Best Products > Computer Components 46 46 people found this article helpful The 8 Best NAS (Network Attached Storage) of 2023 Look for features like additional drive bays, media streaming capabilities, and encryption By Andy Zahn Andy Zahn Writer Lower Columbia College Andy Zahn is a writer specializing in tech. He's reviewed cameras, weather stations, noise-cancelling headphones, and more for Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 1, 2023 Fact checked by Yoona Wagener Fact checked by Yoona Wagener Bowling Green State University Yoona Wagener is a tech editor and writer. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tweet Share Email Computer Components Storage Monitors Keyboards Mice Cards CPU USB/USB-C Laptop Bags & Backpacks Printers NAS devices are typically more expensive and complex storage solutions than a simple external hard drive, but they allow you to access your files anywhere. They have extra data security features to keep your files safe, and many are also highly expandable, upgradeable, and capable of holding vast files and media. Whether you're looking for a simple network-attached storage solution for storing movies and music or a business-ready data vault with several dozen terabytes of space, here are the best NAS devices on the market. The Rundown Best Overall: Western Digital My Cloud EX2 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Buffalo LinkStation 210 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Storage: Synology DiskStation DS918+ at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Home: Western Digital My Cloud EX4100 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Fireproof: IoSafe 218 NAS at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: IoSafe 1517 NAS at B&H Photo Video Jump to Review Best for Streaming: QNAP TS-251D at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Speed: Asustor Lockerstor 2 at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Best Overall Western Digital My Cloud EX2 5 Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like 8 to 36TB storage options Great value Easy to set up What We Don't Like Not expandable or upgradeable The Western Digital My Cloud EX2 is far from the most advanced NAS, the fastest, or the most versatile, but it wins its place as the best overall for most people because it’s affordable and hassle-free. The My Cloud Ex2 is plug-and-play and comes with 8TB of storage capacity, which is plenty for home use. It also comes with a built-in Plex Media Server, a digital media player that makes it easy to stream your favorite media to all your devices. Other handy features include efficiently scheduling backups from multiple devices and sharing files with others by creating private links. Unusually for a device that’s just about as easy to set up as an ordinary external hard drive, it also comes with advanced security features. This is the best NAS for the average person who wants a straightforward device. Processor: Marvell ARMADA 1.3 GHz | Storage Capacity: 8TB (included) to 36TB | Compatibility: Windows, macOS | Ports: Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0 Best Budget Buffalo LinkStation 210 NAS Server View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Dell What We Like Low cost Storage included Relatively small and portable Easy setup process What We Don't Like Not a lot of storage Slow USB 2.0 port If you're on a tight budget and don't need to store much data, the Buffalo LinkStation 210 is a great option. By NAS standards, the LinkStation 210 is an absolute bargain; it's almost in the price range of traditional hard disk drives (HDD) that you find in many computers. However, Buffalo limited this device to just 2TB to 4TB storage capacity, which isn't much for a NAS. Secondly, it only features a single, outdated USB port, though the Gigabit Ethernet port is vital here. The LinkStation 210 is a NAS for people who only need a small quantity of remotely accessible storage for backup, file sharing, and streaming. You can set it up with a smartphone or tablet, and it's perfect for first-time NAS users. Processor: Unknown | Storage Capacity: 2TB (included) to 4TB ︱Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Ports: USB 2.0, RJ45 Best Storage Synology DiskStation DS918+ Synology View On Amazon What We Like Can store up to 48TB of data High-performance components Pro-level features What We Don't Like Steep price tag If you need to store massive data, the Synology DiskStation DS918+ is the NAS for you. This hulking NAS device offers nine drive bays, which, when filled with high-capacity drives, can offer up to 48TB of storage capacity. Though the DS918+ is quite expensive, you get your money's worth with the potential storage capacity. It starts with 8TB of hard drive storage and two 128GB M.2 SSDs for 256GB of storage. You also get 8GB of RAM, which you can expand for faster operation. On top of a powerful processor, this flexibility makes the DS918+ an impressive NAS device. Processor: Quad-core | Storage Capacity: 8TB (included) to 48TB︱Compatibility: Windows 7 and 10, macOS 10.11+ | Ports: 2x USB 3.0, 2x RJ45, eSATA Best for Home Western Digital My Cloud EX4100 Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Easy to use 8TB of included storage Plenty of room to expand What We Don't Like Expensive The Western Digital My Cloud EX4100 is much like our top pick: It’s easy to use and includes 8TB of storage, but the EX4100 is available in models that run up to 24TB if you need that extra capacity. The EX4100 features a more powerful processor than the EX2 and extra RAM for increased performance. It also offers a more secure platform for storing irreplaceable photos and files. If you’re interested in setting up a Plex Media Server for streaming at home, this is an ideal device. Overall, this NAS device is a data hub that your whole family can easily access, no matter where they are. Processor: Marvell ARMADA 388 1.6GHz | Storage Capacity: 8TB (included) to 24TB︱Compatibility: Windows, macOS | Ports: 3x USB 3.0, 2x RJ45 Best Fireproof IoSafe 218 2-Bay NAS Array View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video