13 best hard drives

Top-end graphics card, powerful processor, fast RAM - all this allows you to enjoy high performance of your computer. But only if you remember to choose a good hard drive. A poor-quality HDD slows down both the start of the PC and the operation of the OS. Fans of games will also have to look at loading screens for a long time, and if you often copy and move files, then these procedures will take a lot of time, and it will be difficult to work comfortably at the computer at such moments. Therefore, we decided to select the best hard drives that you can install in any device, be it a stationary "machine", laptop or home server.

What type of hard drive to choose

The most common today are classic HDDs. They are distinguished by a very low cost per gigabyte of volume, which allows such drives to remain highly popular among buyers. And in terms of durability, they often surpass SSDs, which have a limitation on rewriting cycles. True, hard drives are quite slow, so some buyers prefer an alternative in the form of SSHD.

Such devices contain an additional SSD module, thanks to which access to frequently used files (for example, when loading the OS) is faster. Other tasks can be assigned to the solid state cache. So, through it, you can write to the hard drive, which speeds up this procedure. However, even with simple SSDs, these drives cannot be compared in speed. But the price tag per GB remains very "tasty" for them.

Best hard drives under 1TB

The average user doesn't need huge storage. 500 GB or 1 TB is enough to store all the necessary information. Study materials, working papers and other similar data usually take up no more than 50-100 gigabytes. Another one and a half hundred can be occupied by a system with different programs necessary for professional activity or recreation. The remaining volume can be left in reserve or taken up with various multimedia data, such as films or TV shows.

1. HGST Travelstar Z7K500.B 500GB

If you hear about HGST for the first time and are afraid to buy an unreliable drive, then you just need to know that this brand was originally a subsidiary of Hitachi, and today it belongs to the world-famous manufacturer of high-quality hard drives Western Digital. Thus, there are no questions about the durability of the Z7K500.B, and if the proper operating conditions are observed, the HDD will work for many years.

The measured sequential read and write speed in this model was 140 MB / s, which is quite good for its category. Internal data exchange occurs at a speed of 1304 MB / s.

With a 2.5-inch form factor, the affordable HGST drive is suitable for both PCs and laptops. At the same time, it has more buffer memory than in conventional compact solutions - 32 MB versus 16. The average read access time in the Z7K500.B is 12 ms, and the latency is about 4.2 milliseconds. At the same time, the disk turned out to be quite quiet, and even at the maximum speed of 7200 rpm it is almost inaudible even in the laptop case.

Advantages:

• MTBF;
• Energy consumption;
• very quiet operation;
• access time;
• read / write.

2. Toshiba HDWD110UZSVA

One of the most affordable 3.5-inch solutions, besides having very decent characteristics. HDWD110UZSVA belongs to the P300 line. They are middle class, aimed at home and office use.The manufacturer also offers mobile drives L200, energy-saving E300, flagship X300 and several other lines for servers and video surveillance systems.

However, in terms of reliability, Toshiba HDDs are at a high level regardless of the series chosen by the consumer. The truth is not very happy with the warranty period of only 24 months, when competitors have it for three or even five years. As for the characteristics of the reviewed model, it boasts quiet operation, read / write speed, 64 GB of buffer, and power consumption at 6.4 W.

Advantages:

• moderate cost;
• silence under load;
• cold at work;
• quality of materials and reliability;
• stability.

Disadvantages:

• small warranty period.

The best hard drives for a computer starting at 2 TB

If you are an avid movie buff or gamer, then even a terabyte storage may not be enough for your needs. New paintings are getting longer, and high resolutions increase their size noticeably. Modern games also do not stand still, and rich virtual worlds, advanced graphics, plot videos and other data can take up 50 GB of storage or even more space on the hard drive. For example, the last part of Far Cry with all the released add-ons will take under a hundred space, and if you want to install several such projects and download a lot of films, then the terabyte drive will quickly fill up. Therefore, it is better to immediately purchase a hard drive for PC with at least 2 TB.

