Is this drive CMR or SMR?

It uses conventional magnetic recording (CMR), so sustained writes and RAID rebuilds are not slowed the way shingled drives can be.

How many bays can a NAS have with this drive?

WD rates the Red Pro for RAID-optimized NAS systems with up to 24 bays.

What is the cache and spindle speed?

It spins at 7200 rpm and has a 512 MB buffer, which helps with large transfers and array rebuilds.

Does it fit a standard desktop?

It is a 3.5-inch SATA drive, so it fits standard 3.5-inch bays, but it is tuned for NAS use rather than desktop duty.

What warranty does it carry?

Western Digital backs it with a 5-year limited warranty.

Is it louder than a 5400 rpm NAS drive?

Yes. The faster spindle makes it more audible, so owners often place NAS units away from living spaces.

What do buyers say about the WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB?

Rated 4.1 out of 5 from 41 ratings.

Western Digital

WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB

Best price now

$854.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Western Digital

WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB

Best price now

$854.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Western Digital discount code →

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Price facts

Last seen at $854.99 at Walmart on Nov 9.

Our take on the WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB

The WD Red Pro 18TB is a 3.5-inch SATA III hard drive built for RAID NAS systems with up to 24 bays. It uses conventional magnetic recording (CMR), spins at 7200 rpm and carries a 512 MB cache, so it writes large files and rebuilds arrays faster than 5400-class NAS drives. The 5-year warranty and shock-resistant build suit power users and small offices archiving and sharing growing data. Against Seagate's IronWolf Pro it is a close rival: both are CMR, 7200 rpm and rated for heavy NAS use, while the Red Pro's vibration handling is tuned for dense multi-bay enclosures.

Best forMulti-bay NAS owners running RAIDSmall offices archiving and backing up dataPower users storing large media librariesBuyers who want a long warranty on NAS drives

Pros

CMR recording, not shingled, so sustained writes stay fast
7200 rpm spindle and 512 MB cache for quick transfers
Rated for NAS enclosures with up to 24 bays
5-year limited warranty
Shock-resistant 3.5-inch design

Cons

Spins louder and runs warmer than 5400 rpm NAS drives
Needs good airflow in tight enclosures
Higher power draw than slower drives
Not intended for desktop-only use

WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by AdoramaReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$854.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
Visit Walmart

What reviewers say

4.1 / 541 ratings

Owners rate it around 4.1 out of 5. Most praise its speed and reliability in RAID arrays, while a minority report early failures or noisy operation.

What people mention

ReliabilityMixedMany owners report years of trouble-free service in RAID, but some describe drives failing within months.
SpeedPraisedReviewers say the 7200 rpm spindle and large cache keep large file transfers and rebuilds quick.
NoiseCriticisedSeveral owners find the drive audible, with hum and seek noise noticeable in quiet rooms.
HeatMixedIt runs warmer than slower NAS drives, which owners say is fine with good case airflow.
RAID usePraisedBuyers report it works well in multi-bay NAS arrays and survives rebuilds.

About the WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB

The WD Red Pro is an 18 TB internal 3.5" hard drive built for NAS systems. It is made for power users and medium-sized organizations running RAID-optimized NAS enclosures with up to 24 bays. It is used for archiving, sharing and protecting growing amounts of data.

The drive uses Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) and spins at 7200 rpm with a 512 MB buffer. It connects through a SATA/600 interface and is shock resistant.

Capacity: 18 TB
Drive type: Internal, 3.5" form factor
Recording: Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR)
Spindle speed: 7200 rpm
Buffer: 512 MB
Interface: SATA, SATA/600 standard
Compatibility: NAS systems with up to 24 bays
Dimensions: 1" H x 4" W x 5.8" L
Weight: Approximately 1.52 lb
Durability: Shock resistant
Wireless LAN: No
Compliance: RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
Country of origin: Thailand
Warranty: 5-year limited warranty

Specifications

color: MulticolorSource
size: 1Source

Questions and answers

Is this drive CMR or SMR?: It uses conventional magnetic recording (CMR), so sustained writes and RAID rebuilds are not slowed the way shingled drives can be.
How many bays can a NAS have with this drive?: WD rates the Red Pro for RAID-optimized NAS systems with up to 24 bays.
What is the cache and spindle speed?: It spins at 7200 rpm and has a 512 MB buffer, which helps with large transfers and array rebuilds.
Does it fit a standard desktop?: It is a 3.5-inch SATA drive, so it fits standard 3.5-inch bays, but it is tuned for NAS use rather than desktop duty.
What warranty does it carry?: Western Digital backs it with a 5-year limited warranty.
Is it louder than a 5400 rpm NAS drive?: Yes. The faster spindle makes it more audible, so owners often place NAS units away from living spaces.
Where is the WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB cheapest?: At Walmart, for $854.99, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the WD Red Pro 3.5" SATA III Internal NAS Hard Drive 18TB?: Rated 4.1 out of 5 from 41 ratings.