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.

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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

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

 

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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.

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NAS & Storage Bargains and Deals this Black Friday 2025

Black Friday 2025 has arrived and this year the spotlight is not only on traditional Synology/QNAP upgrades but also on the fast-growing world of alternative NAS platforms (after the PR nightmare that was 2025 for Synology re:HDDs!), DIY server builds, and software licence promos. Synology’s desktop lineup has seen a bunch of refreshes recently in the x25, which means popular models such as the DS423+ and DS923+ may finally see meaningful reductions, while entry-level units like the DS223 and BeeStation series are expected to feature the most aggressive pricing. At the same time, UGREEN is pushing hard with its NASync range and making ALOT of noise in the world of home/prosumer NAS, and several of these systems are already appearing with early Black Friday discounts. DIY NAS enthusiasts also have more choice than ever, with multi-bay chassis and compact servers from CWWK, AOOSTAR, Jonsbo cases, and Minisforum’s N5 receiving notable reductions. UnRAID has confirmed incoming licence promos for Black Friday soon, making it an ideal time for new users to adopt flexible array management and VM workloads. Then you have Terramaster making 10-20% off promos on their 2025 series AND the m.2 focused F4 and F8 Devices! Even newer entrants such as UnifyDrive are participating, with the UT2 receiving one of its biggest discounts to date and now sitting in an extremely competitive price bracket. Below you will find updated recommendations for the best NAS models for backups, Plex, business, and surveillance, along with live offer links for all major NAS ecosystems as Black Friday deals continue to roll out.

IMPORTANT – This page will be updated regularly each day for the next 2 weeks!

Recommended Deals (so far) BEST DEAL SO FAR – Beelink ME Mini N150 NAS, 12GB RAM + 2TB SSD + 64GB eMMC – $279 (was $349) HERE SEAGATE 28TB IRONWOLF PRO HDD – $449.99 (was $569.99) Synology DS925+ NAS 14% OFF, NOW $552.99 HERE UnRAID 25% Price Drop + $15 Voucher Included with ALL Orders – HERE UNIFI ALL BLACK FRIDAY DEALS – HERE UGREEN 120W NAS UPS – 15% OFF, NOW $84.99 HERE 40% OFF PLEX PASS Licenses – Month/Year/Lifetime HERE QNAP TS-464 NAS – REDUCED TO £469 (20% OFF) HERE Terramaster F8 SSD PLUS Flash NAS – 20% OFF, NOW $639.99 HERE 2x WD Red Pro 26TB Hard Drives (52TB Max) – $878 ($420 OFF) HERE LincStation N2 6-Bay SSD 10GbE NAS – NOW $395 (was $429) HERE SEAGATE 28TB IRONWOLF PRO HDD – $449.99 ($300 OFF) HERE UGREEN DXP4800 PLUS NAS 4-Bay – $594.99 UnifyDrive UT2 2x M.2 NVMe+2.5GbE+8 Core ARM Mobile NAS – $200 OFF, Now $399 UGREEN DH4300 PLUS Value 4-Bay NAS – $65 OFF, Now $364.99 Synology DS1525+ NAS – REDUCED TO $691.49 (15% OFF) HERE CWWK N150 / N355 10GbE 8x SATA NAS Motherboard Combo – Now $215 PocketCloud Portable NAS – 20% OFF, NOW $239.99 Gl.iNet Slate 7 WiFi7 Mobile Router, NOW $120 (29% OFF) HERE Minisforum N5 PRO NAS – NOW £888 including TAX HERE

BLACK FRIDAY WEEK DEALS (so far) – (WILL REDIRECT TO YOUR AMAZON REGION AUTOMATICALLY)

Useful Articles:

• NAS Hard Drive Black Friday Deals Article – HERE
• Synology NAS Black Friday Deals – HERE
• UniFi Network Hardware Black Friday Deals – HERE
• UGREEN NAS Black Friday Deals – HERE
• Terramaster Black Friday Deals – HERE

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SEAGATE 28TB IRONWOLF PRO HDD – $449.99 (was $569.99)

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SEAGATE 28TB EXTERNAL USB HDD – $289.99 ($100 OFF)

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Beelink ME Mini N150 NAS Mini PC, 12GB RAM + 2TB SSD + 64GB eMMC – $279 (was $349) HERE

