Top NAS Picks for 2025: Secure Your Games, Movies, and More

If you're the proud owner of one of the best gaming PCs or laptops, you know the importance of safely storing and transferring all your precious data. Whether it's backed up on a top SSD or spread across external hard drives, nothing beats the convenience and power of a Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive. Our top recommendation is the Synology DiskStation DS224+, a versatile and robust choice for any setup.

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### Synology DiskStation 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 transfer across all your devices. From smartphones to tablets, desktops, and laptops, NAS devices facilitate easy synchronization, making them perfect for managing digital media libraries. However, they come at a premium, so choosing the right one is crucial. We've narrowed down your options to eight excellent choices tailored to 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 solution. See it at Amazon

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

The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is ideal for those looking to avoid complex software and prefer straightforward hardware. With two drive bays, you can increase storage up to 32TB or use a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy. The dual Gigabit LAN ports support higher speeds with Link Aggregation or network failover, though a multi-gig LAN option would enhance connectivity further.

Synology's versatile apps and software run on an intuitive interface, making it perfect for storing security camera footage, serving as a Plex server, or safeguarding your files and photos. Powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM (upgradable), it handles tasks like 4K media transcoding and video streaming with ease.

2. UGREEN NASync DXP2800

Best Budget NAS

### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 offers quality hardware, a stylish design, and a modest price, making it an excellent budget-friendly option with dual drive bays for all your backup needs. See it at Amazon

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

The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 is well-built with a sleek design and quality hardware at a midrange price. It's powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, making it ideal for a high-quality video library and smooth hardware transcoding.

UGREEN's comprehensive OS simplifies setup and network configuration, and includes security features like two-factor authentication. While Plex isn't native, it's easy to install via Docker, ensuring comparable performance. The dual SATA drive bays support up to 24TB each, offering ample space for media or RAID redundancy. The toolless installation system and additional M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs up to 8TB enhance its appeal, along with a 2.5Gb ethernet for speedy transfers and various connectivity options.

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 looking to dip their toes into NAS technology. See it at Amazon

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

The Synology DiskStation DS223j is ideal for NAS newcomers and those with simpler storage needs. It features Synology's renowned DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, which offers a comprehensive suite of applications for seamless file management across devices.

Though primarily made of plastic and requiring a screwdriver for drive installation, the DS223j's build is reliable enough for its price point. It supports up to 32TB without M.2 slots for caching or additional storage, and lacks a multi-gig ethernet port. Nonetheless, it excels in simplicity, reliability, and affordability.

4. Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals

### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

0The Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T, with its Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, and support for both SATA and M.2 NVMe drives, is perfect for power users and professionals. See it at Amazon

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 2 AS6602T is designed for users who demand flexibility and performance. It's equipped with an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM, upgradable to 8GB. The drive bays support both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives, and the M.2 PCIe NVMe slots offer high-speed storage options.

The AS6602T features dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, which can be combined for up to 5Gb connectivity. It's ideal for speedy backups, virtualization, and powerful media centers, with an HDMI 2.0 port for 4K HDR output.

5. Synology DiskStation DS1821+

Best Multi-Bay NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0The Synology DiskStation DS1821+ is the go-to choice for those needing extensive storage, offering eight drive bays for up to 128TB and M.2 NVMe slots. See it at Amazon

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

For users with vast amounts of data, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ is a robust solution. With eight drive bays supporting 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, it offers a 128TB capacity with hot-swappable drives. Expansion units can increase this to 18 bays, and M.2 NVMe slots provide high-speed caching.

Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32GB), the DS1821+ is ready for future expansion and heavy workloads.

6. QNAP TS-264-8G

Best NAS for Media Streaming

### QNAP TS-264-8G

0The QNAP TS-264-8G is a compact yet powerful NAS designed for media streaming, with two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, 4K HDMI output, and dual drive bays. See it at Amazon

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 tailored for streaming, with dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports to handle high-throughput media access. Its 4K-capable HDMI output makes it a great companion for TVs. The dual drive bays offer ample storage, and PCIe Gen 3 slots allow for fast caching or network speed boosts.

Powered by an Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, it's ready for smooth 4K video streams with hardware transcoding.

7. Synology DiskStation DS923+

Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations

### Synology DiskStation DS923+

0The Synology DiskStation DS923+ offers robust data backup with four drive bays and multiple RAID configurations for enhanced security. See it at Amazon

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 ideal for those prioritizing data security with RAID configurations. Its four drive bays support 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, and M.2 NVMe SSD slots provide fast caching. With multiple RAID types, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, and SHR, you can tailor your setup for maximum data protection.

The DS923+ is powered by a dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, running on the user-friendly DSM operating system for easy setup and operation.

8. ioSafe Duo Pro

Best Rugged NAS

### ioSafe Duo Pro

0The ioSafe Duo Pro, while not technically a NAS, offers fireproof and water-resistant storage with RAID configurations for added data protection. See it at ioSafe

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 prioritizes physical data protection, being fireproof and water-resistant with an IP68 rating. It also supports various RAID configurations for data integrity, and ioSafe offers data recovery services.

Note that the Duo Pro isn't designed as a NAS, so for network storage, you'll need to share it through an always-on computer or attach it directly to your router via USB.

What to Look for in NAS

NAS devices are invaluable for those sharing a network with family or housemates, as they allow file sharing from a central unit and simplify backups. If multiple devices need access to the same tools or files, or if you have a large media library to share, a NAS can streamline your setup.

What are you using it for?

If you need to access files across multiple devices or manage a large media library, a NAS is ideal. You can even turn it into a Plex server for seamless home entertainment.

Go diskless? How many bays?

Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring separate purchases. Check manufacturer recommendations for compatible drives. The number of bays determines potential storage capacity, with two or more bays being optimal, especially for multimedia systems.