Best Wd External Hard Drive For Mac

If you are looking for MAC external hard drive that is portable and very light in weight, Backup Plus Slim is among the best. It comes in 9.6 mm thickness and weighs about 150 gm. This storage solution is available in 3 options: 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB so you can get the one according to your storage needs. WD 4TB My Passport Ultra Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - Black-Gray - WDBFKT0040BGY-WESN (Old Generation) 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,282 $169.79 $ 169. 79 $178.99 $178.99. WD external hard drive prices. Since WD external hard drives are premium data storage devices, you should expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $800 for one. WD external hard drives that cost between $50 and $100 include 1TB to 4TB on average, but be warned that the overall price will continue to rise with each additional TB of memory.

1. Best Mac External Drive
2. External Hard Drive For Mac
3. Best Wd External Hard Drive For Mac Os
4. Wd External Hard Drive Software
5. Best Wd External Hard Drive For Macbook Pro

When you try to store a large amount of data on your computer system, it may begin to hang. Also, speed significantly reduces. The issue arises due to the increasing need for storing photos, videos, music, and documents. There is a solution to this storage issue i.e. 8 TB external hard drives. These drives are the perfect storage solution for large data analytic programs. They are changing the way files and data are stored.

Most of the 8 TB external hard drives offer fast read and write speeds. Hence, there are no worries about the data transfer rate. The secure data backup is another key advantage of using these drives. Moreover, most of them are compatible with both PCs and Macs. It is important to check the brand's reliability before making a purchase. Also, most of them come with enough warranty. Now you can store complicated files and data on your computer system. The following article highlights the details of the best 8 TB external hard drives:

Contents

• List of 10 Best 8TB External Hard Drives Review in 2021:
  • Key features to consider for the best 8 TB external hard drives:

Bestseller 8TB External Hard Drives On Amazon:

List of 10 Best 8TB External Hard Drives Review in 2021:

10. 8TB External Hard Drive – WD Black 8TB D10 Game Drive:

The D10 game drive from WD is a desktop external hard drive. It is compatible with PC, Mac, Xbox One, and PS4. The storage space of 8TB allows you to save and create your gaming console. Moreover, you can make your PC gaming collection with a maximum of 200 games. Keep in mind that the number of games varies depending on file size, programs, formatting, and other aspects.

It comes with a maximum speed of 250 MB/s. The unique feature is it comes with active cooling technology. This technology makes sure the drive does not get warm even during an intense gaming session. There is the inclusion of two USB Type-A ports. These are charging ports that help you to charge your gaming devices and accessories.

Pros:

• Can charge other devices
• Comes with cooling technology
• Reliable and durable

Why We Liked 8TB External Hard Drives?

This game drive allows you to play without limits. It helps to improve the overall desktop performance.

9. Seagate STGG8000400 Game Drive Hub 8TB External Hard Drive:

This Seagate desktop HDD comes with dual USB ports. These ports support fast data transfer. The ample storage space makes sure you can store more than 200 games. There are dual front-facing USB 3.0 ports available. They are helpful to charge your mobile devices, gaming accessories, and controllers. Hence, this drive serves dual purpose i.e. large storage capacity and charging.

There is support for USB 3.0 connectivity. The plug and play convenience makes setup easy and quick. There is no lag in the performance. Moreover, the drive comes with a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer. This drive helps you install new games and delete older ones.

Pros:

• Quick setup
• Can store plenty of games
• Can charge mobile devices

How can i download mac os x yosemite. Why We Liked It?

We liked the ease of setup, within a few minutes. The no-lag performance increases the efficiency of data transfer.

8. Seagate Backup Plus Hub 8TB External Hard Drive:

In this desktop hard drive, there is support for USB 3.0 connectivity. It comes with 2 USB ports. They help to make an easy connection with your desktop, computer, or workstation PC. The storage space is expandable by up to 14 TB. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac. Moreover, this drive can charge your mobile devices. You can easily transfer files from the USB thumb drives and USB camera through the two USB 3.0 ports.

