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Synology HAT5300-12T 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 Synology HAT5300-12T scores 8.2/10 overall, ahead of the WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX at 6.9/10.

The Synology HAT5300-12T leads on reliability ratings, warranty and performance.

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

They score the same on recording technology.

The biggest difference is reliability ratings, where the Synology HAT5300-12T scores 9/10 to the WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX's 6/10.

Synology HAT5300-12T

Synology HAT5300-12T

8.2/10verdict: buy

The Synology HAT5300-12T is a 12TB, 7,200rpm CMR drive for people building or expanding a Synology NAS. It suits buyers who want a high workload rating and a five-year warranty. It is less suited to anyone whose main concern is a silent NAS.

Typically about £510 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

CriterionWeightSynology HAT5300-12TWD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX
Reliability ratings25%9/106/10
Recording technology20%9/109/10
Warranty20%9/106/10
Performance20%8/106/10
Noise and power15%5/108/10
Overall8.2/106.9/10

Specifications

SpecSynology HAT5300-12TWD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX
Capacity12 TB4TB
Spindle speed72005400
Cache256 MB256MB
Recording (CMR/SMR)CMRCMR
Workload rating550 TB per year180 TB/year
MTBF2.5 million hours1,000,000 hours
Rated for baysnot listedup to 8 bays
Warranty5 years3-year limited

Strengths and weaknesses

Synology HAT5300-12T

  • + Rated for 550TB per year with 2.5 million hours MTBF
  • + Five-year warranty counted from the purchase date
  • + Owners report cool running and consistent speed
  • − Owners disagree on noise; some find it loud on seek
  • − Reports of noise during array reorganisation or rebuild
  • − Owners say long-term reliability is still unproven

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need a near-silent NAS in a living space
  • Anyone running a lightly used archive who doesn't need a 550TB per year rating
  • Buyers who want data recovery cover included with the warranty
Read the full Synology HAT5300-12T 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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