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Western Digital Red Plus - Desktop
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Western Digital Red Plus

description Western Digital Red Plus Overview

The Western Digital Red Plus is a step up from the standard WD Red, offering improved performance and reliability for NAS environments. It utilizes CMR recording for consistent write speeds and data integrity. The 7200 RPM spindle speed provides faster access times compared to 5400 RPM drives, while its energy-efficient design minimizes power consumption. WD's NASware technology optimizes the drive for RAID environments.

It's a great balance of performance, reliability, and price for home and small office NAS setups.

insights Ranking position

Western Digital Red Plus ranks #30 of 87 in the Desktop ranking, behind Apple Macintosh (Original), ahead of AnyDesk.

balance Western Digital Red Plus Pros & Cons

thumb_up Pros
  • check Reliable NAS performance
  • check CMR technology (no SMR)
  • check Lower power consumption
  • check Good value for capacity
thumb_down Cons
  • close Not fastest in class
  • close Limited to 5400 RPM

help Western Digital Red Plus FAQ

Does every WD Red Plus drive spin at 7200 RPM?

No. The Red Plus family contains both 5400 RPM-class and 7200 RPM models, depending on capacity and model number, so the blanket 7200 RPM description is inaccurate.

Is WD Red Plus CMR or SMR?

WD Red Plus drives use conventional magnetic recording, or CMR. Western Digital introduced the Plus label in 2020 to distinguish these NAS drives from device-managed SMR models in the basic WD Red line.

Can WD Red Plus be used in a Synology or QNAP NAS?

Yes, Red Plus is designed for always-on NAS and RAID workloads, including common Synology and QNAP enclosures. Buyers should still check the enclosure maker's compatibility list for the exact WD model and capacity.

What is the difference between WD Red Plus and Red Pro?

Red Plus targets home and small-business NAS systems and carries a three-year limited warranty. Red Pro models are built for heavier workloads and larger arrays, use 7200 RPM mechanisms, and generally carry a five-year warranty.

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