by 134 reviews.
WL 3TB 64MB Cache 5400RPM SATA III Internal Surveillance DVR Hard Drive Review
Upgrade your storage and surveillance capabilities with the WL 3TB 64MB Cache 5400RPM SATA III Internal Surveillance DVR Hard Drive. Designed for heavy-duty, 24/7 operation, this 3.5" internal hard drive is perfect for CCTV DVR systems, NAS setups, and desktop computers. With a massive 3TB capacity, 64MB cache, and a 5400 RPM rotation speed, this drive ensures reliable performance while maintaining low power consumption and quiet operation. Whether you're expanding your surveillance system or looking for a reliable backup solution, this hard drive offers a cost-effective and dependable option.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of this hard drive is its performance. Many users have praised its speed and efficiency, especially for backup and storage purposes. One customer mentioned, "I partitioned the drive into two sections for image backups, and it works flawlessly. The speed is good, and it handles my weekly backups without any issues." Another user noted that their drive actually ran at 7200 RPM instead of the advertised 5400 RPM, which was a pleasant surprise. This higher RPM likely contributes to faster data transfer rates, making it even more versatile for various applications.
However, some users pointed out that this drive is not ideal for high-performance tasks like gaming or intensive software applications. As one reviewer stated, "This is a great drive for backups and storage, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything requiring high-speed performance." If you're looking for a drive for everyday computing or gaming, you might want to consider an SSD or a higher-performance HDD.
Durability and Longevity
The WL 3TB hard drive is designed for 24/7 operation, making it a solid choice for surveillance systems and NAS setups. One user shared, "I've had this drive for several months now, and it's working perfectly with no issues. I use it in a USB enclosure for backup storage, and it's been reliable so far." Another customer mentioned that they’ve used similar white-label drives in the past, and they tend to last for years in low-intensity roles like backup storage.
That said, some users expressed concerns about the drive's long-term reliability. As one reviewer cautioned, "This is a white-label drive, so I wouldn't store anything irreplaceable on it. It's great for backups, but I wouldn't trust it with critical data." While the drive comes with a 1-year warranty, its longevity in heavy-duty applications remains to be seen.
Value for Money
One of the most frequently mentioned pros of this hard drive is its affordability. Many customers praised the drive's low price point, especially considering its 3TB capacity. One happy customer said, "This was a great deal for the price. It's perfect for my surveillance system, and I couldn't be happier with the value." Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, "For the price, this drive offers excellent storage capacity and decent performance. It's a no-brainer for anyone on a budget."
However, some users noted that the drive's white-label branding might indicate that it’s a refurbished or repurposed model from a major manufacturer. While this doesn’t necessarily affect performance, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a brand-new, high-end drive.
Ease of Installation and Use
Installing the WL 3TB hard drive is a breeze, according to most users. One reviewer shared, "It was super easy to install in my surveillance system. I had it up and running in no time." Another user mentioned that they used the drive in a USB enclosure, and it worked perfectly for their backup needs. The drive’s compatibility with both SATA III and SATA II systems also makes it a versatile choice for various setups.
Noise and Power Consumption
Many users appreciated the drive's quiet operation and low power consumption. One customer said, "It runs very quietly, which is great for my home office setup. I barely notice it’s there." Another reviewer mentioned that the 5400 RPM speed (or 7200 RPM in some cases) helps keep the drive cool and energy-efficient, making it suitable for 24/7 use.
However, a few users noted that the drive can get slightly warm during extended use, so proper ventilation is essential. As one user advised, "Make sure your system has good airflow, especially if you're using this drive in a NAS or DVR setup."
Conclusion: Is the WL 3TB Hard Drive Worth It?
The WL 3TB 64MB Cache 5400RPM SATA III Internal Surveillance DVR Hard Drive is a solid choice for anyone in need of affordable, high-capacity storage. Its performance, quiet operation, and low power consumption make it ideal for backup storage, surveillance systems, and NAS setups. While it may not be the best option for high-performance tasks, it excels in its intended roles.
Pros:
- Affordable price for 3TB of storage.
- Quiet operation and low power consumption.
- Easy to install and compatible with various systems.
- Suitable for 24/7 use in surveillance and NAS applications.
Cons:
- White-label branding may indicate refurbished internals.
- Not ideal for high-performance tasks like gaming or intensive software.
- Long-term durability in heavy-duty applications is unproven.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly storage solution for backups, surveillance, or general use, the WL 3TB hard drive is a great option. However, if you need a drive for critical data or high-performance tasks, you might want to consider a more premium model. Overall, this drive offers excellent value for the price and is a reliable choice for most users.
Specification WL 3TB 64MB Cache 5400RPM SATA III (6.0Gb/s) 3.5" Internal Surveillance DVR Hard Drive - w/ 1 Year Warranty:
Comments from Amazon:
Purchased this drive as a backup/storage drive, so performance is not much of a concern. I currently have a 4X4 NVME drive as my C-Drive & D-Drive for fast performance, but NVME drives don't often give any warnings before failure. Partitioned the 3.5" hard drive into 2 partitions. One partition for the C-Drive image backup, and the other dor the D-Drive image backup. Don't have any information on longevity but seeing as the drive will be "sleeping" the majority of the time except for the weekly image bacup it should last a very long time.
Be aware, this is white label, so, personally, I would never store anything irreplaceable on it. That said, it was a great deal. SMART shows it being a NEW drive. The one I got was 7200 RPM, not the 5400 in the description, which is good. A full disk scan showed not problems out of the box, and the speed is good. SMART all looked OK, except for some "Read Error Rate" and exactly matching "Hardware EEC recovered". This leads me to believe that it has Seagate internals, as this is normal for some of their drives, and does not indicate a problem. Of course, time will tell.
I've had this for several months now and it's working well with no issues. I used the drive in a USB enclosure and only use it for backup storage. These "white label" drives tend to last for years in such a role; most of them are refurbs of older models originally from major manufacturers. For performance-insensitive roles, they're good enough.
Works fine no problems
So far so good
This item was exactly what I needed for the servailance system I was installing. It is a great value, and was super easy to install.
What? Low price and works soooo very well!! Bought another one b4 this one.