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Seagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000 vs WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against NAS hard drives at a similar price

The Seagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000 scores 7.0/10 overall, ahead of the WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX at 6.9/10.

The Seagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000 leads on reliability ratings, warranty and performance.

The WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX leads on recording technology and noise and power.

The biggest difference is warranty, where the Seagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000 scores 10/10 to the WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX's 6/10.

Seagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000

7.0/10verdict: buy

The IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000 is a 6TB drive for multi-bay NAS builds that want a 5-year warranty and a 300 TB/year workload rating. It suits people who value 5-year cover and bundled data recovery over low noise. It fits a rack or tower NAS where the drive sits away from living space.

Typically about £230 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

WD Red Plus Internal NAS HDD 3.5", 4TB, model WD40EFPX

WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX

6.9/10verdict: good, not the best

The WD Red Plus 4TB (WD40EFPX) is for home and small-office NAS owners filling up to eight bays who want a CMR drive. Its 5,400 rpm spindle and low rated noise and power suit a NAS that sits in a living space or runs around the clock. Buyers whose needs go beyond its 180MB/s transfer rate, 180TB/year workload rating or three-year warranty should look elsewhere.

Typically about £208.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightSeagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX
Reliability ratings25%7/106/10
Recording technology20%6/109/10
Warranty20%10/106/10
Performance20%7/106/10
Noise and power15%4/108/10
Overall7.0/106.9/10

Specifications

SpecSeagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX
Capacity6TB4TB
Spindle speed7,200 rpm5400
Cache256 MB256MB
Recording (CMR/SMR)PerpendicularCMR
Workload rating300 TB/year180 TB/year
MTBF1,200,000 hours1,000,000 hours
Rated for baysUp to 24up to 8 bays
Warranty5 years limited3-year limited

Strengths and weaknesses

Seagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000

  • + 5-year limited warranty with 2-year data recovery plan
  • + 300 TB/year workload rating and up to 24 bays
  • + 214 MB/s maximum sustained transfer rate
  • − 7,200 rpm spindle speed, with noise rated at 2.7 bels
  • − Data recovery needs registration; availability varies by country
  • − Datasheet lists perpendicular recording without naming CMR or SMR

Skip it if:

  • Buyers placing a NAS in a quiet room where 7,200 rpm noise would bother them
  • Buyers who need CMR confirmed on the datasheet before buying
  • Buyers in a country where the data recovery plan is unavailable and who wanted it
Read the full Seagate IronWolf Pro ST6000NE000 review ›

WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX

  • + CMR recording confirmed on WD's datasheet
  • + Rated 23 dBA idle and 27 dBA seek
  • + Low power: 4.7W active, 3.1W idle
  • − Only a 3-year limited warranty
  • − Up to 180MB/s internal transfer rate
  • − Rated for up to 8 bays only

Skip it if:

  • Anyone building a NAS with more than eight bays
  • Buyers wanting a 5-year warranty or included data recovery
  • Users with heavy write workloads beyond 180TB a year
Read the full WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX review ›

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