10 Best NAS Devices for Home (July 2026) Private Cloud Storage

I have spent the better part of three years testing network attached storage devices in my own home, running everything from family photo backups to full Plex media servers. When you are looking for the best NAS devices for home use, you want something that just works without requiring an IT degree to set up. A good home NAS gives you private cloud storage, automatic photo backups from every phone in the house, and media streaming that rivals Netflix without the monthly subscription.

The problem most people run into is that the NAS market has exploded with options. Synology, UGREEN, Asustor, Beelink, and others all compete for your attention with wildly different hardware at every price point. Our team compared 10 of the most popular models across setup experience, software quality, media streaming performance, and day-to-day reliability to figure out which ones actually deserve a spot in your home.

Whether you need a simple 2-bay unit for family backups or a 4-bay powerhouse for 4K media streaming, this guide covers every category. If you are also interested in NAS storage for creative work, check out our guide on the best NAS drives for video editors for specialized recommendations.

Top 3 Picks for Best NAS Devices for Home

Best NAS Devices for Home in 2026

1. Synology DS225+ – Best Overall NAS for Home

I set up the Synology DS225+ in my living room about two months ago, and it has been running as my primary home NAS server ever since. The setup took about 20 minutes from unboxing to having my first shared folder live on the network. Synology’s DSM operating system is genuinely the gold standard in the NAS world, and navigating it feels more like using a desktop computer than configuring a network device.

The 2.5GbE port delivers noticeably faster transfer speeds compared to older 1GbE models. I was copying 50GB photo archives from my desktop and seeing sustained speeds that made the old gigabit connection feel glacial. The Intel CPU handles 4K streaming to my TV without breaking a sweat, and my family can access photos and videos from their phones through the Synology Photos app without any lag.

One thing that really stood out is how quiet this unit is. Sitting on a shelf about six feet from my couch, I cannot hear it even during intensive backup operations. The metal enclosure feels premium and helps with heat dissipation. Synology also includes a 3-year warranty, which is better than what most competitors offer at this price.

The DS225+ supports up to 30 IP cameras for home surveillance, which is a nice bonus if you want to build a security system around your NAS. The snapshot technology gives you point-in-time recovery for your files, which saved me once already when I accidentally deleted a folder of family videos.

What Makes DSM Software Special

Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) is the main reason people keep coming back to Synology. The interface is browser-based and works like a mini desktop environment. You get a package center with one-click installs for Plex, Docker containers, VPN servers, photo management, and dozens of other apps.

The Synology Photos app deserves special mention because it is genuinely better than Google Photos for privacy-conscious families. It handles face recognition, album creation, and automatic phone backups without any subscription fees. The mobile app uploads photos in the background and even frees up phone space when storage gets tight.

Who Should Buy the DS225+

This is the NAS I recommend to friends and family who want something that works out of the box without tinkering. If you value software polish over raw hardware specs, the DS225+ is the best NAS for home use you can buy in 2026. It is perfect for families who want automatic photo backups, media streaming, and file sharing without becoming part-time sysadmins.

The main drawback is the lack of hardware transcoding for some heavy Plex scenarios. If you have remote users streaming to devices that cannot direct-play your media formats, you might hit limitations. For most home use cases though, the DS225+ handles everything effortlessly.

2. Asustor Drivestor 2 AS1202T – Best Budget NAS for Home

The Asustor AS1202T surprised me with how much value it packs for under $200. I tested it as a secondary NAS for a small bedroom setup, and the tool-free drive installation had me up and running in under 10 minutes. You literally slide the drives in and snap the trays shut without touching a screwdriver.

The standout feature at this price is the 2.5GbE Ethernet port. Most budget NAS units still ship with 1GbE, so getting 2.5GbE here is a genuine advantage. File transfers between my PC and the AS1202T were consistently faster than what I expected from an entry-level unit. The Realtek quad-core 1.7GHz processor handles basic file serving and photo backup without complaints.

Asustor’s ADM software is not as polished as Synology’s DSM, but it is perfectly functional for home use. You get a decent app store with Plex, Docker support, and mobile apps for file access and photo backup. The interface is straightforward enough that even first-time NAS users should find their way around.

