If you’ve been combing through the best external hard drives to find the perfect fit for you, look no further than the Western Digital Elements External Hard Drive! This hard drive comes from a reputable company and offers a variety of storage space options ranging from 1TB up to 5TBs. It works with both Windows and Mac computers, although it will have to be reformatted to work with the latter.
Why We Like It – Western Digital Elements External Hard Drive
The Western Digital Elements External Hard Drive is a lightweight, travel-friendly hard drive that comes in a variety of storage space options (up to 5TB). It features a USB 3.0 interface for lightning-fast transfer speeds, and even comes with a 2-year warranty from the manufacturer.
- Available In Multiple Sizes (1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB)
- USB 3.0 With USB 2.0 Compatibility
- Only Weights 4.66 Ounces
- Reformatting Is Required When Using This Hard Drive With A Mac Computer
- Doesn’t Automatically Backup Your Data
Performance
The WD Elements Portable Hard Drive is a great option if you are looking for a reliable external drive. This storage device lacks automatic backup software, but besides that, it is a great portable external addition to your current computer setup. It can utilize both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 via a USB cable for maximum speeds (and compatibility) and offers up to 5TB in storage. However, make sure you get enough space for your needs. If you need more storage space, check out other hard drives such as the 8TB Seagate STGY80000 External Hard Drive instead. And, if you want reliable transfer and read speeds, then read our Fantom drives review.
Design
The WD Elements Portable Hard Drive is made for taking your data on the go. It only weighs 4.66 ounces and is 4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 inches, so it’s extremely easy to take this portable hard drive around. However, it’s not heavy-duty as far as external drives go. If you want something a bit more durable try the LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive. The WD Elements Portable Hard Drive offers storage space ranging from 1TB up to 5TB, so you’re not limited to one size option (or price!).
Value
At only $59.99 for the 2TB model, the WD Elements Portable Hard Drive is a great purchase for the price (another comparably priced hard drive is the Toshiba Canvio Basics External Hard Drive)! Unlike other hard drives, which may only offer one year warranties, this device has a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty for extended peace of mind. It offers high-speed data transfers with its USB 3.0/2.0 compatible interface on both Windows and Mac computers. Even though it doesn’t have automatic data backup software, it’s still a great (and cheap) way to stop your computer from slowing down. If you need external space, check out our Seagate Wireless Plus 1TB Mobile Storage Drive review.
Western Digital Elements External Hard Drive Wrap Up
Western Digital Elements Portable Hard Drive is a great, budget-friendly option for both users who need more storage space & users whose laggy computers are driving them crazy. Since it comes in a variety of storage sizes (all of which include a USB 2.0/3.0 interface) it will be perfect for all but the most data-laden consumers. It sucks that it doesn’t automatically backup data and needs to be reformatted for Mac computers, but most consumers will be happy with it.
