Buying Guide
The Best External Drives for Mac Backup
From the T7 2TB to the Rugged SSD4: five external drives ranked on capacity and rated read speed, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For Mac backups, pick a drive large enough for your data several times over. This set runs from the premium end down.
We sorted these picks by drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB
The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB
Sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s.
Best for: Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s.
Our take Check price for Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WD My Passport SSD 2TB
Hardware encryption with a password.
Best for: Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password.
Our take Check price for WD My Passport SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TB
An IP65 rating.
Best for: Buyers who want IP65 rating.
Our take Check price for Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB
The lowest price among these external drives at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s. | Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s. | Check price for Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Hardware encryption with a password. | Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password. | Check price for WD My Passport SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| An IP65 rating. | Buyers who want IP65 rating. | Check price for Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these external drives at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 5
LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
LaCie's Rugged SSD4 uses a 40Gbps USB connection and offers 4,000MB/s reads and 3,800MB/s writes, the fastest figures here.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the T9 2TB offers 2TB.
Why we like it
It is the only 1TB drive in this guide, and it needs a USB4 or Thunderbolt port to reach those speeds. It reads at up to 4,000MB/s over USB 40Gbps and Thunderbolt, and it is IP54-rated with 3-metre drop and 1-ton crush resistance. It suits fieldwork with large video files.
Its 1TB capacity is the smallest in this group; the T9 2TB leads at 2TB. Nothing else here matches its 4,000MB/s rated read speed; the X10 2TB comes closest at 2,100MB/s. It also comes with compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 as well as 5-20Gbps USB and a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the T9 2TB and the rest. The trade-off is capacity; for more, the T9 2TB is rated for 2TB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 4,000MB/s
- Connection: USB 40Gbps (Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 compatible)
- Durability claim: IP54, drops up to 3m, 1-ton pressure
- Security: None stated
Pros
- rated reads up to 4,000MB/s
- 3,800MB/s rated writes
- Compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 as well as 5-20Gbps USB
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
Cons
- Capacity trails the T9 2TB (2TB)
- Costs more than the T7 2TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's T9 lists sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s, and Samsung's Dynamic Thermal Guard is meant to hold that pace through long copies.
Best for
- Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the T7 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Magician software handles firmware updates, health monitoring and optional encryption. On capacity it ties with the My Passport SSD, the X10 2TB and the T7 2TB at 2TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 2,000MB/s: the Rugged SSD4 offers 4,000MB/s, and the T7 2TB comes in at 1,050MB/s.
No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection; compare the X10 2TB, which has a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection. You also get support for iPhone 15 Pro ProRes 4K60 recording. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. When we checked, only the My Passport SSD and cheaper picks cost less, and the Rugged SSD4 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 2,000MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: Encryption via Magician software
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,000MB/s
- Sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s
- Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution for long transfers
- Support for iPhone 15 Pro ProRes 4K60 recording
Cons
- Costs more than the T7 2TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
WD My Passport SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
WD's My Passport SSD pairs 1,050MB/s reads with password-protected hardware encryption.
Best for
- Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the T7 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is rated for 6.5ft drops. It connects over USB-C and includes a USB-A path for older machines. It uses NVMe inside, which is why it reaches 1,050MB/s over USB.
It matches the T9 2TB, the X10 2TB and the T7 2TB on capacity (2TB). It matches the T7 2TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). It is the only pick here with a drops up to 6.5ft durability claim; the T7 2TB has a drops up to 6ft durability claim instead.
It also comes with drop resistance up to 6.5ft and a USB-A adapter for older systems. Its price falls between the X10 2TB and the T9 2TB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 1,050MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter)
- Durability claim: Drops up to 6.5ft
- Security: Password, 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Pros
- Hardware encryption with a password
- Drop resistance up to 6.5ft
- USB-A adapter for older systems
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the Rugged SSD4
Cons
- Costs more than the T7 2TB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The X10 offers 2,100MB/s reads with an IP65 rating and 9.8ft drop resistance.
Best for
- Buyers who want IP65 rating.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the T7 2TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Crucial names PS4, PS5 and Xbox support. Full speed needs a 20Gbps USB port. Registering it adds three months of Mylio Photos+ and Acronis True Image backup software.
