Rankings
The LaCie 2big RAID 16 TB is a dual-bay desktop RAID enclosure delivering high capacity and fast USB-C performance, with enterprise-grade drives and a generous warranty. It's ideal for creative professionals needing fast, reliable storage, though it's noisy, heavy, and requires external power.
The 12 TB G-DRIVE desktop delivers enterprise-class capacity and performance with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and a robust aluminum chassis, ideal for macOS-based video editing studios.
The G-Technology 4 TB G-DRIVE is a desktop-class external HDD featuring a 7200 RPM spindle, all-aluminum chassis, and USB 3.0 connectivity, delivering fast mechanical performance for large media files. Optimized for macOS with Time Machine support, it offers premium build quality but lacks modern USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and requires an external power source, making it best suited for stationary professional environments.
The WD 20 TB Elements Desktop offers an enormous amount of storage at a competitive price, with solid USB 3.0 performance and basic backup software, but it lacks encryption, macOS out-of-the-box support, and a premium chassis.
The Seagate Expansion 4 TB desktop drive offers straightforward plug-and-play storage with decent USB-3.0 speeds and a rescue service, but its reliance on an external power adapter, lack of encryption, and reliability concerns limit its appeal for mission-critical use.
The Buffalo DriveStation Axis Velocity 4TB is a desktop-oriented HDD offering high capacity, 7200 RPM speed, and optional hardware encryption. While it provides solid reliability for large media collections, its lack of cache, need for an external power adapter, and modest transfer rates keep it from matching faster SSD solutions.
The WD Elements 8 TB Desktop delivers high capacity and solid USB 3.0 performance in a sturdy enclosure, but it needs an external power adapter and lacks encryption or RAID features, making it best for stationary backup tasks.
The 48 TB G-RAID PROJECT 2 provides massive capacity and enterprise-grade performance via Thunderbolt 3, but its reliance on HDD speed, lack of encryption, and occasional power-port issues limit its appeal for some professionals.
The SanDisk Professional 6 TB G-Drive is an enterprise-class desktop HDD with a fast 7200 RPM Ultrastar drive, robust aluminum enclosure, and USB-C 10 Gbps connectivity, aimed at media professionals needing high capacity and reliability.
The 8 TB G-DRIVE PROJECT offers reliable enterprise-class HDD performance with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and a unique SSD expansion slot, but its need for external power and lack of encryption limit its portability and security.
The SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE PROJECT 12 TB is a desktop-grade external HDD offering massive capacity, 7200 RPM performance, and dual Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, with a modular SSD slot for hybrid workflows.
The G-Technology 4 TB G-DRIVE is a high-performance desktop HDD with dual Thunderbolt 1 and USB 3.0 connections, offering solid speed for creative workflows but limited by its older interface and bulky power brick.
The OWC Mercury Elite Pro 6 TB is a desktop-class external HDD offering high capacity, 7200 RPM performance and a robust aluminum enclosure. It provides solid reliability but is heavy, noisy, and lacks modern USB-C connectivity and encryption.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | OWC Mercury Elite Pro 6TB | G-Technology G-DRIVE Desktop 4TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 TB | 20 TB | 8 TB | 48 TBbest | 12 TB | 4 TB | 4 TB | 8 TB | 12 TB | 4 TB | 6 TB | 6 TB | 4 TB | |
440 MB/s | — | — | 540 MB/sbest | 250 MB/s | 280 MB/s | 125 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 165 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 300 MB/s | 165 MB/s | |
440 MB/s | — | — | 490 MB/sbest | — | — | — | 250 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 165 MB/s | 250 MB/s | — | — | |
5 yearsbest | 2 years | 2 years | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 1 years | 2 years | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.11 kg | 0.898 kgbest | 0.947 kg | 3.067 kg | 1.239 kg | 1.107 kg | 0.948 kg | 1.67 kg | 1.65 kg | 1.238 kg | 1.38 kg | 1.315 kg | 1.11 kg |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 0 MB | — | — | 64 MBbest | — | — | 64 MBbest | |
