Seagate Exos X18From real comments

Name: Seagate Exos X18
Rating: 2.8 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment31%

PROS 31%

CONS 69%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You need very large capacity (up to 18TB) at a good price for video/media storage
You're building a RAID or NAS system that tolerates enterprise drive noise
You value long-term durability similar to other enterprise-class drives

What users love

High Storage Capacity0 mentions

Strongly positive

Competitive Pricing for Capacity0 mentions

Widely praised

Enterprise-Class Durability Expectations0 mentions

Widely praised

Comparable Warranty Experience to Competitors0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You need a silent drive for a bedroom or living-room PC
You're not prepared for a potentially difficult RMA/warranty process
You want guaranteed plug-and-play compatibility without troubleshooting

What users complain about

Loud Operating Noise0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Drive Failures0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Hardware Compatibility Errors0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Unclear or Unsubstantiated Criticism in Reviews0 mentions

Generally negative

Difficult RMA and Warranty Process0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Budget

Ugreen DXP2800

Easy setup for beginnersUpgradeable RAM and storageAffordable entry pointRAID is not backupLimited scalability with 2 baysImmature firmware options

Ugreen DXP2800

Easy setup for beginners

Upgradeable RAM and storage

Affordable entry point

RAID is not backup

Limited scalability with 2 bays

Immature firmware options

2Premium

Seagate Exos X16

Full advertised capacityGood packaging designLong-term reliabilityNoticeable operating noiseDrive failures reportedShipping/packaging damage in some regions

Seagate Exos X16

Full advertised capacity

Good packaging design

Long-term reliability

Noticeable operating noise

Drive failures reported

Shipping/packaging damage in some regions

3Mid

Synology DS214se

Reliable long-term operationEasy to use interfaceGood value versus competitorsUncertain streaming performance under loadWeak CPU and limited RAMAccount and connectivity issues reported

Synology DS214se

Reliable long-term operation

Easy to use interface

Good value versus competitors

Uncertain streaming performance under load

Weak CPU and limited RAM

Account and connectivity issues reported

4Budget

Seagate SkyHawk

Affordable price pointUsable for general storage, not just surveillanceSuited for surveillance/video recording workloadsConcerns over Seagate's data-loss reputationConfusing compatibility guidance for mixed NAS/NVR setupsSkepticism about AI marketing claims

Seagate SkyHawk

Affordable price point

Usable for general storage, not just surveillance

Suited for surveillance/video recording workloads

Concerns over Seagate's data-loss reputation

Confusing compatibility guidance for mixed NAS/NVR setups

Skepticism about AI marketing claims

5Budget

Western Digital Elements

Easy to shuckData recovery often possibleLow cost per terabyteUSB/power board issuesDrive failures and DOA unitsPhysical fragility during shucking

Western Digital Elements

Easy to shuck

Data recovery often possible

Low cost per terabyte

USB/power board issues

Drive failures and DOA units

Physical fragility during shucking

6Mid

Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox

Massive storage capacityExtra front USB portsGood value for the spaceReliability and failure issuesStays powered on after Xbox shutdownNo power button and noise complaints

Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox

Massive storage capacity

Extra front USB ports

Good value for the space

Reliability and failure issues

Stays powered on after Xbox shutdown

No power button and noise complaints

7Mid

Synology DS224+

Unofficial RAM upgrades often workEasy setup and softwareLong-term reliabilityNo 2.5GbE networkingOutdated/recycled hardwareLimited large-drive support

Synology DS224+

Unofficial RAM upgrades often work

Easy setup and software

Long-term reliability

No 2.5GbE networking

Outdated/recycled hardware

Limited large-drive support

8Mid

Seagate IronWolf

Long-term reliability for NAS workloadsStrong sustained write speedsPurpose-built for NAS environmentsLoud operational noiseDead-on-arrival and early failuresHigh operating temperatures

Seagate IronWolf

Long-term reliability for NAS workloads

Strong sustained write speeds

Purpose-built for NAS environments

Loud operational noise

Dead-on-arrival and early failures

High operating temperatures

9Mid

Seagate BarraCuda

Long-term reliabilityHigh storage capacity for archivingEasy installationReliability and failure reportsSMR write speed limitationsNoise and clicking sounds

