TOP 10 Network Attached Storage (NAS) Rating of 2022: Overview and Features of the Best Models for the Home

Network storages are used to accumulate large amounts of data on computer devices and simultaneously access them from different devices. In this article, we will look at how to choose the right network storage, what you should pay attention to in the first place. We also give an overview of the most popular models.

The volume of information on computer devices is increasing every day.

To store large amounts of data and quickly access them simultaneously from different devices, network storages have been created.

In this review consider what it is, what nuances to pay attention to when choosing, we will analyze the features, pros and cons of the best models.

Top 10 Best Network Attached Storage (NAS) Rating

Place	Model	Price
Models with one drive slot
#1	Synology DS118
#2	QNAP D1
#3	Synology DS120j
Models with two hard drive slots
#1	ZYXEL NAS326
#2	QNAP D2
#3	Synology DS218
#4	Synology DS218play
The best network storage for four drives
#1	Synology DS920+
#2	QNAP D4
#3	Synology DS418

What is network storage?

Note! Network-attached storage (NAS) is a computer device with a disk array and the ability to connect to a network.

This type of equipment provides access to information at any time.

Network storages are not equipped with a monitor and keyboard; they are managed and configured remotely.

NAS Selection Criteria

When choosing a network storage, it is important to pay attention to its technical characteristics:

Number of storage spaces.
The number of disk slots depends on the use case of a particular model.
For the home, one and two-disk devices are suitable.
For an office or organization of powerful cloud storage, you should choose a device with a large number of slots.
Form factor of supported disks.
Do most NASes support 3.5 hard drives? and 2.5?.
Some devices may come with only one of these form factors.
The total amount of storage.
Varies widely depending on the NAS model.
The maximum supported storage capacity depends on the tasks assigned to the storage.
Hardware part.
When choosing, you should pay attention to the type and frequency of the processor, which affect the overall performance of the NAS.
It is worth knowing how much RAM is available on board storage.
If possible, choose equipment with more RAM.
Ethernet ports.
Important is the number of ports and the speed of network interfaces.
Gigabit connectors will ensure maximum efficiency of information exchange between external devices and NAS.
Additional functionality.
Here it is worth considering the supported RAID levels, the availability of FTP / UPnP / DLNA servers, support for ip-video surveillance.
In some cases, cloud access, support for applications and specific network protocols such as iSCSI can be useful.

Models with one drive slot

Recommended, primarily, for storing files at home.

Important! The models below are affordable and compact in size.

Rating and review of the best network storage devices with a slot for 1 disk.

Synology DS118

Network storage is a high-performance device for home and office use for collecting, storing, protecting information and transferring data to computers on a public network.

The high performance of Synology DS118 is powered by Realtek RTD 1296 quad-core processor.

The device supports a large number of network protocols and is compatible with machines running Windows, Mac, Linux.

The equipment is equipped with an efficient cooling system, a software platform that supports ip-video surveillance.

The design includes USB 3.0 and Ethernet ports.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 12 TB;
form factor - 3.5?;
interfaces — Ethernet 1000 Mb/s, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - BitTorrent, FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance;
hardware - CPU Realtek 1400 MHz, RAM DDR4 1 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 9.44 W;
overall dimensions - 71? 165? 224 mm;
weight - 700 g;
features — connection to 15 ip-cameras.

Advantages

the ability to connect Wi-Fi via USB;
automatic copying from USB-drives;
auto start downloading torrents;
synchronization with cloud servers;
high speed.

Flaws

stripped-down operating system on the Linux kernel;
you can not install a full-fledged browser.

QNAP D1

Supporting a 3.5-inch SATA drive, the QNAP D1 NAS is a high-performance device designed for office and home use.

The machine supports hard drives up to 10TB.

The dual-core ARM processor platform and 1 GB of RAM are responsible for performance and speed.

Connection to the network is carried out via a gigabit Ethernet adapter.

Using myQNAPcloud technology, you can connect to the NAS remotely.

Also, the device can work as a download manager when downloading torrent files.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 12 TB;
form factor - 3.5?;
interfaces — Ethernet 1000 Mb/s, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - BitTorrent, FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance;
hardware - CPU ARM 1100 MHz, RAM DDR3 1 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 9 W;
overall dimensions - 60? 187.7? 125 mm;
weight - 600 g;
features — connection to 8 ip-cameras.

Advantages

democratic price;
high speed gigabit cable network;
pleasant appearance;
comfortable noise level.

Flaws

sleep mode not working properly;
non-critical heating during operation;
short warranty period.

