Buy WD Red Plus at the Right Price
WD Red Plus drives ranked by price per terabyte
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WD Red Plus is the CMR version of WD's mainstream NAS range, and the one to buy. The plain WD Red was quietly switched to slow SMR (the EFAX models) some years ago, which caused RAID problems, so WD created Red Plus and Red Pro as the explicitly CMR options. The live table below ranks current WD Red Plus prices by price per terabyte.
Where WD Red Plus fits
WD Red Plus is the CMR version of WD's mainstream NAS range, and the one to buy. The plain WD Red was quietly switched to slow SMR (the EFAX models) some years ago, which caused RAID problems, so WD created Red Plus and Red Pro as the explicitly CMR options. Red Plus uses NASware firmware and is tuned to run quiet and cool, which suits a NAS that lives in a living space.
Workload rating and warranty
WD rates Red Plus for a workload of 180TB a year, with a 3-year warranty, for NAS systems of up to eight bays. Models of 8TB and smaller spin at 5400 or 5640 RPM for low noise and power; the 10TB and 12TB models spin at 7200 RPM, like the Pro range.
Capacities and which NAS it suits
Red Plus runs from 2TB to 12TB in WD's current product brief. There is no Red Plus above 12TB, so for 14TB and larger you move to WD Red Pro, Seagate Exos or IronWolf Pro. The 4TB to 12TB Red Plus drives are the value sweet spot.
Red Plus suits 1 to 8-bay home NAS units, especially quiet ones in living spaces.
Best WD Red Plus by need
| Use case | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet home NAS | WD Red Plus | Low noise and power at 8TB and below, CMR, 2TB to 12TB. |
| Mixed-size SHR pool | WD Red Plus | Reliable CMR for Synology SHR with mixed capacities. |
| Above 12TB | WD Red Pro / Exos | Red Plus stops at 12TB, so move to the Pro or enterprise range. |
Where the ratings come from
The workload rating, warranty, capacity range, spindle speed and bay support for WD Red Plus are from the maker's current product document.
Checked on October 12, 2026. Sources: Western Digital: WD Red Plus NAS hard drive product brief.
WD Red Plus drives, by price per TB
Renewed, refurbished and used listings
Shown for reference. These are not counted in the best price per TB above, and warranty terms differ from new drives.
Frequently asked questions
Is WD Red Plus CMR?
Yes. WD Red Plus is CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording), the RAID-safe choice. The plain WD Red with an EFAX model number is SMR and should be avoided for a NAS pool. Always choose Red Plus or Red Pro.
What is the difference between WD Red, Red Plus and Red Pro?
Plain WD Red (EFAX) is SMR and best avoided in RAID. Red Plus is CMR, rated 180TB a year, up to 12TB, for NAS of up to eight bays. Red Pro is CMR, 7200rpm, rated 550TB a year with a 5-year warranty, up to 26TB, for busier and larger pools.
How big do WD Red Plus drives go?
WD Red Plus tops out at 12TB in WD's current product brief. For 14TB and above you need WD Red Pro, Seagate Exos or Seagate IronWolf Pro.
Is WD Red Plus good for Synology?
Yes. WD Red Plus is a popular, reliable CMR choice for Synology DiskStation units and works well with SHR. On 2025 Synology Plus models DSM may show a validated-drive note, but Red Plus still creates standard pools and volumes.