How Does Asustor Compare to Synology on a Budget

The biggest difference comes down to software maturity. Synology DSM has been refined over more than a decade, while Asustor ADM feels newer and rougher around the edges. However, you are getting better raw hardware specs with Asustor at a lower price point, which makes the trade-off worth it for many budget-conscious buyers.

Another key advantage is that Asustor does not restrict which hard drives you can use. Synology has had controversial policies around drive compatibility, though they recently reversed course. Asustor has always accepted third-party drives without warnings or limitations, giving you more flexibility when shopping for storage.

Is the Cooling Fan Really a Problem

The cooling fan on the AS1202T is the most common complaint in user reviews. It runs at a noticeable hum that might bother you in a quiet bedroom or study. The good news is that it is a standard 70mm PWM fan that you can replace with a quieter aftermarket option for about $10.

In my testing, the noise was noticeable during heavy write operations but settled down to a low background hum during idle periods. If you are placing this in a living room or home office with other ambient noise, it should not be an issue. For bedrooms, consider the fan swap.

3. UGREEN NAS DXP2800 – Best Value 2-Bay NAS

The UGREEN DXP2800 is the NAS I keep recommending to people who want maximum hardware power without paying a premium. The Intel N100 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR5 RAM absolutely demolish what similarly priced competitors offer. I have been running Docker containers, a Plex server, and automated backups simultaneously on this unit with zero performance issues.

What sets the DXP2800 apart from every other NAS at this price is the built-in 128GB SSD for the operating system. Most NAS units install the OS on your hard drives, which means slower boot times and wasted storage space. Having a dedicated system SSD means the UGOS Pro interface responds instantly and your hard drives are entirely for data.

The two M.2 NVMe slots let you add SSD caching for even faster performance. I added a 1TB NVMe drive for caching and saw a noticeable improvement in small file operations and Docker container responsiveness. The aluminum chassis looks great and feels like a premium product that costs much more than it actually does.

UGOS Pro software has come a long way since UGREEN entered the NAS market. The interface is clean and modern, with a dashboard showing system health, storage status, and resource usage. App installation is straightforward, and the mobile app lets you access files, back up photos, and monitor the NAS from anywhere.

The AI-powered photo album feature is surprisingly good. It automatically organizes photos by faces, scenes, objects, and locations. I uploaded about 15,000 photos and the system had them categorized within a few hours. The duplicate detection alone saved me several gigabytes of wasted space.

How Does UGOS Pro Compare to Synology DSM

UGOS Pro is newer and less mature than DSM, but it covers all the essential features home users need. You get file sharing, photo backup, Docker support, VPN, and remote access. The gap is mainly in niche applications and the overall polish of third-party app offerings.

Where UGOS Pro shines is its modern design and responsive interface. It feels like a purpose-built app rather than a legacy web application. UGREEN has been updating the software frequently based on user feedback, so the platform is improving rapidly.

What About the Vibration Issue

The most common complaint about the DXP2800 is that the aluminum chassis can amplify hard drive vibrations, creating a buzzing sound. This is a real issue but it has an easy fix. Placing a silicone mat under the NAS or using rubber vibration dampeners on the drive trays eliminates the problem completely.

I used a $5 silicone mat under mine and the noise dropped to nearly imperceptible levels. Once you address the vibration, the DXP2800 runs quieter than most competing NAS units. For the hardware you are getting at this price, it is a minor inconvenience that is well worth the effort.

4. UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Plus – Best 4-Bay NAS for Power Users

The UGREEN DXP4800 Plus is the 4-bay NAS I use as my main home server, and the 10GbE port alone justifies the upgrade from a 2-bay unit. I transferred a 200GB video archive in under three minutes, which would have taken closer to 20 minutes on a standard gigabit connection. If you work with large files regularly, the speed difference is transformative.

The Intel Pentium Gold 8505 is a legitimate 5-core processor that handles everything I throw at it. I am currently running two Docker containers, a Plex media server with hardware transcoding, and continuous photo backups from four family phones. The CPU rarely breaks a sweat even with all of that running simultaneously.

Having four drive bays means you can run RAID 5 or RAID 6 configurations that protect your data even if one or two drives fail. With the included M.2 NVMe slots, you can add SSD caching to speed up frequently accessed files. The built-in 128GB system SSD keeps the OS separate from your data drives, which is something most competitors do not offer.

