4.30 by 250 reviews.

Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 18TB 7200RPM 3.5" SATA Hard Drive (Renewed) Review: A Storage Beast for Data Enthusiasts

When it comes to high-capacity storage solutions, the Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 18TB 7200RPM 3.5" SATA Hard Drive (Renewed) stands out as a top contender. Designed for enterprise-level performance, this hard drive offers an impressive 18TB of storage, making it ideal for data centers, NAS systems, or even personal use for those who need massive storage capacity. With features like CMR technology, HelioSeal design, and Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording, this drive promises reliability, efficiency, and performance. But how does it hold up in real-world use? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on customer feedback.

Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying

1. Performance and Reliability

The Ultrastar DC HC550 is a workhorse when it comes to handling large-scale data workloads. Many users have praised its performance, especially in RAID arrays and NAS systems.

Pros
- Outstanding Performance
  Customers have reported that the drive performs exceptionally well, even under heavy workloads. One user mentioned that it passed a series of burn-in tests with flying colors and has been working flawlessly in a RAID array for over a week.
- Reliability
  The drive’s SMART status and surface scans have shown no errors or bad sectors, which is a testament to its reliability.
- Enterprise-Grade Features
  The inclusion of Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording and Triple Stage Actuator ensures precise tracking and enhanced data density, making it a reliable choice for demanding applications.
Cons
- Noise Levels
  One of the most common complaints is the drive’s noise. Several users have described it as "very loud," with one even stating, "It’s so loud that I thought it was broken." While some find the sound soothing, others may find it distracting, especially in quiet environments.

2. Storage Capacity and Value

With 18TB of storage, this drive is a game-changer for those who need to store large amounts of data.

Pros
- Massive Storage
  Users love the sheer capacity of this drive. One reviewer mentioned that it’s "so nice not caring about space," especially when compared to smaller SSDs.
- Cost-Effective
  Many customers appreciate the significant savings compared to buying new. One user saved over $300 by opting for the renewed version, which performed just as well as a brand-new drive.
- Recertified Quality
  The drive’s recertification process seems to be top-notch, with some users noting that their drives arrived with minimal power-on hours and recent recertification dates (e.g., May 2023).
Cons
- Actual Usable Space
  While the drive is marketed as 18TB, the actual usable space is closer to 14.5TB due to formatting and system requirements. This is standard for most hard drives but may come as a surprise to some buyers.

3. Build Quality and Durability

The Ultrastar DC HC550 is built to last, but how does it fare in real-world use?

Pros
- Robust Construction
  The HelioSeal design not only improves power efficiency but also enhances the drive’s durability. Users have reported that the drive feels solid and well-built.
- Refurbished Quality
  Many customers have been impressed with the condition of the renewed drives, which often arrive in excellent shape with minimal signs of wear.
Cons
- Potential for Defects
  While most users have had positive experiences, a few have reported issues with their drives. One customer received a drive with 27,000+ hours of use and constant clicking noises, while another received a drive that wouldn’t spin up at all. These instances, though rare, highlight the risks of buying renewed products.

4. Compatibility and Ease of Use

Setting up the Ultrastar DC HC550 is straightforward, but there are a few quirks to be aware of.

Pros
- Easy Installation
  Most users found the drive easy to install, especially in desktop systems and NAS enclosures.
- Compatibility
  The drive works seamlessly with a variety of systems, including Windows and NAS setups.
Cons
- Initialization Required
  Some users noted that the drive needed to be initialized in Windows 10 before it could be recognized. While this is a standard process, it can be confusing for less tech-savvy users.

Conclusion: Is the Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 Worth It?

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 18TB 7200RPM 3.5" SATA Hard Drive (Renewed) is a powerhouse of storage that delivers exceptional performance and reliability. Its massive capacity, enterprise-grade features, and cost-effectiveness make it an excellent choice for data centers, NAS systems, and even personal use.

However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The drive’s noise levels can be a dealbreaker for some, and while most renewed drives are in excellent condition, there’s always a small risk of receiving a defective unit.

Final Verdict

If you’re in need of a high-capacity, reliable hard drive and don’t mind the noise, the Ultrastar DC HC550 is a solid investment. Just be sure to purchase from a reputable seller and test the drive thoroughly upon arrival.

Specification Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 18TB 7200RPM 3.5" SATA Hard Drive WUH721818ALE6L4 (Renewed):

Internal 3 5

Yes

Internal Hybrid

Yes

Internal Sas

Yes

Internal Ssd

Yes

Comments from Amazon:

SMART status looks good, and it’s passed my series of burn-in tests. Been working well in a raid array for the last week

I saved at least $300 bucks with this decision

I bought these drives used to install in my Ubiquiti NAS storage system and they are working just fine. I saved at least $300 bucks with this decision.

First thing I did was run a full format. No errors or blocks missing. I personally use this to store games and downloads mostly. Honestly It works great and even loading times in games I can't really notice a difference to my Gen4 nvme. My hardware is probably too high end for the drives to be a bottleneck. You can however, notice it's there. It's not the quietest thing in the world. But I actually found the sound kinda soothing. It only makes that sound when the drive is being written on at least for me. But I'm very satisfied with the product its the same as if I would have bought one new. It's so nice not caring about space and it's just one drive. For less than a 1tb Gen4 ssd.

Arrived with one power on count and zero hours of use. The only downside is it very loud. It’s so loud that I thought it was broke.

(will update after)
purchased from "Tech on Tech"
This arrived in a Typical HDD brown box

Fantastic Price Recertified HDD, Currently Doing a Surface test/scan. (will update after) purchased from "Tech on Tech" This arrived in a Typical HDD brown box. Bubble cushioning to protect the hdd. HDD enclosed in antistatic wrap. Drive appears to be in GREAT shape, and with a Recent "MAY 2023" Recert Date. makes me think WD was the actual refurbisher. I needed something to back up all my data, and wanting to maximize space, this will be paired with a 14tb hdd, and in a dual hdd enclosure. YES, I saw the YouTube Video and that's what made me order one. Will update the Review after the Scan is complete. See Image for Scan Results, but "0" bad sectors, and it performed very well. So far This is a Solid Buy!

Unfortunately with my last order of two 18 TB drives, my luck has changed

I've had good luck up until this point purchasing refurbished/renewed drives. Unfortunately with my last order of two 18 TB drives, my luck has changed. One drive was recognized by my system but indicated it had 27k+ hours of use (over 3 years) which in itself is fine, however immediately at idle I found the drive was clicking nonstop every couple of seconds which is generally an indication of imminent failure. Second drive would not spin up and was not recognized in 2 different systems. Perhaps drives were damaged in shipping? In any event, requesting refund.

Okay, I love solid state drives and their boot time. But as you slowly build up years of data/kid pics/past jobs smaller SSDs don't cut it anymore. I started out with a 10GB HDD and thought it was the best. Total writable storage on this device is about 14.5 TB versus the marking but that's pretty standard. On Windows 10 if you install with the standard SATA cable you will have to initialize the device. So if it doesn't show up on startup after install you will need to go to the device manager (as I did) and actually initialize the drive. Look it up on your search engine of choice and should pop up. Not the fault of the device but overly complicated operating systems that seem to be the rage these days. So far moved about 4TB onto the drive to keep family movies and photos safe. No issues other than the OS compatibility as mentioned. 14.5TB - For me that's just crazy at the price even though it dates me a bit.