All the best Macs that you can get today have Thunderbolt ports on either the front, back or side. Thunderbolt connections are blazing-fast data transfer ports and can be used for a range of different applications. They're capable of transferring super high-definition signals for example, so you can hook up a 4k monitor. One of the more common uses is high-speed data storage.
There are loads of compatible drives out there, but we've found you the best you don't have to trawl through pages upon pages of them on Amazon. There are colorful ones, portable ones, and desktop options.
Quick List
Best overall
If you are looking for Thunderbolt-powered external storage, look no further than the Samsung X5 Portable SSD. With read speeds of 2,800 MB/sec and write speeds of 2,300 MB/sec, your data transfers at lightning speed. This SSD features a full metal body and is shock-resistant. It's available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes.
Best aluminum shell
This drive is a simple aluminum affair, and it will look great paired with any Mac. It's not cheap, but you'll get some of the best data transfer speeds. It's portable so it can go with you, and the cable is removable so you don't have to worry about it breaking. There are other size options, but the 1TB is a perfect blend of volume and price.
Lightest SSD
The Plugable Thunderbolt 3 drive has read speeds of 2,400 MB/sec and 1,800 MB/sec write speeds. It contains a full metal body and weighs only 6.2oz. It includes a carrying bag to protect the body of the drive when traveling. You can purchase it in 512MB, 1TB, or 2TB sizes. The cable is unremovable, so bear that in mind when ordering.
Best high capacity
The G-Technology G-Drive is a Thunderbolt desktop drive that you would buy if you need a large-capacity drive. It's a 7200 rpm spinning drive, so it won't be nearly as fast as an SSD, but this is worth a look for professionals who need storage. It's available in a few different storage configurations, but we think the 6TB gives the perfect balance of volume and price.
Best rugged
The LaCie Thunderbolt SSD is an external drive for anyone who needs a rugged drive for working in the field. This SSD is IP67 water-resistant, has three-meter drop resistance, and two-ton pressure resistance. The rubber coating means it won't slip of surfaces either, so you won't even have to worry about it falling. If you are working in tough terrain, this is the drive for you.
Most portable
The Sabrent drive will automatically detect your Thunderbolt connection with read and write speeds of 2,700 MB/sec, so this drive is super fast. It's made of solid aluminum and has an integrated temperature and health monitoring system. The cable is removable as well, so if it gets damaged it can easily be replaced with another USB-C cable.
Q&A
Which Thunderbolt drive should you buy?
The Thunderbolt connection on your Mac features lightning-fast data transfer speeds, making getting that movie off a hard drive a load faster. If you want the fasted read and write speeds on the cheaper side of a supercomputer, then make sure you look for a drive with a Thunderbolt connection.
The best drive for everyone will be the Samsung X5. It's got incredible performance but doesn't cost too much. It's also got a shockproof casing, so there won't be any problems if it's dropped.
The G-Technology drive might not give you the speed of an NVME SSD, but it does give you oodles of space to store your stuff. If you want somewhere to store your stuff that you won't be accessing quite so much, then this drive is absolutely perfect. It's not portable though, so bear that in mind.
