Western Digital WD My Passport UltraFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 21 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment44%
PROS 44%
CONS 56%

Rank based on 21 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an external drive with a track record of lasting many years for occasional backups
  • You need a simple, fast, compact drive in capacities like 1TB, 2TB or 3TB
  • You mainly use it for periodic backups rather than leaving it plugged in constantly

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need guaranteed compatibility with consoles like PS5 without connection issues
  • You can't risk losing password-protected data with no recovery option besides erasing it
  • You need a rugged drive that survives being dropped

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Budget
Ugreen DXP2800
Easy setup for beginnersUpgradeable RAM and storageAffordable entry pointRAID is not backupLimited scalability with 2 baysImmature firmware options
Ugreen DXP2800
Easy setup for beginners
Upgradeable RAM and storage
Affordable entry point
RAID is not backup
Limited scalability with 2 bays
Immature firmware options
2Premium
Seagate Exos X16
Full advertised capacityGood packaging designLong-term reliabilityNoticeable operating noiseDrive failures reportedShipping/packaging damage in some regions
Seagate Exos X16
Full advertised capacity
Good packaging design
Long-term reliability
Noticeable operating noise
Drive failures reported
Shipping/packaging damage in some regions
3Mid
Synology DS214se
Reliable long-term operationEasy to use interfaceGood value versus competitorsUncertain streaming performance under loadWeak CPU and limited RAMAccount and connectivity issues reported
Synology DS214se
Reliable long-term operation
Easy to use interface
Good value versus competitors
Uncertain streaming performance under load
Weak CPU and limited RAM
Account and connectivity issues reported
4Budget
Seagate SkyHawk
Affordable price pointUsable for general storage, not just surveillanceSuited for surveillance/video recording workloadsConcerns over Seagate's data-loss reputationConfusing compatibility guidance for mixed NAS/NVR setupsSkepticism about AI marketing claims
Seagate SkyHawk
Affordable price point
Usable for general storage, not just surveillance
Suited for surveillance/video recording workloads
Concerns over Seagate's data-loss reputation
Confusing compatibility guidance for mixed NAS/NVR setups
Skepticism about AI marketing claims
5Budget
Western Digital Elements
Easy to shuckData recovery often possibleLow cost per terabyteUSB/power board issuesDrive failures and DOA unitsPhysical fragility during shucking
Western Digital Elements
Easy to shuck
Data recovery often possible
Low cost per terabyte
USB/power board issues
Drive failures and DOA units
Physical fragility during shucking
6Mid
Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox
Massive storage capacityExtra front USB portsGood value for the spaceReliability and failure issuesStays powered on after Xbox shutdownNo power button and noise complaints
Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox
Massive storage capacity
Extra front USB ports
Good value for the space
Reliability and failure issues
Stays powered on after Xbox shutdown
No power button and noise complaints
7Mid
Synology DS224+
Unofficial RAM upgrades often workEasy setup and softwareLong-term reliabilityNo 2.5GbE networkingOutdated/recycled hardwareLimited large-drive support
Synology DS224+
Unofficial RAM upgrades often work
Easy setup and software
Long-term reliability
No 2.5GbE networking
Outdated/recycled hardware
Limited large-drive support
8Mid
Seagate IronWolf
Long-term reliability for NAS workloadsStrong sustained write speedsPurpose-built for NAS environmentsLoud operational noiseDead-on-arrival and early failuresHigh operating temperatures
Seagate IronWolf
Long-term reliability for NAS workloads
Strong sustained write speeds
Purpose-built for NAS environments
Loud operational noise
Dead-on-arrival and early failures
High operating temperatures
9Mid
Seagate BarraCuda
Long-term reliabilityHigh storage capacity for archivingEasy installationReliability and failure reportsSMR write speed limitationsNoise and clicking sounds
Seagate BarraCuda
Long-term reliability
High storage capacity for archiving
Easy installation
Reliability and failure reports
SMR write speed limitations
Noise and clicking sounds
10Mid
Seagate Game Drive for Xbox
Fast game transfersEasy setupLong-term reliability for some usersCan't play next-gen games directlyDrive failure over timeNot recognized by Xbox
Seagate Game Drive for Xbox
Fast game transfers
Easy setup
Long-term reliability for some users
Can't play next-gen games directly
Drive failure over time
Not recognized by Xbox
You are here
13Mid
Western Digital WD My Passport Ultra
Long-term reliability for some usersWorks across multiple capacitiesFast and simple to useFails after being droppedSudden drive recognition failuresUSB and device compatibility questions
Western Digital WD My Passport Ultra
Long-term reliability for some users
Works across multiple capacities
Fast and simple to use
Fails after being dropped
Sudden drive recognition failures
USB and device compatibility questions

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Long-term durability gets real praise from multiple owners. Several commenters report their WD My Passport Ultra units, some purchased around 2013-2014 in 2TB, 3TB, and even a 256GB original, still working reliably after ten years or more without crashing. One user even successfully installed and ran AAA games from the drive. Another simply calls their 1TB version fast, small, and awesome. This suggests that under normal desk use, not left plugged in constantly, the drive can be quite dependable over the long haul.

Physical drops and connector wear are common failure points. Multiple users report the drive dying after falling from a desk, with the power light on but no data detected by the PC, and discs spinning yet undetectable. One long-time user notes the Micro-B USB connection wears down over years, causing slow recognition and a barely-holding port, while another describes a clicking sound followed by total data loss on a 2TB unit they paid nearly $100 for. These reports suggest physical fragility and connector durability are real risks.

Compatibility and recovery issues frustrate some users. Several commenters ask about compatibility with USB 2.0, USB 3.0 to Type-C adapters, Windows 10 formatting, Roku, Xbox One, and PS5, with one explicitly unable to connect a 1TB drive to a PS5. One person says the drive won't work on USB 3.0 but does on 2.0 despite driver troubleshooting. Another commenter reports no recognized solution from WD for computer recognition problems. A forgotten password with only an erase-data recovery option also left a user unable to retrieve years of family photos and videos.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?