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

If you're the proud owner of one of the best gaming PCs or laptops, you might be looking for a robust solution to back up or transfer the vast amount of data you have stored. Whether it's secured on a top SSD or spread across large external hard drives, nothing quite matches the versatility and convenience of a great NAS (network-attached storage) drive. Our top recommendation is the Synology DiskStation DS224+, a powerhouse in the world of NAS devices.

TL;DR – These are the Best NAS Devices:

Our Top Pick: Synology DiskStation DS224+

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UGREEN NASync DXP2800

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Synology DiskStation DS223j

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Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

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Synology DiskStation DS1821+

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QNAP TS-264-8G

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Synology DiskStation DS923+

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ioSafe Duo Pro

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The best NAS drives offer significant storage capacity and seamlessly integrate into your home network, allowing for quick data transfer to and from your devices. Whether it's smartphones, tablets, desktops, or laptops, you can connect them all to the same network and easily sync them up, making NAS ideal for managing digital media libraries. However, NAS drives can be a considerable investment, so choosing the right one for your needs is crucial. We've selected eight top NAS options to help you make an informed decision.

1. Synology DiskStation DS224+

Best NAS

Our Top Pick: Synology DiskStation DS224+

0The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an easy-to-use, high-speed NAS featuring two drive bays, two Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and upgradable 2GB RAM.

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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

If you're looking for a NAS that's both highly capable and straightforward, the Synology DiskStation DS224+ is your best bet. It offers two drive bays, allowing for up to 32TB of storage or a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy. With two Gigabit LAN ports, it supports higher speeds through Link Aggregation or network failover. While we wish it had a 2.5GB or 10GB LAN support for even quicker connections, the DS224+ still delivers impressive performance.

Synology's versatile apps and software make it easy to set up for storing security camera footage, serving as a Plex server, or keeping files and photos accessible. The Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM (which can be upgraded) ensure that you can transcode 4K media, manage files efficiently, and stream videos smoothly.

2. UGREEN NASync DXP2800

Best Budget NAS

UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0This NAS, featuring dual drive bays and a stylish design, offers quality hardware at a modest price, perfect for backing up your files.

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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 support

The UGreen NASync DXP2800 is a well-built NAS with a stylish design and quality hardware at a midrange price. It's powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and comes with 8GB of RAM, making it suitable for managing a high-quality video library and handling hardware transcoding.

UGreen's comprehensive OS simplifies setup and network configuration and includes security features like two-factor authentication. While Plex isn't natively supported, it's easy to install using Docker, and performance remains strong. The dual SATA drive bays support up to 24TB each, and the unique toolless system makes drive installation a breeze. Additionally, two M.2 slots accommodate NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, and a 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures speedy file transfers. Other connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A.

3. Synology DiskStation DS223j

Most Affordable NAS

Synology DiskStation DS223j

0This ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS is perfect for beginners.

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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

For those new to NAS or with simpler storage needs, the Synology DiskStation DS223j is an ideal choice. It comes with Synology's acclaimed DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, offering a wide range of applications to simplify storing and accessing your files across various devices.

While the build quality is mostly plastic and requires disassembly for drive installation, it's not a significant issue for most users. The DS223j supports up to 32TB of storage without M.2 slots for caching, and it lacks a multi-gig ethernet port. However, its simplicity, reliability, and affordability make it an excellent entry-level NAS.

4. Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals

Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

0This NAS, equipped with an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, and dual M.2 PCIe NVMe slots, is designed for those who need top performance.

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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

The Asustor Lockerstor AS6602T is perfect for power users and professionals. It features an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM, which can be upgraded to 8GB. The two drive bays support 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives, and you can opt for large 18TB hard drives or speedy SSDs. For even faster storage, it includes two additional M.2 PCIe NVMe slots.

With dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports and link aggregation, you can achieve up to 5Gb connectivity. The NAS is easy to set up for speedy backups, virtualization, or as a powerful media center. It also includes an HDMI 2.0 port and supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding for a superior 4K HDR experience.

5. Synology DiskStation DS1821+

Best Multi-Bay NAS

Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0For those needing extensive storage, this NAS offers eight drive bays with a total capacity of 128TB and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots.

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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

If you have a massive amount of data to store and access across multiple devices, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ is the solution. Priced over $1,000, it offers eight drive bays for 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, providing up to 128TB of capacity with hot-swappable drives. For even more storage, it supports expansion units up to 18 drive bays and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots for high-speed caching.

Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32GB), the DS1821+ ensures robust performance and future-proof expandability.

6. QNAP TS-264-8G

Best NAS for Media Streaming

QNAP TS-264-8G

0This NAS offers a central location for your media library with two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, a 4K HDMI output, dual drive bays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.

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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

The QNAP TS-264-8G is designed specifically for media streaming, offering a central location for your media library. With dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, it ensures sufficient throughput even when multiple users access large media files. You can set it up next to your TV, thanks to its 4K-capable HDMI output.

This NAS includes two 3.5-inch drive bays for ample storage and two additional PCIe Gen 3 slots for fast caching or network speeds. It's powered by an Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, ensuring smooth 4K video streams with hardware transcoding.

7. Synology DiskStation DS923+

Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations

Synology DiskStation DS923+

0This NAS offers four drive bays for ample storage and the ability to run multiple RAID configurations for enhanced data security.

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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

The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is perfect for those who prioritize data backup and security. With four drive bays, you can load it with storage and run it in redundancy using various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, and JBOD.

The DS923+ supports 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives and includes two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for fast caching. It features two 1Gb ethernet ports with Link Aggregation or Failover support, and the option to add 10Gb connectivity. The dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, along with the user-friendly DSM operating system, make setup and operation a breeze.

8. ioSafe Duo Pro

Best Rugged NAS

ioSafe Duo Pro

0Though not technically a NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro drive offers fire and water resistance while providing RAID configurations for added data protection.

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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

The ioSafe Duo Pro is designed to keep your data safe from fire and water, boasting an IP68 rating for submersion protection up to 10 feet for 72 hours. It offers various RAID configurations and robust, long-lasting drive bays, ensuring your data is protected from the start.

Although not designed as a traditional NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro can be shared on your home network through an always-on computer or connected directly to your router via USB. ioSafe also provides data recovery services for added peace of mind.

What to Look for in NAS

NAS devices are not essential for everyone, but they can solve specific networking challenges. If you and your family share the same network, a NAS allows you to share files from a central unit. Additionally, if you don't want to back up multiple computers individually, a NAS can centralize this process.

What are you using it for?

If you need to access the same tools or files across multiple devices, a NAS can be invaluable. It's not just about storage; it's about seamless access. If you have a large media library that you want to access from various devices, turning your NAS into a Plex server can provide everyone in your 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 always check the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal performance.

Bays are where the disk drives are housed, and the more bays a NAS has, the greater its potential capacity. For general use, two or more bays are recommended, while multimedia systems often require more.