Beelink ME Pro NAS Review

The Beelink ME Pro is a 2-bay NAS-style mini PC that aims to deliver a full home or small office storage setup in a much smaller chassis than most traditional 2-bay systems. It is sold in 2 main versions, based on the Intel N95 or Intel N150, and both ship with pre-attached LPDDR5 memory and a bundled NVMe SSD as the system drive. Storage expansion is a mix of 2 SATA bays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives, plus 3 internal M.2 NVMe slots (1 running at PCIe 3.0 x2 and 2 running at PCIe 3.0 x1), and networking includes 5GbE plus 2.5GbE alongside WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4. This review is based on several weeks of use and a set of structured tests covering temperatures over extended uptime, noise in idle and active states, power draw across different drive and workload combinations, and storage and network performance over both HDD and NVMe, with additional notes on the system’s internal layout and the practical limitations that come from its compact design.

Beelink ME Pro NAS Review – Quick Conclusion

The Beelink ME Pro is a very compact 2-bay NAS-style mini PC that combines 2 SATA bays with 3 M.2 NVMe slots and multi-gig connectivity, aiming to deliver a small footprint system without dropping features that are often reserved for larger enclosures. It is sold in N95 and N150 versions, both with pre-attached LPDDR5 memory (12GB or 16GB) and a bundled system SSD, and its internal layout uses 1 PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe slot plus 2 PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, with 5GbE plus 2.5GbE Ethernet, WiFi 6, USB-C 10Gbps (with video output), HDMI 4K60, and a barrel-powered 120W PSU. In testing over extended uptime, external chassis temperatures stayed broadly in the mid-30C range with the rear around 38C, HDDs sat around 34C to 36C with modest 4TB drives installed, and NVMe temperatures rose sharply if the base thermal panel was removed, indicating the thermal pads and chassis contact are part of the cooling design and leaving no practical clearance for NVMe heatsinks. Noise in the tested setup remained in the mid-30 dBA range both at idle and under mixed access, power draw ranged from around 15W to 16W with no drives installed, 18W to 19W with only NVMe, about 22W to 23W with HDDs and NVMe idle, and peaked around 41W to 42W under a combined heavy workload. Performance was consistent with the hardware layout: HDD RAID1 throughput landed around 250MB/s to 267MB/s and will not saturate 5GbE, while NVMe could saturate the 5GbE link and internal testing showed about 1.5GB/s to 1.6GB/s reads and 1.1GB/s to 1.2GB/s writes on the PCIe 3.0 x2 slot, with the PCIe 3.0 x1 slots closer to roughly 830MB/s reads and 640MB/s to 670MB/s writes; media server use handled 4 simultaneous high bitrate 4K playback streams with CPU usage in the teens using Jellyfin. The main drawbacks are tied to the compact design choices: the RAM is not upgradeable, the chassis and storage fitting are very tight during installation, fan control outside BIOS was not straightforward in early testing, the NVMe slots are mixed speed by design, and the CPU options are closely spaced, meaning the upgrade decision is often about the bundled memory and SSD tier as much as the processor. Official messaging also says hot swapping is not supported, yet it worked during testing in a RAID1 scenario, suggesting a support-position limitation rather than a strict hardware block.

Where to Buy the Beelink ME Pro NAS: Beelink ME Pro (N95 + 12GB + 128GB) $369 – HERE Beelink ME Pro (N150 + 16GB + 512GB) $529 – HERE Beelink ME Pro (N150 + 16GB + 1TB) $559 – HERE

Beelink ME Pro NAS Review – Design & Storage

The ME Pro is built around an all-metal unibody chassis that prioritizes footprint over easy internal spacing. In physical terms it sits noticeably smaller than many mainstream 2-bay enclosures, and in my comparisons it looked roughly 20% to 25% smaller next to typical 2-bay units from brands like Synology and TerraMaster. The front panel styling leans into a speaker-like look, and it has been compared to a Marshall speaker design, which is likely intentional given the mesh and badge layout. Functionally, that front area is not a speaker, and the design choice is mostly about appearance and airflow rather than adding any front-facing audio hardware.

From a storage perspective, the ME Pro is a hybrid layout rather than a traditional “2-bay only” NAS. It supports 2 SATA bays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives, and Beelink positions it as supporting up to 30TB per SATA bay, giving a stated 60TB HDD ceiling. Alongside that, it has 3 internal M.2 NVMe slots with a stated 4TB per slot limit, which Beelink frames as up to 12TB of SSD capacity. Taken together, that is the basis for the commonly quoted 72TB maximum figure, although most buyers will treat that as an upper boundary rather than a typical real-world configuration due to drive cost and heat considerations.

The SATA bays are accessed from the rear by removing a magnetic cooling mesh cover, then sliding out the drive bracket assembly. The trays are screw-mounted rather than tool-less, and the manual specifies different screw types depending on whether you are installing 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives. In practice, it is possible to physically place a drive in a tray without fully fastening it, but the design clearly expects proper screw mounting for stability and vibration control. The device also includes silicone plugs intended to reduce vibration and protect the drives, and the overall bay system is designed to sit very flush once reassembled.

One unusual design detail is that each HDD tray includes a thermal pad intended to draw heat away from the drive’s underside. That is not common on many 2-bay systems, and it suggests Beelink is trying to compensate for the compact enclosure by using direct contact points for heat transfer. The tradeoff is that this design pushes the product toward precision fitting, and it aligns with the wider theme of the ME Pro being tightly engineered rather than roomy.

