SSDs (Solid State Drives) used to be the most expensive hard drives on the market and while they’re still more expensive than mechanical HDDs, they’re a lot cheaper than they used to be.
The SATA internal hard drives in all new Macs use SSD technology because unlike mechanical drives, SSDs have no moving parts meaning they’re far faster, quieter, more efficient and durable.
This is because instead of using spinning platters to save data like HDDs, SSDs use NAND memory chips instead.
This also makes them much faster as the average SSD can write at up to 1050MB/s, although real-life speeds are usually a touch below this.
This is almost 10 times faster than external mechanical HDD drives that write at around 115MB/s.
The best Thunderbolt external drives work even faster than this with speeds of over 3000MB/s possible with Thunderbolt 4 and even 6000MB/s with Thunderbolt 5 drives (although good luck finding a T5 drive).
Apart from speed, SSDs are much smaller, lighter and more portable than HDDs.
But which one should you go for? Which SSDs work best with macOS? Which ones work best with Apple Silicon Macs?
Here we’ve done the hard work for you and reviewed the best external SSDs for Mac of 2025.
Table of Contents
1. SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD
The SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD came out top in our tests thanks to its blistering Thunderbolt driven speed and incredible lightweight portability.
Although Thunderbolt SSDs are always a bit more expensive, the SanDisk Pro G40 doesn’t cost much more than the other SSDs and is definitely good value for the incredible transfer speeds it offers.
Because it’s able to fully utilize Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports on Macs, you can enjoy read-write transfer speeds of at least 2500MB/s which is more than twice as fast as most non-Thunderbolt SSDs featured here.
We found that it achieved Write speeds of 2640 MB/s and Read speeds of 2747 MB/s via Thunderbolt 4 on an M3 MacBook Pro which is pretty outstanding.
With these speeds, its firmly aimed at creative users such as video editors and graphic designers that transfer several GB of data regularly.
In our testing, it managed to transfer 20GB of data from our Mac in just 1 minute and 39 seconds as you can see here.
The SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD is surprisingly durable too with an IP68 rating for water resistance and drop resistant up to 3 meters according to SanDisk.
It’s available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB versions with the biggest version costing around $499.99.
The SanDisk Pro G40 also offers an excellent alternative to the much more expensive Samsung X5 which used to the best Thunderbolt drive out there but is now discontinued.
For more on this incredibly zippy SSD, you can check-out our full SanDisk Pro G-40 review.
Pros:
- Supports Thunderbolt for incredibly fast transfer speeds of around 2500MB/s
- IP68 rated with impressive durability
- Also works with any USB-C port on other computers
- Cheaper alternative to the discontinued Samsung X5
Cons:
- Price
2. Orico Mini Mate
Orico are a relatively new entrant into the external hard drive market but have impressed us with the quality and value of their drives.
The Orico Mini Mate is designed to complement to latest M4 Mac Mini as it stacks perfectly on top of one.
However, it can be used with any model of Mac as it connects to Thunderbolt ports and can support read speeds of up to 30Gbps in our tests.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes from 512GB up to 8TB with prices starting as low as $99.99 making it one of the cheapest Thunderbolt drives we’ve used.
The Mini Mate has a slick aluminum casing that fits the Apple aesthetic and although it can run hot with prolonged use, looks great with any Mac.
Check out our full Orico Mini Mate review for a closer look at this value for money SSD drive.
Pros:
- Supports Thunderbolt for read speeds of up to 3000MB/s
- Also works with any USB-C port on other computers
- Value for money
Cons:
- Can get hot with intense use
- Fan noise
3. Orico K20
When we first tested the Orico K20, we didn’t know what to expect but what we discovered was an excellent value SSD drive that magnetically sticks to your Mac or iPhone.
For those that want a storage solution that you can switch between macOS and iOS, the Orico K20 is about as convenient and portable as it gets.
It’s almost half the size of any external hard drive we’ve tested, easily fitting into the palm of your hand.
Its standout feature is the magnetic base, allowing it to securely attach to metal surfaces like the back of a laptop or the edge of a desk.
