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A network-attached storage device (NAS) is a small, always-on computer full of hard drives that sits on your home network. It backs up every computer in the house automatically, stores photos and media, and can stream to your TV. It's the most practical upgrade you can make to how your household protects its files.
We chose these NAS units on processor and memory class, networking speed, software quality (which matters as much as hardware), drive flexibility and value. Before you buy, it helps to understand two decisions: how many drive bays you need, and which software ecosystem you prefer. If you're still deciding whether you need a NAS at all, read NAS vs cloud backup and NAS vs an external hard drive.
2-bay or 4-bay?
2-bay NAS units hold two drives, usually mirrored (RAID 1), so if one drive fails, your data survives on the other. That's ideal for households backing up a few computers and a photo library.
4-bay units hold four drives, which gives you more capacity, more efficient redundancy (RAID 5 or SHR loses one drive's capacity to protection instead of half), and room to grow. If you have a large media library, multiple heavy users, or want to run apps like media servers and surveillance, 4-bay is worth it.
The best home NAS devices
| Pick | Role | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synology DiskStation DS224+ | Best 2-bay | $$ | Families backing up computers and photos with minimal fuss |
| Synology DiskStation DS923+ | Best 4-bay | $$$ | Larger households, media libraries and small offices |
| UGREEN NASync DXP2800 | Best value 2-bay | $ | Value seekers who want modern hardware on a budget |
| UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus | Best value 4-bay | $$ | Media servers and power users who want speed |
| QNAP TS-264 | Best for media | $$ | Plex/Jellyfin users and tinkerers who want more features |
| TerraMaster F4-424 Pro | Best budget 4-bay | $$ | Four bays and strong hardware at a lower price class |
1. Synology DiskStation DS224+
$$Best for: Families backing up computers and photos with minimal fuss
The DS224+ is a compact 2-bay NAS running Synology's DSM, which is widely praised as the easiest, most polished NAS software, with first-rate backup, photo and sync apps. Its Intel Celeron processor handles backups, file sharing and light media streaming well, and memory is expandable. Networking is 1GbE (two ports), which is fine for backups but slower for big transfers.
What we like
- Best-in-class DSM software
- Excellent backup and photo apps
- Compact, quiet and reliable
Watch out for
- 1GbE networking only
- Check Synology's current drive compatibility policy
2. Synology DiskStation DS923+
$$$Best for: Larger households, media libraries and small offices
A 4-bay Synology with an AMD Ryzen processor, expandable ECC memory, M.2 slots for SSD caching and an optional 10GbE upgrade card. It's a strong, flexible NAS that can grow with you. Its processor has no integrated graphics, so media servers that need hardware transcoding may prefer an Intel-based NAS.
What we like
- Four bays with room to expand
- Optional 10GbE upgrade
- M.2 slots for SSD cache
Watch out for
- No hardware video transcoding
- Pricier than competitors with similar hardware
3. UGREEN NASync DXP2800
$Best for: Value seekers who want modern hardware on a budget
UGREEN's NASync line brought strong hardware to low prices. The DXP2800 has an Intel N100 processor with hardware transcoding, 2.5GbE networking and M.2 slots, and supports third-party drives freely. UGREEN's own software is younger than Synology's, and some enthusiasts install alternative operating systems like TrueNAS or Unraid.
What we like
- Modern Intel N100 with hardware transcoding
- 2.5GbE networking
- Flexible drive support
Watch out for
- Younger software ecosystem
- Fewer mature first-party apps than Synology
4. UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus
$$Best for: Media servers and power users who want speed
A 4-bay NAS with an Intel Pentium Gold processor, 10GbE and 2.5GbE networking, M.2 slots and expandable memory. It's a lot of hardware for its price class and great for Plex or Jellyfin media servers with hardware transcoding. As with the DXP2800, the software is newer than the incumbents'.
