Best NAS Devices (2025)

Choosing the right NAS depends on how you'll use it. Most buyers fall into three groups: households wanting reliable storage and backups, small offices needing simple file sharing, and creators managing large media libraries. This guide covers hardware picks and accessories. To evaluate whether a NAS fits your needs, see Are NAS Devices Worth It?. For architecture and planning details, check the Complete Guide to NAS Devices. When you're ready to deploy, follow How to Set Up NAS Devices. For backup strategies, use the NAS Data Protection Guide.

These NAS devices balance performance, reliability, and value across different workloads and budgets. Each recommendation includes specific use cases to help you match hardware capabilities to your requirements.

The UGREEN NASync DXP4800 runs UGOS Pro on an Intel N100 (12th Gen, 4-core, up to 3.4GHz) with Intel Quick Sync for Plex hardware transcoding. It ships with 8 GB of DDR5 (expandable to 16 GB), includes dual 2.5 GbE ports, two M.2 NVMe slots, and HDMI 4K output. The unit supports up to 136 TB total (4 × 30 TB drives plus 2 × 8 TB NVMe). Fill it with four CMR drives and add NVMe read cache for a versatile hub covering Plex, Docker, and family archives.

• Best for: Power users wanting multigig networking without a full DIY build, families consolidating backups and media, small teams needing snapshots plus container workloads.
• Keep in mind: Peak speeds require matching 2.5 GbE switches and fast drive arrays. UGOS Pro's app ecosystem is smaller than Synology's, so verify any must-have applications are available before purchasing.

Step up to a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1235U (10-core, 12-thread), 8 GB DDR5 (expandable to 64 GB), dual 10 GbE, dual Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s), built-in Wi-Fi, and HDMI 8K output. With eight bays plus four M.2 NVMe slots supporting up to 256 TB total capacity, it handles multiple 4K streams, heavier container stacks, and collaborative editing with plenty of headroom.

• Best for: Creative teams editing 4K or 8K footage, Plex households with several concurrent transcodes, small businesses running backups, VMs, and applications simultaneously.
• Keep in mind: Budget for proper airflow when fully populated. Use a rack shelf or maintain clear intake paths for optimal cooling.

The DS223 pairs DSM 7 with Snapshot Replication, Synology Photos, and Hyper Backup in a polished package. It features a Realtek RTD1619B quad-core 1.7GHz ARM CPU with Mali-G51 GPU plus 1.6TOPS NPU for AI features, 2 GB DDR4 (non-expandable), single 1 GbE port, and three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Supports up to 40 TB raw capacity with Btrfs or EXT4 filesystems.

• Best for: Users migrating from Google Drive or Dropbox who want a private cloud with solid mobile apps, QuickConnect remote access, and comprehensive documentation.
• Keep in mind: The DS223 has 2 GB of non-expandable memory, lacks M.2 slots, and maxes out at 1 GbE. For Plex or Jellyfin hardware transcoding or SSD caching, consider Intel-based Synology Plus models, QNAP units with Intel CPUs, or UGREEN's DXP series.

The QNAP TS-832PX-4G combines eight 3.5-inch bays with an AnnapurnaLabs Alpine AL324 quad-core 1.7GHz ARM Cortex-A57 processor, 4 GB DDR4 RAM (expandable to 16 GB), dual 10 GbE SFP+ plus dual 2.5 GbE RJ45 ports, and one PCIe Gen 2 x2 slot. It runs QTS with 512 MB dual-boot flash memory, supporting up to 160 TB capacity with hot-swappable drives.

• Best for: Small businesses requiring large storage capacity with 10 GbE connectivity, homelab users building scalable storage arrays, and teams needing affordable multigig NAS with snapshot support.
• Keep in mind: ARM architecture means no hardware transcoding support. For Plex or Jellyfin transcoding, opt for Intel-based alternatives. Consider adding a 10 GbE switch and compatible network adapters for your client devices.

The ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 features an AMD Ryzen V3C14 quad-core (2.3GHz, up to 3.8GHz), 16 GB ECC DDR5-4800 RAM (expandable to 64 GB), four 3.5"/2.5" SATA bays plus four M.2 NVMe slots (PCIe 4.0), dual 10 GbE plus dual 5 GbE ports, dual USB 4.0 Type-C (40 Gb/s), and HDMI 2.0b output. Supports up to 88 TB capacity with ADM OS.

• Best for: Users wanting high-performance AMD processing with ECC memory, homelab enthusiasts needing USB4 and PCIe 4.0 flexibility, and multimedia households running Plex with Docker containers.
• Keep in mind: ADM's app ecosystem is smaller than Synology or QNAP. Verify critical applications are available, and budget for compatible 10 GbE networking equipment to maximize performance.

Your processor choice determines which services run smoothly.

