WD My Passport 2TB Review: Would Buyers Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this drive ourselves. The speed and build details come from StorageReview's lab review, which covers an older generation. Reliability evidence comes from owner forum posts, which are not a representative sample. We found no recent long-term study. Our method.
Good for carrying a lot of data, but keep a second copy
StorageReview measured about 110 MB/s read and write over USB 3.0 and called the 2 TB capacity in a small, light body a strong result for travellers. The bundled software is simple, with a SMART check, a bad-sector scan and a password lock. The problem is reliability. Owner forum posts describe drives that failed within a few years, with some owners losing data. Those posts are older and unverified, so treat the drive as a backup copy rather than your only one.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- want a lot of storage in a small, bus-powered drive
- back up photos or files and keep a second copy elsewhere
- carry data between a laptop and a desk
Skip it if you…
- need fast editing from an external drive
- need one drive to hold your only copy of important data
- want a drive with a long, proven track record
The WD My Passport is a portable external hard drive that draws power over USB, so there is no adapter to carry. The 2 TB version is one of the most common sizes for travellers and light backups.
Speed figures come from an older review. We found no recent long-term data, so we flag the gaps as we go.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Capacity | 2 TB |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB 3.0 (Micro-USB connector) |
| Power | Bus-powered, no adapter |
| Weight | 0.51 lb (per StorageReview) |
| Software | WD Drive Utilities and WD Security |
What reviewers like
What owners and reviewers complain about
Our take on reliability
We could not find a recent, independent study of failure rates for this drive. The owner reports are real and worth taking seriously, but they are not a representative sample. A safe approach is to keep a second copy of anything you cannot lose, whatever drive you choose.
Tips from the review
- Run the SMART check after you buy it and from time to time.
- Use a password only if you need one, and note the warning that a forgotten password means lost data.
- Keep a backup of anything important on a second drive or in the cloud.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- 2 TB in a small, light body
- No power adapter needed
- Simple built-in health check and password lock
- Adequate speed for file storage
What owners complain about
- Not fast for large video editing
- Owner reports of early failures
- Plastic shell, no metal case
Other portable drives owners compare
These are the portable drives most often compared with the My Passport.
| Model | Style | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD My Passport 2TB (this review) | Portable hard drive | You want lots of space in a small, cheap travel drive | See on Amazon |
| Samsung T7 Portable SSD Read our review | Portable solid-state | You want faster transfers and a sturdier drive | See on Amazon |
| SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB Read our review | Rugged solid-state | You want speed and a rugged shell in a smaller size | See on Amazon |
Need space for a backup or a travel library?
Check the current capacities and prices on Amazon before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WD My Passport fast enough for video editing?
Not really. StorageReview measured about 110 MB/s, which suits file storage better than heavy editing.
Should I rely on it as my only copy?
No. The owner reports of failures are a good reason to keep a second copy.
Does it need a power adapter?
No. It is bus-powered from the USB port.
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Sources we analyzed
- StorageReview: 2TB Western Digital My Passport portable hard drive review — speed, build, software, verdict
- SanDisk Community: WD My Passport drive quality reports — owner reports of early failures (older forum post, unverified)
Figures reflect each source as of October 23, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.