If you typically choose NAS hardware where drive swaps are quick and frequent, this approach will feel more like a compact appliance that expects occasional changes, not a platform designed around constant drive rotation.

The compact chassis also affects how storage installation feels in the hands. Because clearances are tight, inserting the drive bracket and getting everything seated can feel less smooth than on larger 2-bay boxes, even though it looks clean once it is in place. This tightness is likely part of how Beelink is managing airflow paths and vibration control in such a small enclosure, but it still means you have less margin for error during installation. Overall, the storage design is best described as space-efficient and deliberate, but it asks for patience during assembly and it rewards users who install drives once and leave the configuration largely unchanged.

Beelink ME Pro NAS Review – Internal Hardware

The ME Pro is sold in 2 CPU variants, based on Intel’s N95 or N150, both 4-core and 4-thread chips with integrated graphics. In practical NAS terms, these CPUs sit in the low power mini PC category rather than the heavier desktop class, so the platform is designed around efficiency and compact integration rather than raw compute headroom. In your testing and general use, that design target showed up as stable day-to-day responsiveness for typical NAS tasks, plus enough iGPU capability for common media server workloads when paired with the right software stack.

Memory is integrated rather than socketed. The configurations pair the N95 with 12GB LPDDR5 4800MHz and the N150 with 16GB LPDDR5 4800MHz, and there is no user-accessible SO-DIMM slot to expand it later. In the context of a small NAS, this matters less for basic file serving and backups, but it becomes more relevant if the device is expected to run multiple containers, heavier indexing, or virtual machines. Because the memory is fixed at purchase, the CPU choice is also effectively tied to your long-term memory ceiling.

Internally, the platform is constrained by limited PCIe resources, which affects how the storage and networking are wired. In the review you noted the CPU platform has 9 lanes available, and the device uses a split approach across its internal components rather than giving every subsystem the same bandwidth. The NVMe area reflects this most clearly, with 1 slot operating at PCIe 3.0 x2 while the other slots operate at PCIe 3.0 x1, which makes slot choice part of performance planning for any workload that leans heavily on NVMe. This lane budgeting also helps explain why the system lands at 5GbE plus 2.5GbE rather than a single 10GbE port, since 10GbE would typically add pressure to an already tight allocation.

Controller choices are mixed rather than uniform, and you called that out as unusual. The 5GbE port uses a Realtek RTL8126 controller and the 2.5GbE port uses an Intel i226-V controller, which is not a common pairing in the same chassis. On the storage side, the SATA side is handled by an ASMedia ASM2116 controller, and in your notes you referenced it operating on a PCIe 3.0 x1 link, which is still sufficient for 2 SATA bays in most real-world use. These choices are relevant for OS compatibility and driver maturity, particularly if the unit is being used with NAS focused platforms rather than the included Windows 11 installation.

Cooling is one of the main internal design decisions that enables the smaller enclosure. Instead of a traditional rear fan placed at the drive backplane, the system uses a CPU fan working with a vapor chamber arrangement, and airflow is routed so that it also passes over other internal heat sources rather than treating the CPU as a separate cooling zone. In your thermal testing, you observed that the front panel area ran warmer than the rest of the chassis due to the WiFi hardware placement, and you also saw a noticeable rise in NVMe temperatures when the base thermal panel was removed, which supports the idea that the chassis panels and pads are intended to be part of the heat management system. Power is delivered via a barrel connector using a 120W external PSU, which provides headroom for spin-up and load, but it also means this is not a USB-C powered design.

Beelink ME Pro NAS Review – Ports and Connections

Up front, the ME Pro keeps things simple: a power button and a single front-mounted USB port for quick access. This suits the NAS-first intent, where most interaction is remote, but it also sets expectations for local use. If you plan to attach multiple peripherals directly to the unit, you are quickly pushed toward using a hub or relying on network-based management rather than treating it like a conventional mini PC with generous front I/O.

Most connectivity is placed at the rear and along the base section of the chassis, which also helps keep cables routed in one direction when the unit is placed on a desk or shelf. Wired networking is split across 2 Ethernet ports, a 5GbE port and a 2.5GbE port, and the unit also includes WiFi 6 plus Bluetooth 5.4. That mix allows both a standard single-cable setup and more flexible layouts such as separating traffic across the 2 wired links, or keeping WiFi available for temporary placement, troubleshooting, or scenarios where pulling Ethernet is not straightforward.

For general external connectivity, the ME Pro includes a USB-C port rated at 10Gbps for data and it supports video output, but it is not used for power input. Power is delivered through a barrel connector and the unit ships with a 120W external PSU, which provides comfortable headroom and removes any questions around USB-C PD negotiation. Alongside USB-C, it includes 1 USB 3.2 port rated at 10Gbps and 2 USB 2.0 ports at 480Mbps, which covers basic keyboard, mouse, UPS signalling, or low bandwidth accessories, but it is still a small selection compared with many mini PCs.

For local display and basic audio, there is 1 HDMI output rated up to 4K 60Hz and a 3.5mm audio jack. The manual also calls out a reset hole and a CLR CMOS function, which is useful context for users who intend to experiment with different operating systems, boot media, or BIOS settings, since recovery options are clearly exposed rather than being hidden inside the chassis. Overall, the port selection feels intentionally weighted toward networking and core connectivity, with enough display and USB support for setup and troubleshooting, but not a layout aimed at heavy local peripheral use.

