Thunderbolt 3 offers a connection with state-of-the-art speed and versatility. Delivering twice the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 2, it consolidates data transfer, video output, and charging into a single compact connector. Drop 1 5 25. And with the integration of USB-C, convenience is added to the speed of Thunderbolt to create a truly universal port.
Supports up to four 4K displays or up to two 6K displays1
- Booting from an NVMe SSD inside a Thunderbolt PCIe enclosure can breathe new life into an older Mac and make a Thunderbolt 3 Mac soar. But not every enclosure or adapter will work.
- Avolusion SSDTB900-PRO Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Portable SSD External Enclosure Case (for M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD, Turn Internal PCIe SSD to External SSD, SSD Not Included.) Compatible with Mac Pro & MBP 5.0 out of 5 stars 16.
Softraid 5 1 (a) download free. Connect new and existing devices
Blackmagic eGPU and eGPU Pro. More power to every pixel.
Samsung Portable SSD X5. Samsung Portable X5 SSD is the best Thunderbolt 3 solid-state drive for.
Blackmagic Design has created two external GPUs (eGPUs) ideal for your Thunderbolt 3–enabled Mac.2 So you can have desktop-class graphics performance without giving up the portability of a notebook. Housed in an all-in-one aluminum enclosure, Blackmagic eGPUs are powerful yet quiet, charge your Mac using Thunderbolt 3, and have built-in I/O connections to drive both a Thunderbolt 3 display and VR accessories simultaneously. Choose the Blackmagic eGPU to accelerate pro apps and enjoy supersmooth gaming or the Blackmagic eGPU Pro for the ultimate workstation-class graphics performance for your pro app workflows and VR content creation.
Buy Blackmagic eGPU
Buy Blackmagic eGPU Pro
Buy Blackmagic eGPU Pro
Transferring data at speeds of up to 40Gb/s, which is two times faster than Thunderbolt 2 and eight times faster than USB 3, Thunderbolt 3 delivers the fastest connection to any dock, display, or device. You can also daisy-chain up to six Thunderbolt devices through a single port without needing a hub or a switch. So connecting a storage device to your computer, and then a display to your storage device, works as it’s meant to — with powerful throughput.8
Less than one minute to copy 25,000 photos
6K resolution. 20.4 million pixels.
One remarkable cable.
Thunderbolt 3 provides twice the display bandwidth of Thunderbolt 2, enabling your Mac to support up to four 4K displays or up to two 6K displays.1 Which means that with two Thunderbolt controllers in the 16-inch MacBook Pro, you can send graphics to dual 6K displays for the perfect high-resolution photo and video editing setup. Thunderbolt 3 connects to DisplayPort displays and monitors with a cable, while supporting HDMI and VGA displays with the use of an adapter.
With Thunderbolt 3, a single USB-C port can deliver power in both directions. So a port can charge a device or, alternatively, be charged by one. And it’s capable of delivering up to 100 watts of power, so a single cable can be used to connect to a dock or display and charge your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air simultaneously.
Up to 15W for
bus-powered devices
bus-powered devices
Up to 15W for bus-powered devices
Compatible with your existing devices.
Thunderbolt 3 with USB-C technology is a truly universal connection. With the help of an adapter or cable, you can connect just about any of your devices, including your existing Thunderbolt 2 devices.
Displays
Plug into displays using HDMI, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort, or Thunderbolt.
iOS Devices
Connect to iOS devices like iPhone and iPad.
Accessories
Use peripherals compatible with USB‑A, SD, Micro‑B, and Mini‑B.
Performance
Connect external graphics processors like the Blackmagic eGPU and external hard drives for extra storage.
The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac Pro, iMac, and Mac mini are fully compatible with your existing devices and displays. Use the chart below to find out which adapter or cable you’ll need to connect to the ports on all your favorite devices.
Shop adaptersConnect to your Thunderbolt 3–enabled Mac using
Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
USB-C
USB-A
Lightning
Micro-B
Mini-B
Ethernet
HDMI
Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter or
USB-C to HDMI adapter
USB-C to HDMI adapter
DisplayPort
VGA
Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter or
USB-C to VGA adapter
USB-C to VGA adapter
SD
DVI
Get the accessories, cables, and adapters you need.
Equipped with Thunderbolt 3, your Mac is ready to connect to a broad ecosystem of devices.
Shop all Mac accessoriesWe all love saving tons of photos, videos, and even movies on our laptops. So the default in-built storage on a MacBook can quickly run out, especially if you’ve been using it for a while. That’s why it’s handy to get an external drive too on which you can easily transfer all your big files. This will ensure your computer always has sufficient space. So without further delay, let’s go ahead and find out the best external SSDs for Mac.
#1. SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable External SSD
Enjoy seamless transfers with this USB C SSD that gives up to 550MB/s read speeds. This external SSD for Mac is rugged and resistant to both water and dust with an IP55 rating.
Along with being compact and pocket-sized, it’s also durable and shock-proof. So your data can stay safe during minor falls or drops. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty. You can choose from varied capacities from 250 GB to 1 TB, according to your needs.
Pros
- Water and dust resistant
- Shock-proof
- 4 storage capacities available
- Good price
Cons
- Slower read/write speeds
Price: $329.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#2. Samsung X5 Portable SSD 2TB – Thunderbolt 3
Best Thunderbolt 3 Ssd Enclosure
Take your storage to the next level with this SSD. Designed with Thunderbolt 3 ports, the X5 is made for busy professionals who want to render high-resolution content quickly. Its thermal management and password protection features ensure safety and security.
