Table of Contents
When you start to notice your computer or laptop is running slowly, it might be time to invest in an external hard drive. These hard drives are simple to use and can store all of your important files from photos to paperwork, music to games.
We are going to look at two external hard drive series from the reputable brand Western Digital, the WD Elements vs WD Easystore. We will consider their appearance, storage capacities, software and value for money. We will include a quick view comparison chart and some pros and cons to decide which is the better purchasing option.
There are a couple of things that the WD Elements and the WD Easystore have in common so we will start with these features.
WD Elements vs Easystore – Similarities
Quick Glance
We can recap the specifications of the WD Elements and the WD Easystore in the side-by-side chart below.
WD Elements |
WD Easystore |
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| Images |  |
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| Size | 4.4 x 3.2 x 0.82 inches (1.5TB- 4TB) | 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.83 inches (3TB-4TB) |
| Weight | 4.8oz (1.5TB- 4TB) | 8.16oz (4TB-5TB) |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Storage Capacities | 500GB, 750GB, 1TB, 1.5TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB |
| USB | 3.0 Type A and 2.0 | 3.0 Type A and 2.0 |
| Compatibility | Formatted NTFS for Windows 7, 8 and 10, Vista and XP (64-bit), reformatting required for other OS. | Formatted NTFS for Windows 8 and 10, reformatting required for other OS. |
| Plug and Play | Yes | Yes |
| WD Backup Software | No | Yes |
| WD Discovery | No | Yes |
| What’s Included | USB cable, quick installation guide | 3.0 USB cable, quick installation guide, WD Discovery software |
| Warranty | 2 years limited worldwide/ 3 years China | 2 years worldwide |
| Price |
Hard Drive Interface
You can connect the WD Elements and the WD Easystore to your device with the included 3.0 Type-A USB. They are also compatible with 2.0 USB cables, however, for better transfer times, the 3.0 is noticeably faster.
Plug and Play
The WD Elements and the WD Easystore are incredibly easy to use. You only have to plug them into your device, the hard drive name appears, and you can start transferring data.
Warranty
There is a 2-year warranty with the WD Elements and the WD Easystore. The WD Elements series has a limited warranty but in China, it’s extended to 3 years.
We will now go over those features that set the WD Elements and the WD Easystore apart.
Differences Between WD Elements and WD Easystore
Appearance
Realistically, there isn’t a great deal of difference in the design. There are two sizes for each series, all of which are black.
WD Elements
The smaller hard drives are 4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 inches and weigh 4.64 ounces. The larger hard drives are a bit thicker at 4.4 x 4.23 x 0.82 inches and 4.8 ounces.
WD Easystore
We are taking a fraction of a difference in size with the smaller hard drive measuring 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.5 inches and weight the same 4.64 ounces. The larger is also very similar at 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.83 inches but weighs more at 8.16 ounces.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next – WD Elements vs My Passport: Which External Portable Drives are Better?
Storage Capacities
One of the WD series has a wider range of storage capacities.
WD Elements
You can buy this external hard drive in 500GB, 750GB, 1TB, 1.5TB, 3TB, 3TB and 4TB.
WD Easystore
There are four options, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 5TB.
The Winner Is- The WD Elements
Read next – WD Easystore vs WD My Passport: Which External Portable Drives are Better?
Compatibility
Both hard drives are compatible with Windows and can be reformatted for other operating systems.
WD Elements
They are formatted NTFS (New Technology Files System) for Windows 7, 8, 10, and Windows Vista. If you are running Window XP, it is also formatted for the 64-bit version.
WD Easystore
It’s out of the box ready for Windows 8 and Windows 10 (also NTFS formatted) and can be reformatted for other operating systems.
The Winner Is- The WD Elements
Read next – WD Elements vs WD My Book: Which External Portable Drives are Better?
Western Digital Software
If your hard drive comes with additional software, you will be able to monitor and do more with it.
WD Elements
There is no software with this external hard drive range.
WD Easystore
You can download the WD Backup Software that will enable you to set hourly, daily, or monthly scheduled backups to occur automatically. It is compatible with Time Machine for Mac users. WD Discovery makes it easier to transfer files, reformat the drive, and set the LED controls. It’s also built using WD reliability.
The Winner Is- The WD Easystore
Read next – WD My Book vs WD Easystore: Which External Portable Drives are Better?
Pros and Cons
As the external hard drives are so similar, the final verdict might come down to the following pros and cons.
WD Elements
Pros:
- Slightly better value for money
- A solid choice for gamers
- Easy setup and use
Cons:
- It’s lacking in basic software
WD Easystore
Pros:
- Easy instructions for reformatting
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
- A reliable hard drive
Cons:
- The design isn’t as nice, however, this is a personal choice
The Final Verdict
We liked the WD Elements range for its simplicity, everything about it was easy from setting them up to reformatting. They are a great size for portability and generally quite reliable. The main advantage is the wide choice of storage capabilities, so you don’t need to invest extra for storage you won’t use. On the other hand, the WD Easystore hard drives have software that makes them even easier to use. The WD Easystore was just as easy to use and a reliable choice. Data transfer was fast when using all of the hard drives.
The differences came down to storage capacities, software, and value for money. The software that we really wanted to see was some security features like password protection, which neither have. If you like the idea of having automatic backups, the WD Easystore is worth the extra few dollars. If it’s more space you want for your dollar, we definitely recommend the WD Elements.
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