Beelink ME Pro NAS Review – Noise, Heat, Power and Speed Tests

Testing was done over several weeks of general use and targeted measurements, with a focus on temperatures, noise, power draw, and storage and network throughput. The typical configuration used for the core measurements included 2 SATA HDDs and 3 installed NVMe drives, with the system left running for extended periods and accessed regularly throughout the day. In addition to network file transfers, I also checked internal storage performance directly over SSH to separate storage limits from network limits.

On thermals, external chassis temperatures after a 24-hour period of operation with regular hourly access sat around 34C to 35C across most sides. The base area was a little warmer at roughly 34C to 38C, and the rear section around the motherboard and vapor chamber area was around 38C. The installed HDDs sat around 34C to 36C in that same period, using 4TB IronWolf drives, so not high power enterprise class media. The front panel area peaked higher than the rest of the enclosure, which aligned with the internal placement of the WiFi hardware near the front of the chassis.

The NVMe area showed the clearest example of how much the chassis panels and pads matter. With the base thermal panel in place, the panel itself sat around 36C over the same extended uptime. When that panel was removed, temperatures on the NVMe drives rose noticeably, with the PCIe 3.0 x2 slot drive reaching around 45C to 46C and the PCIe 3.0 x1 slot drives sitting around 38C to 41C. The difference suggested that the base panel and thermal pad contact are doing meaningful work as part of the heat path, and it also reinforces that there is no practical clearance for NVMe heatsinks in this chassis.

Noise levels were measured in a modest drive configuration, and they stayed in the mid-30 dBA range in the test environment. With the HDDs idle and the system otherwise sitting in standby, noise came in around 36 dBA to 37 dBA. With both HDDs being accessed simultaneously and NVMe activity occurring, it sat around 35 dBA to 38 dBA. The system uses a compact fan approach tied to the CPU cooling path, and one limitation I ran into is that I did not find a straightforward way to control the fan outside the BIOS during early testing, including attempts via SSH, which reduces fine tuning options for users who want tighter acoustics control.

Power consumption was tested in several stages to isolate the impact of installed storage. With no HDDs or NVMe installed and the system powered on, it drew around 15W to 16W. With 3 NVMe installed and no HDDs, it rose to around 18W to 19W. With 2 HDDs and 3 NVMe installed but all media idle, it sat around 22W to 23W.

Under a heavy combined workload with HDD and NVMe activity plus the CPU at full utilization, power draw reached around 41W to 42W, which reflects a worst case state rather than typical idle or light service operation.

For throughput, 2 HDDs in a RAID1 style setup were able to deliver around 250 MB/s to 267 MB/s, which is consistent with what you would expect from 2-bay HDD performance and means the HDD side will not saturate a 5GbE link.

NVMe storage over the 5GbE connection was able to reach full saturation of the network link in testing, so the network became the limiting factor rather than the SSD. Internal NVMe testing over SSH showed the expected split between slots, with the PCIe 3.0 x2 slot delivering roughly 1.5 GB/s to 1.6 GB/s reads and 1.1 GB/s to 1.2 GB/s writes, while the PCIe 3.0 x1 slots delivered around 830 MB/s to 835 MB/s reads and roughly 640 MB/s to 670 MB/s writes with more variability.

On media server use, 4 simultaneous high bitrate 4K playback streams ran with CPU usage in the teens, using Jellyfin. One extra operational note from testing is that while official messaging indicates hot swapping is not supported, I was able to remove and replace a drive in a RAID1 environment without powering down and continue the rebuild process, which suggests the limitation may be a support stance rather than an absolute hardware block.

Beelink ME Pro NAS Review – Conclusion & Verdict

The ME Pro’s main practical strengths are the space-efficient chassis, the combination of 2 SATA bays with 3 internal NVMe slots, and a connectivity set that includes 5GbE plus 2.5GbE and WiFi 6. In measured testing it delivered controlled external temperatures under typical always-on use, mid-30 dBA noise levels in the tested configuration, and power draw that stayed in the low-20W range at idle with drives installed, rising into the low-40W range under a full combined workload. Storage performance matched the internal design limits: HDD throughput was solid but not enough to saturate 5GbE, while NVMe performance split clearly between the PCIe 3.0 x2 slot and the PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, with the faster NVMe slot capable of saturating the 5GbE link in network transfers.

The main limitations are tied to the same compact, integrated approach that makes it unusual. Memory is fixed at purchase with no SO-DIMM upgrade path, NVMe cooling relies on chassis contact and leaves no clearance for heatsinks, and the lane allocation results in mixed NVMe slot speeds rather than uniform bandwidth across all 3 slots. The launch CPU options also remain close enough that the decision is often as much about bundled memory and SSD tier as it is about a clear performance tier shift. For buyers who want a small, always-on NAS with mixed SATA and NVMe storage, multi-gig networking, and reasonable thermals, noise, and power characteristics, the ME Pro aligns with that goal, but it is less suitable for users who expect frequent hardware changes, want expandability in RAM, or prefer a more conventional 10GbE-first network design.

