The finest network-attached storage (NAS) server for house is one that allows you to stream your media assortment and again up all of the units in your community seamlessly. A NAS basically enables you to create your individual non-public Netflix or Spotify, and most fashions on this listing even allow you to entry your media over the web. If you are seeking to construct your individual media server or want an answer for backing up knowledge, these are the perfect NAS enclosures in your dwelling, though should you have been to begin someplace, I’d recommend the Synology DiskStation DS220+ as proven under. These are the perfect NAS servers for dwelling useWhy you may belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you may select the perfect for you. Find out extra about how we check.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Synology DiskStation DS220+The finest NAS for dwelling useReasons to purchase+Ideal for 4K Plex streaming+Up to 32TB of storage throughout two bays+Two Gigabit Ethernet ports+Versatile software program with loads of options+Powerful inside hardwareReasons to avoid-No M.2 caching-No eSATA portThe DiskStation 220+ is the perfect Synology NAS should you’re out there for a 2-bay enclosure that excels on the fundamentals. The two drive bays can maintain 16TB of storage every, that means you may slot in a complete of 32TB of storage. The upgraded Intel Celeron J4025 chipset handles the whole lot you throw at it with ease, and there is 2GB of RAM put in as commonplace. You can add one other 4GB should you want extra reminiscence.The DS220+ has two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the again, and you should utilize Link Aggregation to bridge the ports and double the info switch charges when sending or receiving recordsdata from the NAS. You get two USB 3.0 ports as properly, and you’ll plug in a USB drive or an exterior drive and simply switch its contents over to the NAS.One of the perfect elements concerning the DS220+ is the supplied software program. You can host your individual e-mail server, audio and media streaming providers, and even your individual VPN server on the NAS. An important use case for the NAS is 4K Plex streaming, and when you have a good native library of media content material at 4K decision, the NAS does a unbelievable job streaming the content material to all units on your house community. You can even simply again up all of the units on your house community, together with the perfect Android telephones, iPhones, MacBooks or Windows computer systems, and nearly any system.If you are involved in choosing up the DS220+, I like to recommend two 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives. If you want extra storage, you may get the 6TB mode or the 8TB model.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)An important funds media serverReasons to purchase+Excellent worth+Same nice software program options+Gigabit Ethernet port+Runs quiet+Two bays with as much as 32TB of storageReasons to avoid-Not significantly nice with 4K transcodes-Limited reminiscenceIf you want what the DiskStation DS220+ has to supply however do not wish to spend that a lot cash on a NAS, the DS220j is the best finest low cost NAS. You get the flexibility to fit in as much as 32TB of storage throughout two drive bays and two USB 3.0 ports, however there is a single Gigabit Ethernet port on the again and 512GB of RAM as commonplace.But the only largest motive for getting the DS220j is the software program. You get the same set of software program options because the DS220+ because it additionally runs DSM 7.0, making the DS220j a unbelievable selection should you’re out there for a budget-focused NAS. Sure, you might not be capable to transcode 4K movies, however should you simply have to stream 4K content material to all units on your house community, there ought to be no points by any means.As for arduous drives, I’d recommend 4TB IronWolf drives. You might all the time decide up a single 8TB IronWolf to get issues began and decide up yet another down the street.(Image credit score: Western Digital)WD 4TB My Cloud HomeA standout all-in-one choiceReasons to purchase+Outstanding worth+4TB arduous drive included+Easy-to-use software program options+Gigabit Ethernet connectivity+USB 3.0 portUnlike the DiskStation NAS fashions — the place you will want to purchase a tough drive along with the enclosure — right here you get a 4TB arduous drive out of the field. WD’s My Cloud collection is focused at first-time NAS consumers, and whereas the mannequin would not have as many software program options as Synology, it is simpler to get began with.You nonetheless get the flexibility to stream domestically saved recordsdata throughout your house community, and the NAS has sturdy instruments that allow you to again up knowledge with ease. The better part is that you may entry the recordsdata saved on the NAS over the web, identical to with DiskStation fashions.The My Cloud is a superb possibility should you’re seeking to get a NAS to stream your media assortment and again up knowledge. Sure, you might not get as many software program options, however the general worth on supply right here is excellent.