There is the availability of the NTFS driver for Mac. The pack comes with this drive, an 18W power adapter, an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable, and a quick start guide.

Pros:

• Can recharge USB devices
• Comes with a long USB cable
• Expandable storage space

Why We Liked 8TB External Hard Drives?

It helps you to connect and recharge your mobile devices. The storage space is easy to expand as per the need.

7. WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive:

What makes this external HDD from WD unique is it comes with password protection. The hardware encryption makes sure the data storage and access is completely safe. With the help of WD Backup software, this drive allows automatic backup. Moreover, this drive is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. You get 3-year warranty from the manufacturer.

The large storage space allows you to store photos, music, videos, and documents. Furthermore, this drive comes to supports cloud storage import and import from social media. With the help of the WD security software, you can set your password. In this way, the data stays safe.

Pros:

• Supports hardware encryption
• Reliable drive
• Universal connectivity

Why We Liked It?

The data protection is excellent. During storage and access, all files stay safe.

6. LaCie Rugged Raid Shuttle 8TB External Hard Drive:

If you are looking for a portable hard drive then this LaCie drive is a suitable solution. It is a USB 3.0 and USB-C compatible drive. Generally, it is compatible with PC and Mac. The body of this drive is resistant to shock, dust, drop, and water. Hence, you can use this drive for outdoor applications. It is easy to configure this drive with the step-by-step wizard. Hence, the performance of your system optimizes.

The data stays safe against unauthorized access. There is an implementation of the self-encrypting password mechanism. The manufacturer provides 3 years warranty in this drive. The recommended minimum free disk space is 600 MB.

Pros:

• Access to photo and video editing apps
• Easy to configure
• Can storage large movies

Why We Liked It?

The reliability and durability are good. Password protection guarantees safety for data storage and transfer.

5. Seagate (STEB8000100) 8TB External Hard Drives:

When you want to store a very large amount of data for years, this Seagate hard drive is a useful product. It helps you to store a huge amount of music, movies, photos, and more. The drive is compatible with most versions of the Windows operating system. The backup is easy with just drag and drop. Moreover, the process of setup is easy. Simply connect the drive to your Windows PC. This provides automatic recognition; no need for software.

The pack contains a long USB 3.0 cable, an 18W power adapter, and a quick-start guide. A 1-year warranty is included. The power management makes the operation energy-efficient.

Pros:

• Large USB 3.0 cable included
• No need for extra software
• Energy-efficient drive

Why We Liked 8TB External Hard Drives?

The backup process does not need any other tools. Generally, this drive is perfect for the home, office, and use during traveling.

4. WD 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drives:

When you want a hard drive for quick data transfer, this WD drive proves to be useful. Even for a huge amount of data, the transfer speed is high. The plug and play convenience makes sure this drive can be readily used for Windows PCs. The drive includes 2-year warranty from the manufacturer.

There is support for the USB 3.0 interface. It provides reliability and quick data transfer. Moreover, this drive is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices. The storage space is expandable up to 10 TB. It is compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 OS.

Pros:

• Sleek and portable devices
• Quick data transfer
• Broad compatibility

Why We Liked It?

The setup process is easy and fast. The storage and access of data are reliable.

3. Seagate Desktop 8TB External Hard Drive:

To work with PC, Mac, and laptops, this drive comes with a USB 3.0 interface. You can use it at home, office or outdoor places. The huge desktop storage space helps you to store photos, music, movies, and documents. Both for Windows and Mac computers, this drive works flawlessly. The fast drag and drop convenience saves time. When you plug it to your PC, it gets automatically recognized. No need for extra software.

The pack contains an 18W power adapter and a long USB 3.0 cable. Moreover, you benefit from a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer. The performance is efficient during quick data transfer. The support for USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility makes this drive versatile.

Pros:

• Quick transfer rate
• Works with the latest USB 3.0 devices
• Easy to connect and disconnect

Why We Liked 8TB External Hard Drives?