PROs of the Beelink ME Pro NAS

CONs of the Beelink ME Pro NAS

Very compact footprint for a 2-bay NAS class system (166 x 121 x 112mm, metal chassis) 2x SATA bays (2.5-inch or 3.5-inch) plus 3x M.2 NVMe slots in the same enclosure Multi-gig wired networking: 5GbE + 2.5GbE, plus WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 Strong idle efficiency in testing with drives installed and idle (about 22W to 23W) Noise stayed in the mid-30 dBA range in the tested HDD and NVMe configuration NVMe performance is sufficient to saturate the 5GbE link, with the PCIe 3.0 x2 slot clearly faster than the x1 slots Chassis thermal design appears effective under typical always-on use, with external temps broadly in the mid-30C range Practical service access features: magnetic rear cover, base access for M.2, stored tool in the base, reset and CLR CMOS available

RAM is fixed (no SO-DIMM), so memory cannot be upgraded after purchase Very tight internal tolerances make drive and bracket insertion less forgiving during installation and changes Mixed NVMe slot speeds (1x PCIe 3.0 x2 and 2x PCIe 3.0 x1) and no 10GbE option

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Seagate Ironwolf vs WD Red (Which is Best in 2025/2026)?

In late 2025, choosing between Seagate IronWolf and WD Red for a NAS is less about raw performance and more about secondary factors such as noise, power consumption, pricing, and ecosystem. Both brands now offer broadly similar SATA performance in their mainstream and Pro lines once you reach 7200 RPM, 256 MB cache, and CMR recording, and both quote comparable workload ratings and multi bay support for NAS use. Durability claims in MTBF, workload per year, and 24 by 7 operation are also effectively at parity on paper, and the underlying engineering around vibration control, error recovery, and NAS specific firmware has converged to a large extent. Where meaningful technical differences still exist is in the maximum capacities on offer and how they are positioned. Seagate currently leads on headline capacity in the NAS tier with IronWolf Pro drives up to 30 TB, while WD Red Pro tops out slightly lower but overlaps most of the mainstream size points that home and small business users are likely to deploy. As a result, the decision for many buyers is less about which brand is objectively better and more about how each behaves in real deployments in terms of acoustics, energy use, long term running costs, warranty extras such as bundled recovery services, and regional pricing patterns at specific capacities.

Seagate vs WD (and Toshiba!) Market Share in 2025/2026?

Across the HDD industry in 2024 and early 2025, Western Digital and Seagate remain closely matched, with Western Digital holding a slight lead by several common measures. Public breakdowns of exabytes shipped in 2024 put Western Digital at roughly 38.6 percent of HDD capacity shipped worldwide, Seagate at about 37 percent, and Toshiba at around 24.4 percent, confirming that the market is effectively a 2 vendor race with a smaller but still significant third player. Although the exact percentages vary depending on whether you look at units, capacity, or revenue, the pattern is consistent, with Western Digital marginally ahead and Seagate following closely behind.

Recent industry and financial reporting also shows Western Digital gaining momentum in high capacity nearline drives, particularly in data center and cloud deployments, with disk based revenue and shipped capacity outpacing Seagate in at least some recent quarters. At the same time, Seagate retains a leadership position in very large capacity models, including 30 TB HAMR based NAS and nearline drives that are already commercially available and aimed at the same high density markets.

Taken together, these data points indicate a tightly contested landscape where Western Digital currently leads in overall shipped capacity and revenue, while Seagate pushes the capacity envelope and remains highly competitive in large scale deployments.

Seagate Ironwolf vs WD Red NAS Hard Drives – Price

In late 2025 there is a clear pattern in how Seagate and WD position their HDDs on price, even if individual deals move around constantly. In general Seagate tends to be slightly cheaper per terabyte across many mainstream retailers and regions, particularly for larger 16 TB to 24 TB IronWolf and Exos capacities. WD pricing is often a little higher at like for like capacity in third party channels, especially for newer Red Plus and Red Pro models, although temporary sales can narrow or reverse this gap. Both brands are heavily discounted during seasonal events, so headline price screenshots are only ever a snapshot rather than a permanent rule.

Where WD changes the picture is through its own direct store. WD sells Red, Red Plus and Red Pro drives through its retail site and often undercuts third party resellers by a noticeable margin, especially during promotions. That means in some regions the cheapest way to buy WD is directly from WD, while Seagate relies entirely on partner channels and keeps relatively steady discounting through Amazon and similar outlets. As a result it is common to see Seagate come out cheaper in most general marketplaces while WD can be the lowest price only on its own store, which is not available in every country.

Once you move up into Pro and nearline class drives, such as IronWolf Pro versus WD Red Pro or WD Gold, pricing becomes more fragmented. Seagate keeps a fairly consistent capacity step pricing model where higher capacities scale in a relatively predictable way. WD on the other hand often runs multiple Red Pro and enterprise SKUs at the same capacity with different cache sizes or internal designs, which leads to overlapping prices and large swings between models that appear similar on paper. In practice this means that at the Pro tier Seagate is usually easier to price compare, while WD may offer good value on specific model IDs or capacities but requires more careful checking of part numbers and current discounts before purchase.

