Western Digital
Western Digital WD 1TB My Passport Ultra (WDBC3C0010BSL-WESN)
Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 1TB My Passport Ultra ($159.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not software-only password protection; main trade-off: formatted for Windows out of the box, so Mac users must reformat.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not software-only password protection
- ✓ USB-C and USB 3.1 both supported, so no dongle on modern laptops
- ✓ 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty from Western Digital
- ✓ Metal cover instead of the usual all-plastic portable enclosure
Cons
- ✗ Formatted for Windows out of the box, so Mac users must reformat
- ✗ Spinning hard drive, so slower than a comparable portable SSD
- ✗ 1TB is modest if you store 4K video or large game libraries
- ✗ WD Backup software is Windows-oriented, limiting the bundle's Mac value
Manufacturer description
The WD My Passport Ultra pairs a 1TB portable hard drive with a metal-and-matte enclosure that holds up in a bag better than the all-plastic drives it competes with. Western Digital ships it with both USB-C and USB 3.1 compatibility, so it plugs straight into a modern laptop without a dongle and still works with older ports. The security story is the reason most buyers pick this drive over a bare enclosure. Password protection runs on 256-bit AES hardware encryption, meaning the key never sits in software on the host machine, and the bundled WD Backup software adds scheduled backups with…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 1TB My Passport Ultra 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
Does the WD My Passport Ultra work with a Mac?
It ships formatted for Windows, so you will need to reformat it in Disk Utility before using it with macOS. Reformatting erases the drive, so do it before copying any files. Note that the bundled WD Backup software is oriented toward Windows.
How does the password protection actually work?
The drive uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption paired with password protection, so the encryption happens on the drive itself rather than in host software. You set the password through Western Digital's utility on first setup.
Do I need a USB-C port to use this drive?
No. The My Passport Ultra is compatible with both USB-C and USB 3.1, so it connects to modern USB-C laptops and older USB-A machines alike. Check the product listing for exactly which cables are included in the box.
What warranty does Western Digital include?
A 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty. Terms and claim procedures are handled by Western Digital, so check the current product listing and WD's support site for the details that apply to your region.
Is 1TB enough storage for photo and video backups?
1TB handles large photo libraries and general document backup comfortably, and the drive includes social media and cloud storage import to pull those files in. If you archive substantial 4K video, look at higher-capacity models in the My Passport line.
Key Features
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Windows
- 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty
Full Specifications
| Brand | WD |
|---|---|
| Color | Silver |
| Model Name | My Passport Ultra |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | up to 5Gb/s |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Model Number | WDBC3C0010BSL-WESN |
| Built-In Media | Portable hard drive, Quick Start Guide, USB 3.0 cable |
| Item Type Name | WD 1TB Silver My Passport Ultra Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBC3C0010BSL-WESN |
| Hard-Drive Size | 1 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBC3C0010BSL-WESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption, Portable |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | PC |
| Data Transfer Rate | 2.5 megabytes_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Metal |
| Additional Features | Hardware Encryption, Portable |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Full listing title | WD 1TB My Passport Ultra, Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBC3C0010BSL-WESN |
Ready to buy?
WD 1TB My Passport Ultra, Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBC3C0010BSL-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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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