View On Iosafe.com What We Like Can survive fires and floods Theft and tamper protection Hard drives are included What We Don't Like Low capacity for the cost If you fear the unthinkable event of a fire and losing precious photos or replaceable or sensitive data stored on computers or external drives, the IoSafe 218 2-Bay NAS eases those fears. The design is fireproof, up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. It's also submersible up to 10 feet underwater for 72 hours. That kind of serious protection comes at a high cost, however. While this NAS only holds an included 8TB of total capacity, it'll set you back a pretty penny. However, keep in mind that you're getting a highly sophisticated NAS system with features just as robust as its physical durability for that price. Processor: Realtek RTD1296 Quad Core 1.4GHz | Storage Capacity: 8TB (included) to 24TB︱Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Ubuntu | Ports: 2x USB Type-A, USB Type-A Best Splurge IoSafe 1517 5-Bay NAS Array B&H Photo View On B&H Photo Video What We Like 40TB of included storage Waterproof and fireproof Theft and tamper protection What We Don't Like Extremely expensive The IoSafe 1517 40TB 5-Bay NAS Array is almost identical to the IoSafe 218, except it stores five times more than its smaller counterpart at only a bit more than twice the price. With that said, for 40TB of storage capacity, the IoSafe 1517 requires an investment. However, if ensuring the safety of your data is essential to your business, or if you have deep pockets and want to purchase some peace of mind, then the IoSafe 1517 has room for everything you might need to store somewhere safe and sound. Processor: Annapurna labs AI-314 | Storage Capacity: 40TB︱Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Ubuntu | Ports: 2x USB Type-A, 2x eSATA Best for Streaming QNAP TS-251D 2-Bay NAS Amazon View On Amazon View On Qnap.com What We Like Can connect directly to a TV via HDMI Plex integration AI photo management What We Don't Like Cheap design A bit pricey Drives not included One of the best uses for a NAS is as a streaming hub for various media, and the QNAP TS-251D-4G handles streaming easily. It has Plex integration and a built-in HDMI cable that you can plug into your TV and quickly access all your media on the big screen. This NAS also features a built-in AI-powered smart photo management that allows it to sort your photos using facial recognition, geotagging, and other metrics. The downside is that you must expect to pay a little more for the TS-251D-4G, and its design is flimsier than comparable NAS devices. You'll also have to purchase storage drives for the bays. However, this is the NAS for you if you're primarily interested in streaming content. Processor: Intel Celeron J4005 | Storage Capacity: Up to 32TB (not included)︱Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, UNIX | Ports: 3x USB 2.0, 2x USB Gen 3.2, RJ45, HDMI Best for Speed Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video What We Like High performance HDMI connectivity Robust app support What We Don't Like Expensive Though it’s a bit pricey, particularly considering that it doesn’t come with drives to fill its two drive bays, the Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T is the way to go if speed is a priority. In addition to a powerful processor and a decent supply of RAM, the Lockerstor 2 includes two M.2 NVMe SSD slots. If you take advantage of this SSD space, you could significantly increase the speed of the NAS. Additionally, you get two HDMI ports, making this a great NAS for streaming, and it also supports an impressive library of apps for expanded functionality. Processor: Intel Celeron J4125 | Storage Capacity: Up to 36TB (not included)︱Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, UNIX, BSD | Ports: 3x USB 3.0, 2x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI What to Look For in Network Attached Storage Additional Drive Bays Many NAS devices come with one or more additional drive bays. This setup is ideal, as it allows you to expand the storage capacity of the NAS over time and even swap out defective drives without losing data in some models. Media Streaming Capabilities Most NAS devices can stream media, but some are better at it than others. Some NAS devices even include an HDMI port and a remote, so you can plug right into a television without using a media center PC or streaming device as a go-between. Encryption NAS devices that include hardware-level encryption are much faster than devices that rely on software. Encryption, which puts password protection on your data, is crucial if you use your NAS to back up sensitive data you don’t want anyone to access. Even if you only access your NAS through your home network, encryption will protect you if someone steals the device. FAQ Do I need a NAS or an external hard drive? A NAS device is great if you need to store a lot of information and extra security for your data. NAS devices also help you access your information remotely. Not everyone needs those advantages. A simple and cheap external hard drive might be a more economical choice if you don’t need to back up many photos, store sensitive data, or have little interest in building your library of media content for streaming. How do I set up a NAS? Depending on whether your NAS comes with hard drives pre-installed or not, you may need to start by inserting hard drives into the NAS’s drive bays. Next, connect the power and local area network (LAN) cable from your router to the NAS, and power it on. Following this, you will likely follow guidance by the software included with your NAS to finish the rest of the installation process. It will involve locating, formatting, and other steps, depending on what you plan to do with your NAS. What is the speed of a NAS? NAS speed varies widely depending on many factors, but expect them to be significantly slower than a typical external hard drive. These are devices primarily useful for backing up and storing data long-term where speed isn’t a significant factor. SAN vs. NAS Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit