Performance: 38 out of 40.
The IronWolf Pro 16TB takes all the performance of the standard IronWolf 16TB model and then cranks the dial to 10 (… but not eleven like the Exos X16). It may not be ‘Exos X16’ fast but it does come close enough that average SMB (and home user) will find it tough to justify the added expense… as this drive really never gets ‘slow’.
Technological Innovation: 20 out of 20
On the one hand PMR+ is not new. On the other making a 16TB drive that combines PMR+ with nine platters, 36 TDMR r/w heads, 7200RPM spindle speeds, as well as a close to ‘enterprise grade’ design as you can get this side of Enterprise pricing is impressive to say the least. So much so, the IronWolf Pro 16TB is hard to beat.
Build Quality & Warranty: 18 out of 20
The IronWolf Pro series may be classified by Seagate as a Small/Medium Business storage line, but it really does skirt the very edge of Enterprise build levels. Mix in a five-year warranty and we seriously do not know how Seagate was able to get the price as low as they did.
Value: 20 out of 20
The value of this drive really is insane. At the original asking price this model was a pretty decent buy, however now with the lowered asking price it is a veritable bargain. For only a few dollars more than the entry level orientated standard IronWolf buyers can get Exos lite performance, Exos lite durability, and Exos lite peace of mind. There really is not much more you could hope for in a single non-Enterprise drive than that. Color us impressed.
Final Score: 96 out of 100
We are not exactly sure how Seagate was to reduce the price so much since its release but regardless of the how or the why, the fact remains the IronWolf Pro 16TB sets the bar awfully darn high. So much so it is going to ‘steal’ sales from both the standard IronWolf and the Exos X16. So, if you need 16TB in one drive the IronWolf Pro is our new ‘go to’ favorite drive.
