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The best network-attached storage (NAS) server for home is one that lets you stream your media collection and back up all the devices on your network seamlessly. A NAS essentially lets you create your own private Netflix or Spotify, and most models on this list even let you access your media over the internet.
If you’re looking to build your own media server or need a solution for backing up data, these are the best NAS enclosures for your home, although if you were to start somewhere, I’d suggest the Synology DiskStation DS220+ as shown below.
These are the best NAS servers for home use
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The DiskStation 220+ is the best Synology NAS if you’re in the market for a 2-bay enclosure that excels at the basics. The two drive bays can hold 16TB of storage each, meaning you can slot in a total of 32TB of storage.
The upgraded Intel Celeron J4025 chipset handles everything you throw at it with ease, and there’s 2GB of RAM installed as standard. You can add another 4GB if you need more memory.
The DS220+ has two Gigabit Ethernet ports at the back, and you can use Link Aggregation to bridge the ports and double the data transfer rates when sending or receiving files from the NAS. You get two USB 3.0 ports as well, and you can plug in a USB drive or an external drive and easily transfer its contents over to the NAS.
One of the best parts about the DS220+ is the offered software. You can host your own email server, audio and media streaming services, and even your own VPN server on the NAS. A great use case for the NAS is 4K Plex streaming, and if you have a decent local library of media content at 4K resolution, the NAS does a fantastic job streaming the content to all devices on your home network.
You can also easily back up all the devices on your home network, including the best Android phones, iPhones, MacBooks or Windows computers, and just about any device.
If you’re interested in picking up the DS220+, I recommend two 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives. If you need more storage, you can get the 6TB mode or the 8TB version.
If you like what the DiskStation DS220+ has to offer but don’t want to spend that much money on a NAS, the DS220j is the ideal best cheap NAS. You get the ability to slot in up to 32TB of storage across two drive bays and two USB 3.0 ports, but there’s a single Gigabit Ethernet port at the back and 512GB of RAM as standard.
But the single biggest reason for getting the DS220j is the software. You get a similar set of software features as the DS220+ as it also runs DSM 7.0, making the DS220j a fantastic choice if you’re in the market for a budget-focused NAS. Sure, you may not be able to transcode 4K videos, but if you just need to stream 4K content to all devices on your home network, there should be no issues whatsoever.
As for hard drives, I would suggest 4TB IronWolf drives. You could always pick up a single 8TB IronWolf to get things started and pick up one more down the road.
Unlike the DiskStation NAS models — where you’ll need to buy a hard drive in addition to the enclosure — here you get a 4TB hard drive out of the box. WD’s My Cloud series is targeted at first-time NAS buyers, and while the model doesn’t have as many software features as Synology, it’s easier to get started with.
You still get the ability to stream locally stored files across your home network, and the NAS has robust tools that let you back up data with ease. The best part is that you can access the files stored on the NAS over the internet, just like with DiskStation models.
The My Cloud is a great option if you’re looking to get a NAS to stream your media collection and back up data. Sure, you may not get as many software features, but the overall value on offer here is outstanding.
The DiskStation DS120j is the most affordable way to get into Synology’s extensive NAS portfolio. The single-bay NAS holds up to 16TB, you get Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, a USB 2.0 port for plugging in a USB drive, and it runs quietly.
The main reason you’re buying this NAS is for the software. You get the same great options to stream locally stored audio and video files across all devices on your home network — and over the internet — and that makes the DS120j a particularly great choice if you’re buying a NAS for the first time.
Sure, the hardware on offer isn’t groundbreaking, but the NAS delivers excellent value, and you get most of the standout features that make Synology the go-to brand in this segment. As for a hard drive to pair with the DS120j, I recommend the 4TB IronWolf.
If you want the best NAS for Plex, the DiskStation DS920+ should be your go-to option. The NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 chipset and comes with 4GB of RAM as standard — you get the option of adding another 4GB of memory.
You can add up to 64TB of storage via the four drive bays, and the DS920+ excels at 4K transcoding. It will stream 4K content to all devices on your home network without breaking a sweat, and it has an exhaustive list of software features that include running Docker containers, your own email or VPN server, iTunes server, and so much more. There are M.2 slots for SSD caching, and the DS920+ has two Gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB 3.0 ports.
If you’re not content with just 64TB of storage, you can hook up a DX517 expansion unit, giving you the ability to add up to 80TB of extra storage to the NAS. If you don’t want to fill up the NAS just yet, the ideal drive option for the DS920+ is the 8TB IronWolf.
Buffalo’s LinkStation 210 is a very interesting option as it comes with a 4TB hard drive included in the box. The bundled package makes the NAS a more attractive option for first-time buyers, and the value on offer here is fantastic.
The LinkStation 210 misses out on some of the more robust features that you see on DiskStation models, but it has the basics covered. You get the ability to automatically back up data from all the devices on your network. Use the NAS as your own media server, and it also lets you access your files over the internet.
You get Gigabit Ethernet connectivity along with a USB 2.0 port for transferring data from a USB drive or external hard disk with ease. If you want a hassle-free NAS that comes with a hard drive out of the box, the LinkStation 210 is a great choice.
Asustor’s Lockerstor AS6604T could just be one of the best options if you’re looking for next-gen connectivity. The NAS comes with two 2.5Gbps ports, and you also get an HDMI port, giving you the ability to plug the NAS into your TV.
The four-bay model lets you slot in up to 64TB of storage. It is powered by the Celeron J4125 chipset and has 4GB of RAM installed out of the box. The hardware makes the NAS a great option for a 4K media server running Plex, and it also has a robust set of software features that let you back up data, run Docker containers, and so much more.
The connectivity makes the AS6604T an ideal option for content creators looking to offload video projects to an external storage device. Asustor also touts the AS5202T as a streaming-oriented NAS, and you get a decent set of features that let you stream directly to Twitch or YouTube.
Choose the best NAS for you
If you’re looking for the best NAS for home use, the DiskStation DS220+ is the best overall pick. The upgraded hardware makes it an ideal option for 4K Plex streaming, and with DiskStation Manager, you get the most polished software interface of any brand in this segment.
Need more drive bays? The DiskStation DS920+ is the ideal choice, delivering slightly faster hardware and the ability to extend to a total of nine drive bays.
If you want a NAS with an HDMI port to connect directly to your TV, the AS6604T is a fantastic choice. The 4-bay NAS has powerful hardware and gives you great value for your money.
If you want an all-in-one solution with a bundled HDD, look for the WD My Cloud or the Buffalo LinkStation models. These don’t have quite the same set of software features as the other enclosures on this list, but they are ideal for first-time buyers.
