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WD 4TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN
Western Digital

Western Digital WD 4TB My Passport (WDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN)

Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 4TB My Passport ($180.10 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 4TB of bus-powered capacity with no separate AC adapter to carry; main trade-off: spinning platter drive, so it is far slower than an SSD.

$180.10

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Buy on Amazon — $180.10 Compare to similar external storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 4TB of bus-powered capacity with no separate AC adapter to carry
  • ✓ Hardware encryption plus password protection built into the drive
  • ✓ Bundled backup software includes ransomware defense
  • ✓ 3-year limited warranty from Western Digital

Cons

  • ✗ Spinning platter drive, so it is far slower than an SSD
  • ✗ Mechanical design is vulnerable to drops while running
  • ✗ Backup software requires download, install, and possible account signup
  • ✗ Software feature set is Windows-oriented; Mac users typically reformat

Manufacturer description

The WD My Passport 4TB gives you a palm-sized place to park the photo library, video projects, and documents that outgrew your laptop's internal drive. Western Digital builds this portable external hard drive around a slim, durable enclosure that slips into a bag pocket, and it connects over USB 3.1 with backward compatibility for USB 3.0 ports, so it works with the machines you already own. The included device management software handles scheduled backups and adds a defense layer against ransomware, while built-in password protection with hardware encryption keeps the drive's contents…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 4TB My Passport 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 4TB work with a Mac?

It connects to any Mac with a USB port, but the drive ships formatted for Windows. Most Mac users reformat it to APFS or Mac OS Extended in Disk Utility before using it with Time Machine.

Does it need a separate power supply?

No. The My Passport is bus-powered and draws what it needs from the USB 3.1 or USB 3.0 port, so the included cable is the only thing you have to carry.

How does the password protection work?

The drive pairs password protection with hardware encryption, so the contents stay locked without the password. Set it up through the included device management software after installation.

What warranty comes with it?

Western Digital covers it with a 3-year limited warranty. Check the product listing for current terms and regional coverage details.

Is this an SSD or a hard drive?

It is a portable external hard drive with a spinning platter, not an SSD. That is why you get 4TB at this price, but expect slower transfers and more caution about bumps than an SSD.

Key Features

  • Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
  • Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
  • Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
  • Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
  • 3-year limited warranty

Full Specifications

BrandWD
ColorBlack
Model NameMy Passport External Hard Drive
Unit Count1 Count
Form Factor2.5-inch
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberWDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN
Built-In MediaMy Passport portable hard drive, Quick Start Guide, Software[2] for device management and backup with password protection, SuperSpeed USB-A cable (5Gbps)
Hard-Drive Size4 TB
Mfr Part NumberWDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Hardware PlatformPC
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate1 megabits_per_second
Enclosure MaterialAluminum Or Glass
Additional FeaturesPortable
Hard Disk InterfaceUSB 2.0/3.0
Warranty Description3-year manufacturer's limited warranty
Full listing titleWD 4TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN

Ready to buy?

WD 4TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBPKJ0040BBK-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.

Buy on Amazon — $180.10

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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WD 4TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN
$180.10
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