LTO-8 tape represents the evolution of modern enterprise backup: massive 12 TB native capacity (up to 30 TB compressed), write speeds of 360 MB/s, and the same Barium Ferrite (BaFe) magnetic stability that made LTO-6 and LTO-7 nearly indestructible. Below you’ll find live price-per-TB comparisons for top-rated LTO-8 Ultrium cartridges from IBM, Fujifilm, HPE, Quantum, and Sony.
For anyone upgrading from LTO-7, expect double the capacity and higher throughput without sacrificing backward read/write compatibility. LTO-8 remains the go-to choice for data centers, video archives, and institutions balancing performance with price. Prices refresh daily for real-time accuracy.
Current LTO-8 Tape Price Comparison
The table below ranks current price-per-TB deals on LTO-8 cartridges. Click any listing to confirm live pricing and stock.
Quick Specs (LTO-8 at a Glance)
- Capacity: 12 TB native / 30 TB compressed
- Transfer Rate: 360 MB/s native / 900 MB/s compressed
- Encryption: AES-256 hardware encryption
- Media: Barium Ferrite (BaFe) – ultra-stable, oxidation-proof
- LTFS Support: yes – native drag-and-drop file access
- WORM: yes – compliance and audit-ready
- Compatibility: read/write LTO-8 & LTO-7, read LTO-6
- Archival Life: 30+ years under ideal storage conditions
Why Choose LTO-8 Tape Storage
LTO-8 Tape Storage is trusted by enterprises, post-production houses, and research facilities that need petabyte-scale reliability without cloud dependency. Its Barium Ferrite media eliminates demagnetization and bit rot, while LTFS allows fast retrieval from offline archives. LTO-8 strikes the ideal balance between cost per TB and true enterprise-grade performance.
LTO-8 vs Other Generations
LTO-8 vs LTO-7
- 2× capacity increase (12 TB vs 6 TB native)
- 20% faster write speeds (360 MB/s vs 300 MB/s)
- Same AES-256 encryption and BaFe media
- Backward read/write compatibility with LTO-7
LTO-8 vs LTO-9
- LTO-9 delivers 18 TB native, 45 TB compressed capacity
- LTO-8 remains more affordable per TB and fully compatible with LTO-9 drives
- LTO-8 media is readily available and proven in high-volume production
Buying Tips for LTO-8 in 2025
- Choose BaFe media: oxidation-proof and certified for 30-year archival life.
- Check firmware: update tape drives for the latest throughput and LTFS improvements.
- Use 5- or 10-packs: better price per TB for enterprise buyers.
- Consider LTO-8 Type M: LTO-7 media formatted for 9 TB capacity when used in LTO-8 drives.
- Plan migration: LTO-9 drives can read/write LTO-8, ensuring easy future upgrades.
Performance & Efficiency
- Native write speed: up to 360 MB/s (900 MB/s compressed)
- Typical write time: ~9 hours for full 12 TB native capacity
- Energy profile: zero power usage when stored offline
- Compression ratio: 2.5:1 typical on enterprise workloads
Best Practices for Storage & Handling
- Maintain temperature between 16–25°C and relative humidity between 20–50%.
- Store vertically in protective cases; avoid magnetic or electronic interference.
- Clean drives every 50 cartridges or 100 operating hours.
- Label clearly and rotate media for balanced usage.
When to Upgrade from LTO-8
When managing multi-petabyte archives or scaling to AI data pipelines, upgrade to LTO-9 for 18 TB native capacity and higher data throughput. Both generations use BaFe media and maintain full backward compatibility, simplifying transition.
Compare Other LTO Generations
Resources (Non-Sales)
- LTO.org – Official LTO Technology
- TechRadar – LTO Tape Guides
- Tom’s Hardware – LTO Storage Insights
- PCMag – Enterprise Storage Reviews
LTO-8 Frequently Asked Questions
Does LTO-8 support LTFS?
Yes. LTFS is fully supported for native drag-and-drop file access.
How much data fits on an LTO-8 tape?
12 TB native and up to 30 TB compressed (2.5:1 ratio typical).
Can LTO-8 drives read older media?
Yes. They read/write LTO-8 & LTO-7 and read LTO-6 media.
What is Type M media?
Reformatted LTO-7 tapes that store 9 TB when used in an LTO-8 drive.
Is LTO-8 still a good buy in 2025?
Absolutely. It’s the most cost-efficient way to achieve high-speed, large-capacity backups with long archival life.
Last updated: • Prices are updated daily.
Related Resources
- Official LTO Technology Website
- LTO-8 Specification Details
- PCMag Enterprise Storage Coverage
- TechRadar Storage Reviews
💡 Pro Tip: Bookmark this page and check back weekly for updated pricing. LTO-8 tape prices fluctuate based on supply, demand, and manufacturer promotions. Our comparison table is updated regularly to help you find the best current deals.
🎯 Next Steps: Once you’ve compared prices above, consider how many tapes you’ll need for your backup rotation. Most businesses maintain at least 10-20 tapes in rotation for a robust backup strategy.