Seagate Ironwolf vs WD Red – Noise Level Comparison

In terms of acoustic behaviour, Seagate IronWolf and IronWolf Pro drives are consistently a little louder than their WD Red Plus and Red Pro counterparts at like for like capacities. Manufacturer data sheets show most recent IronWolf and IronWolf Pro models idling in the mid to high 20 dBA range, with seek noise commonly around 30 to 32 dBA. WD Red Plus drives in the same capacities often idle in the low to mid 20 dBA range with typical seek levels in the mid to high 20 dBA band, while Red Pro models generally sit around 20 to 25 dBA idle and 31 to 36 dBA under seek depending on capacity and generation. In practical terms this means that in a quiet room or a small office, Seagate NAS drives tend to be more noticeable both at spin up and during sustained random activity.

---

Seagate Ironwolf vs WD Red – Power Consumption (Idle / Active)

Looking purely at spec sheets, both Seagate and WD publish idle and seek values that cluster in similar bands, typically around the low 20 dBA range at idle and high 20 to mid 30 dBA under seek as capacities and spindle speeds rise. In practice though, the character of the noise differs between the brands. IronWolf and IronWolf Pro models tend to produce a sharper mechanical click pattern during head seeks and a more noticeable spin up profile, while WD Red Plus and Red Pro lines usually present as a smoother hum with less abrupt transitions between idle and active states. In a quiet room this difference in tone can matter as much as the numeric dBA rating itself.

At lower capacities, especially in the 2 TB to 6 TB range where air filled designs and lower spindle speeds are common, WD Red Plus models are often among the quietest options, with idle noise figures that sit at the lower end of the published spectrum and relatively soft seek sounds. Seagate standard IronWolf drives in these capacities are not especially loud by absolute numbers, but they generally sit slightly higher at idle and under random activity. Once you move into high capacity Pro class drives, WD Red Pro and IronWolf Pro become more comparable, although WD still often maintains a small advantage in idle noise on the newest helium filled models, while seek noise can be quite close on some capacities.

Noise differences increase as you add more bays and drives. A 2 bay or 4 bay NAS with mixed workloads may only expose a modest gap in acoustic behaviour between the brands, but 8 bay and larger systems can amplify any small variations. Multiple Seagate drives seeking at once will create more noticeable cumulative chatter and vibration inside a metal chassis, which can transfer into desks or shelving if the NAS is not well isolated. WD units with otherwise similar specifications and workload ratings usually generate less overall vibration, so the aggregate sound from a populated chassis can be easier to live with in shared spaces.

For users planning deployments in noise sensitive environments, such as a living room media setup or a small office where the NAS will sit in the same room as desks, these differences can be a factor in the buying decision once capacity and performance requirements are defined. Seagate remains attractive where price per terabyte and maximum capacity are the main priorities, and users are able to position the NAS in a cupboard, loft or separate room. WD drives typically suit scenarios where the system will remain close to people for long periods, sacrificing a small amount of price advantage in favour of lower background noise and a slightly less intrusive acoustic profile at both idle and under sustained activity.

Seagate Ironwolf vs WD Red – Verdict & Conclusion

From a technical perspective Seagate and WD now sit very close to one another in most core HDD metrics, particularly in the NAS focused IronWolf, IronWolf Pro, Red Plus and Red Pro ranges. Both brands use CMR recording on their NAS lines, have comparable workload ratings in each class, and converge around similar sustained transfer rates once you reach 7200 RPM and larger cache sizes. The main structural differences are that Seagate currently pushes higher maximum capacities into the consumer and prosumer space and includes bundled rescue data recovery on many NAS models, while WD tends to retain a small advantage in power consumption and acoustic behaviour at equivalent capacities, especially in multi bay systems. Historical issues such as WD Red SMR drives and Seagate high failure rate models at specific points in time are still relevant for older stock, but the current generation NAS ranges for both vendors are broadly aligned in specification and intended workload.

In practical terms the choice between Seagate IronWolf and WD Red often comes down to priority order rather than any single clear winner. Users aiming for the lowest cost per terabyte and the highest capacities available in the near term will usually find Seagate more attractive, particularly in larger IronWolf Pro and Exos class drives, accepting higher power draw and a more noticeable acoustic profile. Users who are sensitive to noise, want marginally lower long term energy usage or prefer WD’s clearer product segmentation may gravitate toward Red Plus or Red Pro, taking care to select the correct CMR models and capacities. In all cases the decision should be made at model level using current datasheets and pricing, not just brand reputation, and should be paired with a sensible RAID plan and an independent backup strategy, since neither vendor can remove the fundamental risk that any individual hard drive can fail.

Idle Seagate Ironwolf	Idle WD Red Plus	Active Seagate Ironwolf Pro	Active WD Red Pro

 

---

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

The Best Black Friday Hard Drive NAS Upgrade Deals

Black Friday 2025 has brought a wide range of discounts on storage hardware, making it one of the best times of the year to buy or expand your NAS or backup setup. Both Amazon and B&H are offering notable price drops on high-capacity NAS-class hard drives, external USB backup drives, and SSD-based portable options. Since drive prices fluctuate throughout the year, these seasonal promotions provide a rare chance to secure larger capacities, replace aging disks, or build out a new storage pool at a lower overall cost. Whether you need reliable NAS HDDs for a multi-bay system, fast SSDs for caching, or simple external drives for offsite backups, this guide highlights the key Black Friday offers worth considering across the major storage categories.

