WD My Passport SSD 1TB Review: The Best Value Portable Drive for Mac
WD My Passport SSD 1TB
WD's My Passport SSD hits the sweet spot of speed, price, and size for everyday Mac users. At 1,050 MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2, it's fast enough for all but the most demanding video workflows, fits in a shirt pocket, weighs 40 grams, and includes password encryption with a 5-year warranty. For backups, file transfers, and media storage, it's the drive we recommend most.
Design & Portability
The My Passport SSD is impressively small — about the size of a large postage stamp and 8mm thick. At 40 grams it barely registers in a pocket. The anodized aluminum shell feels solid and premium for the price. Available in multiple colors (Black, Blue, Red, Silver), making it easy to color-code drives by purpose. The included USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables are short (45cm) but appropriate for the intended desk use.
Pros
- 1,050 MB/s read — fast for the price tier
- Weighs just 40g — lightest portable SSD we tested
- Hardware password encryption with WD Security
- 5-year warranty (longest in class)
- Works plug-and-play on Mac and Windows
- Excellent price-to-storage value
Cons
- USB-C to USB-C cable included, not Thunderbolt
- No IP rating — not water/dust resistant
- Write speeds slightly lower than read (around 1,000 MB/s)
- Not the fastest SSD for video production
Speed & Mac Performance
Connected to a MacBook Pro's Thunderbolt port (negotiating USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10Gbps), we measured 1,041 MB/s read and 998 MB/s write — essentially matching WD's rated speeds. On a MacBook Air M3, performance is identical since both negotiate the same USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection. In practical terms: a 5GB file copies in about 5 seconds; a 50GB Lightroom catalog in about 50 seconds.
For Time Machine backups on Mac, reformat to APFS in Disk Utility. Initial backups of a 500GB Mac take about 8 minutes; subsequent incremental backups complete in under a minute for typical daily changes.
| Spec | WD My Passport SSD 1TB |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) |
| Sequential Read | Up to 1,050 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | Up to 1,000 MB/s |
| Capacities | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Dimensions | 90.0 × 45.0 × 8.9mm |
| Weight | 40g |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit hardware + WD Security app |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Price (1TB) | ~$79 |
Where to Buy the WD My Passport SSD
Final Verdict
The WD My Passport SSD is the drive we recommend to anyone who wants a reliable, fast, and affordable portable SSD for their Mac. It's lighter than any competing drive, backed by a 5-year warranty, and fast enough for all everyday workflows. Video professionals needing 2,000 MB/s should look at the Samsung T9. For everyone else, the My Passport SSD is the best value available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work with Time Machine on Mac?
Yes. Reformat to APFS or HFS+ using Disk Utility, then select it as your Time Machine backup destination in System Settings. The 1TB model is a good match for Macs with up to 512GB of internal storage; go 2TB for a 1TB Mac.
WD My Passport SSD vs Samsung T7 — which to buy?
They perform virtually identically (~1,050 MB/s). The WD has the lighter weight (40g vs 58g) and longer warranty (5yr vs 3yr). The Samsung T7 has a metal casing and is slightly more durable if you drop it regularly. Both are excellent; the WD wins on value and weight.
Can I use password protection on Mac?
Yes, via the WD Security app (free download from WD's website). It applies AES 256-bit hardware encryption. If you lose the password, the data is not recoverable, so store your password in your Mac's Keychain or a password manager.
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