11 Best Network Attached Storage For 2024

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If you're someone who deals with large amounts of data and files, network attached storage (NAS) might be the best solution for you. With NAS, you can store all your files in one central location and access them from anywhere at any time. In this article, we'll be discussing the 11 best network attached storage devices for 2023. These devices vary in storage capacity, features, and price, so you're sure to find something that fits your needs and budget. So, without further ado, let's dive into the world of network attached storage and see which devices are the cream of the crop for 2023.

Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS HDD

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Overall Score: 9/10

The Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD is a high-performance storage solution ideal for up to 8-bay NAS environments. It provides fast data transfer, less wear and tear, no noise or vibration, and increased file-sharing performance, among many other features. The drive comes with a 1M hours MTBF reliability and five-year limited product warranty, making it a perfect long-term choice. The IronWolf Health Management system lets users easily monitor the health of drives, while the three-year Rescue Data Recovery Services included provides added peace of mind. The product has dimensions of 5.79Lx4.01Wx1.03H and a size of 8TB, with a data transfer rate of 6.0 gigabits per second.

The Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD is a solid choice for those looking for a high-performance solution for their up to 8-bay NAS environments. Its features include a high data transfer rate, low wear and tear, and no noise/vibration. The downsides are its noticeable noise levels compared to other drives and higher capacity drives from competitors. However, with its reliable 5-year limited warranty and three-year Rescue Data Recovery Services included, it is a great long-term choice.

Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220+ (Diskless),Black

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Overall Score: 9/10

The Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220+ is a great device for private cloud support with excellent performance and RAID 1 disk mirroring. Its Intel dual-core processor with AES-NI hardware encryption engine and 2 GB DDR4 memory make it great for photo indexing and database response time. The device features dual 1GbE LAN ports to support network failover and provide large sequential read and write throughput. The graphic user interface makes it easy to access, share, and sync data across different operating systems and devices. The device is optimized for SATA devices only. Although the device has some issues, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home network storage capabilities.

The Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220+ is an excellent device for anyone looking to improve their home network storage capabilities. It is easy to set up, has robust safety features, and great private cloud support. Although it has some issues such as plastic drive trays and certification problems with drives, it is a great choice for anyone looking for reliable and efficient network storage.

IronWolf Pro 4TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD

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Overall Score: 8/10

The Seagate IronWolf Pro 4TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD is built for up to 24-bay, multi-user NAS server environments that demand powerful performance. It stores up to 4TB and operates at speeds of up to 214MB/s. This NAS hard drive is built for less wear and tear, with little to no noise and vibration, no lags or downtime, and lower power consumption. It also provides extra data protection, even in the event of power loss. This hard drive comes with a five-year limited warranty and two-year Rescue Data Recovery Services. Key features include an integrated IronWolf Health Management system that allows you to easily monitor the health of your NAS drive. It also supports S.M.A.R.T. drive monitoring and reporting. This hard drive is specifically optimized for network-attached storage and features CMR technology and a 128MB cache. Its dimensions are 5.79Lx4.01Wx1.03H.

The Seagate IronWolf Pro 4TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD is an excellent choice for those in need of a powerful and reliable NAS storage solution. Its IronWolf Health Management system and support for S.M.A.R.T. drive monitoring and reporting make it easy to monitor the health of your NAS drive. Its lower power consumption, less wear and tear, and extra data protection make it a smart choice for those who demand high-performance storage. While some users experienced noisy drives and failures or SMART errors, these were not common issues. Overall, we highly recommend the Seagate IronWolf Pro 4TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD for anyone in need of a high-quality NAS drive.

BUFFALO LinkStation 210 4TB 1-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage

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Overall Score: 7.5/10

The BUFFALO LinkStation 210 is a 4TB 1-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage device that offers hassle-free installation and serves as a home cloud or network storage solution. It comes with a hard drive included and does not require a computer for setup. With the ability to connect to your router, it provides instant shared network storage for all your devices. You can store and back up videos, music, and photos without any monthly storage charges. The NAS features a closed system for enhanced data security and supports automated backups of data on computers and mobile devices. Additionally, you can securely share files with family and friends while ensuring your data remains private. The BUFFALO LinkStation 210 is a reliable storage option with quality devices made in Japan, 24/7 US-based support, and a 2-year warranty.

The BUFFALO LinkStation 210 is a reliable and affordable NAS storage option that offers hassle-free installation, secure data storage, and easy accessibility. It provides a subscription-free personal cloud solution, allowing you to store and back up your important files without any monthly charges. With its closed system and SSL encryption, your data remains protected. The ability to back up multiple computers and securely share files adds to its convenience. However, it does have some drawbacks like outdated software, potentially noisy operation, and limited technical support. Overall, the BUFFALO LinkStation 210 is a solid choice for those seeking an entry-level network storage device.

Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T NAS

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Overall Score: 8/10

The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T is a highly capable network-attached storage solution that offers excellent performance and value. With its quad-core Intel Celeron N5105 processor and 4GB of DDR4 RAM, it delivers fast and reliable performance for both home and small business users. The unit comes with four M.2 NVMe slots and two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, but can be upgraded to 10 Gigabit Ethernet for even faster speeds. The hardware is solidly built, with a quiet fan and sturdy disk mounts that keep noise levels low. While the software (ADM) has room for improvement, it is good enough for most tasks and provides a large catalog of apps from both the manufacturer and third-parties. The unit is easy to configure and set up, although it can be a bit finicky when it comes to adding certain components. Overall, the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T is an excellent NAS that offers impressive features and performance at a reasonable price point.

The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T is an excellent choice for home and small business users who require reliable and fast network-attached storage. While it has some limitations in terms of software and camera support, it offers solid hardware construction, expandable memory, and a large app catalog. Overall, it is a great value for its price point and should satisfy the needs of most users.

WD 16TB My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 NAS

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Overall Score: 8/10

The WD 16TB My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 Network Attached Storage – NAS – WDBNFA0160KBK-NESN is designed to organize media collections and improve workflow. It boasts a built-in Intel Pentium N3710 Quad-Core 1.6GHz Processor with 4GB DDR3L Memory for speedy file access. The device comes with a Device Manager and My Cloud OS 3 for robust device management. The unit also offers AES 256 bit volume encryption for comprehensive security. Built-in video transcoding allows for HD streaming via Plex. The NAS has Redundant power supplies and supports NIC teaming. It is relatively easy to set up and its firmware update feature ensures that the core OS is secure and updated. Its interface is bare-bones but functional. However, the manual is lacking. The device also tends to be noisy. With smooth performance, lots of capability, and easy setup, it has gotten a 4.3/5 rating from customers.

Overall, the WD 16TB My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 is an excellent network-attached storage device that boasts a quick and easy setup, with robust device management and container support. The built-in video transcoding and video capabilities are also top-notch and clearly added with the user in mind. But the poorly written manual and noise may put off some users. The device is, however, worth the investment, given its rapid performance and highly beneficial features.

BUFFALO TeraStation Essentials Desktop NAS 16TB

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Overall Score: 7/10

The BUFFALO TeraStation Essentials 4-Bay Desktop NAS 16TB is a low-cost, professional-grade network attached storage device optimized to organize, store, share, and back up your important files. It is purpose-built to protect your data with secure 256-bit drive encryption and flexible replication and backup features. It features fast data transfers with a native 2.5GbE port and comes pre-configured with hard drives included for hassle-free setup. It also offers cloud integration, allowing you to sync with Amazon S3, Dropbox, Azure and OneDrive to create a hybrid cloud for extra data security and scalability. The product offers a 3-year warranty with 24/7 US-based support. However, the user interface can be a bit slow and glitchy, and the product is not cheap. Overall, it's a satisfactory product that gets the job done.

The BUFFALO TeraStation Essentials Desktop NAS 16TB is a good product for those looking for a low-cost and reliable network attached storage device. It offers fast data transfer speeds and flexible replication and backup features, as well as cloud integration for extra data security and scalability. However, the slow and glitchy user interface and the high price might be a turn off for some customers.

TERRAMASTER F4-210 4-Bay NAS

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Overall Score: 7/10

The TERRAMASTER F4-210 is an entry-level NAS with a 4-bay design that's optimized for home and SOHO users running the latest TOS 4.2 operating system. It boasts a quad-core 1.4GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM for fast read/write speeds of over 114 MB/s, hardware encryption, and compatibility with Emby and Plex media servers. The device supports 3.5" and 2.5" SATA hard drives and SSDs, up to 16TB per bay and 64TB in RAID 0. It also supports Docker, cloud drive sync, multiple backups, remote access, and mobile app. The F4-210 has an ultra-quiet heat dissipation technology and comes with dozens of free applications. Some of its pros include easy setup, fast performance, and good value for money. Its cons include inadequate software support and potential noise from sideways-installed drives.

Overall, the TERRAMASTER F4-210 is a decent entry-level NAS that provides great value for money. While it may have some software and noise issues, it is easy to set up and offers fast performance. It is compatible with various hard drives and SSDs and comes with a host of features, including media servers, Docker, cloud drive sync, multiple backups, remote access, and mobile app. If you’re looking for an affordable NAS that can handle basic home and SOHO needs, the F4-210 could be a perfect fit.