Seagate BarraCuda

Long-term reliability

High storage capacity for archiving

Easy installation

Reliability and failure reports

SMR write speed limitations

Noise and clicking sounds

10Mid

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox

Fast game transfersEasy setupLong-term reliability for some usersCan't play next-gen games directlyDrive failure over timeNot recognized by Xbox

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox

Fast game transfers

Easy setup

Long-term reliability for some users

Can't play next-gen games directly

Drive failure over time

Not recognized by Xbox

You are here

25Premium

Seagate Exos X18

Comparable Warranty Experience to CompetitorsCompetitive Pricing for CapacityEnterprise-Class Durability ExpectationsLoud Operating NoiseDrive FailuresHardware Compatibility Errors

Seagate Exos X18

Comparable Warranty Experience to Competitors

Competitive Pricing for Capacity

Enterprise-Class Durability Expectations

Loud Operating Noise

Drive Failures

Hardware Compatibility Errors

Drive failure
1. Seagate Exos X16arrow_downward1
2. Seagate Exos X18arrow_downward2
3. Western Digital Elementsarrow_downward4
Good value
1. Western Digital Elementsarrow_upward5
2. Seagate BarraCudaarrow_upward4
3. Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xboxarrow_upward4
Large capacity
1. Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xboxarrow_upward9
2. Seagate Game Drive for Xboxarrow_upward2
Ram upgradeable
1. Synology DS224+arrow_upward6
2. Ugreen DXP2800arrow_upward3
Reliable long term
1. Seagate IronWolfarrow_upward6
2. Synology DS224+arrow_upward3
Noisy
1. Seagate Game Drive for Xboxarrow_downward3
2. Seagate BarraCudaarrow_downward4

Overall Impression

Capacity and price make the Exos X18 attractive for storage-heavy users. Commenters highlight the drive's huge 18TB capacity paired with a competitive price, calling it a great deal for video production and bulk storage needs. One buyer specifically noted paying around 310€ for 18TB, expecting the drive's reliability to make it last for years, comparing it favorably to older drives that lasted nearly a decade in similar use cases.

Noise is the most frequently repeated concern among users. Multiple commenters describe the Exos X18 as unusually loud, with one saying it can be heard in the next room and another comparing the sound to 'a demon scurrying across your living room' at night. Even a defender of the drive who owns two units acknowledges the noise, though notes most enterprise drives are louder than consumer counterparts, suggesting this is inherent to the class.

Reliability and compatibility experiences are inconsistent across users. Some buyers report drives failing outright, encountering fatal hardware errors, or facing frustrating RMA denials after platter failures, souring them on the brand entirely. Others push back, arguing failure-rate claims lack credible sourcing and may amount to fearmongering, noting Seagate's warranty process is comparable to competitors like Western Digital and Toshiba rather than uniquely bad.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

storageHigh Storage Capacity

1 mentions

Strongly positive

The Exos X18 offers massive capacity up to 18TB, appealing to users needing bulk storage for video production or media archiving. This capacity-to-price ratio was specifically praised as a great deal.

@disco.jellyfish

I just ordered one for my occasional video productions. I dont need a RAID for that yet though, but I do need a ton of storage. And 18TB at just 310€ is really a great deal. The high reliability will probably make this drive last a lifetime for my usecase. I have other drives with average joe like specs and one of that is already 9 years in.

smart_display

February 18, 2023

attach_moneyCompetitive Pricing for Capacity

1 mentions

Widely praised

One buyer noted the 18TB model at around 310€ represents strong value compared to alternatives, especially for large-scale storage needs.

@disco.jellyfish

smart_display

February 18, 2023

verifiedEnterprise-Class Durability Expectations

1 mentions

Widely praised

A user expects the drive's enterprise-grade build to last a long time, drawing on experience with other long-lasting drives, suggesting confidence in longevity for demanding use cases.

@disco.jellyfish

smart_display

February 18, 2023

check_circleComparable Warranty Experience to Competitors

1 mentions

Generally positive

One commenter noted that while Seagate's warranty service can be a pain, competitors like Western Digital and Toshiba have similarly frustrating processes, framing this as normal for the category rather than a unique flaw.