1. Toshiba HDWD130UZSVA

If we closed the first category, then we start the second with a device from Toshiba. In fact, we have a similar solution belonging to the same P300 line, which has similar read and write speeds, as well as a comparable buffer memory size and average latency time (4.17 milliseconds). The disks differ mainly in volume and weight. The latter is due to the fact that a 1 TB hard disk has one platter, but here there are three of them. At the same time, for twice as much memory, you will have to pay about twice as much money, which is a very good offer.

Advantages:

• low noise level (up to 28 dB);
• cost / volume ratio;
• rotation speed 7200 rpm;
• good read / write results.

Disadvantages:

• unwinds slowly;
• only 2 years warranty.

2. Seagate ST2000DM008

When it comes to which hard drive to buy so that it combines price, speed and capacity well, many consumers will prefer Seagate's ST2000DM008. This drive has one platter with a pair of heads, almost no noise and supports NSQ (hardware command queuing). The volume, as the name implies, is 2 TB, but the buffer memory here is already 256 MB, which is quite good for a price from 52 $

And in general, the combination of price and quality of Seagate HDD is an excellent solution. The manufacturer's declared read / write speeds are 220 MB / s. In sequential mode, both are in practice even higher. I was also pleased with the silence with which the hard drive works. But the warranty for this model is also only 2 years. However, this is a fairly cheap hard drive, so some minor drawbacks are forgivable.

Advantages:

• excellent write - read speeds;
• large amount of buffer memory;
• light weight;
• very quiet operation under load;
• durability and low cost.

3. Western Digital WD Blue Desktop 4 TB (WD40EZRZ)

Western Digital has several product lines to address different needs. For example, WD Green is suitable for use with solid-state drives, and if you want to install hard drives in video surveillance systems, then you need the Purple series. As for the "blue" HDDs, they are the most versatile. These discs combine reasonable cost, fairly high speed and good quality. Storing movies and music, building a low-cost gaming PC, it's all WD Blue.

In the same model range, other options are available in terms of volume, ranging from 1 TB to 6 terabyte drives.

The WD40EZRZ model is one of the most interesting solutions in the price category up to 105 $... Behind this mark there are many alternatives to this option, but only a few are cheaper and at the same level able to compete with Western Digital. The read and write speeds in the reviewed hard drive are 150 MB / s. These are not record values, but they will be enough for most users. In addition, if you take the drive mainly for storing video and other files that do not require quick access, then higher speeds are not even needed. The hard disk buffer is 64 MB and the noise level is 28 dB.

Advantages:

• working temperature is about 35 degrees;
• lack of vibration;
• optimal work speeds and access times;
• volume and availability in the line of solutions of a different size;
• value for money, as well as reliability.

Disadvantages:

• for its price, the cache could be a little more roomy.

Best hybrid hard drives (SSD + HDD)

Over the past year, the cost of solid state drives has dropped significantly. Today, it is relatively inexpensive to buy a high-quality and fast SSD for the system. But solutions with higher capacity still remain available to a narrow circle of consumers. To offer users high-speed performance at a reasonable price, Seagate has released the hybrid hard drives discussed above (SSHD). Other brands also have this type of drives. But it is the Americans who offer the largest assortment of hybrid devices, of which we have chosen two of the best drives for review.

1. Seagate ST1000DX002

Should I choose a hard drive or SSD for my computer? Usually this question is asked when the budget is not enough to buy two devices at once. As a result, the user installs only one drive, planning an upgrade for the future. But, as a rule, this very "future" does not come very quickly, so you have to either put up with a lack of space, or with the slowness of the system.

If you need more volume, then in this line there are solutions for 2 and 4 TB. However, the ratio of price and quality is somewhat worse.

Fortunately, the ST1000DX002 is capable of solving this problem. It has a standard 3.5-inch form factor, is equipped with one 1TB platter and a pair of heads. The average sequential read speed in this model is 156 MB / s. An 8 gigabyte Toshiba chip was chosen as the Flash memory. As a result, a device with a spindle speed of 7200 rpm shows results that exceed more expensive models by 10,000 rpm.

Advantages:

• extremely quiet operation;
• read and write speed;
• perfect for a gaming PC;
• attractive cost;
• reliable microcontroller;
• official guarantee for 5 years.