What we like
- 10GbE plus 2.5GbE built in
- Strong media-server hardware
- Expandable memory, M.2 slots
Watch out for
- Software still maturing
- Larger than 2-bay units
5. QNAP TS-264
$$Best for: Plex/Jellyfin users and tinkerers who want more features
QNAP's TS-264 packs an Intel Celeron with hardware transcoding, dual 2.5GbE, M.2 slots, an HDMI output and a PCIe expansion slot into a 2-bay chassis. QNAP's QTS software is feature-rich but less intuitive than Synology's, and QNAP devices have been targeted by ransomware in the past, so keep firmware updated and avoid exposing it to the internet.
What we like
- Hardware transcoding and dual 2.5GbE
- PCIe slot for 10GbE or M.2 expansion
- HDMI output
Watch out for
- Steeper learning curve
- Stay on top of security updates
6. TerraMaster F4-424 Pro
$$Best for: Four bays and strong hardware at a lower price class
TerraMaster's F4-424 Pro offers an Intel Core i3 N-series processor, generous memory, dual 2.5GbE and M.2 slots in a 4-bay chassis. TerraMaster's TOS software has improved, and the hardware is also popular for alternative operating systems. It's a good choice for DIY-minded buyers who want lots of hardware for the money.
What we like
- Strong processor and memory for the class
- Dual 2.5GbE and M.2 slots
- Popular with TrueNAS/Unraid users
Watch out for
- TOS software less polished
- Smaller community than Synology or QNAP
RAID is not a backup
RAID protects you from a drive failure. It doesn't protect against accidental deletion, ransomware, a house fire or theft. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy offsite. A practical home setup:
- Your computers back up to the NAS (copy 1: the originals; copy 2: the NAS).
- The NAS backs up its most important folders to a cloud service or an external drive kept elsewhere (copy 3, offsite).
- Turn on snapshots, which Btrfs and ZFS-based NAS systems support, so you can roll back if ransomware or a mistake hits.
Choosing drives for your NAS
Use NAS-rated drives, and make sure they use CMR recording rather than SMR. SMR drives can behave badly during RAID rebuilds. Common picks are WD Red Plus, Seagate IronWolf and Toshiba N300. We explain the difference in CMR vs SMR hard drives.
Check the NAS maker's compatibility list. Synology's drive-compatibility policy changed in 2025, with some newer models favoring Synology-branded or certified drives. Check the current compatibility list for the exact model you buy before choosing drives.
Network speed: 1GbE vs 2.5GbE vs 10GbE
A single hard drive can outrun a basic 1-gigabit connection on large files. 2.5GbE ports, now common on NAS units, make big transfers noticeably faster, but your computer and switch need 2.5GbE too. See home network setup for the networking side. 10GbE is for video editors and home-lab enthusiasts.
Software: the part people underestimate
Synology's DSM is widely considered the most polished and beginner-friendly NAS software, with excellent photo, backup and sync apps. QNAP offers more hardware for the money and more advanced features, with a steeper learning curve and a history of security issues that make prompt updates essential. UGREEN and TerraMaster offer strong hardware value with younger software. Whatever you choose, turn on automatic updates and two-factor authentication, and don't expose the NAS directly to the internet unless you know what you're doing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a NAS worth it for home use?
If you have more than one computer, a big photo library or media collection, or no reliable backup system, yes. A NAS automates backups and keeps your files under your own control.
How many bays do I need?
Two bays are enough for mirrored backups of a few computers. Four bays give more capacity, more efficient redundancy and room to grow for media libraries and heavier use.
Is RAID a backup?
No. RAID protects against a drive failure, not deletion, ransomware, fire or theft. Keep an offsite copy, in the cloud or on a drive stored elsewhere, and turn on snapshots.
What hard drives should I use in a NAS?
NAS-rated CMR drives like WD Red Plus, Seagate IronWolf or Toshiba N300. Avoid SMR drives for RAID, and check your NAS maker's compatibility list.
Synology or UGREEN?
Synology has the most polished, beginner-friendly software. UGREEN offers more modern hardware for the money with younger software. Choose by whether you value software or hardware more.