Western Digital 2TB WD Red Plus NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD - 5400 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, CMR, 64 MB Cache, 3.5" -WD20EFPX
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
A 2TB, 5400 RPM, CMR, 64 MB cache 3.5-inch drive for 24/7 NAS systems with up to 8 bays.
This drive is a strong fit for its intended purpose: 24/7 NAS operation in small to medium environments. Its CMR technology and NASware firmware directly address the needs for data integrity and compatibility in multi-bay systems. The 180 TB/yr workload rate is ample for most home and small business use cases.
If you need higher performance, look for NAS drives with 7200 RPM and larger cache sizes (128 MB or more).
Regret Score™
Very Low RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- Uses CMR technology, which is preferred for multi-drive NAS environments over SMR.
- Engineered for continuous 24/7 operation in NAS systems.
- Supports a workload rate of up to 180 TB/year.
- Features NASware firmware for enhanced compatibility with NAS enclosures.
- Operates with low noise levels during use.
Cons
- Some users report drives being Dead on Arrival.
- The 5400 RPM rotational speed is slower than 7200 RPM alternatives.
- 64 MB cache is smaller compared to other NAS drives, which can affect performance in specific workloads.
- Mixed user experiences regarding temperature management.
Dimension Scores
The 5400 RPM speed and 64 MB cache provide average performance for a NAS drive, prioritizing stability over raw speed.
Utilizes CMR technology and is designed for 24/7 operation with a 180 TB/yr workload rate, indicating above-average reliability for NAS use.
2TB is on the smaller side for modern NAS systems, especially for users with large media libraries or extensive backup needs.
NASware firmware ensures broad compatibility with most NAS enclosures and systems, supporting up to 8 bays.
Best For
- Small home NAS setups for media streaming and file sharing.
- Medium business NAS systems requiring 24/7 data archiving.
- Users building a budget-friendly NAS with up to 8 drive bays.
Not Recommended For
- High-performance NAS setups demanding maximum read/write speeds.
- Users needing capacities larger than 2TB per drive.
- Environments where absolute silence is critical, as some noise is still present.
Watch Out For
- A small percentage of drives arrive non-functional, requiring immediate replacement.
- The 64 MB cache can be a bottleneck for intense, random access workloads compared to drives with 128 MB or 256 MB caches.
- While tuned for quiet operation, placing the NAS in a very quiet room might still reveal audible drive activity.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0C4X31Q9F |
| Brand | WD |
| Color | Red |
| Series | WD Red Plus HDD |
| Language | English |
| Hard Drive | 2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 15.8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. |
| Special Feature | Not_Performance_Used |
| Flash Memory Size | 2 TB |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | WD20EFPX-SPC4TN0 |
| Compatible Devices | Nas Enclosure |
| Product Dimensions | 5.79 x 4 x 1.03 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.79 x 4 x 1.03 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 2000 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 5400 RPM |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
Many users report long-term satisfaction with this drive in their NAS setups. A recurring positive is its quiet operation, making it suitable for home environments. However, some buyers have received drives that were non-functional right out of the box. There are also mixed opinions on its temperature management, with some finding it efficient and others having concerns.
“Got two of these for my Synology, one was DOA, had to send it back, but the other one is running fine, pretty quiet for a hard drive, just wish they were faster for my Plex server.”
Common Praise
- Operates quietly in NAS enclosures.
- Integrates easily into existing NAS systems.
- Maintains stable performance for continuous operation.
- Uses CMR technology, which is seen as a benefit for NAS.
- Provides good value, especially for renewed units.
Common Complaints
- Some drives were Dead on Arrival.
- The 5400 RPM speed is noticeably slower than 7200 RPM drives.
- 64 MB cache is considered small for certain demanding tasks.
- Temperature management experiences are not consistently positive across all users.
Ownership Tips
- The drive remains relatively quiet even under sustained use in a multi-bay NAS.
- Actual transfer speeds are adequate for typical home network streaming but won't break any records.
- The drive's temperature tends to stay within expected ranges for a 5400 RPM unit, though individual NAS airflow matters.
- Initial setup and recognition in NAS software is usually seamless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this drive suitable for a 24/7 NAS system?
Yes, the WD Red Plus is specifically built for 24/7 operation in NAS environments, supporting up to 8 bays.
Does this drive use SMR or CMR technology?
This WD Red Plus drive uses CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which is generally preferred for NAS applications due to its consistent performance.
What is the warranty period for this hard drive?
The drive comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Will this drive work with my Synology or QNAP NAS?
Yes, the NASware firmware is designed for broad compatibility with various NAS systems, including popular brands like Synology and QNAP.
How does the 5400 RPM speed affect performance?
The 5400 RPM speed prioritizes longevity, lower power consumption, and quieter operation over raw speed. It's sufficient for typical NAS tasks like media streaming and file storage, but will be slower than 7200 RPM drives for intensive operations.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a NAS drive like this, you're not just buying storage; you're buying something that needs to run constantly without failing. You need to consider if 2TB is enough for your current and future data. Also, the 'Plus' in WD Red Plus means it uses CMR, which is important for multi-drive systems because it performs more predictably than SMR drives when writing data, especially in RAID arrays. The 5400 RPM speed is a trade-off for longevity and lower power, not raw speed.
CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording)
This is how the drive writes data. CMR writes data sequentially, which is consistent and performs well in NAS and RAID setups, especially when data is frequently written or rewritten. SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) drives, while cheaper, can slow down significantly under heavy write loads, making them less suitable for NAS.
5400 RPM
This is the rotational speed of the platters inside the drive. Lower RPMs like 5400 generally mean less heat, less noise, and lower power consumption, which is good for drives running 24/7 in a NAS. However, it also means slower data access compared to 7200 RPM drives.
Workload Rate (180 TB/yr)
This spec tells you how much data the drive is designed to handle being written to or read from it in a year. 180 TB/yr is a substantial amount, indicating it's built for active use in a NAS, not just occasional backups.
NASware firmware
This is specialized firmware that optimizes the drive's performance and compatibility specifically for NAS environments. It helps with things like error recovery control, power management, and vibration compensation, which are crucial when multiple drives are operating together.
Alternatives
If you need more storage, look for drives with higher capacities like 4TB or 6TB. If speed is a priority for your NAS, search for 7200 RPM NAS-specific drives with larger cache sizes.
You Might Also Like
Seagate IronWolf Pro SATA III 3.5" Internal NAS Hard Drive, 2-Pack - 8TB
$300-$599A 2-pack of 8TB 7200 RPM CMR internal hard drives with 256MB cache, built for 24/7 multi-bay NAS environments.
QNAP TS-453E-8G-US 4 Bay High-Performance Desktop NAS with Intel Celeron Quad-core Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM and Dual 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) Network Connectivity (Diskless)
$600+A 4-bay diskless NAS with an Intel Celeron J6412, 8GB DDR4 RAM, dual 2.5GbE, and M.2 NVMe slots for businesses needing long-term support.
Seagate Exos 28TB Internal Hard Drive HDD - 3.5 in CMR SATA 6Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 512MB Cache, 2.5M MTBF - ST28000NM000C (Renewed)
$300-$599This 28TB, 7200 RPM, 3.5-inch CMR SATA 6Gb/s renewed hard drive is for serious data hoarders needing massive capacity at a lower price point.
1TB G-Drive ArmorATD Rugged, Durable Portable External HDD, Up to 130MB/s, USB-C (5Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 1 – SDPHE1G-001T
$50-$99A 1TB mechanical hard drive with a 130MB/s read speed and USB-C (5Gbps) connectivity, built for users needing rugged, portable storage for school or creative projects.