Further, it offers impressive read/write speeds of 2,800/2,300 MB/s. So you can transfer a 20GB 4K UHD video from your computer to the SSD in as little as 12 seconds, depending on your system configurations. The innovative design is inspired by supercars!
Pros
- Thermal management
- Impressive read/write speeds
- 3 storage capacities available
- Sleek look
Cons
- Expensive
Price: $699.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#3. Seagate STJD1000400 1Tb Solid State Drive
This high-speed, portable solid-state drive is perfect for streaming stored videos directly to your Macbook. It’s an excellent choice for backing up your data on the go.
Moreover, its a mini USB 3.0 SSD with a lightweight, minimalist design that’s convenient to carry every day Finally, you can enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included three-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Multiple storage capacities available
- Good price
Cons
- No USB C – you’ll need a separate adaptor
Price: $144.99 for 1TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#4. LaCie Water Resistant Rugged 2TB SSD
For those who want ultimate protection on their external SSD for Mac, this rugged one can withstand the pressures of life! It can survive a 3-meter drop and a two-ton car crash. Moreover, it is IP67-rated dust water-resistant.
You can take advantage of a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe creative cloud apps when you get this drive. Further, it comes with a 5-year limited protection plan so you can have long-term peace of mind about it’s functionality.
Pros
- Drop protection
- Multiple storage capacities available
- 5-year protection plan for data recovery
Cons
- Slightly pricey
Price: $451.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#5. Crucial 1TB X8 Portable SSD
Incredible performance with read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s makes this one of the best SSDs for Mac. It has a durable design featuring an aluminum core. It offers drop protection for up to 7. 5 feet, and can also withstand extreme temperature. It’s shock and vibration proof so you can carry it around in your bag with ease.
Finally, you can rest assured about quality because this SSD is backed by Micron, one of the well-known storage tech manufacturers in the world. It also includes a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Withstands extreme temperatures
- High-speed
- Sleek design
Cons
- Only available in 2 capacities
Price: $164.95 for 1TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#6. WD 2TB My Passport Go SSD Cobalt
Check out this pocket-sized SSD for Mac and Windows computers. It’s convenient to carry and is also capable of surviving drops up to 2 meters. The protective bumper acts as a cushion and absorbs shocks and bumps.
It offers a transfer rate of 400MB/s which is pretty decent. Further, it comes with a 3-year warranty and you can get it in 2 cool color options namely cobalt blue and amber. All in all, it’s an excellent everyday choice for your storage needs.
Pros
- Protective bumper
- Good price
- Color options
Cons
- Transfer rate on slower side
Price: $329.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#7. Samsung T5 2TB Portable SSD
For the stylish and modern professional, this is one of the best SSDs for your Mac! With a USB 3.1 interface, the T5 provides transfer speeds of up to 540 MB/s depending on your system. So transfers and backups of large-sized data including 4K videos and high-resolution photos will be much quicker and faster.
Furthermore, the impressive performance comes in a compact package that’s easy to carry with you. Perhaps the best part is the classy color options such as blue, gold, and red.
Pros
- Good speed
- Value for money
- Color options
Cons
- Looks a bit delicate and may not have drop protection
Thunderbolt 3 Nvme Ssd Enclosure
Price: $319.85 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#8. Sabrent Rocket Nano 512GB USB 3.2 SSD
For ultimate portability, check out this ultra-slim SSD. It’s sleek and durable – an ideal travel companion whether for work or leisure. Easily transfer your media with the smooth plug-and-play technology.
It provides speeds of up to 1000MB/s, depending on your system configurations. Further, you can get it in 3 convenient storage capacities of 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2TB. You can also choose either black or silver color options.
Pros
- Slim and compact
- Good price
- Color options
Cons
- No drop protection
Price: $299.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#9. G-Technology 2TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD
Carry your data worry-free on this shock and vibration resistant SSD for Mac. The durable design comes with iP67 dust and water resistance.
The USB C connectivity offers transfer rates of up to 560MB/s. Further, you can buy with confidence given the industry-leading 5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Dust and water-resistant
- Shock-proof
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Bulky
Price: $329.95 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#10. Seagate Barracuda Fast 500GB SSD
With reliable performance and a speed of up to 540MB/s, you can enjoy smooth data transfer on this external SSD for Mac. It features a minimalist design and green LED accent light.
It’s a perfect solution for carrying media on the go or even for external Xbox or PlayStation storage. It offers seamless installation and loading. Moreover, you get a limited product protection plan too.
Pros
- Minimalist design
- LED light indicator
- Reliable performance
Cons
- No drop protection
Price: $109.99 for 500 GB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
Summing Up
Well, as you can see, there’s a wide variety of external SSDs for Mac. Most come with warranties so are a valuable accessory to get. Let us know in the comments below which one you prefer and why.
I have been writing about tech for over 10 years now. I am passionate about helping people solve their tech problems with easy and practical solutions. At iGeeksBlog, I write and edit how-to guides and accessory reviews for all things Apple. My work has previously appeared in Live IT and Woman’s Era magazines. When not working, I love reading and traveling.
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