Easiest first NAS
Synology DS225+
2 bays2GB RAM2.5GbE + 1GbEPlex transcoding
First-time NAS buyers who want photos, files and backups working tonight.
about $360on Amazon
NAS and drives we recommend
19 picks on Amazon that passed our check: at least 4 stars, real review volume, and no reliability or durability complaints outnumbering praise. Prices are rough. Not sure? Answer four questions.
Type
For
Budget
19 picks 
Best 4-bay overall
UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus
4 bays8GB DDR5 RAM10GbE + 2.5GbE2x NVMePlex transcoding
Most people who want a strong, simple 4-bay that will not run out of power.
about $620on Amazon
Easiest 4-bay NAS
Synology DS425+
4 bays2GB RAM2.5GbE + 1GbE2x NVMePlex transcoding
Families and small offices who want Synology software with room for four drives.
about $580on Amazon
Easiest cheap NAS
UGREEN NAS DH2300
2 bays4GB RAM
Beginners leaving Google Photos or iCloud who just want phone backup and an AI photo album.
about $240on Amazon
Most CPU and RAM per dollar
TerraMaster F4-424 Pro
4 bays32GB DDR5 RAM2x 2.5GbE2x NVMePlex transcoding
Home labs running many Docker containers and VMs.
about $730on Amazon
Simplest backup box
Synology DS223
2 bays2GB RAM1GbE
Backing up phones and computers and sharing files, with no media server needs.
about $290on Amazon
2-bay with 10GbE
UGREEN NASync DXP2800 GT
2 bays8GB RAM10GbEPlex transcoding
A small, fast NAS for one creator or a smart-home hub.
about $460on Amazon
Cheapest 4-bay for photos
UGREEN NAS DH4300 Plus
4 bays8GB RAM
Families with a big photo and video library who want four bays without paying for an Intel CPU.
about $370on Amazon
Two 10GbE ports
UGREEN NASync DXP4800 GT
4 bays8GB RAM2x 10GbEPlex transcoding
Editors and power users with a 10GbE network.
about $660on Amazon
Cheapest Intel 4-bay
TerraMaster F4-425
4 bays4GB RAM2.5GbEPlex transcoding
Four bays and Intel transcoding for the least money.
about $370on Amazon
Cheapest 4-bay with 2.5GbE
QNAP TS-433
4 bays4GB RAM2.5GbE + 1GbE
Four bays of backup and file storage on a budget.
about $430on Amazon
Cheapest 2-bay
QNAP TS-233
2 bays2GB RAM1GbE
Basic file storage and computer backups for as little as possible.
about $240on Amazon
Cheap 2-bay with 2.5GbE
Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2
2 bays2GB RAM2.5GbE
Backups and light streaming with a faster-than-gigabit port.
about $280on Amazon
Cheapest Synology
Synology DS124
1 bay1GB RAM1GbE
One person backing up a phone and a laptop on a small budget.
about $160on Amazon
Best 5-bay for editors
Synology DS1525+
5 bays8GB ECC RAM10GbE-ready (add-in card)2x NVMe
Video editors and small teams who want Synology software and room to grow.
about $1,300on Amazon
Fastest 6-bay
UGREEN NASync DXP6800 Pro
6 bays8GB DDR5 RAM2x 10GbE2x NVMePlex transcoding
Small studios and teams that need speed and six bays.
about $1,050on Amazon
Biggest we trust
UGREEN NASync DXP8800 Plus
8 bays8GB DDR5 RAM2x 10GbE2x NVMePlex transcoding
Businesses and studios with very large libraries.
about $1,300on Amazon
Fast NAS drive
Seagate IronWolf Pro 4TB
NAS drivesCMR7,200 RPM4TB listing we checked
Busier NAS boxes and bigger arrays that want speed and a data recovery plan.
about $290on Amazon
Best value big drive
Toshiba N300
NAS drivesCMR7,200 RPM8TB to 14TB
Filling a NAS with big drives for less per terabyte.
about $550on Amazon
Nothing matches all of those. Try a bigger budget or another type.
Out of stock right now
We check stock every day; these come back on their own when Amazon restocks them.
- QNAP TS-464: Most hardware for the money
- Asustor Nimbustor 2 Gen2 AS5402T: Most NVMe slots in a 2-bay
- QNAP TS-264: Powerful 2-bay
- Asustor Nimbustor 4 Gen2 AS5404T: 4-bay with four NVMe slots
- TerraMaster F2-425: Cheapest Intel 2-bay
- Asustor Drivestor 4 Pro AS3304T: Cheap 4-bay with 2.5GbE
- Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen2 AS6706T: 6-bay with four NVMe slots
- WD Red Plus: Quiet NAS drive