Guide 8TB WD Red for NAS - Which ones to get?

When building or upgrading your Network Attached Storage (NAS) system, choosing the right hard drives is crucial. Western Digital (WD) offers a range of WD Red drives specifically designed for NAS environments, but within the WD Red lineup, there are several options – WD Red, WD Red Plus, and WD Red Pro. Knowing the differences between them, especially for the 8TB capacity, is essential for performance, reliability, and compatibility.

WD Red Drive Families – What's the Difference?

Here’s a quick overview of the three WD Red categories currently on the market:

1. WD Red (SMR-based)

Model Example: WD80EFAX

Technology: Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR)

Drive Speed: 5400 RPM

Intended for: Light-duty NAS with 1-2 bays

Pros: Lower cost and low power consumption

Cons: Poor performance under write-heavy or RAID rebuild workloads

Verdict: Not recommended for most NAS users due to SMR limitations. Avoid if your NAS is larger than 2 bays or used for heavy tasks.

2. WD Red Plus (CMR-based)

Model Example: WD80EFBX

Technology: Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR)

Drive Speed: 5640 or 7200 RPM

Intended for: NAS systems with up to 8 bays

Pros: Reliable CMR tech, good for RAID, consistent write performance

Cons: Slightly more expensive than WD Red SMR

Verdict: Best value for home and small business NAS systems. Ideal for file storage, Plex media servers, backups, and light virtualization.

3. WD Red Pro

Model Example: WD8003FFBX

Technology: CMR

Drive Speed: 7200 RPM

Intended for: Enterprise-grade NAS with up to 24 bays

Pros: Higher endurance, better performance, 5-year warranty, vibration protection

Cons: Louder, runs hotter, and more expensive

Verdict: Excellent choice for heavy NAS workloads, including virtual machines, 24/7 operations, or multi-user environments.

🧠 Choosing the Right One: Use Case Matters

For Home Users or Media Storage:

Choose WD Red Plus WD80EFBX

CMR is critical for RAID stability and consistent performance

Quiet operation and power-efficient

For Small Business NAS:

Stick with WD Red Plus or move up to Red Pro if you run apps like Nextcloud, Docker containers, or mail servers.

For Enterprise or Multi-Bay NAS (10+ bays):

Go with WD Red Pro WD8003FFBX

Higher performance and durability for intensive workloads

🔧 Compatibility Tips

Always check your NAS manufacturer’s compatibility list before purchase.

Make sure your NAS firmware supports 8TB drives, especially in older models.

CMR drives are strongly recommended for RAID arrays, as SMR drives can cause rebuild failures or long downtime.

✅ Conclusion

For an 8TB NAS setup, the WD Red Plus (WD80EFBX) offers the best balance between price, performance, and reliability. Avoid SMR-based WD Red (WD80EFAX) for RAID or heavy write workloads. For business or demanding environments, WD Red Pro provides superior performance and longevity. Choose wisely based on your NAS size, workload, and budget to ensure a stable and efficient storage system.