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Home»Technology»Best NAS Drives 2023: Top Network Attached Storage Reviews
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Best NAS Drives 2023: Top Network Attached Storage Reviews

January 19, 2023No Comments14 Mins Read
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Best NAS Drives 2023: Top Network Attached Storage Reviews
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NAS drives (Community Hooked up Storage) drives are a distinct segment a part of the tech world however they are often extraordinarily helpful gadgets and generally even life-saving (in your information). Right here we’ve examined one of the best NAS drives so you possibly can create a private cloud storage system for house or workplace.

NAS drives can be utilized to again up and retailer information similar to music, paperwork, video and much more. You’ll be able to even set up apps on them so that they do issues like run your house safety cameras, obtain information robotically and even host a web site.

Synology is well-known for making among the finest NAS drives, however there are many nice alternate options which can be typically cheaper from the likes of QNAP, TerraMaster, Western Digital and others. Sadly, the competitors isn’t so robust as of late with nothing new from the likes of Drobo, Netgear, Seagate or Buffalo.

We’ve reviewed and ranked them right here so these are one of the best NAS drives for Plex at house, again up within the workplace and lots of extra makes use of. Want a extra conventional drive? Test our chart of one of the best SSDs and finest transportable laborious drives and SSDs.

Greatest NAS drives 2023

1. Synology DS220j – Greatest Total

Synology DS220j - Best Overall

Execs

  • Reasonably priced
  • Straightforward to make use of
  • Upgraded processor

One other model of Synology’s 2-bay NAS drive won’t be an enormous improve but when it ain’t broke don’t repair it, proper.

That is nonetheless probably the greatest choices available on the market because of its continued accessibility and ease of use. The additional processor energy and reminiscence pace issues up properly making this the right machine to sync information from a number of computer systems and distribute media across the house.

These searching for additional bays and energy ought to take a look at the DS4 vary.

Learn our full
Assessment Synology DS220j

2. QNAP TS-230 – Greatest Synology Different

QNAP TS-230 - Best Synology Alternative

Execs

  • Trendy
  • QTS 5.0 coming quickly
  • 2GB of RAM
  • SSD Caching

Cons

  • Some apps want additional licenses
  • Fewer apps than Synology

If we may do joint first then the QNAP TS-230 could be up there with the DS220j because it’s one of the best Synology different proper now.

Not solely does it provide a design that isn’t the boring outdated black or silver field, but it surely’s additionally bought 2GB of DDR4 RAM as customary to run purposes easily. For some, the broader vary of apps on Synology’s platform together with BTRFS may swing it.

Nonetheless, even on EXT4, the TS-230 is a superb worth NAS drive that’s simple to make use of and excellent for house or small workplace use.

Learn our full
Assessment QNAP TS-230

3. QNAP HS-264 – Greatest for Media Streaming

QNAP HS-264 - Best for Media Streaming

Execs

  • Highly effective platform
  • Twin 2.5GbE LAN
  • 8GB DDR4 RAM
  • Silent operation

Cons

  • Zero upgrades
  • No M.2 slot for caching
  • Distant management not included

It’s pretty expensive but when the HS-264 matches the invoice then it may effectively be well worth the funding.

This NAS seems extra like a set-top field and fittingly so because it’s designed as a multimedia centre in your house. It should look completely at house in your TV unit and match much better than a standard NAS.

It runs silently, outputs 4K through HDMI and has spectacular specs together with a strong platform. The dearth of an included distant management would be the important draw back for many customers.

Learn our full
Assessment QNAP HS-264

4. Asustor Drivestor 2 Professional AS3302T – Greatest for two.5GbE LAN

Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro AS3302T - Best for 2.5GbE LAN

Execs

  • 2.5GbE LAN port
  • Loads of apps
  • Highly effective energy

Cons

  • Cannot improve RAM
  • Cannot use SSDs as cache

The Asustor Drivestor 2 Professional AS3302T was designed for these house and small enterprise customers which can be embracing higher than 1Gbit LANs.

It isn’t an inexpensive NAS however gives enhanced LAN efficiency for these utilizing 2.5GbE and the most recent ADM 4.0 working system is a pleasant improve providing a responsive interface and loads of performance.

Asustor and third-party purposes can be found for a variety of makes use of, however ensure these embrace the performance you want in your deployment.

Learn our full
Assessment Asustor Drivestor 2 Professional AS3302T

5. QNAP TS-251B – Greatest Worth for HDMI

QNAP TS-251B - Best Value for HDMI

Execs

  • Compact
  • HDMI output
  • Versatile

The QNAP TS-251B is a good alternative for a NAS drive when you’re not searching for one of many most cost-effective fashions round. It does the job on the design and construct entrance, however extra importantly, gives a wonderful vary of specs and options.

QNAP is perhaps just a little behind Synology on the app entrance, however the choice continues to be first rate and we’re more and more impressed with the consumer interface.

