Buying Guide
The Best External Hard Drives for a MacBook Air
A MacBook Air has only USB-C ports, so the connector and formatting matter as much as capacity. These five fit.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A MacBook Air has limited internal storage and only USB-C ports, so an external drive is the usual answer for backups and large files. This guide covers hard drives, which give the most space for the money.
We checked each listing for USB-C support, Mac formatting, capacity and security features.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best for Mac Out of the Box
WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB
Formatted for Mac with a USB-C connection.
Best for: Time Machine backups
Our take Check price for WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB (opens in a new tab)
Best Rugged USB-C
LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB Portable Hard Drive
Native USB-C with drop, dust and rain resistance.
Best for: Carrying in a bag
Our take Check price for LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB Portable Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Best Encrypted Drive
Seagate One Touch 2TB Portable Hard Drive with Password
Password with hardware encryption.
Best for: Sensitive files
Our take Check price for Seagate One Touch 2TB Portable Hard Drive with Password (opens in a new tab)
Best Drop Rating
LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB Portable Hard Drive
Drops up to 4ft listed.
Best for: Rough travel
Our take Check price for LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB Portable Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Cost per Terabyte
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
Plain 2TB USB 3.0 drive.
Best for: Basic backups with an adapter
Our take Check price for Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for Mac Out of the Box1 of 5
WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
WD's My Passport Ultra for Mac arrives formatted for macOS and connects by USB-C.
Best for
- Time Machine backups
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Seagate Portable 2TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It adds 256-bit AES hardware encryption and the largest capacity here, 5TB. Its 5TB capacity is the largest here; the Rugged USB-C comes next at 2TB. A USB-C (USB 3.1) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the One Touch 2TB uses a USB 3.0 connection.
It also comes with formatting for Mac out of the box, a metal cover and a USB-C connection. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Rugged USB-C.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 5TB
- Connection: USB-C (USB 3.1)
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: Password, 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Pros
- Formatting for Mac out of the box
- Metal cover
- USB-C connection
- Largest capacity of the picks (5TB)
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
Best Rugged USB-C2 of 5
LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB Portable Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The LaCie Rugged USB-C puts a native USB-C connector on a 2TB drive rated against drops, dust and rain.
Best for
- Carrying in a bag
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Seagate Portable 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a MacBook without adapters. The LaCie Rugged shell is built to survive drops, dust and rain, which suits carrying footage between sites. It connects over USB-C and works with USB 3.0 ports on older machines.
It matches the One Touch 2TB, the Rugged Mini and the Seagate Portable 2TB on capacity (2TB). You get a USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible) connection here, which sets it apart from the Seagate Portable 2TB and its a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection. Like the Seagate Portable 2TB, it has a none stated security, while the Rugged Mini uses a password security.
You also get Mac and PC compatibility. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Rugged Mini and the pricier Passport Ultra for Mac, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Connection: USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible)
- Durability claim: Drop, shock, dust and rain resistant
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Native USB-C connection
- Mac and PC compatibility
- Resistance to drops, dust and rain
- USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible) connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
Best Encrypted Drive3 of 5
Seagate One Touch 2TB Portable Hard Drive with Password on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's One Touch adds password-protected hardware encryption and a brushed-metal case to a 2TB hard drive.
Best for
- Sensitive files
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Seagate Portable 2TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its warranty runs two years with Rescue data recovery. On capacity it ties with the Rugged USB-C, the Rugged Mini and the Seagate Portable 2TB at 2TB. No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.0 connection; compare the Rugged Mini, which has a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection.
It also offers scheduled or one-click backups. It connects by USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop such as a MacBook Air needs an adapter or a USB-C cable. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. When we checked, only the Seagate Portable 2TB cost less, and the Rugged Mini cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Connection: USB 3.0
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: Password, hardware encryption
Pros
- Brushed-metal enclosure
- Scheduled or one-click backups
- Two-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
- USB 3.0 connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
Best Drop Rating4 of 5
LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB Portable Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
LaCie's Rugged Mini wraps a 2TB hard drive in a bumper rated for 4ft drops, with dust and water resistance.
Best for
- Rough travel
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Seagate Portable 2TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects by USB 3.0 and needs reformatting for Mac. On capacity it ties with the Rugged USB-C, the One Touch 2TB and the Seagate Portable 2TB at 2TB. Like the Seagate Portable 2TB, it has a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection, while the Passport Ultra for Mac uses a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection.
