Top NAS Picks for 2025: Store Games, Movies, and More

If you're equipped with one of the best gaming PCs or laptops, ensuring the safety and easy transfer of all your precious data is crucial. Whether you're using a top SSD or have large external hard drives, nothing beats the convenience and reliability of a great NAS (network-attached storage) drive. Our top recommendation is the Synology DiskStation DS224+.

TL;DR – These are the Best NAS Devices:

Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+

0See it at Amazon### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0See it at Amazon### Synology DiskStation DS223j

0See it at Amazon### 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+

0See it at Amazon### ioSafe Duo Pro

0See it at ioSafe

The best NAS drives offer significant storage capacity and seamlessly integrate into your home network, allowing quick data transfers to and from all your devices. Smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops can connect to the same network simultaneously, and syncing them is a breeze, making NAS ideal for managing digital media libraries. However, NAS devices can be expensive, so choosing wisely is essential. We've narrowed down your options to eight excellent choices suitable for various needs.

1. Synology DiskStation DS224+

Best NAS

Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+

0The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an easy-to-use, blazing fast NAS with two drive bays, two Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB of upgradable RAM. It's perfect for those who want a capable yet straightforward NAS without dealing with complex software or settling for simple hardware. You can expand storage up to 32TB, depending on the drives you choose, or set up a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy. While it lacks a multi-gig LAN port, its two Gigabit LAN ports support Link Aggregation and network failover, ensuring high-speed connectivity.

Synology's versatile apps and software run on an intuitive interface, allowing you to use it for storing security camera footage, as a Plex server, or for keeping your files and photos safe and accessible. With its powerful Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM (upgradable), it handles 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

2. UGREEN NASync DXP2800

Best Budget NAS

### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 offers quality hardware, a stylish design, and a competitive price. It comes with dual drive bays and is ready to back up all your files. Powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, it's perfect for managing a high-quality video library and performing hardware transcoding smoothly.

UGREEN provides a comprehensive OS for easy setup and network configuration, along with enhanced security features like two-factor authentication. Setting up backups and a personal cloud server for remote access is straightforward. While Plex isn't native, it's easily installable via Docker, and the performance remains excellent.

Each of the dual SATA drive bays supports up to 24TB, offering ample room for media or redundancy through RAID configurations. UGREEN's unique toolless system simplifies drive installation, and two M.2 slots support NVMe SSDs up to 8TB for additional fast storage. A 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures speedy SATA file transfers, and other 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

3. Synology DiskStation DS223j

Most Affordable NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS223j

0The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS perfect for beginners and those with simpler storage needs. It runs on Synology’s renowned DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, which offers comprehensive applications for seamless storage and access across devices.

While the build quality is mostly plastic and requires a screwdriver for drive installation, the DS223j remains reliable and easy to use. It supports up to 32TB of storage but lacks M.2 slots and a multi-gig ethernet port. Despite these limitations, its simplicity, reliability, and affordability make it an excellent choice for basic NAS needs.

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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

4. 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. It includes two drive bays supporting 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives and two additional M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for enhanced performance.

With dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports that support link aggregation for up to 5Gb connectivity, setting up speedy backups, virtualization, or a robust media center is simple. The NAS also features an HDMI 2.0 port and supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding, ensuring a high-quality 4K HDR experience.

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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

5. Synology DiskStation DS1821+

Best Multi-Bay NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0For those requiring extensive storage, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ offers eight drive bays with a total capacity of 128TB and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots. It's priced over $1,000 but provides future-proof expandability.

The DS1821+ supports hot-swappable drives and can expand to 18 drive bays with additional units. Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory (upgradable to 32GB), it's well-equipped for demanding tasks.

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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

6. QNAP TS-264-8G

Best NAS for Media Streaming

### QNAP TS-264-8G

0The QNAP TS-264-8G is tailored for media streaming, offering a central location for your media library. It features two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, a 4K HDMI output, dual drive bays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. The compact design and powerful hardware ensure smooth 4K video streaming with hardware transcoding.

While the software may be more challenging to master, the NAS provides ample storage and fast caching options with two additional PCIe Gen 3 slots. An Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory keep everything running smoothly.

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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

7. Synology DiskStation DS923+

Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations

### SynologyDiskStation DS923+

0The Synology DiskStation DS923+ offers enhanced data security with four drive bays and multiple RAID configurations. It supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, and JBOD, allowing you to choose the best setup for your needs.

The NAS includes two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for fast caching, and two 1Gb ethernet ports support Link Aggregation or Failover. An option for 10Gb connectivity is available. Powered by a dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, it runs on the user-friendly DSM operating system.

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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

8. ioSafe Duo Pro

Best Rugged NAS

### ioSafe Duo Pro

0Though not technically a NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro drive offers unparalleled protection against fire and water, with an IP68 rating ensuring resistance to submersion in water up to 10 feet for 72 hours. It also provides various RAID configurations for added data protection and includes robust, long-lasting drive bays.

While the ioSafe Duo Pro is primarily a direct-attach storage device, it can be set up for network storage by sharing it through an always-on computer or attaching it directly to your router via USB. ioSafe even offers data recovery services for customers.

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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

Not everyone needs NAS, but it can solve certain networking challenges. If you and your family or housemates share the same network, a NAS device allows you to share files from a central unit, simplifying backups across multiple devices.

What are you using it for?

If you're in a situation where multiple devices need access to the same files or tools, a NAS device is worth considering. It's not just about storing data but also about accessing it efficiently. Additionally, if you have a large media library, turning your NAS into a Plex server can provide everyone at home with quick access to movies, TV shows, and music.

Go diskless? How many bays?

Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring you to purchase them separately. If you already own compatible drives, this isn't an issue, but be sure to check manufacturer recommendations for optimal performance.

The number of bays determines the NAS's potential capacity. Two or more bays are generally recommended, with multimedia systems often requiring more.