Best External SSDs for Mac in 2024: Top 6 Ranked
We tested the fastest and most reliable external SSDs for Mac users — from portable bus-powered drives to Thunderbolt powerhouses. Here's what we recommend.
Quick Comparison
| Rank | Product | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Samsung T9 | 9.3 /10 | From $99 (1TB) |
| #2 | OWC Envoy Pro FX | 9.1 /10 | From $189 (1TB) |
| #3 | WD My Passport SSD | 8.5 /10 | From $59 (1TB) |
| #4 | LaCie Rugged SSD | 8.3 /10 | From $109 (1TB) |
| #5 | Crucial X9 Pro | 8.1 /10 | From $55 (1TB) |
| #6 | Sabrent Rocket Nano V2 | 7.8 /10 | From $45 (1TB) |
Bottom Line
The Samsung T9 is the best overall external SSD for most Mac users; the OWC Envoy Pro FX wins for Thunderbolt speed.
External storage for Macs has never been better — or more confusing. You’re choosing between USB 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, NVMe, and SATA, across price points that range from budget to professional.
We tested 14 external SSDs with an M3 MacBook Pro and an M1 Mac mini, running real-world benchmarks with Blackmagic Disk Speed Test and AJA System Test alongside our own file transfer workflows. Here’s what actually matters — and what doesn’t.
How We Tested
Every drive was tested across:
- Sequential read/write (Blackmagic + AJA)
- Random 4K read/write (AmorphousDiskMark)
- Real-world file transfers: 50GB of mixed media files, 10GB ZIP archive, 4K video project folder
- Thermal throttling: 30-minute sustained read test
- Drop test: 1-meter drop onto concrete
We retested after 30 days of light use to check for any firmware or performance changes.
Interface Guide: Which Port Do You Need?
USB-C / USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps): Most MacBooks since 2016. Tops out around 1,000 MB/s real-world.
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps): The Samsung T9’s sweet spot. Requires a Gen 2x2 port — check your Mac specs. Mac Studio (2022+) has it; most MacBooks don’t.
Thunderbolt 3/4 (40 Gbps): All Macs with Thunderbolt 3/4 ports. Enables drives up to 2,800+ MB/s. More expensive, but the right choice for video editing.
Who Should Buy What
Everyday Mac user (documents, photos, Time Machine backup): WD My Passport SSD at 2TB. You don’t need speed, you need reliability and price.
Creative professional (Final Cut Pro, Lightroom, video editing): OWC Envoy Pro FX. The Thunderbolt speeds are transformative for media workflows.
Field photographer / travel video: LaCie Rugged SSD. The IP54 rating and drop protection are worth the premium when you’re shooting on location.
Best all-rounder for most people: Samsung T9. Fast, durable, well-priced, and includes both cable types. Genuinely hard to beat.
A Note on Time Machine
All drives on this list work with Time Machine, but formatting matters. macOS will prompt you to use APFS (or HFS+) on first connection — say yes. Avoid using ExFAT for Time Machine; it causes incremental backup failures.
For dedicated Time Machine drives, we’d actually recommend an external HDD over an SSD for cost reasons — a 4TB hard drive at $80 stores far more backups than a 1TB SSD at the same price. SSDs shine when you need speed.
Full Rankings
Samsung T9
From $99 (1TB)
Best overall — blazing USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds in a pocketable package.
Pros
- ✓ 2,000 MB/s read speeds
- ✓ Rubberized shock-resistant casing
- ✓ USB-C and USB-A cables included
- ✓ Works natively with macOS
Cons
- ✗ Pricier than T7
- ✗ No Thunderbolt support
- ✗ Requires USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port for max speed
OWC Envoy Pro FX
From $189 (1TB)
Fastest Thunderbolt 3 external SSD — ideal for Final Cut Pro and large asset libraries.
Pros
- ✓ Up to 2,800 MB/s via Thunderbolt 3
- ✓ Bus-powered — no power brick
- ✓ IP67 dust and water resistant
- ✓ Made for Mac by a Mac-focused company
Cons
- ✗ Premium price
- ✗ Only Thunderbolt 3/4/USB-C port
WD My Passport SSD
From $59 (1TB)
Best budget pick — solid speeds, good software, and wide availability.
Pros
- ✓ Affordable entry price
- ✓ Automatic backup software included
- ✓ Password protection with hardware encryption
- ✓ Available up to 4TB
Cons
- ✗ 1,050 MB/s speeds lag behind Samsung T9
- ✗ Plastic casing less rugged
LaCie Rugged SSD
From $109 (1TB)
Best rugged option — IP54 rated, drop-proof, and beloved by video professionals.
Pros
- ✓ IP54 rated (dust and splash proof)
- ✓ Drop-proof from 3 meters
- ✓ Trusted by film crews worldwide
- ✓ Rescue data service included
Cons
- ✗ Premium price for mid-range speeds
- ✗ Orange rubber bumper is love-it-or-hate-it
Crucial X9 Pro
From $55 (1TB)
Best value at 4TB — excellent price-per-GB for large storage needs.
Pros
- ✓ Outstanding 4TB price-per-GB
- ✓ Military-grade drop protection
- ✓ 1,050 MB/s consistent speeds
Cons
- ✗ Slower than Samsung T9 at 1–2TB tier
- ✗ No included USB-A cable
Sabrent Rocket Nano V2
From $45 (1TB)
Smallest drive on the list — barely bigger than a USB stick with SSD performance.
Pros
- ✓ Tiny form factor
- ✓ 800 MB/s — fast for its size
- ✓ Affordable price
Cons
- ✗ No shock protection
- ✗ Runs warm under sustained load
- ✗ Slower than full-size options