It connects to your Mac’s thunderbolt port via a short USB-C cable.
It’s available in storage capacities ranging from 512GB to 2TB and uses USB 3.2 Gen 2 for fast data transfer speeds of around 900MB/s in our tests.
There’s no additional software to install and it’s ideal for those looking for a cost effective, fuss-free, high-speed external storage solution.
Check out our full Orico K20 review for more.
Pros:
- Magnetically attaches to Macs and iPhones
- Very small
- Fast transfer speeds of around 900MB/s
- Slick design
Cons:
- Very short cable
- No IP rating for dust and water resistance
4. Samsung T9 Portable SSD
If you don’t have the budget for a Thunderbolt SSD then the Samsung T9 Portable SSD is the next best thing thanks to fast USB 3.2 Gen 2.2 read-write speeds, portability and reliability.
The Samsung T9 is incredibly small at just 3.46 x 2.36 x 0.55 inches and weighs just 4.3 ounces so it’s small enough to take anywhere.
Although it’s capable of up to read/write speeds of 2000MB/s, it doesn’t support Thunderbolt so Mac Mac users will only get speeds of around half this for reasons explained here.
The Samsung T9 Portable has a shock cover although it’s not marketed as shock resistant and if this is important to you, check out Samsung’s T7 shield portable below.
One clever feature of the T9 is that if it detects that the drive is getting too hot, it slows down transfer to reduce the risk of damage to the drive and preserve the lifetime of it.
You can also format the Samsung T9 in multiple formats and partitions so for example, you could have half the drive formatted in APFS and the other half in exFAT.
The only downside is the Samsung software that comes with it which you don’t have to use but is supposed to help you manage the disk more easily but Samsung are often slow to update it for new versions of macOS.
If you’re looking for incredibly fast transfer speeds, the latest in SSD technology, portability and durability, the Samsung T9 is the best Mac SSD for all round performance and value for money.
Pros:
- Best non-Thunderbolt SSD
- 1TB, 2TB and 4TB available
- Allows you to partition the drive
- Manages heat to prevent damage to the drive
- Compact
- Reliable
Cons:
- Samsung drive software can be unstable on Macs
5. Samsung T7 Shield Portable (47% off)
The Samsung T7 Shield Portable (note that there is no T9 Shield Portable) is a tougher, more rugged version of the older Samsung T7 Portable (which is basically a slower version of the T9) with a stronger rubber sleeve for outdoor use.
It’s a bit cheaper than the standard Samsung T7 Portable and is a better option if you’re going to be on the move a lot, particularly outdoors such as doing photography or filming video.
Samsung claim that the T7 Portable can withstand being dropped from a height of 3 meters and it is IP65 rated for dust and water resistance.
It’s available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB versions and like the standard version, can be used with the Samsung Portable SSD app to password protect and encrypt the drive.
It has a USB-C port and cable but also includes a USB-A adapter for connecting to older Macs.
The dimensions of the Samsung T7 Shield Portable are slightly bigger than the standard T7 model but it still fits into a coat pocket or backpack easily.
With a USB-C connection connected to your Mac, you should get read-write speeds above 1000MB/s with the Samsung T7 Shield Portable which makes transferring files back and forth extremely quick.
You can currently get 47% off the 2TB version too making it a steal for an SSD drive this durable.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Water and dust resistant
- Drop resistant up to 3 meters
- The most portable SSD drive we’ve seen
- Available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB
- USB-A connection for older Macs too
Cons:
- Samsung drive software can be unstable on Macs
6. VectoTech Rapid 8TB External SSD
While most external SSDs have a maximum of 4TB space, the VectoTech Rapid External SSD offers an 8TB model for those that need extra storage space.
It has a USB-C port although because it only supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, the maximum transfer speed is a bit slow at 540MB/s for an SSD but if this is not an issue for you, the extra storage space is a huge plus.
The other big plus is that VectoTech’s SSD doesn’t require an external power supply as it’s powered by the USB-C port.
