selecting the right hard drive for your NAS (Network-Attached Storage) is crucial for achieving optimal performance and ensuring data reliability. Despite there being only three main HDD vendors, they offer a variety of products segmented into multiple classes. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of the best hard drives available in 2024, tailored for different NAS configurations and use cases.
Key Considerations for NAS Hard Drives
NAS-Specific Features:
NAS drives are engineered for 24/7 operation, featuring quick read/write cycles and enhanced durability. These drives are specifically optimized for NAS environments, providing features such as error recovery controls, vibration resistance, and firmware optimized for RAID arrays. Selecting a NAS-specific drive can significantly enhance both performance and longevity.
Storage Capacity Trends:
With advancements in energy-assisted recording technologies, drive capacities are reaching up to 30TB. However, the transfer rates have remained relatively stable. This means that multiple smaller drives (e.g., 4TB x 8) can outperform fewer larger drives (e.g., 20TB x 4) due to parallel data processing capabilities. Implementing caching mechanisms or hybrid volumes can further enhance throughput for larger drives. The larger the drive, the slower your transfer rate per TB would be.
Basic Metrics to Understand and Evaluate
Interface (SATA/SAS):
Most NAS devices support SATA drives, which are more common and cost-effective. SAS drives offer better performance and dual port reliability for enterprise environments. However, 99% of the time, you need a SATA drive because very few NAS enclosures support SAS. If you are buying WD Red, Seagate Ironwolf, or Toshiba N300, you don't have to worry as they only have SATA interfaces. However, if you go with Ultrastar, Exos, or MG, make sure that you choose a SATA drive.
Drive Grade (Desktop/Surveillance/NAS/Enterprise):
HDD vendors classify their drives based on the intended use case. For NAS, it is recommended to use NAS-grade or Enterprise-grade drives. These drives are built for higher reliability and performance in multi-drive environments. Never go with Desktop or Surveillance grade drives for your NAS.
Rotation Speed:
The rotation speed of the drive’s platters (measured in RPM) affects the speed at which data is read and written. NAS drives typically operate at 5400-5900 RPM, with some high-performance models at 7200 RPM. Higher RPM drives generally offer better performance but may consume more power and produce more heat. Additionally, they may have to spin down if RV sensors detect more vibration than normal.
Cache:
The cache is a memory area on the hard drive that stores frequently accessed data. Larger cache sizes can improve overall drive performance, especially in higher capacity drives. It is advisable to choose drives with larger cache sizes for better performance.
Reliability (Annual Workload/MTBF/TBW):
Reliability metrics such as Annual Workload (measured in TB/year), Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), and Total Bytes Written (TBW) are critical indicators of a drive’s durability. Higher values in these metrics suggest better reliability. Enterprise drives usually offer the highest reliability ratings. However, these are mechanical drives, so failures are not uncommon even with higher grade drives. Ensure that you have enough redundancy in your RAID setup.
Magnetic Recording:
Avoid drives with Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) due to their lower write performance and potential reliability issues in RAID configurations. Prefer drives with Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR/CMR), Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording (EAMR), Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), or Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording (MaMR) technologies for better performance and reliability. All high-capacity drives are EAMR (either HAMR or MaMR) and are helium-sealed. For you, it doesn't matter whether they are helium or air-sealed.
Limited Warranty:
Warranties for NAS drives typically range from 3 to 5 years. A longer warranty often indicates a more reliable drive. Note that limited warranties generally decrease in value over time.
List of Network and Enterprise Drives
Below is a list of recommended NAS and Enterprise-grade drives. Except for WD Red (SMR), all other drives use CMR technology. Choose from the following options based on your specific needs:
| Vendor | Grade | Warranty | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD Red | Network | 3 years limited | SMR drives |
| WD Red Plus | Network | 3 years limited | Best drive for smaller NAS |
| WD Red Pro | Network | 5 years limited | Difficult to find in channel |
| WD Ultrastar | Enterprise | 5 years limited | Most Reliable Drive |
| Seagate Ironwolf | Network | 3 years limited | Best CMR Drive with Data Rescue Feature |
| Seagate Ironwolf Pro | Network | 5 years limited | With Data Rescue |
| Seagate Exos | Enterprise | 5 years limited | Highest class of drives |
| Toshiba N300 | Network | 3 years full | Most affordable drive with full warranty |
| Toshiba MG | Enterprise | 5 years limited | Highest class of drives |
Best Hard Drives for Specific NAS Configurations
Seagate Ironwolf: Best CMR Drive with Data Rescue
- Specifications: 1-12TB, 5900-7200RPM, 3 years limited Warranty, Rescue Data Recovery Services Included
- What we like: CMR recording, Data Rescue with each drive, Ironwolf health management
WD Red Plus: Best for Small NAS
- Specifications: 4-14TB, 5400/7200RPM, 3 years limited Warranty
- What we like: WD firmware, compatibility
Toshiba N300: Most Affordable Full Warranty Drive
- Specifications: 4-18TB, 7200RPM, 3 years full Warranty
- What we like: Full warranty, 7200 RPM, Price
WD Ultrastar: Most Reliable Enterprise Drive
- Specifications: 1-26TB, 7200RPM, SAS & SATA Options, 550 TBW, 5 years limited Warranty
- What we like: Highest capacity drives. One of the most reliable, and high-performance drives.
Synology Drives (HAT5300/HAT3300): Best for Synology Devices
- Specifications: 4-20TB, 5400-7200RPM, 3-5 years Warranty
- What we like: Deep integration with DSM, better performance, compatibility with Synology
Conclusion
Choosing the right hard drive for your NAS setup requires careful consideration of various factors, including capacity, performance, durability, and compatibility. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best options available in 2024, tailored to different NAS configurations and use cases.
Hopefully, this guide has made it a little easier for you to choose the right drive. If you need any advice, please feel free to contact us.
