Best Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive (2024 Updated)

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As we continue to create more and more digital content, the need for external hard drives with larger storage capacity and faster data transfer speeds becomes increasingly important. If you are in the market for the best thunderbolt 3 external hard drive, there are a few key points to consider before making your purchase.

Firstly, it's important to consider the storage capacity you require. Thunderbolt 3 external hard drives come in a range of capacities, from 500GB to 8TB or more. Depending on your needs, you may want to opt for a larger capacity drive to ensure you have enough space for all your files.

Secondly, consider the speed of the drive. Thunderbolt 3 offers the fastest data transfer speeds available, making it ideal for transferring large files quickly. Look for a drive with a high transfer rate to ensure that you can move your files quickly and efficiently.

Thirdly, consider the brand and quality of the drive. Opt for a reputable brand with a good track record of producing high-quality, reliable drives.

Fourthly, consider the form factor of the drive. Do you want a portable drive that you can take with you on the go, or are you looking for a desktop drive that will stay in one place?

Lastly, consider the price of the drive. Thunderbolt 3 external hard drives can be expensive, so it's important to find one that offers good value for money.

In summary, when looking for the best thunderbolt 3 external hard drive, consider factors such as storage capacity, speed, brand and quality, form factor, and price. By doing so, you can ensure that you find a drive that meets your needs and offers the best value for your money.

10 Best Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive

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1. Lacie D2 Professional 14tb Hdd With Thunderbolt 3 And Usb-C Connectivity For Mac And Pc Desktops, Featuring 7200 Rpm Enterprise Class Drives And A 1-Month Adobe Cc Subscription.

The LaCie d2 Professional 14TB External Hard Drive is a top-of-the-line storage solution designed for creatives who require ample storage capacity and fast data transfer speeds. It is compatible with both Mac and PC SSD-based laptops or all-in-one-computers with limited storage capacity, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users.

This external desktop hard drive is equipped with enterprise-class drives that offer a 7200 RPM speed, ensuring that users can easily edit and archive their projects with massive capacity and speeds of up to 240MB/s. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who work with large multimedia files, such as video editors, graphic designers, and photographers.

The LaCie d2 Professional is future-proof, as it seamlessly connects to USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 computers, providing users with reduced noise and vibration thanks to its aluminum form factor. Additionally, the BarraCuda Pro enterprise-class drives provide ultimate reliability and performance, ensuring that users can work without any interruptions or delays.

In addition to its impressive technical specifications, the LaCie d2 Professional also includes a one-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. This feature allows users to access a wide range of creative applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, enabling them to unleash their boundless creativity.

Finally, the LaCie d2 Professional offers long-term peace of mind with its five-year limited warranty, which includes Rescue Data Recovery Services. This feature ensures that users can recover their data in the unlikely event of a hard drive failure, providing them with the confidence to work without fear of losing their valuable data.

In summary, the LaCie d2 Professional 14TB External Hard Drive is a high-performance storage solution that offers a range of features that cater to the needs of creatives. Its massive capacity, fast data transfer speeds, compatibility with both Mac and PC, and the inclusion of Adobe Creative Cloud and a five-year limited warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services make it a reliable and versatile choice for anyone seeking a top-of-the-line storage solution.

2. Seagate Firecuda Gaming Dock- 4tb Thunderbolt 3 Nvme External Hdd For Pc/laptop (Stjf4000400)

The Seagate Firecuda Gaming Dock is an external hard drive and hub that offers a whopping 4TB of storage capacity. This device is perfect for gamers who need to store a large number of media files, older games, and upcoming titles that require significant storage space. With the Firecuda Gaming Dock, users can enjoy a seamless gaming experience without worrying about running out of storage.

One of the standout features of the Firecuda Gaming Dock is its expandable NVMe slot. This slot allows users to insert an ultra-fast upgrade like the Firecuda NVMe SSD, which enhances the device's performance further. It also has a Thunderbolt 3 port, DisplayPort, USB 3.0, RJ45 Ethernet network port, 3.5mm audio-in/mic port, and a 3.5mm audio-out port. These ports allow users to connect to other devices and peripherals, making it easier to transfer files and share media.

The Seagate Firecuda Gaming Dock boasts a minimalist industrial design with customizable LED lights. Users can select from a range of colors and light patterns to suit their preference. The device is also designed to withstand heavy use, making it ideal for gamers who spend long hours playing their favorite games.