Reminder: When upgrading or expanding storage, always factor in proper data protection. A simple RAID 1 mirror provides basic redundancy for two-bay setups, while RAID 5 across three or more drives offers both fault tolerance and improved read performance. These configurations protect against drive failure but are not a substitute for external or offsite backups, which should remain part of any reliable storage strategy.

---

Seagate IronWolf Pro 28TB Hard Drive – 21% OFF, $569.99  $449.99

28 TB 3.5″ SATA NAS HDD, 7200 rpm, 6 Gb/s interface, 512 MB cache, designed for 24×7 multi-user RAID/NAS use.

Currently discounted to around 449.99 USD (down from ~569.99 USD) which works out to roughly 16.1 USD per TB. The IronWolf Pro 28TB is built for serious NAS systems with features like Seagate’s AgileArray for vibration control, 2.5 million hour MTBF, RV sensors, and support for large multi-bay arrays. It is optimized for always-on operation and heavy workloads while delivering high capacity in a single drive.

---

WD Red Plus 10TB Hard Drives – 32% OFF, $249.99  $169.99

10 TB 3.5″ SATA 6 Gb/s NAS-optimised HDD, 7200 rpm, 512 MB cache, designed for 24×7 RAID/NAS environments.

Currently available at approximately 169.99 USD (down from 249.99 USD), the cost works out to about 17.0 USD per TB. The WD Red Plus 10TB drive is built specifically for network attached storage systems, featuring WD’s NASware firmware for improved compatibility, a workload rating of up to 180 TB/year, and 1 million hours MTBF to support always-on usage. It is a strong option for home and small business NAS deployments requiring reliable RAID-ready storage at an attractive per-terabyte cost.

 

---

WD 12TB Red Plus NAS HDD – NOW $199 ($70 OFF)

12 TB 3.5″ SATA 6 Gb/s NAS-optimized HDD with CMR, 7200 rpm, up to 196 MB/s sustained transfer, 256 MB cache, and rated for 180 TB/year workload.

Currently available at around 199 USD (after a price drop of 70 USD), which works out to approximately 16.6 USD per TB. The WD Red Plus 12TB is engineered for 24×7 NAS operation with features such as NASware firmware, dual-plane balance control, and compatibility testing across multi-drive NAS enclosures. It is a solid choice for home and small business NAS systems looking to maximize capacity per dollar while maintaining RAID-ready reliability and NAS-specific optimisations.

---

SEAGATE 28TB IRONWOLF PRO HDD – $449.99 ($300 OFF) @ B&H

28 TB 3.5″ SATA 6 Gb/s NAS HDD, 7200 rpm, 512 MB cache, designed for 24×7 multi-user RAID/NAS environments

Now priced at 449.99 USD (a discount of about 300 USD), which equates to roughly 16.1 USD per TB, the IronWolf Pro 28TB is built for high-capacity NAS systems and demanding multi-user environments. It includes Seagate’s AgileArray technology, IronWolf Health Management, a workload rating of up to 550 TB per year, and a 5-year warranty with three years of data recovery services.

---

Black Friday External Hard Drive Deals for Backups

Black Friday 2025 has also brought substantial savings to external hard drives and high-capacity USB storage, making it an ideal time to expand backup options or build a cost-effective offsite archive. Many of these desktop and portable drives offer some of the lowest cost-per-terabyte pricing of the year, giving users a simple way to protect NAS data, store large media collections, or create secondary backups without adding complexity to their main system. The following deals highlight the most notable reductions on 22TB to 28TB external drives currently available from Amazon and B&H.

Seagate 28TB USB Expansion Backup Drive – 24% OFF, $380.99  $289.99

28 TB USB 3.0 desktop external HDD, 3.5″ form-factor, pre-formatted for Windows/macOS, includes Rescue Data Recovery Services.

Now offered at around 289.99 USD (discounted from approximately 380.99 USD), this works out to about 10.4 USD per TB. The Seagate Expansion 28TB External Hard Drive is designed for plug-and-play use with Windows, macOS and ChromeOS, making it a strong choice for large backups, media libraries or secondary storage via USB. It features a USB-C/Type-A cable, AC power adapter, and a 1-year warranty.

---

Western Digital 14TB External – 39% OFF, $279.99    $169.99

14 TB USB 3.2 Gen 1 external desktop HDD (3.5″ form factor, micro-USB interface, preformatted NTFS).

Currently discounted to approximately 169.99 USD (from 279.99 USD), which works out to about 12.1 USD per TB. This WD Elements 14TB drive offers a straightforward plug-and-play backup solution with USB connectivity, large capacity, and simple desktop deployment. It is preformatted for Windows, includes the power adapter, cable, and a 2-year warranty. While it’s best suited for archiving or bulk storage rather than high throughput demands, for its price it offers excellent capacity value.

---

Seagate Expansion 22TB External HDD – 8% OFF, $249.99   $229.99

22 TB USB 3.0 (or USB 3.2 Gen 1) external desktop hard drive, 3.5″ form-factor, pre-formatted for Windows/macOS.

Currently offered at 229.99 USD (after an 8 % discount), which works out to approximately 10.45 USD per TB. This Seagate Expansion 22TB drive is a high-capacity external solution suited to bulk data storage, large static media libraries, or as a cost-effective backup target. With plug-and-play USB operation and a large single-drive footprint, it offers strong value for users who need massive capacity without the complexity of a RAID setup.

