Storage Hardware Recommendations

TetherBox writes recordings continuously, 24/7. Drives need sustained-write endurance and reliable controllers - consumer "value" drives wear out fast and cause data loss.

For overall capacity planning, see TetherBox Recording Capacity. For base units that require external storage, see External Storage Required. For sizing the rest of the unit, see Hardware Specifications.

SSDs

SSDs are the most reliable storage for TetherBox: no moving parts, fast writes, low heat. Pick drives with high TBW (Terabytes Written) endurance - aim for ≥1000 TBW per TB of capacity where possible. TBW scales with capacity, so a 4 TB drive outlasts a 1 TB drive of the same model; buying larger than you think you need slows wear.

NVMe SSDs

SATA SSDs (for USB enclosures or 2.5" bays)

Hard Drives

HDDs remain cost-effective for large-capacity deployments. Always use NAS or Surveillance-class CMR drives - firmware tuned for continuous writes, rated for 24/7 operation.

Drive Type by Camera Count

USB Storage

USB SSD is the preferred external option: plug-and-play, fast, high endurance. USB HDD works for lower camera counts provided it is 24/7 surveillance or NAS-class. USB-to-SATA/NVMe adapters are fine when sourced from reputable manufacturers (Sabrent, UGREEN, ORICO).

Enclosure requirements:

• USB 3.0 or better - USB 2.0 caps at ~30 MB/s, far too slow for multi-camera recording
• UASP-capable preferred - better performance, lower CPU overhead
• No manual power switches - they don't recover after a power cut
• Avoid cheap unbranded adapters - drop into PIO mode or disconnect under load

Diagnosing Storage Performance

If a TetherBox shows high CPU load despite being within camera recommendations, check IO wait on the dashboard. >20% IO wait indicates a storage bottleneck. Common causes: failing drives, bad USB controllers/adapters, slow or degraded RAID arrays, dying HDDs, USB 2.0 connections, SMR drives. Storage bottlenecks resolve by replacing storage hardware, not upgrading the CPU.

For full troubleshooting steps, see TetherBox Troubleshooting#IO Wait and Drive Load.

Summary of What to Avoid

• USB memory sticks - fail within weeks under continuous write
• SD cards - not designed for sustained writes, fail rapidly
• SMR HDDs - cannot sustain continuous recording, cause gaps and high IO wait
• Basic / value desktop HDDs - typically fail after 1-2 years of 24/7 use
• DRAM-less or QLC SSDs - low endurance, poor sustained writes; stick to TLC NAND with DRAM cache. Common QLC/DRAM-less drives to avoid: Crucial P3 / P3 Plus, Samsung 870 QVO, WD Blue SN580, WD Green SN350, Kingston NV2 / NV3, Crucial BX500, Sabrent Rocket Q
• Cheap USB-SATA adapters - cause apparent drive failures or system freezes
• Enclosures with manual power switches - won't recover after power loss
• USB 2.0 connections - too slow for multi-camera recording

Related Articles

• Hardware Specifications - CPU, RAM, and overall system sizing
• TetherBox Recording Capacity - How much storage you need per camera
• External Storage Required - Setup for base TetherBox units that need an external drive
• Replacing a TetherBox Drive - Physically replacing SSDs, NVMes, and MicroSD cards
• TetherBox Troubleshooting - Diagnosing IO wait, drive issues, and overheating