NAS (Network-Attached Storage) devices are now essential in smart homes, providing secure, centralized storage for easy file storage, backup, and streaming. You can seamlessly access and quickly transfer your files for tasks like home office work, media libraries, backups, or home security.
In this article, we’ll explore the top NAS options that combine performance, value, and reliability to meet various home needs. Let’s look at the best NAS devices for your home in 2024.
1. Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS223j (Diskless)
For an overall pick in a budget price range, Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS223j (diskless) NAS is recommended with DSM 7.2 and plenty of functionalities. It features 1GbE LAN connectivity, 1GB RAM, an easy-to-use interface, reliable hardware, secure private cloud access, easy file sharing, and more.
With the Realtek RTD1619B CPU, you can expect optimal performance across computer and mobile devices. Though you can’t upgrade the RAM, it’s suitable for the starter level of your home at a $189.99 price tag.
Pros
- Best affordable entry-level NAS
- Run with Disk Management 7.2 software
- Reliable hardware
- Includes 1GB of RAM
- Docker support, Plex compatible
- Great for beginners, easy to use
Cons
- Single 1GbE LAN with 2.5 inches drive support
- Lacks upgradability, expansion, and advanced software support
- Drive setup may throw errors
2. Asustor Nimbustor 2 Gen2 – AS5202T (Diskless)
The Asustor Nimbustor 2 Gen2 AS5402T is a powerful 2-bay NAS priced at $299, ideal for power users. It features a dual-core 2.7GHz Intel Celeron processor, 2GB of expandable DDR4 RAM, and supports up to 36TB of storage (2x 18TB) with 2.5- and 3.5-inch SATA drives.
Dual 2.5GbE ports provide up to 5Gbps in link aggregation mode. An HDMI 2.0a port enables smooth 4K HDR with 10-bit decoding, HEVC, and VP9 support. While performance is impressive, the software could use refinement.
Pros
- Great value for money for home and small businesses
- Compatible with Plex
- Dual 2.5GbE LAN port
- 4 NVMe drive slots
- Expandable RAM up to 8GB
- SMB Multichannel
- SATA SSD/HDD expandable up to 36TB
Cons
- Two M.2 drives are required for read/write caching
- Basic features with no M.2 2230 support
3. Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS723+ (Diskless)
Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS723+ (diskless) is one of the best-rated NAS devices on Amazon you can get under the $500 price range. It’s designed for power users which comes with the AMD Ryzen CPU and 2GB of RAM.
You’ll also get two NVME SSD slots for storage expansion, DSM 7.2 software support, compact design, a PCIe slot for a 10GbE card, and more.
Pros
- Compact yet powerful 2-bay NAS for home
- 2GB DDR4 RAM support
- PCIe slot for 10GbE card
- 2 slots for NVMe SSD expansion
- User-friendly Synology DSM interface
- Built-in tools for virtualization and surveillance
Cons
- Expensive with additional cost for the 10GbE card
- Loud operations and unsuitable for beginners
4. Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 (Diskless)
Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 is a 2 Bay NAS enclosure network storage that comes at a $269 price tag. You’ll get a 1.7GHz Quad-Core Realtek RTD1619B processor, superfast 2.5GbE Port, 2GB DDR4 RAM, 4K video transcoding, wake on WAN, Btrfs/iSCSI snapshots, powerful internal display, and more.
This plug-and-play NAS device is easy to use, allows users to perform cross-platform, and is compatible with Plex. It features an easy photo management tool.
Pros
- Affordable 2 Bay NAS for home
- Excellent 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet
- Easy to setup and configure
- 2 GB DDR4 RAM
- Wake on LAN and Wake on WAN supported
- Smooth transcoding of 4K videos
- Plex server compatible
Cons
- Noisy operation
- Enclosure cover can be difficult to replace
- Time adjustment issues with the local NTP server
5. Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen 2 AS6702T
For the $459 price tag, the Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2 AS6702T 2 Bay NAS is a really good choice with several useful features. This network storage enclosure is equipped with a quad-core 2GHz CPU, four M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD slots, dual 2.5GbE ports, HDMI, and 4GB DDR4 RAM for a better user experience.
The Intel Celeron N5105 CPU can deliver up to 31% increased performance than its predecessor. You can expand up to 16GB (2x8GB) memory and can get up to 5Gbps with link aggregation.
Pros
- Better CPU and Memory
- Easy to use and efficient hNAS
- Suitable for home and small office
- 4x NVMe SSD slots can be sufficient
- USB 3.2 Gen2 and HMDI 2.0 support
- 10 Gigabit LAN connectivity works great
Cons
- Full installation requires disassembly, unsuitable for beginners
- Slightly overpriced
- Noisy hard drive operations with RAID storage backup and long-name file transfer issues.
6. Synology 2-Bay NAS DS223 (Diskless)
The Synology 2 Bay NAS DiskStation DS223 (diskless) is a game changer in the sub-$250 price tag under the Synology lineup. Its unique aesthetic design, cooling features, Realtek hardware, 2GB RAM, etc offer a great price-to-performance ratio.
The DiskStation Manager works well with Plex servers and doesn’t require hardware transcoding. Meanwhile, users can easily store, backup, and share media files on the NAS across any connected devices. It’s capable of managing and storing up to 20 security camera footage with ease.
Pros
- Polished DSM interface
- Solid entry-level home NAS
- Powerful hardware, easy-to-use software
- Easy file sharing and syncing
- Streams Plex
- Standard 2GB of RAM
- Intelligent surveillance tools
Cons
- Single Gigabit Ethernet port, lacks RAM upgradability with non swappable drives
- Setup can be frustrating for some users
- Noisy drive operations
7. UGREEN NASync DXP2800 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless)
Another excellent choice for a home or small business NAS is the UGREEN NASync DXP2800 2-Bay Desktop NAS that’s powered by an Intel N100 Quad-core CPU and 8GB DDR5 RAM out-of-the-box.
It features a single 2.5GbE port, dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots, 4K HDMI port, up to 56TB data storage capacity, JBOD/ Basic /RAID0 /RAID1 RAID level supported, integrated movie library, standalone application for easy access, and more. You’ll also get professional-level data security features.
Pros
- Excellent bargain for the price
- Easy to set and assemble
- Powerful CPU for unparalleled performance
- Integrated application for seamless usage
- Added Firewall and Security Manager
- Expandable up to 56TB storage space
- 8GB DDR5 RAM is a big plus
- Build quality is also great
Cons
- Poor user documentation with limited apps in the interface
- UGreen UGOS Pro software could be better
- Lacks iSCSI LUN support for advanced users
8. Asustor Drivestor 2 Lite AS1102TL (Diskless)
Asustor Drivestor 2 Lite AS1102TL is another 2 Bay NAS Enclosure Network Storage that you can get at a $175 price tag. It’s designed for home and small offices to work seamlessly which comes with a 1.7GHz Quad Core Realtek RTD1619B CPU, 1GB of DDR4 RAM, 1GbE Port, etc.
The company claims you can enjoy content streaming with 4K transcoding, faster download & uploads, wake on LAN support, and more.
Pros
- Budget-friendly home NAS
- Simple setup and beginner-friendly
- Suitable for data backups and file sharing
- Compact, aesthetically pleasing
- Software interface is easy to use
Cons
- Not for power users
- Non-expandable memory and lacks auto app updates
- A loud rattling noise may occur with issues in replacing the enclosure cover
9. TERRAMASTER F4-423 (Diskless)
The TerraMaster F4-423 is a top-performing mid-range NAS priced at $459.99, offering a clean UI and strong performance. It features dual 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports (up to 5 Gbps with link aggregation), an HDMI port, a powerful Intel N5095 Quad-core 2.0GHz CPU, and 4GB DDR4 RAM, expandable to 32GB.
With a capacity of up to 80TB (4x 20TB) using 2.5- and 3.5-inch SATA drives, it supports RAID 0/1/5/6/10, online expansion, and migration. Additional features include an M.2 NVMe SSD slot, data backup, mail/FTP servers, and a quiet aluminum-alloy design for efficient heat dissipation.
Pros
- Excellent performance for a home NAS
- Easy user interface and configuration
- Roku and Plex compatible
- High transmission dual 2.5 Gigabit LAN ports
- Storage expansion is a plus point
- Hot-swappable Bays
Cons
- Slightly expensive with no RAM upgradation
- Flawed software with less app support in the interface
- Some users faced heating and noise
Choosing the Best NAS Device for Home
Ultimately, it all comes down to your budget and what you need from a home NAS device. Many families prioritize easy data backups for photos, videos, music, and essential work-from-home files, while others seek centralized access for sharing and managing data across devices. If you’re into media streaming on platforms like Plex, choose a NAS that aligns with your preferred features and specifications.