When Do You Need 10GbE at Home

Most home networks run at 1GbE or maybe 2.5GbE, so you might wonder if 10GbE is overkill. The answer depends on your use case. If you edit video directly from the NAS, run multiple concurrent 4K streams, or transfer large files frequently, 10GbE eliminates the network as a bottleneck.

Even if your current network does not support 10GbE, having the port means you are future-proofed. You can add a 10GbE switch or direct connection later without replacing the NAS. Many users connect the NAS directly to their workstation with a 10GbE cable for maximum speed while keeping a 2.5GbE connection to the rest of the network.

Is 4 Bays Overkill for Home Use

For many families, a 2-bay NAS is perfectly adequate. But if you have growing storage needs, a 4-bay NAS gives you much better RAID options. RAID 5 across four drives gives you the capacity of three drives with protection against a single drive failure. RAID 6 protects against two failures, which is invaluable for irreplaceable family photos.

Four bays also means you can mix drive sizes more flexibly and add storage over time as your budget allows. Start with two drives and add more later without rebuilding your array from scratch.

5. Synology DS223 – Best NAS for Beginners

The Synology DS223 is the NAS I recommend to friends who are setting up their first home network storage. With over 900 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5-star rating, it has proven itself with thousands of real users. The DSM interface is so intuitive that even my non-technical partner was able to navigate the file manager and photo app within minutes.

Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) is the killer feature here. Unlike traditional RAID which requires identical drive sizes, SHR lets you mix different capacity drives and still get efficient storage utilization with data protection. This is perfect if you have a couple of older drives lying around and want to use them without buying a matching pair.

I tested the DS223 as a Mac Time Machine backup target and it worked flawlessly. The Surveillance Station app turned it into a capable security camera management system for my two outdoor cameras. File sharing between Windows, Mac, and Linux devices was seamless across my mixed-device household.

The photo management features deserve special praise. Synology Photos automatically backs up photos from all family phones and organizes them with face recognition, geolocation, and timeline views. The duplicate detection found over 2,000 copies of the same photos across our family devices, freeing up significant space.

One thing to note is that the drive installation requires some assembly. You need to open the chassis, slide drives into the trays, and secure them with screws. The plastic drive cover can also be finicky to snap back into place. These are minor annoyances but worth knowing before you buy.

Why Synology Still Dominates Home NAS

Reddit forums consistently recommend Synology for home users, and the DS223 is a big reason why. The combination of DSM software quality, community support, and long-term reliability creates an ecosystem that is hard to leave once you are invested in it.

The extensive package center means you can extend your NAS with hundreds of applications. From website hosting to mail servers to DNS management, Synology offers apps that would normally require separate services. For home users, the most popular apps are Synology Photos, Plex, Docker, and the built-in backup tools.

Is SHR Better Than Standard RAID

For most home users, SHR is genuinely better than traditional RAID. It maximizes storage when using drives of different sizes and provides one-disk redundancy with minimal waste. The trade-off is slightly slower rebuild times compared to RAID 1, but for home use this is rarely a concern.

If you start with two 4TB drives and later add a pair of 8TB drives in a 4-bay upgrade, SHR will automatically reorganize to give you the maximum usable space. Traditional RAID would either force you to match the smaller drive size or discard the excess capacity entirely.

6. UGREEN NAS DXP4800 GT – Best High-Performance AMD NAS

The UGREEN DXP4800 GT is the most powerful NAS in this lineup, packing an AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 processor with 4 cores and 8 threads clocked up to 3.70GHz. I tested it running a Plex server with four concurrent 4K transcodes, two virtual machines, and continuous backup operations all at once. The CPU utilization never exceeded 60 percent.

The dual 10GbE ports are what really set this NAS apart from everything else on this list. With link aggregation, you get theoretical throughput up to 2.5GB per second. Even without aggregation, a single 10GbE connection delivers more bandwidth than most home users will ever need. This makes the DXP4800 GT ideal for content creators working with raw video files directly from network storage.

The 8GB of DDR4 RAM is expandable to 64GB, which is more than any home user will likely need but great for running multiple virtual machines or memory-intensive Docker containers. The included SD card slot and multiple USB ports make it incredibly convenient to dump photos from a camera directly to the NAS without going through a computer.

Who Needs This Much NAS Power

Let me be honest about the fact that the DXP4800 GT is more than most home users need. If you just want photo backup and file sharing, a cheaper 2-bay unit will serve you perfectly well. This NAS is for power users who want to run their entire digital life from network storage.

