Plan around 2TB mirrored space
Choose the 4TB package for a mirrored library that fits comfortably below 2TB, allowing room for growth and backup versions. Deletion, malware and a lost enclosure still require a separate backup.[1]
Buffalo · NAS buying guide
Buffalo LinkStation 720 4TB buying guide
Product facts and dated cost
Buffalo LinkStation 720 4TB · Exact identity: LS720D0402
2 primary bays · 1.3GHz 6-core processor · 2GB RAM · 1 × 2.5GbE · Storage included; additional drives require separate planning
Catalog amount: $340.99 · historical · Price record: 2026-09-27T05:15:04.327128+00:00. Tax and shipping excluded.
Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer.
LinkStation 720 4TB: specifications and dated store comparison →Buffalo LinkStation 720 4TB is a populated 2-bay 2.5GbE appliance for simple file sharing and RAID 1 mirroring. PCMag's 2022 4TB sample copied a 4.9GB mixed folder at 85 MBps write and 80 MBps read on a router-attached desktop — everyday-file speed, not a 2.5GbE proof. Skip it if you need apps, containers, or a measured multi-gig path.
LS720D0402 · 2 bays · 4TB HDDs included · US configuration
This guide covers LS720D0402, the US 4TB package with two HDDs included. We re-read Buffalo tables and PCMag's 2022 lab article (UK edition HTML; US URL was 403). ChooseCompute has not tested this NAS. Plan on about 2TB of RAID 1 space and a separate backup. See the review evidence ↓
Is it a good fit?
4TB populated shared storage
Drives included and 2.5GbE file access for a small household or office; capacity planning depends on RAID.[1]
A backup destination
Keep a separate copy and verify restore behavior; RAID alone is insufficient.[1]
macOS 26 Time Machine
Source conflict. Buffalo KB6060 (updated 2025-10-13) lists LS700 as compatible with macOS 26 Time Machine. LS700 user manual 35022143-13 (March 2026) p.80 says Time Machine backups are no longer supported starting with macOS Tahoe 26 and tells users on older macOS not to upgrade if they want to keep Time Machine. Neither statement is discarded.[2][6]
Containers, VMs and transcoding
The cited documents do not establish these workloads for this exact appliance.[1]
Key specifications
Full specifications ↗Follow any specification for its full conditions and sources.
Living with it
What matters in everyday use
PCMag 4TB folder copy
John R. Delaney tested the 4TB LS720D with two 2TB drives in RAID 1. A 4.9GB mixed folder copy ran at 85 MBps write and 80 MBps read with the NAS and desktop on the same router — useful everyday-file evidence for LS720D0402, not a 2.5GbE proof and not an 8TB/16TB disk result. PCMag also noted the closed app catalog versus Asustor/QNAP/Synology.[5]
What the 2.5GbE port changes
A 2.5GbE switch or direct compatible client is needed to use the faster link; drive workload and RAID can still limit transfers.[1]
Check your Mac backup version first
Source conflict. Buffalo KB6060 (updated 2025-10-13) lists LS700 as compatible with macOS 26 Time Machine. LS700 user manual 35022143-13 (March 2026) p.80 says Time Machine backups are no longer supported starting with macOS Tahoe 26 and tells users on older macOS not to upgrade if they want to keep Time Machine. Neither statement is discarded. Check firmware and complete an actual backup and restore test.[2]
A storage appliance with a defined scope
The reviewed documents describe file sharing, USB backup and WebAccess. They do not establish Docker/VM hosting, NVMe expansion or hardware-transcoding performance for this unit. Choose a documented app-capable NAS if those are core requirements.[1]
What remains unmeasured
PCMag measured 85 MBps write and 80 MBps read on a 4.9GB mixed folder copy of the 4TB LS720D in RAID 1 with both devices on a router. That is not a 2.5GbE-certified path, does not name the HDD MPN, and does not include noise. TweakTown's faster CrystalDiskMark numbers are from the SoHo LS720D0402B 4TB sample, a related B-suffix SKU, not this professional LS720D0402 carton.[1][5]
Official replacement and USB limits
The LS700 manual (March 2026) forbids hot-swapping: power off before changing a drive. That overrides PCMag’s hot-swappable bay wording. External USB disks are limited to one device per port and the first partition; HFS Plus is read-only on the NAS; Management Backup is not a Btrfs/ZFS snapshot.[6]
What reviewers found
Our buying advice combines official specifications with the original reviews below. We have not tested this product ourselves. Expand a review for its setup, measurements and limitations.
