Western Digital elements portable hard drives offer reliable, high-capacity storage, fast data transfer rates and universal connectivity with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices to back up your photos, videos and files on the go. The small, lightweight design offers up to 5TB capacity. Plug-and-play expandability SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
13 reviews for WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready – WDBU6Y0050BBK-WESN
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Jodi –
Nice product
I got this to download all my photos to from my computer to free up space and it works great and has lots of storage space
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Mort Green –
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive
Reliable and fast. Compact design, easy to use, and works flawlessly for backups and extra storage.
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DROD –
Very good External Hardrive. Plug and PLay
Great for Back up. Replaced an old external HD with this one. This one is quieter and loads faster. I got it for a great price on sale.
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Kim S –
Has worked great!
I do hobby photography and added in family sessions and grad photos. I wanted a place to store all of my photos I do and purchased this. I figured I’d keep all of my family photos as well as all the others I do on it.Absolutely amazing! I add photos to it all the time and it has thousands! Years later and I’m still adding. Never any issues. Speed is great, super easy to format.I came back to get another as I want to keep some files saved but separate from photos so will buy another.
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Dave Wright –
5 TB of Space so You Can Stop Deleting Things… Eventually
So you wanted storage. Lots of it. You wanted to keep every photo, every movie you said you’d watch “later,” and every game you’ll probably uninstall in two weeks anyway. Enter this WD Elements 5 TB drive — your digital hoarding companion.What it offers:Five terabytes. Yep, 5 TB. That’s enough to fill with backup after backup of backups. Reviewers report it hits around 100–135 MB/s for large sequential transfers.GadgetsGenes+3Happy TechFam+3Review Finder+3Plug‑and‑play simplicity: Just USB it, and you’re off (on a Micro‑B connector, because apparently USB‑C is still optional).Happy TechFam+1Great value: At one point the 5 TB version dropped to ~$89, making it one of the more affordable “massive storage” options.Tom’s HardwareLightweight and portable enough to toss in your bag. Reviewers like the portability.GadgetsGenes+1What you don’t get (and what you’ll be forced to accept with a sigh):It’s still a mechanical hard drive. That means spinning parts, slower speeds especially when dealing with lots of small files, and vulnerability to drops. Reviewers measured write speeds around 80–100 MB/s or less in some tests.Techwatch.de+2Review Finder+2No fancy extras: No hardware encryption, no bundled high‑end file‐management software, no USB‑C (in the standard model). If you were hoping for premium features, you’ll feel that absence.GadgetsGenes+1Mixed reliability feedback. Some users swear it works flawlessly; others report failures within a couple of years, especially if handled roughly.ProductReview.com.au+2Reddit+2My summary in plain English (with a side of sarcasm):If you’re looking for a “put‑it‑in‑a‑drawer and never think about it” backup device, this is a great pick. It gives you lots of space for not lots of money.If, however, you’re planning on using it for mission‑critical data (like 10 years of family archives), expecting SSD‑speeds, or you’re planning to travel with it and subject it to being tossed in a backpack with your laptop and coffee tumbler — well, maybe temper the expectations. Don’t rely on it as the only copy of anything.Final verdict:Buy it if you need capacity and want a simple solution. Treat it with respect (i.e., don’t drop it, plug it into a USB‑3 port, remember: backup your backup).Expect it to get the job done, but don’t expect miracles.
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CHARLES RGC –
Works Great for PLEX Storage
I’ve been running this WD 20TB drive for over 6 weeks as a PLEX Storage device with Zero problems.Here are some Tips for a good experience.Do not tip or move a HDD while its spinning. If its powered and running, then you need to leave it on your desk or shelf. Do not toss a spinning HDD into a backpack treating it like a portable drive.Spinning drives are meant to be left in the office and not hauled around like a Solid State Drive.Speed is limited by the drive type. The practical speed of a HDD hard drive is typically around 100–160 MB/s due to the limitations of the mechanical drive itself, not the USB 3.0 connection.Please note: ALL hard drives clock in at a smaller value than the sticker says. This has to do with the way the manufacturer and Microsoft calculate the value differently and formatting. It has always been this way since forever and is not a defect. If you buy a 20TB HDD drive, you can expect about 18TB after formatting. This is normal and not a problem. Spinning hard drives such as this one, make some noise. What you hear are the heads moving across multiple spinning platters. So any drive this large will be a spinning drive and will make some noise, and will clock in slightly smaller than the sticker reads. If you need a full 20TB, then buy the 24TB unit, then you will have about 20+TB.
