8 Best NAS Hard Drives in 2024

Only a few things are more frustrating than losing all of your photos, videos, documents, games, homework, and all other files that you keep on your computer. However, that is what is going to happen if you don’t back up your files on a regular basis. However, regularly updating months or even years worth of files regularly requires quite a bit of space, and a USB drive won’t be good enough to cover it all, no matter its size. This is why NAS (Network Attached Storage) hard drives were created, and with one of these handy devices, you can secure your files and make sure that your important data won’t go away if your computer fails you. With that in mind, here are some of the best NAS hard drives in 2024, which you can order right now, and save yourself the frustration of losing everything you have on your computer irreversibly.

1. WD My Cloud EX2

The first on our list is a great solution provided by Western Digital — My Cloud EX2. This is the model that we consider to be the best overall, as this single NAS pretty much has all it could ever need to keep your files safe.

With My Cloud EX2, you will get a plethora of various storage options, as well as a high-performing dual-core CPU. In addition to that, this model also comes with 1GB of RAM, which allows for some pretty great performance for things like file transfers, but also for media streaming.

The unit is capable of creating a mirrored backup of all of your files through the use of RAID configuration, which is quite a welcome piece of tech, considering that this is a consumer box. RAID technology works great with WD’s easy-to-use systems, which also guarantees an easy and enjoyable experience.

When it comes to backups themselves, you can schedule them or sync them with different computers and My Cloud. In other words, even if you can’t be bothered or don’t have the time to do manual backups regularly, this device will have you covered.

You will also find that My Cloud allows you to easily share your files publicly through a private link. That way, you can limit who gets to access the files, if you only wish to share something with a handful of people. Alternatively, you can allow anyone with the link to access the file, thus allowing easier distribution of certain content.

If you like streaming, you will be glad to know that Plex Media Server is included in the package and that quick and easy support for sharing files to your devices directly will be possible. Media files won’t lose any of their quality, which is also quite a welcome fact. All in all, this device is pretty much your top solution, and you definitely won’t regret getting it. We don’t even have any downsides to mention, so do check it out.

2. Synology DS1817+

Next, we have Synology DS1817+, which is pretty much the ultimate network attached storage. This model comes with all kinds of features, but the one that stands out the most is the fact that it has eight separate bays, and when working together, they can support at least 80TB of data. This is enough for entire businesses to use it for backing up their data, and if that is not enough — you can even expand it to have a total of 18 drives. That would translate to around 200TB of space, which is pretty much enough to cover whatever you want.

Not only that, but this model also comes with 8GB of RAM, meaning that its processing speed is above superb. In addition, it uses RAID 10, which allows it to read files as quickly as 1.2Gbps. The features do not stop there, though, as DS1817+ also features 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as four USB 3.0 ports. You can even outfit it with an M2D17 adapter card, which will also let it use dual SATA SSDs.

As far as we can tell, this model only has a single downside, which is the fact that its processor is somewhat underpowered, at least when compared to the rest of the features. This will limit you when it comes to transcoding 4k videos.

But, apart from that, this NAS is a marvel when it comes to storage capacity, as well as speed and connectivity. It is used by professionals, and it is the very definition of the best. But, as you can imagine, it doesn’t exactly come cheap, so if you want it, you should be ready to pay a little extra. However, from what we have seen — it will be more than worth it, as keeping your important and sensitive files safe doesn’t have a price.

3. Seagate IronWolf 4TB NAS

Now, if you are looking for a cheaper solution for private use, then Seagate’s IronWolf series has all you could ever want, and more. Its 4TB NAS is capable of running ar a spin rate of 7,200rpm and do it for the entire day, at that.

With it, you won’t have to fear that it will fail or bring extra risks, which makes it a great option for storing sensitive files and achieving peace of mind. Not only that, but this NAS HDD is also quite silent, as it makes almost no vibration noise, which is perfect for those who need a quiet environment that will allow concentration and eliminate any distractions.

At the same time, this model delivers pretty good speeds, as well as excellent file-sharing capabilities. It is a pretty good solution for NAS setups, as it promises competence. This can be said for the entire series, so do feel free to choose the size that suits your needs.

