While we do strongly recommend cloud storage as one leg in a 3-2-1 backup strategy, a network-attached storage device (or NAS for short) can be even more invaluable for home and small office use.
If you work for a large company, you undoubtedly have remote access to a corporate file server. But if you are employed by a small business or you’re working from home, your file server is likely to be in the cloud powered by the likes of Dropbox, AWS, Google, or Microsoft. And while cloud-based servers are great — and can save your neck more than once — cloud services may not always cut it for some folks, especially fully remote workers. Similarly, video editing is a much slower upload and download process on a cloud-based server.
So, if you’re doing anything with video (or other large files), you’re unlikely to find cloud storage practical except for backups. And they can become expensive. Sure, if you’re equipping a NAS, you’re paying for drives, but once you pay out the expense for the NAS and drives, you’re done. You don’t have to pay for it month after month, and these smaller, frequent costs over time can quickly add up to more than an initial investment in a sturdy NAS setup.
Also: How to set up your own NAS for more reliable data backups
A NAS is fast, easy to access, and allows you to segment shares for family members or workgroups. Additionally, many NAS devices offer various applications that turn your box into a local, private, on-premises general-purpose business server. Based on extensive and regular testing, research, and expert opinion, ZDNET’s top pick for the best NAS available right now is the Synology Diskstation DS1522+. You can’t go wrong with this NAS as a powerful, robust option, complete with excellent supporting applications. Read on to find all of our recommendations for NAS devices.
Pros
- Excellent DSM UI
- Good price per bay
- Great apps
- Ample USB ports
Cons
- No native 2.5GB Ethernet ports
- No HDMI ports
- No SSD-only models
Synology Diskstation DS1522+ specs: Drive bays: 5 | Max capacity: 108TB | Max w/expansion units: 270TB | RAM: 8GB DDR4 (32GB max) | 1GB Ethernet ports: 4 | 10GB Upgrade: with Gen3 x2 upgrade | USB 3.2 ports: 2 | eSATA ports: 2 | M.2 slots: 2
By far, the standout feature of any Synology NAS is the company’s exceptional Diskstation Manager (DSM) software. While the Synology hardware is on par with many other NAS offerings, it’s when that hardware is combined with the DSM software that Synology’s offerings truly become noteworthy.
Also: We test the Synology DiskStation DS1817+ RAID
Synology’s DS1522+ ships with built-in enterprise-grade data software and support for dozens of applications, OS, and SaaS services. Featuring five hard drive bays by default and expandable up to 15 bays total, the DS1522+ is an economical NAS solution with plenty of room to expand as the user’s data storage needs grow.
Running Diskstation Manager, this NAS option comes with Synology’s suite of enterprise backup solutions. This includes Active Backup for Business which allows users to backup Windows PCs, VMs, SaaS applications like Microsoft 365.
Also included is Synology’s Hyper Backup software, which allows you to back up your entire NAS or specific files and folders to most major cloud service providers. This flexible and free backup software gives the user enterprise-grade tools in an easy-to-understand format. This makes setting up a proper 3-2-1 backup environment a breeze, no matter what or how many devices you’re responsible for.
“It’s like the cool kid on the block that can handle all sorts of data and has a knack for impressing tech enthusiasts and small businesses alike,” says user Kacper Rafalski, demand generation team leader at digital acceleration company, Netguru.
The DS1522+ is also a certified storage device for VMware and is compatible with most major virtualization platforms, including Windows Server, Microsoft’s Hyper-V, and Citrix. You can pick up the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ for around $700.
Pros
- Ample M.2 slots
- Reasonable RAM capacity
- Built-in HDMI
Cons
- Customers report slow tech support
Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 specs: Drive bays: 6 | M.2 SSD slots: 4 | Max capacity: 120TB + M.2 capacity | RAM: 8GB | 2.5G Ethernet ports: 2 | USB 3.0 ports: Dual 3.2Gen 2×1 | PCIe Gen 3 x4 slots: Support PCIe 3.0 on M.2 SSD | HDMI: HDMI 2.0b
This Asustor Lockerstor model bridges worlds in a number of ways. First, by providing six hard drive bays as well as support for four M.2 sticks, it’s possible to do some very interesting performance tiering work, both automatically and manually. Second, like the QNAP, the Lockerstor has HDMI output, possibly moving this from the server closet to the family room.
