Products at a Glance
How we picked
For this guide, we have looked at several SSDs from different brands and then shortlisted the ones we thought were the best. The SSDs have been selected based on speed, storage capacity, compatibility, and other factors. Further, we are always adding new products to our lists to keep them updated, so you can check back here for new updates.
Product Reviews
- High read/write speeds
- Dynamic thermal guard
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
- Expensive
If you want the best SSD for Mac, then you should check out the SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD, which we think is one of the best external SSDs out there.
To start with, the SSD has two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, so you can expect wider compatibility and greater speeds. To be specific, the drive offers sequential read speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s, which means you should get faster loading speeds, speedy data transfers, and more.
Further, to keep up the optimal performance, the SSD also offers a dynamic thermal guard, which promises to keep your SSD cool even during heavy usage. Plus, for firmware maintenance and file management, you can use the Samsung Magic software.
As far as compatibility goes, the drive is compatible with desktops, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and other devices – so you should not worry about compatibility issues too much. Plus, this SSD also works with the new iPhone 15 series if you use the cable that comes with this drive.
For this list entry, we have selected the 4TB variant, which we think should be suitable for professionals or students who have a lot of data to save. However, depending on your requirements and budget, you can look at 1TB and 2TB models too.
- Decent read/write speeds
- Wide compatibility
- Budget-friendly
- Competitively priced
If you want an SSD for Mac within a reasonable budget, then you should check out the Crucial X9 portable SSD. Much like some of the best budget SSDs, this drive offers great performance without all the bells and whistles.
The Crucial SSD offers read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s, which should translate into faster app launches, faster data transfer speeds, and overall speedier performance.
As far as compatibility goes, the SSD offers plug-and-play compatibility with Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, as well as gaming consoles – so you can expect it to work well with your Apple device. Plus, the SSD comes with a USB Type-C to C cable, so you can plug into all compatible devices.
The model that we have selected here has 1TB of storage space, which should be sufficient for most people. However, you can also check out the 2TB and 4TB variants if your storage requirements are different.
- High read/write speed
- Dual mode compatibility
- IP68 rating
- Expensive
If you want a good quality, high-capacity SSD for MacBook Pro, then you should check out the SanDisk Professional G40 SSD.
The external SSD offers sequential read speeds of up to 3000MB/s and write speeds of up to 2500MB/s, which are some blazing-fast speeds for a portable SSD. Plus, to ensure optimal performance and temperatures, the drive comes with a cool aluminum core that pulls heat away.
As far as compatibility goes, the SSD has a ‘dual mode’ compatibility, which offers both Thunderbolt 3 as well as USB-C. However, the speed differs on both ports – for Thunderbolt 3, it is 40 Gbps, and for USB-C, it is 10 Gbps.
Much like some of the best portable SSDs, this one also comes with an IP68 rating, which makes it water-resistant as well as dust-proof. Plus, it comes with a sturdy enclosure, which should add to its portability.
- Decent read/write speeds
- 1TB storage
- Mac LaCie Toolkit
- Not many extra features
If you want a small-sized, portable SSD for your MacBook, iPad, or other Apple devices, then you should take a look at the LaCie Mobile SSD.
To start with, the LaCie Mobile SSD offers up to 1050 MB/s read and write speed, which should deliver faster data transfer speeds, quicker launches, and overall faster performance. So if you are looking to edit multimedia files right from the drive, you should experience minimal lag.
As far as storage capacity is concerned, the SSD offers 1TB of storage, which should be sufficient for most users.
For file management, folder mirroring, backup, and syncing, you can use the Mac LaCie Toolkit backup software. Plus, if you connect this SSD to your iPad, you can open files on your tablet, which should add some flexibility.
How to pick the best SSD for Mac
Here are a few things you should consider before getting an SSD for Mac
Compatibility
As mentioned earlier, most external SSDs work well with MacBooks and other Apple devices, but we still recommend double-checking before making any purchases. Depending on your specific model, you might have to use adapters or enclosures.
Storage capacity
If you browse through the available options, you will see that there SSDs with varying storage capacities – ranging from 500GB to 4TB and more. The right capacity for you depends on your needs and budgets. You should consider your future storage needs while investing in an SSD.
Speed
Now, most SSDs on this list are external SSDs, which have lower speeds than internal SSDs. Most options here offer up to 3,000 MB/s speed, which is sufficient to speed up app launches, reduce load times, and boost data transfer speeds.
Other features
In addition to the features mentioned above, you can also look for extra features like built-in encryption, dust and water resistance for durability, or software for managing firmware and file transfers.
Our Verdict
If you want the best premium, high-capacity SSD for Mac, then we would recommend getting the Samsung T9 Portable SSD. The drive comes with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for wider compatibility and faster speeds (up to 2,000 MB/s). We have selected the 4TB model for this list, but there are 1TB and 2TB models available. It also has a dynamic thermal guard to keep the SSD cool and Samsung Magic software for firmware maintenance and file management.