Asustor Drivestor 2 NAS

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Overall Score: 8/10

The Asustor Drivestor 2 AS1102T is a 2 Bay NAS with a 1.4GHz Quad Core CPU and 1GB DDR4 RAM. It has a single 2.5GbE Port and superfast 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet. It enables smooth video playback, supporting 10-bit 4K H.265 media with hardware decoding. It offers a 3-year warranty and an easy-to-use software interface. The Asustor Drivestor 2 is a great value in a ready-to-use NAS with modest storage requirements.

The Asustor Drivestor 2 AS1102T is an efficient and feature-rich product that is a great value in a ready-to-use NAS. With its superfast 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet and easy-to-use software interface, it enables smooth video playback, making it an ideal choice for those with modest storage requirements. Although the noise level may be an issue for some, the Asustor Drivestor 2 is a reliable and excellent NAS for those in need of a flexible and versatile storage solution.

WD 24TB My Cloud EX4100 4-Bay NAS

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Overall Score: 8/10

The WD 24TB My Cloud EX4100 Expert Series 4-Bay Network Attached Storage is a centralized storage system that offers anytime, anywhere access to your files. It features an integrated 1.6 GHz Marvell Armada 388 dual-core processor and 2GB DDR3 memory for quick transfer speeds. It also has a Twonky DLNA-certified media server and iTunes support for easy streaming. You can set it up with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 or JBOD and spanning for added security. The integrated backup software makes it easy for PC users, while Mac users can use Time Machine support. The unit itself is not silent, but it keeps the hard drives cool. Overall, it's a great and handy product at a great price.

The WD 24TB My Cloud EX4100 is a solid option for centralized storage that allows for easy access and management of your files. It has a lot of great features and options for users who need a simple and effective storage solution. There are some limitations for more advanced users, but overall it’s a great product at a reasonable price.

BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 4TB NAS Storage

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Overall Score: 8/10

The BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 is a robust network-attached storage system built for small offices and home use. The product offers up to 4 TB of disk space and is optimized to store, organize, share, and back up your important files. It comes with all the necessary hard drives installed, so no computer-based installation is required. The product supports subscriptions-free personal cloud storage, multiple PC backups, secure sharing with family and friends, and an SSL-encrypted file transfer system that keeps your data safe. It also offers a Direct Copy function to back up your devices via USB. Its interface is a bit underdeveloped but reasonably functional for most home users. The product has a 24/7 US-based support system and is backed by a three-year warranty. Overall, it is a reliable, secure, and cost-effective storage system.

BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 is a great device for small-office and home networks. It has a vast storage capacity, and its subscription-free cloud storage, automated PC backup, and USB-direct-copy function make it a practical solution for any office or household. However, users should keep in mind some of its limitations, like the lack of password protection, quota space allocation, and the underdeveloped UI. The cost-benefit tradeoff is still positive, and with its low noise level and reliable US-based support system, this device provides excellent performance and value.

Network Attached Storage Buyer's Guide

What is Network Attached Storage (NAS)?

• A storage solution that connects directly to your network rather than to a specific computer or server.
• Can be accessed from multiple devices on the network.
• Offers centralized storage, data protection, and file sharing.

Why should you consider buying a NAS?

• You need extra storage space for your files, media, and backups.
• You want to simplify your file sharing and collaboration with others.
• You want to access your files from anywhere, even outside of your home or office.

Key features to consider when buying a NAS

Capacity

• Make sure to choose a NAS with enough capacity to meet your current and future needs.
• Consider the number of users and devices that will be accessing the NAS, as well as the types of files and media you will be storing.

Number of Bays

• Choose a NAS with enough bays for your current and future storage needs.
• The more bays a NAS has, the more storage capacity and flexibility it offers.
• Some NAS devices can even be expanded with additional bays or external enclosures.

RAID

• RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks and is a way to protect your data by storing it across multiple drives.
• Make sure to choose a NAS that supports your desired RAID level (e.g., RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10).

Processor

• A more powerful processor will help the NAS handle multiple users and simultaneous file transfers more efficiently.
• Consider the processor speed and number of cores when selecting a NAS.

Connectivity

• Choose a NAS with the right connectivity options for your needs, such as Ethernet, USB, and HDMI ports.
• Consider the speed and type of Ethernet (e.g., Gigabit Ethernet) when selecting a NAS.

Features

• Some NAS devices offer additional features such as app support, media streaming, and cloud backup integration.
• Consider which features are important to you and whether they are included or require additional purchases.

NAS Brands to consider

• Synology
• QNAP
• Buffalo
• Western Digital
• Seagate
• Netgear
• Asustor
• Drobo