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Synology DS925+ NAS – 14% OFF, NOW $552.99

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SEAGATE 28TB IRONWOLF PRO HDD – $449.99 ($300 OFF)

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UGREEN 120W NAS UPS – 15% OFF, NOW $84.99

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2x WD Red Pro 26TB Hard Drives (52TB Max) – $878 ($420 OFF)

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QNAP TS-264 2-Bay Featured NAS – $349.99 (20% OFF)

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Minisforum N5  NAS – NOW $594.90 (15% OFF)

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UnRAID 25% Price Drop + $15 Voucher Included with ALL Orders – HERE

The Unraid Cyber Weekend Sale started on Wednesday November 26th, and will run through Cyber Monday, December 1st, 2025. They are discounting Starter and Unleashed licenses, plus all Unleashed upgrades (so, if you have a monthly or annual license, and want to upgrade to lifetime, you will get a discount of the partial upgrade cost too). Also, every license purchased will come with a $15 voucher good for the Unraid Merch Store included. Click below (or HERE) to get your UnRAID license at 25% off.

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Terramaster F8 SSD PLUS Flash NAS – 20% OFF, NOW $639.99

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UniFi Black Friday Deals – HERE

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Asustor 6x M.2 NVMe Flashstor 6 – Down to $404.99 (9% OFF)

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Best UniFi Black Friday Deals – The UniFi Dream Router 7 & Gateway Fiber

The Dream Router 7 and the Gateway Fiber stand out as UniFi’s strongest Black Friday 2025 offers, especially given their large price cuts. The Dream Router 7 drops to $229 from $279 and brings a full UniFi controller, WiFi 7, a 10G SFP+ WAN port, a 2.5GbE WAN port, four LAN ports with one PoE output, and integrated NVR storage via microSD. It supports the full UniFi application suite and can manage 30+ devices while handling 300+ clients on its 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz radios. Security and routing features include a stateful firewall, L7 filtering, IDS and IPS with 20,000+ signatures through CyberSecure, advanced NAT, SD-WAN, and VPN support for WireGuard, Teleport, IPsec, and OpenVPN. With coverage up to 160 square metres and a compact desktop design, it offers a complete all in one gateway and controller at a much lower cost, making it an easy upgrade for homes or small offices moving to WiFi 7 or multigig internet.

UniFi WiFi 7 2.5G+10G Dream Router	UniFi Gateway Fiber 10G/2.5G Gateway

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Synology DS925+ NAS – 15% OFF, NOW £472 inc.TAX

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40% OFF PLEX PASS Licenses – Month/Year/Lifetime HERE

• Lifetime, now $149.99 (was $249.99) – HERE
• Annual, now $41.99 (was $69.99) – HERE
• Month, now $4.19 (was $6.99) – HERE

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10G N150 NAS Motherboard / DDR5 6* SATA /  Intel I226 / 2.5G Mini ITX /  2* M.2 – $219.50 HERE

This Mini-ITX NAS-oriented board features an onboard Intel N150 processor paired with DDR5 memory support and a strong storage layout including six SATA 3.0 ports and two PCIe-based M.2 slots. It includes triple-NIC networking with dual Intel I226-V 2.5GbE ports and a 10GbE AQC113 controller, making it suitable for DIY NAS builds that require high-bandwidth local access. With PCIe 3.0 expansion, ATX 24+4-pin power, and full support for Windows and Linux, it offers excellent value at its discounted Black Friday price of $219.50.

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UniFi Cloud Gateway Black Friday Deals

The Cloud Gateway Max, Cloud Gateway Max NS, and Gateway Lite form the most affordable cluster of UniFi Black Friday gateway offers this year. The Cloud Gateway Max drops from $279 to $179 and delivers full UniFi application support with 2.3Gbps IDS and IPS, 2.5GbE WAN, five 2.5GbE LAN ports, and selectable NVMe NVR storage up to 2TB. The NS model follows the same hardware blueprint but arrives at a lower $159 price while retaining 2.3Gbps inspection performance and 30 plus device management. The Gateway Lite stands out as the entry level option at an aggressive $49, down from $129. It offers 1Gbps IDS and IPS, a compact footprint, full UniFi security features, USB C power, and a simple 1GbE WAN plus 1GbE LAN layout, making it ideal for small networks or for replacing an ageing USG.