To ensure long-term peace of mind, the Seagate Firecuda Gaming Dock comes with a limited product protection plan. This plan offers users an additional layer of protection against potential issues that may arise from prolonged use of the device.

In conclusion, the Seagate Firecuda Gaming Dock is an all-in-one solution for gamers who need a large amount of storage space and connectivity options. With its expandable NVMe slot, Thunderbolt 3 port, and customizable LED lights, the device provides the perfect combination of functionality and style. Additionally, its sturdy design and limited product protection plan make it a reliable and secure choice for gamers who demand the best.

3. Lacie 2big Dock 28tb External Raid Hard Drive With Sd/cf Card Slots, Thunderbolt 3 & Usb Connectivity, Data Redundancy, 1 Month Adobe Cc & Data Recovery.

The LaCie 2big Dock RAID 28TB External Hard Drive is a powerful desktop solution that is perfect for those who require massive storage capacities and fast data transfer speeds. It is specifically designed for laptop-focused workflows, offering Thunderbolt 3 connectivity that can deliver speeds of up to 440MB/s.

With SD and CF Card slots, this external hard drive makes it easy to directly ingest files without the need for additional adapters or cables. It also has a USB 3.0 hub that allows users to charge their devices while offloading footage.

The LaCie 2big Dock RAID 28TB External Hard Drive is equipped with dual Thunderbolt 3 ports that make it easy to daisy chain multiple devices, and a USB 3.1 port that is compatible with both Mac and PC computers. It also has a display port that allows users to connect high-resolution monitors to their system.

One of the standout features of this external hard drive is its ability to easily configure RAID 0/1 using the step-by-step wizard. This allows users to optimize their system for either performance or redundancy depending on their specific needs.

The LaCie 2big Dock RAID 28TB External Hard Drive is also equipped with hot-swappable Iron Wolf Pro enterprise-class drives that provide ultimate reliability and performance. Users can enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included five-year limited protection plan, which includes Rescue Data Recovery services.

Overall, the LaCie 2big Dock RAID 28TB External Hard Drive is a powerful desktop solution that offers massive storage capacity, fast data transfer speeds, and easy configuration options. It is perfect for those who require reliable and efficient storage solutions for their work or personal data.

4. Terramaster D5 Thunderbolt 3: 5-Bay Raid Enclosure (Diskless) For Professional Storage.

The TERRAMASTER D5 Thunderbolt 3 Professional-Grade 5-Bay External Hard Drive Enclosure RAID 0/RAID1/RAID5/RAID10/JBOD Hard Disk RAID Storage is an ideal solution for professionals in need of high-speed and reliable storage options, especially those working with 4K video editing. With full support for Mac with M1 security chip from March 26th, 2021, this external hard drive enclosure works with computers that have Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports and is not compatible with USB ports.

This storage solution comes with two 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interfaces, which allow for transfer speeds of up to 1035MB/s (with SSHD in RAID 0). It is also compatible with 3.5" and 2.5" SATA HDD and 2.5" SATA SSD. The D5 Thunderbolt 3 takes advantage of the Thunderbolt 3 and DP interfaces to support multi-screen display with up to 3 screens.

Users can daisy-chain up to 6 devices and support up to 100TB of storage capacity (20TB x 5, in RAID 0). The TERRAMASTER D5 Thunderbolt 3 also comes with multiple hardware RAID options, including RAID0, RAID1, RAID5, RAID10, JBOD, and Single.

Power delivery provides up to 15W of power to recharge compatible laptops (Mac only, Windows not supported). The aluminum-alloy shell and two 80mm fans ensure great heat dispersion, which is important for maintaining the longevity of the hard drives.

Overall, the TERRAMASTER D5 Thunderbolt 3 Professional-Grade 5-Bay External Hard Drive Enclosure RAID 0/RAID1/RAID5/RAID10/JBOD Hard Disk RAID Storage is a reliable and high-speed solution for professionals working with large files and strict speed and safety requirements. Its compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 and DP interfaces, as well as its ability to support multiple screens, makes it a versatile option for professionals in various fields.

5. Sandisk Pro 24tb G-Raid Shuttle 4 – Enterprise 4-Bay External Hdd, Thunderbolt 3/usb-C, Transportable, Hw Raid – Sdph34h-024t.

The SanDisk Professional 24TB G-RAID Shuttle 4 is an enterprise-class external hard drive that boasts a massive storage capacity of 24TB. Its transportable design makes it an excellent choice for professionals who need to work on the go.

With Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) and USB-C (10Gbps) compatibility, this hard drive offers lightning-fast transfer speeds, allowing users to work efficiently and effectively. The G-RAID Shuttle 4 also supports multi-stream 4K, 8K, and VR workflows, making it an excellent choice for professionals in the media and entertainment industry.

One of the standout features of the G-RAID Shuttle 4 is its hardware RAID. It comes pre-configured with RAID 5, but users can also choose between RAID 0, 1, 10, or JBOD depending on their needs. This feature provides peace of mind for users who want to ensure their data is protected and backed up.

The G-RAID Shuttle 4 is ready to use with Mac computers straight out of the box, with its HFS+ format. For Windows users, a reformat is required, but the hard drive is compatible with Windows operating systems as well.

SanDisk Professional stands behind the quality of its products, and the G-RAID Shuttle 4 is no exception. It comes with a 5-year limited warranty, giving users the assurance that they are investing in a reliable and high-quality product.

Overall, the SanDisk Professional 24TB G-RAID Shuttle 4 is an excellent choice for professionals who require a massive storage capacity with lightning-fast transfer speeds. Its hardware RAID and transportable design provide added convenience and security for users, making it a top choice for those in the media and entertainment industry.

6. Sandisk Pro 48tb G-Raid Shuttle 8 – Enterprise-Class Transportable External Drive With Thunderbolt 3 And Usb-C, Hardware Raid, Up To 1900mb/s Read Speeds – Sdph48h-048t-Nbaab.

The SanDisk Professional 48TB G-RAID Shuttle 8 is a transportable enterprise-class external hard drive designed to provide colossal storage capacity and lightning-fast data transfer speeds. With Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C compatibility, this hard drive can achieve transfer speeds of up to 1900MB/s read, making it ideal for multi-stream 4K, 8K, and VR workflows.

The G-RAID Shuttle 8 features an 8-bay design and supports hardware RAID, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, which allows users to configure the hard drive for optimal performance and data protection. Additionally, this hard drive comes with a 5-year limited warranty, providing peace of mind and ensuring that customers get the most out of their investment.

One of the standout features of this external hard drive is its transportable design. The G-RAID Shuttle 8 is built to be rugged and durable, making it well-suited for use in the field or on location. Its compact size and lightweight construction allow it to be easily transported from one location to another, making it an ideal choice for professionals who need to work on the go.

The G-RAID Shuttle 8 comes ready to use with Mac systems, using the HFS+ file system. However, it is also compatible with Windows systems via reformatting, making it a versatile option for users across multiple platforms.

In summary, the SanDisk Professional 48TB G-RAID Shuttle 8 is a powerful and transportable enterprise-class external hard drive that offers exceptional storage capacity and lightning-fast transfer speeds. Its hardware RAID support and 5-year limited warranty make it a reliable and secure choice for data storage, while its transportable design makes it ideal for professionals who need to work on the go.

7. 14tb Lacie D2 Pro External Hdd W/ Thunderbolt 3, Usb-C, Usb 3.0, 7,200 Rpm, Enterprise Class Drives, For Mac/pc, 1 Month Adobe Cc.

The LaCie d2 Professional 14 TB External Hard Drive Desktop HDD is a high-performance storage solution designed for both Mac and PC users. Equipped with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C connectivity, this external hard drive delivers lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 260 MB/s, making it ideal for professionals who need to work with large files and data sets.

Featuring 7,200 RPM Enterprise Class Drives, the LaCie d2 Professional delivers exceptional performance and reliability, making it a great choice for demanding applications such as video editing, graphic design, and data analysis. With a capacity of 14 TB, this external hard drive is perfect for storing large amounts of data, including photos, videos, music, and other files.

The LaCie d2 Professional is easy to set up and use, with plug-and-play compatibility for both Mac and PC. It comes with a one-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, giving users access to a range of powerful creative tools for photo editing, video editing, graphic design, and more.

In addition to its impressive performance and capacity, the LaCie d2 Professional is also designed with durability in mind. The drive is built with an all-aluminum enclosure that provides excellent protection against drops, bumps, and other impacts. It also features a built-in fan that helps to keep the drive cool, even during heavy use.

Overall, the LaCie d2 Professional 14 TB External Hard Drive Desktop HDD is an excellent choice for professionals who need a high-performance, reliable, and easy-to-use storage solution. Whether you're working with large files or simply need a secure backup for your data, this external hard drive is sure to meet your needs.

