Engineered specifically for mainstream surveillance systems. AllFrame technology delivers optimizations for write-intensive, low bit-rate, high stream-count workloads typical to mainstream surveillance applications. Supports up to 180 TB/yr workload rate². | ²Workload Rate is defined as the amount of user data transferred to or from the hard drive. Workload Rate is annualized (TB transferred (8760 / recorded power-on hours)). Workload Rate will vary depending on your hardware and software components and configurations. 1TB¹ through 3TB support up to eight bays; 4TB and above support up to 16 bays and employ tarnish-resistant components for harsher environments. ¹As used for storage capacity, 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less, depending on operating environment.
Engineered specifically for mainstream surveillance systems. AllFrame technology delivers optimizations for write-intensive, low bit-rate, high stream-count workloads typical to mainstream surveillance applications. Supports up to 180 TB/yr workload rate². | ²Workload Rate is defined as the amount of user data transferred to or from the hard drive. Workload Rate is annualized (TB transferred (8760 / recorded power-on hours)). Workload Rate will vary depending on your hardware and software components and configurations. 1TB¹ through 3TB support up to eight bays; 4TB and above support up to 16 bays and employ tarnish-resistant components for harsher environments. ¹As used for storage capacity, 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less, depending on operating environment.
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The lowest price for WD Purple WD42PURZ 4TB 3.5" Surveillance HDD right now is $148.75 at TechCart.
The all-time low was $90.00 on 3 Apr 2025 — today's price is 65% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 14 May 2026.
WD Purple WD42PURZ 4TB 3.5" Surveillance HDD
Engineered specifically for mainstream surveillance systems. AllFrame technology delivers optimizations for write-intensive, low bit-rate, high stream-count workloads typical to mainstream surveillance applications. Supports up to 180 TB/yr workload rate². | ²Workload Rate is defined as the amount of user data transferred to or from the hard drive. Workload Rate is annualized (TB transferred (8760 / recorded power-on hours)). Workload Rate will vary depending on your hardware and software components and configurations. 1TB¹ through 3TB support up to eight bays; 4TB and above support up to 16 bays and employ tarnish-resistant components for harsher environments. ¹As used for storage capacity, 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less, depending on operating environment.
Engineered specifically for mainstream surveillance systems. AllFrame technology delivers optimizations for write-intensive, low bit-rate, high stream-count workloads typical to mainstream surveillance applications. Supports up to 180 TB/yr workload rate². | ²Workload Rate is defined as the amount of user data transferred to or from the hard drive. Workload Rate is annualized (TB transferred (8760 / recorded power-on hours)). Workload Rate will vary depending on your hardware and software components and configurations. 1TB¹ through 3TB support up to eight bays; 4TB and above support up to 16 bays and employ tarnish-resistant components for harsher environments. ¹As used for storage capacity, 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less, depending on operating environment.
Last updated at 14/05/2026 21:52:10
Western Digital Purple Surveillance Hard Drive (4TB, WD42PURZ)
7-day returns
originally posted on pbtech.co.nz
It works in my 4 camera CCTV system (4K cameras). Haven't installed the remaining 4 yet so will see if it manages with 8 x 4K streams once they've been installed (the packaging implies that it'll be fine).
originally posted on westerndigital.com
I replaced my 2GB Surveillance Hard Drive with the 4GB WD Purple Surveillance Hard Drive. So far everything is recording fine, and I can retain surveillance footage longer without the drive recording over it
originally posted on westerndigital.com
I have a lottttt of data so I got this. I did not realize the transfer rates on 3.5inch spinning drives have gone up. With a USB 3 adapter/reader dock this was transferring over 100mbps. It makes the spinning drive sounds that these make, but it is actually quit quiet. I use it exposed versus enclosed so it is a little more clicky sounding, but sound wise, if it were enclosed, it would probably be unnoticeable. Plus, it doesn't sound that bad - I actually miss the sound of data moving around haha. I would need it to be used for years to really write on reliability as I have neevr owned these, but looking at the specs, this appears to be a similar design, if not the same drive as their commercial grade drives for business. I always try to go for the best and I take ... MoreI have a lottttt of data so I got this. I did not realize the transfer rates on 3.5inch spinning drives have gone up. With a USB 3 adapter/reader dock this was transferring over 100mbps. It makes the spinning drive sounds that these make, but it is actually quit quiet. I use it exposed versus enclosed so it is a little more clicky sounding, but sound wise, if it were enclosed, it would probably be unnoticeable. Plus, it doesn't sound that bad - I actually miss the sound of data moving around haha. I would need it to be used for years to really write on reliability as I have neevr owned these, but looking at the specs, this appears to be a similar design, if not the same drive as their commercial grade drives for business. I always try to go for the best and I take my data integrity very seriously which si why I chose this specific model. The specs that relate to reliability were the highest I could find at a reasonable price point so I am not disappointed. It actually stays quite cool as I transferred multiple terabytes worth of data at a time and it never really got hot, just warm - and this was in an open dock without a fan or active cooling. When I need to access data or write, it is very quick and never gives me trouble. I am pretty sure I will have this for years - especailly as I always get an overkill for my needs to ensure reliability and longevity.
