As data storage needs have grown, local storage solutions are more important than ever. However, local storage poses risks because hard drives can fail, and this is where network-attached storage (NAS) systems come in. NAS utilizes RAID technology to distribute data across multiple drives, protecting you against drive failures and enhancing performance. With NAS, you can ensure your data remains secure and accessible, providing peace of mind in an increasingly data-driven world.
The range of NAS solutions in the market can be overwhelming. There are a lot of choices out there, and defining the best NAS is like naming the best vehicle -- it depends on your needs. That said, I have a lot of experience using, advising, and setting up NAS units and can help you make the most informed purchase. In 's latest update, we performed a thorough editorial refresh. We also added the Synology DS223, Ugreen NAS DH2300, and Synology BeeStation Plus to our recommendations.
Also: Should you invest in a NAS system at home to store your data? I did, and it's already paying off
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What is the best NAS device right now?
Based on extensive testing, thorough research, comprehensive product review analysis, and expert opinions, my top pick for the best overall NAS device is the TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus . This exceptional NAS stands out as a powerful option, equipped with top-tier hardware, excellent supporting software, and SSDs. It offers storage capacities of up to 64TB using robust and reliable server-grade drives. I've pushed this system hard, and even simulated drive failures, and it took everything in its stride.
Also: The best M.2 SSDs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed
You can't go wrong with this NAS, but at $765 for the unit alone without a gigabyte of storage, it's not cheap. Read on to discover all of my recommendations for the best NAS devices available on the market today. Each option has been carefully selected to meet various needs and preferences, ensuring you find the perfect storage solution for your requirements.
The best NAS devices of 2026
The TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus is my favorite NAS overall as a fast, future-proof option for those who need top-notch reliability and performance.
Why we like it: Move over hard drives, solid state drives (SSDs) are the go-to choice for performance. While traditional spinning hard drives still excel in price and capacity, solid-state M.2 drives have proven themselves to be highly reliable.
SSDs offer significant advantages, including faster read and write speeds, greater durability, and lower power consumption. As technology advances, the price gap between SSDs and hard drives has narrowed, making them more accessible than ever. For those seeking a balance of performance and reliability, solid-state drives are undoubtedly the way to go.
The TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus is the first 8-bay, all-SSD NAS designed specifically for small businesses. Built around an N305 8-core, 8-thread processor with a turbo frequency of up to 3.4GHz, this NAS is no bigger than a hardback book, and yet delivers read and write speeds up to 1,024MB/s. This is literally a NAS that will fit into the palm of your hand.
Another advantage of using SSDs is that the unit doesn't have a pile of spinning disks, so even with active cooling, it runs at a whisper-quiet 19dB, even under full load.
Who it's for: This is the NAS for those who know they're in the 21st century and that SSDs are the future of storage. Higher capacities do get more expensive than spinning HDDs, with this model coming in at $765, but the reliability and performance are exceptional.
Who should look elsewhere: Got a lot of HDDs to use? Moving a bunch of HDDs from an older unit? Need the cheapest possible storage options? Go for a NAS that uses HDDs.
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus specs: Drive bays: 8x | M.2 SSD slots: 8x | Max capacity: 64TB | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | 10G Ethernet ports: 1x | USB 3.0 ports: Dual 3.2 | PCIe Gen 3 x8 slots: Support PCIe 3.0 | HDMI: HDMI 2.0b
- Faster, quieter, and cooler than an HDD
- Tiny
- Easy to fit and remove drives from the unit.
- Currently on sale
- SSD costs are still higher than that of HDDs
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus
Best network-attached storage overall
The TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus is my favorite NAS overall as a fast, future-proof option for those who need top-notch reliability and performance.
Why we like it: Move over hard drives, solid state drives (SSDs) are the go-to choice for performance. While traditional spinning hard drives still excel in price and capacity, solid-state M.2 drives have proven themselves to be highly reliable.
SSDs offer significant advantages, including faster read and write speeds, greater durability, and lower power consumption. As technology advances, the price gap between SSDs and hard drives has narrowed, making them more accessible than ever. For those seeking a balance of performance and reliability, solid-state drives are undoubtedly the way to go.
The TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus is the first 8-bay, all-SSD NAS designed specifically for small businesses. Built around an N305 8-core, 8-thread processor with a turbo frequency of up to 3.4GHz, this NAS is no bigger than a hardback book, and yet delivers read and write speeds up to 1,024MB/s. This is literally a NAS that will fit into the palm of your hand.
Another advantage of using SSDs is that the unit doesn't have a pile of spinning disks, so even with active cooling, it runs at a whisper-quiet 19dB, even under full load.
Who it's for: This is the NAS for those who know they're in the 21st century and that SSDs are the future of storage. Higher capacities do get more expensive than spinning HDDs, with this model coming in at $765, but the reliability and performance are exceptional.
Who should look elsewhere: Got a lot of HDDs to use? Moving a bunch of HDDs from an older unit? Need the cheapest possible storage options? Go for a NAS that uses HDDs.
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus specs: Drive bays: 8x | M.2 SSD slots: 8x | Max capacity: 64TB | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | 10G Ethernet ports: 1x | USB 3.0 ports: Dual 3.2 | PCIe Gen 3 x8 slots: Support PCIe 3.0 | HDMI: HDMI 2.0b
The Synology DS223 Diskstation NAS is my top choice if you want a NAS setup with compatible storage already included.
Why we like it: By far, the standout feature of any Synology NAS is the company's exceptional DiskStation Manager (DSM) software. While the Synology hardware is on par with many other NAS offerings, the combination of hardware with DSM software makes Synology's offerings noteworthy.
Also: We test the Synology DiskStation DS1817+ RAID
Available for $1,042, the 2-bay Synology DS223 Diskstation NAS comes with 2X 12TB Seagate IronWolf SATA drives as standard. You can use this NAS for basic storage, as a private media server, or as a means to securely and quickly share files.
Also included is Synology's free Hyper Backup software, which allows you to back up your entire NAS or specific files and folders to most major cloud service providers. This flexible backup software provides users with enterprise-grade tools in an easy-to-understand format. This makes setting up a proper 3-2-1 backup environment a breeze, no matter what devices you're responsible for or how many.
Who it's for: Those in the market for business-ready NAS solutions with compatible storage included as part of the package.
Who should look elsewhere: This is a professional-grade NAS unit, and those looking for more modest desktop units should consider one of my other recommendations.
Synology DS223 Diskstation NAS specs: Drive bays: 2x | Max capacity: 24TB | Max w/expansion units: N/A | RAM: 2GB DDR4 | 1GB Ethernet ports: 1x | USB 3.2 ports: 3x
- Excellent DSM UI
- Storage included
- Great apps
- Plenty of USB ports
- No expansion possible
Synology DS223 Diskstation NAS
Best NAS with included storage
The Synology DS223 Diskstation NAS is my top choice if you want a NAS setup with compatible storage already included.
Why we like it: By far, the standout feature of any Synology NAS is the company's exceptional DiskStation Manager (DSM) software. While the Synology hardware is on par with many other NAS offerings, the combination of h...