---
id: cloud-accounts.which-s3-storage-class-should-i-use
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/which-s3-storage-class-should-i-use
category: "Cloud accounts"
subcategory: "Amazon S3"
question: "Which Amazon S3 storage class should I use with Storage Studio?"
alt_questions:
  - "S3 Standard or Standard-IA for backups"
  - "Best S3 storage class for Mac backup"
  - "Should I use Glacier with Storage Studio?"
  - "S3 storage class recommendation"
  - "Cheapest S3 class for archives"
short_answer: "Use S3 Standard for backups you restore often or Standard-IA for ones you rarely touch. Glacier is cheaper but slow to retrieve. Avoid S3 Express One Zone — it keeps a single copy and Storage Studio won't save it."
tags: ["amazon s3", "storage class", "backups"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/s3-express-one-zone-not-supported", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/how-do-i-connect-amazon-s3"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Which Amazon S3 storage class should I use with Storage Studio?

For backups, use **S3 Standard** if you'll restore often, or **S3 Standard-IA** for older backups you rarely touch. The Glacier classes are cheaper to keep but slower to get back, so save them for archives you're sure you won't need quickly.

Avoid **S3 Express One Zone** entirely: it costs more, keeps only a single copy in one location, and isn't suitable for backups. Storage Studio won't save an Express bucket. Check Amazon's current pricing page for costs — they vary by region.