18TB Lowest Index Median, 25TB Best Listing
This week's read: 18TB became the lowest-median capacity tier in the index, replacing 24TB, while the sharpest named row is Seagate Exos ST25000NM000E 25TB recert at ServerPartDeals for $599.00 ($23.96/TB). The tier signal moved, but the best buyable listing still comes from recert inventory. Data through Oct 4, 2026.
Notable capacity moves
18TB is the lowest current median $/TB capacity tier in the index at $41.42/TB. No qualified capacity tier got meaningfully cheaper this week; 18TB stayed closest to flat at -0.3%. The lowest-median index tier is not the same as the cheapest named listing; use the tier view for market shape and the listing rows for actual buy decisions.
Current best-value drives
Current rows with clear condition data: Seagate Exos ST25000NM000E 25TB recert at ServerPartDeals for $599.00 ($23.96/TB); Toshiba MG MG06ACA10TE 10TB refurb CMR at ServerPartDeals for $259.00 ($25.90/TB); Toshiba MG MG06ACA10TE 10TB refurb CMR at Newegg for $269.00 ($26.90/TB); Seagate Expansion STKP24000400 24TB new at BestBuy for $679.99 ($28.33/TB). If recertified or refurbished drives are off the table, compare against Seagate Expansion STKP24000400 24TB new at BestBuy for $679.99 ($28.33/TB) and Seagate Expansion STKP16000400 16TB new at BestBuy for $479.49 ($29.97/TB). These are not interchangeable: condition and recording tech matter before the lowest $/TB row becomes a buyable recommendation.
Market lows
18TB has the lowest 30-day index median at $41.42/TB. Listing-level lows worth checking now: Seagate Expansion STKP24000400 24TB new at BestBuy is at $28.33/TB; HGST Ultrastar HUH721212AL4200 12TB refurb at Newegg is at $29.58/TB; Seagate Expansion STKP16000400 16TB new at BestBuy is at $29.97/TB. These rows are useful because the current listings are at or below their own tracked lows; high-priced historical lows are filtered out.