Western Digital
WD My Passport Ultra 2 TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Auto Backup, Black
Bottom line: The WD My Passport Ultra 2 TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive ($178.27 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): 2 TB capacity fits a full system image plus years of photo and video libraries; main trade-off: listed as an older-model generation; newer My Passport revisions have since replaced it.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 2 TB capacity fits a full system image plus years of photo and video libraries
- ✓ Automatic backup runs on a schedule instead of relying on manual copies
- ✓ Hardware encryption plus password protection locks data at the drive, not in software
- ✓ USB 3.0 interface, backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports
Cons
- ✗ Listed as an older-model generation; newer My Passport revisions have since replaced it
- ✗ Spinning hard drive, so it is slower and less shock-tolerant than an SSD
- ✗ Cloud backup depends on a third-party service account you set up separately
- ✗ No USB-C connector, so modern laptops need an adapter or dongle
Manufacturer description
The WD My Passport Ultra 2 TB is Western Digital's portable USB 3.0 hard drive built for people who want backup to happen without thinking about it. Security is handled at the drive level. Password protection works alongside hardware encryption, meaning the data is scrambled on the drive itself rather than by software running on your computer. If the drive walks off in a laptop bag, the contents stay locked. Two terabytes is enough room for a full system image plus years of photo libraries, and the USB 3.0 interface moves large transfers considerably faster than USB 2.0 while staying…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored WD My Passport Ultra 2 TB Portable External USB 3.0 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 can the WD My Passport Ultra 2 TB actually hold?
It is a 2 TB drive, which comfortably covers a full computer system image along with large photo and video libraries. Formatted capacity is always somewhat lower than the advertised figure.
Does it back up automatically or do I have to copy files myself?
Automatic backup is one of its listed features, along with cloud backup support, so you can set a schedule rather than dragging files over manually each time.
Is the data actually encrypted, or just password-locked?
Both. The drive lists password protection and hardware encryption, meaning encryption happens on the drive itself rather than through software on the host computer.
Will it work with a USB-C laptop or a USB 2.0 port?
It is a USB 3.0 drive and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports at slower speeds. A USB-C machine needs an adapter, since the drive does not ship with a USB-C connector.
Is this the current version of the My Passport Ultra?
No. The listing is labeled as an older model, so Western Digital has released newer revisions since. Check the product listing for current warranty terms and included software.
Key Features
- Automatic and cloud backup
- Password protection and hardware encryption
- Sleek, high capacity, storage to go
- Secure your drive
Full Specifications
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | My Passport Ultra 2 |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Media Speed | 1 |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | WDBMWV0020BBK-NESN |
| Built-In Media | Portable hard drive, USB cable, WD SmartWare Pro software, Quick Install Guide |
| Hard-Drive Size | 2 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBMWV0020BBK-NESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Durable, Portable, Shock Resistant |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5 Gigabits Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | hard plastic or metal |
| Additional Features | Durable, Portable, Shock Resistant |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 1.1 |
| Warranty Description | 3 year limited warranty |
Ready to buy?
(Old Model) WD My Passport Ultra 2 TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Auto Backup, Black is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
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