My Passport and My Passport Ultra have closely identical names, which might confuse new buyers. Is there any difference between My Passport and My Passport Ultra?
Who should go for the Ultra, and who will find better value in conventional My Passport hard drives?
We have attempted to answer all these queries in our WD My Passport vs. My Passport Ultra breakdown.
Fast data transfer is the primary selling point for both My Passport and My Passport Ultra. However, when it comes to a comparison between the two, Ultra offers superior transfer rates.
My Passport gives you more color choices as it is available in six different colors. Yellow, red, orange, black, white, blue, and yellow are the six options you get. My Passport Ultra gives you a narrower color range of black, berry, blue, and white.
Are these the only factors that set the two apart? Keep on reading to find out more about WD My Passport Ultra vs My Passport, so that you can pick the right one for you.
WD My Passport vs. My Passport Ultra: Which is for Whom?
As you compare My Passport and My Passport Ultra drives, you will recognize more similarities between the two than you had initially thought.
That said, both of them have some unique features that make them appealing to a diverse group of consumers.
Buy WD MY Passport If-
- You are content with USB-A and USB-B connectivity.
- You want smaller, more portable drives.
- You need more color options to choose from.
Buy MY Passport Ultra If-
- You need USB-C and cloud connectivity.
- You need a more secure casing.
- You want to transfer large files regularly.
- You don’t want to format your drive for Mac manually.
WD My Passport vs My Passport Ultra: Head to Head Comparison
Features | WD My Passport | wd My Passport Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Companion Cable | SuperSpeed USB Cable | SuperSpeed USB Cable |
Available Colors | Yellow, red, orange, black, white, blue, and yellow | Black, berry, blue, and white. |
Capacity | 1 to 5 TB | 1 To 5 TB |
Encryption | Comes with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with WD Security | Comes With Built-In 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption With WD Security |
Connectivity | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
OS Compatibility | Primarily aimed at Windows. You can reformat it for Mac use. | Separate Windows and Mac versions. You can change the format to convert the Mac one to Windows and vice-versa. |
Software Support | WD Backup, WD Security, WD Discovery | WD Backup, WD Security, WD Discovery |
Price |
Read more about WD My Passport
WD My Passport vs. My Passport Ultra: User Experience Overview
WD My Passport
- Most My Passport users are satisfied with the transfer rates. They also pointed out that it made minimal noise compared to its predecessors like the WD Easystore.
- My Passport drives are formattable so that the users do not feel compelled to stay with Windows. However, a handful of reviews claim that the formatting process is far from smooth and often crashes several times.
- Another common complaint from My Passport users is that the drive is not the easiest to eject from the computer. Some users say they never get an eject option, while some frequently get the ‘’the drive is already in use’’ pop-up.
- A group of users says they could not format the drive for PlayStation.
WD My Passport Ultra
- My Passport Ultra users have hailed the drive for providing cloud and social media connectivity through the WD Discovery app. It allows the user to transfer online media to the drive without a hassle.
- Some users have complained about the 5400rpm spin rate of My Passport Ultra. This is not the best for transferring large files on a regular basis.
- The WD apps might hinder data transmission from Mac OS. Many have claimed to have gotten better results after removing all WD software from the drive.
- The cable this drive comes with doesn’t have a lot of fans. Some have been reported to have improved data transmission rates after switching to a Gen 2 cable.
WD My Passport and My Passport Ultra Similarities
Compatibility
Even though My Passport doesn’t have a dedicated Mac version like the My Passport Ultra, it is compatible with the operating system. You will have to format the system to HFS+ from its default NTFS format.
So, both My Passport and My Passport Ultra drives are compatible with Windows and Mac OS.
Software
Western Digital provides its WD Discovery software with My Passport, and My Passport Ultra drives. It organizes backups in the drives and password protects the files through its WD Backup and WD Security features.
Warranty
Customers will get three years of limited warranty from Western Digital by buying any My Passport or My Passport Ultra drives.
Encryption
Western Digital has included data encryption facilities on My Passport, and My Passport Ultra drives to keep your data secret and safe. You can restrict unauthorized access to your data by simply setting a password of your choice.
Silent Operation
My Passport and My Passport Ultra drives are quite discreet when they are in action. While many HDDs make their presence known when you turn them on with an annoying hum, you won’t notice that on My Passport and My Passport Ultra drives.
WD My Passport vs. My Passport Ultra: Unique Features
USB-C and Cloud Connectivity
My Passport Ultra was introduced as premium alternatives to My Passport drives, and one of its extra functionality is USB-C support and cloud connectivity through the WD Discovery app. With My Passport Ultra, you can connect to the internet and download the files right on your drive.
Color Options
In this particular aspect, it is the My Passport that reigns supreme. My Passport drives are available in six color variants, but your color choice narrows down to four when you are buying a My Passport Ultra.
Dedicated Mac and Windows Versions
You can use My Passport drives with Mac OS, but not before you reformat it. My Passport Ultra makes it hassle-free and lets you pick the version you need. You can buy the Windows edition or go for the Mac OS one. The choice is yours!
WD My Passport Ultra vs. My Passport: Common Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Fast transfer rates.
- Easy to carry.
- Multiple storage variants.
- Backward compatibility with USB 2.0.
- WD Backup, WD Security and WD Discovery support.
- Password protection.
- Makes low noise.
What We Didn’t Like
- Even though My Passport Ultra drives have a stronger casing than My Passport drives, both are vulnerable to external force damage.
- Unlike WD Elements you cannot shuck My Passport and My Passport Ultra drives.
Unique Pros & Cons of WD My Passport
What We Liked
- More color choices.
- More portable.
What We Didn’t Like
- Not compatible with USB-C.
- No cloud access.
Unique Pros & Cons of WD My Passport Ultra
What We Liked
- Faster data transmission rate.
- Cloud connectivity.
- USB-C compatible.
What We Didn’t Like
- Poor cable quality.
WD My Passport vs. My Passport Ultra: Price-Quality Ratio
Not many features set apart My Passport Ultra and My Passport. You will have to pay more for cloud connectivity, USB-C support, and a plastic-aluminum casing. However, the price difference is not so large. So, My Passport Ultra offers the best value for money.
Closing Remarks
My Passport and My Passport Ultra represent the crème de la crème in Western Digital’s portable hard drive range. My Passport is slightly lower priced than My Passport Ultra. Even though it lacks some of the functionalities of the Ultra, it is a very good drive.
However, you will not have to spend a lot more to upgrade to Ultra. My Passport Ultra is definitely the superior version as it ranks higher in several performance metrics. It is faster, USB-C supported, and it can access your cloud and social media files.
You will get excellent service regardless of the one you finally decide to go for between these two. My Passport holds the upper hand in terms of color choices, price, and size.
But, the differences are slim, which makes My Passport Ultra the ultimate winner in our My Passport vs. My Passport Ultra analysis.
passport ultra is costing nearly double