NAS drives (Community Hooked up Storage) proceed to be a helpful, or usually important, piece of tech for a lot of customers at house or within the workplace. And for those who’re on the lookout for a brand new one then you definitely’ve come to the suitable place as we now have one of the best NAS drive you should purchase for private cloud storage and extra.
NAS drives can be utilized to again up and retailer information similar to music, paperwork, video however much more. You’ll be able to set up apps on them in order that they do issues like run your property safety cameras, obtain information routinely and even host a web site.
Synology is well-known for making a number of the finest NAS drives, however there are many nice alternate options which might be usually cheaper from the likes of QNAP, TerraMaster, Western Digital and others. Sadly, the competitors isn’t so robust as of late with nothing new from the likes of Drobo, Netgear, Seagate or Buffalo.
We’ve reviewed and ranked them right here so these are one of the best NAS drives for Plex at house, again up within the workplace and plenty of extra makes use of. Want a extra conventional drive? Verify our chart of one of the best SSDs and finest transportable exhausting drives and SSDs.
Finest NAS drives 2024
1. Synology DiskStation DS223j – Finest Total
{Hardware} is one factor however software program is essential as of late and you continue to can’t beat Synology on that entrance on the planet of NAS drives.
The DS223j comes with DSM 7.2 which comes with a plethora of fantastic options and is solely higher than the competitors in nearly each manner.
There’s not a lot of an improve in comparison with older fashions however that doesn’t matter an excessive amount of when the higher CPU and extra RAM make for clean efficiency working a number of apps.
Whereas the DS223j might be an apparent selection for a lot of customers, there’s one sticking level and that’s the limitation of 1GbE connectivity. Synology is being cussed on this level so if you wish to benefit from 2.5GbE or higher, maybe for dumping massive video information faster, then look to inexpensive rivals from the likes of Asustor and TerraMaster.
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Synology DiskStation DS223j overview
2. Asustor Nimbustor 2 Gen2 (AS5202T) – Finest Synology Different
Execs
- 4 NVMe drive slots
- Twin 2.5GbE LAN port
- Expandable RAM
- SMB Multichannel
Cons
- Wants two M.2 drives for learn/write caching
- No M.2 2230 help
- Sub-par software program
The AS5402T mannequin quantity is barely complicated for this Gen2 because the {hardware} overhaul warrants a brand new title, however the Nimbustor 2 Gen2 is a wonderful NAS drive nonetheless.
It’s on the costly facet of issues after a value rise however could also be a worthwhile funding, particularly contemplating how Asustor has has baked flexibility into this design which means it will probably simply be repurposed down the road.
The {hardware} on provide right here is recreation altering with a a lot improved Intel processor, considerably extra bandwidth with eight PCIe 3.0 lanes and at least USB-C 3.2 Gen 2. And there’s nonetheless twin 2.5GbE LAN ports and the HDMI 2.0b output.
What’s a disgrace is the software program doesn’t match up with revamps wanted in numerous methods, which means rivals may nonetheless be a better option for those who don’t want the most recent and best specs.
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Asustor Nimbustor 2 Gen2 (AS5402T) overview
Execs
- Highly effective platform
- Twin 2.5GbE LAN
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Silent operation
Cons
- Zero upgrades
- No M.2 slot for caching
- Distant management not included
It’s pretty expensive but when the HS-264 suits the invoice then it might nicely be definitely worth the funding.
This NAS appears to be like extra like a set-top field and fittingly so because it’s designed as a multimedia centre in your house. It’ll look completely at house in your TV unit and match much better than a conventional NAS.
It runs silently, outputs 4K by way of HDMI and has spectacular specs together with a robust platform. The dearth of an included distant management would be the fundamental draw back for many customers.
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QNAP HS-264 overview
4. Synology DiskStation DS723+ – Most Highly effective 2-bay NAS
Execs
- Highly effective NAS
- Compact design
- PCIe slot for 10GbE card
- 2 slots for NVMe SSDs
Cons
- Costly
- 10GbE card prices additional
Value When Reviewed:
514,99 €
Energy customers on the lookout for a 2-bay NAS ought to undoubtedly think about the DS723+.
There’s a robust AMD Ryzen processor to maintain issues transferring alongside properly in addition to a hefty 2GB of RAM. Moreover, there are two slots for NVMe SSDs so that you’re not restricted to conventional exhausting drives or SSDs.
Just like the DS223j, you get the unrivalled usability and options of Synology’s DSM 7.2 software program which is an enormous lure.
Nevertheless, as spectacular because the DS723+ is, the machine is pretty costly. And you’ll need to purchase the elective card to improve to 10GbE connectivity for those who don’t need to be caught with primary 1GbE speeds.
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Synology DiskStation DS723+ overview
5. Asustor Drivestor 2 Professional AS3302T – Finest NAS for two.5GbE LAN
Execs
- 2.5GbE LAN port
- Loads of apps
- Highly effective energy
Cons
- Cannot improve RAM
- Cannot use SSDs as cache
The Asustor Drivestor 2 Professional AS3302T was designed for these house and small enterprise customers which might be embracing higher than 1Gbit LANs.