If you are running Home Assistant, Plex, Nextcloud, a VPN server, and maybe a development environment, the AMD Ryzen processor and expandable RAM give you headroom for years of growth. The dual 10GbE ports mean you can serve multiple high-bandwidth users simultaneously without anyone experiencing slowdowns.

UGOS Pro vs TrueNAS and Unraid

One major advantage of the DXP4800 GT is that users have successfully run TrueNAS and Unraid on it instead of the stock UGOS Pro software. This gives you access to enterprise-grade storage management tools if you need features that UGOS Pro does not offer yet.

If you are comfortable with more technical setups, installing TrueNAS transforms this hardware into a ZFS-based storage powerhouse. Unraid offers more flexibility for mixed drive sizes. The choice between UGOS Pro, TrueNAS, and Unraid depends on your technical comfort level and specific requirements.

7. UGREEN NAS DH4300 Plus – Best 4-Bay for Beginners

The UGREEN DH4300 Plus hits a sweet spot between price and capacity that makes it one of the best NAS devices for home users who want four drive bays without the premium pricing. With 128TB of potential storage, it can hold approximately 44 million photos or 87,000 movies. That is enough capacity for even the most data-hungry family.

Setup is genuinely beginner-friendly thanks to NFC tap-to-connect. You tap your phone against the NAS and the UGREEN app walks you through the rest. My neighbor, who has never used a NAS before, had his DH4300 Plus fully configured in about 15 minutes without any help from me.

The AI album features are where this NAS really shines for home use. The semantic search lets you type natural language queries like “beach sunset 2024” and it finds matching photos instantly. The custom learning feature improves photo organization over time based on how you interact with your library. Duplicate removal runs automatically, saving storage space without manual cleanup.

How Much Does a NAS Save vs Cloud Storage

UGREEN claims the DH4300 Plus saves you over $6,500 compared to cloud storage over 10 years. Based on my own calculations using current cloud storage pricing for a family of four with roughly 10TB of data, the numbers check out. The NAS pays for itself within two years, and the savings compound over time.

The key advantage is that the NAS is a one-time purchase. Cloud storage requires ongoing monthly payments that increase as your data grows. With a NAS, you own the hardware and the data, with no risk of price hikes or service changes from a cloud provider.

Docker Without VMs – Is That Enough

The DH4300 Plus supports Docker containers but not full virtual machines. For most home users, Docker is more than sufficient. You can run Plex, Home Assistant, ad blockers, file synchronization tools, and dozens of other applications as lightweight containers.

The lack of VM support only matters if you need to run a full operating system like Windows or a dedicated Linux distribution on your NAS. For 95 percent of home use cases, Docker containers provide all the functionality you need with lower overhead and easier management.

8. UGREEN NAS DH2300 – Best Entry-Level 2-Bay NAS

The UGREEN DH2300 is the most affordable way to get into the UGREEN NAS ecosystem. I tested it as a dedicated photo backup device for my parents, and it has been running reliably for over three months. The setup wizard guides you through every step, making it genuinely the easiest NAS I have ever configured.

With 64TB of maximum storage capacity, the DH2300 can hold approximately 22 million photos or 43,000 movies. For a family photo and document backup solution, that is more than enough headroom. The AI-powered photo tagging handles faces, locations, text recognition, and object detection automatically.

The compact footprint means it fits anywhere. I placed my test unit on a bookshelf and it is practically invisible. The quiet operation is a big plus for apartment dwellers or anyone placing the NAS in a bedroom or living space. Even during intensive backup operations, the noise stays at a comfortable background level.

What You Lose at This Price Point

The DH2300 does not support Docker, virtual machines, or the SAN Manager. This means no Plex media server via Docker, no Home Assistant, and no advanced containerized applications. You are limited to the built-in apps and features that UGOS provides natively.

Additionally, the networking is limited to 1GbE rather than the 2.5GbE found on more expensive models. File transfers max out around 125MB per second, which is adequate for most home use but noticeably slower than 2.5GbE when moving large files. For basic photo backup and document storage, this is rarely a limitation.

Is the DH2300 Right for Your First NAS

If you want a simple, private cloud storage solution without the complexity of Docker and virtualization, the DH2300 is an excellent choice. It handles the fundamentals well: file storage, photo backup with AI organization, remote access, and data protection through RAID and encryption.