• ARM-based (Realtek, Annapurna, Rockchip): Handles file sharing, light backups, and photo sync. Not ideal for hardware transcoding or heavy Docker workloads.
• Intel N100, Celeron, Pentium: Support one to two Plex transcodes via Quick Sync, light containers, and basic surveillance. Solid choice for mixed home workloads.
• Intel Core i3 or i5: Handle several transcodes, multiple containers, light VMs, and larger camera counts. Suited for small teams and power users.
• High core count Intel Core i7 or workstation processors: Drive heavy transcoding, many containers, multiple VMs, and professional media workflows. Best for studios and advanced homelabs.
• AMD Ryzen in appliances: Strong general performance. Ryzen-based systems lack Quick Sync, so Plex transcoding relies solely on CPU power.

Workload	Minimum RAM	Recommended RAM	Notes
File sharing plus backups	2 GB	4 GB	Base OS and SMB or NFS services
Plex or Jellyfin (1 to 2 streams)	4 GB	8 GB	Add roughly 2 GB per transcode
Docker containers (3 to 5 apps)	4 GB	8 GB	Databases and search add overhead
Surveillance (8 to 16 cameras)	4 GB	8 GB	Depends on resolution and retention
VMs plus containers	8 GB	16 GB or more	Reserve RAM per VM
ZFS on TrueNAS	8 GB	16 GB or more	Add memory for ARC and features. 1 GB per TB is a guideline, not a hard requirement

Prefer ECC RAM on TrueNAS builds. Non-ECC is common on Synology, QNAP, and UGREEN appliances, but use ECC when data integrity requirements are critical.

• Seagate IronWolf Pro 8 TB: 7200 RPM, 256 MB cache, CMR, 300-550 TB/year workload, 1.2-2M hour MTBF, 5-year warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services

• WD Red Pro 16 TB: 7200 RPM, 512 MB cache, CMR, helium-filled, 550 TB/year workload, 2.5M hour MTBF, 5-year warranty

• Toshiba N300 16 TB: 7200 RPM, 512 MB cache, CMR, 180 TB/year workload, 1M hour MTBF, 3-year warranty, RV sensors

• Seagate IronWolf Pro 24 TB (2-pack): Latest HAMR technology, 7200 RPM, 512 MB cache, 550 TB/year workload per drive, 2.5M hour MTBF, 5-year warranty

All drives use CMR technology and include vibration sensors for multi-bay reliability. Keep a cold spare on hand once you're running four or more drives.

The CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD (1500VA/1000W, pure sine wave, 12 outlets, USB/DB9 monitoring, tilting LCD, 3-year warranty) provides USB signaling so the NAS can shut down cleanly during power outages. This prevents data corruption during writes and parity rebuilds.

• SSD cache or tiers: Use enterprise or prosumer NVMe SSDs with power-loss protection when enabling write-back caching or hosting VMs. Heatsinks or directed airflow keep cache drives under 70°C to prevent throttling.
• Networking: Pair these NAS units with multigig switches like the TP-Link TL-SX105 or MikroTik CRS305 for SFP+. Client NICs such as the QNAP QXG-5G2T-111C are a practical desktop upgrade. Use Cat 6a for 10 GbE copper runs.
• External backup dock: A dual NVMe USB-C dock or rotating USB HDDs make air-gapped backups straightforward when paired with immutable snapshots.

• Confirm a NAS is the right investment with Are NAS Devices Worth It?.
• Plan architecture and operations with the Complete Guide to NAS Devices.
• Deploy using the How to Set Up NAS Devices checklist, then strengthen backups with the NAS Data Protection Guide.

Overbuying bays for future-proofing. An eight-bay NAS with two drives wastes money and power. Match bay count to a three-year capacity plan and add a second system or expansion shelf later if needed.

Choosing ARM processors for media transcoding. ARM chips handle file sharing well but lack Intel Quick Sync. If Plex or Jellyfin transcoding matters, choose Intel-based models.

Skipping the UPS budget. A modest UPS protects your NAS during writes and parity rebuilds. Data corruption costs more than the battery.

Ignoring network bottlenecks. A 10 GbE NAS on a gigabit switch will perform like gigabit. Plan the full path including switch uplinks, client NICs, and cabling.

Buying the cheapest drives. Desktop drives aren't tuned for 24/7 multi-drive arrays. NAS-rated CMR drives include vibration control and RAID-friendly firmware.

Underestimating software lock-in. Synology and QNAP tie features to their hardware. TrueNAS and Unraid run on commodity parts but need more hands-on management. Pick the platform matching how much management you want to handle.

How many bays do I need? Four bays hit the sweet spot for most homes, letting you start with RAID 5 or SHR and expand later. Creative teams and small offices often step up to six or eight bays for faster rebuilds and SSD tiers.

Do I need 10 GbE? Upgrade when you're editing video directly from the NAS, hosting multiple VMs, or serving many users simultaneously. Otherwise, 2.5 GbE strikes a strong balance for mixed households and small offices.

Which NAS OS should I pick? Synology DSM offers the most polished turnkey experience. UGREEN UGOS Pro focuses on multigig connectivity and accessible media features. TrueNAS SCALE and Unraid unlock ZFS, Docker, and virtualization for DIY builds. Compare platforms in the NAS Data Protection Guide.

What about security and backups? Enable snapshots on day one, replicate to another target or cloud bucket, and keep at least one backup offline or immutable. The NAS Data Protection Guide walks through the steps.