by 11 reviews.
Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB NAS HDD Review: A Reliable Powerhouse for Data Storage
When it comes to enterprise-level storage solutions, the Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB NAS Internal HDD stands out as a top contender. Designed for demanding multi-user and multi-bay environments, this hard drive combines exceptional performance, reliability, and scalability. Whether you're managing a high-capacity NAS system or need a robust storage solution for your studio or homelab, the IronWolf Pro promises to deliver. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Key Features at a Glance
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick rundown of what makes the Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB a standout product:
- 20TB Storage Capacity: Perfect for large-scale data storage needs.
- 7,200 RPM Speed & 256 MB Cache: Ensures fast data access and transfers.
- All-CMR Technology: Provides consistent performance for RAID setups.
- IronWolf Health Management: Proactively monitors drive health.
- 5-Year Warranty & 3-Year Data Recovery Services: Offers peace of mind for long-term use.
- NAS-Optimized Design: Features AgileArray™ firmware, dual-plane balancing, and rotational vibration sensors.
Now, let’s explore the pros and cons based on real-world feedback from users.
Pros: What Customers Love About the Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB
1. Exceptional Performance for Large-Scale Storage
Many users praised the drive’s performance, especially for handling large file transfers. One customer mentioned, "The read/write times are quite decent as far as HDD drives go, especially at this size of storage. I am able to transfer large batches of files reliably in a reasonable amount of time without any issues." Another user highlighted its speed when connected to an external docking station, stating, "I'm able to run things nearly as fast as a cheap NVMe."
2. Reliability and Durability
The IronWolf Pro is built to handle heavy workloads, and users have confirmed its reliability. A customer running four of these drives in a NAS array shared, "I've had no SMART errors or bad sectors, and they’ve been running 24/7 with a light workload." The drive’s 2.5M hours MTBF and 550TB/year workload rating make it a dependable choice for professionals.
3. NAS-Optimized Design
The drive’s NAS-specific features, such as AgileArray™ firmware and rotational vibration sensors, have been a hit with users. One reviewer noted, "The combination of the Synology DS224+ and these drives has been much quieter, faster, and cooler compared to my old setup." Another appreciated the dual-plane balancing, which ensures smooth operation in multi-bay environments.
4. Massive Storage Capacity
With 20TB of storage, the IronWolf Pro is a game-changer for users with extensive data needs. A creative professional shared, "I trust them for short-term storage, as well as backing up and archiving all my artwork, photos, videos, and studio documents long-term."
5. Comprehensive Warranty and Data Recovery Services
The 5-year limited warranty and complimentary 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Services provide added security. One user mentioned, "The warranty and data recovery services give me peace of mind, especially when dealing with critical data."
Cons: Areas for Improvement
1. Audible Noise During Operation
While the drive is quieter than some older models, it’s not silent. A user noted, "Activity is very audible as a low rumble." Another mentioned, "When I am copying files, I can hear the drives a little, but it is not bad at all." If you’re sensitive to noise, this might be a consideration.
2. Occasional DOA (Dead on Arrival) Issues
One user reported receiving a dead drive, stating, "I did have one drive that was dead on arrival, but with Amazon’s return process, it was no problem to get it replaced." While this seems to be an isolated incident, it’s worth noting.
3. Not Ideal for Single-Drive Setups
As one reviewer pointed out, "DO NOT INSTALL NAS DRIVES IN A SINGLE DRIVE FORMAT. NAS drives do not have drive recovery built into the drive since you want the RAID controller to handle the error." This drive is optimized for RAID setups, so it may not be the best choice for standalone use.
4. Price Point
While the IronWolf Pro offers excellent value for its features, it’s still a significant investment. Some users might find the price steep compared to consumer-grade drives, but the added reliability and performance justify the cost for professionals.
Final Thoughts: Is the Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB Worth It?
The Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB NAS HDD is a powerhouse designed for professionals and enterprises with demanding storage needs. Its exceptional performance, reliability, and NAS-optimized features make it a top choice for RAID setups and multi-bay environments. While it’s not without its minor drawbacks—such as audible noise and occasional DOA issues—the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive.
Who Should Buy It?
- Professionals: Photographers, videographers, and creative professionals who need reliable, high-capacity storage.
- Homelab Enthusiasts: Those setting up NAS systems for personal or small-scale use.
- Enterprises: Businesses requiring scalable, durable storage solutions for 24/7 operations.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a high-performance, reliable NAS drive with massive storage capacity, the Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB is an excellent investment. Its robust design, comprehensive warranty, and data recovery services make it a standout choice in the crowded market of enterprise-grade hard drives. While it may not be the quietest or cheapest option, its performance and durability more than make up for it.
