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Best NAS Devices

Updated March 2024
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Synology 2-Bay NAS DS223
Synology
2-Bay NAS DS223
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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

Quiet running and a small footprint make this NAS device ideal for home data storage needs.

Pros

This two-Bay NAS DS223 device lets you consolidate data, share files and media, and backup your media library with ease. Its small footprint and minimal running noise make it ideal for desktop usage. Holds two drives.

Cons

Some felt the setup instructions lacked sufficient details.

Best Bang for the Buck
BUFFALO LinkStation 210 4TB 1-Bay NAS Storage
BUFFALO
LinkStation 210 4TB 1-Bay NAS Storage
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Best for Everyday Use
Bottom Line

An economical storage option for home usage that holds up to 4TB of data.

Pros

Compatible with Windows and macOS, this NAS device allows you to store, back up, and manage all your data and access it without paying monthly fees. Has a 4TB capacity with one drive bay; HDD included.

Cons

Initial setup could be easier.

Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage
Western Digital
My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

If you already have the memory on hand, this well-made model is a thrifty investment.

Pros

Affordable. Stores up to 28 TB of data. Secure encryption. Easy to set up and use. User-friendly companion app. Optimized for video and photo sharing. It's incredibly simple to stream content from the device.

Cons

Users must buy and install hard drives themselves.

Austor Flashstor 6 6-Bay All-SSD NAS Storage
Austor
Flashstor 6 6-Bay All-SSD NAS Storage
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Large Capacity
Bottom Line

A robust diskless 6-bay NAS device that is designed to be incredibly quick for heavier traffic.

Pros

Equipped with an Intel Celeron N5105 Quad Core CPU and 4GB DDR4 RAM, as well as 6 NVMe M.2 SSD slots, the Flashstor 6 meets its speed promises consistently. The snapshot center feature creates backups frequently.

Cons

Somewhat expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of six NVMe M.2 SSDs.

QNAP TS-264-8G-US 2 Bay High-Performance Desktop NAS
QNAP
TS-264-8G-US 2 Bay High-Performance Desktop NAS
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Best for Home Backups
Bottom Line

A great option for users who want something that is well-suited for backing up household files.

Pros

Easy installation and 2 USB 3.2 ports with speeds up to 10GB per second make this a snappy and straightforward home storage solution. Though 8GB DDR4 RAM is included, you can easily upgrade to 16GB. A good value for a home backup NAS device.

Cons

The operating system can take some getting used to for beginners.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

59
Models
Considered
99
Consumers
Consulted
26
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best NAS devices

Data storage in the 21st century is a valuable commodity. With so much of our lives happening now in the digital realm, we all need a place to keep our ever-expanding cache of files. NAS devices fill that void. NAS stands for Network Attached Storage. These devices are storage units that include one or more storage drive bays. They connect to computer networks and provide access to a related group of clients. They are basically computers unto themselves, with hard drives, processors, and operating systems, and their main function is data storage. These devices are compact and capable of handling files of all sizes. They are often used to store video, music, and other media files.

A NAS device is equipped with built-in security features to help safeguard your sensitive data against cyber attacks. Additionally, NAS devices can be used in a home or office and allow you to access files over an internet connection. Some NAS devices even offer mobile apps that ensure you can access your files on a smartphone or tablet, too.

Be aware that a NAS device should not be considered a one-stop storage solution. Like any storage device, NAS devices can fail or become disabled, or be destroyed, by fire, flooding, or a power surge. 

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The forerunner to today’s NAS devices was developed in the early 1980s in Newcastle, England.

Key considerations

If you are getting a NAS device, it’s because you need storage space to house your most important files. For some, that means work files such as documents, spreadsheets, and data sets. Others are hoping to house their most precious family memories in the form of photos and videos. Regardless of your individual use of a NAS device, you want to be sure to get the right one. Consider these factors when researching the best NAS device for you, and you won’t go wrong.

Storage capacity

This will be the most important consideration when choosing your NAS device. What good is a data storage unit if it can’t hold all of your files? Most NAS devices range from a few gigabytes of storage space, all the way up to a massive 40TB. Assess your storage needs before choosing your unit.

Speed

Any device that will store massive amounts of data will have variations in functioning speed. There are a lot of differences in NAS device designs and processing, so do your research on the MB-per-second specs of each unit, remembering that they usually have separate speeds for writing and reading.

Footprint

Consider where you will be keeping your NAS device. Dimensions of some of the most popular NAS devices range from the size of a wireless router to that of a small printer. If you have a limited workspace, look for something that will cause less of a challenge.

