According to the TechRadar review, the WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX is a competent NAS hard drive aimed at small business and home NAS users. It features CMR technology advantageous for RAID setups and runs quietly, making it a reliable choice. However, the drive’s increased price in recent months poses a consideration for cost-conscious buyers.
- Uses CMR technology optimized for RAID reliability
- Recent price rise diminishes earlier cost advantage
- Best suited for small NAS setups with moderate workloads
Product angle
The source review from TechRadar emphasizes the WD40EFPX’s use of Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) instead of Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR), a key factor for stable performance in RAID environments. This drives its suitability for tasks such as backups, file sharing, and media streaming within small NAS configurations. With a 256MB cache upgrade and quiet operation, it fulfills essential NAS requirements without excelling in high-end benchmarks.
Introduced in September 2022, this drive targets users needing dependable storage in up to eight-bay NAS units. While it does not leverage helium-filled design like some larger models, the WD Red Plus 4TB’s air-filled mechanism supports sustained workloads rated at 180TB per year. The design focuses on reliability and consistency rather than peak speed, aligning with typical small business or home NAS demand profiles.
Best for / avoid if
This drive is best for small business users or prosumers who operate NAS systems with up to eight bays and require dependable, quiet storage optimized for RAID setups. It suits moderate workload scenarios such as routine backups and media streaming where stability and endurance matter more than raw speed or maximum capacity. Price-sensitive buyers considering small volume purchases may also find it appealing despite recent cost increases.
Conversely, those managing larger NAS arrays with more demanding throughput needs or workloads exceeding the drive’s rated capacity should consider alternatives. Users seeking the highest performance, helium-filled drives for lower power consumption, or models rated for heavier duty cycles (such as Red Pro with up to 24 bays compatibility) may find the WD40EFPX limiting.
Pricing and alternatives to check
The WD Red Plus 4TB WD40EFPX currently retails for just under $200, which is roughly a 25% increase compared to its approximate $150 price in late 2025. While it remains about $20 cheaper than the competing Seagate IronWolf 4TB, price fluctuations may affect value for buyers balancing cost and performance. The Red Pro line, priced around $300 for 4TB, offers higher workload ratings and multi-bay support at a premium.
Alternatives to consider include the Seagate IronWolf series, which commands a slightly higher price but is widely regarded for NAS use, and the Toshiba N300 4TB drive with a higher rotational speed of 7200 RPM, providing different performance characteristics. Buyers managing NAS volumes beyond the four-bay scale may explore larger WD Red or Red Pro models that provide helium-filled designs and increased durability and throughput.