For folks who want **expandable and secure data** protection on a network, RAID storage is a crucial tool. **RAID**, which stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks, **protects your data** by spreading or copying it across a bunch of hard drives. There are many types of RAID systems, all with different features, abilities, and levels of protection. The key is picking a RAID setup that matches your unique needs.
An ideal RAID storage device should be fast, reliable, easy to configure, and scalable. It should also offer different RAID levels, such as RAID 0 for performance and RAID 1 for data redundancy. The wrong choice can lead to inferior performance and put your data at risk.
When shopping for a RAID storage system, key features to consider include the number and type of drives it can accommodate, the RAID levels it supports, its data transfer rates, and its compatibility with other devices. Be sure to also consider your budget when making a purchase.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of choosing the best RAID storage system. We have put many products to the test to find those offering the most useful features and the best performance levels. By the end of this article, you will have all the information you need to make an informed choice and keep your data safe and accessible.
Best RAID Storage Devices
When selecting a RAID storage device, it’s crucial to strike a balance between performance, data protection, and budget. There are plenty of options on the market, making the choice potentially overwhelming. Through rigorous evaluation and testing, we have identified the best RAID storage devices that we believe will offer the best mix of reliability, speed, and value for money. Stay tuned for our top picks.
SanDisk Professional 16TB G-RAID Mirror – External HDD, RAID with Redundancy, Thunderbolt 3, USB (10Gbps), 7200RPM Ultrastar Hard Drive, Up to 250MB/s Read in RAID 1 – SDPHH2H-016T-NBAAD
If you’re looking for a reliable and fast external hard drive, the SanDisk Professional 16TB G-RAID Mirror is a great option.
Pros
- The RAID 0 + 1 configuration provides data security and high performance.
- The dual 7200RPM Ultrastar hard drives deliver fast transfer speeds of up to 250MB/s.
- The rugged aluminum enclosure provides durable protection for the hard drives.
Cons
- The hard drives are not swappable, so if one fails, you’ll need to replace the entire drive.
- The Thunderbolt 3 cable is not detachable, which can be inconvenient for some users.
- The drive is relatively heavy, weighing in at 5.27 pounds.
We’ve been using the SanDisk Professional 16TB G-RAID Mirror for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance and reliability. The RAID 0 + 1 configuration provides peace of mind, knowing that our data is backed up and secure.
The dual 7200RPM Ultrastar hard drives deliver fast transfer speeds, making it easy to edit 4K footage and work with large files. The rugged aluminum enclosure provides durable protection for the hard drives, ensuring that they stay safe and secure.
While the hard drives are not swappable, the drive’s overall reliability makes this a minor inconvenience. The Thunderbolt 3 cable is not detachable, which can be inconvenient for some users, but we haven’t found this to be a major issue.
Overall, we highly recommend the SanDisk Professional 16TB G-RAID Mirror for anyone in need of a fast, reliable, and secure external hard drive.
Western Digital 8TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage – NAS – Western DigitalBVBZ0080JCH-NESN
If you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use network attached storage solution, the Western Digital 8TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The dual-bay design with drive redundancy provides peace of mind for your data.
- The USB 3.0 port allows for easy expansion of your storage with external drives.
- The My Cloud OS 3 operating system offers a user-friendly interface and improved performance.
Cons
- The device can be slow to respond at times, which can be frustrating.
- The lack of a mobile app for remote access is a drawback.
- The price point may be a bit high for some users.
We’ve been using the Western Digital 8TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra for a few weeks now, and overall, we’re quite satisfied with its performance. The dual-bay design with drive redundancy is a nice feature, as it provides peace of mind knowing that our data is safe and secure.
One thing we really appreciate about this device is the USB 3.0 port, which allows us to easily expand our storage by connecting external drives. This is especially useful for those who need to store large files or media.
In terms of the My Cloud OS 3 operating system, we find it to be quite user-friendly and intuitive. It’s easy to set up and manage your storage, as well as access your media and files from anywhere.
However, there are a few downsides to this device. For one, it can be a bit slow to respond at times, which can be frustrating when trying to access your files. Additionally, the lack of a mobile app for remote access is a drawback, as it limits your ability to access your media and files on the go.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a reliable and easy-to-use network attached storage solution, the Western Digital 8TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra is definitely worth considering. Just be aware of its limitations and price point before making your purchase.
WD 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID External Hard Drive HDD, USB 3.1, With Password Protection and Auto Backup Software – WDBFBE0160JBK-NESN
If you’re looking for a reliable and spacious external hard drive, the WD 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID External Hard Drive HDD is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The dual-drive design with RAID 0 provides faster data access and read/write speeds, making it perfect for multimedia content creation and high-performance computing.
- With a massive storage capacity of 16TB, you can easily store and backup all your important files, documents, photos, and videos.
- The included WD Discovery software makes it easy to set up and manage your drive, as well as securely access your content from anywhere with the WD 2GO app.
Cons
- The drive requires both drives to be spinning to access the RAID set, which can increase power consumption and generate more heat.
- The drives must be kept in the same environment to maintain data integrity, which may not be ideal for those who travel frequently.
- The drive is not compatible with the latest version of Windows 11, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.