User capacity

One of the biggest advantages of a NAS device is that it can be set up for multiple users to access from remote locations. This allows a team of people to store data even when they are not located in the same office. Check the specifications of each NAS device if you have specific user-quantity requirements. Some of the higher-end units allow up to 40 users on a single NAS device.

Features

Because NAS devices have a relatively straightforward utilitarian design, there aren’t multitudes of differences between them. That being said, some have a few special features that make them stand out from the rest of the pack.

Included internal hard drives

Some NAS devices come with internal hard drives that fit into the device’s storage bays for expanded storage as well as backups. Others merely have the open storage bays and the drives must be acquired separately. If you plan to handle backups in this manner, consider getting a NAS device with up to four storage bays to house more internal hard drives.

Mobile app access

Many NAS devices allow access from any remote location where you have internet access. Some now have their own mobile apps, giving you the ability to access your files in an efficient manner directly from your smartphone.

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Did you know?
The first commercially available NAS software, Novell’s Netware server operating system and NCP protocol, was released in 1983.
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Automatic internal backup

This is an invaluable feature for those who want extra protection for their important data. Some NAS devices have a function that will run automatic data backups straight to a hard drive built into the NAS. Although it isn’t an absolute necessity, this feature is a nice addition that will give you extra confidence that your data is being protected on every level. However, as stated earlier, for even more peace of mind, it’s wise to back up the data on a NAS device to a separate remote location, such as a cloud server or external drive.

Online backup

As with any of your computers, automatic online backup is available for your NAS devices. These are generally subscription services that you pay for on a monthly or annual basis. The price is determined by the amount of data you will need to store. This backup feature is a must for anyone wanting to protect their valuable files housed on their NAS device.

"Microsoft didn’t enter the NAS development market until the mid to late eighties, well after other software and hardware companies had made their mark."
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Best NAS device prices

NAS devices in relative terms are not inexpensive. That being said, considering the important role they play in protecting your data, it’s well worth the cost. Furthermore, you still have a number of price options from which to choose, so shop around and decide which features you want to pay for and which you can do without.

Inexpensive: A dependable NAS device in the $100-$200 range is easy to find. The main differences between these units and those that cost more are storage capacity and processing speed. Many will find what they need in this price range, but if you’re looking for a NAS device with some more teeth, then move up in price.

Mid-range: Between $200 and $300, you will find an excellent assortment of high-capacity NAS devices with various levels of “extras.” Many NAS devices are priced at just under $300 in what appears to be fierce competition for consumer dollars. You can use this competition to your advantage and find an exceptional unit at a reasonable price.

Expensive: The NAS devices between $300 and $600 are the most powerful and high-capacity units available. Many of them will hold up to 40 terabytes of information, which is far more than most of us could ever produce. Most of these models will likely be used for business purposes.

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Did you know?
In 2009, NAS vendors began to introduce online backup solutions integrated into their NAS appliances, for online disaster recovery.
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Tips

  • Assess your remote needs. Some NAS devices are designed for people who need access to their files on the go. Others function more as a data holding cell, rarely accessed. Determine how you intend to use a NAS device before making a final decision.
  • Backup preference. Some people like to have backups stored on external hard drives to be housed in a separate location. Others feel safe having the backups saved internally on a drive within their NAS device. Research backup options on the NAS devices you’re choosing from and pick the one that’s best for your needs.
  • Measure first. Some NAS devices are bulkier than others and can take up a lot of space. If you have limited square footage for your electronics, make sure to measure the space you will be using and compare against the specs provided by the manufacturer. You wouldn’t want to get your NAS device home and realize you can’t accommodate its frame.
  • Internet reliability. Internet connections are never perfect. But make sure you’re NAS is connected to a network that doesn’t give you constant difficulty. The last thing you need is to be thousands of miles from your NAS device and have no access when you need it most.
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Personal multimedia data is the biggest reason behind an explosion of consumer-oriented NAS devices in recent years.

FAQ

Q. Is a NAS device the same as an external hard drive?

A. No. A NAS device is an internet-connected device that allows remote users to access data from other locations. An external hard drive simply stores information and may or may not have the ability for remote access.

Q. Is the price of NAS device directly related to storage space?

A. Generally, yes. Although this is not a hard and fast rule, you will usually need to spend more in order to get more storage.

Q. Is a NAS device easy to set up?

A. Yes. If you are generally adept at using electronic equipment, hooking up a NAS device is relatively straightforward. Once you’ve connected it, choosing the options for how you would like to utilize its functions will take a little more time.

Q. Will my NAS device be obsolete shortly after I get it?

A. As with any electronic and computing device, new technology is under constant development. Nevertheless, your NAS device should continue to offer you the storage you need for as long as you wish to use it.