The internal 8GB RAM is respectable, and ZDNET was impressed with the 2.5G Ethernet port. The Lockerstor 6 uses the ADM operating system with more than 200 App Central applications, including various tools, business applications, office applications, and digital home entertainment.
The Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 is on sale at Newegg for $777.
Pros
- Affordable
- Solid performance
- Streams video without glitches
Cons
- It isn’t an external hard drive
- Limited app selection
- No HDMI port
WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra specs: Drive bays: 2 | Max capacity: 36TB | RAM: 1GB | 1G Ethernet ports: 1 | USB 3.2 ports: 2 | RAID 0, 1, JBOD & Spanning Modes
Western Digital has a broad selection of NAS devices, and this lower-cost entry-level unit is absolutely worth consideration. At under $200 (without drives), the EX2 can add considerable value to your network, provide you with some fault tolerance, and help protect your data.
App support may not be as comprehensive as some of the other vendors we’re spotlighting here, but if this is your first NAS or you’re just getting started sharing and protecting files on your home network, this is a great go-to product.
If you’re interested in a NAS system for media storage, the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra supports the Plex Media Server application, a great option for organizing your media libraries.
Pros
- Fast
- Respectable user interface
- HDMI port
Cons
- A bit more expensive than TerraMaster’s earlier offerings
- Fewer apps than Synology and QNAP
- Some users report reliability issues
TerraMaster F4-423 specs: Drive bays: 4 | Max capacity: 80TB | RAM: 4GB | 2.5G Ethernet ports: 2 | USB 3.2 ports: 2 | HDMI port: 1 | M.2 slots: 2
TerraMaster is a solid storage space at a budget-friendly price. We found the user interface to be clean and well done and the overall usage experience to be solid. Now, to be clear, this is not a Synology, but that device is considerably more expensive.
TerraMaster is upping its game with the F4-423. Instead of a budget device, this is a performance machine, but at a mid-tier price. It’s got two high-speed Ethernet ports, an HDMI port that lets you turn this into a media center server, and TerraMaster’s clean UI.
Overall, this is a solid offering for higher-stress loads at a reasonable price. Cheaper, two-bay options are also available.
If you visit Newegg, you can save $75 on the typical $500 price tag.
Pros
- Portable
- Personal cloud functionality
Cons
- Some users report performance issues
SSK 2TB Portable NAS specs: HDD/SSD | Max capacity: 2TB | NTFS & EXFAT support | USB 3.0 ports: 1 | HDMI port: 1 | Supports up to 10 simultaneous connections
If you’re interested in exploring the capabilities of NAS devices but aren’t ready to take the plunge on a full rig — yet — you may want to consider the SSK 2TB portable NAS.
To be clear, this product doesn’t have bays and is more akin to an external storage drive than a full NAS. However, it’s cheap and provides a way to set up a personal cloud that can be accessed remotely via your PC, smartphone, and other mobile devices.
Keep in mind, though, that this is a mechanical hard disk so you shouldn’t treat it like a typical external SSD drive, which tends to be quite rugged. This $126 device is best kept safe on your desk.
ZDNET’s top pick for the best NAS available right now is the Synology Diskstation DS1522+. You can’t go wrong with this NAS as a powerful, robust option, complete with excellent supporting applications, but if this model doesn’t suit you, below are the top features to consider with alternatives:
Best network attached storage | Price | Bays | Max capacity | Ethernet |
Synology Diskstation DS1522+ | $700 | 5 | 90TB | 4 1GB ports |
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 | $835 | 6 | 120TB | 2 2.5GB ports |
WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra | $190 | 2 | 36TB | 1 1GB port |
TerraMaster F4-423 | $500 | 4 | 80TB | 2 2.5GB ports |
SSK 2TB Portable NAS | $126 | N/A | 2TB | 1 port |
So, how should you choose? In this case, the decision tree is pretty straightforward. You need, of course, to determine your budget and storage needs. Almost all vendors offer models in two bays (room for two drives) and up.
If you need a ton of storage, get more bays. But if you are new to the world of NAS devices, perhaps consider an entry-level or portable solution to familiarize yourself before investing in more powerful, heavy-duty gear.
From there, here’s a quick chart to help you make your decision.
