The Best Home Network Storage Solution For 2024

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Best Home Network Storage Solution
Best Home Network Storage Solution

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Synology 2 bay NAS

The Synology 2 Bay NAS is a robust and reliable 2-bay Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution. It is designed to store and share data securely, protect digital assets, and provide easy access to data anytime, anywhere. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: WD WDBVBZ0080JCH 8TB NAS

The WD 8TB Network Attached Storage is perfect for storing and backing up important files, photos, videos, and music. Its high-performance 1.3 GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of DDR3 memory provide lag-free streaming and multitasking. Read Review

3. Best Capacity: BUFFALO 210 1-Bay NAS

The Buffalo 1-Bay NAS is the perfect solution for home storage needs. With up to 4TB of storage capacity, this single-bay NAS offers flexible network storage that can be used as a home cloud or network storage device. Read Review

4. Best Quality: WD WDBACG0030HCH 3TB NAS

This WD 3TB Personal Cloud Storage NAS is the perfect way to store and share important files and photos. With a 3TB capacity, you can easily centralize and share your media on your home network. Read Review

5. Best Powerful: TERRAMASTER 5Bay NAS

The TERRAMASTER 5Bay NAS is a high-performance network-attached device offering reliable storage and data management capabilities. It is powered by the Apollo J3355 2.0 GHz dual-core CPU and 2GB of RAM. Read Review

Are you seeking the best home network storage solution for your home office or small business? Finding the right home network storage solution can be daunting if you must store an extensive collection of music, photos, videos, or documents. With so many different options available, it can be challenging to determine which solution is the best for your needs. Fortunately, a variety of home network storage solutions can meet the needs of any home or small business.

Many options are available to help you store, access, and share important files and data. In this guide, we'll explore the different types of home network storage solutions and the advantages and disadvantages of each, helping you find the best solution for your needs. Whether looking for a simple solution to store a few files or a comprehensive system to store large amounts of data, a home network storage solution is right for you. We'll look at the solutions available, their benefits, and how to choose the best one for your needs. 

Following extensive study and analysis, We think the best home network storage solution of 2024 is Synology 2 bay NAS. Its 512MB DDR4 RAM provides a reliable 24/7 file server to store, share, and back up your data. With Synology's comprehensive application library, you can find the right app for your needs. However, it is not the only thing on our list. We also show a complete buyer's guide; several options are available to help you find the most suitable one.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Synology 2 bay NAS
Our Score:
9.9
Synology

The Synology 2 bay NAS is an excellent choice for use in a home or business setting of any size. It offers a dedicated file server available around the clock, thanks to its 512 megabytes of DDR4 memory. You can store, share, and back up your personal information. Its multi-award-winning DiskStation Manager (DSM) simplifies managing files and setting up a system by incorporating an easy-to-follow flow of operations and lowering the learning curve. This item is an excellent option for use in a domestic or commercial setting of any size.

This product is compatible with computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile devices, and can access and share data with all of them. You can configure it to have up to 32 terabytes of storage space by using its two bays to store all your music, photographs, videos, documents, and other data. In addition, it supports several different streaming protocols, enabling you to stream your material to various devices. Unfortunately, it does not upgrade the HDD firmware.

TOP Choice #2 WD WDBVBZ0080JCH 8TB NAS
Our Score:
9.8
Western Digital

The WD 8TB NAS is a robust and reliable network-attached storage solution for small businesses and creative professionals. It has a high-performance 1.3 GHz dual-core processor for lag-free streaming, 1 GB of DDR3 memory for quickly switching between applications and an enormous 8 TB storage capacity for all your information demands. You can even set up your data to be backed up in an automated fashion, either to a separate My Cloud NAS device or to any supported cloud service such as Amazon S3 or ElephantDrive.

This product gives you simple access to all your data from any location, making it ideal for working remotely or collaborating with others. You can be confident that no unwanted parties will be able to gain access to your data thanks to the extraordinary security measures that this solution provides. You have access to the ideal data storage solution for all your requirements with this 8TB NAS. You can protect data throughout your network without worrying about their safety. The only issue is that its setup is not very straightforward.

TOP Choice #3 BUFFALO 210 1-Bay NAS
Our Score:
9.7
BUFFALO

The BUFFALO 4TB 1-Bay NAS is an effective and dependable Network Attached Storage device that offers safe and trustworthy shared storage and backup for all your digital assets. It features a storage capacity of 4 terabytes as standard. This powerful NAS system allows you to store up to 4 terabytes of data with just a single bay of storage space. In addition, it has an energy-efficient design, which means that your monthly energy expenses will be reduced.

This product is ideal for use in the house because it enables you to easily store and retrieve your files from anywhere in the world, making it quite handy. You can create a private cloud storage system for your home or business with the included HDD Hard Drives. You can find that accessing, sharing, and backing up your digital assets is made much simpler by the user-friendly web interface. However, its processor is a bit slow but draws very little power.

4 WD WDBACG0030HCH 3TB NAS
Our Score:
9.6
Western Digital

The WD 3TB Cloud Storage NAS is ideal for storing and sharing important data, photographs, and media. It features three terabytes of cloud storage space. It is simple to use and offers a centralized location that is safe and accessible for all of your data cables to store and shares hundreds of thousands of files with a capacity of 3 terabytes (TB). You can effortlessly back up all of your gadgets using the WD My Book Live NAS, which is also compatible with PCs running Mac and PC operating systems.

This drive supports the iTunes server, allowing you to organize your music and video collection into a single location and stream it to any Mac or PC with iTunes installed. You can use your iPhone to access and examine the photographs in your collection. You can also enjoy the freedom and convenience of having your data where and when needed. You can create your cloud free of the recurring costs and obscurity around the location of your data. Although, sometimes, its connection with the mobile network is a bit slow. But it's not a big issue.