Rating: 4.7/5
Specification Seagate IronWolf Pro, 20 TB, Enterprise NAS Internal HDD –CMR 3.5 Inch, SATA 6 Gb/s, 7,200 RPM, 256 MB Cache for RAID Network Attached Storage (ST20000NT001):
Comments from Amazon:
I bought two of these for my new Synology NAS and they are working perfectly. I've had my old ReadyNAS box for a LONG time; it is noisy, slow, and hot. The combination of the Synology DS224+ and these drives has been much quieter, faster, and cooler. I store all my video projects (along with a LOT of other stuff) on this system. When I am copying files, I can hear the drives a little, but it is not bad at all. So far, I love the combination. Recommended.
This thing is a monster. It has the file size I need for all my games, music files, VODs, and documents. I have this hooked up to a Saberent USB 3.0 to Sata external docking station and I'm able to run things nearly as fast as a cheap nvme. The speed and durability of this thing is worth every penny. Its built like a quality hard drive should be.
I've got 4 of these as data drives in a NAS array, running 24/7 with a light workload, and have so far had no SMART errors or bad sectors. With my setup (tightly packed drives in an enclosure, noctura 120mm fan running at 100% speed) in 21 celcius ambient temps, they run about 32 c idle, and 40 c under load. I've read some mixed reviews about their reliability on a large scale in a datacenter setting, but for my needs as a homelab NAS drive, they are more than adequate for a better price than some other comparable drives from other manufacturers. I specifically bought due to their CMR, 7200 rpm, and cache size. They are definitely noisier than a normal consumer HDD, but not nearly as bad as I thought they'd be or I'd been led to believe. Activity is very audible as a low rumble. Edit: totally forgot that I did have one drive that was dead on arrival, but with Amazon’s return process was no problem to get it replaced.
Spindle drives are reliable, less expensive solutions for surveillance and NAS. They aren't as fast, but they make up for it in reliability. An enterprise NVMe drive has an expected life of 6 months in a NAS RAID. Enterprise M.2 & SATA III solid state drives last longer, but should always be installed as RAID 6 or double redundancy as they are not as reliable. Enterprise spindle NAS drives have 5 year warranties. The Seagate IronWolf PRO 8TB model is 7200RPM and CMR (AKA PMR). Understand that the warranty only covers the drive, not data recovery. That is why you are building a RAID in the first place. DO NOT INSTALL NAS DRIVES IN A SINGLE DRIVE FORMAT. Is it possible, yes. Is it a good idea, no. NAS drives do not have drive recovery built into the drive since you want the RAID controller to handle the error in order to ensure drive parity. Desktop drives such as the Seagate Barracuda are less expensive, and are able to handle errors at the disk level. Both drives prefer to run 24/7, but NAS drives are more sensitive to power cycling as well. For similar money to NAS drives, desktops and laptops are better off with NVME or solid state drives since they are faster and more power efficient. Just make sure to back up your data regularly since they aren't as reliable. The best part of these particular drives is how they are setup for a system builder. The package opens up to a drive in an anti static bag surrounded by bubble wrap. There are no instructions, software, hardware, or other things to get in the way. Less waste, and easy to handle packaging is a nice treat. If you do not have the parts to install the drives, you should seek other solutions. The drives are audible when they are seeking data on the platters. This may be annoying to some. The read / write speeds are spec for the SATA technology. Don't expect fast transfer rates. Expect a reliable RAID 5 or RAID 6 to protect your data. If you are setting up a new NAS, make sure you match the brand, size, revision, and firmware if possible. Never rely on software RAIDS also know as expanding RAIDS.
Llego rápido, ya lo pude probar en una NAS y funciona perfectamente
Recepción en buen estado, el disco lo entregaron en su empaque anti estático dentro de una caja de protección de plástico que evitando que el disco sufriera algún golpe directo o se moviera y golpeara contra la caja donde venia empacado, está instalado y funcionado sin ningún problema.
This is my third Seagate IronWolf internal NAS hard drive and the largest drive I've purchased to date. It was very easy to set up, connected immediately and has worked flawlessly since I installed it. The read/write times are quite decent as far as HDD drives go, especially at this size of storage. I am able to transfer large batches of files reliably in a reasonable amount of time without any issues. I have two of these drives installed in my studio workstation and one in an external dock. All of them have worked equally well, regardless of how they're connected. They are well designed and reliable, so they have become my go-to drives for file storage and backups. I trust them for short term storage, as well as backing up and archiving all of artwork, photos, videos, and studio documents long term. I also really appreciate the large storage space at this price point. I'm very pleased with my Seagate IronWolf internal NAS hard drives and plan to purchase another of these 12 GB drives in the near future for additional backups. I definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a large, reliable HDD drive at a reasonable price point!