The best NAS for home in 2026
Seven network storage boxes for family backups, photo libraries and Plex, and the network gear that decides how fast they feel.
The Synology DS225+ is the easiest NAS for backups and photos. For more hardware per dollar, get the UGREEN NASync DXP2800. For a big Plex library, step up to the four-bay UGREEN DXP4800 Plus. A NAS is only as fast as your network, so plug it into your router with Ethernet and check that the router has a 2.5 Gbps port if the NAS does.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: We may earn a commission if you sign up or buy, at no cost to you. It never affects our rankings. For more information, see our Advertiser disclosure.
Picks are based on specs, maker documentation and published testing, noted where used.
Black Friday 2026: Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart hadn't announced their Black Friday sale dates as of Oct 29. Black Friday is Nov 27, and Amazon's sale opened Nov 20 last year. Until sale prices go live, see our Black Friday deals hub.
Everything we recommend
What you need to know
Families who want one place for phone photos and computer backups, and anyone running a Plex or Jellyfin library.
If you back up only one computer, an external drive is cheaper. If you'd rather not manage hardware, cloud storage is simpler.
Software, media hardware, network ports and price without drives, compared against NYT, WIRED, PCMag and Android Central.
Most NAS boxes come empty. Budget for two NAS-rated drives, such as WD Red Plus or Seagate IronWolf.
The picks
Synology DS225+
Synology's DSM software is the easiest in the category, with good apps for computer backups, phone photo backup and file sharing. Intel hardware transcoding helps with Plex.
Sold without drives. Check Synology's current drive compatibility list before buying disks.
Synology BeeStation Plus
A pick at PCMag and WIRED for people who want a private photo and file cloud without learning NAS software. It ships with a drive and sets up from a phone app.
Not a full NAS: no RAID, no second drive and fewer apps. Pair it with an external drive for a second copy.
UGREEN NASync DXP2800
More processor and memory than Synology at a similar price, plus two M.2 slots for fast SSD storage.
UGREEN's software is newer and less polished than Synology's.
UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus
Four bays, a capable CPU for transcoding, memory expandable to 64GB, and both 10GbE and 2.5GbE ports. Newegg rates it the best value for a home media server.
10GbE only helps if your switch and computer have 10GbE too.
Synology DS925+
Four bays with ECC memory, dual 2.5GbE and Synology's software for containers, virtual machines and security cameras.
No hardware video transcoding, so it is a weaker pick for Plex than the DXP4800 Plus.
UGREEN NASync DH4300 Plus
A four-bay box for backups and a media library that draws about 23W while working and about 7W with the drives asleep, per Newegg. A WIRED pick.
Memory is soldered and can't be upgraded, and the ARM chip is weaker for Docker and transcoding.
Synology DS223j
The cheapest way into Synology software for backups and photo storage.
Slow processor and 1GbE only. Fine for backups, not for streaming 4K.
What your network needs
Most home NAS boxes now have 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, but many routers still have only 1 Gbps ports. The NAS works either way, but file copies top out around 110 MB/s on gigabit. To use 2.5 Gbps, you need a router or network switch with 2.5 Gbps ports and a computer that supports it.
Check your router's ports before paying extra for 2.5 Gbps. If every port is labeled 1G or 10/100/1000, a gigabit NAS will feel just as fast.
Plug the NAS and router into a UPS. A NAS that loses power mid-write can damage its storage, and a small UPS lets it shut down cleanly.
- Wired, always: connect the NAS to the router or a switch, never over Wi-Fi
- Remote access: use the maker's app or a VPN rather than opening ports on your router
- Upload speed: streaming from your NAS while away from home depends on your upload speed
Use Cat 6 or Cat 6a Ethernet cables for 2.5 GbE, and add a 2.5 GbE USB-C adapter to a laptop that only has 1 GbE.
The best NAS for each use
- Family backups and photos: Synology DS225+, or the BeeStation Plus if nobody wants to manage a NAS.
- Plex or Jellyfin media server: UGREEN DXP4800 Plus. Its Intel chip transcodes video for phones and TVs that can't play the original file. Jellyfin is free; Plex charges for some features.
- Home server or homelab: Synology DS925+ for polished Docker and virtual machine apps, or the DXP4800 Plus for more power per dollar.
- Small office: a four-bay such as the DS925+ with drives mirrored or in RAID 5, plus an off-site backup. See our small business internet guide.
- Lowest power bill: UGREEN DH4300 Plus.
- Build your own: free TrueNAS or paid Unraid on an old PC or a mini PC. Cheaper hardware, but you handle setup and updates.
Best NAS for Plex
Plex streams to TVs and phones smoothly when the NAS can transcode video in hardware. That needs an Intel processor with Quick Sync, as in the UGREEN NASync DXP2800 (Intel N100) and the Synology DS225+. AMD-based models such as the Synology DS925+ handle direct play well but struggle to convert 4K on the fly. If every device plays your files without conversion, any pick here works.
How we picked
We compared published lab tests, owner reports and maker specs, and ranked on:
- Software: setup, backup apps and updates
- Hardware: CPU, memory and transcoding for media
- Networking: 2.5GbE or faster ports
- Price without drives
More on our process is in how we research.
Others we considered
- Synology DS1525+: A five-bay step up from the DS925+ and Dong Knows Tech's top pick; more than most homes need.
- Asustor Drivestor 2 Gen2 (AS1202T): A cheap two-bay that PCMag likes for basic backups.
- QNAP TS-264: A strong two-bay with dual 2.5GbE; more settings than Synology, so setup takes more care.
- TerraMaster F4-424 Pro: Lots of hardware per dollar, with less polished software.
Questions
What is the best NAS for Plex?
An Intel-based NAS with Quick Sync, such as the UGREEN NASync DXP2800, for hardware transcoding. If your TVs play your files directly, any NAS here will do.
Synology or UGREEN?
Synology has the easiest and most polished software. UGREEN gives you a faster processor and more memory for the money. Pick Synology for set-and-forget backups and UGREEN for a media server.
How many bays do I need?
Two bays let you mirror drives so one can fail without losing data. Four bays give room to grow and allow RAID 5. Most families are fine with two.
Can I build my own NAS?
Yes. TrueNAS (free) and Unraid (paid) run on an old PC or a mini PC. It costs less but takes more setup and upkeep than a Synology or UGREEN box.
Do I need a NAS or is cloud storage enough?
Cloud storage is simpler. A NAS costs more up front but has no monthly fee and keeps large libraries at home.
What drives should I put in a NAS?
NAS-rated drives made for 24/7 use, such as WD Red Plus, Seagate IronWolf or Toshiba N300.
Will a NAS slow down my internet?
No. Copies on your home network do not use your internet connection. Only remote access does.
- The New York Times, "The 3 Best NAS Devices for Most Home Users in 2026," Mar 2026; WIRED, "The Best NAS Devices for Your Home," Jun 2026
- PCMag, "The Best NAS Devices for 2026," Sep 2026; Android Central, "Best home NAS 2026," Aug 2026; Dong Knows Tech, "Best NAS Servers," Jun 2026
- Newegg Insider, "Best NAS for Home in 2026"; maker product pages for Synology, UGREEN and QNAP, checked Oct 19, 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.