WD My Passport 5TB
Score: 83/100
Western Digital Elements 5TB
Score: 73/100Rankings
The WD My Passport 5TB combines 5 TB of portable storage with AES-256 hardware encryption and bundled backup software. Its older Micro-B connector and occasional software issues are drawbacks. Best for users prioritizing security and portability.
The WD Elements Portable 5TB is a lightweight, bus-powered external HDD offering 5 TB of storage with USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds. Its mechanical nature limits durability and it lacks hardware encryption. Ideal for users needing high capacity on the go at a budget.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
5,000 GBbest | 5,000 GBbest | |
134 MB/s | 625 MB/sbest | |
126 MB/s | 625 MB/sbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.21 kgbest | 0.236 kg |
3 yearsbest | 2 years | |
| ↓ lower better | 19.05 mmbest | 21 mm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Interface | USB 3.0 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
Warranty & Support(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 2 years |
Compatibility(1) | ||
OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, consoles |
Performance(2) | ||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 134 MB/s | 625 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 126 MB/s | 625 MB/s |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 0.21 kg | 0.236 kg |
Thickness (mm) | 19.05 mm | 21 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the WD My Passport 5TB for its reliable high-capacity storage, solid performance up to 138 MB/s read, and strong security features like AES-256 encryption and bundled backup software. They appreciate its compact, bus-powered design and value proposition, though they note the outdated Micro-B USB port, cheap-feeling plastic build, and occasional software stability issues as drawbacks.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the drive's large capacity, ease of plug-and-play use, portability, and quiet operation, often citing it as a go-to solution for media libraries and game backups. Recurring themes include occasional software glitches, noticeable noise and heat under heavy load, and the inconvenience of the older USB-C port, though these concerns are generally outweighed by the drive's reliability and value.
“Large storage, reliability, ease of use, portability, and fast transfers for media/games/backups”
“huge 5 TB storage for photos/videos”
“easy plug-and-play on Windows”
Professional reviewers commend the WD Elements 5 TB for its massive capacity, fast USB 3.0 performance, and bus-powered convenience, noting Western Digital's reputation for reliable build quality. The main criticism centers on the mechanical nature of the drive, which lacks the durability and speed of SSD competitors.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the drive's large storage space, plug-and-play ease, and lightweight portability, while recurring themes of inconvenience around macOS reformatting, audible spin noise, and occasional failures after drops appear in the feedback.
