WD Elements 6TB Desktop HDD Drops to $315 at Newegg as Plug-and-Play Backup Drive

The 3.5-inch desktop drive connects over USB 3.0 with a Micro-B cable and is backward-compatible with USB 2.0, according to TechRadar. It ships formatted NTFS for Windows and can be reformatted for Mac, runs from an included AC adapter, and carries a two-year warranty. TechRadar said the setup is plug-and-play on Windows and requires no setup software; users with only USB-C or Thunderbolt ports will need an adapter.

At about $52 per terabyte, TechRadar said the WD drive is not the cheapest option per terabyte, as larger desktop drives currently cost less per terabyte. Newegg also has the Seagate Expansion 16TB HDD at $460, reduced from $550, which TechRadar recommends for buyers seeking the best value. TechRadar reported that Amazon also priced the WD Elements 6TB at $315, while Best Buy kept the $334 list price. It added that hard-drive prices have climbed over the past year, making larger drives a better value while 6TB may still suit users who need only that capacity now.

TechRadar's buying guidance said the WD Elements 6TB is suitable for a simple, plug-and-play backup drive for a Windows PC when 6TB covers photos and documents, and for buyers who value a two-year warranty from a major storage brand. The publication said buyers should skip it if they want the best price per terabyte, need a portable drive that does not require wall power, or prefer a modern USB-C connection over Micro-B. TechRadar also said it has had good experiences with WD's range of storage and called the 6TB capacity ideal for those who do not need a massive capacity drive.