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WD Elements 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive - Black
Western Digital

WD Elements 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive - Black

Status: WD Elements 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard… (1.5TB hard drive): Unavailable on Amazon as of . Closest in-stock match (same 1.5TB hard drive): Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 1.5 TB USB 2.0…, $200.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 10:19 UTC (price may vary). eBay sellers may still list this model new or used.

Bottom line: The Western Digital WD Elements 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive: 1.5TB of portable capacity for video, music and photo libraries; main trade-off: 1.5TB is modest next to current multi-terabyte portable drives.

Unavailable on Amazon as of

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Currently unavailable on Amazon. Not the same product — an in-stock alternative with matching specs:

Same 1.5TB hard drive: Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 1.5 TB USB 2.0… — $200.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 10:19 UTC (price may vary).

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 1.5TB of portable capacity for video, music and photo libraries
  • ✓ USB 3.0 interface for fast transfers on modern ports
  • ✓ Works with USB 2.0 ports, so older computers can still use it
  • ✓ Includes a free trial of WD backup software for local and cloud copies
  • ✓ Compact, lightweight design for carrying between home, work and school

Cons

  • ✗ 1.5TB is modest next to current multi-terabyte portable drives
  • ✗ Backup software is a trial only, not a full license
  • ✗ No transfer speed figure published in the listing
  • ✗ Hard drive design, so expect lower speeds than a portable SSD

Manufacturer description

The WD Elements 1.5TB portable external hard drive from Western Digital gives you 1.5TB of extra storage for videos, music, photos and everyday files in a small, lightweight black case that fits in a laptop bag. It connects over USB 3.0 for fast data transfers on current computers. It also works with USB 2.0 ports, so you can plug it into older laptops, desktops and other USB 2.0 devices, at slower USB 2.0 speeds. For protection, Western Digital includes a free trial of WD backup software. You can use it to make local copies of your files and to send backups to the cloud, so a second copy of…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD Elements 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Western Digital's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much storage does the WD Elements portable drive have?

This model holds 1.5TB. That gives you room for large collections of videos, music, photos and documents.

Will the WD Elements work with a USB 2.0 port on an older computer?

Yes. The drive uses USB 3.0 but also works with USB 2.0 devices. On a USB 2.0 port, transfers run at USB 2.0 speeds.

Does the WD Elements 1.5TB come with backup software?

It includes a free trial of WD backup software that can make both local and cloud copies of your files. Since it is a trial, check Western Digital's terms for what happens when the trial ends.

How fast is the WD Elements 1.5TB external hard drive?

It uses a USB 3.0 interface for fast transfers, but the listing gives no MB/s figure. Real-world speed depends on your computer's port and the kinds of files you copy.

What warranty comes with the WD Elements portable hard drive, and does it work with Mac?

The product context doesn't state warranty length or Mac formatting details. Check the product listing or Western Digital's support site for current warranty terms and operating system compatibility.

Key Features

  • Ideal for adding extra storage for your videos, music, photos and files
  • Ultra-fast data transfers with USB 3.0
  • Backup with WD Software Free Trial for On-premises and Cloud Backups

Full Specifications

ASINB00D10O90I
BrandWestern Digital
ColorBlack/White
SeriesElements
Hard Drive1500 GB Mechanical Hard Disk
Item Weight8.1 ounces
ManufacturerWestern Digital
Model NumberWDBU6Y0015BBK-EESN
Power SourceUSB
Special FeatureNTFS^USB 3.0^5GB/s transfer rate
Flash Memory Size1.5
Hardware PlatformPC
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Item model numberWDBU6Y0015BBK-EESN
Compatible DevicesWindows 8^Windows 7^Windows Vista^Windows XP^Mac OS X
Product Dimensions4.37 x 3.24 x 0.83 inches
Hard Disk InterfaceUSB 3.0
Date First AvailableMay 27, 2013
Hard Drive InterfaceUSB 3.0
Item DimensionsLxWxH4.37 x 3.24 x 0.83 inches

Ready to buy?

Amazon shows no buyable offer for WD Elements 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard… at the last check. The closest in-stock match with the same 1.5TB hard drive is Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 1.5 TB USB 2.0…. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

View Current Price — $200.00

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