Seagate BarraCuda Internal HDD (2TB-8TB) vs Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)
The Good
- Provides exceptional storage capacity for media, games, and backups across all available sizes.
- Offers outstanding value per terabyte, making it a budget-friendly option for mass storage.
- Owners frequently report solid reliability and quiet operation, even after years of use.
- Installation is generally straightforward and compatible with most desktop systems.
The Bad
- Transfer speeds are middling, especially for sustained writes or performance-intensive applications due to SMR technology.
- Packaging is often minimal, leading to concerns about safe transit and arrival condition.
- Several owners reported receiving no mounting screws or SATA cables with the drive.
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.
For users prioritizing vast, affordable storage for media libraries, backups, or general data, the Seagate BarraCuda internal hard drive family is a dependable choice, but those needing peak performance for primary drives or heavy workloads should consider alternatives.
Read the full Seagate BarraCuda Internal HDD (2TB-8TB) consensus →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 →Our pick: Seagate BarraCuda Internal HDD (2TB-8TB) · 7.8/10
Owners rate the Seagate BarraCuda Internal HDD (2TB-8TB) meaningfully higher — 7.8/10 against 6.8/10 for the Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017). It wins where it counts: Reliability & Endurance and Noise & Heat.
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