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Humanoid –
These are Server/Enterprise Quality Drives
Product: Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard DriveThis is a bargain, especially if you pick it up during a good sale (I paid $170). The real value comes from the fact that these are not merely consumer grade hard drives. They are server/enterprise quality. Inside the enclosure is a 3.5″ platter, helium filled hard drive. The model inside my enclosure is WD140EDGZ. These drives are much more expensive if bought bare (no enclosure). They are perfect for shucking (removing the bare drive and using in a desktop). See photo of the bare 3.5″ drive post-shuck.I ran diagnostics and everything was perfect. No complaints so far. I picked up a handful of these and plan to use them in a file server. If you want a very good and reliable HD, this one is a steal (especially if shucked).
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Amazon Customer –
Works Great! Easy to use. Just plug it in and forget it.
I bought this a couple of years ago because I was tired of moving things to a flash drive in order to free up space on my laptop and trying to remember what flash drive has what files. This is simple plug and play. I have it connected to a USB port extender and there is no noticeable latency when accessing files and unlike other external drives that I have used it is completely silent. I moved everything from all of my flash drives onto it and now instead of saving files to the laptop I save it on the external drive. I have files that date back over 20 years and I still have plenty of space left, over half of the total drive space. When I bought a new laptop I didn’t have to spend time moving my files, I just moved the drive. This being a piece of computer equipment it will eventually fail. When that happens I will definitely buy another one. But for right now I love it.
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Luis Rivera Vazquez –
Gran capacidad y calidad 100% recomendado
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CHRISTIAN –
o hdd é muito bom, silencioso e rápido
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Mark AfterDark –
I recently purchased the WD 4TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High Capacity Hard Drive and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. The drive is compact and easy to use – just plug it into my computer’s USB port and I’m good to go. The 4TB of storage is more than enough for my needs, and the transfer speeds are reasonable for a standard 5400rpm HDD..One thing that initially concerned me was the drive’s tendency to get hot during use. However, I have used it extensively over the past few weeks and have not experienced any issues with overheating.In terms of value, I believe the WD 4TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High Capacity Hard Drive offers excellent value for the price and the high capacity and decent transfer speeds make it well worth the investment. If you need a lot of storage on the go and are looking for a reliable and high-performance option, I highly recommend the WD 4TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High Capacity Hard Drive.
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Eveline van Meer –
Functions super!
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Dhirendra –
This is a great hard drive. I previously had a 1 TB hard drive of WD and that worked really fine. That is why I decided to go for a 2TB hard drive of WD. Though, Seagate hard drives are much better than WD because they are thinner and they sustain for a long time like WD.I purchased it @Rs. 5599.Pros-1. WD is a very reliable name in the field of hard drives. So it is reliable.2. 2-year warranty.3. small in size.4. Reading speed is amazing. I got around 150 MBps/ 1.2 Mbps while reading. (Data was a movie and USB port was USB 3.0)5. Writing speed is also great. I got around 55 MBps/ 440 Mbps while writing on the hard drive. (Data was a movie and USB port was USB 3.0)6. The speed of reading and writing on USB 2.0 ports is also great.7. USB 3.0 cable is already included in the package. So you don’t need to purchase a USB 3.0 cable separately.8. The length of the cable is enough for normal usage.9. The product is original. So you can get is registered on WD website. You will also get your warranty from there.10. Cheaper than Seagate models. (in general)Cons-1. If you are in need of a long USB 3.0 cable then you will be disappointed. The length of the cable is just enough for normal usage.2. The hard drive is somewhat thick. You will get a Seagate hard drive of the same capacity to be slimmer.Final comment- If the price is not a big issue for you and you want a slimmer hard drive then go for Seagate hard drive. Else this is certainly one of the best choices.
