.
For Mac or iPad customers, the exterior SSD helps USB 3.2 Gen 2 over its USB-C port. Utilizing this customary, it gives speeds of as much as 10 Gb/s.
Don’t miss my Samsung T9 evaluate, and likewise don’t miss the Amazon sale on the accent occurring now, with reductions as much as 32%.
Purchase it on sale:
Kingston XS1000 or XS2000
Picture: Kingston
Two extra of one of the best SSDs in the marketplace are the Kingston XS1000 and XS2000. Every is concerning the dimension of pack of gum.
The XS1000 holds as much as 2 terabytes of information, and is 2.75 inches by 1.3 inches by 0.5 inches. It has a plastic exterior, and Kingston makes no guarantees about drop survivability. The Cult of Mac evaluate goes into extra element.
Purchase it on sale:
The Kingston XS2000 is available in capacities as much as 4TB. It’s about the identical dimension as its sister mannequin, however comes bundled with a detachable sleeve for drop safety.
The 1TB model is $99.99, and a few capacities are presently on sale.
Purchase it from: Amazon
On both model, the USB-C port helps USB 3.2 Gen 2, so Mac and iPad customers can transfer information at as much as 1,050 MB/s learn and 1,000 MB/s write.
PNY Professional Elite V3
Picture: PNY
PNY isn’t a family identify, however its Professional Elite V3 is nonetheless among the best moveable SSD choices in the marketplace. We completely examined it for our evaluate, and the rugged drive got here throught with flying colours. Its built-in USB-C port helps you to plug it straight into your Mac or iPad. Plus, it’s smaller than anything on this listing, and the worth is wonderful! It’s laborious to beat small, low cost and dependable.
Purchase it now — on sale:
Kingston DataTraveler Max
Picture: Kingston
Those that want a bit much less storage capability would possibly admire the Kingston DataTraveler Max. It’s one of many bodily smaller possibility on this “Finest SSD” listing, and one of some with a built-in USB-C connector so it plugs immediately right into a Mac or iPad, no cable vital.
It tops out at 1TB of capability, and gives USB 3.2 Gen 2.
There’s a Cult of Mac evaluate of the Kingston DataTraveler Max.
Purchase it now at a reduction:
Samsung T5 EVO
Picture: Samsung
A few of the finest SSDs high out at 2TB of storage, however the that’s the place the Samsung T5 EVO begins. It goes as much as 8TB.
The chassis is 3.7 inches by 1.6 inches, and a hoop is built-in into the design so the accent could be simply clipped to a backpack.
The drive isn’t the quickest on the listing, although. It helps USB 3.2 Gen 1 so it could actually switch information at as much as 5Gbps.
The Samsung T5 EVO is on sale now, with reductions as much as 23%.
Purchase it now:
Notice on USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
The Samsung T9 and the Kingston’s XS2000 help USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which implies they’ll switch information at as much as 20 Gb/s . Nevertheless, Macs and iPads don’t presently help the usual. Apple’s focus is extra on Thunderbolt, which is as much as twice as quick.
As a result of Apple customers get no advantages from USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, it’s not highlighted on this listing. But it surely’s price a point out for anybody who’ll use both of the drives with a Home windows PC that does help it.
