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WD 5TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Blue, Backup Software with Defense Against ransomware, and Password Protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 Compatible - WDBPKJ0050BBL-WESN
Western Digital

Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport (WDBPKJ0050BBL-WESN)

Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport: 5TB capacity holds huge photo, video, and document libraries in a pocket-size drive; main trade-off: hard-disk mechanism is slower than SSD-based portable storage.

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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.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 5TB capacity holds huge photo, video, and document libraries in a pocket-size drive
  • ✓ Hardware encryption plus password protection lock down sensitive files
  • ✓ Included Acronis True Image software adds ransomware-defense backups
  • ✓ Slim, durable design travels easily for file access on the move
  • ✓ USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatibility works with both older and newer ports

Cons

  • ✗ Hard-disk mechanism is slower than SSD-based portable storage
  • ✗ Spinning platters are more shock-sensitive than solid-state drives
  • ✗ USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface limits speed versus USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt
  • ✗ Mechanical drive can produce audible spin noise during transfers

Manufacturer description

Help safeguard your cherished memories while on-the-move with the My Passport portable hard drive. This high-capacity storage device provides seamless USB connectivity, enabling hassle-free access to your precious files anytime, anywhere. Make the most of the included Acronis True Image for Western Digital software[2] to help securely back up your data, fortified with robust protection against ransomware threats. Don't let a memory slip away – help keep them safe and accessible with the My Passport portable hard drive.

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 5TB 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.

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

Full Specifications

BrandWestern Digital
ColorBlue
Model NameMy Passport External Hard Drive
Read Speed120 Megabytes Per Second
Unit Count1.0 Count
Form Factor2.5-inch
Media Speed1
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberWDBPKJ0050BBL-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 Size5 TB
Mfr Part NumberWDBPKJ0050BBL-WESN
Number of Items1
Special FeatureHardware Encryption, Portable
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop, Laptop, Tablet
Data Transfer Rate1 Megabits Per Second
Enclosure MaterialAluminum
Additional FeaturesHardware Encryption, Portable
Hard Disk InterfaceUSB 2.0/3.0
Full listing titleWD 5TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Blue, Backup Software with Defense Against ransomware, and Password Protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 Compatible - WDBPKJ0050BBL-WESN

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WD 5TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Blue, Backup Software with Defense Against ransomware, and Password Protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 Compatible - WDBPKJ0050BBL-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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WD 5TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Blue, Backup Software with Defense Against ransomware, and Password Protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 Compatible - WDBPKJ0050BBL-WESN
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