OWC ThunderBay 4 vs TerraMaster D5-300
We compare the OWC ThunderBay 4 and TerraMaster D5-300 head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
OWC ThunderBay 4
Scored 9.1/10 in our testing
OWC ThunderBay 4
Video editors and creative professionals using Thunderbolt
TerraMaster D5-300
Small businesses needing affordable multi-bay RAID
Score Breakdown
| OWC ThunderBay 4 | Category | TerraMaster D5-300 |
|---|---|---|
| 10/10 ✓ | Performance | 7/10 |
| 9/10 ✓ | Features | 8/10 |
| 8/10 | Ease of Use | 8/10 |
| 7/10 | Value | ✓ 10/10 |
| 9.1/10 ✓ | Overall | 8.2/10 |
Specs Comparison
| OWC ThunderBay 4 | Spec | TerraMaster D5-300 |
|---|---|---|
| 4x 3.5" SATA | Bays | 5x 3.5" SATA |
| Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) | Interface | USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C |
| 0, 1, 4, 5, 10, JBOD | RAID | 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD |
| 88TB (4x 22TB) | Max Capacity | 110TB (5x 22TB) |
OWC ThunderBay 4
Pros
- + Thunderbolt 3 delivers full 40Gbps bandwidth
- + SoftRAID software provides excellent drive health monitoring
- + Whisper-quiet operation suitable for studio environments
Cons
- − Premium price around $500 without drives
- − Thunderbolt cable not always included
- − Mac-centric SoftRAID — Windows support is newer
TerraMaster D5-300
Pros
- + Five bays at a 4-bay price point
- + Full RAID 5 support protects against single drive failure
- + Compact footprint for a 5-bay enclosure
Cons
- − USB-C limits throughput to ~400 MB/s maximum
- − Fan can be audible at higher RPMs
- − RAID management software is basic
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the OWC ThunderBay 4 comes out on top with an overall score of 9.1/10. The ThunderBay 4 is the gold standard for Thunderbolt DAS. Its hardware RAID controller delivers consistent performance across all RAID levels, and the SoftRAID software provides excellent monitoring and alerting. The build quality is tank-like.
Buy the OWC ThunderBay 4 on AmazonRead the full Best RAID Enclosures 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 3 products.
Related Guides
Best External SSDs 2026
10 products compared
Best NAS Drives 2026
9 products compared
Best Home Server NAS for Plex 2026
24 products compared
Best RAM for Desktops 2026: DDR5 vs DDR4 Buyer's Guide
8 products compared
Best MicroSD Cards 2026
4 products compared
Best Professional USB Flash Drives 2026
19 products compared