Find the ideal HDD based on your actual needs — from extra space for your PS4 to a NAS that stores the whole family’s archive.

For computer storage

4K movies, videos from your phone, and games requiring hundreds of GB can quickly fill up your primary drive. The Seagate Barracuda 8TB installs as a second drive in your computer, giving you 8TB of space for all your files while the operating system stays on the system’s fast drive.

With 256MB of cache, large file transfers run smoothly, and at 5400 RPM, it operates quietly by your side at your desk. It connects to any computer with a SATA port and a 3.5" drive bay.

For laptops and PS4

Laptops and consoles only accept 2.5-inch drives, and the Seagate Barracuda 2.5" 2TB replaces the factory-installed drive. On PS4, this means you can keep dozens of games installed at once, without deleting one to download another.

2TB quadruples the storage of a PS4 with a 500GB drive. In a laptop, you can install it as a second drive for files, and with 128MB cache, copying large folders takes no time.

For security cameras and NVRs

An NVR records video from cameras around the clock, and the Toshiba S300 Surveillance 4TB is built for exactly this job. With 4TB, you can store twice as many days of recordings as on a 2TB drive, so you can go back to the footage you need before it gets overwritten.

It fits the 3.5" bay in most NVRs, and at 5,400 rpm it runs quietly and stays cool, even when enclosed in a cabinet.

For a home NAS

A home NAS lets you store photos, movies and backups from all your computers, with access from any device. The Seagate IronWolf 4TB is a NAS drive, and in a two-bay setup with mirroring (RAID 1), it keeps your data safe even if one drive fails.

At 5400 RPM, it runs more quietly, which matters when your NAS is in the living room or home office. With 256MB of cache, movies start playing quickly on your TV. It has remained a popular choice among users for a long time.

For an office NAS that runs all day

When several colleagues open and save files on the same NAS at the same time, drive speed makes a difference to everyday work. The WD Red Pro 8TB spins at 7,200 RPM, so shared files open faster when several people access them at once.

CMR recording technology maintains consistent speeds in RAID arrays, even when you replace a drive and the array is rebuilding. With 8TB per drive, it can store a small business’s files for years.

For backups and movie libraries

A 4K movie library or years of family photos and videos need storage that won’t run out in a few months. The Seagate IronWolf 12TB gives you 12TB on a single drive, so you can store your entire archive in fewer NAS or media server bays.

At 7,200 RPM, movies start playing quickly on your TV and large backups finish sooner. With a 256MB cache, it handles simultaneous reading and writing with ease.

Start by checking where the drive will go: laptops and PS4 consoles need a 2.5-inch drive, while computers, NAS devices, and DVRs need a 3.5-inch drive. Then choose a series designed for your intended use and a capacity that will hold your files for years to come.

This article was created with the help of AI and reviewed and edited by the Skroutz team.