Secure Data Recovery tested a budget 500GB hard drive sold by UnionSine on Amazon and shared insights on its performance and reliability.
UnionSine, officially Shenzhen Union Integrity Technology Co., Ltd., is a Shenzhen-based company founded in 2014 with over 50 employees. Neither UnionSine nor Toshiba confirm any formal partnership, and Toshiba does not list UnionSine as a collaborator. Additionally, at least one user reported finding a Western Digital drive inside their UnionSine HDD enclosure.
Rymko from Secure Data Recovery noted the tested drive is nearly 10 years old. He explained that average hard drive lifespan typically ranges between three and five years, with failed drives showing an average of under three years of power-on time. While the power-on hours can sometimes be reset, this does not guarantee extended reliability.
According to Rymko, UnionSine appears to be a legitimate company. He said that for its low $28 price, the drive offers reasonable speed and reliability and has met expectations in tests. However, he cautioned about possible issues with long-term durability and sustained performance, common concerns with budget drives. Regular backups are recommended when using such storage.
There are reasons to consider alternatives, however. UnionSine does not provide a clearly stated warranty for its HDDs, which raises concerns given the uncertainties about the drive’s longevity. Also, larger capacity options may offer better value, as the cost per gigabyte may not significantly increase with higher capacities.
For safeguarding important data, following the 3-2-1 backup strategy and purchasing drives from reputable brands with solid warranties is advisable. Data loss can be frustrating, especially if a manufacturer fails to support potentially defective hardware.