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Synology DS1525+ NAS – $160 OFF, NOW $639.99

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LincStation N2 6-Bay SSD 10GbE NAS – NOW $395 (was $429) HERE

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QNAP TS-464 NAS – $469.99 ($120 OFF)

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Synology DS1825+ NAS – NOW $919 ($230 OFF)

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PocketCloud Portable NAS – 20% OFF, NOW $239.99

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QNAP TS-264 2-Bay ALL-Rounder NAS – $349.99 ($90 OFF)

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UniFi WiFI APs for Mesh Black Friday Deals

The U6 Plus, FlexHD, and nanoHD form the most affordable set of UniFi access point offers this Black Friday and each one targets a different type of upgrade. The U6 Plus drops to $99 and brings dual band WiFi 6, 4 spatial streams, 2.4Gbps 5GHz throughput, and a 300 plus client capacity in a compact ceiling or wall mounted design. It suits homes and small businesses looking for a modern AP with strong roaming support, PPSK, captive portal options, and full UniFi WiFi management features. The FlexHD falls to $69 and remains one of the most versatile indoor or outdoor mesh units, offering WiFi 5 with 6 spatial streams, 1.7Gbps 5GHz performance, and multiple mounting options that make it easy to extend coverage. The nanoHD also lands at $69 and provides a compact ceiling mounted WiFi 5 solution with 4×4 MU MIMO on 5GHz, up to 1.7Gbps throughput, and a design that blends into most environments, making it ideal for small offices and meeting rooms.

 

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Synology DS1525+ NAS – REDUCED TO $691.49 (15% OFF)

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Minisforum N5 PRO NAS – NOW £888 including TAX

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SUPER BUDGET N5105 NAS Mobo Combo / 4 Cores 4 Threads Low Power Use / 4×2.5G i225 / 2x M.2 Slot 6xSATA – $196.94 HERE

This budget Mini ITX NAS board uses the Intel N5105 processor and offers enough performance for Plex, Jellyfin, Docker containers, and lightweight TrueNAS or UnRAID builds. It includes 4 x 2.5GbE ports for multi-NIC routing or link-aggregation and pairs 6 SATA ports with 2 M.2 NVMe slots, making it suitable for large media libraries or mixed SSD cache setups. With DDR4 support up to 64GB, dual display outputs, low power consumption, and fan headers for stable 24/7 operation, it delivers strong value at its reduced Black Friday price.

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QNAP TS-464 NAS – REDUCED TO £469 (20% OFF)

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QNAP TS-233 VALUE 2-Bay NAS – 15% OFF, £152.15 (inc.TAX)

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UGREEN DXP6800 PRO – 20% OFF, Now £799

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Synology DS225+ NAS – $303.49 (11% REDUCTION)

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QNAP TS-464 NAS – 8GB VERSION, 20% OFF, $469.99

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Gl.iNet Slate 7 WiFi7 Mobile Router, NOW $120 (29% OFF)

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Gl.iNet Puli AX SIM/LTE Router, NOW $331 (15% OFF)

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UniFi Cameras for Protect Black Friday Deals

The G5 Pro, AI 360, and G5 PTZ form the front end of UniFi’s discounted camera lineup for Black Friday 2025 and each model targets a different style of coverage. The G5 Pro drops from $379 to $199 and delivers 4K recording with a 3x optical zoom lens, strong daytime clarity, and IR night vision that reaches 25 m or up to 40 m with the Vision Enhancer. It offers people, vehicle, and animal detection, IP65 weather resistance, IK04 impact resistance, and flexible mounting for walls, ceilings, and poles. The AI 360 is reduced from $399 to $249 and provides full 360 degree coverage through a 2K fisheye sensor with pan tilt zoom control handled digitally inside UniFi Protect. It includes two way audio, smart detections, IPX4 weather resistance when covered, and IK08 tamper protection, making it suitable for wide indoor areas, retail spaces, or open office floors. The G5 PTZ falls to $229 from $299 and adds low latency mechanical pan tilt with a 2x optical zoom lens, 20 m IR night vision, and IP66 weather protection, which makes it an option for entry points, driveways, or perimeter paths.

