Head-to-Head · Internal Hard Drives

Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive (3.5 Inch) vs Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)

Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)
$117.56 84 reviews analyzed
Scored Dimensions
9.5 Reliability & Endurance 5.5
9.6 Transfer Speed 6.0
9.5 Noise & Heat 7.0
9.8 Value per TB 8.5
5.8 Packaging & Arrival 5.8
2.9 Warranty & Support 2.9
Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive (3.5 Inch)

The Good

  • Delivers reliable, long-lasting performance, with many owners reporting years of continuous use.
  • Offers solid transfer speeds for a mechanical drive, especially for mass storage.
  • Provides excellent value, frequently cited as an affordable storage solution.
  • Generally straightforward to install physically, fitting well into various desktop systems.

The Bad

  • Packaging is often inadequate, leading to several reports of drives arriving damaged or dead on arrival.
  • Initial setup requires manual initialization and formatting, which can be a challenge for less experienced users.
  • A few users experienced noticeable noise during operation, particularly under load.
Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)

The Good

  • Installation is consistently reported as easy and straightforward, often a drop-in replacement for existing systems.
  • Exhibits strong compatibility with a wide range of security camera DVR and NVR systems, including Zosi, Swann, Eufy, and Hikvision.
  • Many owners find it offers good value for money, especially when upgrading capacity from older drives.
  • Frequently described as quiet during operation, with minimal or unnoticeable noise.
  • Provides ample storage capacity, with some users reporting weeks of continuous 4K recording.

The Bad

  • A notable number of owners report premature drive failures, some within months or a couple of years of use.
  • Several users express significant frustration with Seagate's warranty and replacement process, citing costs for shipping defective units.
  • Some owners found the drive's transfer speeds to be slow or glitchy, particularly with higher camera counts.
  • Occasional reports of the drive being noisier than expected or making creaking sounds.
  • Packaging during arrival sometimes received criticism for not being adequately protective.
The Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive (3.5 Inch) Verdict

This BarraCuda drive is a strong contender for those needing affordable, reliable mass storage, particularly as a secondary drive, but buyers should be prepared for potential setup steps and consider ordering with care due to packaging.

Read the full Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive (3.5 Inch) consensus →
The Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) Verdict

This Seagate Skyhawk 2TB drive is a solid option for those seeking an easy-to-install and highly compatible storage solution for their video surveillance systems, offering good capacity for the price. However, potential buyers should be aware of reported reliability concerns and a less-than-ideal warranty experience if issues arise.

Read the full Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) consensus →
The Bottom Line

Our pick: Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive (3.5 Inch) · 7.8/10

Owners rate the Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive (3.5 Inch) meaningfully higher — 7.8/10 against 6.8/10 for the Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017). It wins where it counts: Reliability & Endurance and Transfer Speed.

Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive (3.5 Inch)
$95.99 Best price the consensus found
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Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)
$117.56 Best price the consensus found
Check Price →

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How ORA built this: We read recent reviews, remove suspected bot or incentivized entries, off-topic complaints, and reviews describing the buyer's own setup problems rather than the product, then synthesize the remainder into a single unbiased verdict. Read our full methodology →