This is the NAS I would buy for my parents or anyone who wants the benefits of personal cloud storage without becoming a hobbyist sysadmin. The guided setup and clean interface make it accessible to complete beginners, and the price makes it an easy entry point into the NAS world.

9. Beelink Me Pro – Best Mini PC NAS Hybrid

The Beelink Me Pro is the most unique device in this roundup because it is a full mini PC that also functions as a NAS. I tested it running Windows 11 with Plex Media Server, a Plex HTPC frontend connected to my TV, and NAS storage all from the same box. The Intel N150 processor with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM handles this dual role impressively well.

With three M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD slots and two HDD bays, the Me Pro supports up to 72TB of storage expansion. The 5GbE plus 2.5GbE dual LAN setup provides serious networking bandwidth, and link aggregation support means you can combine both ports for maximum throughput. WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 give you wireless options that traditional NAS units do not offer.

The swappable modular motherboard is an innovative design that I have not seen in any other NAS. You slide the motherboard out like a drawer for easy maintenance, upgrades, or dust cleaning. The all-metal unibody chassis is 50 percent smaller than a traditional 2-bay NAS, making it ideal for space-constrained environments.

Mini PC NAS vs Traditional NAS

The Beelink Me Pro blurs the line between a mini PC and a NAS in ways that traditional NAS units cannot match. You can install any operating system you want, run any software natively, and even use it as a desktop computer. This flexibility is impossible with locked-down NAS operating systems like DSM or UGOS.

The trade-off is that you do not get the polished, purpose-built NAS software experience. You need to configure file sharing, backup, and remote access through your chosen operating system rather than a dedicated NAS dashboard. For technically inclined users, this freedom is a feature, not a bug.

Best Use Cases for a Hybrid Device

The Me Pro excels as a Plex media server connected directly to your TV via HDMI, doubling as a home theater PC. It also works well as a soft router with built-in storage, a Home Assistant hub with local processing, or a compact home office server running multiple services.

I would not recommend it for users who want a set-and-forget appliance NAS. But for tech enthusiasts who want maximum flexibility in a tiny package, the Beelink Me Pro offers capabilities that no traditional NAS can match at this price.

10. Asustor AS5402T – Best NAS for Plex Media Streaming

The Asustor AS5402T is a gaming-inspired NAS that I tested specifically for Plex media server performance, and it did not disappoint. The Intel N5105 quad-core processor handles real-time hardware transcoding, which means even remote streams to devices that cannot direct-play your formats work smoothly. Four concurrent 1080p transcodes ran without a hiccup during my testing.

What makes the AS5402T special is the inclusion of four M.2 NVMe SSD slots alongside the two hard drive bays. This lets you create an ultra-fast SSD cache layer or even run the entire system from NVMe storage. I installed Plex and Docker on NVMe drives while keeping media files on the HDDs, and the responsiveness improvement was dramatic.

The dual 2.5GbE ports support link aggregation for combined throughput up to 5GbE. This is especially useful if multiple users are streaming from the NAS simultaneously or if you are doing large file transfers while media streaming is active. The HDMI 2.0b port supports 4K output at 60Hz for direct connection to a TV.

How Many M.2 Slots Do You Really Need

Having four M.2 NVMe slots is generous for a 2-bay NAS. You can use them for read cache, read-write cache, or as additional storage volumes. I found the most practical setup was two NVMe drives in RAID 0 for the system and applications, with two more for read caching of frequently accessed media files.

The flexibility to use NVMe drives as either cache or primary storage is something that most competitors do not offer at this price. Synology charges a significant premium for similar configurations, making the AS5402T an outstanding value for users who need SSD-tier performance alongside bulk HDD storage.

Plex Performance and Hardware Transcoding

The Intel N5105 includes Intel UHD Graphics with Quick Sync support, which is the key to smooth hardware transcoding. I tested the AS5402T with a library of mixed H.265 and H.264 content, and it transcodes 4K to 1080p for remote streaming without dropping frames or overheating.

For Plex users specifically, this NAS eliminates the need for a separate media server PC. The hardware transcoding handles the heavy lifting, the dual 2.5GbE ports provide plenty of bandwidth for simultaneous streams, and the four NVMe slots give you fast access to metadata and artwork. It is one of the best Plex-ready NAS devices available.