7,200 RPMbest | — | 5,400 RPM | 7,200 RPMbest | 7,200 RPMbest | 5,400 RPM | 7,200 RPMbest | 7,200 RPMbest | 7,200 RPMbest | 7,200 RPMbest | 7,200 RPMbest | 7,200 RPMbest | 7,200 RPMbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | OWC Mercury Elite Pro 6TB | G-Technology G-DRIVE Desktop 4TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Warranty(1) | |||||||||||||
Warranty Period (years) | 5 years | 2 years | 2 years | 5 years | 5 years | 1 years | 2 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
Connectivity(2) | |||||||||||||
Interface | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | Thunderbolt 3 | Thunderbolt 3 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | Thunderbolt 3 | Thunderbolt 3 | Thunderbolt 1 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.0 |
USB Version | 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.1 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.0 |
Power & Battery(1) | |||||||||||||
Power Source | External | External AC | External AC | External AC | AC-powered | External AC adapter | AC adapter | External AC | External Adapter | External AC | External AC | External | External |
Security(1) | |||||||||||||
Hardware Encryption | — | false | false | false | — | false | true | false | false | — | — | false | — |
Physical(1) | |||||||||||||
Weight (kg) | 2.11 kg | 0.898 kg | 0.947 kg | 3.067 kg | 1.239 kg | 1.107 kg | 0.948 kg | 1.67 kg | 1.65 kg | 1.238 kg | 1.38 kg | 1.315 kg | 1.11 kg |
Compatibility(1) | |||||||||||||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows 10+, macOS 10.12+ | Windows, macOS (reformat) | Windows, macOS (reformat) | macOS, iPadOS, Windows | macOS, Windows | Windows 10+, macOS 10.12+ | Windows, macOS | macOS, iPadOS, Windows | macOS, Windows, iPadOS | macOS, Windows | macOS, Windows (reformat) | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS 10.7+, Windows 7/8.1/10 (reformat required) |
Storage(4) | |||||||||||||
Storage Capacity (TB) | 16 TB | 20 TB | 8 TB | 48 TB | 12 TB | 4 TB | 4 TB | 8 TB | 12 TB | 4 TB | 6 TB | 6 TB | 4 TB |
Drive Type | HDD | HDD | HDD | 7200 RPM HDD | HDD | HDD | HDD | 7200 RPM HDD | HDD | Mechanical HDD | 3.5" HDD | HDD | Mechanical HDD |
Form Factor | 3.5 inch | 3.5-inch | 3.5-inch | — | Desktop | 3.5" | 3.5 inches | — | 3.5 inch | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop HDD | 3.5-inch |
Cache Size (MB) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 MB | — | — | 64 MB | — | — | 64 MB |
Performance(3) | |||||||||||||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 440 MB/s | — | — | 540 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 280 MB/s | 125 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 165 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 300 MB/s | 165 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 440 MB/s | — | 150-176 MB/s | 490 MB/s | — | — | — | 250 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 165 MB/s | 250 MB/s | — | — |
Rotational Speed (RPM) | 7200 RPM | — | 5400 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM | 5400 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the 2big RAID for its rugged aluminum chassis, enterprise-grade drives, hot-swap capability, and five-year warranty, while noting fan noise and occasional dismounts.
B&H users appreciate the speed and sturdy design but report mixed experiences, citing random dismounts, loud operation, and a 2.5/5 overall rating.
“Fast performance for large file transfers”
“Unexpected dismounts: Multiple users report the drive randomly unmounting during transfers, requiring reformatting.”
“Noise and light: Described as "loud" and "distracting" in quiet workspaces.”
Professional reviewers commend the WD 20TB Elements for its solid value, reliable performance, and straightforward Windows plug-and-play experience, highlighting its suitability for gamers and content creators who need bulk storage. They note the drive's robust internal engineering and 2-year warranty as strengths, while pointing out the lack of encryption, cloud features, and a premium metal chassis as minor drawbacks.
Everyday users overwhelmingly appreciate the huge capacity, quiet fanless operation, and hassle-free Windows setup, often citing successful large-scale data migrations. Recurring frustrations center on the need to reformat for macOS, confusion over actual usable space, and the plastic enclosure's perceived lack of durability.
