With the gradual use of your computer, the need may arise to expand its storage space. The increasing data storage needs make the built-in storage space insufficient for many users. To benefit from a very large storage space, you can go for the 5 TB external hard drives. If you are looking for a hard drive with storage space more than 4 TB, and at an affordable rate then 5 TB hard drives are the suitable options.
Even though Mac computers are capable of reading hard drives that are formatted for Windows, if you intend on using your external HDD as a bootable disk or want to use it to backup files with your Mac’s Time Machine, you must format it to be entirely Mac compatible. 10 best external hard drives 2020: store all of your data with ease. The best external hard drives are right here, so you can get the extra digital storage space you need. Windows and Mac.
The 5 TB external hard drives allow you to prepare a timely backup of data. Moreover, they can work as a portable storage solution. This allows it to easily transfer data between the devices. In addition to PCs, these drives can be used with gaming consoles. It is possible to store plenty of games and other applications. Whether you want to improve the performance of your desktop or your gaming performance, the 5 TB storage space is very much useful. Get to know more about the best 5 TB external hard drives:
Contents
To find your best external hard drive for Mac, you’ll want to decide how quickly you want to save and retrieve data. Consider how you’ll be saving and transferring files, such as photos, videos, files from tablets, files from PC laptops, or photos from top-rated cell phones.Drive speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm), based on how fast the drive can spin. For Mac users: G-Technology Portable External Hard Drive 2TB From the sleek design to the pre-formatting, this terabyte-sized drive is perfect for Mac users who need a little extra space and offers the transfer rate up to 140MB/s for accessing all your files.
- List of 10 Best 5TB External Hard Drives Review in 2020:
- Key features to consider for the best 5 TB external hard drives:
List of 10 Best 5TB External Hard Drives Review in 2020:
Key features to consider for the best 5 TB external hard drives:
The buying decision for the best 5 TB external hard drives becomes easy if you keep in mind the below-discussed features:
Speed:
Your money spent on a 5 TB hard drive is useless if it takes more time for data transfer. Therefore, make sure the data transfer rate is very high. It is important to choose the drive equipped with the fast sequential read and write speeds. Generally, the higher the speed, the more data the drive can transfer in less time.
Many of the typical 5 TB hard drives are rated at 5,400 RPM. However, there are some faster models available on the market. In most cases, the 5,400 RPM is enough speed for most applications. However, if there is a need for quick downloads, then choose a faster drive. The higher the speed, the more would be the price. In many of the 5 TB hard drives, you may find speed up to 5 Gb/s.
Compatibility:
In recent times, computers can come with various combinations of hardware and OS. Hence, hard drive compatibility is an important aspect to consider before making a purchase. On the basis of the USB port presents your computer you may find different data transfer speeds.
Your selected drive must be compatible with the operating system of your computer. Whether you are running Windows, Mac, or Linux, the drive must be compatible. Make sure to research before purchasing. Most of the 5 TB hard drives are compatible with the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interfaces. You need to check the ports present on your system and also check the compatibility of the drive with the ports.
Portability:
Depending on the needs, you may need to carry your external hard drive at different places. Therefore, portability and sleek design are important features to consider. In the below list, you will find many 5 TB hard drives with lightweight and portable design. Due to the compact size, it becomes easy to transport. Moreover, a thin and lightweight drive can easily fit in a backpack or purse or laptop bag.
10. LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive:
Those who are looking for a lightweight and portable HDD with large storage space, this product is useful. It supports USB 3.0 interface. The compatibility is excellent for use with most operating systems. For example, it can quickly connect to Windows and Mac computers. Moreover, the body of this drive is resistant to shock, dust, drop, and rain. There is the inclusion of a reversible USB C cable. With the help of this cable, it is easy to connect the drive to your computer system.
You will benefit from a quick USB C file transfer at 5 Gb/s speed. This speed is enough for transferring a huge amount of data. The process of backups and image browsing is quick. It is easy to access the photo and video editing applications. The included 2-year warranty from the manufacturer gives peace of mind. It makes sure the data transfer and storage are safe. Being compatible with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB-C, this drive is easy to connect
Pros:
- Rugged construction for durability
- Lightweight and portable design
- Easy and quick setup
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?
This drive can work in any environmental condition. Moreover, it provides easy and reliable backups.
9. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive:
One more external hard drive from LaCie in this list, this drive comes with many advanced features. It is a portable HDD with a USB 3.0 compatibility. The body of this drive is protected against dust, water, drop, and shock. Generally, this drive works well with desktops and workstation laptops. It is easy to transfer the high-speed file.
In this Thunderbolt hard drive, there is support for the USB C interface. It can support a maximum speed of 130MB/s with the included Thunderbolt cable. This cable easily encloses around the enclosure. So, it does not occupy extra space.
Pros:
- Blazing-fast data transfer
- Comes with a long cable
- Durable construction
Why We Liked It?
We liked the rugged construction of this drive. Moreover, it is portable for use anywhere.
8. WD Black 5TB P10 Game Drive:
Designed especially for the gamers, this game drive improves gaming and desktop performance. It is a portable HDD with broad compatibility. It can seamlessly work with Mac, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Within the available storage space, you can store up to 125 games. Hence, you can easily save all your favorite games and still get space for storing new games.
The durable and portable form factor makes sure it is useful anywhere. You can easily fit it in your pocket or bag. The access to your gaming library is quick. This drive features good reliability for long-lasting use.