Mixed with a strong processor and HDMI output, this can be utilized like a tiny PC. It’s an excellent media participant and you’ll even run workplace software program on it when you like.

Learn our full
Assessment QNAP TS-251B

6. TerraMaster F2-210 – Greatest Price range

TerraMaster F2-210 - Best Budget

Execs

  • Low-cost
  • Straightforward to make use of
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Restricted efficiency for encrypted storage

So long as a 2-bay drive is sufficient, the TerraMaster is a superb worth for cash possibility within the NAS drive world. It’s well-made, simple to arrange and use, then runs quietly and effectively.

Importantly, it gives a lot of the identical specs and options that you just’ll discover on far more costly rivals similar to Synology. Should you simply need a pretty easy NAS drive for house or small workplace use with out spending an excessive amount of then it is a nice possibility.

The F2-210 is ideal for duties like primary file serving, backup and administration.

Learn our full
Assessment TerraMaster F2-210

7. Synology DS420j – Greatest 4-bay

Synology DS420j - Best 4-bay

Execs

  • Good worth
  • Person pleasant
  • Quad-core processor

Cons

  • No additional RAM
  • Much like predecessor

As we anticipated, the DS420j is one more stable NAS drive from Synology representing an honest stability of worth, specs and options.

That’s as a result of it’s extraordinarily much like the older DS418j that it replaces. What you get here’s a quad-core processor as a substitute of dual-core serving to with working a number of apps concurrently. Nonetheless, there’s no further RAM so look to the DS418 (flagship mannequin with out the j) when you want extra efficiency.

The DS420j nonetheless comes really helpful by us, simply verify the worth of the DS418j now it’s the older mannequin – particularly when you received’t make use of the extra highly effective chip right here.

Learn our full
Assessment Synology DS420j

8. TerraMaster F5-422 – Greatest 5-bay

TerraMaster F5-422 - Best 5-bay

Execs

  • Highly effective
  • 10GbE LAN
  • Upgradeable to 12GB RAM
  • 5 Bays

Cons

  • Lacks USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
  • No PCIe slot
  • Difficult RAM improve

TerraMaster continues to supply glorious worth for cash within the NAS drive market with enticing alternate options for individuals who can’t afford Synology or QNAP fashions.

Whereas the F5-422 may simply look like a 5-bay model of the F4 for more cash, there’s lots that may be completed with an additional drive. It doesn’t have a PCIe slot or USB 3.2 Gen 2 however you possibly can cleverly use it as an area storage machine in addition to a community useful resource.

With 10GbE LAN, loads of processing energy and the power to improve the RAM to 12GB when you like all add to the appeal. The TOS 4.2 OS has bought lots higher over time, too.

Learn our full
Assessment TerraMaster F5-422 NAS

9. Asustor Lockerstore 2 Gen 2 AS6702T – Characteristic-packed 2-bay

Asustor Lockerstore 2 Gen 2 AS6702T - Feature-packed 2-bay

Execs

  • Higher CPU
  • 4 NVMe slots for storage or cache
  • HMDI 2.0 output
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2

Cons

  • Full set up requires disassembly
  • A bit costly

That Asustor has extra enthusiastically embraced 2.5GbE networking, and NVMe storage on this design than Synology has in its merchandise speaks volumes about its ambitions on this sector.

There’s a delicate stability between the elements right here that demonstrates that these designing these machines use them frequently and perceive the place the efficiency pinch factors exist. It’s good when you have one or two very massive drives mixed with the speedy USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.

There are additionally loads of versatile NVMe slots, HDMI, 2.5GbE ports and extra making it an excellent NAS for a variety of conditions. It’s just a bit costly and troublesome to dismantle however you’ll probably solely do that when.

Learn our full
Assessment Asustor Lockerstore 2 Gen 2 AS6702T

10. WD My Cloud Dwelling – Greatest Fashion

WD My Cloud Home - Best Style

Execs

  • Compact & trendy
  • DLNA assist
  • Storage built-in

The design and styling of the {hardware} within the My Cloud House is top-notch, with all its points mendacity within the software program elements offered for it.

The underlying platform is a stable one for which WD {hardware} engineers must be proud, and the software program crew wants to raised assist.

The My Cloud Dwelling can present DLNA storage to entry with a sensible TV or a private cloud answer, however those who need extra ought to think about Synology, QNAP or the higher-end WD My Cloud merchandise.

Learn our full
Assessment WD My Cloud Dwelling

How to decide on a NAS drive

NAS stands for Community Hooked up Storage. Put merely, it’s an enormous laborious drive that connects to your router so that you don’t have to plug instantly into it to entry the storage.

They make it simple to entry your music, films, images and paperwork wherever always. One of the vital well-liked causes to purchase a NAS drive is for media playback. Your private video library will be considered in your TV, with out having to
join a laptop computer. A bit like having your individual Netflix.

