Western Digital
Western Digital WD 2TB My Passport Ultra (WDBC3C0020BSL-WESN)
Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 2TB My Passport Ultra ($179.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-08): 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not software-only password locking; main trade-off: formatted for Windows out of the box, not macOS.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-08. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not software-only password locking
- ✓ USB-C plus USB 3.1 means no dongle on modern laptops
- ✓ 2TB capacity in a pocket-sized portable enclosure
- ✓ 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty included
Cons
- ✗ Formatted for Windows out of the box, not macOS
- ✗ Time Machine backups require a full reformat first
- ✗ Mac read/write needs a downloadable NTFS driver
- ✗ Spinning hard drive, so slower than an SSD of the same size
Manufacturer description
The WD My Passport Ultra in silver gives you 2TB of portable storage behind a metal-and-matte shell that holds up better in a bag than plastic-bodied drives. Western Digital ships it with USB-C and USB 3.1 connectivity, so it plugs straight into a modern laptop without a dongle, and a USB-A adapter path keeps older desktops in play. Security is the reason most buyers pick this one over a bare drive: password protection is backed by 256-bit AES hardware encryption, so the key work happens on the drive itself rather than in software on your PC. WD Backup software handles scheduled backups and…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 2TB 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 this work with a Mac?
Not out of the box. The drive ships formatted for Windows 10, 8.1, or 7. For macOS you can install WD's downloadable NTFS driver for read/write access, or reformat the drive if you want to use it with Time Machine.
Do I need a USB-C port to use it?
No. The My Passport Ultra is listed as USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible, so it connects to USB-C laptops directly and to older USB-A ports through the appropriate adapter or cable.
How does the password protection actually work?
It uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption, meaning the encryption runs on the drive's own controller rather than relying on your computer. You set the password through WD's software, and the drive stays locked until it's entered.
What warranty comes with it?
Western Digital includes a 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty. Check the current product listing for registration steps and regional terms before you buy.
Is 2TB enough for backing up a laptop?
For most laptops, yes. 2TB comfortably covers a typical 512GB or 1TB internal drive plus multiple backup versions, photo libraries, and imported social media or cloud archives via WD Backup.
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 |
| Read Speed | 140 Megabytes Per Second |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | 2.5 megabytes_per_second |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Model Number | WDBC3C0020BSL-WESN |
| Built-In Media | Portable hard drive, Quick Start Guide, USB 3.0 cable |
| Item Type Name | WD 2TB Silver My Passport Ultra Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBC3C0020BSL-WESN |
| Hard-Drive Size | 2 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBC3C0020BSL-WESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption, Portable |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | PC |
| Data Transfer Rate | 2.5 Megabytes Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | Metal |
| Full listing title | WD 2TB My Passport Ultra, Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBC3C0020BSL-WESN |
Ready to buy?
WD 2TB My Passport Ultra, Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBC3C0020BSL-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 2026-10-08. Price and availability subject to change.
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