2. Seagate ST2000LX001

If you want to noticeably speed up your old laptop without losing storage, then the best option would be to purchase an SSD drive for note of the hard drive. HDD, in turn, through a special adapter can be installed instead of an optical drive. But what if the latter is not provided in the laptop, and there is not enough money to buy a solid-state model with a volume of 2 TB? Then you should buy the "hybrid" ST2000LX001.

It is one of the best storage devices for a laptop, which, like the larger models, is equipped with 8GB flash memory. In general, the manufacturer's assortment has a similar device without an SSD, but if you save about 15-20 percent of the price, the user will noticeably lose in speed. With sequential read and write, the ST2000LX001 demonstrates a maximum of about 125-135 MB / s. For comparison, the alternative from the Momentus line, with a spindle speed of 7200 versus 5400 rpm here, is limited to 115-120 MB / s.

Advantages:

• compact size;
• optimal capacity;
• high speed of work;
• reliability and practicality in work;
• noise level up to 24 dB.

Disadvantages:

• there are models with marriage.

Best HDD hard drives for laptop

If you are looking for a storage device for your desktop computer, the range of suitable products will be very extensive. For laptops, fewer options are offered, and their cost is usually higher.It is also worth considering that 2.5-inch hard drives usually carry a heavy load, they can be subject to shock and shock, so the reliability of such drives must be impeccable. As for the capacity, it depends on your preference. For this reason, we have selected the top three 500GB models as well as 1TB and 2TB models.

1. Western Digital WD Black 500 GB (WD5000LPLX)

So, we will move along the growth of volume. The high-performance Black series of compact hard drives from WD are one of the best options for buyers with a moderate budget and low volume requirements. As practice shows, 500 GB is enough for users who are not fond of computer games. Large capacity is quickly clogged with movies, TV shows and other files "just in case."

Model WD5000LPLX is based on a single magnetic plate and is equipped with two reading heads. Thanks to this, the manufacturer managed to achieve a low noise level in operation and idle time, not exceeding 23 and 25 dB, respectively. In static conditions, the disk can withstand shocks up to 1000 G, and during activity - up to 400 G. The linear speed of the Western Digital HDD-disk according to the manufacturer's statements is about 116 MB / s.

Advantages:

• access speed is about 13 ms;
• affordable price below 3 thousand;
• reasonable price tag;
• low noise and reliability;
• manufacturer's warranty for 5 years.

2. Seagate ST1000LM049

The next HDD is the best option if you need 1TB storage. The ST1000LM049 uses a dynamic bearing motor for the quietest operation possible. The track to track access time (between tracks) for this model is only 0.5ms, and the average latency is about 11ms.

When reading and writing, the disc consumes no more than 1.9 and 1.7 W of energy, and in standby mode the value drops to 0.7 W. The manufacturer claims a MTBF of 1 million hours and an allowable overload of 400 G (no longer than 2 ms) for an active device. The Seagate ST1000LM049 buffer has a capacity of 128 MB, and the data transfer rate of the HDD is 160 MB / s.

Advantages:

• self-diagnostics via SeaTools software;
• perpendicular recording heads;
• reliability and quiet operation of the engine;
• on-the-fly failover algorithms;
• write speed up to 160 MB per second.

Disadvantages:

• heats up noticeably;
• sometimes clicks when working.

3. Western Digital WD Blue Mobile 2 TB (WD20SPZX)

The review continues with the Western Digital hard drive from the Blue Mobile line. The WD20SPZX is the perfect solution if you work with large projects, enjoy playing modern games that take up a lot of space on your laptop, or enjoy watching movies in 4K resolution. The volume of 2 terabytes is enough not only for any specified task, but also for all of them combined.

Winchester WD stands out for its reliability, for which modern technology deserves credit. In particular, high-strength aluminum is used here, which makes the drive cases resistant to mechanical stress, and a fixed shaft in the electric motor, which also increases the durability of the HDD.

