WD 16TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software…
WD · 2 more picks →
Best for
Best with encryption
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Current price
$674.99
Updated Jun 27, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
The WD 16TB My Book scales the same formula reviewers praised on the smaller model up to high capacity while keeping its signature security features. techgearlab (high-trust) describes the My Book as bulky and wall-powered but "very fast and available in massive storage options" with 256-bit encryption, and Best Buy verified-purchase reviews highlight the password protection and hardware encryption. r/DataHoarder threads confirm the My Book uses forced hardware encryption tied to the enclosure, and note it can still be shucked for the drive inside.
What reviewers liked
- Built-in 256-bit hardware encryption and password protection confirmed by techgearlab and Best Buy
- High capacity with a large verified-purchase base (13,439 ratings at 4.4)
- Can be shucked for the internal drive per r/DataHoarder
Where it falls short
- r/DataHoarder reports "concerning noises" on larger 12TB-18TB My Book units
- Controller-based encryption risks data loss if the enclosure board fails
- Large, heavy, and requires a wall outlet
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The WD 16TB My Book scales the same formula reviewers praised on the smaller model up to high capacity while keeping its signature security features. techgearlab (high-trust) describes the My Book as bulky and wall-powered but "very fast and available in massive storage options" with 256-bit encryption, and Best Buy verified-purchase reviews highlight the password protection and hardware encryption. r/DataHoarder threads confirm the My Book uses forced hardware encryption tied to the enclosure, and note it can still be shucked for the drive inside.
With 13,439 ratings averaging 4.4 stars, the verified-purchase consensus is positive, and newegg reviewers like the encryption while reserving judgment on long-term enclosure reliability. The recurring cautions are consistent with the family: it's a large, heavy, wall-powered unit, the encryption-by-controller design is a data-recovery risk if the board fails, and r/DataHoarder posts specifically mention people complaining about "concerning noises" on 12TB-to-18TB My Book drives. For shoppers who specifically want built-in encryption at high capacity, it's the clearest fit.
- Massive capacity, up to 22TB capacity. (1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).Specific uses: Business, personal
- Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
- Trusted storage built with WD reliability
My Book drives have, in addition to the actual hard drive, a controller board that encrypts all the data that goes onto the drive and decrypts ...
Both are USB 3.0, and Elements is 30€ more than My Book. Googling the difference returns little information. At first glance, there seems to be no difference.
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“WD 16TB My Book Review: Is This Massive External Drive Worth ...” · YouTube
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