| General | |
| Device Type | Hard drive - internal |
| Capacity | 4 TB |
| Form Factor | 3.5" |
| Interface | SATA 6Gb/s |
Western Digital Purple Surveillance Hard Drive (4TB, WD42PURZ)
7-day returns
It works in my 4 camera CCTV system (4K cameras). Haven't installed the remaining 4 yet so will see if it manages with 8 x 4K streams once they've been installed (the packaging implies that it'll be fine).
I replaced my 2GB Surveillance Hard Drive with the 4GB WD Purple Surveillance Hard Drive. So far everything is recording fine, and I can retain surveillance footage longer without the drive recording over it
I have a lottttt of data so I got this. I did not realize the transfer rates on 3.5inch spinning drives have gone up. With a USB 3 adapter/reader dock this was transferring over 100mbps. It makes the spinning drive sounds that these make, but it is actually quit quiet. I use it exposed versus enclosed so it is a little more clicky sounding, but sound wise, if it were enclosed, it would probably be unnoticeable. Plus, it doesn't sound that bad - I actually miss the sound of data moving around haha. I would need it to be used for years to really write on reliability as I have neevr owned these, but looking at the specs, this appears to be a similar design, if not the same drive as their commercial grade drives for business. I always try to go for the best and I take ... MoreI have a lottttt of data so I got this. I did not realize the transfer rates on 3.5inch spinning drives have gone up. With a USB 3 adapter/reader dock this was transferring over 100mbps. It makes the spinning drive sounds that these make, but it is actually quit quiet. I use it exposed versus enclosed so it is a little more clicky sounding, but sound wise, if it were enclosed, it would probably be unnoticeable. Plus, it doesn't sound that bad - I actually miss the sound of data moving around haha. I would need it to be used for years to really write on reliability as I have neevr owned these, but looking at the specs, this appears to be a similar design, if not the same drive as their commercial grade drives for business. I always try to go for the best and I take my data integrity very seriously which si why I chose this specific model. The specs that relate to reliability were the highest I could find at a reasonable price point so I am not disappointed. It actually stays quite cool as I transferred multiple terabytes worth of data at a time and it never really got hot, just warm - and this was in an open dock without a fan or active cooling. When I need to access data or write, it is very quick and never gives me trouble. I am pretty sure I will have this for years - especailly as I always get an overkill for my needs to ensure reliability and longevity.
I have about 30 of these drives in the field (or varying capacities) with zero failures. I would recommend these over the Seagate SkyHawk drives.
So far so good. I installed this in a hikvision nvr woth two cameras and it is just purring along.
Bought this drive to replace an older 3TB drive for camera system. This 7200 rpm drive is quiet, and runs relatively cool inside an Orico aluminum drive enclosure. I have a USB powered fan blowing across the case that really helps, I'm sure. Overall very pleased with this new drive.
Installed in a Hikvision NVR. Install was easy and formatting was without a problem. Working fine.
I have 4 of these (so far) in my Hikivision NVR, and they work great for 24/7 use. Temperatures with proper airflow are where they need to be. Packaging from B&H arrived with proper care to keep the drives safe. Look no further if you need to fill your DVR/NVR.
I purchased two 18Tb WD Purple Pro drives for a Ubiquiti NVR that I set up at a construction site. I have used these drives before with other UniFi NVRs and they work very well. I just added several additional 4K cameras so I am also adding two more drives to the system. We are using the drives for security and to document the build. I have had other WD Purple Pro drives in use for over a year on similar projects and they have been working well.
I found the purple 4tb a good choice for a movie server data base. At 5400 speed it isslower in transfer rates, however it functions perfectly for my purposes. A good choice.
| General | |
| Device Type | Hard drive - internal |
| Capacity | 4 TB |
| Form Factor | 3.5" |
| Interface | SATA 6Gb/s |