It isn’t an affordable NAS however gives enhanced LAN efficiency for these utilizing 2.5GbE and the most recent ADM 4.0 working system is a pleasant improve providing a responsive interface and loads of performance.
Asustor and third-party purposes can be found for a variety of makes use of, however be certain that these embrace the performance you want in your deployment.
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Asustor Drivestor 2 Professional AS3302T overview
6. TerraMaster F2-212 – Versatile and Inexpensive NAS
Execs
- New styling
- Quad-core CPU
- Will be upgraded to 2.5GbE LAN
- Helps SSD caching
Cons
- No reminiscence upgrades
- Just one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port
- Drive trays don’t lock
The TerraMaster F2-212 has a tough process within the NAS market becuase the very equally specced Synology DS223j is just a bit bit costlier, making it a tempting selection with Synology’s notorious software program and a preferable USB format.
Nevertheless, there’s tons to love concerning the F2 so it’s not a no brainer. For starters, it may be upgraded to 2.5GbE LAN by the use of an adapter whereas the DS223j is restricted to Gigabit Ethernet. Transferring information at twice the velocity could swing it for a lot of customers.
The velocity additionally means utilizing an SSD to cache a big exhausting drive is a worthwhile choice. With help for as much as 44TB complete storage, it is a nice worth choice for a lot of, we simply want the trays locked and there was multiple USB 3.2 Gen 1 port.
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TerraMaster F2-212 overview
7. QNAP TS-251B – Finest Worth NAS for HDMI
Execs
- Compact
- HDMI output
- Versatile
The QNAP TS-251B is a good selection for a NAS drive for those who’re not on the lookout for one of many least expensive fashions round. It does the job on the design and construct entrance, however extra importantly, gives a wonderful vary of specs and options.
QNAP is perhaps a bit behind Synology on the app entrance, however the choice remains to be respectable and we’re more and more impressed with the person interface.
Mixed with a robust processor and HDMI output, this can be utilized like a tiny PC. It’s an important media participant and you’ll even run workplace software program on it for those who like.
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QNAP TS-251B overview
8. TerraMaster F5-422 – Finest 5-bay NAS
Execs
- Highly effective
- 10GbE LAN
- Upgradeable to 12GB RAM
- 5 Bays
Cons
- Lacks USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
- No PCIe slot
- Difficult RAM improve
TerraMaster continues to supply glorious worth for cash within the NAS drive market with enticing alternate options for many who can’t afford Synology or QNAP fashions.
Whereas the F5-422 may simply look like a 5-bay model of the F4 for more cash, there’s so much that may be carried out with an additional drive. It doesn’t have a PCIe slot or USB 3.2 Gen 2 however you may cleverly use it as an area storage machine in addition to a community useful resource.
With 10GbE LAN, loads of processing energy and the flexibility to improve the RAM to 12GB for those who like all add to the allure. The TOS 4.2 OS has acquired so much higher over time, too.
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TerraMaster F5-422 NAS overview
9. Asustor Lockerstore 2 Gen 2 AS6702T – Characteristic-packed 2-bay NAS
Execs
- Higher CPU
- 4 NVMe slots for storage or cache
- HMDI 2.0 output
- USB 3.2 Gen 2
Cons
- Full set up requires disassembly
- A bit of costly
That Asustor has extra enthusiastically embraced 2.5GbE networking, and NVMe storage on this design than Synology has in its merchandise speaks volumes about its ambitions on this sector.
There’s a delicate stability between the elements right here that demonstrates that these designing these machines use them commonly and perceive the place the efficiency pinch factors exist. It’s excellent in case you have one or two very massive drives mixed with the speedy USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
There are additionally loads of versatile NVMe slots, HDMI, 2.5GbE ports and extra making it an important NAS for a spread of conditions. It’s just a bit costly and troublesome to dismantle however you’ll probably solely do that when.
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Asustor Lockerstore 2 Gen 2 AS6702T overview
10. WD My Cloud Residence – Finest Type
Execs
- Compact & trendy
- DLNA help
- Storage built-in
Value When Reviewed:
Dès 150,99 €
The design and styling of the {hardware} within the My Cloud House is top-notch, with all its points mendacity within the software program elements supplied for it.
The underlying platform is a strong one for which WD {hardware} engineers needs to be proud, and the software program group wants to raised help.
The My Cloud Residence can present DLNA storage to entry with a wise TV or a private cloud answer, however people who need extra ought to think about Synology, QNAP or the higher-end WD My Cloud merchandise.
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WD My Cloud Residence overview
How to decide on a NAS drive
NAS stands for Community Hooked up Storage. Put merely, it’s an enormous exhausting drive that connects to your router so that you don’t have to plug straight into it to entry the storage.
They make it straightforward to entry your music, motion pictures, photographs and paperwork wherever always. One of the well-liked causes to purchase a NAS drive is for media playback. Your private video library could be seen in your TV, with out having to
join a laptop computer. A bit like having your personal Netflix.
