Apparatus and method for managing a media cache through the monitoring of operational vibration of a data storage device. In some embodiments, a non-volatile media cache of the data storage device is partitioned into at least first and second zones having different data recording characteristics. Input data are received for storage in a non-volatile main memory of the data storage device. An amount of operational vibration associated with the data storage device is measured. The input data are stored in a selected one of the first or second zones of the media cache prior to transfer to the main memory responsive to a comparison of the measured amount of operational vibration to a predetermined operational vibration threshold.