External Storage

The WD My Passport is the best portable external HDD for most people — compact, bus-powered, reliable, and available up to 5TB.

The WD Black P40 is the best external gaming SSD for most people — fast USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 speeds, RGB lighting, and broad console compatibility. For rugged portability, the SanDisk Extreme Portable V2 is the better call.

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 is the fastest external SSD you can connect to an M4 Pro or M4 Max Mac, full stop. For most Mac users — M1 through M3 — the OWC Envoy Pro FX or SanDisk Pro-G40 deliver maximum Thunderbolt 3/4 performance at more sensible prices.

The Samsung T9 is the best external SSD for most people — it’s the fastest mainstream USB-C drive available. On a budget, the Crucial X9 Pro delivers near-identical real-world performance for less.

The SanDisk Extreme Portable V2 is the best rugged SSD for most people — proven, IP55-rated, and widely available. For true waterproofing, the CalDigit Tuff Nano+ (IP67) or Samsung T7 Shield (IP65) step things up without breaking the budget.

For most 4K workflows, the SanDisk Pro-G40 hits the sweet spot of speed, ruggedness, and broad compatibility. If you’re on an M4 Pro or M4 Max Mac doing ProRes or RED RAW, the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 is the only drive fast enough to keep up natively.