If you're the proud owner of one of the best gaming PCs or laptops, you're likely looking for a reliable way to back up or transfer your valuable data. Even if you're equipped with a top SSD or have decently large external hard drives for your essential files, photos, and other content, nothing quite matches the convenience and robustness of a great NAS (network-attached storage) drive. Our top pick, the Synology DiskStation DS224+, stands out as a fantastic solution for this purpose.
TL;DR – These are the Best NAS Devices:
Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+
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### UGREEN NASync DXP2800
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### Synology DiskStation DS223j
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### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T
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### Synology DiskStation DS1821+
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### QNAP TS-264-8G
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### SynologyDiskStation DS923+
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### ioSafe Duo Pro
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The best NAS drives offer significant storage capacity and seamlessly integrate with your home network, facilitating quick data transfers across your devices. Whether you're using smartphones, tablets, desktops, or laptops, connecting them to the same network and syncing them up is straightforward, making NAS ideal for managing digital media libraries. However, NAS devices can be a costly investment, so it's crucial to choose wisely. We've narrowed down your options to eight excellent choices tailored to various needs.
1. Synology DiskStation DS224+
Best NAS
Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+
0The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an easy-to-use, high-speed NAS featuring two drive bays, two Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB upgradable RAM. It's perfect for those who want to avoid complex software without sacrificing performance.
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Product Specifications
- Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2
- RAID Level: SHR, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1
- Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bays
- Size: 9.02" x 9.13" x 6.5"
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- Fast quad-core processor
Cons
- No multi-gig LAN port
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an excellent choice for those looking for a highly capable yet user-friendly NAS. It offers two drive bays, allowing for increased storage up to 32TB or a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy. The dual Gigabit LAN ports support higher speeds with Link Aggregation or network failover, although we wish it included a 2.5GB or 10GB LAN port for even faster connections.
Synology's versatile apps and software are accessible through an intuitive interface, making it suitable for storing security camera footage, serving as a Plex server, or safeguarding your files and photos. With an Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM (upgradable), the DS224+ efficiently handles tasks like 4K media transcoding, file management, and video streaming.
2. UGreen NASync DXP2800
Best Budget NAS
### UGREEN NASync DXP2800
0The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 offers quality hardware, a stylish design, and a reasonable price. With dual drive bays, it's ready to back up all your files.
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Product Specifications
- Connection: Ethernet, USB, HDMI
- RAID Level: JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, Basic
- Storage: 2 x 2.5"/3.5" bays, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slots
- Size: Not listed
Pros
- Comprehensive OS and apps
- Multi-gig ethernet
Cons
- No native Plex
The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 is a well-built NAS with quality hardware at a midrange price. It's powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, making it suitable for managing a high-quality video library and handling hardware transcoding with ease.
UGreen's comprehensive OS ensures a simple setup and network configuration, with added security features like two-factor authentication. While Plex isn't natively supported, it's easily installable using Docker, and the performance remains robust.
With dual SATA drive bays supporting up to 24TB each, you have ample room for media storage or can opt for RAID redundancy. UGreen's toolless system simplifies drive installation, and two M.2 slots accommodate NVMe SSDs up to 8TB. The 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures speedy file transfers, while additional connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A.
3. Synology DiskStation DS223j
Most Affordable NAS
### Synology DiskStation DS223j
0The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS perfect for beginners.
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Product Specifications
- Connection: Ethernet, USB
- RAID Level: Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, SHR
- Storage: 2 x 3.5" bays
- Size: 6.5" x 3.94" x 8.9"
Pros
- Reliable hardware
- Easy to use
Cons
- Lacks multi-gig ethernet port
The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an excellent choice for NAS newcomers and those with simpler storage needs. It features Synology's renowned DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, offering numerous applications for seamless file storage and access across devices.
While the build quality is mostly plastic and requires a screwdriver for drive installation, it's reliable and affordable. It supports up to 32TB of storage without M.2 slots for caching or additional storage, and lacks a multi-gig ethernet port. However, its simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness make it a top pick for budget-conscious users.
4. Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T
Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals
### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T
0The Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T is equipped with an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, and drive bays that support 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives. It also includes two additional M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for enhanced performance.
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Product Specifications
- Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.0, HDMI
- RAID Level: JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1
- Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slots
- Size: 9.06" x 4.25" x 6.44"
Pros
- Dual M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for additional storage
- Supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding
Cons
- Drive installation is more involved
The Asustor Lockerstor AS6602T is designed for power users and professionals, featuring an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM (upgradable to 8GB). It offers two drive bays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives and two additional M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for enhanced performance.
With dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, you can achieve up to 5Gb connectivity using link aggregation. The NAS is perfect for speedy backups, virtualization, and as a powerful media center, supported by an HDMI 2.0 port and 10-bit 4K hardware decoding for a 4K HDR experience.
5. Synology DiskStation DS1821+
Best Multi-Bay NAS
### Synology DiskStation DS1821+
0For those needing extensive storage, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ offers eight drive bays with a total capacity of 128TB and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots.
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Product Specifications
- Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2
- RAID Level: JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR)
- Storage: 8 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slots
- Size: 18.2" x 14.4" x 12.5"
Pros
- Wild 128TB capacity
- Hot-swappable drives
Cons
- Can get noisy
The Synology DiskStation DS1821+ is ideal for those with vast amounts of data, offering eight drive bays for 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives with a total capacity of 128TB. Its hot-swappable drives and support for expansion units up to 18 drive bays provide ample storage. Additionally, M.2 2280 NVMe slots enable high-speed caching.
Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory (upgradable to 32GB), the DS1821+ is a robust solution for future-proof storage needs.
6. QNAP TS-264-8G
Best NAS for Media Streaming
### QNAP TS-264-8G
0The QNAP TS-264-8G offers a central location for your media library with two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, a 4K HDMI output, dual drive bays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
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Product Specifications
- Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2, HDMI
- RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, JBOD
- Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe slots
- Size: 8.1" x 6.6" x 4.1"
Pros
- Compact design
- Impressive hardware
Cons
- Software is harder to master
The QNAP TS-264-8G is designed specifically for media streaming, featuring dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports to handle high throughput and a 4K HDMI output for direct TV connection. Its two 3.5-inch drive bays support substantial storage, while two PCIe Gen 3 slots allow for fast caching or improved network speeds.
Powered by an Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, the TS-264-8G ensures smooth 4K video streaming with hardware transcoding.
7. Synology DiskStation DS923+
Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations
### SynologyDiskStation DS923+
0The Synology DiskStation DS923+ offers four drive bays for ample storage and various RAID configurations to ensure data security.
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Product Specifications
- Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2, eSATA
- RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, JBOD
- Storage: 4 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe slots
- Size: 6.5" x 7.8" x 8.7"
Pros
- Offers various RAID levels
- Expandable storage and RAM
Cons
- No multi-gig LAN port
The Synology DiskStation DS923+ excels in data backup and security, offering four drive bays and multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, SHR, Basic, and JBOD. Its versatility allows you to choose the best setup for your needs.
The DS923+ supports 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, with two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for high-speed caching. It features two 1Gb ethernet ports with Link Aggregation or Failover support and the option to add 10Gb connectivity. A dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, coupled with the user-friendly DSM operating system, ensure smooth performance.
8. ioSafe Duo Pro
Best Rugged NAS
### ioSafe Duo Pro
0The ioSafe Duo Pro, while not technically a NAS, is designed to keep your data safe from fire and water, offering RAID configurations for added protection.
See it at ioSafe
Product Specifications
- Connection: USB 3.2
- RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, SPAN
- Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bays
- Size: 11.50" x 5.91" x 9.06"
Pros
- Fireproof and water-resistant
- Offers two robust, long-lasting drive bays
Cons
- Not designed to be a NAS
The ioSafe Duo Pro is designed to protect your data from physical damage, being both fireproof and water-resistant with an IP68 rating. It offers various RAID configurations and robust drive bays, along with data recovery services for added peace of mind.
However, note that the ioSafe Duo Pro is a direct-attach storage device, not specifically designed as a NAS. To use it for network storage, you'll need to share it through an always-on computer or connect it directly to your router via USB.
What to Look for in NAS
NAS devices are essential for managing networking headaches, particularly in households where multiple devices share the same network. They allow you to share files across all connected computers from a central unit, simplifying backups and file access.
What are you using it for?
If you need to share files or tools across multiple devices, a NAS can streamline this process. It's not just about storage but also about accessing your data efficiently. For large media libraries, a NAS can serve as a Plex server, providing swift access to movies, TV shows, and music across your home.
Go diskless? How many bays?
Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring separate purchases. If you already own compatible drives, a diskless system can be advantageous. However, ensure the drives you choose are compatible with the manufacturer's recommendations.
The number of bays in a NAS determines its potential capacity. Two or more bays are recommended, with multimedia systems often featuring more.
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