If you own one of the best gaming PCs or laptops and are looking for an efficient way to back up or transfer your valuable data, consider investing in a top-notch NAS (network-attached storage) drive. Whether it's equipped with a top SSD or you have large external hard drives storing your essential files and photos, a NAS like the Synology DiskStation DS224+ can significantly enhance your data management.
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 substantial storage capacity and seamlessly integrate into your home network, allowing for quick data transfers among your devices. Smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops can all connect simultaneously, making it easy to sync and manage your digital media libraries. While NAS drives can be a significant investment, we've carefully selected eight top-tier options tailored to various needs.
Synology DiskStation DS224+
Best NAS
Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+
0This easy-to-use, high-speed NAS features two drive bays, dual Gigabit LAN ports, a robust Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB of upgradable RAM. It's perfect for those who want a capable yet straightforward NAS solution. With up to 32TB of storage and support for RAID 1 configurations, it ensures your data is both expansive and protected through redundancy. The dual LAN ports enhance connectivity, though a multi-gig LAN port would have been a nice addition.
Synology's versatile apps and user-friendly interface make it ideal for various applications, from storing security camera footage to 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 (which can be upgraded), this NAS is well-equipped to handle 4K media transcoding, file management, and smooth video streaming.
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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
UGreen NASync DXP2800
Best Budget NAS
### UGREEN NASync DXP2800
0This NAS offers quality hardware, an attractive design, and an affordable price, making it an excellent choice for backing up your files. Powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, it's ready to manage a high-quality video library and handle hardware transcoding with ease.
UGreen's comprehensive OS simplifies setup and network configuration and includes extra security features like two-factor authentication. Although it doesn't natively support Plex, installation via Docker is straightforward, ensuring robust performance. The dual SATA drive bays support up to 24TB each, and the toolless installation system makes it easy to set up. Two M.2 slots are available for NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, and a 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures fast file transfers. Additional connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A ports.
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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 support
Synology DiskStation DS223j
Most Affordable NAS
### Synology DiskStation DS223j
0This ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS is perfect for beginners. It runs on Synology's acclaimed DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, offering a wide range of applications to simplify the storage and access of your files across multiple devices.
While the build quality is modest, featuring plastic and requiring a screwdriver for drive installation, the DS223j excels in simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. It supports up to 32TB of storage without M.2 slots, and it lacks a multi-gig ethernet port, but it's an excellent choice for those with straightforward storage needs.
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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
Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T
Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals
### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T
0Designed for power users and professionals, this NAS comes equipped with an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, and supports both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives. Two additional M.2 PCIe NVMe slots offer further storage options.
The Lockerstor AS6602T supports dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, which can be combined for 5Gb connectivity, making it ideal for speedy backups, virtualization, and a powerful media center. It also features an HDMI 2.0 port and supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding for an enhanced 4K HDR experience.
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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
Synology DiskStation DS1821+
Best Multi-Bay NAS
### Synology DiskStation DS1821+
0For those requiring extensive storage, this NAS offers eight drive bays for a total capacity of 128TB and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots. While it comes at a premium, it provides future-ready expandability.
The DS1821+ supports hot-swappable drives and can be expanded to 18 drive bays with additional units. It's powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory, which can be upgraded to 32GB. This NAS is perfect for users with massive data storage needs.
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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
QNAP TS-264-8G
Best NAS for Media Streaming
### QNAP TS-264-8G
0This NAS is perfect for centralizing your media library, offering two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, a 4K HDMI output, dual drive bays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. It's designed to handle the demands of streaming media smoothly.
The TS-264-8G avoids network bottlenecks with dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports and includes a 4K-capable HDMI output, making it suitable for placement next to your TV. It features an Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, ensuring smooth 4K video streams with hardware transcoding.
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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 can be harder to master
Synology DiskStation DS923+
Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations
### SynologyDiskStation DS923+
0Ensure your data is securely backed up with this NAS, offering four drive bays and multiple RAID configurations for redundancy. It's an excellent choice for those prioritizing data security.
The DS923+ supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, and JBOD. With four bays for 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives and two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for fast caching, it's designed for speed and flexibility. A dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM power the system, running on the user-friendly DSM operating system.
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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
ioSafe Duo Pro
Best Rugged NAS
### ioSafe Duo Pro
0While not technically a NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro drive offers fireproof and water-resistant protection, along with RAID configurations for added data security. It's an ideal choice for safeguarding your data against physical damage.
The Duo Pro features an IP68 rating, protecting against full submersion in water up to 10 feet for 72 hours. It provides various RAID options and robust, long-lasting drive bays, and ioSafe even offers data recovery services. Note that this drive isn't designed for network storage but can be shared via a home network through an always-on computer or directly connected to your router via USB.
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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
What to Look for in NAS
NAS devices can solve various networking issues, especially in homes where multiple devices share the same network. A NAS allows you to centralize file sharing and backups, making it easier to manage data across all connected devices.
What are you using it for?
If you're in a scenario where multiple devices need to access the same files or tools, a NAS is invaluable. It's not just about storing data but also about easy access. For those with extensive media libraries, a NAS can be transformed into a Plex server, providing quick access to movies, TV shows, and music across different devices.
Go diskless? How many bays?
Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring you to purchase them separately. This can be beneficial if you already own compatible drives, but always check the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal performance. The number of bays in a NAS determines its storage capacity; two or more bays are typically recommended, with multimedia systems often requiring more.