 

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UGREEN DXP4800 PLUS – 20% OFF, NOW $559.99

Synology DS124 NAS – NOW $139.99 (22% PRICE DROP)

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UGREEN NAS Black Friday Deals – NOW LIVE

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The Best UGREEN NAS System Offers:

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(Best UGREEN NAS Deal) UGREEN DXP4800 PLUS NAS 4-Bay – $594.99

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Terramaster F4-425 PLUS (New 2025 Series Release) NAS – $484.99

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UGREEN DH4300 PLUS Value 4-Bay NAS – $65 OFF, Now $364.99

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UnifyDrive UT2 2x M.2 NVMe+2.5GbE+8 Core ARM Mobile NAS – $200 OFF, Now $399

+ Get a further 5% OFF with this code: NASCOMPARES

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UGREEN 6-Bay Power NAS System (DXP6800 Pro) – $180 OFF, NOW $1019.99

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ZimaBlade 7700, DOWN TO $159 WITH Promo Code ‘BLACKFRIDAYNASKIT10’

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LincStation N2 – 4xm.2 + 2x SATA SSD + 10GbE + UnRAID Licence – NOW $429 / £401

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UGREEN All-Flash DXP480T 10 Core i5 10GbE NAS – $150 OFF, NOW $849.99

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CWWK NAS DIY Motherboards and CPU+MoBo Combos:

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CWWK N150 / N355 10GbE 8x SATA NAS Motherboard Combo – Now $215

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CWWK 4x m.2 NVMe Pocket NAS Box (Intel N150 / N355) P6 – Just $195.63 NOW

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QNAP Refurb Store – 30% OFF Pre-Populated Desktop NAS and Expansions

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Minisforum MS-01 Intel Core, 2x 10GbE, USB4, PCIe 4X16 and 3x M.2 Workstation – Down to just $479.90

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Terramaster F6-424 Max – Powerhouse 6-Bay NAS – $150 OFF, Now $849.99

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If you want to skip ahead to the Deal List, just click below:

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————–  Useful Links  —————

US Amazon – Amazon USA Black Friday Official Page – Amazon UK Black Friday Official Page

Amazon Warehouse (20% Off Everything on Black Friday)

USA – UK – Germany

Still unsure of what you need – use the Free Advice Section here on NASCompares.

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Hot Tips when you Buy a NAS this Black Friday 2024

In order for you to get the very best NAS deals this Black Friday, here are some hot tips that I have personally used for the last few years to get the very best deals.

Amazon Warehouse Deals are 20% lower

For those that aren’t aware, Amazon has a whole section of their website that is dedicated to pre-owned and opened items. This includes both NAS, hard drives, SSD and more for your storage. During Amazon Black Friday 2024, the discount on these broken-seal items will be increased by an additional 20% and for those looking for an insane bargain, this will be irresistible.

Another tip when buying NAS or Hard Drives from Amazon Warehouse is that although (as they are broken seal/used/returned items) they have a shorter warranty from Amazon, you will almost certainly be able to claim the FULL warranty coverage from Synology, QNAP, WD or Seagate. They just want your serial number and a receipt of purchase – this will not state the amazon reduced warranty.

Amazon Warehouse for different countries can be found below:

 

Amazon Warehouse USA

Amazon Warehouse UK

Amazon Warehouse Germany

Latest Deals Update and Notifications

If you want to make sure you see the LATEST Black Friday deals for NAS (as new ones are added every hour) then I would recommend checking the official Amazon Prime page regularly. It will also include the very latest Lightning Deals too

US Amazon – Amazon Deals Page

UK Amazon – Amazon Deals Page

Amazon Prime for FREE

The prices listed on Amazon for NAS during the Black Friday event are only available to Prime members. If you are not a member, don’t worry, as you can use the 30-Day free trial to sign up for a Prime, or just pay for 1 month of Prime as a student and get it at 50% off. Then after you finish your purchase, you can cancel your subscription. The other bonus of this is that you will qualify for fast, next day delivery for free. I would recommend however that you do not cancel your subscription until you have received your order and tested your item.

As then you will still be able to take advantage of the fast and free return policy extended to Prime members. This is especially useful when buying NAS Hard Drives and you are worried about broken drives!

Improved Delivery on your NAS Black Friday Deal

It is a well-known fact that Amazon Prime membership includes free next day delivery and Amazon has even upped the stakes by stating that they will be providing the fastest-ever Black Friday delivery of just 14 minutes between the cart and the courier, last year we saw and heard numerous examples of delivery issues with Black Friday deals, adding 2-3 days on supposed next-day shipping.

