Best external SSDs

For Mac or iPad -- or even your iPhone.

Author

Leander Kahney
August 11, 2025

In partnership with

Back in the good old days, it was dead easy to add storage to your Mac. (Unless it was SCSI. Anyone remember messing with SCSI jumpers? What a nightmare that was!)

In these times of unified memory and SSDs, adding extra internal storage isn’t easy. But for most situations, that’s easily rectified with a nice external drive.

Yeah, they’re not quite as convenient, and there might be cables involved, but external SSDs can be fast, voluminous and cheap.

For the cost of what Apple charges for a few extra gigabytes of internal storage, you can get terabytes and terabytes of external storage — which, ofc, can also be used with your other devices, either now or in the future.

An external drive is a good investment. Here’s our guide to the best SSDs available now — most of which we’ve hands-on tested.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • This is excellent news: The widely rumored $600 MacBook might debut this year!

  • The interminably delayed smarter Siri won’t just be smarter. It will likely allow you to fully control your iPhone and its apps with your voice.

  • Cult of Mac writer Ed Hardy’s favorite clip-on game controller for iPhone is on sale for a whopping 40% off.

  • The new UltraLoq Bolt NFC smart deadbolt is the manufacturer’s first lock with Apple home key support — and it looks really cool.

  • The new teaser trailer for the upcoming Apple TV+ documentary series Mr. Scorsese has a very amusing anecdote about his breakthrough movie, Taxi Driver.

  • Don’t miss the CultCast clip below where we show off a very revealing iPhone 17 case.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Best external SSDs for Mac or iPad in 2025

Here are some of the best external SSD options for average users. These can add terabytes of storage, and are designed for portability.

Apple's $599 MacBook could debut before 2025 wraps up

The new budget-friendly laptop might arrive this year.

Smarter Siri might finally bring true iPhone voice control

However, Apple could limit hands-free voice control to nonsensitive apps.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Backbone One deal drops brilliant iPhone game controller cost by 40%

A deal cuts 40% off the price of the Backbone One (USB-C), which ranks among the best clip-on game controllers for iPhone.

Apple speeds up pace for new iOS 26, macOS Tahoe betas

Apple quickened the pace of iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 beta testing — beta 6 of both upcoming operating system upgrades went to devs Monday.

UltraLoq smart lock brings native Apple home key support

The new UltraLoq Bolt NFC smart deadbolt lock works natively with Apple home key -- very convenient for iPhone and Apple Watch users.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Price cut: $30 lifetime subscription gives you access to ChatGPT, Mistral AI and more

Get an AI tool that brings top AI models like ChatGPT, Mistral AI and more together in one interface. Enter 1minAI, the all-in-one AI tool.

‘Chief of War’ storms the ratings charts

High ratings put the action-packed Apple TV+ historical drama “Chief of War” among the most popular series on streaming.

Martin Scorsese almost got his gun over ‘Taxi Driver’ cuts [Apple TV+ trailer]

If the legendary director had followed through on his threats, he might not have had a career. And we wouldn't have his movies.

Today in Apple history: MultiFinder brings multitasking to Mac

On August 11, 1987, Macintosh System Software 5's MultiFinder feature allowed true multitasking with two apps on a Mac's screen at once.

CultCast clip: Don’t miss this revealing iPhone 17 case

A message from 1440 Media

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

I end up not buying a lot of things. Because I find them ridiculous.

— Steve Jobs, 2005.

Today’s poll

Any interest in a very low-cost MacBook?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: Is 'Chief of War' worth a watch?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.