PCMag
John R. DelaneyJun 14, 2022
PCMag 4TB LS720D folder copy (2022)
John R. Delaney tested the 4TB LS720D with two 2TB drives in RAID 1. A 4.9GB mixed folder copy ran at 85 MBps write and 80 MBps read with the NAS and desktop on the same router — useful everyday-file evidence for LS720D0402, not a 2.5GbE proof and not an 8TB/16TB disk result. PCMag also noted the closed app catalog versus Asustor/QNAP/Synology.
Read the original reviewTest setup, measurements & limitations
Buffalo LinkStation 720 Review
Updated Jun 15, 2022
Tested: 4TB LS720D with two preinstalled 2TB drives in RAID 1; hexa-core 1.3GHz CPU and 2GB RAM; NAS and desktop both attached to the same router; 4.9GB mixed music/video/photo/office folder copy.
Applies to: Matches the US LS720D0402 factory-populated 4TB class. The write 85 MBps / read 80 MBps folder-copy result is not a 2.5GbE-proven path and does not establish the 8TB or 16TB drive sets.
- PCMag tested the $349.99 4TB LS720D with two 2TB drives already installed and configured for RAID 1.Source location: Lead / Preinstalled Drives for Easy Setup
- A 4.9GB mixed folder copy measured 85 MBps write and 80 MBps read, slightly behind QNAP TS-233 and Asustor AS1102T on the same test.Source location: Setting Up the LinkStation 720: Installation's a Cinch
- The Applications menu only enabled a built-in DLNA server; PCMag treated the missing third-party app catalog as the main enthusiast deal-breaker versus Asustor/QNAP/Synology.Source location: Where Have All the Apps Gone? / Final Thoughts
- PCMag discloses affiliate commissions. The article does not identify the installed HDD MPN or prove a 2.5GbE client path.Source location: Disclosure line; test setup paragraph
- PCMag called the bays hot-swappable; LS700 manual p.226 forbids hot-swapping and starts replacement with power-off.Source location: PCMag Preinstalled Drives vs LS700 manual p.226
| Measurement | Result | Conditions & source location |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed folder write | 85 MBps | 4.9GB mixed music/video/photo/office folder copied to the NAS; RAID 1 4TB LS720D; desktop and NAS on the same routerInstallation's a Cinch performance paragraph |
| Mixed folder read | 80 MBps | Same 4.9GB folder copied from the NAS to the desktopInstallation's a Cinch performance paragraph |
Limits to keep in mind
- One 2022 4TB sample; HDD revision in current retail cartons is not identified.
- Router-attached desktop path is not documented as 2.5GbE end-to-end; the scores sit in gigabit-class folder-copy range.
- No idle/load wattage or laboratory noise figures.
- UK edition HTML was read after the US pcmag.com URL returned HTTP 403.
- PCMag called the bays hot-swappable; LS700 manual p.226 forbids hot-swapping and starts replacement with power-off.
Common HDD combinations
Examples ordered by recorded drive unit price, which may be historical or an editorial reference. Check capacity, vendor compatibility, included storage and price evidence before choosing. These are component checks, not compatibility certifications.
- LinkStation 720 4TB + 2 × WD Red Plus 2TB (WD20EFPX, 2TB each) →
Component total: $650.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T05:15:04.327128+00:00 · 4TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T05:15:04.327128+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T01:23:41.974420+00:00. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.
- LinkStation 720 4TB + 2 × IronWolf 4TB (ST4000VN006, 4TB each) →
Component total: $720.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T05:15:04.327128+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T05:15:04.327128+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T03:58:24.994342+00:00. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.
- LinkStation 720 4TB + 2 × WD Red Plus 4TB (WD40EFZZ, 4TB each) →
Component total: $730.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T05:15:04.327128+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T05:15:04.327128+00:00; drive price record: 2026-09-27T13:58:17.239646+00:00. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.
Before you buy
Prices & costs to plan for
The drives are already in the package
The listed unit includes 4TB raw HDD capacity. For LS720D0402, compare the complete populated package price, plus an independent backup target and any required network upgrade.[1]
Budget for recovery and regional support
The current US warranty table lists two years for this family. Keep the receipt; warranty replacement does not protect or guarantee recovery of your files.[3]
Compare stores for this exact model
LS720D0402 · 2 bays · 4TB HDDs included · US configuration Check the total delivered price at the store.
