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Apple Silicon Mac mini Q&A
Update Published October 7, 2026
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What size-specific, designed-to-stack external storage options are available for the Apple Silicon Mac mini? Which is the best?
Different Apple Silicon Mac mini models have different ports that can be used for external storage:
Apple Silicon Mac mini |
Thunderbolt |
USB-A |
2 (TB 3, 40 Gb/s) |
2 (5 Gb/s) |
|
2 (TB 4, 40 Gb/s) |
2 (5 Gb/s) |
|
4 (TB 4, 40 Gb/s) |
2 (5 Gb/s) |
|
4 (TB 4, 40 Gb/s) |
2 (5 Gb/s) |
|
3 (TB 4, 40 Gb/s) |
None |
|
3 (TB 5, 120 Gb/s) |
None |
|
3 (TB 5, 120 Gb/s) |
None |
|
3 (TB 5, 120 Gb/s) |
None |
|
3 (TB 5, 120 Gb/s) |
None |
|
3 (TB 4, 40 Gb/s) |
None |
For all practical purposes, 2020 and 2023 Apple Silicon Mac mini models -- the Mac mini "M1", "M2", and "M2 Pro" -- work with Thunderbolt 3/4 (USB-C) and USB 3 (USB-A). Because Thunderbolt is faster, you generally should opt for Thunderbolt.
Subsequent Apple Silicon Mac mini, the much smaller 2024 and 2026 models, have three rear mounted Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports. Entry-level Mac mini "M4" and "M6" models have Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) ports whereas higher-end Mac mini "M4 Pro" and "M5 Pro" models have Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gb/s) ports.
The 2024 and 2026 models also have two front-mounted USB-C ports with support for USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s), but again, because Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 are so much faster, you should use Thunderbolt to maximize performance.
2020 & 2023 Mac mini Size-specific External Storage (M1/M2)
For the 2020 and 2023 Apple Silicon Mac mini, the size-specific OWC miniStack STX, from site sponsor Other World Computing, is ideal.
Photo Credit: OWC miniStack STX - Front (Underneath Mac mini)
Available in matte silver and matte black color choices, the OWC miniStack STX stacks nicely under these Mac mini models and supports two storage drives -- one universal SATA HDD/SSD and an NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD. It includes an integrated three port Thunderbolt 4 hub, too.
Photo Credit: OWC miniStack STX - Ports (Underneath Mac mini)
The OWC miniStack STX provides as much as 20 TB of internal storage and its external ports support "a mix of up to five Thunderbolt devices, three USB devices, and two displays".
You might find this video that explains how to install storage in the miniStack STX helpful, as well:
2024 & 2026 Mac mini Size-specific External Storage (M4/M5/M6)
For the much smaller 2024 and 2026 Apple Silicon Mac mini models, the also size-specific Satechi Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure is nearly perfect. Satechi does not sponsor EveryMac.com, but they really should.
Photo Credit: Satechi Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure (Front)
The Satechi Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure is designed to stack either on top of or under the 2024 and 2026 Apple Silicon Mac mini, connects with Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s), and supports a single NVMe SSD size 2230, 2242, 2260, or 2280 up to 8 TB.
Photo Credit: Satechi Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure (Back)
Note that the SSD is not installed by default in the Satechi Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure, you will need to add it yourself later, but installation is easy and only involves a single screwdriver.
2024 & 2026 Fastest External Storage (M4 Pro/M5 Pro)
If you have a Mac mini "M4 Pro" or "M5 Pro" and want to maximize performance by using an SSD with a Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gb/s) port -- and are not concerned about matching the physical dimensions of your Mac mini -- you also should consider the blazing fast OWC Envoy Ultra.
Photo Credit: OWC Envoy Ultra
The OWC Envoy Ultra is not as a pretty as the Satechi solution, but it can be up to 2x faster than Thunderbolt 4 -- over 6000 MB/s in real-world use -- and configured upfront with up to 8 TB of storage for immediate plug-and-play use.
Whether you want a small and attractive solution or one that maximizes performance, these external storage options for the Apple Silicon Mac mini have you covered.
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