If any of your Amazon Prime delivery dates are not the 24 hours turn around that they promise, then definitely complain to Amazon after you receive your goods (not before) as they will almost certainly have a deluge of customer enquiries after Black Friday 2024 and  in an effort to conclude the matter, you might get an additional discount, a gift vouchers or more. Currently, the trending ‘gesture of goodwill’ gift is a free month of Prime membership.

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Can We Forgive and Forget The Synology HDD Compatibility Flip Flop?

Synology’s recent reversal on hard drive compatibility has reopened a larger debate about whether its NAS systems remain a trustworthy and sensible choice for both new buyers and long-term users. Throughout most of 2025, the company faced sustained criticism after enforcing strict drive verification checks that prevented users from installing or operating third-party HDDs and SSDs from major brands like Seagate and Western Digital. This policy, applied to the new Plus-series NAS models such as the DS925+, DS1525+, and DS1825+, effectively forced customers to purchase Synology’s own branded media or risk an unusable system. For a company long regarded as the industry standard for dependable and user-friendly storage solutions, the move appeared both unexpected and self-defeating. Although Synology later justified the decision as a way to ensure system stability and reliability, the backlash was immediate and global, with declining sales and widespread frustration among users who saw the change as a form of corporate overreach. Now, with the brand having confirmed a full rollback through the DSM 7.3 update—restoring support for non-Synology drives and removing prior warning prompts—the discussion has shifted. While the reversal is seen as a victory for users, it also highlights how fragile consumer confidence has become, and how a single policy misstep can redefine a company’s relationship with its community.

Below, my original video after the change by Synology after 6 months of their strict HDD media stance:

What Did Synology Do Wrong?

Synology’s critical mistake was implementing a restrictive hardware policy that undermined one of its key historical strengths: flexibility. For years, the company had built its reputation on offering an intuitive software platform, DSM, that ran on a wide variety of hardware configurations. By deciding to enforce hard drive compatibility restrictions in the 2025 generation of Plus-series NAS systems, Synology effectively turned once-open devices into closed platforms. The systems refused to initialise DSM or create storage pools when non-Synology drives were detected, and even when users managed to proceed, the interface was flooded with persistent warnings labelling third-party media as “unverified” or “at risk.” This move frustrated not only home users who wanted affordable upgrade options, but also small businesses that relied on Synology NAS for their daily operations. It created unnecessary technical and financial barriers at a time when alternative NAS vendors were offering greater compatibility and value. The brand’s own messaging made the situation worse: early statements focused on “system integrity” and “firmware optimisation” but failed to acknowledge that the change mainly benefited Synology’s hardware sales rather than the end user.

The second major error lay in how the company managed the fallout. Synology’s communication strategy throughout the controversy was inconsistent, fragmented, and in some regions almost non-existent. Different regional branches released conflicting press materials, with some hinting that compatibility with Seagate and Western Digital drives would soon return, while others maintained silence. No clear timeline or explanation was given for the testing process or the reasoning behind such aggressive enforcement. As a result, long-standing partners and distributors were left unsure of how to address customer concerns. Meanwhile, the online community—particularly on Reddit, NAS forums, and YouTube—quickly filled the information vacuum, fuelling frustration and speculation. Instead of clarifying the company’s intentions, Synology appeared defensive and disengaged, disabling comments on some of its own videos and refusing to directly address mounting criticism. This combination of restrictive policy and poor communication not only hurt its reputation but also suggested a growing disconnect between the brand’s leadership and its user base.

Why Are Users Mad at Synology?

Many users felt betrayed by Synology’s actions because the company had long marketed itself as the reliable, user-first alternative to more complex or DIY storage solutions. For years, Synology’s systems were praised for their openness—allowing customers to build their NAS setups using widely available components from trusted brands like Seagate, WD, and Toshiba. The introduction of hard drive restrictions in 2025 fundamentally altered that relationship. Suddenly, the same users who had invested heavily in Synology’s ecosystem found themselves unable to upgrade, expand, or even install DSM without purchasing the brand’s own drives, which were often rebranded versions of existing enterprise models sold at a premium. The move was viewed as a breach of trust, and the lack of transparency surrounding it only made things worse. Many saw it as an attempt to create a closed ecosystem that prioritised recurring hardware profits over customer freedom. This frustration was compounded by the timing—during a period when users were already facing higher hardware costs and tighter IT budgets, making Synology’s restrictive approach feel especially tone-deaf.

