TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
A SATA, or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, hard drive is the interface used to read or write data for data storage. Most computers today use it, and you can either have a Hard Disk Drive or a Solid State Drive. The drives for desktops are usually larger compared to the more compact versions laptops use. SATA drives promise excellent value, compatibility, impressive transmission speeds, and enough capacities. They can write around 600 MB of data per second. You can pick from 500 GB to 16 TB of storage in terms of capacity. Of course, higher storage means you’ll have to pay a higher price. SATA hard drives aren’t exclusive to a specific brand, so they are compatible with almost all device manufacturers. It’s also easy to switch out your SATA hard drives because your device can remain on while you switch them. This process is called hot-swapping. SATA HDDs usually last about three to four years, and they’re more prone to mechanical issues. SATA SSDs are better for the long run because they last about ten years. They’re faster than HDDs in terms of read/write speeds and boot time, but they tend to be more expensive. Let’s look at the best SATA hard drives on the market in 2022.
The Seagate BarraCuda is a reliable hard disk drive that guarantees durability, versatility, and superior capacity. Their 8 TB variant is already a good deal, but you also have the option to pick versions as low as 240 GB or as high as 14 TB. You’ll have more than enough space to store your documents, videos, photos, games, software, etc. It features a hard disk rotational speed of 5400 rpm and a hardware interface of SATA 6.0 Gb/s. The BarraCuda is about 5.79 x 4 x 0.79 inches and weighs 0.92 pounds. Seagate has been creating fantastic products for at least two decades, so you can rest assured that they know what they’re doing when it comes to SATA hard drives. Worried the BarraCuda could malfunction out of nowhere and lose all the data you stored? You have the option to avail Seagate’s data recovery program that allows you to have a cloud-based backup of your drive. You also don’t need to worry about hacking or theft because the hard drive has integrated encryption software.
Massive storage capacitySuperb securityData recovery program
Limited cacheDoesn't come with cables or a bracket
Another excellent option from Seagate is the FireCuda solid-state hybrid drive. Its performance, storage capacity, and reasonable price will impress anyone. Since it’s a hybrid drive, it combines an old-school hard disk with a solid-state drive’s modern technologies. You get a capacity of 2 TB, so you’ll have enough space for your work-related files, personal files, and gaming software. It features flash enhanced speeds that will help you have faster boot levels. This hybrid drive will save you money because it has low power consumption. You don’t have to worry about your programs being too harsh on the drive because it’s durable enough for heavy workloads and gaming. It gives a 5400 rpm rotational speed and SATA 6.0 Gb/s hardware interface. You can purchase the FireCuda without any worries because Seagate offers its customers a 5-year limited warranty. This is undoubtedly faster than HDDs, but some say true SSDs are still faster.
Fantastic performance5-year limited warrantyFaster than HDDs
SSDs are still fasterNot many storage capacity choices
If you want to make sure that the SATA hard drive you got is the best of the best, the Samsung 980 Pro SSD should be an attractive choice for you. It features next-level performance with its superb 7,000 MB/s read speed. The drive has an M.2 2280 form factor that promises compatibility with a wide range of laptops and desktops, and it will deliver optimized power efficiency. It comes with AES 256-bit encryption and fast PCIe 4.0 performance. You get a data transfer rate that is 2x faster than a PCIe 3.0. It comes with a new Elpsis controller that works wonders at harmonizing its interface and flash memory components. You can pick between storage capacities like 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB. The 980 Pro is suitable for heavy files, programs, and games, delivering a high-performance bandwidth. When your SSD does a lot of work, it will need proper thermal control. Fortunately, this SSD has a nickel coating that helps with heat level management. Samsung created a cutting-edge thermal control algorithm that allows their drives to handle heat without a lot of extra help. You can make the most out of your 980 Pro by using the Samsung Magician software. You’ll receive updates, optimize performance, protect data, and monitor drive health. Samsung offers a warranty period of 5 years upon purchase of their 980 Pro SSD.
Impressive PCIe 4.0 performanceFantastic heat managementAES 256-bit encryption5-year warranty
Not the best endurance ratings
The Western Digital Black has an offer you can’t resist for their 4 TB hard drive because it will cost you less than $150. Their Black internal hard drive was built for high-speed performance that gamers, creative professionals, and system builders will enjoy. The hard drive guarantees optimized performance and better reliability because of the StableTrac and Dynamic Cache Technology of Western Digital. The lowest capacity option for this hard drive is 500 GB, while the maximum you can get is 10 TB. Whatever your file or program’s size, you can expect faster transfers and read rates than standard HDDs. You will get to use the Black hard drive for a long time because its manufacturer made it go through aggressive and strenuous internal testing to guarantee longevity. The drive has a 256 MB cache memory size, a 7200 RPM rotational speed, and a SATA 6.0 Gb/s hardware interface. Western Digital offers a 5-year limited warranty for their Black HDD.
Fantastic read/write speedsLarge storage options5-year limited warranty
Heats up under heavy load
The Toshiba X300 is an attractive choice because of its quality performance along with its high capacity. You can pick between 4 TB to 8 TB of storage and get a SATA 6.0 Gb/s interface. It’s a great addition to high-end or gaming PC setups. Its rotational speed goes up to 7,200 rpm, and you get a cache size of 128 MB. The X300 is a reliable drive with excellent tracking accuracy thanks to its drive stabilization and ramp loading technologies. You also get an internal shock sensor for added protection. It will also support MTTF up to 600K hours, and its workload rate is about 180 TB per year. The X300 is pretty light for its capacity because it only weighs one pound. This drive loses when you compare its warranty period to its competitors because Toshiba only gives a limited warranty period of two years. Unfortunately, some customers reported that they didn’t have the best experience when contacting Toshiba for customer support.
Large storage capacityHigh-speed performance
Not the best customer support
You don’t always have to spend a sizeable amount of cash on a SATA hard drive because there are options like the Western Digital Blue that are affordable yet reliable. You can expect a low price for their 1 TB hard drive, and you’ll still get the premium quality Western Digital is known for. The Blue hard drive isn’t prone to data corruption or data loss issues because it has integrated vibration protection technology. You can also use the Western Digital Acronis True Image software to create a cloud-based backup of the drive. The Blue drive also has no-touch ramp technology that allows you to be worry-free when moving or transferring your drive. Western Digital made the drive go through various tests in their FIT lab to guarantee its compatibility with all systems and platforms. The Blue drive boasts low power consumption thanks to its advanced power management feature and top-notch seeking algorithms. Its rotational speed goes as high as 7,200 rpm, and you get a cache memory of 256 MB. It also has a SATA 6 Gb/s interface like most of its competitors. The Blue HDD might use older technology, but it’s an understandable compromise for something that comes with an eye-catching affordable price.
Affordable priceCloud-based backup
Makes use of older technology
82 Articles Published
We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is
