The sleek design, a comfortable keyboard, and jet speed performance make us fall in love with it!. The advanced features and specs of the Mac make it irreplaceable. Yeah, we understand your attachment with your Macbook pro!. But limited storage capacity is what keeps bothering you!. Right? Are you worried about storing your large files and video collections?. Worry no further as we solve all your storage capacity problems. Our detailed guide of the top 10 best SSD for MacBook Pro will solve all your storage worries.
Our list consists of both the internal and external SSD hard drives suitable for your Mac devices. In this guide, we will help you pick the most suitable drive for your device and, along the way discussing the features to look for before buying your next SSD. Let’s dive in!
Also read: Best Internal SSD drives
10 Best SSD for MacBook Pro – Best for Video Editing and Gaming
1 Fledging 1TB Feather
Specifications:
Capacity: 1 TB
Max Read Speed: 3100 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 2700 MB/s
Warranty: 3 years
Weight: 1.76 ounces
Fledging 1 TB Feather drive outclasses all other storage devices for your MacBook Pro1. With super-fast and highly responsive NVMe interface technology, this device is ideal for gamers, students, and content creators alike. Alongside the delivery speed, it keeps the temperature of your device at an optimal level so that while playing your games or doing your work, you don’t need to worry about the system heating up.
It comes with pre-installed High Sierra technology, which allows users to install and use this drive quickly and easily transfer all their data. Good news! With three steps and 5 min installation guide, you will be saved from the hassle of visiting a repair shop. Yes! You can install it entirely on your own. A 3-year warranty with an affordable price makes it highly successful in the market against all its competitors.
Also read: External Drive for backup
2 SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD
Specifications:
Capacity: 1 TB
Max Read Speed: 433MBps
Max Write Speed: 323MBps
Compatible Models: PC, Mac, Android OS
Warranty: 3 years
Weight: 1.8 ounces
The Samsung T5 portable SSD looks like a mobile device. It has just a weight of 1.8 ounces that is much easy to carry even in your pockets. Its shock-resistant and sturdy metal body is enough to stand any damage. Samsung T5 drive uses USB Type-C Gen 1 connector, giving an extra-fast performance with high read and write speed of 433MBps and 323 Mbps, respectively.
With a 3-year warranty and an incredible transfer rate up to 4x faster than HDD, it’s a steal at this price, making it a must-have drive for transferring the super large-size data. Another remarkable feature of T5 which makes it most secure in the market is that it offers an option of setting a password to save all your data and files.
Also read: Best Laptops to run Windows 11
3. INDMEM 512GB NVMe
Specifications:
Capacity: 512 GB
Max Read Speed: 1800MB/s,
Max Write Speed: 1400MB/s
Warranty: 3 years
Weight: 4.2 ounces
INDIUM 512 GB is a custom-built SSD for your MacBook’s. A 3D TLC NAND Flash provides substantially fast performance. A 1800mb/s and 1400MB/s read and write speed respectively provides an ultra-fast performance when transferring large files, video editing, or compressing big files.
With a weight of 4.2 ounces, it makes it super lightweight. Not only is this device cost-competitive, but it also provides an extra perk of the 3-year warranty. But as compared to other SSD, this one is a little difficult to install on your own. When installing INDMEM On your Mac device, you must update it to macOS 10.13 or later.
Also read: Best Laptop for Students
4 SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
Specifications:
Capacity: 4 TB
Max Read Speed: 1050MB/s
Max Write Speed: 1000MB/s
Compatible Models: MAC, Pcs, tablets, and game consoles.
Warranty: 5 years
Weight: 1.83 ounces
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD comes with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which does not require updating your system for its installation. A striking design with a weight of 1.83 ounces and measuring 0.4 by 2.1 by 4 inches is a highly portable drive. Its pocket ability allows you to carry it anywhere with ease; believe me, it’s just a bit longer than your credit cards.
A handy cut-out design will enable you to attach it with your keyring or your backpack. So remarkable, isn’t it!. It provides drop and shock resistance of up to 2 meters, further protecting against mild splashes. Be aware! It’s not waterproof.
SanDisk’s Secure Access software lets you create your password so that you can safeguard all your essential files and data. But wait, there is more to it. With a 5-year warranty and affordable price, it has outclassed all other SSDs on our list of best SSD for Apple MacBook pro.