The Alerts and ‘Warnings’ that users have gotten used to up tll now (i.e pre DSM 7.3 roll out):

Another major source of anger came from how the policy rollout created confusion and inconsistency across Synology’s product lineup. While the Plus-series desktop NAS models received the strictest restrictions, larger RackStation and XS-series devices remained unaffected, creating the impression that Synology viewed its home and small-business customers as expendable. Even after announcing the rollback with DSM 7.3, many users noted that the company’s official compatibility lists still failed to mention Seagate or WD drives, and that public communication about the change was minimal. For those outside tech circles, this meant that the situation looked unchanged—product pages still implied that only Synology drives were supported, and many older negative reviews remained visible online. As a result, even with the restrictions now lifted, the perception of Synology as a brand willing to prioritise profit over user loyalty persists. The long delay in addressing community backlash, combined with inconsistent messaging, has left many customers sceptical that this U-turn represents a genuine shift rather than damage control.

What Did Synology Do to Fix This?

Synology’s eventual fix came in the form of a full policy reversal integrated into DSM 7.3, the company’s next major software update. With this version, users of the 2025 generation of Plus-series NAS devices—including models such as the DS925+, DS1525+, and DS1825+—regained the ability to freely use third-party hard drives and SSDs. The update removed not only the installation barriers but also the persistent “unverified drive” and “at risk” warnings that had previously appeared in Storage Manager. For most users, this restored full functionality, allowing them to initialise DSM, create and expand RAID arrays, use hot spares, and assign SSDs for caching without restrictions. The change essentially returned Synology’s systems to the state they were in before the controversial policy was introduced earlier in the year. The reversal applied primarily to desktop-class NAS systems rather than rackmount or XS-series models, suggesting that Synology wanted to restore goodwill among its core consumer and small-business audience first.

However, the way Synology implemented this reversal has drawn mixed responses. Instead of releasing a simple compatibility database update, which could have resolved the issue quickly, the company bundled the fix into a full DSM version upgrade. That meant users had to install an entirely new operating system build to regain third-party drive support, even if they were otherwise satisfied with their existing DSM 7.2 installations. For those managing multiple NAS units or enterprise environments, this created complications, especially since DSM 7.3 initially lacked a public beta and required careful validation before deployment.

The company also issued few direct statements about the rollback, opting instead for limited press communications that focused on “listening to customer feedback.” Despite the importance of the change, Synology’s product pages still make little mention of renewed Seagate and WD compatibility, leaving potential buyers to rely on external coverage or word of mouth. While the technical fix was effective, the manner of its rollout showed that Synology’s communication strategy remains cautious, reactive, and focused on damage limitation rather than proactive transparency.

What were/are the benefits of Buying Synology-branded Hard Drives and SSDs?

In parallel with the policy adjustments introduced in DSM 7.3, Synology has also begun expanding a series of benefits and incentives aimed at customers who purchase Synology NAS systems together with Synology-branded storage media. These initiatives are part of the company’s ongoing effort to strengthen its vertically integrated ecosystem, ensuring optimal performance and reliability when all components come from the same source. In selected markets, buyers who purchase Synology HAT, HAS, or SAT series drives on the same invoice as their NAS hardware now receive extended warranty coverage of up to five years, administered directly through authorized distributors and resellers. In addition, Synology has introduced an Express Replacement program, allowing for immediate drive swaps during the warranty period without waiting for the defective unit to be shipped and inspected, effectively mirroring the convenience of a premium RMA service. These benefits are available at no extra cost when drives are purchased through approved channels. The initiative is designed to make Synology’s validated ecosystem more appealing to businesses seeking predictable lifecycle management and faster recovery in the event of hardware failure, while also providing an incentive for users to standardize on Synology-branded components rather than mixing third-party storage.

Head over to Blackvoid HERE to read Luka’s great write-up on DSM 7.3 below:

Why Are Some Users Unconvinced?