4. Synology DS115J

Now, if you are looking for a great solution that comes at a lower price, then you should definitely consider giving Synology DS115J a go. This model does seem to have it all — excellent performance, modern design, as well as a sensible price tag.

It is a very efficient and convenient model to have, as it provides you with a very easy and simply way of automating simple tasks, as well as backups for your multimedia files. Not only that, but it also allows you to access everything stored within it through a simple app, which you can use on your smartphone at any time.

Obviously, this has quite a few benefits, such as you being able to access your files on the go. However, the benefits and options do not stop there, as this model also features options like Cloud Sync and Cloud Stations. With them, you can access all the stored files with easy, and across a number of devices. This even includes cloud services, like OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

As soon as you load these files onto the NAS, the device will provide a backup solution that will protect your files. It will also let you back everything up to a cloud service, a separate external device, or even another NAS.

Its capacity is pretty great if you are looking for a device for personal use, as it features 8TB of space. Although, you should note that hard drives are sold separately. Finally, since the model will still have quite a lot of room, you can add extra services, such as 24/7 surveillance by using its Surveillance Station. That way, you can use your computer or even your smartphone to watch a live stream of your home security.

All in all, this is not the ultimate device, but it is still more than good enough to satisfy your needs, keep your files safe from harm, and allow you to easily backup your device, should the worst come to pass. All that remains is to do your backups, and hope that you will never actually need it.

5. NETGEAR ReadyNAS 524X

Next, we have NETGEAR ReadyNAS 524X, which is quite a powerful NAS device that you should definitely consider if you are looking for a strong solution with a lot to offer. This model comes with four separate disk bays, and it can support as much as 40TB of storage space in total. While not the largest storage on this list, this is still reasonably good for personal or business use, which is what makes this device reasonable popular.

When it comes to its processor, 524X features a 2.2GHz dual-core Intel CPU, and it features 4GB of RAM, which makes it pretty fast when it comes to processing data. Once again, it is not the strongest model out there, but it is also not nearly as expensive as NAS can go.

The device also comes with a dedicated NETGEAR app, through which you can quickly and easily manage or coordinate your files. This makes the device that much more convenient, useful, and even enjoyable to use. However, that is not all that this model has to offer. We should also note that it can handle as many as 80 computer connections, which makes it a fantastic choice for large businesses that have many employees, as well as a large need for the majority of them to access and store data relatively often.

Further, it has 10 Gigabit copper Ethernet ports, which will also take care of connectivity. Then, there are also five different levels of data protection, meaning that security should never be an issue if you choose to use this device. It can easily provide your business with its own, highly-secure cloud and allow you or your employees to gain remote access whenever it is needed.

Best of all, NETGEAR is compatible with pretty much all operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, or Android. That way, you can connect it to any type of PC, or even your smartphone. It also makes it quite universally available for all systems, and that will definitely bring a lot of benefits when it comes to ease of access. All in all, it is one of our favorite models for all the positives that it can bring to your business, and it is also quite reasonably priced, considering what it provides.

6. NETGEAR ReadyNAS 626X00

Then, we have another model by NETGEAR, and this time, it is 626X00. This one is a bit more expensive, although we expect that you will understand why that is after listing all of the features that it has to offer. It is definitely above many other models, and perfect for businesses that require a bit more advanced device that can still be obtained for about $1,000.

The first thing to note is that this model’s data protection capabilities are pretty much unrivaled. This solution features a real state-of-the-art backup recovery, meaning that you will never again have to worry about your data going away, even if your computer experiences an issue so severe that nothing can be recovered from its own storage.

Not only that, but this device can support as many as 120 users at once, whereas our previous entry could only support 80. This makes 626X00 that much better for large businesses, although it is also more expensive. There is no denying that this model is one of the best that money can buy, and it comes with six available bays, which is its maximum, but that also means that it can provide up to 60TB of storage.

However, even more impressive is its processing speed, which allows this device to process around 20Gbps. This makes it ideal for media or business applications, especially when speed is involved.

In terms of processor, 626X00 features an Intel Xeon 2.2GHz quad-core CPU, which is the latest model when it comes to 64-bit technology. Apart from that, it also features 8GB of RAM, meaning that this device won’t slow down, even for things like 4K streaming.