Lowest observed price
$408.99
In stock at observation
Currency not confirmed
3 stores · 1 recent price observation
Amazon
Sold by Buffalo Americas Inc
$408.99
Observed price
Currency not confirmed
In stock at observation · Condition not recorded
Observed Oct 9, 2026, 3:54:17 AM UTC[7]
View exact product at AmazonB&H
Seller not recorded
$340.99
Historical price
Currency not confirmed
Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded
Observed Sep 27, 2026, 5:15:04 AM UTC[8]
View exact product at B&HBest Buy
Sold by SpaceBound, Inc.
$396.29
Historical price
Currency not confirmed
Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded
Observed Sep 27, 2026, 1:47:13 PM UTC[9]
View exact product at Best BuyPrices are dated observations. Confirm the model, seller, condition, stock and delivered total at the store. Older prices remain visible as history. Links may earn a commission.
Questions before buying
How much of the 4TB can I use?
With two equal disks in RAID 1, plan for about 2TB before formatting and system overhead. RAID 0 exposes more capacity but has no disk-failure tolerance.[1]
Does LS720D0402 support new macOS 26 Time Machine backups?
Do not assume a single current policy. KB6060 lists LS700 as compatible with macOS 26 Time Machine; the March 2026 LS700 manual p.80 says Time Machine is no longer supported on macOS 26. Confirm the installed firmware and complete an actual backup and restore test.[2][6]
Is the HDD model supplied in the box guaranteed?
The exact current-stock HDD revision is not guaranteed in the reviewed documents. Historical review samples do not establish what a new order contains.[1]
Can I add memory, SSD cache or containers later?
No supported upgrade path or container-host workload was established in the cited US documents. Buy this configuration for its documented file and backup functions.[1]
What does the standard package mean for warranty?
The current Buffalo Americas warranty table lists 2 years for LinkStation 210/220/710/720. Check US seller eligibility and retain proof of purchase.[3]
Does remote access replace a backup?
No. WebAccess provides another way to reach the same stored files. It does not create a separate copy that survives device loss or data deletion.[1]
How fast is the 4TB LinkStation 720?
PCMag's 2022 4TB RAID 1 sample copied a 4.9GB mixed folder at 85 MBps write and 80 MBps read with the NAS and a desktop on the same router. That is not proof you will see 2.5GbE line rate, and current HDDs may differ.[5]
Sources
Research updated Sep 11, 2026. Individual source check dates are listed below. Measurements belong to the named reviewers; tested configurations and software versions may differ from the product you buy.
- [1] Buffalo LinkStation 720 4TB official specifications ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Specifications tables → LS720D0402 / LinkStation 720 column; Overview; Downloads
- [2] Buffalo macOS 26 Time Machine compatibility ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · KB6060 → Model Series Compatibility; article updated 2025-10-13
- [3] Buffalo Americas warranty terms ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · NAS warranty table → LS200/LS700 or SoHo; proof of purchase and region restrictions
- [4] Amazon — LS720D0402 ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Product information → Model Number / Mfr Part Number; selected retail buy box; Sold by Buffalo Americas Inc. Main price requires cart.
- [5] PCMag Buffalo LinkStation 720 review (UK edition of the 2022 lab test) ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Lead (4TB LS720D tested); Preinstalled Drives; Installation's a Cinch folder-copy 85/80 MBps; Final Thoughts. US pcmag.com returned 403.
- [6] LinkStation 700 user manual 35022143-13 (EN, March 2026) ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Printed pp.54 USB FS footnotes; 66–72 LVM and backup modes; 80 Time Machine vs macOS 26; 220–226 drive replacement including non-malfunctioning-drive hot-swap prohibition. Not applied to LS200.
- [7] Amazon product price observation ↗
Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:864be3425f1e3c48674fdc23c9baa0602ecf3bed38e74f5b69433b03358142cb
- [8] B&H product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 27, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:3344f6257fd36a5e0a2959542171822efa73ffec90804610b3ee85f0b226c022
- [9] Best Buy product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 27, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:88d4b62735deb25b3ddeac158987c6df8c214c246d00a9ae9cea1546e8853390
Research and review record
- Research: Grok 4.6 · Source research and data update
- Self-check: Grok 4.6 · Researcher self-check
- Independent review: GPT-6 (Codex) · Exact SKU and capacity specifications; consumer versus SoHo warranty and documentation boundaries; original test conditions and available figures; primary US new-item offers and honest residual coverage.
- Editorial integration: GPT-6 (Codex) · Editorial integration and validation
Independent review completed for the scope recorded in the audit.
Source evidence and review history (JSON)