Once your storage needs push beyond 16TB, you're no longer shopping for convenience. You're building an archive.
These are the drives used by filmmakers, photographers, production companies and studios who need to store years of work safely, quietly, and reliably. At this scale, speed matters far less than longevity, redundancy, thermal performance and trust.
This guide covers the best large-capacity external drives from 16TB up to 44TB, with a focus on long-term storage rather than portable editing. We score each option based on real-world creative workflows, not marketing specs.
Whether you're archiving a decade of client work, storing raw footage from multiple productions, or building a centralised media library for your studio—these are the drives that professionals actually rely on.
What Matters for Long-Term Storage
- Reliability — Drive class, build quality, and long-term failure rates
- Expandability — Ability to scale as your archive grows
- Noise & Heat — Critical for studios and home offices
- Redundancy — RAID options and data protection
- Price per TB — Value over time, not just upfront cost
- Offline Workflow — Integration with cataloguing tools like DriveVault
OWC ThunderBay 8
The OWC ThunderBay range is one of the most flexible long-term storage solutions available to creatives. Rather than buying a sealed unit, you're investing in a modular RAID system that can grow with your archive for years to come.
With support for RAID 0, 1, 4, 5 and 10, this system allows you to balance speed, redundancy and capacity depending on your specific needs. The 8-bay configuration means you can start with a modest setup and expand as projects accumulate. It's not silent, but it's predictable, well-cooled, and extremely reliable.
Professional post-production facilities have trusted OWC hardware for decades, and the ThunderBay continues that legacy. The build quality is excellent, software RAID management is straightforward, and Thunderbolt connectivity delivers the bandwidth needed for even demanding 8K workflows.
Studios and serious creatives building a scalable, future-proof archive system.
Synology DiskStation DS923+
A NAS isn't for everyone, but for multi-user environments or long-term archive access, Synology remains the gold standard. The DS923+ represents the sweet spot between prosumer and enterprise—powerful enough for serious creative work, approachable enough to set up yourself.
The DS923+ supports advanced RAID configurations including Synology's own SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID), which makes expanding storage and replacing drives remarkably simple. Add in snapshotting for versioned backups, remote access from anywhere, and automated cloud backup integration, and you have a genuinely professional archive system.
Yes, it requires more setup and ongoing maintenance than a simple external drive. But the payoff is unmatched control over your data, multi-user access, and the ability to access your archive from anywhere in the world.
Pro tip: Pair your Synology NAS with DriveVault by scanning the network drive. You'll be able to search and preview files even when you're away from your studio network.
Studios, teams, and creatives who need shared access to a centralised archive.
G-RAID Shuttle 4
The G-RAID Shuttle is designed for professionals who want RAID redundancy without building a system themselves. It's the "it just works" solution for post-production environments where time is money and complexity is the enemy.
Pre-configured with hardware RAID, the Shuttle 4 arrives ready to use. Plug it in via Thunderbolt 3, and you immediately have fast, protected storage. The transportable design—complete with a carrying handle—makes it practical for moving between edit suites or taking to client sites.
It's expensive compared to DIY solutions, but the peace of mind and time saved are worth it for busy professionals. The enterprise-class drives inside are built for 24/7 operation, and the cooling system keeps everything running quietly even under sustained load.
Professional post-production workflows where reliability and simplicity are paramount.
WD My Book Duo
The WD My Book Duo offers some of the lowest cost-per-terabyte storage available in an off-the-shelf enclosure. If your primary goal is raw capacity at a reasonable price, this is where to look.
It supports RAID 0 (maximum capacity, no redundancy) and RAID 1 (mirrored for safety), making it flexible depending on your priorities. For archive storage where you have separate backups elsewhere, RAID 0 gives you the full advertised capacity. For critical project storage, RAID 1 mirrors everything automatically.
It's not the most elegant solution—the plastic enclosure is functional rather than beautiful, and it's louder than premium alternatives. But for independent creators who need massive storage without massive budgets, it delivers.
Cost-conscious creatives who need massive capacity without breaking the bank.
LaCie d2 Professional 16TB
The LaCie d2 Professional is a classic for a reason. It uses enterprise-class Seagate IronWolf Pro drives inside a beautifully engineered aluminium enclosure, designed to sit quietly on a desk for years.
This is not a backup system on its own—there's no RAID redundancy, so you'll need a separate backup strategy. But as part of a multi-drive archive approach (primary storage + backup), the d2 is extremely dependable and cost-effective.
The aluminium unibody acts as a giant heatsink, keeping the drive cool even during extended transfers. It's whisper-quiet in normal operation and looks genuinely premium on any desk. For individual creators who want reliable, high-capacity storage without the complexity of RAID, this remains the benchmark.
Archive strategy tip: Use two d2 drives—one as primary working storage, one as a backup stored offsite. Scan both with DriveVault to maintain a complete searchable catalogue even when the backup is in storage.
Individual creators needing large, reliable, quiet desktop storage.
Why DriveVault Is Essential at This Scale
Large-capacity drives are rarely connected all the time. They live on shelves, in cupboards, in server rooms, or in flight cases heading to the next shoot.
DriveVault allows you to scan each drive once and retain a complete, searchable catalogue of its contents. Even when the drive is unplugged or stored offsite, you can:
- Search across your entire archive — Find that client project from 2019 without plugging in a dozen drives
- Preview images and video files — Verify you've found the right file before retrieving the physical drive
- Compare drives to verify backups — Confirm your archive strategy is working
- Understand exactly where files live — Know which drive to pull from the shelf
This transforms large offline storage from a guessing game into a controlled, professional archive.
Download DriveVault FreeFinal Recommendations
At this capacity level, the drive you choose will likely be part of your workflow for 5–10 years. Invest in quality, plan for redundancy, and use tools like DriveVault to keep everything searchable—even when it's sitting on a shelf.