Professional reviewers rate the WD Elements 8TB highly, praising its massive capacity, solid USB 3.0 performance, and straightforward desktop design, while noting the lack of RAID and SSD-level speeds as the main drawbacks for power users.
Everyday users overwhelmingly appreciate the drive's capacity and reliability, highlighting its plug-and-play Windows experience and decent speed, but they frequently mention the audible noise, the need to reformat for macOS, and its limited portability.
Professional reviewers commend the enterprise-grade drives, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and PRO-BLADE slot, noting the HDDs limit real-world speeds and the lack of hardware encryption.
Everyday users praise the raw speed and solid construction, yet many report power-port failures, occasional unmounts on macOS, and slow warranty service.
Professional reviewers praise the G-DRIVE's reliable, high-performance storage that handles multi-stream 4K editing with ease, emphasizing its dual Thunderbolt 3 ports and enterprise-class spindle, while noting the absence of RAID and SSD-level speeds.
Everyday users consistently commend the drive's fast, smooth performance in creative applications, its sturdy construction, quiet operation, and the peace of mind from a five-year warranty, though some report initial connectivity hiccups and the need to reformat for Windows.
Professional reviewers rate the drive around 7/10, noting its suitability for backups and archival use thanks to capacity and recovery service, while flagging the 5400 RPM speed and reliability concerns as drawbacks.
Everyday users praise the easy setup and value of the included recovery service, yet many report early drive failures, poor customer support, and disappointment with the cheap plastic enclosure.
Professional reviewers consider the DriveStation Axis Velocity a well-balanced, TAA-compliant desktop storage option that offers solid performance thanks to its 7200 RPM spindle and USB 3.0 connectivity. They commend its build quality and design, but note that the absence of a DRAM cache prevents it from reaching the speeds of Buffalo's own DDR series.
Everyday users generally view the drive positively, highlighting its speed, sleek appearance, quiet operation, and ease of setup. Common complaints revolve around the need to reformat for macOS, missing software, and a bright activity LED.
Professional reviewers consider the G-DRIVE PROJECT a well-engineered solution for creative workflows, emphasizing enterprise reliability, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports and the PRO-BLADE slot, while noting the lack of hardware encryption.
Everyday users praise the quiet operation, premium build and fast backup speeds, yet complain about warm operation, lack of auto-reconnect and occasional dead-on-arrival units.
Professional reviewers commend the G-DRIVE PROJECT for its blend of enterprise-class reliability, dual Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, and the unique PRO-BLADE SSD slot, while noting the lack of built-in encryption and fanless cooling as minor drawbacks.
Everyday users praise the fast, consistent performance for 4K video editing and the premium aluminum chassis, but complain about occasional DOA units, no encryption, and the extra cost of the optional SSD module.
Professional reviewers commend the G-DRIVE for its strong random-access performance, robust aluminum construction, and seamless macOS integration, while noting the reliance on first-gen Thunderbolt and the bulky power adapter as drawbacks.
Everyday users praise the drive's speed, reliability, and plug-and-play macOS experience, though some report it runs warm and dislike the large power adapter.
Reviewers commend its enterprise reliability, stackable design and consistent performance, while noting the speed lag behind NVMe SSDs.
Users praise smooth 4K editing and Mac readiness, but complain about warmth, noise, and the need for an external power adapter.
Reviewers label it a "pro-grade" storage solution with strong build quality and speed for an HDD, while noting the absence of native USB-C/Thunderbolt as a drawback for modern Mac workflows.
Users appreciate its reliability, speed for large backups, and premium build, but complain about noise, bulk, and the need for an external power brick.
Professional reviewers commend the G-DRIVE for its 7200 RPM spindle, all-aluminum chassis and USB 3.0 speed, noting it delivers "super performance" and a "solid, stylish" look that aligns with Mac aesthetics. They also point out the lack of Thunderbolt, the need for an external power brick and the mechanical nature limiting random-access performance.
Everyday users praise the drive's fast mechanical transfer rates, premium aluminum construction, and seamless macOS integration, especially Time Machine readiness. Common complaints focus on audible noise under load, the missing Thunderbolt/USB-C option and the bulkiness of the external power adapter.
