1. Quick list
2. Top picks in depth
● Best overall
● Best high-capacity
● Best expandability
Looking for the best NAS device? Understanding your storage needs is crucial.
Unlike the best external hard drive or the best portable SSD, NAS devices offer a unique advantage: internet connectivity. This allows you to access your stored files remotely, ensuring you have the convenience to retrieve data from anywhere in the world.
This remote accessibility feature of NAS devices trumps traditional storage methods. Rather than carrying around an external hard drive or the best flash drive, you can securely retrieve files from any internet-connected device. Additionally, NAS devices can serve as a centralized storage hub within your network. Whether for work or personal use, every computer on the network can utilize the NAS as if it were an internal drive. This centralized approach ensures that even if one PC fails, the stored data remains intact and secure in the NAS.
If security, accessibility, and centralized storage are priorities for you, a NAS device might be the best solution. It seamlessly integrates with the best cloud storage and best cloud backup services. Moreover, if you're into photography, it might be worth looking into the best photo storage options. And to maximize your device's connectivity, consider pairing it with the best mesh WiFi system or the best WiFi router.
The world of NAS devices can be a bit daunting, though, so we're here to help you navigate it with our guide to finding the best NAS device for your needs and budget. We've extensively tested all the best network-attached storage solutions, and pulled the best of the best together in one place to help you find the device you're looking for.
The quick list
WD's My Cloud, advertised as a 'personal cloud,' excels as a NAS drive with options ranging from 2TB to 4TB. It streams to any DLNA device and offers mobile access via iOS and Android apps. Though a one-bay unit prevents self-backup, it supports external backups via a USB port.
Seagate's Personal Cloud competes with WD's MyCloud as a user-friendly NAS, enabling remote access to stored media and documents. It supports streaming to various devices including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, and offers local backup, including Apple's Time Machine..
The DS1817 stands out in the NAS 'value' category by offering massive expandability with eight customizable drive bays and top performance through a 10GbE LAN and Quad-Core CPU, making it one of the best NAS drives available.
The best NAS device: our top picks
The best NAS device in 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each pick for the best NAS device on our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best NAS device overall
WD has attained significant success with its unashamedly consumer-friendly My Cloud products, which can stream to any DLNA-compliant device and be accessed via mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Advertised as a 'personal cloud,' this WD is one of the best NAS drives by any other name and starts at 2TB of storage (you can also get it in 3 or 4TB). Because it's a one-bay unit, it can't back itself up since there's only one drive. However, it can back up to an external hard drive thanks to a USB port on the back.
Read the full review: WD My Cloud Personal.
The best high-capacity NAS device
Continuing with the 'personal cloud' theme, this unit from Seagate takes its lead from My Cloud while offering far larger capacities, along with dual bays for two hard drives. This allows the Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay NAS device to mirror the files from one hard drive to a second one, securing your files in case one of those drives fails.
We also appreciate the no-fuss appearance of this unit, meaning it fits easily under a router or on a shelf. Plus, it can work with cloud accounts – like Dropbox and Google Drive – and you can also use an app to share content with streamers, such as Chromecast and Roku.
Read the full review: Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay.
The best NAS device for expansion
Every now and then, a product comes along that challenges the conventions of its product category. The DS1817 is one such product. Most NAS devices that occupy the ‘value’ space tend to be underpowered and have little to no room for expansion. The DS1817 breaks the norms by letting users fill the included eight drive bays with whatever they desire to get as much (or as little) storage as they want. On top of this massive expandability, which helps rank it as one of the best NAS drives available, the 10GbE LAN and Quad-Core CPU also mean that you’ll never be left wanting for performance.
Read the full Synology DiskStation DS181 review
