Best NAS
The 10 best NAS devices for 2026, ranked by performance, features, and value.
How This List Was Built
We compared NAS systems on OS quality (Synology DSM versus QNAP), drive bays, expandability, and price — because the software is the product: a NAS is only as good as its apps and backup story.
What Drives the Ranking
OS quality
DSM versus QTS decides daily usability, app ecosystem, and update reliability.
Bays and expandability
Four bays allow RAID 5/6 and future growth; two bays cap you quickly.
Price including drives
NAS prices exclude drives — total cost is the real number.
Why #Synology DS920+ Took the Top Spot
The Synology DS920+ wins because DSM is the best NAS software — backup, photos, and media apps that actually work — in a 4-bay expandable chassis at $549. The QNAP TS-451+ is the value alternative at $399 with similar hardware but rougher software; the Synology DS220+ is the 2-bay starter. The honest answer: pay for Synology's software unless the $150 saving matters more than polish.
When the Ranking Changes
- Best overall NAS — pick Synology DS920+ DSM software plus 4-bay expandability.
- Value 4-bay — pick QNAP TS-451+ Similar hardware for $150 less.
- Starter 2-bay — pick Synology DS220+ DSM in a smaller chassis.
What We Left Out
- DIY builds were excluded — this is a turnkey ranking.
- Single-bay units were excluded — no redundancy.
How This Was Researched
This ranking is based on a structured review of official product documentation, published specifications, current pricing, and feature analysis — the same methodology ToolStep describes on the /how-we-test/ page. We do not claim hands-on testing that did not happen.
Based on official product documentation as of June 2026; drive costs are additional.
Top 10 Picks
Synology DS920+
Best NAS for home office.
- 4-bay
- Fast CPU
- 4GB RAM
- Great software
- Expensive
QNAP TS-451+
Best value 4-bay NAS.
- 4-bay
- Affordable
- Good software
- HDMI
- Slower CPU
Synology DS220+
Best 2-bay NAS for home.
- 2-bay
- Fast
- DSM software
- Affordable
- Only 2 bays
Synology DS420+
4-bay NAS with NVMe slots.
- 4-bay
- NVMe cache
- Fast
- Great software
- Expensive
QNAP TS-251+
Budget 2-bay NAS.
- Affordable
- 2-bay
- HDMI
- Good software
- Slower CPU
TerraMaster F4-423
Budget 4-bay NAS.
- Affordable
- 4-bay
- Fast CPU
- Good software
- Software basic
Synology DS1522+
5-bay NAS for power users.
- 5-bay
- Fast CPU
- 10GbE option
- Great software
- Expensive
Asustor AS5304T
4-bay NAS for media.
- 4-bay
- HDMI
- Media features
- Affordable
- Software basic
QNAP TS-453D
4-bay NAS with 2.5GbE.
- 4-bay
- 2.5GbE
- Fast
- Good software
- Expensive
Synology DS120+
Budget 1-bay NAS.
- Affordable
- 1-bay
- DSM software
- Only 1 bay
Comparison Table
| # | Name | Brand | Price | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Synology DS920+ | Synology | $549 | 4.8/5
★★★★★ | Best NAS for home office. |
| 2 | QNAP TS-451+ | QNAP | $399 | 4.6/5
★★★★★ | Best value 4-bay NAS. |
| 3 | Synology DS220+ | Synology | $299 | 4.7/5
★★★★★ | Best 2-bay NAS for home. |
| 4 | Synology DS420+ | Synology | $499 | 4.7/5
★★★★★ | 4-bay NAS with NVMe slots. |
| 5 | QNAP TS-251+ | QNAP | $249 | 4.5/5
★★★★★ | Budget 2-bay NAS. |
| 6 | TerraMaster F4-423 | TerraMaster | $299 | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | Budget 4-bay NAS. |
| 7 | Synology DS1522+ | Synology | $699 | 4.7/5
★★★★★ | 5-bay NAS for power users. |
| 8 | Asustor AS5304T | Asustor | $399 | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | 4-bay NAS for media. |
| 9 | QNAP TS-453D | QNAP | $549 | 4.6/5
★★★★★ | 4-bay NAS with 2.5GbE. |
| 10 | Synology DS120+ | Synology | $149 | 4.3/5
★★★★☆ | Budget 1-bay NAS. |
Pros & Cons Summary
Synology DS920+
QNAP TS-451+
Synology DS220+
Synology DS420+
QNAP TS-251+
TerraMaster F4-423
Synology DS1522+
Asustor AS5304T
QNAP TS-453D
Synology DS120+
FAQ
What is the best NAS?
The Synology DS920+ at $549 is the best NAS for home office. For 2-bay, the Synology DS220+ at $299 is excellent.
Synology or QNAP?
Synology has better software (DSM) and easier setup. QNAP has more features and HDMI output. Choose Synology for ease, QNAP for advanced features.
How many bays do I need?
2 bays for RAID 1 mirroring. 4 bays for RAID 5 with better capacity. 5+ bays for large storage needs.
Can I use a NAS for media streaming?
Yes, NAS devices like QNAP TS-451+ and Asustor AS5304T have HDMI and Plex support for media streaming.
What is the best budget NAS?
The Synology DS120+ at $149 is the best budget 1-bay NAS. The TerraMaster F4-423 at $299 is the best budget 4-bay NAS.
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Testing Methodology
Our reviews evaluate products using publicly available specifications, manufacturer information, feature analysis, pricing comparison, and practical workflow considerations. The general process:
- Product documentation review: We analyze official manufacturer specs, product documentation, and published technical information.
- Feature evaluation: We assess features against the product's intended use case and target workflow.
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