(Image credit score: Synology)Synology DiskStation DS120jLowering the barrier to entryReasons to purchase+Great worth in your cash+Can accommodate as much as 16TB of storage+Gigabit Ethernet connectivity+Great software program options+Runs quietReasons to avoid-Limited to USB 2.0-Single drive would not permit for knowledge safetyThe DiskStation DS120j is probably the most inexpensive approach to get into Synology’s in depth NAS portfolio. The single-bay NAS holds as much as 16TB, you get Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, a USB 2.0 port for plugging in a USB drive, and it runs quietly.The principal motive you are shopping for this NAS is for the software program. You get the identical nice choices to stream domestically saved audio and video recordsdata throughout all units on your house community — and over the web — and that makes the DS120j a very nice selection should you’re shopping for a NAS for the primary time.Sure, the {hardware} on supply is not groundbreaking, however the NAS delivers wonderful worth, and also you get many of the standout options that make Synology the go-to model on this phase. As for a tough drive to pair with the DS120j, I like to recommend the 4TB IronWolf.(Image credit score: Synology DiskStation DS220j)The finest dwelling media serverReasons to purchase+Powerful Plex 4K media server+Robust inside {hardware}+Outstanding software program options+Up to 64TB of storage+M.2 SSD cachingReasons to avoid-No 10GbE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) portsIf you need the perfect NAS for Plex, the DiskStation DS920+ ought to be your go-to possibility. The NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 chipset and comes with 4GB of RAM as commonplace — you get the choice of including one other 4GB of reminiscence.You can add as much as 64TB of storage by way of the 4 drive bays, and the DS920+ excels at 4K transcoding. It will stream 4K content material to all units on your house community with out breaking a sweat, and it has an exhaustive listing of software program options that embody working Docker containers, your individual e-mail or VPN server, iTunes server, and a lot extra. There are M.2 slots for SSD caching, and the DS920+ has two Gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB 3.0 ports.If you are not content material with simply 64TB of storage, you may hook up a DX517 enlargement unit, providing you with the flexibility so as to add as much as 80TB of additional storage to the NAS. If you do not wish to replenish the NAS simply but, the best drive possibility for the DS920+ is the 8TB IronWolf.(Image credit score: Buffalo)Buffalo LinkStation 210 4TBStandout worth on this segmentToday’s Best DealsReasons to purchase+Comes with a 4TB arduous drive out of the field+Gigabit Ethernet connectivity+Great worth+Offers a good set of software program featuresReasons to avoid-USB 2.0 port-Limited improve choicesBuffalo’s LinkStation 210 is a really fascinating possibility because it comes with a 4TB arduous drive included within the field. The bundled package deal makes the NAS a extra engaging possibility for first-time consumers, and the worth on supply right here is unbelievable.The LinkStation 210 misses out on among the extra sturdy options that you simply see on DiskStation fashions, however it has the fundamentals lined. You get the flexibility to routinely again up knowledge from all of the units in your community. Use the NAS as your individual media server, and it additionally enables you to entry your recordsdata over the web.You get Gigabit Ethernet connectivity together with a USB 2.0 port for transferring knowledge from a USB drive or exterior arduous disk with ease. If you need a hassle-free NAS that comes with a tough drive out of the field, the LinkStation 210 is a superb selection.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Asustor AS6604TThe preferrred NAS for two.5GbE connectivityReasons to purchase+Comes with an HDMI port+Two 2.5Gbps ports ship next-gen connectivity+Great for 4K Plex streaming+Dual USB 3.0 ports+Good software program featuresReasons to avoid-No tool-less HDD installation-Security issues-No PCIe slot Asustor’s Lockerstor AS6604T might simply be the most effective choices should you’re on the lookout for next-gen connectivity. The NAS comes with two 2.5Gbps ports, and also you additionally get an HDMI port, providing you with the flexibility to plug the NAS into your TV.The four-bay mannequin enables you to slot in as much as 64TB of storage. It is powered by the Celeron J4125 chipset and has 4GB of RAM put in out of the field. The {hardware} makes the NAS a terrific possibility for a 4K media server working Plex, and it additionally has a sturdy set of software program options that allow you to again up knowledge, run Docker containers, and a lot extra.The connectivity makes the AS6604T a really perfect possibility for content material creators seeking to offload video tasks to an exterior storage system. Asustor additionally touts the AS5202T as a streaming-oriented NAS, and also you get a good set of options that allow you to stream on to Twitch or YouTube. Choose the perfect NAS for you(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)If you are on the lookout for the perfect NAS for dwelling use, the DiskStation DS220+ is the perfect general decide. The upgraded {hardware} makes it a really perfect possibility for 4K Plex streaming, and with DiskStation Manager, you get probably the most polished software program interface of any model on this phase. Need extra drive bays? The DiskStation DS920+ is the best selection, delivering barely sooner {hardware} and the flexibility to increase to a complete of 9 drive bays. If you need a NAS with an HDMI port to attach on to your TV, the AS6604T is a unbelievable selection. The 4-bay NAS has highly effective {hardware} and provides you nice worth in your cash. If you need an all-in-one answer with a bundled HDD, search for the WD My Cloud or the Buffalo LinkStation fashions. These haven’t got fairly the identical set of software program options as the opposite enclosures on this listing, however they are perfect for first-time consumers.Round up of right this moment’s finest offers