by 75 reviews.
WD Internal Hard Disk 3.5in 6TB WD Blue WD60EZAZ SATA 6Gb/s 5400RPM 256MB Cache (Renewed) Review
If you're in the market for a reliable and affordable storage solution, the WD Internal Hard Disk 3.5in 6TB WD Blue WD60EZAZ might be on your radar. This renewed hard drive offers a massive 6TB of storage, a 5400 RPM speed, and a 256MB cache, making it a solid choice for desktop installations, NAS setups, or media servers. But is it worth your money? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Quality and Performance
The WD Blue series is known for its reliability, and this renewed version is no exception—most of the time. Many customers have praised the drive for its consistent performance and durability. One user mentioned using four of these drives in a NAS setup for over five months with no signs of degradation. Another customer highlighted their use in a RAID array, where the drives ran cool and quiet during hours of data transfer.
However, not all experiences have been positive. Some users reported receiving drives with noticeable issues, such as excessive vibration or unusual noises. One reviewer described a drive that vibrated so intensely it shook their entire desk, while another mentioned a "chirping" sound after every write operation, indicating potential head crashes. These cases highlight the variability in quality that can come with renewed products.
Key Takeaways:
- Pros: Reliable performance for most users, quiet operation, and consistent data transfer speeds.
- Cons: Occasional quality control issues, such as excessive vibration or unusual noises.
Durability and Longevity
Durability is a mixed bag with this product. On one hand, some customers have had excellent experiences, with drives surviving accidental drops and running flawlessly for months. One reviewer even joked about their clumsiness, admitting the drive survived a fall or two without issue.
On the other hand, there are reports of drives showing signs of wear or failure shortly after installation. A few users noted grinding or clicking noises, which are often red flags for impending drive failure. While the SMART status on these drives appeared fine, the noises left users skeptical about their long-term reliability.
Key Takeaways:
- Pros: Some drives are surprisingly durable, even surviving accidental drops.
- Cons: Others show signs of wear or failure early on, raising concerns about longevity.
Value for Money
The renewed nature of this product makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. Many customers appreciated the cost savings compared to buying new, especially for large-scale storage needs like NAS setups or RAID arrays. One user noted that the drives came with 0 hours of use and 0 power-ons, indicating a high-quality refurbishment process.
However, the value proposition diminishes if you receive a defective unit. One frustrated customer shared their experience of receiving two defective drives in a row, ultimately spending nearly as much as they would have on a new drive after factoring in return shipping costs. This highlights the gamble that comes with purchasing renewed products.
Key Takeaways:
- Pros: Affordable price for a high-capacity drive, especially when the refurbishment is done well.
- Cons: Risk of receiving defective units, which can negate the cost savings.
Usability and Compatibility
The WD60EZAZ is designed for desktop installations, and most users found it easy to integrate into their systems. The SATA 6Gb/s interface ensures compatibility with most modern desktops, and the 3.5-inch form factor is standard for internal drives. Several customers used these drives in NAS setups or RAID arrays without any compatibility issues.
That said, the renewed nature of the product means you might encounter drives with varying levels of wear. One reviewer emphasized the importance of checking the SMART status immediately upon receiving the drive to ensure it meets your expectations.
Key Takeaways:
- Pros: Easy to install and compatible with most desktop systems.
- Cons: Variability in wear levels means you need to inspect the drive upon arrival.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
The WD Internal Hard Disk 3.5in 6TB WD Blue WD60EZAZ (Renewed) offers a compelling mix of affordability and performance, making it a great option for those looking to expand their storage without breaking the bank. For many users, the drives have delivered reliable performance, quiet operation, and impressive durability.
However, the renewed nature of the product comes with risks. Some customers received drives with noticeable defects, such as excessive vibration or unusual noises, which can be a dealbreaker for those seeking long-term reliability. The variability in quality underscores the importance of inspecting the drive immediately and taking advantage of Amazon's return policy if needed.
Final Verdict: If you're willing to take a chance on a renewed product, the WD60EZAZ can be a fantastic value. Just be prepared to inspect and test the drive thoroughly upon arrival to ensure you’ve got a good one. For those who prioritize peace of mind over cost savings, investing in a new drive might be the safer bet.
Specification WD Internal Hard Disk 3.5in 6TB WD Blue WD60EZAZ SATA 6Gb/s 5400RPM 256MB Cache (Renewed):
Comments from Amazon:
I used the four drives to set up a two way mirror on windows for large files. I performed data transfers for 4 hours so far and they are all running cool and quiet. As of this time, they are a great price point for RAID array. No issues so far after 10 hours of data transfer
I have bought and used over 20 WD hard drives from 1TB to 6TB, Black, Green, and Blue, for the last 20 years and only ever had 1 go bad. I took a chance on this "refurbished" drive to save a little money and lost everything. When I plugged the drive in for the very first time it vibrated so much it made my whole computer desk vibrate. Never had a drive vibrate that badly, it never should have been shipped to me. I didn't even bother trying to put data on it because it was so obviously ready to fail. Upon trying to return it I discovered the seller doesn't even have a real business address, just a P.O. number. I got an RMA number and sent it to the PO address via USPS because Fed Ex and UPS won't deliver to PO Boxes. Cost me another $17. When I didn't hear back from the vendor I checked with the post office and saw the vendor got the drive back a week ago. I emailed the vendor asking when to expect my replacement, he replied he hadn't received it yet. When I emailed him the delivery receipt he suddenly found it and sent a replacement. I formatted the replacement drive and added data to it. After every write it makes a chirping sound. That's the sound of the heads crashing onto the platters, on a drive that is ready to fail. Both of these drives were obviously defective when they were sent to me, certainly didn't pass any testing. So now I have spent almost as much as I would have on a new drive, only to get a drive I can't use because I can't trust it, and can't send back because it will only be throwing away another $17 to most likely receive another defective drive. I'm not doing this dance anymore, screw me twice, Never Again!!!
Extra storage for future file storage.
I bought this for a redundant NAS. I'm slightly worried it may die soon because it makes clicking and grinding noises. However, the SMART status is fine and it performs as it should. Next time, I will pay more for a new drive.
Formatted fine. but Hums and has a slight vibrate to it.. Has a two year warranty from the seller so we shall see if it lasts
Due to Amazon's "co-mingled inventory" you never know what you're going to get, or from who. These drives are no exception. Depending on what third-party is providing the refurbish you may get garbage, recycled data center drives that have just been wiped and sold again, with hundreds of TB of throughput and 5+ years of power-on. Or, like the batch I just bought, were all professionally refurbished and re-zeroed. Four 6TB drives purchased; they come with a refurb label and not the blue WD one, but show 0 hours use and 0 power-ons when you check SMART. That's what you want to see and a sign of a very high-level refurbisher to have access to those tools. These drives also come with a 1 year warranty, which is sadly all most of the manufacturers are willing to give even on new drives any more. (Modern hard drives are garbage, they quite literally don't make them like they used to any more.) So check your drives immediately when you get them, and make use of Amazon's very generous return policy. Don't let them sit on a shelf in inventory (like I have before) and only find out 3 months later after the return window is closed that the drive is recycled garbage.
Grabbed a few of these for a NAS I was setting up for a media server. These came in a very timely fashion and have shown no degradation in over 5 months of constant running (my server does not go down unless it's for updates). I do keep one in a separate enclosure for moving a certain set of files around and I hate to say it but I can attest these drives can survive a fall or two.. blasphemy I know but sometimes I'm clumsy. Would purchase these again if I needed to build another NAS