LTO-9 drives & media on the cheap – how?

Usual sources (geizhals etc) show that the drive is $4K and media is around $100-120/per cartridge.

Interestingly, prices for last-gen LTO-8 drives are about the same, which makes me think these prices are stale with hefty markup on them.

Given that these thing are sold to datacenters per metric ton, I can’t believe that these guys are paying anything close to those prices.

If so, are there shortcuts for mere mortals ?

Tagged: LTO Tape

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Jace Elric

Participant

June 16, 2025 at 4:49 am

LTO-9 drives and tapes are overpriced in most retail listings. Drives go for around $4,000, and tapes are $100–$120 each. These prices don’t reflect what big data centers pay—they buy in bulk, negotiate deals, and pay far less.

There are ways to cut the cost. Used or refurbished LTO-8 and LTO-9 drives are often listed on eBay or sold by IT asset disposition companies for much less. Bulk tape purchases, especially unlabeled or white-label media, also bring the price down. You’ll often find better deals buying packs of 10 or more.

You can also watch for drives pulled from tape libraries. They’re usually cheaper and can be repurposed, though some come with OEM firmware restrictions. As long as you’re comfortable with SAS connections and doing a bit of research, they’re worth a look.

In short, skip the retail markup. Go used, buy in bulk, and check IT forums or data hoarder communities for leads. It takes some digging, but affordable LTO-9 setups are out there.

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