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.org – Official LTO Technology
- TechRadar – LTO Tape Guides
- Tom’s Hardware – LTO Coverage
- PCMag – Storage Coverage
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.