We’ve been using the WD 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID External Hard Drive HDD for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance and functionality. The dual-drive design with RAID 0 is a standout feature that provides faster data access and read/write speeds, making it perfect for multimedia content creation and high-performance computing.
The massive storage capacity of 16TB is another major selling point of this drive. It’s perfect for those who need to store and backup all their important files, documents, photos, and videos. The included WD Discovery software makes it easy to set up and manage your drive, as well as securely access your content from anywhere with the WD 2GO app.
However, there are a few downsides to this drive. The drive requires both drives to be spinning to access the RAID set, which can increase power consumption and generate more heat. Additionally, the drives must be kept in the same environment to maintain data integrity, which may not be ideal for those who travel frequently. Finally, the drive is not compatible with the latest version of Windows 11, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.
Overall, we would recommend the WD 16TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID External Hard Drive HDD to anyone who needs a reliable and spacious external hard drive for their multimedia content creation and high-performance computing needs.
QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with hardware RAID (Diskless)
If you’re looking for a reliable and high-performance external storage solution, the QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- Supports hardware RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6 for high-level data security
- Supports up to 22TB raw storage capacity
- Supports USB Type-C Gen 2 10Gbps for fast data transfer
Cons
- Requires a compatible host computer with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 or USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 Type-C port
- No built-in power supply, must be powered by the host computer
- No fan, making it less suitable for heavy workloads
The QNAP TR-004 is a great option for those who need to transfer large amounts of data quickly. With its support for hardware RAID and USB Type-C Gen 2 10Gbps, you can expect fast and secure data transfer.
One thing to keep in mind is that the TR-004 requires a compatible host computer with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 or USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 Type-C port. Additionally, the device does not come with a built-in power supply, so it must be powered by the host computer. This may not be ideal for some users who need to keep their devices powered even when not in use.
Overall, the QNAP TR-004 is a solid choice for those in need of a high-performance external storage solution. Its support for hardware RAID and USB Type-C Gen 2 10Gbps make it a great option for those who need to transfer large amounts of data quickly.
Seagate Expansion Desktop, 16TB, External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 (STKP16000402)
If you’re looking for an external hard drive with a massive storage capacity, the Seagate Expansion Desktop is a great option.
Pros
- With a capacity of 16TB, you’ll have plenty of space to store all of your files, photos, and videos.
- The USB 3.0 interface provides fast transfer speeds, making it easy to move large files to and from the hard drive.
- The hard drive is designed for use with Windows 10, but it’s also compatible with other operating systems, including Mac OS X and Linux.
Cons
- The hard drive requires a power outlet, which may be inconvenient if you’re looking for a portable solution.
- While the hard drive is designed to be quiet, some users have reported that it can be a bit noisy.
- The included backup software may not be the best option for everyone, and some users may prefer to use their own backup solution.
The Seagate Expansion Desktop is a reliable and high-capacity external hard drive that is perfect for storing all of your files, photos, and videos. The USB 3.0 interface provides fast transfer speeds, making it easy to move large files to and from the hard drive. The hard drive is also designed for use with Windows 10, but it’s also compatible with other operating systems, including Mac OS X and Linux.
One potential downside of the Seagate Expansion Desktop is that it requires a power outlet, which may be inconvenient if you’re looking for a portable solution. Additionally, while the hard drive is designed to be quiet, some users have reported that it can be a bit noisy. Finally, the included backup software may not be the best option for everyone, and some users may prefer to use their own backup solution.
Overall, if you’re looking for an external hard drive with a massive storage capacity, the Seagate Expansion Desktop is a great option. It’s reliable, fast, and compatible with a variety of operating systems, making it a versatile choice for any user.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best RAID storage, there are several factors to consider. We have used and tested various RAID storage solutions, and we understand the importance of each factor. In this section, we will discuss the key factors to consider when selecting the best RAID storage for your needs.
RAID Level
The first factor to consider is the RAID level. RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, and it is a technology that allows multiple disks to be used as a single storage unit. There are several RAID levels, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. For example, RAID 0 provides maximum performance but no data redundancy, while RAID 5 provides data redundancy and some level of performance improvement. It is important to choose a RAID level that meets your specific needs.
Capacity
Another important factor to consider is the capacity of the RAID storage. The capacity of the RAID storage will determine how much data you can store. It is important to choose a RAID storage with enough capacity to meet your current and future data storage needs.
Performance
Performance is also an important factor to consider when choosing the best RAID storage. The performance of the RAID storage will determine how quickly you can access your data. It is important to choose a RAID storage with high read and write speeds to ensure that you can access your data quickly.
Reliability
Reliability is another important factor to consider when choosing the best RAID storage. The reliability of the RAID storage will determine how well it can handle data loss due to hardware failures. It is important to choose a RAID storage with high reliability to ensure that your data is safe.
Price
Finally, price is an important factor to consider when choosing the best RAID storage. The price of the RAID storage will determine how much you have to spend to get the features and performance that you need. It is important to choose a RAID storage that fits within your budget while still meeting your data storage needs.
In summary, when choosing the best RAID storage, it is important to consider the RAID level, capacity, performance, reliability, and price. By considering these factors, you can ensure that you choose a RAID storage solution that meets your specific needs.
