8 Best NAS Storage Devices in 2026
8 best NAS storage devices in 2026 across 2-bay, 4-bay, and 6-bay tiers, compared on CPU, RAM, and RAID setup, from a $284.99 entry unit to a $939.15 6-bay flagship.
At a Glance
NAS storage devices span a wide range, from simple 2-bay units meant for basic backup to 6-bay towers built for large media libraries and multi-user small offices, and the right tier depends far more on CPU class and RAM than on bay count alone. Every pick below is diskless, so the price shown is the enclosure only, NAS-grade drives like Seagate IronWolf or WD Red still need to be budgeted separately, often adding $80-200 per bay.
Below are 8 NAS storage devices we evaluated across 2-bay, 4-bay, and 6-bay tiers on CPU architecture (Intel versus AMD versus ARM), RAM upgradeability, and real total capacity, ranging from a $284.99 entry-level 2-bay unit to a $939.15 6-bay flagship for large libraries.
5 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a NAS Storage Device
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Remember every listed NAS here is diskless, budget drives separately
The price shown for a NAS enclosure covers the hardware chassis, CPU, and RAM only, not the actual storage drives, NAS-grade drives built for 24/7 operation like Seagate IronWolf or WD Red still need to be budgeted on top, often adding $80 to $200 or more per bay depending on capacity and drive type.
This matters because comparing NAS units purely by enclosure price without factoring in drive cost gives a misleading picture of the real total investment, a cheaper enclosure with more bays to fill can end up costing more overall than a pricier enclosure with fewer bays.
Check whether a listing is diskless or ships with drives included, and add realistic per-bay drive costs to the enclosure price before comparing total cost across options.
Weigh CPU class and RAM over bay count for real day-to-day performance
Bay count determines maximum storage capacity, but CPU architecture (Intel, AMD, or ARM) and RAM amount determine how well the NAS actually handles real workloads, running apps, transcoding media on the fly, or serving multiple simultaneous users, and a higher bay count with a weak CPU can bottleneck performance regardless of how much raw storage it holds.
This matters more the more the NAS will do beyond simple file storage, like Plex transcoding or running multiple docker containers, less if it's purely a basic backup target.
Check the specific CPU model and RAM amount (and whether RAM is upgradeable) rather than choosing primarily by bay count.
Understand RAID as a rebuild-time safety net, not a substitute for real backup
RAID configurations protect against a single drive failure by letting the array rebuild from redundant data, but RAID is not a backup, it does nothing to protect against accidental deletion, ransomware, theft, fire, or a controller failure that affects the whole array at once.
This distinction matters because treating RAID redundancy as sufficient backup protection is a common and genuinely risky misunderstanding, a real backup strategy needs a copy of critical data stored somewhere physically separate from the NAS itself.
Check what RAID level a given NAS supports, and separately plan an actual backup strategy, ideally following a 3-2-1 approach, rather than relying on RAID redundancy alone.
Match drive type (HDD vs SSD/NVMe) to your actual access pattern
Traditional hard drives offer the lowest cost per terabyte for bulk storage like media libraries or backups, while SSD or NVMe-based NAS storage costs significantly more per terabyte but delivers much faster random access speeds, genuinely useful for frequently-accessed files, active project work, or serving as a fast cache tier.
This matters directly based on how you'll actually use the storage, a media library accessed sequentially benefits little from SSD speed, while an active working file share benefits considerably.
Check whether the NAS supports the drive type you need, and weigh the real cost-per-terabyte difference against how much you'll actually benefit from faster random access.
Consider noise level if the NAS will run continuously in a shared living or office space
A NAS that runs 24/7 generates continuous fan and drive noise, and that noise profile varies meaningfully between models, some use larger, slower-spinning fans that stay genuinely quiet, while others rely on smaller, faster fans that produce a persistent whine noticeable in a quiet room.
This matters a great deal if the NAS will sit in a bedroom, living room, or shared home office rather than a dedicated closet or basement out of earshot.
Check reviews specifically for real-world noise level mentions during continuous operation, not just idle noise, since drive activity and fan speed both increase under load.
8 Best NAS Storage Devices in 2026
UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Pro
About this pick
The UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Pro is UGREEN's higher-tier 4-bay diskless NAS, stepping up from the DXP4800 Plus with a stronger overall configuration for buyers who want more headroom for RAID setups and multiple apps running at once. Four bays give meaningfully more total capacity and RAID flexibility than any 2-bay unit, at the cost of a larger footprint and higher up-front price.
As with every pick in this guide, it ships diskless, so budget for four NAS-rated drives on top of the enclosure price, and set aside real time (2-4 hours at minimum) for drive installation, RAID configuration, and OS setup.
Strong value at the top of UGREEN's 4-bay lineup. That's a real strength, but weigh it against the flip side: diskless, four drives adds significantly to the real cost.
Best for: Buyers who want the most capable 4-bay UGREEN option and plan to grow into it
Check price on AmazonPros
- +More total capacity and RAID flexibility than any 2-bay pick
- +Strong value at the top of UGREEN's 4-bay lineup
- +Good headroom for running multiple apps
- +Room to grow into larger storage needs over time
Cons
- −Diskless, four drives adds significantly to the real cost
- −Larger footprint than any 2-bay option
- −RAID setup across 4 bays takes longer to configure correctly
UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Plus
About this pick
The UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Plus runs an Intel Pentium Gold 8505 5-core CPU, strong enough to handle smooth 4K transcoding rather than stuttering the way ARM-based budget units do. That processor tier matters more than bay count for buyers planning to run a media server, since a fast CPU determines whether streaming actually works well.
It is a 4-bay diskless unit, so four NAS-rated drives are a separate cost, and first-time setup, drive install, RAID configuration, and OS setup, realistically takes 2-4 hours, this is not a plug-and-play device.
Worth calling out specifically: strong CPU-to-price ratio among the 4-bay picks. The catch is diskless, four drives add real cost on top of the enclosure.
Best for: Buyers who want strong 4K transcoding power in a 4-bay unit
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Intel 5-core CPU handles 4K transcoding smoothly
- +Strong CPU-to-price ratio among the 4-bay picks
- +Good fit for a home media server plus file storage
- +4-bay capacity for real RAID redundancy
Cons
- −Diskless, four drives add real cost on top of the enclosure
- −Cheaper than the DXP4800 Pro but still a meaningful investment
- −Setup takes real time, not instant
Synology DS425+
About this pick
The Synology DS425+ is a 4-bay diskless NAS positioned as a private cloud media server for streaming, backup, and file sharing, and it includes access to Synology's DSM software ecosystem, Synology Drive, Synology Photos, and Surveillance Station among its apps. That software polish is a real differentiator if you value a well-documented, beginner-friendly interface over raw price.
As a diskless unit, four NAS-rated drives are a separate purchase, and DSM's RAID setup, while more approachable than some competitors, still takes real configuration time on first setup.
Solid 4-bay capacity for backup, sharing, and streaming. Set against that, diskless, four drives add real cost. Both matter when comparing it to the other picks here.
Best for: Buyers who want Synology's DSM ecosystem in a 4-bay configuration
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Full DSM software ecosystem, well-documented and beginner-friendly
- +Solid 4-bay capacity for backup, sharing, and streaming
- +Reputable brand with strong long-term software support
- +Good middle price point among the 4-bay picks
Cons
- −Diskless, four drives add real cost
- −Not the cheapest way into DSM, the DS225+ and DS223 are cheaper
- −Setup and RAID configuration take real time
Synology DS925+
About this pick
The Synology DS925+ is Synology's current-generation 4-bay DiskStation and the most expensive 4-bay pick in this guide, aimed at buyers who want the newest hardware generation and the longest runway of software support and updates ahead of it. It runs the same DSM ecosystem as the rest of Synology's lineup, just on newer internals. Being diskless, four NAS-rated drives are a separate cost on top of the enclosure price, and as with any 4-bay unit, RAID setup and initial configuration take real time, budget a genuine afternoon for it. A genuine advantage here is that longest expected runway of software updates and support. The tradeoff is most expensive 4-bay pick in this guide.
Best for: Buyers who want the newest Synology 4-bay hardware and longest support runway
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Newest generation Synology 4-bay hardware in this guide
- +Longest expected runway of software updates and support
- +Full DSM ecosystem access
- +Strong pick for buyers who want to future-proof their purchase
Cons
- −Most expensive 4-bay pick in this guide
- −Diskless, four drives add significant additional cost
- −Premium price for generational improvements that matter more to some buyers than others
Synology DS225+
About this pick
The Synology DS225+ is the cheapest way into the Synology DSM ecosystem in this guide that still comes with real transcoding power, thanks to its Intel CPU and hardware transcoding support. It's a genuine step down in scale from the 4-bay and 6-bay picks above, appropriate for buyers who don't need four or six bays of capacity but still want Intel-level performance.
As a diskless 2-bay unit, budget for two NAS-rated drives separately, and expect a real 2-4 hour setup window for drive install, DSM configuration, and RAID setup.
Compact 2-bay footprint versus the larger 4-bay/6-bay picks. That's a real strength, but weigh it against the flip side: 2-bay capacity ceiling versus the 4-bay and 6-bay picks.
Best for: Buyers who want Synology's DSM and Intel transcoding without committing to 4 bays
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Cheapest way into DSM with real Intel transcoding power in this guide
- +Compact 2-bay footprint versus the larger 4-bay/6-bay picks
- +Full DSM software ecosystem
- +Good entry point before scaling up to 4-bay
Cons
- −2-bay capacity ceiling versus the 4-bay and 6-bay picks
- −Diskless, drives are a separate cost
- −Less RAID redundancy flexibility than a 4-bay unit
Synology DS223
About this pick
The Synology DS223 is the cheapest pick in this entire guide and the best true entry-level 2-bay option, positioned as a simple home or office backup hub rather than a media powerhouse. It skips the DS225+'s Intel transcoding CPU in exchange for a meaningfully lower price, a fair tradeoff if your priority is basic file backup and sharing rather than streaming.
Being diskless, two NAS-rated drives are a separate purchase, and as with any NAS, initial setup and RAID configuration take real time rather than working instantly out of the box.
Worth calling out specifically: simple, reliable entry point into DSM. The catch is no Intel hardware transcoding, unlike the DS225+.
Best for: Buyers who want the cheapest, simplest true entry-level 2-bay NAS
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Cheapest pick in this entire guide
- +Simple, reliable entry point into DSM
- +Good fit for straightforward backup and file sharing
- +Compact 2-bay footprint
Cons
- −No Intel hardware transcoding, unlike the DS225+
- −Diskless, drives are a separate cost
- −Not suited to heavier media server workloads
UGREEN NAS DXP4800 GT
About this pick
The UGREEN NAS DXP4800 GT is the only AMD-based pick in this guide, running an AMD R2514 CPU rather than the Intel chips found in most of the other 4-bay competitors. It also carries 8GB of DDR4 RAM, the highest RAM among the 4-bay picks in this guide, which matters directly if you plan to run multiple apps simultaneously, file sync, a media server, and backup all at once.
As a diskless 4-bay desktop NAS, four NAS-rated drives are a separate cost, and RAID setup plus initial OS configuration takes real time on a first setup, typically 2-4 hours minimum.
Highest RAM among all 4-bay picks at 8GB. Set against that, aMD platform has a different software/driver ecosystem than Intel competitors. Both matter when comparing it to the other picks here.
Best for: Buyers who want the most RAM among 4-bay picks and are open to an AMD platform
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Only AMD-based pick in this guide, an alternative CPU architecture
- +Highest RAM among all 4-bay picks at 8GB
- +Strong multi-app headroom thanks to the extra RAM
- +Competitive price for its RAM tier
Cons
- −AMD platform has a different software/driver ecosystem than Intel competitors
- −Diskless, four drives add real cost
- −Setup and RAID configuration take real time
UGREEN NAS DXP6800 Plus
About this pick
The UGREEN NAS DXP6800 Plus is the most expensive and highest-capacity pick in this entire guide, a 6-bay desktop NAS with the most bays and the highest capacity ceiling here, built around an Intel i3 1215U 6-core CPU. That combination of six bays and a genuinely capable CPU makes it the clear pick for large media libraries or small offices with multiple simultaneous users.
Being diskless, six NAS-rated drives is a substantial separate cost on top of the enclosure price, and setting up RAID across six bays takes meaningfully longer than a 2-bay or 4-bay unit, plan for a real block of setup time.
A genuine advantage here is that intel 6-core CPU handles heavy multitasking and transcoding well. The tradeoff is most expensive pick in this guide.
Best for: Large media libraries or small offices with multiple users needing maximum capacity
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Most bays and highest capacity ceiling in this entire guide
- +Intel 6-core CPU handles heavy multitasking and transcoding well
- +Best fit for large media libraries or multi-user small offices
- +Strong RAID redundancy options across 6 bays
Cons
- −Most expensive pick in this guide
- −Six NAS-rated drives is a substantial additional cost
- −Largest footprint, needs real shelf or rack space
How We Evaluated These NAS Storage Devices
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
CPU architecture across bay tiers
Compared Intel, AMD, and ARM processors across the 2-bay, 4-bay, and 6-bay picks, since CPU tier determines whether a unit can handle 4K transcoding or heavy multi-app workloads regardless of bay count.
RAM capacity and upgrade path
Weighed fixed versus upgradeable RAM across the lineup, since higher-tier 4-bay and 6-bay units need more memory headroom to run multiple simultaneous apps than a basic 2-bay backup unit does.
Real capacity and RAID flexibility per bay tier
Assessed how bay count (2, 4, or 6) changes real-world RAID options and total capacity ceilings, since more bays open up redundancy configurations a 2-bay unit simply can't offer.
Real total cost including drives
Looked past the diskless enclosure price to the true cost of adding NAS-rated drives at a competitive price-200+ per bay, since this cost scales directly with bay count across this guide's 2-bay through 6-bay picks.
Software ecosystem versus raw hardware value
Weighed Synology's polished DSM ecosystem and UGREEN's more hardware-forward NASync platform against each pick's price, since some buyers prioritize software polish and others prioritize CPU/RAM per dollar.
How to Choose the Right NAS Storage Devices
By Bay Count
| Your priority | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| 6-bay capacity | UGREEN NAS DXP6800 Plus |
| 4-bay capacity | UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Pro |
| 4-bay capacity | UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Plus |
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Under $285 | Synology DS223 |
| Up to $940 | UGREEN NAS DXP6800 Plus |
Bay Count vs Price
Synology DS223
The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its CPU and RAM against your actual workload.
UGREEN NAS DXP6800 Plus
The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real bay count or performance headroom above the cheaper pick.
Default to Synology DS223 unless your storage needs genuinely call for the pricier pick.
By CPU and RAM
Check each pick's listed CPU architecture and RAM amount against your actual workload before buying, not just bay count alone. UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Pro is the most-reviewed option here if you want the safer bet.
For Media Streaming or Plex Specifically
Look for
A CPU capable of hardware transcoding and enough RAM to handle multiple simultaneous streams, not just total bay count.
In this comparison
UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Pro is worth checking against its listed CPU and RAM before buying, given its strong review base.
When to Spend More
Spend more if
You need real multi-user performance, media transcoding, or business-critical reliability, where UGREEN NAS DXP6800 Plus's CPU and RAM give real headroom over the cheaper picks.
Save if
You just need simple backup storage for one or two users, where Synology DS223 covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bays do I actually need?
For basic single-user backup, 2 bays with simple mirroring (RAID 1) is enough, the Synology DS223 or DS225+ cover that well. A small household or home office generally benefits from 4 bays for a better balance of capacity and redundancy, and a large media library or multi-user small office is where 6 bays, like the UGREEN NAS DXP6800 Plus, actually pays off.
Does a higher bay count mean better performance?
Not by itself. Bay count controls capacity and RAID flexibility, but CPU tier controls things like 4K transcoding and multi-app performance. A 2-bay unit with an Intel CPU, like the Synology DS225+, can outperform a weaker-CPU unit with more bays for tasks like media streaming.
What's the real cost difference between 2-bay and 6-bay NAS units once drives are included?
Since NAS-rated drives run roughly $80-200 per bay, a 2-bay setup typically lands around $450-750 total, a 4-bay setup around $920-1,500, and a 6-bay setup around $1,400-2,100. Always compare total cost including drives, not just the enclosure price, across bay tiers.
Is RAID enough to protect my data on a larger NAS?
No. RAID, at any bay count, only protects against a single drive failing, not against accidental deletion, ransomware, or the NAS itself being lost or damaged. The 3-2-1 backup rule, 3 copies of your data on 2 different media types with 1 copy offsite, is the real safety net regardless of how many bays your NAS has.
Which pick in this guide has the most RAM?
The UGREEN NAS DXP4800 GT has 8GB of DDR4 RAM, the highest among the 4-bay picks in this guide, thanks to its AMD R2514 CPU platform. More RAM matters if you plan to run multiple apps simultaneously, like file sync, a media server, and backup all at once.
When should I skip a NAS entirely and use cloud storage instead?
If you only need backup for under 2TB of data and are a single user, a cheap monthly cloud storage subscription is usually more cost-effective than any NAS in this guide, even the cheapest 2-bay picks. A NAS starts making more sense once you have multiple users, more than about 5TB of data, or want local-network speed and privacy.
Bottom Line
best overall: UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Pro - best 4-bay value pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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