Western Digital AU-44LB-F32X 2TB WD Red Plus NAS HDD

Name: Western Digital AU-44LB-F32X 2TB WD Red Plus NAS HDD
Brand: Western Digital
SKU: AU-44LB-F32X

Overview

The Western Digital WD Red Plus 2TB (AU-44LB-F32X) is purpose-built for network-attached storage systems operating around the clock. At its core is CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which sets it apart from SMR-based drives by providing stable, predictable write performance — a critical advantage during RAID array rebuilds and sustained multi-user file transfers. With NASware firmware baked in, the drive is optimized for compatibility with a wide range of NAS enclosures, helping to reduce vibration-induced errors and improving overall system stability in multi-drive configurations of up to 8 bays.

The 5400 RPM spin speed keeps power consumption, heat, and noise levels low, making this drive a sensible choice for home offices or small business environments where the NAS sits in a shared workspace. Its 180 TB/year workload rating provides ample headroom for typical file serving, media streaming, and backup duties. The 64 MB cache handles burst operations adequately for a 2TB capacity drive. While the storage size may feel modest for users looking to build large media libraries, it remains a cost-effective entry point for those starting a NAS build or adding redundancy to an existing array with a proven, NAS-optimized platform backed by a 3-year warranty.

Key Features

Available in capacities ranging from 1-14TB with support for up to 8 bays

5400RPM performance class

Supports up to 180 TB/yr workload rate*| * Workload 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))

NASware firmware for compatibility

Small or medium business NAS systems in a 24x7 environment

3-year limited warranty

This model uses CMR technology and is being renamed “WD Red Plus” to distinguish it from the current “WD Red” product, which uses SMR technology

During this transition period, WD Red Plus devices may be delivered with a ”WD Red” label, but rest assured the device you are receiving will be the CMR-version of WD Red and can be confirmed by the model number

Specifications

Brand

Western Digital

Model

AU-44LB-F32X

Series

WD Red Plus

Capacity

2TB

Interface

SATA 6 Gb/s

Rotational Speed

5400 RPM

Cache

64 MB

Form Factor

3.5"

Recording Technology

CMR

Workload Rate

Up to 180 TB/year

Bay Support

Up to 8 bays

Warranty

3-year limited

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Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

CMR technology ensures consistent write performance and better RAID rebuild reliability compared to SMR drives
180 TB/year workload rating supports demanding 24/7 NAS environments
NASware firmware optimizes compatibility with popular NAS systems and reduces drive errors
5400 RPM speed class runs cooler and quieter than 7200 RPM alternatives
3-year limited warranty provides reasonable coverage for always-on storage

👎 Cons

2TB capacity is relatively small for modern NAS builds where multi-terabyte storage is standard
5400 RPM speed class delivers slower sequential read/write performance than 7200 RPM drives
64 MB cache is modest compared to larger-capacity models in the Red Plus line that offer up to 256 MB
Not designed for enterprise or data center workloads beyond 8-bay configurations

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the WD Red Plus 2TB use CMR or SMR recording technology?

This drive uses CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which provides better sustained write performance and is more suitable for NAS and RAID environments than SMR drives.

What is the workload rate for this drive?

The WD Red Plus 2TB supports up to 180 TB per year of data transferred, making it suitable for continuous NAS use in small to medium business environments.

How many NAS bays does this drive support?

It is designed for NAS systems with up to 8 bays.

What warranty comes with the WD Red Plus 2TB?

Western Digital provides a 3-year limited warranty on this drive.

Why might the drive arrive labeled as "WD Red" instead of "WD Red Plus"?

During the product transition period, some WD Red Plus (CMR) drives may ship with the older "WD Red" label. You can confirm you have the CMR version by checking the model number AU-44LB-F32X.