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10 Best Nas For Plex 4 K 2026 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Synology DS923+ 4-Bay Diskstation NAS (AMD Ryzen™ 4 Threads R1600 Dual-Core 4GB Ram 2xRJ-45 1GbE LAN-Port)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,289
Network Connectivity

Most important from
626 reviews

Network Connectivity
The quality and functionality of the device are impressive, with seamless connectivity and setup.

The Synology DS923+ NAS is a powerful and compact device, making it a good fit for running Plex media server. It’s built with an AMD Ryzen R1600 Dual-Core processor and 4GB of RAM, which can handle multiple streams and transcode media effectively. The 4-bay design allows you to store up to 50TB of data, offering plenty of space for a sizable media library.

The option to expand with 10GbE networking and NVMe drives means you can further boost its performance if needed. It has dual 1GbE LAN ports for strong network connectivity, which is crucial for streaming high-quality content smoothly. Users appreciate its reliability and secure data protection features, which are critical for safeguarding your media files.

However, its initial setup might be somewhat complex for those unfamiliar with NAS systems, and the 4GB of RAM might be limiting if you're running several other applications simultaneously. Despite these minor drawbacks, the DS923+ fits well for anyone looking to set up a robust Plex server capable of managing large media libraries efficiently.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,289
Network Connectivity

Most important from
626 reviews

Network Connectivity
The quality and functionality of the device are impressive, with seamless connectivity and setup.
#2

QNAP TS-464-8G-44WD-US 4 Bay High-Performance Desktop NAS with 12TB Storage Capacity, Preconfigured RAID 5 WD Red Plus HDD Bundle

Rating
10.0
Processor (CPU)
Network Connectivity
Transcoding Capability

Most important from
17 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The Intel Celeron quad-core processor delivers smooth and efficient performance for everyday NAS tasks.
Network Connectivity
Dual 2.5GbE ports significantly boost data transfer speeds, enhancing network performance and workflow efficiency.
Transcoding Capability
It handles direct play flawlessly and can manage light transcoding, but struggles with heavy transcoding or multiple simultaneous streams.
Expandability
M.2 PCIe slots provide excellent options for expansion and performance enhancement through SSD caching.

The QNAP TS-464-8G-44WD-US is a solid choice if you want a NAS that can handle Plex streaming of 4K videos. It comes with a capable quad-core Intel Celeron processor and 8GB of RAM, which are enough to support smooth transcoding and playback of high-quality video content. The pre-installed 12TB storage in RAID 5 offers a good balance of storage space and data protection, which is helpful if you want to keep your media safe and accessible.

There are also two M.2 NVMe SSD slots that can be used to boost speed by caching frequently accessed files, which helps when multiple users stream simultaneously. Network-wise, the dual 2.5GbE ports provide faster connections than regular Gigabit Ethernet, which is great for streaming large 4K files without buffering. The NAS supports easy backup solutions and remote access, making it convenient to manage your media collection from anywhere.

On the downside, while the Intel Celeron CPU is efficient, it might struggle with very heavy transcoding tasks if you have many streams or highly compressed files at once. Also, expansion beyond the four bays requires additional hardware, which could add cost. This NAS is well-suited for home media enthusiasts or small groups wanting smooth 4K Plex streaming with room for storage growth and good network speeds.

Rating
10.0
Processor (CPU)
Network Connectivity
Transcoding Capability

Most important from
17 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The Intel Celeron quad-core processor delivers smooth and efficient performance for everyday NAS tasks.
Network Connectivity
Dual 2.5GbE ports significantly boost data transfer speeds, enhancing network performance and workflow efficiency.
Transcoding Capability
It handles direct play flawlessly and can manage light transcoding, but struggles with heavy transcoding or multiple simultaneous streams.
Expandability
M.2 PCIe slots provide excellent options for expansion and performance enhancement through SSD caching.
#3

QNAP TVS-h874-i5-32G-US 8 Bay High-Speed Desktop NAS with M.2 PCIe Slots, 12th Gen Intel Core CPU, up to 64GB DDR4 RAM, 2.5 GbE Networking and PCIe Gen 4 expandability (Diskless)

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Memory (RAM)
Storage Capacity

Most important from
56 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Memory (RAM)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Storage Capacity
The dual M.2 NVMe slots provide maximum speed when populated with 2TB drives and set up as RAID1.
Network Connectivity
With 2*10G Ethernet ports and the latest USB A and C ports, this NAS offers incredible capabilities for high-speed connections.
Transcoding Capability
Running 16 4K streams simultaneously uses less than 10% CPU, showcasing the NAS's impressive power and efficiency.
Plex Compatibility
Upgrading the memory to 64GB and using 1TB M.2 drives enhances Plex server performance significantly.