The aluminum casing is surprisingly durable with drop resistance up to around 1.8 meters (6 feet) and doesn’t get hot to the touch.
Like most SSDs, it’s also incredibly quiet with no moving parts inside like you get with HDDs.
Finally the drive works out of the box with Macs as it’s formatted in exFAT format so you can start transferring files or use Time Machine to back-up immediately.
Pros:
- 8TB of storage available
- No external power supply needed
- Durable and reliable performance
Cons:
- Relatively slow transfer speed for an SSD
- Price
7. WD My Passport For Mac SSD Portable
WD are one of the biggest brands in the external hard drive market and it’s no surprise the WD My Passport SSD Portable is one of the best SSD external drives specifically for Mac.
The WD My Passport For Mac SSD is the solid state drive version of the incredibly popular WD My Passport For Mac HDD which is the slower mechanical version of this drive.
One thing we like about WD is that they work straight out of the box with Macs so there’s no need to format them first. Just plug it in and Time Machine will start backing-up right away
WD claim the drive is capable of read speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of 1000MB/s although in reality, you’ll get a little under this when using it with a Mac via USB-C.
The drive is also drop resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m) and is cross compatible with USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C (USB-A for older ports).
It also has a USB Micro-B port and comes with two cables: USB-A to USB Micro-B and USB-C to USB Micro-B.
Since Macs have Thunderbolt-3 which uses a type-C port, it works perfectly well with Macs although you won’t quite the speeds of a dedicated Thunderbolt connection.
If you want a reliable, fast and durable drive that works out of the box with Macs, the WD My Passport SSD is one of the best SSDs you can get.
Pros:
- Reliable
- AES-256 encryption
- 3 year warranty
- Up to 4TB storage capacity
Cons:
- WD backup software
Comparison Table
| Drive Model | Storage Capacities | Interface | Max Read Speed | Max Write Speed | Durability | Price Range |
|---|
| SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | Thunder-bolt 3, USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Up to 3000 MB/s | Up to 2500 MB/s | IP68 water/dust resistance, 3m drop protection, 4000lb crush resistance | High |
| Orico Mini Mate | 512GB to 8TB | Thunder-bolt 3 | Up to 3000 MB/s | Up to 3000 MB/s | Aluminum casing, designed to comple-ment the Mac Mini | Medium |
| Orico K20 | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Up to 900 MB/s | Up to 900 MB/s | Magnetic base for attachment to devices, compact design | Medium |
| Samsung T9 Portable SSD | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | Up to 2000 MB/s | Up to 2000 MB/s | Shock-resistant internal frame | Medium |
| Samsung T7 Shield Portable | 1TB, 2TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Up to 1050 MB/s | Up to 1000 MB/s | IP65 water/dust resistance, shock-resistant | Medium |
| VectoTech Rapid 8TB External SSD | 8TB | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | Up to 540 MB/s | Up to 540 MB/s | Durable aluminum casing | High |
| WD My Passport for Mac SSD Portable | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Up to 1050 MB/s | Up to 1000 MB/s | Shock-resistant, 256-bit AES hardware encryption | Medium |
Thunderbolt vs USB-C
If speed is your main concern, we strongly recommend going with an SSD that supports Thunderbolt.
If you use a Thunderbolt compatible SSD, you”ll get speeds of up to 2500Mb/s which is twice as fast as most USB-C SSDs are capable of.
The reason is because most SSDs only support USB 3.2 Gen 2 connections which Macs can’t fully utilize.
The result of this is that although many SSDs are advertised as achieving read/write speeds of up to 1050MB/s (or even 2000 MB/s with USB Gen 2.2 connections), Macs can only use half of this.
Bear in mind though that drives that support Thunderbolt are more expensive.
For more on this, check out our guide the best Thunderbolt drives for Mac.
Formatting SSDs For Macs
Most SSDs come pre-formatted and ready for use with Macs, but some are set up exclusively for Windows.
