WD My Passport SSD
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Read 1,050 MB/s / Write 1,000 MB/s (USB 3.2 Gen 2), TBW 200 TB (1 TB model), USB-C, AES 256-bit hardware encryption, up to 4 TB, compact pocket-size design, ~$60 (1 TB).
Hardware encryption requires initial password setup via WD Discovery software โ without setup, drive operates unencrypted by default.
The WD My Passport SSD offers AES 256-bit hardware encryption at the lowest price per TB among the USB Gen 2 drives in this comparison. Hardware encryption operates in the drive controller without consuming CPU cycles โ it does not slow transfer speeds. Performance matches the SanDisk Extreme V2 at 1,050/1,000 MB/s. At $60 for 1 TB, it costs $10 less per TB than the SanDisk and Crucial alternatives. The compact design is the smallest in this comparison โ pocket-friendly without a protective case. No IP rating and basic plastic construction mean it is not designed for rough handling. The 200 TB TBW matches the SanDisk Extreme V2. For users who store sensitive professional or personal data and want hardware encryption without paying a premium, the My Passport SSD is the most practical choice.
Pros
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption at no performance cost
- $60 per TB โ lowest-priced Gen 2 option in this comparison
- Compact pocket-size form factor
- 1,050/1,000 MB/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance
Cons
- No IP dust or water resistance rating
- Basic plastic construction โ not drop-resistant
- 200 TB TBW โ lower than Samsung T9 and Crucial X9 Pro
Score breakdown
WD My Passport SSD Review - 500GB, 1TB, & 2TB External Portable Solid State Drive
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