The QNAP TVS-h874-i5-32G-US is a robust NAS designed to support heavy multimedia tasks, making it a solid choice for those looking to use Plex for 4K streaming. With a powerful Intel Core i5-12400 processor and 32GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable to 64GB), it offers excellent performance for transcoding media files in real-time, supporting smooth playback of 4K content.

One of the standout features is its dual M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slots, which allow users to add SSDs for enhanced speed and performance, significantly improving file access times and overall responsiveness. The NAS also provides dual 2.5GbE ports, which enable fast network connectivity, making file transfers and streaming seamless even under heavy load.

The HDMI output (4K @30Hz) is a convenient addition for directly connecting to a display, allowing users to access their media library easily. Additionally, the multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports offer flexible options for connecting external drives or additional devices.

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Memory (RAM)
Storage Capacity

Most important from
56 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Memory (RAM)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Storage Capacity
The dual M.2 NVMe slots provide maximum speed when populated with 2TB drives and set up as RAID1.
Network Connectivity
With 2*10G Ethernet ports and the latest USB A and C ports, this NAS offers incredible capabilities for high-speed connections.
Transcoding Capability
Running 16 4K streams simultaneously uses less than 10% CPU, showcasing the NAS's impressive power and efficiency.
Plex Compatibility
Upgrading the memory to 64GB and using 1TB M.2 drives enhances Plex server performance significantly.

Buying Guide for the Best Nas For Plex 4 K

When choosing a NAS (Network Attached Storage) for running Plex in 4K, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure smooth performance and a good user experience. A NAS for Plex in 4K needs to handle high-resolution video streaming, transcoding, and storage efficiently. Here are the key specs you should focus on and how to navigate them to find the best fit for your needs.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your NAS and is crucial for handling tasks like transcoding 4K video. A more powerful CPU will ensure smoother performance and the ability to handle multiple streams simultaneously. For 4K streaming, look for a NAS with at least an Intel Core i3 or equivalent. If you plan to stream to multiple devices or use other applications simultaneously, consider a more powerful CPU like an Intel Core i5 or i7.
Memory (RAM)RAM is important for multitasking and ensuring smooth operation of your NAS. More RAM allows your NAS to handle more simultaneous tasks and users. For 4K streaming, a minimum of 4GB of RAM is recommended, but 8GB or more is ideal if you plan to use your NAS for other applications or have multiple users accessing it at the same time.
Storage CapacityStorage capacity determines how much data you can store on your NAS. For 4K video, which takes up a lot of space, you will need a significant amount of storage. Consider how many 4K movies and shows you plan to store and choose a NAS with enough drive bays to accommodate your needs. A NAS with 4 to 8 drive bays is a good starting point, and you can always expand later if needed.
Drive CompatibilityEnsure that the NAS you choose is compatible with the type of hard drives you plan to use. Most NAS devices support both HDDs and SSDs, but it's important to check the maximum supported capacity and the type of drives (e.g., SATA, NVMe). For 4K streaming, using SSDs can provide faster read/write speeds, but they are more expensive than HDDs. A combination of both can offer a good balance between performance and cost.
Network ConnectivityNetwork connectivity is crucial for streaming 4K content smoothly. Look for a NAS with at least one Gigabit Ethernet port, but ideally, you should look for models with multiple Gigabit ports or even 10 Gigabit Ethernet for faster data transfer rates. This is especially important if you have multiple users streaming content simultaneously.
Transcoding CapabilityTranscoding is the process of converting video files into a format that is compatible with the device you are streaming to. Not all NAS devices can handle 4K transcoding efficiently. Check if the NAS supports hardware transcoding and if it can handle 4K content. This feature is essential if you plan to stream to devices that do not support the original file format.
Software and App SupportThe software that comes with your NAS can greatly affect your user experience. Look for a NAS that supports Plex Media Server natively and offers a user-friendly interface. Additionally, check for other app support that might be useful for your needs, such as backup solutions, cloud integration, and media management tools.
ExpandabilityConsider the future expandability of your NAS. Look for models that allow you to add more drives, upgrade RAM, or add expansion units. This will ensure that your NAS can grow with your needs, especially as your 4K media library expands.

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