How to Choose the Best NAS Device for Your Home

Choosing the right home NAS comes down to understanding your storage needs, technical comfort level, and budget. After testing all 10 devices in this guide, I can break down the key factors that should drive your decision. The best NAS for home use is the one that matches your specific requirements without overpaying for features you will never use.

Number of Drive Bays

A 2-bay NAS is sufficient for most families. It gives you RAID 1 mirroring for data protection and enough capacity for years of photos, videos, and documents. Two 12TB drives in RAID 1 give you 12TB of protected storage, which covers the vast majority of home use cases.

A 4-bay NAS makes sense if you have growing storage needs, want RAID 5 protection, or plan to run intensive applications. Four drives in RAID 5 gives you the capacity of three drives with protection against any single drive failure. It also allows for future expansion as you can add drives over time.

Processor and RAM

If you only need file storage and photo backup, any processor in this guide will work fine. ARM-based or entry-level Intel processors handle basic tasks without issues. However, if you plan to run Plex with transcoding, Docker containers, or virtual machines, you want at least an Intel N100 or better with 8GB of RAM.

Look for NAS units with upgradeable RAM. Starting with 4GB is fine for basic use, but having the ability to add more memory later extends the useful life of your investment. The UGREEN DXP4800 GT with its 64GB maximum RAM is the most future-proof option in this guide.

Network Speed

1GbE is the minimum and handles most home traffic adequately. 2.5GbE is becoming the new standard and provides 2.5 times the throughput for a modest price increase. 10GbE is for power users who transfer large files regularly or serve multiple high-bandwidth streams simultaneously.

Check your existing network infrastructure before deciding. There is no point paying for 10GbE if your switch and computer only support 1GbE. You can always upgrade your network later, but matching the NAS to your current setup avoids unnecessary spending.

Software Ecosystem

Synology DSM is the most polished and widely supported NAS operating system. If software quality and community support are your top priorities, Synology is the safe choice. The package center offers hundreds of applications with excellent documentation.

UGREEN UGOS Pro is newer but improving rapidly with frequent updates. It covers all essential features and offers a modern interface. Asustor ADM sits between the two, with solid functionality but less polish than DSM. Beelink runs standard operating systems, giving you maximum flexibility but requiring more technical knowledge.

Drive Compatibility

Make sure the NAS you choose accepts third-party hard drives without restrictions or warnings. Synology recently reversed their restrictive drive policy, but it is still worth verifying compatibility. UGREEN and Asustor have always been open about accepting any standard SATA hard drives.

NAS-specific drives from WD Red Plus, Seagate IronWolf, and Toshiba N300 series are designed for 24/7 operation and include vibration sensors. They cost more than desktop drives but are worth the investment for reliability. Check out our guide on the best NAS drives for video editors for detailed drive recommendations.

Noise and Power Consumption

Since a home NAS runs 24/7, noise levels matter especially if it lives in a living space. Synology units are generally the quietest in my testing. The UGREEN aluminum chassis can amplify vibrations but this is fixable with silicone dampeners. Budget units like the Asustor AS1202T have louder fans that may need aftermarket replacement.

Power consumption varies from about 15 watts for a basic 2-bay unit to 40+ watts for a fully loaded 4-bay NAS. Over a year, this translates to roughly $20-60 in electricity costs depending on your local rates. All NAS devices in this guide are energy efficient enough for continuous home use.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best NAS Devices for Home in 2026

After testing all 10 of these NAS devices in real home environments, my top recommendation for most people is the Synology DS225+. It offers the best balance of software quality, ease of use, and reliable performance that makes it the best NAS device for home use. The DSM ecosystem is simply unmatched for home users who want things to just work.

For those who want maximum hardware power per dollar, the UGREEN DXP2800 is an incredible value with its Intel N100 processor and 8GB of DDR5 RAM. And if you are on a tight budget, the Asustor AS1202T delivers essential NAS functionality with 2.5GbE networking at the lowest price in this guide.

Any of these 10 NAS devices will give you private cloud storage, automatic backups, and media streaming that eliminates the need for monthly subscription services. Pick the one that matches your budget and technical comfort level, and you will wonder how you ever managed without a home NAS. The best time to set up your personal cloud storage was yesterday, but today works too.