There is no issue regarding compatibility with commonly used operating systems. The setup process is quick and easy.

2. Seagate BarraCuda 8TB Internal Hard Drives HDD:

In this 3.5-inch SATA hard drive, the transfer speed is 6 Gb/s. For use with desktops and PCs, it comes with 256 MB cache. The high reliability makes sure you can store more data and compute speedily. Using this drive, you can create a desktop setup or a powerful gaming computer. It can support various PC applications. Hence, there is support for photo, music, and video editing.

Pros:

• Instant access to data
• Quick game loading speed
• Reliable and durable

Why We Liked It?

Due to high efficiency, it offers quick access to data. The speed of application or game loading is quick.

1. G-Technology 10TB G-DRIVE External Hard Drives:

For all the professionals and gamers, this G-Technology hard drive provides ample storage space. It comes with a USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface and a USB C connector. Hence, the data transfer speed is very high. Moreover, this drive can charge your compatible mobile devices. The charging is supported when you access and backup files. The pack contains a USB-C to USB-C cable as well as a USB-C to USB-A cable.

Pros:

• Sleek and portable design
• The aluminum enclosure offers durability
• Easy access to stored content

Why We Liked 10TB External Hard Drive?

We are pleased with the high storage capacity in a compact size. The storage and access to the content are easy and quick.

Key features to consider for the best 8 TB external hard drives:

With so many options in the market, the below features help you to easily choose the best 8 TB external hard drives:

Connectivity:

The connectivity determines how versatile and useful the drive will be. In most 8 TB external hard drives, the primary connection is the USB 3.0. Moreover, they come with a backward connection of USB 2.0. In many of the modern 8 TB hard drives, you may find support for the USB C. Before making a purchase, you need to find out the type of connection that your drive needs.

Based on the USB port present in your computer, the data transfer rate of the hard drive can vary. Generally, USB 3.0 is faster than the USB 2.0 port. With the help of a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interface, it is easy to establish a connection.

Speed:

The most important aspect just like the storage space is speed. Your investment in a hard drive is useless if it cannot support quick data transfer. Make sure you take a look at the complete specifications that include the data transfer speed. The maximum read and write speeds are important to check. The higher the speed, the more data it can transfer to your system.

Many of these drives are compatible with the high-speed USB 3.0 ports. This makes sure the data transfer rate is very high. In an 8 TB hard drive from a reliable manufacturer, you can find the data transfer speed around 6 Gb/s.

Setup:

The process of setup must be easy and quick. You must know the setup requirements and compatibility of the drive with your machine. For example, certain 8 TB hard drives usually install automatically. Hence, there is no need to install any software. In case it requires software to install then find out the type of software needed. Many of the 8 TB hard drives need reformatting to work with Mac or other operating systems.

Security features:

To ensure safe data transfer, it is important to check the security features. Many 8TB hard drives come with password protection. Hardware encryption ensures security. This makes sure the process of storage and access to data is completely safe.

Concluding Note:

The 8 TB hard drives prevent your computers from hanging and increase their performance. To store a huge amount of data, these drives are useful.

For those who chose a MacBook over an ordinary laptop must be short for some storage space, right? Well, upgrading storage space through apple is as costly as purchasing a new laptop. In this case, an external hard drive is less expensive and beneficial for storage requirements.

You can switch your external hard drive from a Mac to a pc which makes data transfer for two different OS easier. Furthermore, external hard disks are less likely to get corrupted and are portable in nature.

Macbooks generally have SSDs which are capable of loading a program quickly but more likely to low on storage.

Furthermore, SSDs are quite costly and upgrading an SSD on a Macbook is definitely costlier than you could even imagine. An external hard drive is best for storing data such as photos, videos, movies, rendered projects and more.