Equally, you need to use an app in your telephone to manage music playback, very like your individual private Spotify. A NAS drive will use a lot much less energy than a daily PC, too. For ease of setup and ease of use, a devoted NAS drive is difficult to beat.

FAQ


1.

What laborious disk do I want for a NAS?

One of many first selections to make is capability. Attempt to work out how a lot storage you want proper now, and what you’ll require 5 years from now. Many NAS drives include no disks in any respect – these are often known as diskless or naked drives.

The benefit is that you may select the drives you need and simply improve them afterward.

Now you can get disks as much as 12TB in measurement, and you’ll count on to pay round $250/£300 for one. A 4TB drive particularly for NAS use will set you again about  $100/£100. NAS drives normally price barely greater than regular PC laborious drives, but it surely’s price spending the additional as a result of they’re designed to run continually and have a tendency to have a greater guarantee.

Arduous disks designed for NAS use embrace safer building offering extra resistance to vibration, which makes a whole lot of sense for a drive that’s designed to be on the entire time. Additionally they provide energy administration to allow them to alter efficiency primarily based on their temperature.

A well-liked alternative is the WD Pink vary. You should buy the 6TB model for round $100/£150 from Amazon. It’s higher to purchase two disks and configure them in a RAID (see beneath), moderately than depend on only one disk.

2.

Can I take advantage of an SSD in a NAS?

Though it’s widespread to make use of a standard laborious drive inside a NAS field, you need to use SSDs (stable state drive) in some. You may even be capable of use a PCIe NVMe SSD as a cache to enhance efficiency.

Nonetheless, it is best to select an SSD designed to be used in a NAS drive such because the Seagate IronWolf or Western Digital Pink SA500. Because of issues like DuraWrite know-how, they’re purpose-built for steady use, which is vital inside a NAS.

The draw back of selecting SSDs is the restricted capability as they sometimes max out at 4TB. The opposite downside is the a lot greater price.

3.

What’s a RAID?

RAID stands for redundant array of cheap disks. RAID will be fairly complicated however at a primary degree, you’ll need to use it primarily to supply redundancy so if a disk fails your information continues to be secure. Three of the most well-liked variants are RAID 1, 5 and 6.

Most NAS drives will provide at the very least two bays, which suggests that you may set them up as RAID 1. On this situation, the second drive is a mirror of the primary, so if one drive fails utterly all of your information is secure on the opposite. You’ll be able to then substitute the defective disk, and rebuild the RAID array.

RAID 5 requires at the very least three drives and gives parity information. Which means a RAID 5 array can stand up to a single drive failure with out dropping information or entry to information. As information is ‘striped’ throughout three drives, reads are quick, however on the expense of slower writes due to having to additionally write the parity information.

RAID 6 in the meantime requires 4 drives however gives each striped and twin parity, so two drives may fail and the RAID may nonetheless recuperate.

Whichever you select nevertheless, don’t think about your NAS to be the one backup of your information. If the field simply dies, or if one thing catastrophic occurs like a hearth, you’ll nonetheless lose all of your information. To mitigate this you’ll need one other exterior backup, ideally to the cloud.

4.

Do NAS drives have apps?

After storage, the following important concern is software program and options. We choose NASes which have an app retailer the place you possibly can obtain well-liked apps similar to Plex as a substitute of forcing you to make use of the producer’s personal media software program. 

Some NAS drives additionally provide apps for Android and iOS, which make it lots simpler to get to your images, movies and music out of your telephone or pill. 

Our opinions clarify precisely which apps you get with every NAS.

5.

Can I distant entry my NAS?

You’ll in all probability want distant entry to the information in your NAS while you’re not at house.

Beforehand this required signing as much as a third-party DNS service, however as of late with most NAS drives you possibly can simply join an account with the producer as you arrange the drive. Log into the account they usually’ll deal with the connectivity to your field at house utilizing their very own servers.

6.

How highly effective does your NAS’s processor must be?

The devoted OSes that NAS drives run are light-weight, however a quicker processor and extra RAM will allow options similar to transcoding.

Which means that any media information will be transformed on the fly right into a format that’s playable by your TV or set-top field, so that you don’t need to fear if it could’t play the file because it exists in your NAS. 

It can be helpful in case your movies are the next decision than your TV can deal with, so look out for the power to transcode 4K to Full HD in real-time.

7.

What ports do I want on a NAS?

Don’t overlook connectivity. In case your precedence is to make use of your NAS as a house video server, it is perhaps price selecting one with an HDMI output so you possibly can join it on to your TV as a substitute of requiring the video to be streamed throughout your community.

And in case your TV can’t play video from a community supply you’ll want a separate media streamer.

For one of the best efficiency, go for a mannequin with Gigabit Ethernet, which is 10x as fast as 10/100 Ethernet. Look out for front-mounted USB ports and SD slots too. And on the USB entrance search for 3.2 Gen 2 which may deal with as much as 10Gbps.

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