Jodi –
Nice product
I got this to download all my photos to from my computer to free up space and it works great and has lots of storage space
Mort Green –
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive
Reliable and fast. Compact design, easy to use, and works flawlessly for backups and extra storage.
DROD –
Very good External Hardrive. Plug and PLay
Great for Back up. Replaced an old external HD with this one. This one is quieter and loads faster. I got it for a great price on sale.
Kim S –
Has worked great!
I do hobby photography and added in family sessions and grad photos. I wanted a place to store all of my photos I do and purchased this. I figured I’d keep all of my family photos as well as all the others I do on it.Absolutely amazing! I add photos to it all the time and it has thousands! Years later and I’m still adding. Never any issues. Speed is great, super easy to format.I came back to get another as I want to keep some files saved but separate from photos so will buy another.
Dave Wright –
5 TB of Space so You Can Stop Deleting Things… Eventually
So you wanted storage. Lots of it. You wanted to keep every photo, every movie you said you’d watch “later,” and every game you’ll probably uninstall in two weeks anyway. Enter this WD Elements 5 TB drive — your digital hoarding companion.What it offers:Five terabytes. Yep, 5 TB. That’s enough to fill with backup after backup of backups. Reviewers report it hits around 100–135 MB/s for large sequential transfers.GadgetsGenes+3Happy TechFam+3Review Finder+3Plug‑and‑play simplicity: Just USB it, and you’re off (on a Micro‑B connector, because apparently USB‑C is still optional).Happy TechFam+1Great value: At one point the 5 TB version dropped to ~$89, making it one of the more affordable “massive storage” options.Tom’s HardwareLightweight and portable enough to toss in your bag. Reviewers like the portability.GadgetsGenes+1What you don’t get (and what you’ll be forced to accept with a sigh):It’s still a mechanical hard drive. That means spinning parts, slower speeds especially when dealing with lots of small files, and vulnerability to drops. Reviewers measured write speeds around 80–100 MB/s or less in some tests.Techwatch.de+2Review Finder+2No fancy extras: No hardware encryption, no bundled high‑end file‐management software, no USB‑C (in the standard model). If you were hoping for premium features, you’ll feel that absence.GadgetsGenes+1Mixed reliability feedback. Some users swear it works flawlessly; others report failures within a couple of years, especially if handled roughly.ProductReview.com.au+2Reddit+2My summary in plain English (with a side of sarcasm):If you’re looking for a “put‑it‑in‑a‑drawer and never think about it” backup device, this is a great pick. It gives you lots of space for not lots of money.If, however, you’re planning on using it for mission‑critical data (like 10 years of family archives), expecting SSD‑speeds, or you’re planning to travel with it and subject it to being tossed in a backpack with your laptop and coffee tumbler — well, maybe temper the expectations. Don’t rely on it as the only copy of anything.Final verdict:Buy it if you need capacity and want a simple solution. Treat it with respect (i.e., don’t drop it, plug it into a USB‑3 port, remember: backup your backup).Expect it to get the job done, but don’t expect miracles.
CHARLES RGC –
Works Great for PLEX Storage
I’ve been running this WD 20TB drive for over 6 weeks as a PLEX Storage device with Zero problems.Here are some Tips for a good experience.Do not tip or move a HDD while its spinning. If its powered and running, then you need to leave it on your desk or shelf. Do not toss a spinning HDD into a backpack treating it like a portable drive.Spinning drives are meant to be left in the office and not hauled around like a Solid State Drive.Speed is limited by the drive type. The practical speed of a HDD hard drive is typically around 100–160 MB/s due to the limitations of the mechanical drive itself, not the USB 3.0 connection.Please note: ALL hard drives clock in at a smaller value than the sticker says. This has to do with the way the manufacturer and Microsoft calculate the value differently and formatting. It has always been this way since forever and is not a defect. If you buy a 20TB HDD drive, you can expect about 18TB after formatting. This is normal and not a problem. Spinning hard drives such as this one, make some noise. What you hear are the heads moving across multiple spinning platters. So any drive this large will be a spinning drive and will make some noise, and will clock in slightly smaller than the sticker reads. If you need a full 20TB, then buy the 24TB unit, then you will have about 20+TB.