Contents

• 1 Best External Hard Drives for MacBook in 2021
  • 1.3 3. Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
  • 1.4 4. Western Digital My Book (8 TB)
  • 1.5 5. Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt
  • 1.6 6. G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
  • 1.7 7. Adata SD700 External SSD
  • 1.8 8. LaCie Rugged USB-C
  • 1.9 9. Samsung X5 (1TB)
  • 1.10 10. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC external hard drive
• 2 What things to consider while buying External Hard Drive For Mac?
• 3 External Hard Drive Vs SSD: Which one is good for MacBook Pro?

Best External Hard Drives for MacBook in 2021

Although choosing an external hard drive is a complicated process but we have made a list of 10 best external hard drives for Mac that you should consider before your final decision.

1. Samsung Portable SSD T5

Starting off Samsung Portable SSD T5 which is an outstanding storage device, it can reach up to a speed of 550 MB per second for data transfer which is amazing. You can directly plug it into a USB-C port or USB-A port.

It contains no moving parts therefore chances of getting damaged due to mishandling are less. Even though SSD is costlier than a hard drive, the speed it offers is commendable. You will notice a significant boost in the overall performance while doing stuff that requires you to load large files and programs.

Overall, the SSD is fantastic but only if you can spare a few more bucks than your actual budget. You can get the SSD ranging from 250 GB to 2 TB from Amazon with some additional discounts.

2. Western Digital My Passport 4TB external hard drive

Western Digital My Passport 4TB external hard drive is the newest generation of external hard disks and is available in capacities from 1 TB to up to 4 TB. It offers cloud storage and 256-AES encryption alongside WD's software for backups.

The data transfer speeds won't disappoint you and the drive offers speed similar to what an SSD provides. If you are looking for a drive with good data transfer rate and maximum storage, consider Western Digital My Passport 4TB as a choice.

3. Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)

If you are looking for a reliable, portable, and affordable hard disk, Seagate backup plus slim is the thing you should have a look at. It supports Windows and Mac both and perfect for storing your essential data right away.

With the Seagate dashboard backup system, you can schedule backups and never lose your important files anymore. Backup automation can be set for daily, monthly, weekly or your desired time-frequency.

Also Check:

Alongside, Seagate also provides a two-month membership for adobe creative cloud photography plan and a one-year subscription to Mylio create to manage your photo library.

• Affordable price
• Metal body
• Supports USB 3.0
• Comes with an automation backup software

• Doesn't support USB 3.0 cables

4. Western Digital My Book (8 TB)

This Hard disk is probably for creators and organizations that require a lot of storage for various purposes. Faster data transmission rate will let you transfer data in the meantime, all thanks to USB 3.0 support.

It also offers 256 AES encryption for securing your data and makes sure your personal data is secured in the storage device. Even though it meets the requirements of a regular user, the only thing where Western Digital My Book (8 TB) lacks is portability.

Therefore, if you are looking for a hard disk for work purposes and if portability is not an issue, Western Digital My Book (8 TB) is definitely the right choice.

• High storage
• Data encryption
• Compatible with the time machine

• Requires power source to work
• Not portable

5. Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt

Buffalo MiniStation thunderbolt offers data transmission at a speed of twice of what USB 3.0 offers. You can enjoy this feature if your device has a thunderbolt port. Another good thing about Buffalo MiniStation thunderbolt is its price. It is affordable and portable.

Best Mac External Drive

• Also Check: 10 Best Cooling Pads For MacBook Pro Reviewed

However, it is a hard drive, not a solid-state, therefore, the data transmission will definitely be high but the overall performance of your pc will remain unchanged. Lastly, if you don't have a thunderbolt port in your pc, you can use the traditional USB 3.0 port.

• USB 3.0 port
• Affordable
• Formatted for Mac

• Not a Solid State drive

6. G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)

With the new products, Apple is on its way to completely shift to USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports but there are still some people who are using old hardware and for them, G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB) is going to work like a charm.

The body of the HDD is made up of metal which makes it durable and strong against accidents such as dropping off the drive on the floor or whatnot. It runs at a speed of 7200 RPM and can transfer data at a rate of 195 MB/s which is efficient for transferring music, videos and software.

