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'll want a solution that effortlessly backs up or transfers your valuable data. Whether your system boasts a top SSD or you have ample external hard drives filled with essential files, photos, and other content, nothing beats the versatility and convenience of a Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive. Our top recommendation? The Synology DiskStation DS224+.

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

NAS drives offer substantial storage capacity and seamlessly integrate into your home network, allowing for swift data transfer across your devices. From smartphones and tablets to desktops and laptops, all can connect to the same network simultaneously, making it easy to sync and manage your digital media library. While NAS drives may not be the cheapest option, selecting the right one is crucial. We've identified eight outstanding NAS devices to suit various needs and budgets.

1. Synology DiskStation DS224+

Best NAS

Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+

0The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an easy-to-use, high-speed NAS with two drive bays, two Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB upgradable RAM. It's perfect for those who want a straightforward yet capable 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+ offers a hassle-free experience with its user-friendly interface and robust performance. It supports up to 32TB of storage or a RAID 1 configuration for data redundancy. The dual Gigabit LAN ports enhance connectivity, though a multi-gig LAN option would be a welcome upgrade.

Synology's versatile apps and software make it easy to use the DS224+ for various purposes, from storing security camera footage to running a Plex server or managing files and photos. With its powerful Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB DDR4 RAM (upgradable), it handles 4K media transcoding, file management, and video streaming with ease.

2. UGreen NASync DXP2800

Best Budget NAS

### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 offers quality hardware, a sleek design, and an affordable price. With two drive bays, it's an excellent choice for backing up your files.
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 combines quality construction with a stylish design at a midrange price point. Powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, it's well-equipped for managing a high-quality video library and performing hardware transcoding.

UGreen's comprehensive OS simplifies setup and network configuration, offering extra security features like two-factor authentication. Although Plex isn't native, it's easy to install via Docker, ensuring solid performance. The dual SATA drive bays support up to 24TB each, with a toolless installation system for ease of use. Two M.2 slots accommodate NVMe SSDs up to 8TB, and a 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures fast file transfers. Additional connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A for versatile device support.

3. Synology DiskStation DS223j

Most Affordable NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS223j

0The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an ultra-affordable, user-friendly NAS perfect for beginners.
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 an excellent choice for those new to NAS or with simpler storage needs. It features Synology's renowned DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, offering a range of applications that make storing and accessing your data seamless across devices.

While the build quality is primarily plastic and requires a screwdriver for drive installation, the DS223j's simplicity and affordability make it an attractive option. With a maximum storage capacity of 32TB and no M.2 slots or multi-gig ethernet, it prioritizes ease of use and reliability over advanced features.

4. Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals

### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

0The Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T is designed for power users and professionals, featuring an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB upgradable RAM, and support for both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives.
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 ideal for users who want to push their NAS to the limits. With an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 4GB RAM (upgradable to 8GB), it's equipped to handle demanding tasks. The two drive bays support up to 18TB hard drives or SSDs, and two M.2 PCIe NVMe slots offer even faster storage options.

Featuring dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports that can be combined for up to 5Gb connectivity, this NAS is perfect for high-speed backups, virtualization, and media centers. An HDMI 2.0 port and support for 10-bit 4K hardware decoding ensure a superior 4K HDR experience.

5. Synology DiskStation DS1821+

Best Multi-Bay NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0The Synology DiskStation DS1821+ offers eight drive bays for a total of 128TB capacity and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots, making it ideal for users with extensive storage needs.
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 those with vast amounts of data to store, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ is an excellent choice. Priced over $1,000, it's a future-proof solution with extensive expandability. With eight drive bays supporting 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, it offers up to 128TB of storage and hot-swappable drives for easy maintenance.

The DS1821+ also supports expansion units to increase capacity 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 DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32GB), it delivers robust performance.

6. QNAP TS-264-8G

Best NAS for Media Streaming

### QNAP TS-264-8G

0The QNAP TS-264-8G is designed for media streaming, featuring two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, a 4K HDMI output, dual drive bays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
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 media streaming, providing a central location for your media library. With dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, it ensures ample bandwidth for streaming large files to multiple devices. It also features a 4K-capable HDMI output for direct TV connection.

This NAS supports two 3.5-inch drive bays and two PCIe Gen 3 slots for fast caching or network speeds. An Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB DDR4 memory power smooth 4K video streaming with hardware transcoding.

7. Synology DiskStation DS923+

Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations

### Synology DiskStation DS923+

0The Synology DiskStation DS923+ offers four drive bays for ample storage and multiple RAID configurations for enhanced data 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 perfect for those who prioritize data security through RAID configurations. With four drive bays, it allows for significant storage capacity and data redundancy. It supports a wide range of RAID types, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, and JBOD.

The DS923+ accommodates 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives and includes two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for fast caching. Despite lacking multi-gig LAN ports, it features two 1Gb ethernet ports with Link Aggregation or Failover support, and the option to add 10Gb connectivity. Powered by a dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB upgradable DDR4 RAM, it runs smoothly on the user-friendly DSM operating system.

8. ioSafe Duo Pro

Best Rugged NAS

### ioSafe Duo Pro

0The ioSafe Duo Pro, while not technically a NAS, offers fireproof and water-resistant data protection, along with RAID configurations for added security.
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 data protection against physical damage, being fireproof and water-resistant with an IP68 rating. It offers protection against submersion in water up to 10 feet for 72 hours.

While not designed as a NAS, the Duo Pro provides RAID configuration options for data security and includes robust, long-lasting drive bays. ioSafe also offers data recovery services. To use it as a network storage solution, you'll need to share it via an always-on computer or connect it directly to your router through USB.

What to Look for in NAS

NAS devices are essential for networked file sharing and centralized backups, especially in homes with multiple devices. Here's what to consider when choosing a NAS:

What are you using it for?

NAS is ideal if you need to share files across multiple devices on your home network or want a centralized backup solution. It's also perfect for accessing large media libraries from various devices, such as setting up a Plex server for shared media access.

Go diskless? How many bays?

Most NAS devices are sold without disks, requiring you to purchase them separately. Check manufacturer recommendations for compatible drives. The number of bays determines potential storage capacity; two or more bays are generally recommended, with multimedia systems often requiring more.