You get a password security here, which sets it apart from the Seagate Portable 2TB and its a none stated security. It also comes with built-in password protection and a rubber bumper design. It connects by USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop such as a MacBook Air needs an adapter or a USB-C cable.
It ships formatted for Windows, so a Mac user reformats it (exFAT for both systems, APFS for Time Machine). When we checked, only the One Touch 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the Rugged USB-C cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Connection: USB 3.0 (USB-A)
- Durability claim: Drops up to 4ft, dust and water resistant
- Security: Password
Pros
- Drop resistance up to 4ft
- Built-in password protection
- Rubber bumper design
- Password security, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
Lowest Cost per Terabyte5 of 5
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's Portable 2TB is a plain USB 3.0 hard drive with an 18in cable.
Best for
- Basic backups with an adapter
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the Passport Ultra for Mac offers 5TB.
Why we like it
It is the low-cost way to add backup space to any laptop. It matches the Rugged USB-C, the One Touch 2TB and the Rugged Mini on capacity (2TB). It shares a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection with the Rugged Mini; the One Touch 2TB goes with a USB 3.0 connection.
Like the Rugged USB-C, it has a none stated security, while the Rugged Mini uses a password security. It also offers drag-and-drop file saving on Windows and Mac and a low price per terabyte. It connects by USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop such as a MacBook Air needs an adapter or a USB-C cable.
As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the One Touch 2TB was the next step up. If capacity is your priority, the Passport Ultra for Mac (5TB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Connection: USB 3.0 (USB-A)
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- 18in USB 3.0 cable
- Drag-and-drop file saving on Windows and Mac
- Low price per terabyte
- Plain 2TB USB 3.0 drive
Cons
- Capacity trails the Passport Ultra for Mac (5TB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection
- We checked the USB standard and connector each maker names.
- Security and extras
- We checked for password protection, encryption and backup software.
- Durability
- We noted listed drop, water and dust claims.
- Drive type and speed
- We recorded whether each drive is an SSD or hard drive and its read speed.
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive for MacBook Air
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Mac and Windows formatting
Many drives ship formatted for Windows. On a Mac, reformat to APFS for Time Machine, or exFAT to share the drive with a Windows PC.
Match the port
A 1,050MB/s SSD needs USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps); a 2,000MB/s SSD needs Gen 2x2 (20Gbps), which few laptops and no Macs offer. On a slower port the drive simply runs at the port's speed.
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.
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.
How to Choose an External Hard Drive for MacBook Air
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Time Machine backups | Passport Ultra for Mac | Formatted for Mac with a USB-C connection |
| Carrying in a bag | Rugged USB-C | Native USB-C with drop, dust and rain resistance |
| Sensitive files | One Touch 2TB | Password with hardware encryption |
| Rough travel | Rugged Mini | Drops up to 4ft listed |
| Basic backups with an adapter | Seagate Portable 2TB | Plain 2TB USB 3.0 drive |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Connection | Durability claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Ultra for Mac | HDD | 5TB | USB-C (USB 3.1) | Not stated |
| Rugged USB-C | HDD | 2TB | USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible) | Drop, shock, dust and rain resistant |
| One Touch 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
| Rugged Mini | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | Drops up to 4ft, dust and water resistant |
| Seagate Portable 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | Not stated |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Seagate Portable 2TB, One Touch 2TB, Rugged Mini, Rugged USB-C |
| About $250 to $500 | Passport Ultra for Mac |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Does the cable matter?
Yes. Use the included cable or one rated for the drive's speed; a charging-only or USB 2.0 cable limits transfers.
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.
Will these work with PS5 or Xbox?
Consoles can store and play older-generation games from USB drives. Current-generation games usually must run from internal storage; check the console's own rules.
How long do portable drives last?
It depends on use and handling. Check the warranty length as a signal of the maker's confidence, and replace a drive that reports errors.
Bottom Line
The WD My Passport Ultra for Mac is the simplest choice: USB-C, Mac formatting and 5TB. The LaCie Rugged USB-C suits travel, the Seagate One Touch adds encryption, and the Rugged Mini and Seagate Portable need an adapter or USB-C cable but cost less.