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're likely looking for a robust solution to back up or transfer your valuable data. While your setup might be equipped with a top SSD or decently large external hard drives to store your essential files, photos, and other content, nothing quite matches the convenience and power of a great NAS (network-attached storage) drive. Our top recommendation is the Synology DiskStation DS224+, a device that brings significant storage capacity and seamless integration into your home network, allowing for quick data transfers across all your devices.

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 ioSafe

NAS devices are perfect for digital media libraries because they can connect smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops to the same network simultaneously, making it easy to sync and access your files. However, given the cost, selecting the right NAS is crucial. We've curated a list of eight top-notch options to suit various needs.

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 of upgradable RAM. It's perfect for those who want a capable yet straightforward NAS without the hassle of complex software. With storage capacity up to 32TB and support for RAID 1 configurations, it ensures data redundancy and protection. Its dual Gigabit LAN ports offer higher speeds through Link Aggregation or network failover support, though a multi-gig LAN port would enhance connectivity further. Synology's user-friendly interface and versatile apps make it ideal for storing security camera footage, serving as a Plex server, or keeping files and photos safe and accessible. Its powerful Intel Celeron J4125 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM, which is upgradable, make it suitable for 4K media transcoding, efficient file management, and smooth video streaming.

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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

2. UGreen NASync DXP2800

Best Budget NAS

### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0The UGreen NASync DXP2800 offers quality hardware and a stylish design at a midrange price, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. With dual drive bays and an Intel N100 quad-core processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM, it's ready to handle a high-quality video library and breeze through hardware transcoding. UGreen's comprehensive OS simplifies setup and network configuration, and extra security features like two-factor authentication keep your content safe. While it lacks native Plex support, it's easy to install using Docker, ensuring good performance.

The NAS supports up to 24TB per SATA drive bay, offering ample room for media storage or redundancy through RAID configurations. Its toolless drive installation system adds convenience, and two M.2 slots support NVMe SSDs up to 8TB for fast storage. A 2.5Gb ethernet port ensures speedy file transfers, with additional connectivity options like HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A.

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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

3. Synology DiskStation DS223j

Most Affordable NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS223j

0For beginners or those with simpler storage needs, the Synology DiskStation DS223j offers an ultra-affordable, easy-to-use NAS solution. It comes with Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, which provides a range of applications to ensure seamless storage and access to your files across devices. While its build quality is basic, primarily plastic, and requires a screwdriver for drive installation, its reliability and affordability are unmatched. With a capacity up to 32TB and support for various RAID configurations, it's a solid choice for those starting with NAS.

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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

4. Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals

### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

0The Asustor Lockerstor AS6602T is ideal for power users and professionals, equipped with an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 4GB of upgradable RAM. It features two drive bays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives and two M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for additional high-speed storage. The NAS supports dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, which can be combined for up to 5Gb connectivity, making it perfect for speedy backups, virtualization, or as a media center. An HDMI 2.0 port and support for 10-bit 4K hardware decoding enhance its media capabilities.

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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

5. Synology DiskStation DS1821+

Best Multi-Bay NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0If you need extensive storage, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ is your go-to with eight drive bays supporting up to 128TB capacity and additional M.2 2280 NVMe slots for caching. This high-capacity NAS is ideal for those with large amounts of data, offering hot-swappable drives and expandability to 18 bays with additional units. Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory, expandable to 32GB, it ensures robust performance.

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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

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 dual 2.5Gb Ethernet ports to handle large media files smoothly, even with multiple users. Its 4K HDMI output allows it to be set up next to your TV, while two 3.5-inch drive bays and two PCIe Gen 3 slots support ample storage and fast caching. An Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory ensure smooth 4K video streaming with hardware transcoding.

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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

7. Synology DiskStation DS923+

Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations

### SynologyDiskStation DS923+

0For those prioritizing data security, the Synology DiskStation DS923+ offers four drive bays and multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, and JBOD. Its four bays accommodate 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, with two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for fast caching. Powered by a dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, it ensures high performance and easy setup through the DSM operating system.

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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

8. ioSafe Duo Pro

Best Rugged NAS

### ioSafe Duo Pro

0While not technically a NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro drive offers robust protection against fire and water, with an IP68 rating for full submersion up to 10 feet for 72 hours. It provides various RAID configurations and long-lasting drive bays, ensuring your data's safety. ioSafe also offers data recovery services. However, to use it as a network storage device, you'll need to share it through an always-on computer or directly attach it to your router via USB.

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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

What to Look for in NAS

NAS devices are not for everyone, but they can solve certain networking challenges. If you and your family or housemates share the same network, a NAS allows you to share files across all those computers from one central unit. It's also an efficient solution for backing up multiple family computers on one drive.

What are you using it for?

Consider a NAS if you find yourself needing to access the same files or tools from multiple devices in your home. It's not just about storage but also about accessing your data seamlessly. Another compelling use case is managing a large media library, which you can access from various devices. You can even turn your NAS into a Plex server, ensuring everyone at home can enjoy movies, TV shows, and music without lag.

Go diskless? How many bays?

Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring you to purchase them separately. This is because NAS manufacturers typically don't produce hard drives themselves. If you already own compatible disk drives, a diskless system might be less of an issue, but always check the manufacturer's recommendations for the best performance.

The number of bays in a NAS determines its storage potential. More bays mean more capacity, which is especially useful for multimedia systems. Two or more bays are generally recommended for flexibility and redundancy.