Home >  News >  Top NAS Picks for 2025: Secure Your Media with Network Storage

Top NAS Picks for 2025: Secure Your Media with Network Storage

by Benjamin Apr 27,2025

If you own one of the best gaming PCs or laptops and need a robust solution for backing up or transferring your valuable data, consider upgrading to a top-tier NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device. Even if you're using a top SSD or have ample external hard drives for storing your essential files, photos, and other content, a NAS like our top pick, the Synology DiskStation DS224+, offers unmatched benefits for seamless data management and accessibility.

TL;DR – These are the Best NAS Devices:

Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+

0See it at Amazon### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0See it at Amazon### Synology DiskStation DS223j

0See it at Amazon### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

0See it at Amazon### Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0See it at Amazon### QNAP TS-264-8G

0See it at Amazon### SynologyDiskStation DS923+

0See it at Amazon### ioSafe Duo Pro

0See it at ioSafe

The best NAS drives are designed with significant storage capacity and integrate seamlessly into your home network, facilitating swift data transfers across your devices. Whether it's smartphones, tablets, desktops, or laptops, a NAS allows multiple devices to connect and sync simultaneously, making it an ideal solution for managing digital media libraries. However, given the investment required, choosing the right NAS is crucial. We've curated a list of eight top-notch NAS options tailored for various needs.

  1. Synology DiskStation DS224+

Best NAS

Our Top Pick### Synology DiskStation DS224+

0The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an easy-to-use, high-speed NAS with two drive bays, dual Gigabit LAN ports, a powerful Intel Celeron processor, and 2GB of upgradable RAM. It's perfect for those who want a capable yet straightforward NAS solution. With up to 32TB of storage and options for RAID 1 configuration, it ensures data redundancy and protection. Its fast quad-core processor and user-friendly interface make it ideal for storing security footage, running as a Plex server, or managing files and photos efficiently. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2 RAID Level: SHR, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1 Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bays Size: 9.02" x 9.13" x 6.5" PROS: Easy-to-use interface, Fast quad-core processor CONS: No multi-gig LAN port

  1. UGreen NASync DXP2800

Best Budget NAS

### UGREEN NASync DXP2800

0The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 offers quality hardware and a sleek design at a midrange price. It features dual drive bays for up to 24TB per drive and supports RAID configurations for enhanced security. Powered by an Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, it's well-suited for managing high-quality video libraries and hardware transcoding. While it lacks native Plex support, installation via Docker is straightforward. Additional storage options include two M.2 PCIe NVMe slots, and connectivity is enhanced with a 2.5Gb ethernet port. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications Connection: Ethernet, USB, HDMI RAID Level: JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, Basic Storage: 2 x 2.5"/3.5" bays, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slots Size: Not listed PROS: Comprehensive OS and apps, Multi-gig ethernet CONS: No native Plex

  1. Synology DiskStation DS223j

Most Affordable NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS223j

0The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an ultra-affordable and user-friendly NAS, perfect for beginners or those with simpler storage needs. It runs on Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, offering a wide range of applications for seamless file and data management. While it lacks a multi-gig ethernet port and M.2 slots, its reliability and affordability make it an excellent choice for straightforward storage solutions. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications Connection: Ethernet, USB RAID Level: Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, SHR Storage: 2 x 3.5" bays Size: 6.5" x 3.94" x 8.9" PROS: Reliable hardware, Easy to use CONS: Lacks multi-gig ethernet port

  1. Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

Best NAS for Power Users and Professionals

### Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T

0The Asustor Lockerstor 2 AS6602T is tailored for power users and professionals, featuring an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, and two drive bays supporting 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives. With additional M.2 PCIe NVMe slots and dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports, it offers robust performance for backups, virtualization, and media centers. It also supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding for an enhanced viewing experience. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.0, HDMI RAID Level: JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1 Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slots Size: 9.06" x 4.25" x 6.44" PROS: Dual M.2 PCIe NVMe slots for additional storage, Supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding CONS: Drive installation is more involved

  1. Synology DiskStation DS1821+

Best Multi-Bay NAS

### Synology DiskStation DS1821+

0For those requiring vast storage capacity, the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ offers eight drive bays for up to 128TB and includes M.2 2280 NVMe slots for high-speed caching. Its hot-swappable drives and expandability options make it future-proof, supported by a powerful quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 ECC memory. Though it can be noisy, it's an ideal solution for extensive data storage needs. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2 RAID Level: JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) Storage: 8 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe NVMe slots Size: 18.2" x 14.4" x 12.5" PROS: Wild 128TB capacity, Hot-swappable drives CONS: Can get noisy

  1. QNAP TS-264-8G

Best NAS for Media Streaming

### QNAP TS-264-8G

0The QNAP TS-264-8G is designed for media streaming, featuring dual 2.5Gb ethernet ports to handle high throughput, a 4K HDMI output, and dual drive bays for ample storage. With an Intel Celeron quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, it ensures smooth 4K video streaming and hardware transcoding. While the software might be challenging to master, its compact design and powerful internals make it a top choice for media enthusiasts. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2, HDMI RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, JBOD Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe slots Size: 8.1" x 6.6" x 4.1" PROS: Compact design, Impressive hardware CONS: Software is harder to master

  1. Synology DiskStation DS923+

Best Network Attached Storage for RAID Configurations

### SynologyDiskStation DS923+

0The Synology DiskStation DS923+ excels in data backup security with four drive bays and various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, and Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR). It supports 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives and includes M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for fast caching. Powered by a dual-core AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of upgradable DDR4 RAM, it ensures high performance and reliability. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications Connection: Ethernet, USB 3.2, eSATA RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, JBOD Storage: 4 x 3.5"/2.5" bay, 2 x M.2 PCIe slots Size: 6.5" x 7.8" x 8.7" PROS: Offers various RAID levels, Expandable storage and RAM CONS: No multi-gig LAN port

  1. ioSafe Duo Pro

Best Rugged NAS

### ioSafe Duo Pro

0Though not a traditional NAS, the ioSafe Duo Pro offers unparalleled physical data protection with its fireproof and water-resistant design, boasting an IP68 rating. It supports various RAID configurations and features robust, long-lasting drive bays. While it requires additional setup for network storage, its focus on data security makes it a valuable asset. See it at ioSafe

Product Specifications Connection: USB 3.2 RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, SPAN Storage: 2 x 3.5"/2.5" bays Size: 11.50" x 5.91" x 9.06" PROS: Fireproof and water-resistant, Offers two robust, long-lasting drive bays CONS: Not designed to be a NAS

What to Look for in NAS

NAS devices are not essential for everyone, but they can resolve specific networking challenges. If you share a network with family or housemates, a NAS allows centralized file sharing. Instead of backing up each computer individually, a NAS provides a single solution for all your backup needs.

What are you using it for?

If you need to share files or tools across multiple devices in your home, a NAS is a valuable asset. It's not only about storage but also about accessibility. For those with extensive media libraries, a NAS can be transformed into a Plex server, enabling everyone in the home to enjoy movies, TV shows, and music seamlessly.

Go diskless? How many bays?

Most NAS devices are sold without disk drives, requiring you to purchase them separately. If you already own compatible drives, this isn't an issue, but always check the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal performance. The number of bays determines the potential storage capacity; two or more bays are recommended, with multimedia systems often requiring more.