Starting with macOS High Sierra, Apple transitioned from the older HFS+ format to the Apple File System (APFS), which is compatible across both macOS and iOS devices.
While external drives formatted in HFS+ are still supported by the latest macOS versions, using APFS offers enhanced security and better integration with iOS devices. If your SSD will only be used with a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, either HFS+ or APFS will work well.
However, if you need to transfer files between a Windows PC and a Mac, you’ll need to format the drive using the exFAT file system, as neither HFS+ nor APFS is compatible with Windows.
You can find out more about how to do this in our look at how to reformat external drives for Macs.
External SSD Downsides
- Cost: The main disadvantage of SSDs vs standard HDDs is the price as you pay more for less storage space. SSDs are usually at least twice as expensive as mechanical drives. For example, whereas the mechanical WD My Passport For Mac HDD 5TB drive costs just over $100, the WD MyPassport 2TB SSD Drive costs almost $300 for less than half the capacity. If you buy one with a Thunderbolt connection, then they cost even more.
- Capacity: External SSDs also have less capacity and usually only go up to a maximum of around 4TB whereas you can find external HDDs of 18TB or even more.However, there are some drives such as the VectoTech Rapid External SSD that go up to 8TB.
- Lifespan: In terms of durability, although SSDs are far more durable and last longer than mechanical HDD drives, the memory cells in SSDs eventually age and die although you should get at least 5 years of usage out of one and probably much more. This is because Solid State Disks have a maximum number of writes or “endurance” which is referred to as TBW (terabytes written) and is typically 65 to 150 TBW.
FAQ
Why should I use an external SSD instead of an HDD for my Mac?
External SSDs are significantly faster than traditional HDDs, providing quicker file transfers, better performance for video editing, and improved responsiveness when running macOS or applications from an external drive. They are also more durable since they lack moving parts.
Which external SSD is the fastest for a Mac?
The SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 is one of the fastest options, offering speeds up to 3000 MB/s read and 2500 MB/s write, thanks to its Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 support. The Orico MiniMate also achieves similar speeds at a lower cost. The fastest SSD drives support Thunderbolt and we reccommend checking our look at the best Thunderbolt drives for Mac for more choices.
Are all external SSDs compatible with Macs?
Most SSDs work with Macs, but some may require reformatting to APFS or Mac OS Extended (HFS+) for full macOS compatibility. Drives like the WD My Passport for Mac SSD come pre-formatted for macOS.
What’s the best external SSD for video editing on a Mac?
For professional video editing, Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 SSDs, such as the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 or Orico Mini Mate, provide the best performance. Their high read/write speeds can handle large 4K or 8K video files almost as if you were editing on your Mac hard drive.
Which external SSD is the most durable?
The Samsung T7 Shield and SanDisk Pro-G40 offer IP-rated water and dust resistance, as well as shock resistance, making them ideal for rugged use.
What’s the best high-capacity external SSD for Macs?
The VectoTech Rapid 8TB SSD offers the highest storage capacity, making it a good choice for professionals handling large files, such as video editors and photographers.
Do these SSDs work with Apple’s M-series Macs?
Yes, all listed these SSDs are compatible with M1, M2, M3 and M4 Macs, but Thunderbolt-based drives like the SanDisk Pro-G40 will deliver the best performance on newer Macs.
What’s the best budget-friendly external SSD for Mac?
The Orico K20 and Samsung T7 Shield offer a good balance of affordability and performance. The Samsung T7 Shield is frequently on offer with discounts of up to 50% too.
Can You Use an External SSD as a Boot Drive?
All of the drives reviewed here can be used as a boot disk with your Mac although the faster the better for using as a boot disk.
Most Mac users buy an external drive for extra storage space but some people want one to boot their Mac from.
This is because using an external SSD as your Mac’s boot drive will make your Mac faster, especially if you’re using an older Intel Mac.
You can read more in our guide on how to create an external boot drive for a Mac.
Do These SSDs Work With iPads and iPhones too?
All SSDs work with iPad and iPhones as they can be formatted in the APFS format which works on both macOS and iOS.