Western Digital
Western Digital WD 16TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive (WDBBGB0160HBK-NESN)
Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 16TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive ($734.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): 16TB single volume; My Book line scales to 22TB; main trade-off: desk-bound: needs external AC power, not bus-powered.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 16TB single volume; My Book line scales to 22TB
- ✓ 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not software-only
- ✓ USB 3.0 at 5 Gbps, still works on USB 2.0 ports
- ✓ Bundled WD Backup plus Time Machine support
Cons
- ✗ Desk-bound: needs external AC power, not bus-powered
- ✗ USB 3.0 5 Gbps caps throughput vs USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives
- ✗ 3.5-inch mechanical HDD, so far slower than SSD storage
- ✗ Backup software needs download, install, and possibly an account
Manufacturer description
The WD My Book 16TB gives you a large single-volume desktop archive for the files that outgrew your laptop. Western Digital pairs a 16TB 3.5-inch drive with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) interface that stays backward compatible with USB 2.0, so it plugs into older towers and newer machines alike. Because it is externally powered desktop storage rather than a bus-powered portable, it is built to sit on a desk and absorb photo libraries, 4K video projects, game captures, and full system images. Security is the part that separates this My Book from a plain enclosure: 256-bit AES hardware…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 16TB My Book Desktop External Hard 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 much usable storage do you actually get on the 16TB model?
Less than 16TB. Western Digital counts 1TB as one trillion bytes, and actual user capacity varies with your operating environment and file system, so the formatted figure your OS reports will be lower.
Does the WD My Book work with a Mac and Time Machine?
Yes. WD lists My Book as compatible with Time Machine, though Mac users typically need to reformat the drive for Time Machine backups. The included WD software handles device management and password protection.
Is the encryption done in hardware or by the software?
In hardware. The drive uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and the bundled WD utility sets the password that unlocks it, so protection does not depend on the host computer.
Will it work on an older PC with USB 2.0 ports?
Yes. It is a SuperSpeed USB drive rated at 5 Gbps and is USB 2.0 compatible, so it will connect to older systems at the slower USB 2.0 speed.
Do I need to plug it into a wall outlet?
Yes. My Book is 3.5-inch desktop storage rather than a bus-powered portable drive, so it ships with its own power adapter and needs an outlet in addition to the USB connection.
Key Features
- Massive capacity, up to 22TB capacity. (1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).Specific uses: Business, personal
- Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
- Trusted storage built with WD reliability
Full Specifications
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | My Book |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
| Media Speed | 150 MB/s |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | WDBBGB0160HBK-NESN |
| Built-In Media | AC Adapter, My Book WDBBGB0160HBK-NESN Hard Drive, Quick Start Guide, USB 3.0 Cable, WD Discovery™ Softwarewith WD Backup, WD Security and WD Drive Utilities |
| Item Type Name | Hard Drive |
| Hard-Drive Size | 16 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBBGB0160HBK-NESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption |
| Hardware Platform | Mac, PC |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop PC, MAC |
| Data Transfer Rate | 600 megabytes_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Information Not Available |
| Additional Features | Hardware Encryption |
| Full listing title | WD 16TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0160HBK-NESN |
Ready to buy?
WD 16TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0160HBK-NESN 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 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
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