Humanoid –
These are Server/Enterprise Quality Drives
Product: Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard DriveThis is a bargain, especially if you pick it up during a good sale (I paid $170). The real value comes from the fact that these are not merely consumer grade hard drives. They are server/enterprise quality. Inside the enclosure is a 3.5″ platter, helium filled hard drive. The model inside my enclosure is WD140EDGZ. These drives are much more expensive if bought bare (no enclosure). They are perfect for shucking (removing the bare drive and using in a desktop). See photo of the bare 3.5″ drive post-shuck.I ran diagnostics and everything was perfect. No complaints so far. I picked up a handful of these and plan to use them in a file server. If you want a very good and reliable HD, this one is a steal (especially if shucked).
Amazon Customer –
Works Great! Easy to use. Just plug it in and forget it.
I bought this a couple of years ago because I was tired of moving things to a flash drive in order to free up space on my laptop and trying to remember what flash drive has what files. This is simple plug and play. I have it connected to a USB port extender and there is no noticeable latency when accessing files and unlike other external drives that I have used it is completely silent. I moved everything from all of my flash drives onto it and now instead of saving files to the laptop I save it on the external drive. I have files that date back over 20 years and I still have plenty of space left, over half of the total drive space. When I bought a new laptop I didn’t have to spend time moving my files, I just moved the drive. This being a piece of computer equipment it will eventually fail. When that happens I will definitely buy another one. But for right now I love it.
Luis Rivera Vazquez –
Gran capacidad y calidad 100% recomendado
CHRISTIAN –
o hdd é muito bom, silencioso e rápido
Mark AfterDark –
I recently purchased the WD 4TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High Capacity Hard Drive and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. The drive is compact and easy to use – just plug it into my computer’s USB port and I’m good to go. The 4TB of storage is more than enough for my needs, and the transfer speeds are reasonable for a standard 5400rpm HDD..One thing that initially concerned me was the drive’s tendency to get hot during use. However, I have used it extensively over the past few weeks and have not experienced any issues with overheating.In terms of value, I believe the WD 4TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High Capacity Hard Drive offers excellent value for the price and the high capacity and decent transfer speeds make it well worth the investment. If you need a lot of storage on the go and are looking for a reliable and high-performance option, I highly recommend the WD 4TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High Capacity Hard Drive.
Eveline van Meer –
Functions super!
Dhirendra –
This is a great hard drive. I previously had a 1 TB hard drive of WD and that worked really fine. That is why I decided to go for a 2TB hard drive of WD. Though, Seagate hard drives are much better than WD because they are thinner and they sustain for a long time like WD.I purchased it @Rs. 5599.Pros-1. WD is a very reliable name in the field of hard drives. So it is reliable.2. 2-year warranty.3. small in size.4. Reading speed is amazing. I got around 150 MBps/ 1.2 Mbps while reading. (Data was a movie and USB port was USB 3.0)5. Writing speed is also great. I got around 55 MBps/ 440 Mbps while writing on the hard drive. (Data was a movie and USB port was USB 3.0)6. The speed of reading and writing on USB 2.0 ports is also great.7. USB 3.0 cable is already included in the package. So you don’t need to purchase a USB 3.0 cable separately.8. The length of the cable is enough for normal usage.9. The product is original. So you can get is registered on WD website. You will also get your warranty from there.10. Cheaper than Seagate models. (in general)Cons-1. If you are in need of a long USB 3.0 cable then you will be disappointed. The length of the cable is just enough for normal usage.2. The hard drive is somewhat thick. You will get a Seagate hard drive of the same capacity to be slimmer.Final comment- If the price is not a big issue for you and you want a slimmer hard drive then go for Seagate hard drive. Else this is certainly one of the best choices.