Synology DS120j

Network storage in an ultra-compact case made of high-quality composite materials allows you to create a cloud service with the ability to store backup copies of the operating system or a large number of media files.

The compact sizes allow to place without problems the device on a workplace.

Synology DS120j is equipped with one drive bay up to 14TB and a highly efficient cooling system.

The hardware part of the network storage is represented by the Marvell Armada 3700 88F3720 processor of the manufacturer's own design and a 512 MB RAM chip.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 14 TB;
form factor - 3.5?;
interfaces — Ethernet 1000 Mb/s, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, encryption;
hardware - CPU Marvell 800 MHz, RAM DDR3 512 MB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 9.81 W;
overall dimensions - 71? 166? 224 mm;
weight - 700 g;
features — connection to 5 ip-cameras.

Advantages

ease of installation;
automatic installation of the necessary software;
low power consumption;
support for smartphone control;
help and training in Russian.

Flaws

high price tag;
noisy cooling system;
decent weight.

Models with two hard drive slots

Keep in mind! Suitable for home or small office use.

The NAS presented below have good characteristics and an excellent combination of price / quality.

TOP 4 NAS models for a two-slot home according to customer reviews and ratings.

ZYXEL NAS326

Network storage ZYXEL NAS326 in a reliable compact case made of quality materials.

Gives users the ability to create a personal cloud, back up information, or securely store digital data.

The device is distinguished by the presence of USB ports of the third version with lightning-fast data transfer of an impressive amount from external drives.

Another advantage of the model is a pre-installed high-power processor, which guarantees excellent system performance as a whole.

The storage is equipped with two hard drive bays with different form factors.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 24 TB;
form factor - 3.5? or 2.5?;
interfaces — Ethernet 1000 Mbps, SATA 3 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - BitTorrent, FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, backup button;
hardware - CPU Marvell 1300 MHz, RAM DDR3 512 MB;
internal support for file systems - EXT2, EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 28 W;
overall dimensions - 164? 123? 207 mm;
weight - 1257

Advantages

quiet work;
excellent functionality;
simple setup;
compact dimensions;
interface in Russian;
work stability.

Flaws

lack of updates in the app store;
admin account only;
large power supply.

QNAP D2

Network storage, made in a modern stylish design, can be used as a primary or backup drive for storing files and then moving them between devices.

QNAP D2 equipment is suitable for use in the office or small workgroups, as well as at home.

The device is equipped with two drive bays with a capacity of each media up to 10 TB.

Up-to-date interfaces allow you to quickly connect and avoid problems during the installation process.

When combining drives in RAID, a variant is possible taking into account the peculiarities of using the equipment. There are two Ethernet ports on board to connect to the Internet.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 20 TB;
form factor - 2.5? or 3.5?;
interfaces - Ethernet 2 ? 1000 Mbps, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, backup button;
hardware - CPU ARM 1700 MHz, RAM DDR3 1 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 16 W;
overall dimensions - 102? 168.5? 225 mm;
weight - 1300 g;
features — connection to 25 ip-cameras.

Advantages

worthy appearance;
the possibility of organizing a mirror;
rich set of features;
beautiful and user-friendly web interface;
can work as a network video recorder.

Flaws

small amount of RAM;
noisy fan operation;
large power supply.

Synology DS218

With a quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, Synology DS218 NAS delivers high performance and data-intensive workflows at home and in the office.

The equipment is equipped with a pair of boxes for hard drives of various form factors.

The model will be an excellent solution for secure data storage, cloud access and backup.

High-speed USB 3.0 ports eliminate slow copying of data from external media, and an integrated cooling system ensures that components do not overheat during intensive work.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 24 TB;
form factor - 2.5? or 3.5?;
interfaces — Ethernet 1000 Mb/s, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - BitTorrent, FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, backup button, auto-start after power failure;
hardware - CPU Realtek 1400 MHz, RAM DDR4 2 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 14.99 W;
overall dimensions - 108? 165? 233 mm;
weight - 1300 g;
features — connection to 20 ip-cameras.

Advantages

compact dimensions;
silent operation;
convenient own operating system;
hot swap disks.

Flaws

one Ethernet port;
RAM cannot be added;
high cost of a camera channel license.

Synology DS218play

Synology DS218play NAS is the best choice for efficient and secure data storage with digital backup capability.

The device is recommended for installation in small offices and for private use.

A powerful quad-core processor provides high-speed performance and high performance of the equipment.

An efficient cooling system prevents the device from overheating.

