Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017) vs Western Digital Red Plus NAS Internal HDD (2TB-14TB)
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 Good
- Exceptional quietness and cool operating temperatures, even under continuous load.
- Strong reliability and endurance for 24/7 operation in NAS and server environments.
- Specialized NASware technology and TLER for optimal compatibility and data integrity in multi-drive arrays.
- Good value across a range of capacities, providing ample storage for the price.
The Bad
- A notable number of reports detailing drives arriving Dead On Arrival (DOA) or failing prematurely.
- Inconsistent experiences with the warranty process, including receiving refurbished replacements and challenges with data recovery.
- Concerns regarding inadequate shipping packaging from some sellers, potentially contributing to initial failures.
- Confusion and issues related to Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) technology in some smaller capacity drives (2TB-6TB).
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 →For users building or expanding a NAS system, the Western Digital Red Plus series offers a compelling solution with its dedicated features, quiet operation, and robust performance. Prospective buyers should be mindful of potential early failures and consider verifying the drive's recording technology for optimal RAID resilience.
Read the full Western Digital Red Plus NAS Internal HDD (2TB-14TB) consensus →Our pick: Western Digital Red Plus NAS Internal HDD (2TB-14TB) · 7.7/10
Owners rate the Western Digital Red Plus NAS Internal HDD (2TB-14TB) meaningfully higher — 7.7/10 against 6.8/10 for the Seagate Skyhawk 2TB (ST2000VXZ17/017). It wins where it counts: Transfer Speed and Warranty & Support.
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