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

The QNAP TVS-h474-PT-8G-US is a solid choice for anyone looking to use a NAS for Plex 4K media streaming. It comes with an Intel Pentium Gold G7400 processor, which has 2 cores and 4 threads running at 3.7 GHz. While not the most powerful CPU, it’s capable of handling 4K video playback and real-time transcoding, which is essential for streaming to different devices without delays. The 8GB DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 64GB) gives the system a good starting point to manage multiple tasks and smooth playback, with room for future upgrades if needed.

Storage-wise, the NAS is diskless on purchase, meaning you’ll need to add your own drives. It supports 4 bays with 7200 RPM SATA drives and includes dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots. These SSD slots can be used for caching, which boosts performance, especially when dealing with large media files. The 2.5 GbE network ports provide faster file transfers compared to standard 1 GbE, which is helpful for streaming high-quality 4K content without buffering.

One standout feature is the PCIe Gen 4 slot, allowing you to add faster network cards like 10GbE or 25GbE if you want even quicker connections in the future, making this NAS quite future-proof. The HDMI 1.4b output supports 4K at 30Hz, so you can connect it directly to a TV or monitor for local playback, which is a bonus for media enthusiasts. The CPU is on the lower end for very heavy multitasking or multiple simultaneous 4K transcodes, and the HDMI output only supports 30Hz at 4K, which may feel less smooth compared to higher refresh rates. Also, the device is a bit bulky and heavier than some others, so consider your space. This QNAP model suits home media users or small teams who want fast network transfers and local playback without requiring a high-end processor for heavy workloads.

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.

The TERRAMASTER F4-424 Max is a powerful 4-bay NAS that suits Plex users who want smooth 4K video streaming and fast performance. It features a strong Intel Core i5 1235U processor with 10 cores and 12 threads, which helps handle multiple tasks and transcoding large 4K files efficiently. The 8GB of fast DDR5 RAM supports quick data access and multitasking, though some heavy users might want to consider if upgrading memory is possible for future-proofing.

With dual 10Gb Ethernet ports, it offers extremely fast network speeds up to 20Gbps, ensuring smooth streaming and quick file transfers, especially useful if you have a high-speed local network. Storage-wise, it supports four drives plus two M.2 NVMe slots for caching, providing good flexibility and expandability for a growing media library. The NAS works well with Plex and other popular media server apps, ensuring smooth playback and easy management of your media files. It also supports 4K video decoding and streaming via DLNA/uPnP, which is essential for a crisp 4K viewing experience.

The device comes diskless, so you need to buy your own drives, and the plastic build might not feel as premium compared to metal alternatives. While it’s designed with businesses in mind, its high performance and fast network features make it a great choice for power users or home media enthusiasts needing a robust Plex setup. Noise levels are low, even under load, which is a plus for home use. For those seeking a NAS that balances strong processing, fast networking, and good storage expandability for Plex 4K streaming, the TERRAMASTER F4-424 Max presents a solid option.