Choose this best network attached storage… | If you want… |
Synology Diskstation DS1522+ | The best overall NAS. By combining solid hardware and a best-class DSM software, this unit promises comprehensive storage for small businesses and remote workers alike. |
Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 | The best NAS from a reputable brand. This model also features six hard drive bays, support for four M.2 sticks, and uses the ADM 4.0 operating system. |
WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra | The best value storage with solid performance. This entry-level model will add considerable value to your network. |
TerraMaster F4-423 | The best mid-tier NAS with a nice user interface. Coming at a mid-tier price, it still has two high-speed Ethernet ports, an HDMI port, and accounts for higher stress loads. |
SSK 2TB Portable NAS | A portable, less expensive, and less powerful option. While this portable NAS drive does provide you with a private cloud, it’s more akin to an external hard drive than a typical NAS setup. |
Here at ZDNET, we have personal expertise in NAS devices dating back decades. Furthermore, we combine rigorous testing, verified customer reviews, and conversations with real-life users to select these NAS models, with a nod to user-friendly interfaces, performance, a model’s strengths and weaknesses, and, of course, the price point.
User-friendly interface: We selected NAS models that are easy to set up, include software models that promote easy use, or even have sharing and collaboration abilities.
Fast performance: Unlike some cloud storage services, a NAS streamlines uploads and downloads, especially for video-editing tasks.
Strengths and weaknesses: No model is perfect – we know that. So, we included the pros and cons of each model to see which features are most beneficial to your security, setup, and workflow. This includes whether or not they are considered portable.
Price: Many shoppers are on a budget, so we always look at a product’s price point and take that into consideration. The initial cost can be expensive, but in comparison to the cost of long-term cloud subscriptions, you can end up saving, over time.
There is no law that says you need to buy a pre-built box from a vendor. You can repurpose an old PC or even build a very custom NAS solution to meet your exact needs.
ZDNET author and resident hardware expert David Gewirtz has built his own NAS boxes for years, including some that were highly customized. But as the NAS offerings from vendors like Synology, QNAP, and Drobo got better, the need to build his own diminished.
If you’re comfortable with the prospect of sourcing PC parts and building PCs, you’ll probably want to go it on your own. But if you’re new to PC building, buying an appliance NAS is probably the way to go.
Most NAS devices (and all the ones we’re recommending here) support RAID. RAID stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. RAID technology takes advantage of the fact that you have multiple hard disks with multiple spinning platters.
“That’s geek speak for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. Imagine a super team of hard drives, working together to keep your data safe and accessible,” Rafalski explains. “It’s kind of like having multiple copies of your favorite book – if one gets lost or damaged, no problem, you’ve got backups!”
One form of RAID allows you to write on one, then the other to increase speed. But the RAID we’re most concerned with here is mirroring.
A well-implemented RAID array will allow one drive to completely fail without losing any data.
NAS is network-attached storage. That’s storage that’s on your network. DAS is directly-attached storage, and that’s storage plugged right into your computer.
If you have more than one computer on your network, work with a group, or otherwise need to share files, a NAS is the way to go. If you’re doing high-performance video production on a single machine, you might want to connect a DAS device right to your machine so there’s no delay.
Rafalski comes through with another analogy that makes things easier to understand. “Think about it like this. DAS is like having a personal bookshelf right next to your desk. Quick and easy to reach, but only for you,” he says. “NAS, on the other hand, is like a library — everyone connected to the network can access it, even remotely. NAS is all about sharing and collaboration, whereas DAS is like a superfast personal hard drive.”
While our top recommendations are above, we wanted to also showcase some other worthy alternatives, including different features, price points, and bay counts.
Best alternative desktop NAS
QNAP TS-233-US 2-bay desktop NAS
An affordable desktop NAS alternative is the 2-bay QNAP TS-233-US.
Best diskless NAS alternative
Terramaster F4-210 4-Bay NAS
This is a diskless model that comes with a ton of choices so you can find exactly the right fit for your best network attached storage.
Best NAS hotspot alternative
SSK 1TB Portable NAS with Wi-Fi hotspot
This mobile hotspot also serves as 1TB network attached storage.
Best alternative for DIY PC fans
Geekworm NASPi V2.0 2.5 NAS storage kit
The Geekworm NASPi V2.0 2.5 NAS storage kit is a great option for Raspberry Pi fans.