Pros:
- Suitable for gamers and professionals
- Can store a large number of games
- Compatible with latest game titles
Why We Liked It?
We liked the boost in overall gaming performance. For quick data transfer, this drive comes handy.
7. Seagate STHP5000400 Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drives:
When you want to backup data from your PC, Mac, or laptop, this Seagate drive is handy. It comes equipped with the USB 3.0 interface. This interface provides broad compatibility to this drive. The drive can work successfully with Mac and Windows OS. The classic black design appears beautiful. One great feature is the backup is customizable.
Along with the purchase, you get a subscription to Mylio Create. This app helps you to arrange photos in the life calendar. Moreover, it supports editing and sharing on multiple devices. The pack contains an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and a quick-start guide.
Pros:
- All necessary tools included
- Customizable backup
- Fast data transfer rate
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?
To store a huge amount of photos, videos, games, and apps, this drive is useful. The included cable makes connection easy.
6. WD 5TB My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drives:
Now you can keep the digital data safe with this My Passport hard drive. It comes with password protection. Moreover, the256-bit AES hardware encryption offers more security of the data. You only need to set and make your password with the help of WD Discovery. WD designs this drive to work with USB-A and USB-C ports.
To ensure the security of data, it comes with password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. This encryption makes sure all your data stays safe. No security hassles during storage and transfer. The drive comes with Western Digital Discovery software. It provides daily backup and drive management. You can start using the drive right out of the box.
Pros:
- Comes with password protection
- The easy file transfer process
- Future-proof backup structure
Why We Liked It?
We liked its ability to protect your digital content. You can easily backup large data.
5. WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drives:
With the help of automatic backup, it is easy to store and access your data. This external hard drive fulfills this need. It makes sure all your photos, music, videos, and documents stay safe and easily accessible. In this My Passport drive, you will get access to WD Backup software. This software runs automatically to ensure data protection. With the help of this software, this drive offers password protection and easy backup.
Discussing the compatibility, this drive can work with USB 2.0 and superspeed USB port. Moreover, it is compatible with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. To use it with other operating systems, you need reformatting. A 3-year warranty from the manufacturer is included. You can set your desired password with the help of WD Discovery.
Pros:
- Includes hardware encryption
- Seamless backup and sharing
- The slim form factor for portability
Why We Liked It?
This external hard drive can easily import, arrange, and share the data. The process of backup is easy and quick.
4. WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drives:
The WD SN750 NVMe hard drive offers first-class performance for games. It is a suitable choice for those who want to upgrade their PC. One of the best things is that it comes with portability and lightweight design. The body of this drive is shock-resistant. Moreover, this drive comes with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility. This drive can work with Windows 7. 8.1, and 10.
When you want to improve the overall performance of your PC, this drive is useful. It comes with 2 years of warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros:
- Enough space for games
- Works with all Windows OS
- Lightweight and sleek design
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drive?
There is no need to delete old files on your PC or gaming console. For typical use or gaming, this drive is useful.
3. Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drives HDD:
Now you can easily store and access around 5 TB of data on the go with the help of this Seagate hard drive. It is famous for its compact size and portability. There is support for the USB 3.0 interface. Generally, this drive is useful for Mac, Xbox, PC, and PS4. The process of backup is quick –just drag and drop. To complete the setup, you need to connect this drive to a PC. Hence, recognition is automatic. No need for extra software.
It comes with easy plug and play convenience. The included USB 3.0 cable is 18 inches long. Hence, the setup is easy. With this drive, you get a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros:
- Easy to move files to the gaming console
- Comes with a long USB 3.0 cable
- Easy-to-follow instructions
Why We Liked It?
We admire the straightforward setup process. It is easy to connect and disconnect.
2. Seagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive:
This portable hard disk drive is presented in a beautiful silver color. It is compatible with laptop, PC, and Mac. Now you can easily store and access 5 TB of images and files. There are no problems with Windows and Mac OS. The design shows a brushed metal enclosure. It gives a beautiful appearance.
To use it, just plug in through the USB 3.0. As a result, backup is easy with one click. The backup is completed automatically daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Pros:
- Reliable and durable
- Beautiful appearance
- Backup is customizable
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?
It is durable and beautiful looking hard drove. You can schedule backup as per your preference.
1. WD 5TB My Passport Ultra 5TB External Hard Drives:
This WD My Passport hard drive is USB-C Ready and USB 3.0 compatible. To ensure data security, it comes with password protection. Moreover, there is support for the 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The modern design shows a metal cover. This cover protects against external elements. The included USB 3.0 adapter makes this drive compatible with older computers.
Pros:
- Quick and easy storage
- Password protected
- Compatible with old computer systems
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drive?
We liked the durability and beautiful design. Password protection ensures more data security.
Concluding Note:
These 5 TB external hard drives improve the performance of your desktop. The backup is quick, easy, and reliable. Here are the good related products to recommend to you more here:
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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 10 Best External Hard Drives for MacBook in 2020
- 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?
10 Best External Hard Drives for MacBook in 2020
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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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
- 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.
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
Best External Hard Drives For Mac
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 encryption feature, 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 like 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 costing of an SSD and an HDD, SSDs are quite expensive. Hence, if your main goal is to store 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.
Also, the speed that the disk spins is measured in RPM. And on an 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.
Best External Drive For Mac
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.
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.