• Metallic body for durability
• High data transmission rate
• USB 3.0

• Should be reformatted for Windows OS

7. Adata SD700 External SSD

Logic remote mac. Adata SD700 is an affordable External SSD which is IP68 rated which certainly makes it a water-resistant storage device. The overall performance of this SSD is commendable and as per our research, Adata SD700 External SSD is the only SSD with an IP68 rating.

You can expect faster transfer rates and better booting speed if you are planning to install an OS on the SSD. Don't worry about the storage space as it is available in 1 TB capacity also. The maximum read and write speed is up to 440 MB/S, all thanks to the USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface.

• Lightweight and portable
• Shock resistant
• Supports Android, Mac, and Windows
• 3 years of Warranty

• Mac users must format it to FAT32 to use this product

8. LaCie Rugged USB-C

Lacie rugged USB-C hard disk can be distinguished easily because of its unique rubber casing that makes sure your hard drive doesn't get damaged when it drops from up to 1.3 m height. It can withstand rain, dust and can even survive 1-ton pressure. This is certainly the best choice for content creators.

Alongside hard disk, you will also get access to a one-month subscription to Adobe creative cloud all apps plan. The company also provides 3 years of warranty for the device and will also help you to restore the data if lost.

Also Check:

In terms of speed, Lacie rugged USB-C hard disk is not very fast as it provides only 120 MB/s which is comparatively lesser than the HDDs mentioned in this listicle. However, there are various variants available for this hard disk on Amazon.

• Durability
• Affordable
• Resistant to water

• Lesser data transmission speed

9. Samsung X5 (1TB)

Samsung never disappoints with its amazing hardware capabilities. With Samsung X5, you can transfer data at a rate of 2,300 MB/s which is the fastest speed an SSD can provide you. The build quality is super amazing as it is made up of metal, making it stronger than storage disks that are made up of plastic bodies.

The shock-resistant capability can save up your drive from a fall of 2 meters. Alongside this, it comes with Thunderbolt 3 technology that is ideal for faster data transfer of up to 40 GB per second which is unbelievable. You can take full advantage of this SSD on your MacBook or Macbook pro without having to format anything.

• High data transmission rate
• Supports thunderbolt 3
• Shock-resistant up to 2 meters

• Heats up really quick
• Comparatively expensive than the other disks

10. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC external hard drive

In terms of flexibility, Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC external hard drive is really good as it supports both Mac and windows out of the box. The disk doesn't get damaged due to dust and water which is again a positive point.

It encrypts the user data at 256 bit AES security which additionally makes everything on the drive, secure. Overall, it is a great drive for Mac owners as well as windows owners too.

• Secure for handling user data
• Protects from water and dust

External Hard Drive For Mac

• Low-speed data transfer

What things to consider while buying External Hard Drive For Mac?

So those were some of the best external hard disk drive solutions for Mac. However, you must be confused about which external HDD to choose. But not to worry, let me just point some of the key factors that you need to consider while buying an external hard drive:

1. Storage

One of the first and the most important thing that you need to consider is the storage space of your external HDD. As you already know that Macbook does not come with a huge space. Hence, you better choose something which offers you enough space to store all your files.

For many users, 1 TB of space should be good enough. But if you need to store a huge number of files and save them for a longer period of time, then getting 2TB of HDD would be an ideal choice.

Best Wd External Hard Drive For Mac Os

Apart from 1TB and 2TB of storage options, you can also consider getting huge storage options like 4TB. But for a day to day work, 4TB of HDD does not help much. Also, they are quite expensive.

2. Transfer speed

After the storing capacity, transfer speed is the second most important thing that you have to consider. You don't want to get an external hard disk drive for Mac, which takes too long to copy files. Instead, you need something that can get the job done as quickly as possible.