@bobjoe2827

This would probably be more believable if you cited credible sources (not from Amazon and other retail sites) of \"high failure rates\" (which you use for 3 of your 8 points making them sound redundant) and didn't use a GIF of Anthony Fauci (who has nothing to do with Seagate hard drives) for the \"package delivery issues\" section. I can vouch for these drives being noisy (I have 2 of them in the computer I am typing this on), however most enterprise class hard drives are louder than their consumer grade counterparts. Seagate's warranty service is a pain, but so is Western Digital's and Toshiba's for what it's worth.

smart_display

January 15, 2025

volume_upLoud Operating Noise

3 mentions

Frequently criticized

Multiple users report the drive is noticeably loud, audible from another room or described as sounding like something scurrying at night. Even an owner of two units confirms the noise, though attributes it to the enterprise drive class generally.

@bobjoe2827

smart_display

January 15, 2025

@Playerism

sounds like a demon from a horror movie scurrying across your living room while your in bed and now you must investigate it

smart_display

February 11, 2024

@lostmic

I heard this thing is super loud and some people can hear it in the next room, I just literally canceled my order after hearing that? D: All I want is an additional 18tb for my gaming PC to store my streaming videos!

smart_display

January 10, 2022

warningDrive Failures

2 mentions

Strongly criticized

Some users report the drive failing after only a few months, including platter degradation, or arriving non-functional despite multiple troubleshooting attempts like BIOS updates and adapters.

@bogart19693

I had one for just a few months then suddenly several of the drive platters decentagraded and drive was bricked. went trough the rma process and Seagate refused to replace after a approved return number. they sent back refusing the return. i appealed the decision and got an approved rma again and was return again unrepair or given another with no explanation just a blank denial. this was and is the last Seagate i will ever purchase .

smart_display

April 6, 2026

@maisumwalli3180

Kind of agree, i bought a seagate 18tb but doesnt work. Tried molex adapter, bios upgrade, even the tape trick for the 3.3v contact point but no luck. Spent so much $$ to buy the drive and it failed me.

smart_display

February 18, 2025

errorHardware Compatibility Errors

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Users report encountering fatal hardware errors on specific motherboard setups, with unresolved compatibility issues despite troubleshooting attempts.

@maisumwalli3180

smart_display

February 18, 2025

@nightwalker3985

Hi. I bought two of these. But the system gives an error: \"The request was not completed due to a fatal hardware error of the device.\" What is the problem? My motherboard is ASUS Prime Z590-V

smart_display

July 24, 2021

helpUnclear or Unsubstantiated Criticism in Reviews

2 mentions

Generally negative

Some commenters push back on negative review videos, arguing claims of high failure rates lack credible sourcing and may exaggerate real-world risk, creating confusion about the drive's actual reliability.

@sqrlmonger

This video seems like FUD to me. No real sources, just nebulous claims.\n\nThe truth is I'm sure some customers have experienced every problem mentioned here. But how often? If only 1 in 100,000 customers has a problem mentioned here it's a very different scenario than if 1 in 10 do. \n\nFurther the title is about X18's but the video seems to be specifically about 18TB X18s. But those are different things as Backblaze data has shown different AFR results within the same X# class of Exos drives of different capacities. So it's not even totally clear what drive or drives this allegedly applies to beyond 18 TB X18s.\n\nIf you're going to do a take-down like this you need to bring receipts and make the case. Just saying some stuff isn't enough. That's why this comes off as FUD to me, because it's not tailoring the criticism to specific hardware that warrants it but rather seems to be just fearmongering around Seagate and Exos more generally. Both Seagate and Exos certainly have things to legitimately criticize but there is a responsible and irresponsible way to do it. \n\nThis is the irresponsible way.

smart_display

March 19, 2025

@bobjoe2827

smart_display

January 15, 2025

gavelDifficult RMA and Warranty Process

1 mentions

Strongly criticized

One user describes a frustrating RMA experience where Seagate approved a return number but then refused the replacement multiple times without clear explanation, leading to lasting distrust of the brand.

@bogart19693

smart_display

April 6, 2026

Seagate Exos X18chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Drive failure

Good value

Large capacity

Ram upgradeable

Reliable long term

Noisy

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Seagate Exos X18From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression