If you own one of the best gaming PCs or laptops and are looking for a reliable way to back up or transfer your valuable data, a top-notch NAS (Network Attached Storage) drive like the Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an excellent choice. While your system might be equipped with a high-performance SSD or you might have large external hard drives filled with essential files, photos, and other content, a NAS offers unmatched convenience and accessibility.
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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### Synology DiskStation DS923+
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### ioSafe Duo Pro
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The best NAS drives provide significant storage capacity and seamlessly integrate into your home network, enabling quick data transfers to and from your devices. Whether you're using smartphones, tablets, desktops, or laptops, a NAS allows simultaneous connections and easy synchronization, making it perfect for managing digital media libraries. Although NAS devices can be pricey, choosing the right one can be a game-changer. We've selected eight top options to fit various needs.
- Synology DiskStation DS224+
Best NAS
Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+
0The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an easy-to-use, high-speed NAS with two drive bays, two Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB of upgradable RAM. It's ideal for those who want a capable yet straightforward NAS solution. With the ability to support up to 32TB of storage or a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy, the DS224+ offers flexibility and performance. While it lacks a multi-gig LAN port, its two Gigabit LAN ports support Link Aggregation and network failover, ensuring reliable connectivity.
Synology's user-friendly interface and versatile apps make it perfect for various uses, from storing security camera footage to serving as a Plex server. The Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM (which can be upgraded) make it capable of handling tasks like 4K media transcoding, file management, and video streaming with ease.
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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
0The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 offers quality hardware at a midrange price, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers. With dual drive bays and a stylish design, it's perfect for backing up your files. Powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, this NAS is well-equipped to handle high-quality video libraries and hardware transcoding.
UGREEN's comprehensive OS simplifies setup and network configuration, and additional security features like two-factor authentication keep your data safe. While it doesn't come with native Plex support, it's easy to install via Docker, ensuring robust performance. The dual SATA drive bays support up to 24TB each, and the toolless installation system makes adding drives a breeze. Two M.2 slots accommodate NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, and a 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures speedy transfers. Additional connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A.
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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
- Synology DiskStation DS223j
Most Affordable NAS
### Synology DiskStation DS223j
0The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS ideal for beginners. Featuring Synology's top-rated DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, it offers a wide range of applications to simplify the storage and access of your files across multiple devices. While the build quality is basic, primarily made of plastic, it supports two 3.5" SATA drives with a maximum capacity of 32TB.
Despite lacking multi-gig ethernet ports and M.2 slots for caching, the DS223j excels in simplicity, reliability, and affordability, making it a great entry-level option.
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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
0The Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T is designed for power users and professionals, featuring an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 4GB of upgradable RAM. With two drive bays supporting 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives and two M.2 PCIe NVMe slots, this NAS offers versatile storage options.
It's equipped with dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, which can be combined for up to 5Gb connectivity using link aggregation. The NAS supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding, making it ideal for media centers and high-speed backups. While drive installation requires more effort, the Lockerstor 2 AS6602T is a powerful and flexible solution for advanced users.
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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 users needing extensive storage, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ offers eight drive bays with a total capacity of 128TB and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots. This high-end NAS is priced over $1,000 but provides future-proof expandability. With hot-swappable drives and the ability to add expansion units for up to 18 bays, it's perfect for large data storage needs.
The DS1821+ is powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory, which can be expanded to 32GB, ensuring robust performance and reliability.
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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
0The QNAP TS-264-8G is designed specifically for media streaming, offering dual 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, a 4K HDMI output, dual drive bays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. This compact NAS is perfect for centralizing your media library and streaming 4K content smoothly with its Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory.
While the software may take some time to master, the TS-264-8G's hardware ensures impressive performance for media-centric uses.
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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
- Synology DiskStation DS923+
Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations
### Synology DiskStation DS923+
0The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is ideal for those prioritizing data security with RAID configurations. With four drive bays and the ability to support various RAID types, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, SHR, Basic, and JBOD, this NAS offers robust data protection and ample storage.
The DS923+ supports 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, includes two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for caching, and features a dual-core AMD Ryzen processor with 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM. While it lacks a multi-gig LAN port, its two 1Gb ethernet ports support Link Aggregation or Failover, and it offers an option for 10Gb connectivity.
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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 a traditional NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro is a rugged storage solution designed to protect your data from fire and water damage. With an IP68 rating, it can withstand submersion in water up to 10 feet for 72 hours. It also offers various RAID configurations for data protection and includes robust, long-lasting drive bays.
Note that the ioSafe Duo Pro is a direct-attach storage device, so to use it as a NAS, you'll need to share it through an always-on computer or connect it directly to your router via USB. ioSafe even provides data recovery services for added peace of mind.
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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 are essential for those with multiple devices sharing the same network, offering a centralized solution for file sharing and backups. If you and your family or housemates need to access the same files or tools across different devices, a NAS can streamline this process.
If you have a large media library, a NAS can serve as a Plex server, allowing seamless access to movies, TV shows, and music from various devices within your home.
Go diskless? How many bays?
Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring you to purchase them separately. If you already own compatible disk drives, this may not be an issue, but always check the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal performance.
The number of bays in a NAS determines its potential storage capacity. Two or more bays are generally recommended, with multimedia systems often requiring more.