 

 

 

 

HDD Price per TB

US Seagate SkyHawk 3TB Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch Sata 6Gb/s 256MB Cache...35.18% OFF
US Western Digital 3TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD - SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cach...23.33% OFF
US Western Digital 12TB WD Blue Internal Hard Drive HDD - 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 512 MB Cache, ...22.22% OFF
US Seagate Skyhawk 6TB 3.5" SATA 6Gbps 256MB Cache Internal Hard Drive for Security Camera Syst...19.99% OFF
US 2PK0308 - Western Digital WD Black WD5003AZEX 500 GB 3.5quot; Internal Hard Drive...19.00% OFF
US Seagate One Touch, 5TB, Portable External Hard Drive, PC Notebook & Mac USB 3.0, Black, 1 ye...18.44% OFF
US Seagate Expansion 10TB External Hard Drive HDD - USB 3.0, with Rescue Data Recovery Services...18.18% OFF
US Western Digital 2TB WD Red Plus NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD - 5400 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, CMR, 12...17.29% OFF
US Seagate ST6000NM0024 6TB ENT CAP 3.5 HDD SATA 7200 RPM 128MB 3.5IN NO ENCRYPTION...17.04% OFF
US Seagate Expansion Portable Amazon Special Edition 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 fo...15.10% OFF
US Seagate 1TB SATA 3.5 BarraCuda SingPk (ST1000DM010)...14.82% OFF
US Western Digital 2TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD - SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cach...14.32% OFF
US WESTERN DI - WD Red PRO Nas Hard Drive WD181KFGX - HD - 6176921...12.24% OFF
US Western Digital WD20EFRX 2TB 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache Hard Drive...11.19% OFF
US Seagate Basic, 1TB, Portable External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, for PC Laptop (STJL1000400)...10.72% OFF
US (Old Model) Seagate 6TB Desktop HDD SATA 6Gb/s NCQ 128MB Cache 7200RPM 3.5-Inch Internal Bar...9.26% OFF
US Western Digital Wd Caviar Black Wd5003azex 500 Gb 3.5 Internal Hard Drive - Sata - 7200 RPM ...8.83% OFF
US Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year R...8.45% OFF
US Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 2.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 5400 RPM 128MB Cache ...8.05% OFF
US WD 4TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Red, backup software with defense against ...7.63% OFF
US WD 5TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Red, Backup Software with Defense Against ...7.49% OFF
US Seagate IronWolf 12TB, Interne Harde Schijf, voor NAS RAID, NAS, 3.5", SATA 6 GB/s, 7200 RPM...7.15% OFF
US WD Blue 1TB Laptop 7mm Hard Drive: 2.5 Inch, SATA 6Gb/s, 5400 RPM, 8MB Cache (WD10SPCX),Blac...6.96% OFF
US Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive ...6.59% OFF
US Seagate 6TB IronWolf NAS SATA 6Gb/s NCQ 128MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive (ST6000VN00...6.50% OFF
US Seagate Game Drive, 2TB, Portable External Hard Drive, Compatible with PS4 and PS5 (STGD2000...6.29% OFF
US Seagate ST18000NM003D 18TB Exos X20 SATA Hard Drive, 3.5" HDD, SATA 6Gb/s, 7200rpm, 256MB Ca...5.90% OFF
US Western Digital 4TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD - SATA 6 Gb/s, 256 MB Cac...5.72% OFF
US (Old Model) Seagate 1TB Desktop HDD Sata 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST10...5.49% OFF
US WD Bulk WD20EFRX 2TB SATA 6Gbs 64MB Red Drive...5.22% OFF
US Seagate Desktop Drive 8000 GB 8TB external Hard Drive, 3.5 Inch, USB 3.0, PC & Notebook, Xbo...5.17% OFF
US Western Digital WD20EFRX-68AX9N0 NAS DCM: HHRNKTJCH WMC30 2TB...5.12% OFF
US Western digital RE 3 TB Enterprise Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA III, 64 MB Cache - W...5.10% OFF
UK Seagate BarraCuda 1 TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 2.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 5400 RPM 128 MB Cach...54.17% OFF
UK Toshiba DT01ACA200-2TB SATA 6Gb/s 7200RPM 3.5 HDD...42.12% OFF
UK Seagate Exos X16, 6TB, Enterprise Internal Hard Drive, SAS, 3.5", for Business and Data Cent...36.08% OFF
UK Seagate IronWolf Pro, 14 TB, NAS Internal Hard Drive, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6 Gb/s 7,200 RPM, 2...34.73% OFF
UK Seagate IronWolf Pro 14 TB NAS RAID Internal Hard Drive - 7,200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5-inch (ST...32.08% OFF
UK Western Digital WD3003FZEX - WD3003FZEX hard disk drive...27.00% OFF
