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Hello,
I need to replace a failing 16TB EXOS. I run a home "server" on my desktop PC where files are occasionally accessed and media is streamed.
Since the Red Plus and Ironwolf drives, which you believe are the quietest, are too small for me, what is quietest at higher capacities, especially for desktop use?
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Thanks for the message! If noise is a key factor and you’re aiming for 16TB or larger, you’re right to be cautious — enterprise drives like the EXOS or Ultrastar are great for reliability but can be noticeably louder, especially in a desktop setup.
At the higher capacities (16TB–22TB), your quietest options are:
• WD Red Pro 20TB or 22TB – still relatively quiet for their size, with decent idle acoustics (~20–28 dBA). Just avoid older Red Pro models below 10TB, which can be surprisingly noisy.
• Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB – also a good balance of quiet operation and NAS-grade endurance, generally quieter than EXOS.
• WD Gold 18TB–22TB – slightly quieter than Ultrastar DC HC550/560 models, but still enterprise-class.
For purely quiet desktop use, I’d personally lean toward the WD Red Pro 20TB if you can find it on offer. It’s a good midpoint between noise, capacity, and heat — and it’s noticeably quieter than the EXOS you’re replacing.