The device supports the installation of two storage drives with a capacity of each up to 12 TB. In addition, there is support for IP video surveillance.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 24 TB;
form factor - 2.5? or 3.5?;
interfaces — Ethernet 1000 Mb/s, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - BitTorrent, FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, auto-start after a power failure;
hardware - CPU Realtek 1400 MHz, RAM DDR4 1 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 16.79 W;
overall dimensions - 100? 165? 225 mm;
weight - 870 g;
features — connection to 15 ip-cameras.

Advantages

compact dimensions;
ease of setup;
support for 15 IP cameras;
affordable cost.

Flaws

noisy at work;
long Internet connection;
pretty heavy model.

The best network storage for four drives

They can be an ideal option for organizing a large network server, including using several similar models.

Accordingly, the presented equipment is more expensive.

Synology DS920+

Synology DS920+ NAS with SSD Cache Acceleration option is an ideal system for storing, optimizing and managing digital information.

Built-in M.2 solid-state media slots improve performance for most system operations.

The scaling option allows you to add storage components to the minimum configuration as data volumes grow.

The device is equipped with two slots for SSD, two Ethernet controllers. The drive bays are lockable.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 64 TB;
form factor - 3.5? or 2.5?;
interfaces - Ethernet 2 ? 1000 Mbps, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB, eSATA Host, PCI-E;
functionality - BitTorrent, FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, encryption, auto-start after a power failure;
hardware - CPU Intel Celeron 2000 MHz, RAM DDR4 4 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 32.17 W;
overall dimensions - 199? 166? 223 mm;
weight - 2240 g;
features — connection to 40 ip-cameras.

Advantages

high performance;
expandable RAM;
hot-swap drives;
two gigabit Ethernet ports;
powerful software support.

Flaws

high price;
lack of sound insulation;
low quality plastic.

QNAP D4

The QNAP D4 NAS is ideal for storing a significant amount of data in organizations and for private use.

The model is designed to install 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives with a capacity of up to 10 TB each.

4 drives are allowed. The device supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10.

The hardware part is represented by the Annapurna Labs AL-212 processor and a gigabyte RAM module.

Two gigabit Ethernet ports and three USB connectors of the third version allow you to connect to the Internet and exchange data via flash drives.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 40 TB;
form factor - 2.5? or 3.5?;
interfaces - Ethernet 2 ? 1000 Mbps, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, backup button;
hardware - CPU ARM 1700 MHz, RAM DDR3 1 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 27 W;
overall dimensions - 180? 177? 235 mm;
weight - 3000 g;
features — connection to 25 ip-cameras.

Advantages

excellent price / performance ratio;
excellent work of basic functionality;
high copy speed;
Huge selection of free apps
effective disk cooling.

Flaws

complicated setup;
lengthy reboot and firmware update processes;
branded plastic case.

Synology DS418

Synology DS418 NAS with excellent data transfer speed is suitable for storage and backup, this equipment can be used both at home and in the office.

The model makes it easy to archive impressive volumes of valuable information.

The quad-core processor Realtek is responsible for the speed and performance of the system.

The device supports drives with a capacity of up to 12 TB each, there is an option for hot swapping and connecting drives.

The storage uses Cloud Station Suite technology, which allows you to synchronize data from all devices on the network.

Specifications:

maximum capacity - 48 TB;
form factor - 2.5? or 3.5?;
interfaces - Ethernet 2 ? 1000 Mbps, SATA 6 Gb/s, USB;
functionality - BitTorrent, FTP, DLNA, iSCSI, ip-video surveillance, auto-start after a power failure;
hardware - CPU Realtek 1400 MHz, RAM DDR4 2 GB;
internal support for file systems - EXT4;
external file system support — EXT3, EXT4, NTFS, FAT32, HFS+;
power consumption - 26.49 W;
overall dimensions - 199? 166? 223 mm;
weight - 2280 g;
features — connection to 30 ip-cameras.

Advantages

four hot-swap drive bays;
two LAN ports for internet;
high performance;
easy disk migration;
understandable operating system.

Flaws

makes noise during operation;
small vibrations;
Poor software support.

Reviews

Customer Reviews

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Conclusion

Network storages are designed to store large amounts of data with the ability to quickly access information from different devices. over an external or internal network.
Choice network storage based on research parameters such as number of storage spaces, drive form factor, total drive capacity, and other features.
Models with one or two slots are recommended for the home.
Devices with plenty of hard drive space are suitable for professional use.

Useful video

This video provides an overview of Synology DS920+:

Reviews Ratings