The best NAS devices in 2026 are the Synology DS224+ for simple two-drive backups, QNAP TS-464 for flexible home media and applications, Synology DS923+ for dependable small-business storage, and a six- or eight-bay system such as the QNAP TS-664 or Synology DS1823xs+ when expansion, virtualization, or heavier workloads matter.
A network-attached storage device is more than a shared hard-drive enclosure: it can provide automated backups, a media library, private cloud access, surveillance recording, containers, and sometimes virtual machines. The right choice depends less on peak CPU speed than on drive count, network connectivity, software quality, noise, and how much administration you want to do.
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Our Top Picks
UGREEN DXP4800 Plus 4-Bay NAS for FamiliesDXP4800 Plus,4-Bay (Diskless)10.14 x 7.01 x 7.01 Inches8.4 poundsCheck on Amazon
Synology DS225+ Private Cloud Media Server165 mm x 108 mm x 232.2 mm9.14 x 4.25 x 6.5 inches2.9 PoundsCheck on Amazon
BUFFALO LinkStation 210 2TB 1-Bay NAS Network Attached2TB (1x2TB)9.45 x 3.31 x 8.67 inches2.43 poundsCheck on Amazon
Top 3 picks at a glance
Best NAS devices by use case
| Best for | Recommended model or class | Bays | Networking | Why it fits | Typical market range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple household backup | Synology DS224+ | 2 | 1GbE | Easy setup, mature backup tools, low power use | Varies |
| Home media server and apps | QNAP TS-464 | 4 | 2.5GbE | Good expansion, stronger application flexibility, hardware-assisted media features | Varies |
| Small business files and snapshots | Synology DS923+ | 4 | 1GbE standard; faster networking optional | Strong file management, snapshots, user controls, and expansion options | Varies |
| Virtual machines and high-speed projects | Six- or eight-bay NAS with 2.5GbE or 10GbE | 6–8 | 2.5GbE–10GbE | More usable capacity, better redundancy, and higher concurrent throughput | Varies |
| Quiet home media storage | Four-bay NAS with Celeron-class processor | 4 | 2.5GbE preferred | Balances capacity, transcoding support, and acoustic comfort | Varies |
1. Best for straightforward backups: Synology DS224+
The DS224+ is the sensible starting point for a household that mainly needs laptop backups, phone-photo storage, shared documents, and version history. Its two drive bays support mirrored storage, so one disk can continue operating if the other fails.
Synology’s software is the main reason to choose it. Synology Drive can synchronize folders across computers, Hyper Backup can copy NAS data to another destination, and Active Backup tools can centralize supported computer backups. The interface is approachable for first-time NAS owners, and the two-bay design keeps both electricity use and noise relatively low.
The limitation is capacity and networking. A two-drive mirror provides the capacity of only one drive, and the standard 1GbE connection usually tops out near 110–115 MB/s in real file transfers. That is adequate for documents, photos, and one or two simultaneous users, but not ideal for editing large video files directly over the network.
Choose it when
- You want a low-maintenance backup target rather than a lab server.
- Two large drives provide enough usable mirrored capacity.
- Your router and computers are limited to 1GbE.
- You value a polished setup process over maximum hardware flexibility.
2. Best flexible home NAS: QNAP TS-464
The QNAP TS-464 is a stronger all-rounder for a home that wants backups, a media server, containers, and more room to grow. Four bays allow RAID 5, which can tolerate one drive failure while preserving more capacity than a two-drive mirror. It also includes 2.5GbE networking, making it a better match for newer routers, desktop PCs, and multi-gigabit switches.
Its Intel Celeron-class processor and integrated graphics are useful for media-server workloads, although transcoding results depend on the video codec, subtitles, client device, and server software. Direct playback is preferable: it uses little CPU and avoids quality loss. Plex, Jellyfin, and other applications may require configuration of hardware acceleration and compatible codecs.
QNAP gives you more flexibility than an appliance-like NAS, but that flexibility creates more decisions. You may need to review application permissions, disable services you do not use, enable automatic updates, and configure remote access carefully. It is a good choice for an enthusiast willing to spend an evening on setup.
A useful bandwidth calculation
A 4K video stream encoded at 25 Mb/s uses about 3.1 MB/s because 25 divided by 8 equals 3.125. Even four such streams need only about 12.5 MB/s of sustained media data. Therefore, a 1GbE NAS can often serve several direct-play streams. The reason to buy 2.5GbE is usually simultaneous backups, large file copies, multiple users, or video editing—not merely one 4K movie.
3. Best for a small office: Synology DS923+
The DS923+ is a strong fit for a small business that needs shared folders, user permissions, snapshots, synchronized files, and a structured backup policy. Four bays provide a practical balance between redundancy and cost, while expansion options allow additional capacity later.
It is particularly attractive when the business values predictable administration. You can create separate shared folders for departments, restrict access by group, schedule snapshots, and maintain off-NAS backups. Snapshots are useful for recovering accidentally changed or deleted files quickly, but they are not a substitute for a separate backup: a failed NAS, theft, ransomware, or electrical event can affect both the original data and its snapshots.
The standard network connection is the main consideration. If several employees regularly move large design files, databases, or video projects, select the faster networking option and use compatible cabling and switching equipment. Upgrading only the NAS will not increase transfer speed if every workstation remains on 1GbE.
Small-business setup priorities
- Use NAS-rated hard drives, install at least two drives, and select a redundant RAID layout.
