Head-to-Head · Internal Hard Drives

Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) vs Toshiba S300 Surveillance HDD (2TB-6TB)

Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)
$117.56 84 reviews analyzed
Toshiba S300 Surveillance HDD (2TB-6TB)
$177.03 96 reviews analyzed
Scored Dimensions
5.5 Reliability & Endurance 4.0
6.0 Transfer Speed 5.0
7.0 Noise & Heat 4.5
8.5 Value per TB 8.5
5.8 Packaging & Arrival 3.9
2.9 Warranty & Support 3.0
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.
Toshiba S300 Surveillance HDD (2TB-6TB)

The Good

  • Highly suitable for surveillance and NAS systems
  • Easy to install and set up in various devices
  • Offers solid value per terabyte compared to alternatives
  • Some owners report good initial performance and access speeds

The Bad

  • Frequent reports of drives failing prematurely or being dead on arrival
  • Many owners find the drive noticeably noisy during operation
  • Concerns about inadequate packaging leading to damaged units upon arrival
  • Challenging warranty and support experiences for defective products
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 Toshiba S300 Surveillance HDD (2TB-6TB) Verdict

For buyers prioritizing an affordable drive specifically for surveillance or continuous backup, the Toshiba S300 offers compelling value and straightforward setup. However, be prepared for potential issues with drive noise and the risk of early failure, which some owners found frustrating to resolve through support.

Read the full Toshiba S300 Surveillance HDD (2TB-6TB) consensus →
The Bottom Line

Our pick: Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) · 6.8/10

Owners rate the Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) meaningfully higher — 6.8/10 against 5.8/10 for the Toshiba S300 Surveillance HDD (2TB-6TB). It wins where it counts: Noise & Heat and Packaging & Arrival.

Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017)
$117.56 Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
Toshiba S300 Surveillance HDD (2TB-6TB)
$177.03 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 →