WD 2TB My Passport SSD External Portable Drive, USB 3.1, Up to 540 MB/s - WDBKVX0020PSL-WESN
Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 2TB My Passport SSD External Portable Drive: Read speeds up to 540 MB/s over USB 3.1 Gen 2 for fast large-file transfers; main trade-off: full 540 MB/s needs USB 3.1 Gen 2; older USB-A ports cap the speed well below it.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Read speeds up to 540 MB/s over USB 3.1 Gen 2 for fast large-file transfers
- ✓ Password protection runs on hardware encryption, not a software-only lock
- ✓ USB Type-C ready but still works with USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and USB-A ports
- ✓ Shock-resistant, compact enclosure with no moving parts to fail in transit
Cons
- ✗ Full 540 MB/s needs USB 3.1 Gen 2; older USB-A ports cap the speed well below it
- ✗ Costs far more per terabyte than a 2TB portable hard drive
- ✗ Forgotten password means the encrypted 2TB is unrecoverable
- ✗ Only the 540 MB/s read figure is published; no rated write speed
Manufacturer description
The WD My Passport SSD packs 2TB of solid-state storage into a shell small enough to live in a jacket pocket, and it moves files at up to 540 MB/s read over USB 3.1 Gen 2. That is the number that matters if you shuttle 4K project files, game libraries, or photo catalogs between machines: a transfer that crawls on a portable hard drive finishes in a fraction of the time here. Western Digital ships the drive USB Type-C ready while keeping backward compatibility with USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and USB-A, so it plugs into a current laptop and an older desktop without an adapter hunt. Security is handled…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 2TB My Passport SSD External Portable Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the PC & gaming hardware category. Western Digital's PC & gaming hardware 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 PC & gaming hardware 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 fast is the WD 2TB My Passport SSD?
Western Digital rates it at read speeds up to 540 MB/s over USB 3.1 Gen 2. A rated write speed is not published, so check the product listing for the manufacturer's current figures.
Will it work with my older USB-A laptop?
Yes. The drive is USB Type-C and USB 3.1 Gen 2 ready and is also compatible with USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and USB-A, though slower ports will not reach the 540 MB/s read ceiling.
Can I password-protect the files on it?
Yes. My Passport SSD includes password protection with hardware encryption, managed through the WD Security tool in the bundled WD Discovery software.
What software comes with the drive?
WD Discovery, which bundles WD Backup, WD Security, WD Drive Utilities, and import tools for social media and cloud storage accounts.
Is it durable enough to carry every day?
It is a shock-resistant, compact solid-state design with no moving parts. No specific drop rating is published, so check the listing for warranty terms.
Key Features
- Blazing-fast file transfers with read speeds up to 540 MB/s
- Password protection with hardware encryption
- USB Type-C and USB 3.1 Gen 2 ready; USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and USB-A compatible
- WD Discovery software for WD Backup, WD Security, Social Media and Cloud Storage import, WD Drive Utilities
- Trusted drive built with WD reliability
Full Specifications
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | My Passport |
| Read Speed | 540 Megabytes Per Second |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Media Speed | ~540 MB/s |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | WDBKVX0020PSL-WESN |
| Built-In Media | Portable SSD drive, Quick Start Guide, USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, USB Type-C to Type-C cable (supports USB 3.1 Gen 2), WD Discovery for WD Backup, WD Security and WD Drive Utilities software |
| Item Type Name | WD WDBKVX0020PSL-WESN 2TB My Passport SSD Portable Storage - USB 3.1 - Black-Gray |
| Hard-Drive Size | 2 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBKVX0020PSL-WESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop, Television |
| Data Transfer Rate | 540 Megabytes Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | lightweight and durable material |
| Additional Features | Hardware Encryption |
Ready to buy?
WD 2TB My Passport SSD External Portable Drive, USB 3.1, Up to 540 MB/s - WDBKVX0020PSL-WESN 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.
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