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Discover LTO-3 Tape Storage – Proven, Secure & Compatible for Legacy Systems

LTO-3 Tape Storage – Compare Prices & Find the Best Deals

LTO-3 tape remains the lowest-cost way to access and preserve legacy backups. Below you’ll find live price-per-TB rankings for 400 GB native (800 GB compressed) LTO-3 Ultrium cartridges from HPE, IBM, Fujifilm, Quantum, and more—curated for restoration projects, archive recovery, and ultra-budget cold storage.

New to tape or returning after a few years? Start with the quick spec panel, skim the buying tips, and review compatibility notes. If you’re building a new backup workflow in 2025, consider LTO-5 or LTO-6 for LTFS and stronger features—then circle back here only for legacy reads or emergency media replacement.

Current LTO-3 Tape Price Comparison

The table sorts by best value (price per TB). Click through to confirm today’s final price and availability.

Quick Specs (LTO-3 at a Glance)

  • Capacity: 400 GB native / 800 GB compressed (2:1 typical on compressible data)
  • Throughput: up to 80 MB/s native
  • Media: Metal Particle (MP)
  • Archive life: up to ~30 years with proper storage
  • Encryption: not supported on standard LTO-3 (hardware encryption begins at LTO-4)
  • LTFS: not supported (requires LTO-5+)

Is LTO-3 Still Worth It?

Yes—if you need legacy access. LTO-3 shines for reading old backups, restoring historical projects, and maintaining legal/compliance archives created on early systems. It’s also useful for hobbyists or labs learning tape fundamentals at minimal cost. No—if you’re starting fresh. For any new deployment, jump to LTO-6 or newer for capacity, reliability, and features that LTO-3 simply can’t match.

Compatibility Map (Read/Write Rules)

  • LTO-3 drives: read/write LTO-3, read/write LTO-2, read LTO-1
  • LTO-4 drives: read/write LTO-3 and LTO-2 (good migration bridge)
  • LTO-5 drives: read LTO-3, read/write LTO-4 (final generation that can still read LTO-3)
  • LTO-6+ drives: cannot read LTO-3

Practical tip: If you’re preserving LTO-3 archives long-term, keep an LTO-4 or LTO-5 drive available for restores and migration.

LTO-3 vs Other Generations (Fast Guidance)

LTO-3 vs LTO-2

  • Capacity: 400 GB vs 200 GB native (2×)
  • Speed: 80 MB/s vs 40 MB/s native (2×)
  • Use case: If you still run LTO-2, LTO-3 is the cheapest meaningful bump for legacy infrastructure.

LTO-3 vs LTO-4

  • Capacity: 400 GB → 800 GB native (2×)
  • Speed: 80 MB/s → 120 MB/s native
  • Features: Hardware encryption + WORM begin at LTO-4
  • Bottom line: If security and chain-of-custody matter, LTO-4 is the minimum viable upgrade.

LTO-3 vs LTO-5 / LTO-6

  • Capacity: 400 GB → 1.5 TB (LTO-5) → 2.5 TB (LTO-6) native
  • Speed: up to 140–160 MB/s native (LTO-5/6)
  • Features: LTFS begins at LTO-5 (drag-and-drop file system); stronger media and better longevity
  • Migration path: Use an LTO-5 drive to read LTO-3, then write forward to LTO-5/6/7+

Buyer’s Guide (How to Shop LTO-3 in 2025)

  • Source carefully: Prioritize sealed media and reputable resellers; avoid bulk lots with unknown wear.
  • Check dates: Prefer newer manufacturing lots even for legacy media; verify storage conditions where possible.
  • WORM needs? Standard LTO-3 lacks encryption; WORM variants exist but are niche—confirm your compliance policy first.
  • Drive health: Clean drives on schedule; keep spare cleaning cartridges and watch error logs for early warning signs.
  • Budget smart: Don’t overspend on obsolete gear—aim for minimal investment + aggressive migration plan.

Performance Reality (What to Expect)

  • Real-world writes: ~60–75 MB/s depending on data and environment
  • Full tape time: ~1.5–2 hours for 400 GB native
  • Best results: stream large files, avoid tiny file thrash, keep drives clean, and maintain stable temps/humidity

Storage & Handling Best Practices

  • Environment: ~16–25 °C (60–77 °F), 20–50% RH, dust-free, away from strong magnetic fields
  • Orientation: store upright in cases; acclimate 24 hours after major temperature changes
  • Rotation: label clearly, rotate media, retire tapes that show rising error rates

When to Migrate Off LTO-3

Now—if it’s still in production. Rising drive failures, shrinking supply, and feature limits argue for immediate migration to LTO-5 (bridge reader for LTO-3) or LTO-6/LTO-7. Keep an LTO-5 drive for emergency read access during transition.

Compare Other LTO Generations

Resources (Non-Sales)

LTO-3 Frequently Asked Questions

Does LTO-3 support hardware encryption or LTFS?
No. Hardware encryption begins at LTO-4; LTFS begins at LTO-5.

Which drives can read LTO-3?
LTO-3 and LTO-4 drives read/write LTO-3; LTO-5 can read LTO-3. LTO-6 and newer cannot read LTO-3.

How much can I realistically store on an LTO-3 tape?
Plan for 400 GB native and ~500–650 GB effective with typical business data compression.

Should I buy LTO-3 for a new backup system?
No. Use LTO-5/6/7+ for new deployments; reserve LTO-3 for legacy recovery only.

What’s the easiest migration path?
Acquire an LTO-5 drive (reads LTO-3), restore critical data, and write forward to LTO-5/6/7+.

Last updated: • Prices are updated daily.