So the first thing that you must do is avoid USB 2.0 powered external HDD. As they are outdated and not fast enough. Instead, you should get an external HDD with USB 3.0, 3.1 Gen 1 or USB 3.2 Gen 1. All of these are capable of offering an exceptional transfer speed. On the other hand, I would like to recoomend you to buy the best external SSD for Mac that offers good transfer speed.

3. Compatibility

The next thing you need to check its compatibility. External HDD formatted for Windows 10 may have connectivity issues with Mac OS and vise versa. So since you are using a Mac powered machine, I would recommend you to get an external HDD with Mac OS compatibility.

Although there is no need to focus on the compatibility part way too much. Since you can always format your external HDD using a Windows Computer with exFat Format. So you can easily use the HDD with your Macbook. But yes, if you get a pre compatible external hard disk drive then it saves you from extra work and headaches that you have to face.

4. Security

If you are someone who takes security really seriously, then you must look for security features. Most of the manufacturers do ship security software and backup software. So you can easily encrypt your drive or take a backup of it. Even, if you don't consider the encryption feature, the backup feature is something that you must and should consider.

Even to make sure your HDD stays safe, they use strong casing from physical damage. So you can consider getting such external hard disk drives that save you from every side.

External Hard Drive Vs SSD: Which one is good for MacBook Pro?

Whenever it comes to a primary storage solution for computers, HDD and SSD's are the only solutions we have. However, in the last couple of years, the usage of HDD has dropped drastically, and people are not moving to SSD's for better performance.

But there are quite a lot of users who are still unaware of the difference between a hard disk drive and a solid state drive or SSD.

However, not to worry, let me just draw a quick difference between both and help you to understand better.

1. Storage Capacity

HDD's are a great option if you want something for storage. HDD's are available in a wide range of storage capacities from 500GB to 12 TB. Even, for enterprise uses, you will find a large capacity of HDDs.

SSDs are also available with large capacities. However, when it comes to the costs of an SSD and an HDD, SSDs are quite expensive. Hence, if your main goal is to store a huge amount of data, HDD is an ideal choice.

2. Speed

Whenever it comes to speed, SSDs are a better option. Since a hard disk drive uses a round plate with a layer of magnetic material. And the data is stored on this magnetic layer only. So the disk spins and the magnetic head is used for reading and writing data.

Wd External Hard Drive Software

Also, the speed that the disk spins is measured in RPM. And on average, an HDD has about 5,400 RPM, and it will have a read/write speeds of around 100 MB/s.

However, when it comes to SSD's, there are no moving parts. As a result, it offers you a much faster data transfer rate. On average, it offers you around 550 MB/s and 520 MB/s of data transfer rate.

3. Reliability & Durability

There are quite a lot of factors that determine the lifespan of drivers. However, you should know that an SSD can sustain a limited number of write cycles compared to HDD which has no read/write limits.

But you should know that SSD has a write cycle limit between 3000 and 10,000 which is a high number. So it would not be a problem for you.

Also, SSD's are lesser affected by any sort of damages compared to HDD. Since there are no moving parts in SSD, they tend to survive more. While HDD's might stop working if it encounters any physical damage.

Best Wd External Hard Drive For Macbook Pro

3. Cost

Finally, let's talk about pricing. Well, if you look at the cost of both HDD and SSD, you would happily pick up an HDD. Why? Because SSD's are expensive. When you choose an HDD, you will get a large amount of capacity for a lesser price. But on the other hand, if you choose an SSD, it would cost you 3-5x of an HDD price.

In the end, the conclusion is HDD's are a better option when it comes to storing data. Of course, SSD's are faster and more reliable. But they do come with a high price. But on the other hand, if you take care of your HDD in a good manner, it will offer you great performance for years.

Wrapping it up:

So, these were the 10 best external hard drives for Macbook Air and Pro. Every disk mentioned in this article has its own pros and cons, we have tried our best to list out the good and bad in every product. For Mac users, external SSD can be really helpful for storing content and transferring it to a different place.