5 OWC 1.0TB Aura Pro 6G SSD
Specifications:
Capacity: 1.0TB
Max Read Speed: 530 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 494 MB/s
Warranty: 5 Year
Weight: 3.75 ounces
OWC Aura Pro uses the latest and advanced technology to solve your storage problems by providing 16x higher storage capacity for MAC users. With a total of 1 TB. This internal SSD not only delivers fast, robust performance but has outstanding functionality and reliability. It gives you the benefit of extending the lifespan and usability of your MAC devices.
The premium 3D NAND Flash technology keeps your devices cooler by consuming less power and providing MAC users the benefit of longer battery life. In addition to this, OWC Aura Pro SSD comes with a complete kit with all the tools needed to install the device. The installation instruction is relatively easy with detailed guidelines with straightforward and easy-to-follow installation videos. Though it is pricy compared to other SSD on our list, it offers so many specs backed by a 5-year warranty. I am sure you cannot resist buying it!.
6 Fledging Turbo Feather M13
Specifications:
Capacity: 2TB
Max Read Speed: 3100 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 2700 MB/s
Warranty: 3-year
Weight: 0.96 ounces
The advanced PCIe NVMe interface technology allows MAC users to enjoy the capacity of 2TB, making it ideal for gamers, students, and content creators. The 3100MB/s and 2700 MB/s read and write speed makes it 3x faster than your original drive.
For many users installing an SSD looks like a daunting task, but let me assure you this is the only drive in the market that comes with all the necessary tools required for its installation. Furthermore, the step-by-step video will guide you through all the steps so that you don’t need to get into the hassle of visiting a repair shop. In addition to this, don’t confuse Fledging 2TB Turbo Feather with Fledging M13 feather (mentioned at the top of our list).
Though the compatibility of both the devices is the same, the only difference is in their performance. The Fledging 2TB turbo is the best SSD drive for Macbook pro users that use multiple applications simultaneously, giving a fast performance without slowing the speed of your device.
7 Crucial MX500
Specifications:
Capacity: 250 GB
Max Read Speed: 560 MB
Max Write Speed: 510 MB
Warranty: 5- year
Weight: 0.705 ounces
Thanks to its excellent performance and affordability, this SSD is still prevalent in the market. It is one of the best SSD for MacBook pro available for upgrading your storage capacity in Mac and other devices. This SSD is best suited for gamers, professionals, and designers. It sure is a good value of money with a quick read and writes speed of 560MB and 510 MB.
Crucial MX500 is only 7mm thick, making it an excellent portable drive. The integrated power loss immunity helps to preserve all your saved work in case of unexpected power failure. So remarkable, isn’t it!.
8 OWC Aura Pro for Mac
Specifications:
Capacity: 1.0 TB
Max Read Speed: 3200MB/s
Max Write Speed: 2400MB/s
Warranty: 5 Year
Weight: 1.58 ounces
OWC 1TB Aura Pro is an upgraded drive for Mac devices that came after 2013. It gives you 16x more space compared to previous generations. A read speed of 3200 MB/s and a write speed of 2400MB/s gives you twice the performance of the original SSD. By operating at lower temperatures and using less power, it provides efficient and reliable performance. The upgraded Aura Pro version is specifically designed for Mac users to run their apps and games smoothly. In addition to this, it gives you the extra benefit of fast transferring all your files.
Easy 15- min upgrade will transform your Mac devices without any problem. The OWC video tutorial will guide you thoroughly through the whole process so that you can install your SSD with ease. However, a crucial point to note is that before installing Aura Pro, make sure to install macOS 10.13 High Sierra on your device.
9 Transcend 960GB Jet Drive
Specifications:
Capacity: 960 GB
Max Read Speed: 950 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 950 MB/s
Warranty: 5-year
Weight: 0.35 ounces
This Transcend 960GB Jet drive will replace your SSD (that came with your Mac) in just 5 min, allowing you to upgrade the storage capacity to 960 GB; which is enough to handle all of your files Thus, giving you ample space to store all your video, pictures, files, and any other type of data.
The 3D NAND technology allows faster read and write speed, overall enhancing the performance of the drive. Increased performance allows all mac book users to efficiently perform tasks such as video editing and graphing with ease. Furthermore, the additional Jet Drive Toolbox spec lets you maintain your SSD by keeping it up-to-date and avoiding functional loss.
10 Crucial X8 Portable SSD
Specifications:
Capacity: 1 TB
Max Read Speed: 1050 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 1,000 MBps
Warranty: 3-Years
Weight: 3.53 ounces
Crucial X8 1TB is a wondrous portable external drive. The sleek design measuring 4.33 x 0.45 x 2.09 inches is very compact, giving you top-notch performance. At this price value, this is the fastest drive you can find in the market. The 1050 and 1000 MB/s read and write speed allows quick retrieval of data. Thus, making it ideal for video editing laptops and gaming laptops.
An additional benefit of this drive is that it can withstand a drop of 7.5 feet. But you must bear in mind that this drive is not dust and waterproof. Weighing only 3.53 ounces, this is the most portable external drive for Mac Book Pro and other Mac devices. Furthermore, this drive is compatible with various other devices, be it your laptop, chrome book, or Mac. You can rely on it! With a 1TB storage capacity, it is the most affordable drive in the market.
How to buy best SSD for Macbook Pro – Buying guide
Buying the right SSD is crucial for your Mac devices, whether it is MacBook Pro, MacBook M1, or MacBook Pro external. Choosing the right SSD is always very overwhelming. With so many options in the market, you must be confused about which 1 to buy for. Don’t panic! Our easy-to-understand and comprehensive guide will walk you through all the factors you should consider before purchasing the SSD.
How much storage capacity do you need?
The first and foremost question that you need to ask yourself is how much space you need? All SSD comes with a different storage capacity. Thanks to our list of 10 best products, we have managed to cover SSD with a capacity ranging from 250 GB to 4 TB.
Storage is one of the critical factors when deciding to buy SSD. If you are a student or a working professional, it is better to opt for SSD with average storage space. Users who need to perform complex tasks like video editing and 3D rendering should go for SSD with a larger area.
For enthusiasts, gamers, and those with high usage, we recommend getting storage space not less than 1TB. So, they can install their favorite games and data without worrying about their MacBook pro capacity. In short, depending on your storage needs, you should choose whichever SSD model works best for you.
How much are you willing to spend?
Price is the most significant factor when making any decision. There is a massive difference in the price of each SSD. The price range of products differs according to their specs. Drive with the capacity of 250GB or less tends to cost way less than drive with a higher capacity of 1TB to 2TB.
Over five years, the prices of SSD have plummeted. The cost per GB is constantly falling, making most of the SSDs affordable. But SSDs are still expensive in contrast to traditional HDD. However, if you are willing to compromise on your budget, we recommend you buy SSD with good storage capacity. Come on! It’s just a 1-time investment, and you will be stress-free for a long time.
How much drive speed do you need?
The importance of driving speed cannot be ignored. A drive with a fast pace will increase the performance of your mac devices. Moreover, the data transfer rate will determine how quickly the drive is transforming the data. All our listed products include high read and write speed. The average read and write rate should be 500MB/s and 550MB/s; any number above this is considered good.
Make sure your device is compatible your Macbook pro?
SSD comes in different form factors with additional features and specs. Currently, there are four types of SSD in the market, 1 with the SATA interface, 2nd is M.2 interface, 3rd is SSD Add-in Card (AIC), and 4th is U.2 SSDs.The SATA interface is a standard form factor drive of 2.5′ but is a bit lightweight. Most of the laptops connect to this type of SSD.
The M2 interface drive is much faster and comes with a much skinnier design than SATA. M2 SSD is designed to work well with most of your Mac devices. You will have to do your homework to know whether M2 is compatible with your Mac devices.
While SSD Add-in Card (AIC) is much faster than other drives and is designed for professionals who need higher storage capacity. The downside of this type of drive is that if a graphics card is installed, then there will be no room to install AIC.
U.2 SSDs this drive is designed to support Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe). For this drive, you don’t need to open up your device to install it. Just like HDD, they are hot-pluggable.
So, Make sure to check your device compatibility before buying an SSD. All the products that we have included cover compatibility specs. Scroll up to know which drive can be used and installed on your device. Apart from this, there are many free online tools available that help you check the compatibility of your SSD with your device.
How many years warranty do you need?
The last but not the least factor to look for when buying SSD is the drive’s durability. Thanks to our efficient product selection, you can find all the drives with a minimum warranty of 3 years. Since most SSDs have no moving parts, the chances of wear and tear are pretty negligible. So, you don’t need to worry about the mechanical failure of the drive. The SSD market is becoming more competitive day by day, with so many companies offering a warranty of more than five years.