Many long-time Synology owners remain sceptical because the company’s pattern of restrictive decision-making has not been limited to hard drives. Over the years, Synology has gradually tightened control over hardware support in other areas, such as M.2 NVMe SSD usage, network adapters, and GPU compatibility. Even though the recent rollback allows full use of third-party HDDs and SSDs in Plus-series models, the same freedom does not apply to NVMe storage. Users still cannot create storage pools or volumes on M.2 drives unless they are Synology-branded, which reinforces the perception that the company is only willing to compromise when it faces enough public pressure. Critics point out that while Synology deserves credit for reversing the hard drive restrictions, it has shown no similar flexibility in other parts of its ecosystem. This selective openness suggests a tactical move designed to repair short-term reputation damage rather than a genuine shift toward more open hardware policies. As a result, many users fear that future DSM updates could easily reintroduce similar restrictions under a different justification.

Another concern is that Synology has not done enough to communicate these changes clearly to new buyers. Even after the DSM 7.3 announcement, the company’s official compatibility lists for 2025 models still prioritise its own drives, with no explicit mention of Seagate or WD models being supported again. For first-time users who rely on these lists for purchasing decisions, there is no clear indication that the policy has changed.

This lack of transparency undermines confidence in Synology’s commitment to openness. Furthermore, the decision to tie the rollback to a major DSM update rather than a smaller patch raises worries that the company could use similar tactics in the future to control hardware functionality through software revisions. Many see the reversal as a necessary correction rather than an act of goodwill, and that distinction matters. Users may accept Synology’s reasoning for now, but the brand’s reputation for reliability has been replaced by a lingering doubt about whether it can be trusted to keep its platform open and user-focused.

NAS Series	Drives on Compatibility List	Drives Not Listed	Drives on Incompatibility List
RS Plus (e.g., RS2423+, RS422+)	Supported for new installation, storage pool creation, and migration	Supported only for migration; cannot create new storage pools or caches	Fully blocked from all operations
DVA/NVR Series (e.g., DVA1622, DVA3221, NVR1218)	Supported for installation and migration	Supported only for migration; cannot create new storage pools	Fully blocked from all operations
Supported Drive Types	HDD and 2.5″ SATA SSD	HDD and 2.5″ SATA SSD (migration only)	All drive types blocked
Drive Example Notes	Synology HAT5300/HAT3300 verified; select enterprise drives	Seagate IronWolf, SkyHawk, WD Purple not yet verified for use	Drives failing thermal or firmware tests
Use Case	Rackmount and surveillance workloads requiring consistent write throughput	Data migration or backup restoration	Unsupported entirely

Should You Trust Synology NAS Again?

Trusting Synology again depends largely on how much users value its software ecosystem compared to its corporate behaviour. The company’s DSM operating system remains one of the most advanced and stable NAS platforms available, offering a wide range of applications for backup, surveillance, multimedia, and virtualization that are unmatched by most competitors. For those who prioritise reliability, ease of use, and integration over raw hardware flexibility, Synology still provides a compelling product. The reintroduction of unrestricted hard drive support in DSM 7.3 restores much of the practical functionality that users lost earlier this year, and for many, that will be enough to justify purchasing a new NAS. From a technical standpoint, the Plus-series devices are still capable and efficient, with consistent performance, strong data protection features, and excellent long-term support. In short, the hardware remains solid, and the software continues to define Synology’s market dominance in turnkey storage solutions.

Below, references to the change in hard drive support policy are either absent in release notes or severely underplayed on the compatibility pages as of 3rd Nov 2025.

However, from a consumer trust perspective, caution is still warranted. The brand’s repeated pattern of restricting features, followed by later partial reversals, has left many wary that similar policies could return in future product generations. Even though DSM 7.3 represents a positive correction, Synology has not issued any long-term assurances that it will maintain this open stance. There is also concern about how much influence profit margins and proprietary hardware incentives continue to have over product decisions. For experienced users, the safest approach may be to treat Synology as a premium but increasingly closed ecosystem—one that delivers outstanding software at the cost of long-term flexibility. Whether it is “okay” to buy a Synology NAS now depends on priorities: if you value a polished interface and dependable system behaviour above everything else, Synology is still one of the best options available. But if transparency, open standards, and full hardware freedom matter more, then the company’s recent U-turn should be seen not as a full restoration of trust, but as a cautious and temporary concession to public pressure.

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