The WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP costs $0.0469/GB while the WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black costs $0.0168/GB. WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black offers 64% better value per gigabyte as of July 2026. Both products are available on BuyPerUnit with prices from Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg.
WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP vs WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black — Which Is Better Value?
WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black
Specification Comparison
| Spec | WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP | WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Western Digital | Western Digital |
| Capacity | 18TB | 16TB |
| $/GB | $0.0469 | $0.0168 |
| Price | $844.99 | $268.94 |
| Retailer | Newegg | Newegg |
| Category | Hard Drives (HDD) | Hard Drives (HDD) |
| Subcategory | hdd | hdd |
Price Across Retailers
Which Should You Buy?
Based on current pricing data, the WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black offers better value at $0.0168//GB compared to the WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP at $0.0469//GB — that's roughly 64% less per gigabyte.
The best deal for the WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black is $268.94 at Newegg, while the WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP starts at $844.99 at Newegg.
However, price per gigabyte isn't everything — consider factors like warranty, performance specs, brand reliability, and your specific capacity needs. Check each WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP and WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black product page for detailed specifications and price history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP or WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black a better deal?
As of July 2026, WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black offers better value at $0.0168//GB compared to WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP at $0.0469//GB. That is approximately 64% better value per gigabyte.
What is the price per GB of WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP?
The WD Purple Pro 18TB 7200 RPM 512MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5' Internal Hard Drive - WD181PURP is currently priced at $0.0469/GB ($844.99 for 18TB) at Newegg.
Where can I buy WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black for the cheapest price?
The cheapest price for the WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive Black is $268.94 at Newegg, which works out to $0.0168/GB.