As mentioned, it is more than capable of securing your data, utilizing five levels of data protection. That should keep pretty much anyone out of your company’s files, images, databases, or whatever else you decide to store on this NAS. As mentioned, recovery and backup are very simple and very powerful at the same time, which is great for important files. Recovering the latest version should be a breeze, and you will be able to get back at work with no issues whatsoever.

Also, with 10GbE Ethernet ports on this device, it is easy to provide access to multiple users at once. Best of all, none of that should impact its processing speeds, which is, once again, ideal for large businesses that have dozens of employees who need regular access.

7. Apple Time Capsule 2TB

After that, let’s check out another cheaper solution, although this one is designed for Apple fans that like to have as many Apple devices as possible. We are talking about the Apple Time Capsule — a device that is pretty great for small businesses or individual users who prefer this company.

Now, one thing to note about this device is that it is more than a simple NAS. It is capable of backing up your information automatically, and it features 2TB of storage space, which is tiny when compared to some of the high-end devices we have mentioned thus far, but it is still quite a bit of storage when you think about it. As such, it can likely back all of your important computer files, as well as everything that is important for a small business.

Next, the Time Capsule can also sync with different cloud storages that you may be using, and also function as a Wi-Fi base. That way, it is much easier to share it with other computers that may have the need to connect and access the stored files, or even with printers, and send the files for printing directly. Of course, this is assuming that you have a wireless-enabled printer close at hand.

As expected for a device that comes with this price tag, there are a few limitations and/or downsides. For example, there are no expansion ports, meaning that 2TB are pretty much all you have got. This means that you will have to turn to a different solution, should your storage requirements exceed its limits. Another big issue that is likely to pose just as big of a problem is that the Time Capsule only works with Apple computers.

In other words, if your business uses Windows or Android systems, it simply won’t be compatible. Of course, Apple Time Capsule is not particularly expensive, and it doesn’t use diskless drives, meaning that you can just buy additional ones and connect them altogether since they do work pretty well with one another. This will improve your storage space several times, depending on how many devices you buy.

But, if your requirements exceed 10TB of space, it might be best to simply turn to another solution, as the Time Capsule won’t be as cheap or as capable as some other model. And, while individual Time Capsules are not that expensive, five of them will cost you around $2,000, and all you will have is 10TB. Our previous solution offers six times as much storage for half that price, so it might be worth considering instead.

8. Synology D216II+

Last on our list, we have another great solution for smaller businesses, and for that one — we once again have to go back to Synology. This time, however, the model in question is D216II+.

Let’s start by saying that this model stands out when it comes to two-bay devices and that it doesn’t include storage out of the box. In other words, you can choose the drive capacity and speed yourself, which can be quite beneficial for making the NAS just the way you like it, and adding just as much storage as you need.

In a way, this makes it pretty customizable, which is already something that we appreciate. It is also pretty cheap, and it features a swappable drive tray design, which lets you easily modify it, take care of it, and manage it. Meanwhile, you can add entire terabytes of data, which can easily fit into your pocket. And, as you may remember from our previous Synology entries, these models have a very handy app which allows you to access files and make all kinds of changes from your smartphone.

Apart from these conveniences, it should also be noted that this model has a built-in 4K Ultra HD video transcoding, which makes it a multimedia machine, as well as a security solution. Not only that, but it also comes with intelligent monitoring tools, video managing tools, and more. There is advanced file management for when you connect this NAS with your computer, while the Cloud Sync feature allows you to connect to all the popular cloud providers.

The interface is easy enough to manage, thanks to its excellent design, which makes all of the previously mentioned features not only possible but quite user-friendly, too.

Some of the downsides that you might want to keep in mind include the lack of HDMI and Ethernet ports, although the fact that it is very easy to integrate and use might be enough to overshadow this issue.

Conclusion

With that, we will end our list. We have tried to include as many powerful models as possible, and also try to find some of the most budget-friendly high-end solutions for your convenience. All of these models are among the best that the market has to offer, so you are unlikely to regret picking any one of them. Of course, some are more specific than others, such as Apple’s Time Capsule, which only works with other Apple products, so that is worth keeping in mind. Other than that, all that remains is for you to browse the list and take your pick.