Best NAS Devices 2026
We tested network-attached storage for performance, app ecosystems, Plex transcoding and value. Here are the best NAS units for backups, media and home servers (all sold diskless).
🔬 Buying used or want to verify a new one? Run our free NAS Testing Guide before you trust the specs.
Best NAS Devices 2026
Synology DS224+
2-bay | DSM software | 2GB (exp)
~$300
The DS224+ is the best NAS for most people. Synology's DSM is the most polished, beginner-friendly NAS OS, with excellent backup, photo, and Docker apps. Two bays give you redundancy (RAID 1) for important data, and it sips power as an always-on home server.
Strengths
- + Best-in-class DSM software
- + Great backup & photo apps
- + Low power, quiet
Consider If
- - Sold diskless (buy drives)
- - Limited Plex 4K transcoding
Synology DS923+
4-bay | AMD Ryzen | 4GB (exp 32GB)
~$600
The 4-bay DS923+ steps up to a Ryzen CPU, expandable ECC RAM to 32GB, and an optional 10GbE upgrade. Ideal for households running many apps, VMs or larger storage pools who still want DSM's polish and reliability.
Strengths
- + Expandable to 32GB ECC RAM
- + Optional 10GbE
- + Great for apps/VMs
Consider If
- - No hardware transcoding
- - Premium price + drives
QNAP TS-264
2-bay | Intel N5095 | 8GB | 2.5GbE
~$500
The TS-264 is the media-server pick: an Intel CPU with hardware transcoding for smooth Plex 4K, dual 2.5GbE ports, and an M.2 slot for caching. QNAP's QTS is more complex than DSM but far more capable for transcoding and tinkering.
Strengths
- + Hardware 4K transcoding
- + Dual 2.5GbE + M.2 slots
- + Strong performance
Consider If
- - QTS less beginner-friendly
- - Security needs attention
Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3
4-bay | 2.5GbE | M.2 | 4GB
~$500
The Lockerstor 4 Gen3 is a strong value 4-bay: fast networking, M.2 cache slots and a capable app store, often undercutting Synology's 4-bay pricing. A good choice for enthusiasts who want more hardware for the money.
Strengths
- + Great hardware-per-dollar
- + 2.5GbE + M.2 caching
- + 4 bays for big pools
Consider If
- - Smaller app ecosystem than Synology
- - ADM OS less refined
TerraMaster F4-424
4-bay | Intel N95 | 8GB | 2.5GbE
~$400
The F4-424 packs four bays, an Intel N95 with transcoding, 8GB RAM and dual 2.5GbE for one of the lowest 4-bay prices around. TOS has improved a lot; the value pick for DIY home servers and Plex on a budget.
Strengths
- + Cheapest capable 4-bay
- + Hardware transcoding
- + Dual 2.5GbE
Consider If
- - TOS less mature
- - Smaller support community
Synology DS124
1-bay | DSM | 1GB
~$170
The single-bay DS124 is the cheapest way into Synology's excellent DSM ecosystem — perfect as a simple backup target or first NAS. No redundancy (one drive), but ideal for centralizing backups, files and Synology Photos cheaply.
Strengths
- + Cheapest entry to DSM
- + Great for backups/files
- + Low power, silent
Consider If
- - Single bay (no RAID redundancy)
- - Not for heavy apps/media
NAS Comparison
| NAS | Bays | Best for | RAM | Price (diskless) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synology DS224+ | 2 | Overall / backups | 2GB (exp 6GB) | ~$300 |
| Synology DS923+ | 4 | Power users | 4GB (exp 32GB) | ~$600 |
| QNAP TS-264 | 2 | Plex / media | 8GB | ~$500 |
| Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 | 4 | Value 4-bay | 4GB | ~$500 |
| TerraMaster F4-424 | 4 | Budget 4-bay | 8GB | ~$400 |
| Synology DS124 | 1 | Single-bay budget | 1GB | ~$170 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best NAS in 2026?
The Synology DS224+ is the best NAS for most people thanks to its polished DSM software, two-bay redundancy and great backup/photo apps. For Plex media the QNAP TS-264 (hardware 4K transcoding) is best, and the Synology DS124 is the best budget entry point.
Synology vs QNAP — which should I buy?
Synology (DSM) is the easiest to use with the best apps and is ideal for backups, photos and reliability. QNAP (QTS) offers more raw hardware and better transcoding for the money but is more complex. Choose Synology for simplicity, QNAP for media/Plex performance.
What is the best NAS for Plex?
The QNAP TS-264 is the best NAS for Plex because its Intel CPU hardware-transcodes 4K smoothly. The TerraMaster F4-424 is a strong budget alternative with transcoding. Synology Plus models are great NAS units but most lack hardware 4K transcoding.
Do NAS devices come with hard drives?
No — almost all consumer NAS units are sold diskless, so budget separately for NAS-rated drives (e.g., WD Red Plus or Seagate IronWolf). A 2-bay NAS in RAID 1 needs two matching drives for redundancy.
How many bays do I need in a NAS?
A 1-bay (DS124) works as a simple backup target. A 2-bay (DS224+) is the sweet spot for most homes, giving RAID 1 redundancy. Choose a 4-bay (DS923+, TerraMaster F4-424) if you need large capacity, more redundancy options or to run many apps.