8. Lacie 1big Dock 18tb External Hdd W/ Thunderbolt 3 & Usb 3.1, 7200 Rpm Enterprise Drives For Mac & Pc Desktops, Data Redundancy (Sths18000800)

The LaCie 1big Dock 18TB External Hard Drive is a powerful and versatile storage solution designed for filmmakers and other creative professionals. This storage device doubles as a laptop docking station, providing a centralized hub for all desktop peripherals.

With Thunderbolt 3 technology, this external hard drive offers blazing-fast data transfer speeds and universal USB compatibility. It also features a built-in USB hub and charging station, along with CF and SD card reader slots and a DisplayPort 1.4 output. Additionally, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports allow for daisy chaining with other Thunderbolt devices.

The 1big Dock is equipped with Seagate IronWolf Pro HDDs, providing best-in-class speed and reliability for even the most intensive film projects. It also offers up to 45W of power for charging a USB-C Mac or other laptop through Thunderbolt 3, and up to 80W of power pass-through when using a laptop's power supply.

For added peace of mind, the 1big Dock includes a five-year product warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services. With its robust feature set and impressive performance capabilities, the LaCie 1big Dock is an excellent choice for anyone in need of reliable, high-capacity storage and versatile docking capabilities.

9. Fantom Drives Extreme 2tb External Ssd With Thunderbolt 3 And 4, Usb Type-C, And Aluminum Casing. Features 2800mb/s Read/write Speed And 3d Nand Tlc Technology. Model Tb3x-2300n2tb.

The Fantom Drives Extreme 2TB External SSD is a high-performance storage solution that boasts impressive read and write speeds of over 2800MB/s and 2300MB/s, respectively. Equipped with Thunderbolt 3 and 4, USB Type-C, and 3D NAND TLC technology, this external solid-state drive is designed to deliver lightning-fast data transfer rates and exceptional reliability.

One of the key features of the Fantom Drives Extreme Thunderbolt 3 SSD is its backward compatibility with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, which allows for read and write speeds of up to 1050MB/s. This makes it ideal for users who need to transfer large files quickly and efficiently.

In addition to its impressive performance, the Fantom Drives Extreme SSD is built to last. With its high-quality aluminum construction and compact form factor of 0.5" x 2.5" x 4.25", this portable SSD is both durable and easy to transport. What's more, it requires no power supply, making it an ideal choice for users on the go.

To ensure optimal performance and efficiency, the Fantom Drives Extreme external solid-state drives come equipped with Thermal Dissipation Technology. This innovative feature helps to keep the SSD cool and prevent overheating, which can lead to performance degradation and reduced lifespan.

Included with the Fantom Drives Extreme Thunderbolt 3 SSD is a Thunderbolt 3 cable, which makes it easy to connect to your computer or other devices. And with a 5-year warranty from Fantom Drives, you can rest assured that your investment is protected.

Overall, the Fantom Drives Extreme 2TB External SSD is a top-of-the-line storage solution that offers exceptional performance, durability, and reliability. Whether you're a creative professional, gamer, or anyone in need of high-speed storage, this external solid-state drive is sure to exceed your expectations.

10. Lacie Mobile Drive 5tb Portable External Hard Drive In Moon Silver With Usb-C And Usb 3.0 For Mac And Pc Desktops, Including 1 Month Adobe Cc (Sthg5000400).

The LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Moon Silver USB-C USB 3.0, for Mac and PC Desktop, 1 Month Adobe CC (STHG5000400) is a high-capacity storage solution designed to provide users with enough space to store photos, playlists, documents, and more. It is a versatile drive that can be used seamlessly with Mac, Windows, USB-C, and USB 3.0 devices.

With its enormous capacity, the LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Moon Silver USB-C USB 3.0 allows users to store and access their data easily. It is perfect for photographers, designers, and other creative professionals who need to store large files. The drive is also suitable for personal use, allowing users to store their entire digital library in one place.

One of the key features of the LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Moon Silver USB-C USB 3.0 is its ease of use. It comes with a single-click backup feature that makes it easy for users to back up their files. Users can also schedule automatic backups to ensure that their data is always protected.

The LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Moon Silver USB-C USB 3.0 also comes with a one-month free subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. This allows users to turn their footage into flawless productions using Adobe's powerful suite of creative tools.

