If you own one of the best gaming PCs or laptops, you understand the importance of safeguarding and transferring the valuable data they hold. Whether your setup includes a top SSD or you're utilizing spacious external hard drives for your essential files, photos, and other content, nothing quite matches the convenience and security of a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) drive. Our top recommendation, the Synology DiskStation DS224+, exemplifies the best in class for NAS solutions.
Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+
0See it at Amazon
### UGREEN NASync DXP2800
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### Synology DiskStation DS223j
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### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T
0See it at Amazon
### Synology DiskStation DS1821+
0See it at Amazon
### QNAP TS-264-8G
0See it at Amazon
### SynologyDiskStation DS923+
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### ioSafe Duo Pro
0See it at ioSafe
The best NAS drives offer substantial storage capacity and integrate seamlessly into your home network, facilitating swift data transfer across your devices. Whether you're using smartphones, tablets, desktops, or laptops, a NAS allows for simultaneous connectivity and easy synchronization, making it the ideal solution for managing digital media libraries. However, NAS devices can be pricey, so it's crucial to choose wisely. We've selected eight top-tier NAS options tailored for various needs.
Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+
0The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an easy-to-use, high-performance NAS with two drive bays, dual Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB of upgradable RAM. It's perfect for those who want a straightforward yet capable NAS solution. See it at Amazon
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:
Cons:
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is designed for users who want to avoid complex software or basic hardware. It offers two drive bays, allowing for up to 32TB of storage or a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy. With dual Gigabit LAN ports, it supports Link Aggregation and network failover, though a multi-gig LAN port would enhance connectivity speeds further.
Synology's versatile apps and software are accessible through an intuitive interface, enabling you to use it for storing security camera footage, running a Plex server, or safely storing and accessing files and photos. Its Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM (upgradable) ensure smooth performance for 4K media transcoding, file management, and video streaming.
### UGREEN NASync DXP2800
0Featuring quality hardware, a sleek design, and an affordable price, the UGreen NASync DXP2800 with its dual drive bays is perfect for backing up your files. See it at Amazon
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:
Cons:
The UGreen NASync DXP2800 offers robust hardware and an attractive design at a midrange price point. Powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, it's ideal for managing a high-quality video library and handling hardware transcoding with ease.
UGreen's operating system facilitates easy setup and network configuration, with added security features like two-factor authentication. While Plex isn't natively supported, it can be installed via Docker without compromising performance. The NAS supports up to 24TB per drive bay, and its toolless installation system makes adding storage straightforward. Two M.2 slots accommodate NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, and a 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures fast SATA file transfers. Additional connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A.
### Synology DiskStation DS223j
0An ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS, ideal for beginners. See it at Amazon
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:
Cons:
The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an excellent choice for NAS newcomers or those with basic storage needs. It runs on Synology's top-rated DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, offering comprehensive applications for seamless file and data management across various devices.
Although its build quality is primarily plastic and requires a screwdriver for drive installation, this isn't a significant drawback for most users. With a maximum capacity of 32TB and no M.2 slots or multi-gig ethernet port, it's a straightforward, affordable option that excels in simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T
0Equipped with an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, versatile drive bays, and two M.2 PCIe NVMe slots, this NAS is built for high performance. See it at Amazon
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:
Cons:
The Asustor Lockerstor AS6602T is the go-to NAS for those needing advanced capabilities. With an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM (upgradable to 8GB), it's designed for users who like to tinker and customize. It supports both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives, and includes two M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for additional high-speed storage options.
The NAS features dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, which can be combined for up to 5Gb connectivity via link aggregation. It's perfect for speedy backups, virtualization, or as a robust media center, with an HDMI 2.0 port and support for 10-bit 4K hardware decoding.
### Synology DiskStation DS1821+
0With eight drive bays offering up to 128TB of storage and M.2 2280 NVMe slots, this NAS is perfect for those needing extensive storage solutions. See it at Amazon
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:
Cons:
The Synology DiskStation DS1821+ is ideal for users with large data storage needs. Priced over $1,000, it offers future-proof expandability with eight drive bays supporting 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives or SSDs, delivering up to 128TB of capacity with hot-swappable drives. Additional expansion units can increase this to 18 bays, and M.2 2280 NVMe slots provide high-speed caching options. Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32GB), it ensures robust performance.
### QNAP TS-264-8G
0This NAS offers a central location for your media library, with two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, 4K HDMI output, dual drive bays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. See it at Amazon
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:
Cons:
The QNAP TS-264-8G is designed for media streaming, offering dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports to handle multiple streams without network bottlenecks. It includes a 4K-capable HDMI output, making it suitable for placement next to your TV.
With two 3.5-inch drive bays and two PCIe Gen 3 slots for fast caching or enhanced network speeds, this NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, ensuring smooth 4K video streaming with hardware transcoding.
### SynologyDiskStation DS923+
0Secure your data with this NAS offering four drive bays and multiple RAID configurations for redundancy. See it at Amazon
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:
Cons:
The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is perfect for users prioritizing data security and backup. With four drive bays supporting 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, it offers ample storage and the ability to run in redundancy using multiple RAID configurations. Two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots enhance performance with fast caching options.
The NAS features two 1Gb ethernet ports with support for Link Aggregation or Failover, and the option to add 10Gb connectivity. Its dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, combined with the easy-to-use DSM OS, ensure efficient operation and setup.
### ioSafe Duo Pro
0While not technically a NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro drive protects your data from fire and water while offering RAID configurations for added security. 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:
Cons:
The ioSafe Duo Pro drive prioritizes physical data protection with its fireproof and water-resistant design, boasting an IP68 rating for submersion in water up to 10 feet for 72 hours. It also offers various RAID configurations and robust drive bays for data security, along with data recovery services.
However, note that the ioSafe Duo Pro is a direct-attach storage device and not specifically designed as a NAS. To use it for network storage, you'll need to connect it to your home network through an always-on computer or directly to your router via USB.
NAS devices can solve various networking issues, particularly if you share a network with family or housemates. They enable centralized file sharing and unified backups across multiple computers.
If you need to share tools or files across multiple devices or manage a large media library accessible from various devices, a NAS device is an excellent solution. You can even set up your NAS as a Plex server for seamless access to movies, TV shows, and music throughout your home.
Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring separate purchases. While this can be a consideration, especially if you already own compatible drives, always check the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal performance.
The number of bays determines the potential storage capacity; two or more bays are typically recommended, with multimedia systems often requiring more.
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