- Create individual user accounts; do not share one administrator login.
- Enable snapshots for important shared folders, with a retention schedule that fits capacity.
- Back up the NAS to a second location or cloud service.
- Use a UPS and configure automatic safe shutdown during a prolonged outage.
- Enable multi-factor authentication and avoid exposing the administration interface directly to the internet.
4. Best for virtualization and expansion: six- and eight-bay NAS devices
Virtual machines, databases, surveillance recordings, and many simultaneous users benefit from more than a fast processor. Additional bays let you use more drives, distribute workloads, and maintain capacity after redundancy overhead. An eight-bay device such as the Synology DS1823xs+ is better suited to a growing office or technical home lab than a compact two-bay unit.
For virtualization, prioritize memory expandability, SSD support, 2.5GbE or 10GbE, and documented compatibility with the NAS operating system’s virtual-machine platform. A NAS can run lightweight Linux services and test environments well, but it is not automatically a replacement for a dedicated virtualization server. Several busy virtual machines can saturate storage latency, memory, and cooling long before the advertised CPU count becomes relevant.
Choose RAID based on the workload. RAID 5 uses one drive’s worth of capacity for parity and tolerates one drive failure. RAID 6 uses two drives for parity and is safer for large arrays, but reduces usable capacity. RAID is for availability; keep an independent backup of irreplaceable data.
How many bays do you need?
| Number of bays | Practical starting layout | Best fit | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Two-drive mirror | Documents, photos, laptop backups | Capacity equals one drive |
| 4 | Four-drive RAID 5 or mirror-based layout | Media libraries, families, small offices | More noise and rebuild time |
| 6 | RAID 6 or flexible mixed workloads | Growing businesses and power users | Higher purchase, drive, and power costs |
| 8 | RAID 6 with room for expansion | Virtualization, surveillance, large archives | Usually excessive for ordinary home backups |
Noise, power, and networking considerations
NAS noise comes mainly from hard-drive vibration and fan speed, not just the enclosure. A two-bay system with two 5400-RPM NAS drives is typically much easier to place in a living area than an eight-bay array filled with high-capacity enterprise disks. SSDs reduce seek noise, but large SSD pools can cost substantially more.
For networking, 1GbE is sufficient for backups that run overnight and ordinary media streaming. 2.5GbE is a useful middle ground for home offices and large photo libraries. 10GbE makes sense when the NAS, switch, and workstation all support it and you regularly transfer hundreds of gigabytes.
Estimate power before buying. If a NAS averages 35 watts and operates continuously, its annual energy use is:
35 W × 24 hours × 365 days ÷ 1,000 = 306.6 kWh per year.
More bays and faster disks increase both power consumption and heat.
Remote access: convenience without unnecessary exposure
Remote access is useful for retrieving documents and uploading photos, but opening NAS management ports directly to the internet increases risk. Prefer the manufacturer’s relay or secure-access service, or use a properly configured VPN such as Tailscale or a router-based VPN. Disable unused services, turn on multi-factor authentication, apply security updates, and use separate accounts for administration and everyday file access.
For a household, the best remote workflow is usually a private sync folder rather than making the entire file system public. For a business, define which data may be accessed remotely and log access where the software supports it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy hard drives separately for these NAS devices?
Yes, the recommended NAS devices are generally sold before drives, so you need to choose and install compatible storage separately. Use NAS-rated hard drives, and install at least two drives when redundancy matters. A two-drive mirror protects against one drive failure, while larger arrays can use RAID layouts that balance usable capacity, redundancy, and expansion.
Is RAID a substitute for backing up my files?
No, RAID is for availability, not an independent backup. RAID can help keep storage operating after a drive failure, but it does not protect against theft, ransomware, electrical events, or failure of the NAS itself. Keep a separate backup in another location or with a cloud service, and consider using snapshots for quick recovery from accidental changes.
Can a NAS stream several four-K videos over one-gigabit Ethernet?
Yes, a one-gigabit NAS can often serve several direct-play streams. A four-K stream encoded at twenty-five Mb/s uses about 3.1 MB/s, so four streams require about 12.5 MB/s of sustained media data. Direct playback is preferable because it uses little CPU and avoids quality loss. Transcoding depends on codecs, subtitles, client devices, and server software.
What should I do if my home internet router is limited to one-gigabit Ethernet?
A one-gigabit network is sufficient for ordinary media streaming, overnight backups, documents, and photos. The DS224+ fits this environment particularly well because its standard connection can approach 110–115 MB/s in real file transfers. Faster networking becomes more useful for simultaneous backups, large file copies, multiple users, or editing large video files over the network.
How can I access my NAS remotely without creating unnecessary security risks?
Use secure account practices rather than exposing the administration interface directly to the internet. Create individual user accounts, avoid sharing one administrator login, enable multi-factor authentication, review application permissions, disable services you do not use, and configure remote access carefully. Automatic updates and an off-NAS backup also support a safer, more recoverable setup.
Final buying recommendation
Buy the Synology DS224+ if dependable backups and simple administration are the priority. Choose the QNAP TS-464 if you want a capable home media server, 2.5GbE, and broader application options. Select the Synology DS923+ for a small office that needs structured permissions, snapshots, and a mature backup workflow. Move to six or eight bays with faster networking when virtualization, large archives, surveillance, or multiple heavy users justify the additional cost, heat, and setup complexity.