In terms of design, the LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Moon Silver USB-C USB 3.0 is sleek and modern. It has a moon silver finish that gives it a premium look and feel. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around, making it a great portable storage solution for users who are always on the go.

Overall, the LaCie Mobile Drive 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Moon Silver USB-C USB 3.0 is an excellent storage solution that offers users a large capacity, ease of use, and flexibility. Its compatibility with Mac, Windows, USB-C, and USB 3.0 devices makes it a versatile drive that can be used for a variety of purposes. The one-month free subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan is also a great bonus, allowing users to take their creative projects to the next level.

Best Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive FAQs

Are there any thunderbolt 3 external hard drives that offer both speed and durability?

Yes, there are thunderbolt 3 external hard drives that offer both speed and durability. The market is flooded with high-quality external hard drives that boast fast data transfer speeds and rugged construction. The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive is one such example, offering a high-speed Thunderbolt 3 interface, up to 2TB of storage, and military-grade shock resistance. Similarly, the G-Technology G-DRIVE Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive offers up to 14TB of storage, fast transfer speeds, and a durable aluminum enclosure. Other notable options include the Samsung X5 Portable SSD and the Seagate Fast SSD, both of which offer fast data transfer speeds and rugged construction. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and budget, but there are certainly thunderbolt 3 external hard drives that offer both speed and durability on the market.

Can I use a thunderbolt 3 external hard drive with both Mac and Windows devices?

Yes, you can use a Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive with both Mac and Windows devices. Thunderbolt 3 is a universal connectivity standard that provides lightning-fast data transfer speeds and compatibility with both Mac and Windows systems. Thunderbolt 3 external hard drives can be formatted to work with both operating systems, allowing users to seamlessly transfer files between their Mac and Windows devices. However, it is important to note that the external hard drive will need to be formatted to a file system that is compatible with both Mac and Windows, such as exFAT, in order to work with both systems. Additionally, some features of the external hard drive, such as encryption or specialized software, may not be compatible with both Mac and Windows devices.

How much storage capacity should I look for in a thunderbolt 3 external hard drive?

The amount of storage capacity you should look for in a Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive depends on your specific needs. If you plan to use the drive for basic backup purposes or simple file transfers, 1-2 terabytes (TB) of storage should suffice. However, if you work with large media files, such as 4K videos or high-resolution images, you may need a larger capacity of 4-8 TB or more. It's important to consider not just your current storage needs, but also any future growth or expansion you may require.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Thunderbolt 3 offers faster data transfer speeds than traditional USB connections, making it ideal for tasks that require large amounts of data to be transferred quickly. This means that even if you don't require a large amount of storage capacity, investing in a Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive can still provide significant benefits in terms of speed and performance.

What are the top-rated thunderbolt 3 external hard drives on the market?

Thunderbolt 3 external hard drives offer high-speed data transfer, making them ideal for professionals who require fast and efficient data storage. Some of the top-rated thunderbolt 3 external hard drives on the market include:

1. Samsung X5 Portable SSD: This device offers lightning-fast read and write speeds, making it ideal for video editing and other data-intensive tasks.

2. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt 3: This rugged hard drive is designed to withstand harsh environments and offers fast transfer speeds, making it ideal for outdoor use.

3. G-Technology G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3: This high-performance drive offers large storage capacity and fast transfer speeds, making it great for video editing and other data-intensive tasks.

4. Western Digital My Passport SSD: This compact and portable drive offers fast transfer speeds and large storage capacity, making it ideal for professionals on the go.

5. Seagate Fast SSD: This compact and stylish drive offers fast transfer speeds and large storage capacity, making it great for video editing and other data-intensive tasks.

What is the average price range for a high-quality thunderbolt 3 external hard drive?

The average price range for a high-quality Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive varies based on the capacity and performance. Generally, these drives start from around $200 and can go up to $1000 or more for larger capacities and faster speeds.

For instance, a 500GB Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive from a reputable brand can cost between $200 to $400, while a 2TB drive can cost around $500 to $700. However, if you're looking for faster read and write speeds, you may have to spend more. A 1TB Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive with read and write speeds of up to 2800MB/s can cost around $1000.

It's important to note that Thunderbolt 3 external hard drives are designed for professionals who require fast transfer speeds and large storage capacities. If you're an average user, a USB 3.0 or USB-C external hard drive may suffice and be more affordable.

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