Equally, you should use an app in your telephone to regulate music playback, very similar to your personal private Spotify. A NAS drive will use a lot much less energy than a daily PC, too. For ease of setup and ease of use, a devoted NAS drive is difficult to beat.
FAQ
What exhausting disk do I would like for a NAS?
One of many first choices to make is capability. Attempt to work out how a lot storage you want proper now, and what you’ll require 5 years from now. Many NAS drives include no disks in any respect – these are often known as diskless or naked drives.
The benefit is you can select the drives you need and simply improve them afterward.
Now you can get disks as much as 12TB in measurement, and you’ll count on to pay round $250/£300 for one. A 4TB drive particularly for NAS use will set you again about $100/£100. NAS drives often value barely greater than regular PC exhausting drives, however it’s value spending the additional as a result of they’re designed to run consistently and have a tendency to have a greater guarantee.
Onerous disks designed for NAS use embrace safer development offering extra resistance to vibration, which makes a variety of sense for a drive that’s designed to be on the entire time. In addition they provide energy administration to allow them to modify efficiency primarily based on their temperature.
A well-liked selection is the WD Pink vary. You should buy the 6TB model for round $100/£150 from Amazon. It’s higher to purchase two disks and configure them in a RAID (see under), relatively than depend on only one disk.
Can I take advantage of an SSD in a NAS?
Though it’s widespread to make use of a conventional exhausting drive inside a NAS field, you should use SSDs (strong state drive) in some. You may even be capable of use a PCIe NVMe SSD as a cache to enhance efficiency.
Nevertheless, it is best to select an SSD designed to be used in a NAS drive such because the Seagate IronWolf or Western Digital Red SA500. Due to issues like DuraWrite expertise, they’re purpose-built for steady use, which is essential inside a NAS.
The draw back of selecting SSDs is the restricted capability as they usually max out at 4TB. The opposite downside is the a lot greater value.
What’s a RAID?
RAID stands for redundant array of cheap disks. RAID could be fairly advanced however at a primary degree, you’ll need to use it primarily to supply redundancy so if a disk fails your knowledge remains to be protected. Three of the most well-liked variants are RAID 1, 5 and 6.
Most NAS drives will provide no less than two bays, which suggests you can set them up as RAID 1. On this state of affairs, the second drive is a mirror of the primary, so if one drive fails utterly all of your knowledge is protected on the opposite. You’ll be able to then substitute the defective disk, and rebuild the RAID array.
RAID 5 requires no less than three drives and gives parity knowledge. Meaning a RAID 5 array can stand up to a single drive failure with out dropping knowledge or entry to knowledge. As knowledge is ‘striped’ throughout three drives, reads are quick, however on the expense of slower writes due to having to additionally write the parity knowledge.
RAID 6 in the meantime requires 4 drives however gives each striped and twin parity, so two drives might fail and the RAID might nonetheless get better.
Whichever you select nevertheless, don’t think about your NAS to be the one backup of your knowledge. If the field simply dies, or if one thing catastrophic occurs like a hearth, you’ll nonetheless lose all of your knowledge. To mitigate this you’ll need one other exterior backup, ideally to the cloud.
Do NAS drives have apps?
After storage, the following fundamental concern is software program and options. We desire NASes which have an app retailer the place you may obtain well-liked apps similar to Plex as a substitute of forcing you to make use of the producer’s personal media software program.
Some NAS drives additionally provide apps for Android and iOS, which make it so much simpler to get to your photographs, movies and music out of your telephone or pill.
Our opinions clarify precisely which apps you get with every NAS.
Can I distant entry my NAS?
You’ll most likely want distant entry to the information in your NAS once you’re not at house.
Beforehand this required signing as much as a third-party DNS service, however as of late with most NAS drives you may simply join an account with the producer as you arrange the drive. Log into the account and so they’ll deal with the connectivity to your field at house utilizing their very own servers.
How highly effective does your NAS’s processor have to be?
The devoted OSes that NAS drives run are light-weight, however a quicker processor and extra RAM will allow options similar to transcoding.
Because of this any media information could be transformed on the fly right into a format that’s playable by your TV or set-top field, so that you don’t must fear if it will probably’t play the file because it exists in your NAS.
It may also be helpful in case your movies are a better decision than your TV can deal with, so look out for the flexibility to transcode 4K to Full HD in real-time.
What ports do I would like on a NAS?
Don’t overlook connectivity. In case your precedence is to make use of your NAS as a house video server, it is perhaps value selecting one with an HDMI output so you may join it on to your TV as a substitute of requiring the video to be streamed throughout your community.
And in case your TV can’t play video from a community supply you’ll want a separate media streamer.
For one of the best efficiency, go for a mannequin with Gigabit Ethernet, which is 10x as fast as 10/100 Ethernet. Look out for front-mounted USB ports and SD slots too. And on the USB entrance search for 3.2 Gen 2 which may deal with as much as 10Gbps.