10 Best Nas Devices 2026 in the United States

The Synology DS1522+ is a solid choice for anyone needing a mid-sized NAS device with good flexibility. It comes with 5 bays, allowing you to install multiple hard drives, and the included bundle offers 20TB total storage using five 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives, which are designed for reliable NAS use. Powered by an AMD Ryzen R1600 processor and 8GB of RAM, this NAS can handle more demanding tasks and support several users accessing files at the same time without slowing down. It supports RAID configurations, which means you can protect your data by spreading it across drives in ways that keep it safe if one drive fails.

Connectivity is strong with four Gigabit Ethernet ports (RJ-45 1GbE), providing fast and stable network access, which is important if multiple devices are connected or if you’re moving large files. Synology’s software enhances the experience by offering private cloud features, letting you sync and access your data remotely with ease, while also including built-in security measures to keep your files safe. The device’s metal build gives it a sturdy feel, though it weighs around 15.7 pounds, which is normal for this type of equipment.

One minor point is the 5400 RPM hard drives, which are quieter and cooler but not as fast as 7200 RPM models, so transfer speeds might be slightly slower for very heavy workloads. This NAS is best suited for small to medium businesses or tech-savvy home users who want a dependable, expandable storage solution with strong data protection and remote access features.

The Synology DS923+ is a compact yet powerful 4-bay NAS designed for users needing flexible and reliable storage solutions. It supports up to around 50 TB of data, which makes it suitable for small offices or tech-savvy home users who want ample space to store and share files securely. With a dual-core AMD Ryzen R1600 processor and 4GB of RAM, it offers decent performance for everyday tasks like file sharing, backups, and even some light media streaming or workgroup collaboration. The device supports RAID configurations, which adds a layer of data protection by allowing drives to work together to safeguard your information in case of a disk failure.

It includes two 1GbE LAN ports for network connectivity, which is standard but may limit speed for users with demanding data transfer needs, although there is room to add faster 10GbE networking for improved performance. Notably, there are slots for dual NVMe drives, which can significantly speed up cache and data access, helping to reduce transfer times. The Synology DSM software ecosystem is a highlight, offering easy-to-use tools for managing files, backups, and even video surveillance, making it a versatile option beyond just storage.

Designed with a smaller footprint and efficient hardware, the unit is likely to be reasonably energy-friendly. The DS923+ is well suited for small businesses or advanced home users who value data safety, expandability, and a strong software experience in a compact NAS device. However, it might be less ideal for users needing very high network speeds out-of-the-box or requiring more bays for massive storage setups.

The Synology DS225+ is a compact 2-bay NAS designed for users who want reliable network storage with decent performance. It comes bundled with two 8TB Seagate Ironwolf drives, giving a total of 16TB storage out of the box. The device is powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 memory, which you can upgrade to 6GB to handle more intensive tasks or multiple users.

It supports Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), making it easier to manage storage while protecting your data, and the Btrfs file system adds advanced data protection including snapshot technology to restore files if needed. For connectivity, it offers one 2.5 GbE port and one 1 GbE port, allowing faster data transfer within your home or small office network. The device runs Synology's DSM operating system, known for user-friendly and feature-rich management software.

This NAS is suitable for home users, small businesses, or creative professionals who need centralized backup, media streaming, and file sharing, but it may feel limited in power for larger or more demanding environments. The 2-bay design restricts maximum storage expandability compared to bigger NAS models, and the initial 2GB RAM might be on the low side if you plan heavy multitasking. The DS225+ balances ease of use with solid performance for everyday NAS needs, especially if you value data safety and flexible storage options.