The Californian manufacturer produces its hard drives at its own factories in China, Taiwan and Malaysia, equipped with the latest technology. Therefore, you can choose WD Blue Mobile not only for laptops, but also for use in external drives and even a number of industrial systems. The spindle speed of the WD20SPZX is 5400 rpm (up to 149 MB / s).

Advantages:

• low power consumption;
• turns off when inactive;
• speed, as for its class;
• slim and well-built.

Disadvantages:

• bursting even at low activity.

Best server hard drives

Buying a home drive and a server drive are two completely different tasks. In the first case, problematic, unstable work and even breakdown will be unpleasant, but unlikely to cause serious problems for the user. But the failure of the HDD in the server can lead to a complete loss of data, and as a result, serious losses for the company. Poor performance, in turn, will not allow processing a large number of requests, and a slow response will make you wait a long time for processing requests.In the final category, we have collected the best reviewed hard drives, whose reliability, stability and speed allow us to recommend them for installation in servers.

1. Seagate ST1000NM0008

The third line in the ranking of the best hard drives is occupied by the model from the Seagate brand. The best choice of ST1000NM0008 will be if you need to organize a server in your home or small office. This is a relatively inexpensive solution (about 78 $) with a volume of 1000 GB. The manufacturer's declared MTBF for this model is 2 million hours, and its operating temperature varies from 5 to 60 degrees.

The official manufacturer's warranty for ST1000NM0008 is 5 years, which allows you to be confident in the reliability of the drive. Like other modern models, the device is based on the SATA 3 interface with a maximum allowable speed of 6 Gb / s. But, of course, you won't get such numbers in a Seagate drive. The manufacturer's declared read / write speed is 216 MB / s. In reality, the maximum is about 180 MB / s.

Advantages:

• almost no noise at work;
• long warranty from Seagate;
• good speed performance;
• quality of materials;
• cost-quality ratio.

Disadvantages:

• declared speeds are too high.

2. Western Digital WD Red 4 TB (WD40EFRX)

WD Red was once the world's first line of hard drives designed specifically for use in home and office NAS. A distinctive feature of the "red" series is increased reliability and software optimized for server storages. The WD40EFRX model has a 4,000 GB capacity and can be used in groups of 1-8 drives or in computer RAID arrays.

In an inactive state, a good hard drive from the WD Red series can be stored at temperatures from minus 40 to plus 70 degrees, as well as withstand loads up to 250 G. The maximum operating temperature is 65 degrees, and shock resistance is 65 G. As for the transfer rate, the manufacturer it is declared at 175 MB / s. In practice, in sequential reading, you can get the result only 5-7 MB / s lower.

Advantages:

• fast cache memory (430 MB / s);
• reliability and durability;
• moderate heating of the drive;
• floating rotation speed;
• redesigned NASware firmware.

3. Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC310 4 TB (HUS726T4TALE6L4)

If we talk about which hard drive is better, then the opinions of experts and users on this issue may differ. Still, the DC HC310 from Western Digital is more likely than competitors to receive positive reviews from buyers. Like the previous model, its capacity is 4 TB. But the rotation speed and buffer memory increased to 7200 rpm and as much as 256 MB, respectively.

In the reviews, HDD is very praised for its speed indicators. If we talk about the access time for reading and the headroom, then on average for the HUS726T4TALE6L4 are 8 and 8.6 ms, respectively, and typical delays only slightly exceed 4 ms. The drive is noisy higher than the usual models (maximum about 36 dB), so it can be heard well during activity, and together with other similar disks it can create a noticeable hum.

Advantages:

• MTBF of 2 million hours;
• speed indicators and access time;
• the cache size is larger than that of the main analogues;
• working temperatures and low heating.

Disadvantages:

• the noise level is above average.

Which HDD is better to buy

It would seem that the drive performs a minimum of functions, but a lot depends on its operation. Therefore, it is important to choose the best hard drive for your computer or laptop. It is also worth considering server solutions, where the Western Digital brand is in the lead. It also offers the best 2TB HDD for notebooks. In the hybrid arena, however, there are no alternatives to Seagate products. Moreover, the range of the company includes both compact solutions and full-size options.