WD Red Plus NAS Drives UK 2026: Prices per TB
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 table below ranks UK 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 Red Plus is rated for 180TB of writes per year with a 3-year warranty, the same class as standard IronWolf. It spins at 5400rpm class speeds for low noise and power, rather than the 7200rpm of the Pro range.
Capacities and which NAS it suits
Red Plus runs from 2TB up to 14TB, which is the top of the range. There is no Red Plus above 14TB, so for 16TB 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, CMR, 2TB to 14TB. |
| Mixed-size SHR pool | WD Red Plus | Reliable CMR for Synology SHR with mixed capacities. |
| Above 14TB | WD Red Pro / Exos | Red Plus stops at 14TB, so move to the Pro or enterprise range. |
WD Red Plus drives, by price per TB
Prices are indicative — last checked 7 September 2026, from Amazon.co.uk. They are not live; check the current price on Amazon before buying. Best £/TB is the lowest at last check.
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, quiet and low power, rated 180TB per year, up to 14TB. Red Pro is CMR, 7200rpm, rated 300TB per year with a 5-year warranty, up to about 26TB, for busier and larger pools.
How big do WD Red Plus drives go?
WD Red Plus tops out at 14TB. For 16TB and above you need WD Red Pro, Seagate Exos or Seagate IronWolf Pro, as Red Plus is not made in larger sizes.
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.