WD Elements SE 2TB
Score: 59/100
OWC Express 2TB
Score: 79/100Rankings
The OWC Express 1M2 offers up to 3836 MB/s USB4 performance in a rugged aluminum enclosure with a patented heatsink and upgradeable M.2 SSDs. Its larger size and potential heat under sustained loads are drawbacks. It targets pros who need fast, future-proof portable storage.
WD's Elements SE 2TB portable SSD offers a spacious 2 TB capacity with read speeds up to 400 MB/s in a compact, drop-resistant design. Its modest performance and lack of encryption limit it to users seeking affordable, everyday backup storage.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
2 GB | 2,000 GBbest | |
400 MB/s | 3,836 MB/sbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 27 gbest | 253 g |
3 yearsbest | 2 years | |
2 mbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 2 years |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Interface | USB 3.0 | USB4 |
OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS | macOS, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, ChromeOS, Linux, Android |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 27 g | 253 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 64.5 x 8.6 x 64.5 mm mm | 5.1 x 2.7 x 0.9 inches mm |
Accessories(1) | ||
Included Accessories | USB cable | 12" USB4 cable, Screwdriver, User guide |
Storage(1) | ||
Capacity (GB) | 2 GB | 2000 GB |
Performance(1) | ||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 400 MB/s | 3836 MB/s |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the WD Elements SE a solid, affordable choice for everyday storage, praising its reliability, decent read speed, and ruggedness, but they consistently note its speed ceiling and heating under load as drawbacks compared to higher-end SSDs.
Everyday users appreciate the drive's fast, compact nature and reliable backup performance, especially for gaming and media servers, while repeatedly mentioning heat buildup during long transfers and wishing for faster speeds.
Professional reviewers praise the Express 1M2 for its blistering USB4 speeds, robust aluminum heatsink that prevents throttling, and the flexibility of a user-replaceable SSD. They position it as a high-performance tool for DITs and video editors needing fast off-loads, while noting the trade-off of increased size and heat under sustained load.
Early consumer feedback is limited but generally positive, highlighting the fast transfer rates, lightweight empty chassis, and easy plug-and-play use. Common concerns revolve around heat generation, the need to reformat for Windows, and the lack of extensive user reviews due to its recent launch.
“"incredible"”
“"maximum offload speeds faster than Thunderbolt"”
“"compact, low-weight portability (~150g empty)"”
