Western Digital

WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - ‎WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN

Name: WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - ‎WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN
Brand: Western Digital
SKU: B0713WPGLL
Price: 184.59 USD
Availability: InStock

By Mike Perry, Hardware Editor · Verified 2026-09-15

Mike Perry has researched PC hardware since 2014, tracking 80+ GPU generations, 50+ retro handheld platforms, and 30+ vintage PC configurations. He synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides. View full credentials →

$184.59

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Buy on Amazon — $184.59 Compare to similar external storage

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-09-15. Price and availability subject to change.

Bottom line: The WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - ‎WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN is a specs-and-price decision rather than a crowd-consensus one in the external storage category, priced around $184.59. Check the specification table above against one or two close alternatives — on price and spec fit, not on star ratings.

High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go. Plug-and-play expandability Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to our editorial and benchmark analysis 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 Amazon listing before purchase. Prices, stock, and Prime eligibility update directly from Amazon's catalog and may have moved since this page was last verified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the WD Elements 4TB work with a Mac?

Yes. The drive ships formatted for Windows, so you reformat it once in macOS Disk Utility (choose APFS or exFAT) and it then works as a standard plug-and-play volume on a Mac.

How fast is the WD Elements 4TB?

It uses a SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface rated at 5Gbps. Real-world transfer speed is limited by the mechanical drive inside rather than the port, so expect hard-drive speeds, not SSD speeds.

Does it need a power adapter?

No. The WD Elements Portable is bus-powered and draws everything it needs from the USB connection, which is why it works with laptops and travel setups without an extra brick.

Is 4TB the largest size available?

No. Western Digital lists WD Elements portable capacities up to 6TB. The 4TB model reviewed here carries part number WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN.

What warranty does Western Digital include?

Warranty length varies by region and retailer, so check the current product listing or Western Digital's support page for the terms that apply to your purchase.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓ Plug-and-play expandability
✓ Backed by Western Digital's warranty and support channels
✓ Ships via Amazon with Prime eligibility and the standard returns policy

Cons

✗ Confirm socket / form-factor / power-rating compatibility against your build before ordering
✗ Price, stock, and Prime eligibility update from Amazon and may have changed since this page was last verified

Key Features

High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
Plug-and-play expandability
Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)

Full Specifications

Size	4TB
Brand	Western Digital
Color	Black
Model	WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN
Warranty	2 year Limited Warranty
UnitCount	1
ReleaseDate	2017-05-25T00:00:01Z
Manufacturer	‎Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
IsAdultProduct	false
ItemPartNumber	WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN

Ready to buy?

WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - ‎WDBU6Y0040BBK-WESN is available on Amazon with Prime shipping and the full Amazon returns policy. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $184.59

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-09-15. Price and availability subject to change.