Its matte blue shell is compact enough for a pocket. It matches the T9 2TB, the My Passport SSD and the T7 2TB on capacity (2TB). Its 2,100MB/s rated read speed ranks second of 5 here, behind the Rugged SSD4 (4,000MB/s) and ahead of the T7 2TB (1,050MB/s).
You get a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection here, which sets it apart from the T7 2TB and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper T7 2TB and the pricier My Passport SSD, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 2,100MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim: IP65, drops up to 9.8ft
- Security: None stated
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,100MB/s
- IP65 rating
- Drop resistance up to 9.8ft
- PS4, PS5 and Xbox compatibility in the listing
Cons
- Costs more than the T7 2TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 2TB T7 keeps the same aluminum body and 1,050MB/s rating as the 1TB model.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the Rugged SSD4 offers 4,000MB/s.
Why we like it
The extra space suits a larger game library. It matches the T9 2TB, the My Passport SSD and the X10 2TB on capacity (2TB). It matches the My Passport SSD on rated read speed (1,050MB/s).
You get a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection here, which sets it apart from the X10 2TB and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection. No other pick in this guide offers a drops up to 6ft durability claim; compare the My Passport SSD, which has a drops up to 6.5ft durability claim. It also offers PCIe NVMe inside and drop protection up to 6ft.
It undercut the X10 2TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is rated read speed; for more, the Rugged SSD4 offers 4,000MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 1,050MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim: Drops up to 6ft
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Aluminum unibody
- PCIe NVMe inside
- Drop protection up to 6ft
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the Rugged SSD4
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the Rugged SSD4 (4,000MB/s)
How We Chose These External Drives for Mac Backup
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Drive type and speed
- We recorded whether each drive is an SSD or hard drive and its read speed.
- Durability
- We noted listed drop, water and dust claims.
- Security and extras
- We checked for password protection, encryption and backup software.
- Connection
- We checked the USB standard and connector each maker names.
What to Look for in an External Drive for Mac Backup
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Where these picks differ: rated read speed
Among these picks, rated read speed runs from 1,050MB/s on the T7 2TB to 4,000MB/s on the Rugged SSD4. Settle how much you need before comparing prices, since paying for more rarely helps if your use never reaches it.
SSD or hard drive
A portable hard drive gives the most terabytes per dollar and suits backups. A portable SSD is several times faster, lighter and more tolerant of drops, which suits working files and games.
Size for what you store
1TB suits documents and a few games. 2TB or more suits photo libraries, video and large game libraries. Hard drives reach larger sizes for the money.
Drop and water ratings
IP ratings and drop heights are manufacturer claims. They matter for drives that travel in bags; a drive that stays on a desk needs less.
Password and encryption
Hardware encryption with a password protects a drive that could be lost. Software-only encryption depends on an app being available on each computer.
How to Choose an External Drive for Mac Backup
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | Rugged SSD4 | The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s) |
| Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s | T9 2TB | Sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s |
| Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password | My Passport SSD | Hardware encryption with a password |
| Buyers who want IP65 rating | X10 2TB | An IP65 rating |
| Spending as little as possible | T7 2TB | The lowest price among these external drives at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rugged SSD4 | SSD | 1TB | 4,000MB/s | USB 40Gbps (Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 compatible) |
| T9 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 2,000MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 |
| My Passport SSD | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter) |
| X10 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 2,100MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) |
| T7 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on capacity?
The T9 2TB leads at 2TB, ahead of the My Passport SSD at 2TB; the Rugged SSD4 sits at the other end with 1TB.
Which pick costs the least here?
The T7 2TB. It undercut the X10 2TB when we checked, while the Rugged SSD4 cost the most of the group.
Is a portable SSD good for backups?
It works, but a hard drive gives more capacity per dollar for backups. Keep a second copy somewhere else for anything irreplaceable.
Can I run PC games from an external SSD?
Yes. Launchers such as Steam can add a library folder on an external drive. Load times depend on the drive and port; an SSD on a 10Gbps port is far quicker than a hard drive.
Why does my 1TB drive show less space?
Drive makers count 1TB as one trillion bytes; Windows counts in binary units, so it shows about 931GB. No space is missing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Rugged SSD4, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s). Look at the T9 2TB for sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s, the My Passport SSD for hardware encryption with a password and the X10 2TB for an IP65 rating if those matter more to you.
Test a restore once so you know the backup works.