Best Hard Drives for Synology DS923+
Setting up a Synology DS923+ is a game-changer for any creative professional, but your NAS is only as fast as the spinning glass inside it. Choosing the wrong drives can lead to bottlenecked 10GbE transfers or, worse, premature hardware failure during a critical RAID rebuild. After testing various configurations for high-res photo libraries, I’ve found the WD Red Pro to be the gold standard. In this guide, Iβll help you navigate CMR technology and RPM speeds to ensure your storage keeps pace with your workflow.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Hard Drives for Synology DS923+: Detailed Reviews
WD Red Pro View on Amazon
The WD Red Pro is the drive I find myself recommending most often for the DS923+. Unlike the standard “Plus” model, the Pro variant spins at 7200 RPM, which is essential if you plan to utilize the DS923+βs optional 10GbE upgrade. In my testing, these drives handle multi-user environments with ease, thanks to a 300TB/year workload rating and enhanced vibration protection. They are built for 24-bay systems, so putting them in a 4-bay DS923+ means they are barely breaking a sweat. You get a generous 5-year warranty, providing peace of mind for long-term archival. The only real drawback is the noise; at 7200 RPM, they hum noticeably louder than slower drives. However, if you’re editing 4K video directly off the NAS, the performance gains are worth every decibel. They are exceptionally reliable during long RAID rebuilds, which is when cheaper drives often fail.
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Seagate IronWolf View on Amazon
The Seagate IronWolf (non-Pro) is the “sweet spot” for many Synology users. Itβs specifically designed for NAS environments and includes IronWolf Health Management, which integrates directly into Synology DSM to provide more detailed drive analytics than standard S.M.A.R.T. tests. Most capacities in this line spin at 5900 RPM (though some larger ones are 7200 RPM), making them significantly quieter and cooler than the Pro alternatives. If your DS923+ is sitting on your desk right next to your monitor, you will appreciate the lower acoustic profile. While the 180TB/year workload rating is lower than the Pro models, itβs more than enough for a home media server or a photographerβs secondary backup. Itβs a CMR drive, ensuring consistent write speeds even as the drive fills up. It lacks the free data recovery services of the Pro version, but for the price, it offers the best balance of reliability and affordability.
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Toshiba N300 View on Amazon
Toshiba is often the dark horse in the NAS market, but the N300 series is a powerhouse for the price. It frequently undercuts WD and Seagate on a price-per-terabyte basis while still offering a 7200 RPM spindle speed and a healthy cache. Iβve found these drives to be incredibly snappy for file indexing and large batch transfers. They use CMR technology, which is non-negotiable for a DS923+. The trade-off for the lower price is mainly in the warranty and noise. With a 3-year warranty, it trails behind the 5-year coverage of the “Pro” models. Furthermore, the N300 is known to run a bit hotter and vibrate more than its competitors. If you are installing your DS923+ in a server closet or a basement where noise doesn’t matter, the N300 is an absolute steal. It delivers enterprise-level speed at a consumer-friendly price point, allowing you to maximize your storage pool without breaking the bank.
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Seagate IronWolf Pro View on Amazon
When you are filling your DS923+ with massive 20TB or 24TB drives, the stakes for data loss are incredibly high. The IronWolf Pro is my top recommendation for users who want the ultimate safety net. Not only does it offer a 550TB/year workload limit and 7200 RPM speeds, but Seagate includes three years of their Rescue Data Recovery Services. If the drive fails mechanically, you can send it to their labs for a professional recovery attemptβa service that normally costs thousands. Iβve seen this save a photographer’s entire career after a dual-drive failure. Performance-wise, itβs a beast, capable of sustained transfer rates that will saturate even a 10GbE link. Itβs built for 24/7 operation in the most demanding environments. While it is the most expensive option on this list, the combination of high-end specs and the built-in insurance policy makes it the logical choice for mission-critical data.
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WD Red Plus View on Amazon
If you don’t need the blistering speed of a 7200 RPM drive and value a quiet workspace above all else, the WD Red Plus is your best bet. Previously just known as “WD Red,” the “Plus” designation is critical because it guarantees the drive uses CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) rather than the problematic SMR technology. These drives typically spin at 5640 RPM, which means they produce significantly less heat and noise than the Pro or IronWolf models. For a DS923+ used mainly for document storage, Time Machine backups, or a Plex server that doesn’t require massive concurrent streams, the Red Plus is more than sufficient. You’ll notice your NAS fans don’t ramp up as often, and the subtle “seeking” noises are much less intrusive during a late-night editing session. Itβs a reliable, tried-and-true workhorse that has been the backbone of the NAS community for over a decade.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose Hard Drives for Synology DS923+
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD Red Pro | Professional Studios | β β β β β | Check |
| Seagate IronWolf | Home Media | β β β β β | Check |
| Toshiba N300 | Budget Capacity | β β β β β | Check |
| Seagate IronWolf Pro | Business Critical | β β β β β | Check |
| WD Red Plus | Quiet Offices | β β β β β | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use desktop drives like WD Blue in my DS923+?
Technically you can, but I strongly advise against it. Desktop drives aren’t designed for 24/7 vibration or the heat of a multi-bay enclosure. They lack Time-Limited Error Recovery (TLER), which means if a desktop drive hits a bad sector, it might hang for so long that the Synology thinks the drive has failed and drops it from the RAID. NAS-specific drives are engineered to handle these specific stresses safely and reliably.
What is the difference between CMR and SMR?
CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) writes data in parallel tracks that don’t overlap, which is perfect for the constant random writes of a NAS. SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) overlaps tracks like roof shingles to increase density. While SMR is cheaper, it slows down significantly during sustained writes, which can cause Synology RAID rebuilds to take weeks or fail entirely. For the DS923+, only buy CMR drives to ensure your data stays safe.
Do I need 7200 RPM drives?
It depends on your network. If you are using the standard 1GbE ports on the DS923+, a 5400 RPM drive is fast enough to saturate that connection. However, if you’ve installed the 10GbE upgrade or use NVMe caching, 7200 RPM drives provide lower latency and higher sustained speeds, which you’ll definitely notice when scrubbing through a 4K video timeline or searching through a massive Lightroom catalog of RAW files.
Should I buy Synology’s own HAT3300 Plus series drives?
Synologyβs HAT3300 drives are essentially rebranded Seagate IronWolf drives with custom firmware. The main advantage is that you can update the drive firmware directly through the DSM interface, and they are guaranteed to be 100% compatible. However, they are often slightly more expensive than the equivalent Seagate or WD drives. They are a great “set it and forget it” option if you want the simplest support path possible from one single vendor.
How loud are NAS hard drives?
NAS drives are generally louder than the quiet SSDs in your laptop. 7200 RPM drives like the WD Red Pro or IronWolf Pro produce a constant low hum and a “crunching” sound during data access. If the DS923+ is in a bedroom or a quiet office, these can be distracting. In those cases, I recommend the WD Red Plus, which is much quieter, or moving the NAS to a different room or closet.
Final Verdict
For most DS923+ users, the WD Red Pro is the superior choice because it matches the high-performance nature of the Ryzen CPU. If you’re a creative professional working with large files, the 7200 RPM speed is a must. However, if you’re building a home media server and want to save some cash, the Seagate IronWolf offers incredible value. For those in noise-sensitive environments, the WD Red Plus remains the king of quiet, reliable NAS storage.