Western Digital
Western Digital WD 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive
Bottom line: The WD 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive ($228.90 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 16:17 UTC): NVMe speeds up to 1050MB/s read, 1000MB/s write; main trade-off: 1050MB/s is a peak figure; real speeds vary by host and workload.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ NVMe speeds up to 1050MB/s read, 1000MB/s write
- ✓ Password-enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption built in
- ✓ Drop resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m), shock and vibration rated
- ✓ USB 3.2 Gen 2 with USB-C plus USB-A for older systems
Cons
- ✗ 1050MB/s is a peak figure; real speeds vary by host and workload
- ✗ Requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port to hit rated throughput
- ✗ 1TB fills fast if you archive 4K video or large game libraries
- ✗ Red finish shows scuffs more than a neutral color would
Manufacturer description
Blazing fast NVMe technology with speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s. | Based on read speed unless otherwise stated. As used for transfer rate, 1 MB/s = one million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors. Password enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption Shock and vibration resistant. Drop resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m)
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored WD 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive 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
How fast is the WD My Passport SSD really?
Western Digital rates it at up to 1050MB/s read and up to 1000MB/s write over USB 3.2 Gen 2. Those figures come from internal testing, and actual speeds vary with your host device, cable, and workload.
Does it work with a Mac or only Windows?
The drive uses a USB-C interface with USB 3.2 Gen 2 and includes USB-A compatibility for older systems, so it connects to both. Check the product listing for the out-of-box format and any reformatting steps for your OS.
Is the data actually encrypted, or is it just a software lock?
It uses password-enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption, so the encryption runs on the drive itself rather than on your computer's CPU.
Will it survive being dropped in a backpack?
It is shock and vibration resistant and rated drop resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m), which covers desk-height falls and normal commuting knocks.
Is 1TB enough storage for video work?
1TB handles a working set of 4K project files or a large Steam library, but long-term 4K archives will fill it. Higher capacities exist in the My Passport SSD line if you need more headroom.
Key Features
- Blazing fast NVMe technology with speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s. | Based on read speed unless otherwise stated. As used for transfer rate, 1 MB/s = one million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
- Password enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Shock and vibration resistant. Drop resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m)
- Cross Compatible USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C (USB-A for older systems)
Full Specifications
| Size | 1TB |
|---|---|
| Brand | Western Digital |
| Color | Red |
| Model | WDBAGF0010BRD-WESN |
| Warranty | 5-year manufacturer's limited warranty |
| UnitCount | 1 |
| ReleaseDate | 2020-08-31T00:00:01Z |
| Manufacturer | Sandisk Technologies, Inc. |
| ItemPartNumber | WDBAGF0010BRD-WESN |
| Full listing title | WD 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive, Red, Sturdy and Blazing Fast, Password Protection with Hardware Encryption - WDBAGF0010BRD-WESN |
Ready to buy?
WD 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive, Red, Sturdy and Blazing Fast, Password Protection with Hardware Encryption - WDBAGF0010BRD-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 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
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