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

If you own one of the best gaming PCs or laptops, you might be looking for a reliable way to back up or transfer your valuable data. While your system may be equipped with a top SSD or you might have large external hard drives filled with essential files and photos, nothing beats the convenience and power of a great NAS (network-attached storage) drive. Our top recommendation, the Synology DiskStation DS224+, offers unparalleled performance and versatility.

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 ioSafeThe best NAS drives provide significant storage capacity and seamlessly integrate with your home network, enabling quick data transfers across your devices. Whether you're using smartphones, tablets, desktops, or laptops, NAS devices allow simultaneous connections and easy synchronization, making them perfect for managing digital media libraries. However, given their cost, it's essential to choose wisely. We've selected eight top options tailored to various needs.

1. Synology DiskStation DS224+

Best NAS

Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+

0This easy-to-use, high-speed NAS features two drive bays, two Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB of upgradable RAM. It's perfect for users who want to avoid complex software and prefer straightforward hardware. With the DS224+, you can expand your storage up to 32TB or set up a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy. Its dual Gigabit LAN ports support Link Aggregation for enhanced speeds or network failover. While it lacks multi-gig LAN support, its performance remains top-notch, thanks to the Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and upgradable DDR4 RAM. Synology's user-friendly apps and software make it ideal for storing security camera footage, running a Plex server, or safely storing and accessing files and photos. It's also capable of smooth 4K media transcoding and video streaming.

See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsConnectionEthernet, USB 3.2RAID LevelSHR, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1Storage2 x 3.5"/2.5" baysSize9.02" x 9.13" x 6.5"PROSEasy-to-use interfaceFast quad-core processorCONSNo multi-gig LAN port

2. UGreen NASync DXP2800

Best Budget NAS

### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0With quality hardware and a stylish design at a midrange price, this NAS offers dual drive bays for ample storage. It's powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, making it well-suited for high-quality video libraries and hardware transcoding. UGreen's comprehensive OS ensures a simple setup and network configuration, with added security features like two-factor authentication. While Plex isn't native, it's easy to install via Docker, ensuring robust performance. The dual SATA drive bays support up to 24TB each, and the toolless installation system makes adding drives effortless. Additionally, two M.2 slots support NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, and a 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures fast file transfers. Other connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A.

See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsConnectionEthernet, USB, HDMIRAID Level JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, BasicStorage2 x 2.5"/3.5" bays, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slotsSizeNot listedPROSComprehensive OS and appsMulti-gig ethernetCONSNo native Plex

3. Synology DiskStation DS223j

Most Affordable NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS223j

0This ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS is perfect for beginners and those with basic storage needs. It runs on Synology's acclaimed DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, offering comprehensive applications for seamless file storage and access across devices. While its build quality is primarily plastic and requires a screwdriver for drive installation, its reliability and ease of use are unmatched. It supports up to 32TB without M.2 slots and lacks a multi-gig ethernet port, but it excels in simplicity and affordability.

See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsConnectionEthernet, USBRAID LevelBasic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, SHRStorage2 x 3.5" baysSize6.5" x 3.94" x 8.9"PROSReliable hardwareEasy to useCONSLacks multi-gig ethernet port

4. Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals

### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

0Ideal for power users, this NAS features an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, and dual drive bays supporting 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives. It also includes two M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for enhanced performance. The AS6602T supports dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports with link aggregation for 5Gb connectivity, making it perfect for speedy backups, virtualization, and media centers. Its HDMI 2.0 port and 10-bit 4K hardware decoding deliver an impressive 4K HDR experience.

See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsConnectionEthernet, USB 3.0, HDMIRAID LevelJBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1Storage2 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slotsSize9.06" x 4.25" x 6.44"PROSDual M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for additional storageSupports 10-bit 4K hardware decodingCONSDrive installation is more involved

5. Synology DiskStation DS1821+

Best Multi-Bay NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0For those requiring extensive storage, this NAS offers eight drive bays with a total capacity of 128TB and M.2 2280 NVMe slots. Priced over $1,000, it's a future-proof solution with expandability options up to 18 drive bays. The hot-swappable drives and quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU with 4GB of upgradable DDR4 ECC memory ensure robust performance, though it can be noisy.

See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsConnectionEthernet, USB 3.2RAID LevelJBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR)Storage8 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slotsSize18.2" x 14.4" x 12.5"PROSWild 128TB capacityHot-swappable drivesCONSCan get noisy

6. QNAP TS-264-8G

Best NAS for Media Streaming

### QNAP TS-264-8G

0This NAS is designed for streaming, featuring dual 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, a 4K HDMI output, and dual drive bays with multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. Its compact design and powerful Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor with 8GB of DDR4 memory ensure smooth 4K video streaming and hardware transcoding. Although the software can be challenging to master, the hardware performance is impressive.

See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsConnectionEthernet, USB 3.2, HDMIRAID LevelRAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, JBODStorage2 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe slotsSize8.1" x 6.6" x 4.1"PROSCompact designImpressive hardwareCONSSoftware is harder to master

7. Synology DiskStation DS923+

Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations

### SynologyDiskStation DS923+

0This NAS offers enhanced data security with four drive bays and various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, SHR, Basic, and JBOD. It supports 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, with two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for fast caching. Despite lacking multi-gig LAN, the dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, combined with the user-friendly DSM operating system, ensure high performance.

See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsConnectionEthernet, USB 3.2, eSATARAID LevelRAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, JBODStorage4 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe slotsSize6.5" x 7.8" x 8.7" PROSOffers various RAID levelsExpandable storage and RAMCONSNo multi-gig LAN port

8. ioSafe Duo Pro

Best Rugged NAS

### ioSafe Duo Pro

0While not technically a NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro drive offers robust data protection against fire and water, with an IP68 rating for submersion up to 10 feet for 72 hours. It supports various RAID configurations and features durable drive bays. However, to use it as a NAS, you'll need to connect it to your home network via an always-on computer or directly to your router with USB. ioSafe also provides data recovery services.

See it at ioSafeProduct SpecificationsConnectionUSB 3.2RAID LevelRAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, SPANStorage2 x 3.5"/2.5" baysSize11.50" x 5.91" x 9.06"PROSFireproof and water-resistantOffers two robust, long-lasting drive baysCONSNot designed to be a NAS

What to Look for in NAS

NAS devices can solve many networking issues, especially if multiple devices share your network. They allow centralized file sharing and unified backups, making them invaluable for homes with multiple users. If you need to access the same tools or files across various devices, a NAS can be a game-changer.

What are you using it for?

Consider a NAS if you need to share files across multiple devices or want to access a large media library from different screens. Setting up a NAS as a Plex server can provide everyone in your home with easy 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 have compatible drives, this isn't a problem, but always check the manufacturer's recommendations. The number of bays determines the potential storage capacity; two or more bays are typically recommended, with multimedia systems often requiring more.