These are the best shock-resistant hard drives for Mac
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Sometimes it's best not to store absolutely everything right on your Mac. For one, it clutters things up, and unless you're willing to upgrade your SSD, which you can't in the latest MacBook Pros, you're going to fill up way too fast. Grab one of these hard drives and know that a shock-resistant enclosure protects your data. Our favorite is the Transcend Storejet for its proven ability to withstand harsh situations.
Note: Always keep in mind that just because a hard drive is shock-resistant, that does not mean it is shock-proof. Shock-resistant hard drives can still suffer impact damage.
Best Overall: Transcend Storejet
Transcend's 2TB hard drive is military drop-tested for shock resistance. It is equipped with a three-stage shock protection mechanism that includes a silicone rubber case, a shock-absorbing internal suspension system, and a durable outer casing. It is available in multiple color options.
The StoreJet also has a one-touch auto-backup button, which features a 256-bit AES file and folder encryption, and you get access to Transcend's elite data management software. For the cost, this is an excellent drive with tons of space and a hardy build that's sure to last. It features a USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, which grants rapid file transfers with rates up to 5Gb per second.
Some customers mention that this hard drive can sometimes ship in outdated formatting, but this is easy to remedy with a simple update before use. This device measures in at 5.10-by-3.24-by-0.74 inches and weighs in at less than half a pound.
Pros:
- Fast file transfers
- Miltary drop-tested
- Three-stage shock protective design
Cons:
- Sometimes ships in outdated formatting and needs to be updated before use
Best Overall
Transcend Storejet
Military drop-tested
This military drop-tested hard drive has a three-stage protective design to ensure that your files are kept extremely safe.
Best Value: Silicon Power 2TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive Armor A30
Measuring in at 5.3 by 3.4 by 0.7 inches, and weighing in at under half a pound, the Silicon Power 2TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive Armor A30 is compact and portable. This device needs to be reprogrammed for a Mac operating system, but it comes built for versatility. Equipped with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface, this device can transfer large files like photos and videos rapidly.
Bring this shock-resistant external hard drive along with you on any adventure as it features military-grade protection. It has passed the U.S. Military's standards for drop-testing, meaning that it is extremely durable. The outer corners of this hard drive are comprised of silicone materials that optimally absorb shocks and vibrations. The rubber hexagonal pattern was strategically designed to protect this device further.
This shock-resistant external hard drive considers convenience and built a means to store its cord right into its design. Simply wrap the cord around the edges and secure it in the appropriate slots. Backed by a 3-year warranty, this hard drive will keep your files safe.
Pros:
- Tested to withstand U.S. Military drop-testing protocols
- Equipped with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface
- Convenient built-in cord storage
Cons:
- Must be reformatted for Mac
Best Value
Silicon Power 2TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive Armor A30
An extremely tough and reliable hard drive
This hard drive has passed military-grade drop testing and can transfer large files with super speed.
Best Durability: LaCie Rugged Mini
Similar to the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt, the LaCie Rugged Mini is an exceptionally durable hard drive. The Rugged Mini is carefully and strategically designed to withstand extreme weather and environmental conditions. It has been put to the test and is rain, drop, and crushproof. The Rugged Mini may be small, but it is strong. It has been tested to resist the crush of a 1-ton car!
With its signature bright orange rubber sleeve, this hard drive is easily identifiable. You don't have to worry about losing it on the job. The device measures in at 5.5-by-3.5-by-1 inches and weighs less than 1 pound.
The Rugged Mini is easy to use and does not require any installation. Simply plug your Mac in and start using it. The drive arrives preloaded with Suite software that includes one year's worth of online storage from Wuala. It also has file encryption and Eco power management utility. This is a USB 3.0 hard drive, and it transfers files at a pace of approximately 38.8 MB per second.
Pros:
- Tested to resist the crush of a 1-ton car
- Bright orange color for easy identification
- Designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Not as fast as some of its competitors
Best Durability
LaCie Rugged Mini
A mini hard drive tested to resist 1-ton crush
This is a strong external hard drive that's tested to withstand extreme conditions as well as a 1-ton crush.
Best Aesthetics: ADATA HD 710 Pro
The HD710 from ADATA is 2TB of military-grade shock and water-resistant goodness that has passed both the IEC 60529 IP68 test and the military standard drop-test. This means it is impervious to dust and water. Similar to the Transcend Storejet, the ADATA HD 710 has a triple-layered design for added protection. It is also the most aesthetically pleasing of the drives as it comes in multiple colors and a heavy-duty, attractive design.
This hard drive has been pushed to its limits and has been tested to withstand 60 minutes underwater at 2 meters below. With that said, it is only fully protected if the USB port is firmly closed, so be sure to check that before you go diving with your ADATA HD 710. If you happen to drop your device, it will automatically halt all transfers when a shock is detected, and resume once the vibrations have stopped, keeping your files safe.
This shock-resistant hard drive features USB 3.0, and it's made specifically for Mac with Time Machine support.
Pros:
- Passed military standard drop-test
- Triple-layered design for added protection
- Attractive design
Cons:
- Must fully cover USB port for full waterproof potential
Best Aesthetics
ADATA HD 710 Pro
Military-grade shock and water-resistant
This shock-resistant hard drive for Macs can be plunged 2 meters below water for 60 minutes.
Best Versatility: LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 2TB
I've never had a LaCie hard drive do me wrong. I used one all through college, and it's still working even now, over eight years later. The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt is a 2TB drive that features USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt for transfer speeds of up to 240MB/s. It is shock-resistant and can withstand drops up to 5 feet.
Its durable design is also water and dustproof, making it safe to use in all terrains. It is small and compact, measuring in at 3.58 by 5.84 by 1.34 inches, which makes it great for lugging around with you on the job.
This shock-resistant hard drive is powered via Thunderbolt so you can get work done no matter where you are. If you need a speedy network-attached storage solution in the field, it's compatible with RAID 0 and 1 configurations. This one comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable for backward compatibility.
Pros:
- Can withstand drops of up to 5 feet
- Powered via Thunderbolt
- Safe to use in all terrains
Cons:
- A little expensive
Best Versatility
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 2TB
A versatile, rugged hard drive
The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt can withstand a 5-foot drop and is safe to use in all types of terrain.
Bottom line
With a ton of options on the market for the best shock-resistant hard drives for Mac, our top choice is the Transcend Storejet because of its military tested and proven abilities to resist tough situations.
When you're searching for something rugged and durable to keep your files safe and ensure speedy transferability from your Mac to your hard drive, you want to keep in mind the type of terrain and environmental conditions that you will be working in. If your job or hobby requires you to save your files while your rafting down a rapid river or while you're rock climbing up some desert cliff, the hard drives listed above may be exactly what you need.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Camille Sanghera is a freelance writer who loves using the power of words to give individuals and objects a voice. When she is not content writing, you can find her running trails with her dogs or writing fiction and self-help books.