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Choose WD My Passport 5TB if you want the smaller enclosure, a one-year longer listed warranty, and bundled backup and password tools. Choose WD Elements Portable 5TB if a simpler drive is preferable and its current price is meaningfully lower. Both are conventional portable hard drives, so neither offers the responsiveness or shock resistance of a modern SSD.
The practical differences are enclosure size, warranty terms, included software, and price. Independent testing found nearly identical throughput, making speed a poor reason to choose one over the other.
WD My Passport 5TB vs WD Elements Portable 5TB at a glance
| Feature | WD My Passport 5TB | WD Elements Portable 5TB |
|---|---|---|
| 5TB SKU cited by Western Digital | WDBPKJ0050BBK-WESN (black) | WDBU6Y0050BBK-WESN family |
| Enclosure dimensions | 4.22 × 2.95 × 0.75 in (107.2 × 75.0 × 19.2 mm) | 4.35 × 3.23 × 0.94 in (110.5 × 82.0 × 23.7 mm) |
| Listed warranty | 3-year worldwide warranty on the cited My Passport datasheet | 2 years for the WDBU6Y -WESN/-EESN Elements Portable family in Western Digital’s current warranty table |
| In the box | SuperSpeed USB-A cable, quick-install guide, and software for device management and backup with password protection | SuperSpeed USB-A cable and quick-install guide |
| Password and backup software | Included; WD Security uses 256-bit AES encryption | No backup or password software is listed in the cited datasheet |
| TechRadar 2026 sequential test | 111 MB/s read, 109 MB/s write | 114.0 MB/s read, 109.0 MB/s write |
| Best fit | Frequent travel, a tighter desk or bag, and buyers who want an integrated software package | Buyers who already have backup and encryption tools or who find it substantially cheaper |
Dimensions and included items come from Western Digital’s cited product documents. Warranty coverage depends on your country and the exact suffix, so use the serial-number or SKU-specific terms shown for your region before purchase.
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At the storage level, both products are 5TB portable USB hard drives. The choice is therefore not between two capacity classes or two fundamentally different interfaces. It is between a more compact, software-equipped package and a simpler, often lower-cost package.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Neither model is an SSD. Their mechanical hard-drive design is suitable for large backups, photo libraries, video archives, and carrying a large amount of data at a lower cost than an SSD. It also means that the small benchmark gap between them should not be treated as a meaningful day-to-day advantage. If you need near-instant application launches, sustained high transfer rates, or better resistance to drops while powered, compare SSDs instead of deciding between these two hard drives.
Portability: My Passport is the smaller 5TB enclosure
For the cited 5TB versions, My Passport measures 4.22 × 2.95 × 0.75 inches. Elements measures 4.35 × 3.23 × 0.94 inches. Elements is therefore 0.13 inches longer, 0.28 inches wider, and 0.19 inches thicker.
Those fractions matter when a drive shares a small laptop sleeve, camera bag, or travel pouch. My Passport’s narrower footprint is easier to stack beside a laptop and leaves more room for its cable. Elements is still portable, but its larger enclosure is more noticeable in a tightly packed bag and occupies more space on a shallow desk.
Do not infer drop protection or a durability advantage from the dimensions. The cited documents establish size, not a controlled impact or failure-rate comparison. Treat either drive as a mechanical device that should be carried in a padded sleeve and safely ejected before you unplug it.
Warranty: one extra listed year for My Passport, with regional limits
Western Digital’s 2024 My Passport datasheet lists a three-year worldwide warranty for the cited family. Western Digital’s current warranty table lists two years for Elements Portable products with the WDBU6Y -WESN or -EESN suffix. That gives the cited My Passport configuration a one-year advantage on paper.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
“Worldwide” does not mean every buyer receives identical service terms. Warranty duration, exclusions, service locations, and the eligible suffix can vary by country. Before ordering, match the complete SKU on the retailer page to the regional warranty table and keep your proof of purchase. A longer warranty is useful recourse if a drive fails, but it is not evidence that My Passport has a lower long-term failure rate; the available sources do not provide a controlled reliability comparison.
Software and password protection
What My Passport includes
The My Passport package includes software for device management and backup with password protection. Western Digital Support states: “WD Security uses 256-bit AES encryption.” This can be useful if the drive leaves your home or office and you want the contents protected when the drive is locked.
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Password protection has a serious recovery consequence. Western Digital says a forgotten password cannot be recovered and that the drive must be erased to reuse it. Store the password in a trusted password manager or another secure location before enabling the feature. Encryption protects data from unauthorized access; it does not create another copy of that data.
What Elements leaves to you
The cited Elements datasheet lists the drive, cable, and quick-install guide, but no backup or password software. That is an advantage if you already use an operating-system backup utility, a business backup platform, or your own encryption workflow and do not want another application installed. It also means you must configure, monitor, and troubleshoot that separate workflow yourself.
Do not select Elements expecting the My Passport software to appear after connection. Verify the contents of the box and the support downloads for your exact SKU; specifications and bundled software can change without notice.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Speed: effectively a tie for normal hard-drive work
TechRadar’s 2026 testing measured 114.0 MB/s read and 109.0 MB/s write for WD Elements, compared with 111 MB/s read and 109 MB/s write for WD My Passport. Elements was 3 MB/s faster in that read test, while write performance was identical.