UK Seagate IronWolf"Internal Hard Drive 3.5 16TB HDD 3 Year Warranty 256MB 7200rpm 24 Hours Ope...26.91% OFF
UK Seagate ST4000LM024 - BARRACUDA 2.5IN 4TB SATA - 2.5IN 5400RPM 6GB/S 128MB 15MM...26.90% OFF
UK Seagate FireCuda ST2000DX002 3.5-Inch Hard Drive 2000 GB ATA III Series...24.72% OFF
UK WD Red Pro 2 TB 3.5 Inch NAS Internal Hard Drive - 7200 RPM - WD2002FFSX...23.85% OFF
UK DT01ACA100 Toshiba 1tb 7200rpm 3.5inch Sata 6gbps 32mb Cache Hard Dri...22.67% OFF
UK Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM007 5400 3TB HDD SATA SILVER...21.69% OFF
UK Seagate Expansion Desktop 10TB, External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, Data Rescue Services (STKP1000...19.64% OFF
UK Seagate ST1000DM003 Barracuda 1000 GB 3.5 Serial ATA HDD Hard Drive...17.38% OFF
UK WD Red Pro NAS Hard Drive WD141KFGX - Disque dur - 14 To - interne - 3.5" - SATA 6Gb/s - 720...16.59% OFF
UK Seagate ST2000LM007-2TB SATA Mobile 7mm Hard Disk Drive...15.86% OFF
UK Seagate Expansion Desktop, 8TB, External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, 2 year Rescue Services (STKP80...14.71% OFF
UK Western Digital WD1002FBYS RE3 Harddisk...14.67% OFF
UK Seagate Guardian BarraCuda ST5000LM000 - Hard drive - 5 TB - internal - 2.5" - SATA 6Gb/s - ...13.88% OFF
UK Seagate IronWolf Pro, 6 TB, NAS Internal Hard Drive, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6 Gb/s 7,200 RPM, 25...13.60% OFF
UK Seagate 16TB ST16000NM001G Exos X16 SATA 6Gb/s 7.2K RPM 512e/4Kn 256Mb, OEM, Mechanical Hard...13.29% OFF
UK Seagate 10 TB SkyHawk AI Surveillance 3.5 Inch Hard Drive ST10000VE0008 (SATA 6Gb/s/250MB/72...13.04% OFF
UK Western Digital Purple 2TB Surveillance 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s Hard Disk Drive with Allframe 4...12.78% OFF
UK Seagate Expansion Portable, 4TB, External Hard Drive, 2.5 Inch, USB 3.0, for Mac and PC, 2 y...12.73% OFF
UK Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC520 (HUH721212ALE604) SATA Enterprise HDD 7200 RPM, 12 TB...12.55% OFF
UK Seagate ST4000NM0033 - CONSTELLATION ES.3 4TB SATA - 3.5IN 7200RPM 128MB 6GB/S SATA IN...11.79% OFF
UK Seagate SKYHAWK ST4000VX007 Disk 3.5 4000GB SATA III 7200RPM...10.81% OFF
UK HGST 12TB HDD 7.2K RPM 3.5" 12Gb/s SAS Hard Disk Drive Model: HUH721212AL5200 DP/N: 9HXK6...10.53% OFF
UK HP 250 G5 1TT39ES ABU HDD Hard Disk Drive 1TB 1000 GB SATA WD10JPVX 726834-001...9.65% OFF
UK Seagate IronWolf, 4 TB, NAS, Internal Hard Drive, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA, 6GB/s, 5,900 RPM, 64MB...9.39% OFF
UK Seagate BarraCuda 3 TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache...8.98% OFF
UK Western Digital Purple 4TB Surveillance 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s Hard Disk Drive with Allframe 4...8.83% OFF
UK Toshiba 8TB S300 Pro Surveillance HDD - 3.5' SATA Internal Hard Drive Supports up to 64 HD c...8.79% OFF
UK Seagate IronWolf Pro, 4 TB, NAS Internal Hard Drive, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6 Gb/s 7,200 RPM, 25...8.33% OFF
UK Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM010-25PK 3.5" 1000GB Series ATA III Hard Drive - Hard Drives (3.5"...7.51% OFF
UK Toshiba 2TB S300 Surveillance HDD - 3.5' SATA Internal Hard Drive Supports up to 64 HD camer...7.47% OFF
UK Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2 TB 3.5 Internal Hard Drive...7.30% OFF
UK Toshiba S300 6TB Internal Surveillance Hard Drive, 3.5’’ SATA HDD, Supports up to 64 HD ...7.21% OFF
UK HanOaki Seagate Hard Disk Logic Board 100724095 for ST500DM002 ST1000VM002 ST2000DX001 ST200...6.95% OFF
UK WD Red WD40EFRX 4 TB SATA 6 Gb/s Hard Disk Drive with NASware...6.71% OFF
UK Western Digital WD30EZRZ - WD Blue WD30EZRZ - Hard drive - 3 TB - internal - 3.5" - SATA 6Gb...6.67% OFF
UK 2 TB SATA WD20EZRZ-00Z5HB0 5400rpm 64MB HDD 3.5" Hard Drive...6.57% OFF
UK TOSHIBA 1TB 5400RPM SATA3/SATA 6.0 GB/s 8MB Notebook Hard Drive (2.5 inch)- MQ01ABD100...6.45% OFF
UK Seagate IronWolf, 1TB, NAS, Internal Hard Drive, CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA, 6GB/s, 5,900 RPM, 64MB ...6.26% OFF
UK WD Red Pro 14 TB 3.5 Inch NAS Internal Hard Drive - 7200 RPM - WD141KFGX...5.89% OFF
UK Seagate Enterprise Capacity HDD V.4 ST4000NM0024 4 TB Internal Hard Drive - Black...5.85% OFF
UK Seagate 1TB 64MB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s Constellation.2, ST91000640NS (Constellation.2)...5.28% OFF

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE