Best NAS device

We recently tested the Asustor Drivestor 2 Lite NAS, and we’re impressed with its performance for the price. The setup process was a breeze – we just plugged it in, and it announced itself on our network right away. The web interface is pretty straightforward, though we found it a bit quirky at times.

This NAS packs a punch with its 1.7GHz quad-core processor. We were able to stream 4K content without a hitch, which is great for a device in this price range. The Btrfs file system is a nice touch, offering better data protection than traditional options.

On the downside, the 1GB of RAM isn’t expandable, which limits its potential for running more demanding apps. We also struggled a bit when trying to replace the cover – it doesn’t slide on as smoothly as we’d like. But for basic file storage and media streaming needs, this NAS gets the job done well.

We’ve been testing the QNAP TS-464 for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The Intel Celeron processor and 8GB of RAM make quick work of file transfers and multimedia streaming. We noticed a big speed boost when moving large video files compared to our old NAS.

The dual 2.5GbE ports are a standout feature. We connected both to our network switch and saw transfer speeds nearly double. This is great for backing up multiple computers or streaming 4K video to several devices at once.

We like the flexibility of the four drive bays. We started with two 4TB drives in RAID 1 for data protection, but there’s room to expand later. The tool-less drive trays made setup a breeze. The two M.2 NVMe slots are a nice touch for adding fast cache drives.

QNAP’s software offers tons of features, but it can be overwhelming at first. We found the mobile app handy for checking status and managing backups on the go. The built-in apps for media streaming, file syncing, and backups worked well in our tests.

While it’s not the cheapest NAS out there, we think the TS-464’s performance and features justify the price for power users. Just be prepared for a learning curve if you’re new to NAS devices.

We set up the DS223j in our office, and it was a breeze. The step-by-step guide walked us through the process, and we had it up and running in about 30 minutes. The DiskStation Manager software is smooth and easy to navigate, even for beginners.

The two included 6TB Seagate IronWolf drives give plenty of space for most home users. We stored our photo libraries, music collections, and important documents without a hitch. Sharing files with family members was simple, and we could access everything from our phones when away from home.

One thing we really liked was how quiet the DS223j runs. It sits on a desk near our workspace, and we barely notice it’s there. The built-in apps for things like cloud sync and media streaming worked well in our tests. While it’s not the fastest NAS out there, for everyday home use, we found its performance more than adequate.

We’ve been using the WD Red Plus 4TB drive in our NAS setup for a while now, and it’s proven to be a dependable workhorse. The drive runs quietly and stays cool, which is great for always-on NAS systems. We like that it’s built to handle the constant read/write operations typical in network storage.

In our tests, the drive performed well for file sharing and backups. It may not be the fastest option out there, but for most home and small office NAS needs, it’s more than adequate. The NASware firmware is a nice touch, helping the drive play nice with various NAS enclosures.

We appreciate the 3-year warranty, which gives us peace of mind. While it’s a bit pricey compared to regular desktop drives, we think the added durability and NAS-specific features make it worth the cost for those serious about their data storage. Just keep in mind that if you need faster speeds or have very high workload needs, you might want to look at other options.

The Synology RS422+ impressed us with its speed. We saw read speeds over 600 MB/s and write speeds above 500 MB/s. This makes it great for quick file transfers and backups. The compact 1U size is perfect for small server racks. It’s only about 16 inches deep, so it won’t hog space.

We like the dual 1GbE ports for network redundancy. But we wish it came with 10GbE out of the box. You can add 10GbE later, which is nice. The setup was pretty easy, but you’ll need some networking basics to get the most out of it.

One downside is the noise. The fans can get loud, especially under heavy use. It’s fine in a server room, but not great for quiet areas. We also found the Synology DSM software powerful but a bit much for total beginners. Still, once you get the hang of it, it’s a solid system for file sharing, syncing, and backups.

The Synology DS923+ packs a lot of power into a small package. We were impressed by its tiny footprint, which belies its ability to house up to four drives. This NAS can hold a whopping 50TB of data, perfect for storing all our photos, videos, and documents in one place.

We found the DS923+ to be quite zippy in our tests. The AMD Ryzen processor handled multiple tasks with ease. We transferred large files quickly and streamed 4K videos without a hitch. For even faster performance, we added a 10GbE network card and NVMe SSDs for caching.

Synology’s software is a standout feature. We liked how easy it was to set up file sharing and backups. The built-in apps let us do everything from running a personal cloud to managing surveillance cameras. While it took some time to learn all the features, we felt our data was in good hands with the robust security options.

The QNAP TVS-h874 packs a punch with its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. We found it blazing fast for file transfers and demanding tasks like virtualization. The 32GB of DDR4 RAM gave us plenty of headroom for running multiple apps and services.

We really liked the dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots. Adding SSDs for caching made a noticeable difference in speeding up frequently accessed files. The eight drive bays let us pack in tons of storage – perfect for large media libraries or business data.

Networking is zippy with dual 2.5GbE ports. We hooked it up to a 10GbE network card in one of the PCIe slots for even faster speeds. The HDMI port came in handy for direct playback of 4K videos. While it’s overkill for basic home use, we think it’s a great fit for small businesses or creative pros working with large files.

We’ve been using the Synology DS220J for a few months now, and it’s proven to be a capable little NAS for basic home use. Setting it up was a breeze – we had it up and running in under an hour. The DS220J isn’t the fastest NAS out there, but for file storage and backups, it gets the job done.

One thing we really like is how simple it is to access our files remotely using Synology’s mobile apps. Whether we’re at home or on the go, getting to our data is quick and easy. The device also runs quietly, which is nice if you plan to keep it in a living area.

We did notice the interface can lag a bit when doing more intensive tasks. With only 512MB of RAM, it’s not meant for heavy lifting. But for streaming media, backing up computers and phones, and storing files, the DS220J performs well enough. Overall, we think it offers good value for home users looking to dip their toes into the world of network-attached storage.

The DS620slim packs a lot of power into a tiny package. We were impressed by how much this little box can do. At just under 7 inches wide, it easily fits on a desk or shelf without taking up much room.

Setting up the DS620slim was a breeze. The Synology interface guided us through the process step-by-step. Within minutes, we had our drives installed and were ready to go. The mobile apps let us access our files from anywhere, which came in handy when we needed to grab a document while out of the office.

We found the 4K video transcoding to be smooth and reliable. Streaming high-def content to our devices worked great, with no noticeable lag or buffering. The unit runs quietly too, so it won’t disturb you if it’s near your workspace.

We’ve been using the Synology DS723+ for a while now, and it’s proven to be a solid performer. The AMD Ryzen R1600 processor gives it plenty of power for most home and small office tasks. We found file transfers to be quick and smooth, even when dealing with large media files.

One thing we really like is how easy it is to access our files from anywhere. Whether we’re at home or on the go, we can get to our important documents and photos without a hitch. The Synology mobile apps make this process even simpler.

The DS723+ comes with 2GB of RAM, which is okay for basic use. But we noticed things can slow down a bit when running multiple apps at once. We’d suggest upgrading the RAM if you plan to use this NAS for more demanding tasks.

Setting up the DS723+ took us a bit longer than we expected. The interface isn’t always intuitive, and we had to refer to the manual a few times. Once it’s up and running, though, it’s pretty smooth sailing.

We love the variety of apps available for this NAS. From media servers to backup tools, there’s a lot you can do with it. Just keep in mind that some apps might not work perfectly with the newest security settings.

All in all, we think the Synology DS723+ is a good pick for most users. It’s not perfect, but its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. If you’re looking for a reliable NAS with lots of features, this one’s worth checking out.