These are directional results from one test setup, not manufacturer guarantees. Transfer speed changes with file size, fragmentation, the computer’s USB implementation, background activity, and the condition of the drive. Both results are typical hard-drive-class performance and far below what current SSDs can deliver. Copying a large archive may take minutes either way; the three-megabyte-per-second read difference will not justify choosing Elements over My Passport.
Price: compare the live listings, not an old launch price
No single price is durable enough to publish for these models. Retail promotions, country, color, seller, and warranty suffix can change the total. Check the current delivered price for the exact 5TB SKU rather than relying on a cached comparison.
Use this rule when the prices differ:
- If Elements is only slightly cheaper, My Passport’s smaller enclosure, extra listed warranty year, and bundled tools can justify paying the difference.
- If Elements is meaningfully cheaper and you already have dependable backup and encryption software, the simpler drive is the better value.
- If the prices are equal, My Passport offers more included features and the longer cited warranty without sacrificing meaningful speed.
- If either listing has an unclear SKU or warranty suffix, resolve that uncertainty before comparing prices; a cheaper regional variant may carry different coverage.
Which drive should you buy for your situation?
Choose My Passport for frequent travel
My Passport is the practical pick when the drive moves between home, work, and travel. Its 0.75-inch thickness and smaller footprint reduce bulk, and the longer listed warranty gives you more coverage under the cited terms. The integrated password and backup tools are useful when you do not want to assemble a separate software stack.
Choose My Passport for a first backup drive
If you are setting up your first computer backup, the included software can reduce the number of decisions during setup. You can install the supplied management and backup tools, select the computer data you want copied, and configure the schedule offered by the application. Test a restore of a few files after the first backup; a drive that has never been restored is an assumption, not a verified backup.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Choose Elements when you already manage backups
Elements makes sense when your existing process already handles scheduled copies, encryption, and restore testing. You pay for the storage device without receiving software you will not use, and any savings can be applied to a second backup disk or other storage. The trade-off is the larger enclosure and the shorter cited warranty.
Choose Elements when the discount is substantial
For a stationary desk backup, the extra 0.19 inches of thickness may not matter. If the current Elements listing is substantially below My Passport and you are comfortable supplying your own tools, it can deliver the same nominal 5TB capacity for less money. Confirm that the lower-priced listing is new, carries the expected regional warranty, and includes the USB-A cable.
Choose neither if you need SSD behavior
These products are not interchangeable with an SSD for demanding workloads. Video editing from the drive, virtual machines, large game libraries, and frequent small-file operations benefit from SSD latency and throughput. A 5TB hard drive remains attractive for capacity-focused backup, but a different product category is appropriate when speed, silence, or impact resistance is the priority.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to set up either drive as a dependable backup
1. Verify the exact product before opening it
Read the full SKU on the box or product page. For the cited models, that means checking for WDBPKJ0050BBK-WESN on My Passport or the relevant WDBU6Y0050BBK-WESN family suffix on Elements. Match the suffix to the warranty terms for your country.
2. Connect the supplied cable
Use the included SuperSpeed USB-A cable and connect the drive directly to the computer for initial setup. If your computer has no USB-A port, use a compatible, properly rated adapter; avoid an unpowered hub while diagnosing connection problems. Wait for the operating system to mount the drive before starting a transfer.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
3. Decide whether to use bundled software
With My Passport, install the included WD management and backup software if you want its backup and password features. With Elements, use the backup and encryption tools you already trust. Configure the destination as the external drive and select the folders or user data that must be recoverable.
4. Protect the drive, but record the password
If you enable My Passport password protection through WD Security, save the password in a secure password manager before locking the drive. A forgotten password cannot be recovered; Western Digital says the drive must be erased to use it again. Never store the only copy of the password on the encrypted drive itself.
5. Run and verify the first backup
Allow the initial backup to finish without disconnecting the cable. Open several copied files from the external drive and perform a small restore to the computer. Check that the backup schedule is active and that the destination has enough free space for future versions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors6. Keep a second copy and separate it
A password-protected drive can still fail, be lost, or be damaged. Keep another copy of irreplaceable files on a separate device or location, and periodically test that copy as well. Neither bundled software nor encryption replaces the need for a second backup.
Common buying and setup mistakes
- Choosing from the product name alone: My Passport and Elements families contain multiple capacities and regional suffixes. Confirm the complete 5TB SKU.
- Assuming the benchmark is a guarantee: The TechRadar figures come from one 2026 test setup and should not be used as promised speeds.
- Treating the warranty as a reliability score: Three years versus two describes listed coverage, not measured failure rates.
- Forgetting the password: WD Security does not provide password recovery; erasure is required if the password is lost.
- Confusing encryption with backup: Encryption controls access to one copy. It does not protect against deletion, hardware failure, theft, or a disaster that affects the drive and computer together.
- Buying an old or mismatched listing: Western Digital says specifications can change without notice. Check the live product page, included accessories, and regional warranty before paying.
- Disconnecting during writes: Safely eject the drive through your operating system before unplugging it, especially after a large backup.
Final decision
For most buyers choosing between these exact 5TB versions, WD My Passport is the safer all-around purchase: it is more compact, carries the longer cited warranty, and includes backup and password tools. WD Elements is the better value when its live price is clearly lower and you already have a backup and encryption workflow. Since the tested speeds are effectively tied and neither drive is an SSD, make the final call on enclosure size, warranty terms, software, and verified current price—not on small benchmark differences.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