5 TERRAMASTER 5Bay NAS
Our Score:
9.4
TERRAMASTER

TERRAMASTER's 5Bay NAS Storage is a robust, reliable, and feature-rich NAS storage solution for businesses and home offices. This network-attached storage device has a user interface that is both simple and easy to use, making it quick to set up and operate. It also has advanced features, including snapshots and file-level anti-virus protection, which increase security and data integrity. This item is perfect for home multimedia enjoyment and small business applications because it supports AES hardware encryption and 4K HD video transcoding.

This product allows you to create personal cloud storage that can be accessed remotely, satisfying your demand for remote access. It features an Apollo J3355 dual-core processor with a maximum frequency of 2.0 GHz dual 1GbE LAN ports, each capable of attaining 119MB/s in read capacity and 118MB/s in write capacity. Unfortunately, the DDNS and TNAS  functions may not operate properly sometimes. Overall it works well.

6 Asustor AS3302T 2 Bay NAS
Our Score:
9.3
Asustor

The Asustor 2 Bay NAS is a practical, dependable, and safe storage solution you may use in your home or business. This network-attached storage device offers a quick and responsive performance whenever it's required due to its Realtek RTD 1296 Quad Core 1.4 GHz CPU and its 2 GB of DDR4 RAM. You have an easier time connecting many devices and securely transferring significant amounts of data thanks to the availability of two 2.5GbE ports.

This network-attached storage device is an excellent option for anyone seeking dependable storage because of its sophisticated safety functions and user-friendly management applications. It provides the convenience of personal cloud storage and alternate streaming options, so your information will always be accessible anywhere in the world. It is compatible with Plex media servers, hundreds of backup options, remote access, smartphone apps, and cross-platform multi-user access to over 200 unique apps via built-in App Central. The only issue is that it couldn't encrypt long file names.

7 WD WDBNFA0000NBK NAS
Our Score:
9.2
Western Digital

The Western Digital NAS is a robust network-attached storage device designed for high-performance use in the home and business settings. It comes equipped with an Intel Pentium N3710 Quad-Core 1.6GHz processor and 4GB DDR3L memory, making it capable of delivering dependable performance and high throughput rates. You can also easily store and retrieve essential data due to its support for up to four hard drives.

This product is an ideal storage option for homes and small businesses with its comprehensive storage management capabilities and straightforward installation. Its built-in video transcoding feature guarantees flawless HD streaming via Plex, making it an excellent choice for streaming movies, television shows, and other multimedia content. You can save all of your production files, raw photos, and final mixes in an orderly fashion in a single area that is simple to access. Unfortunately, sometimes it is not compatible with WiFi and needs to be plugged in. 

8 Asustor AS5202T 2 Bay NAS
Our Score:
9.0
Asustor

Features HDMI 2.0a with 10bit 4K hardware decoding, HEVC decoding and VP9 10bit Profile2 decoding for overwhelming 4K HDR Experience

Compatible with 2.5" or 3.5" SATA SSD/HDD drives up to 36TB (18TB x 2). Expand as much storage as needed with ease

2 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports. Enable up to 150% faster performance and up to 5 Gbps in Link Aggregation mode

9 BUFFALO SoHo 220 2-Bay NAS
Our Score:
8.8
BUFFALO

24/7 US-BASED SUPPORT - With 3-year warranty, including hard drives.

HASSLE-FREE INSTALLATION – Hard drives included, and no computer needed for setup. Simply connect the NAS to your router for instant shared network storage for all your devices at the same time. Product is compatible with PC, macOS, Android, and iOS.

12 TB Total capacity – 2 Drive Bays ships with RAID 1 (Automatic Backup) = 6 TB usable capacity. Set to RAID 0 to use the full 12 TB.

MADE IN JAPAN - Quality Devices.

SMALL OFFICE / HOME OFFICE NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE: Optimized to organize, store, share, and back up your important files.

DIRECT COPY - Back up your devices via USB. Copy photos/videos/files without a computer.

SUBSCRIPTION-FREE PERSONAL CLOUD – Store and back up videos, music, and photos and access them from anywhere without paying any monthly storage charges.

BACK UP MULTIPLE COMPUTERS & DEVICES – PC backup software included, and you can set up automated backups of data on your computers and mobile devices.

SECURELY SHARE FILES WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS – Create individual access of folders to ensure your data remains private while securely share storage space or files with others.

SECURE YOUR PRECIOUS DATA - Storage designed to keep your data safe, the NAS features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps and SSL encryption for secure file transfers.

10 SSK 4TB NAS
Our Score:
8.7
SSK

【Centralize all your data】: Support IOS, Android, Windows, MAC, all have proprietary client software, centralize all your photos,When downloading from the web page, do not use the Google Chrome browser to download, please use the IE(Internet Explorer)browser or safari browser to download on the computer

【Two working mode with LED Indicator】: Two working mode meets all of your needs. NAS(Network-attachment Storage) Mode and DAS(Direct-attached storage) Mode. With 1000M Ethernet port for NAS mode, true network speed can reach to 10-30MB/s. With USB3.0 High speed transmission port for DAS mode to transfer larger numbers of various sized files. Two Modes with different LED indicator colors, easy understanding;

【One-click back up & Auto sleep】: One-click backup of photos and videos, designated folders real-time synchronous update and backup on Mobile Phone/ Tablet /PC, you can save everything and access anywhere. No longer to worry when you are on a business trip, go hiking and travel around the world. This 4TB Personal Cloud Network Attached Storage will automatically switch the work/sleep state according to the usage, which can better reduce power consumption and protect the drive.

Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best home network storage solution?

Form Factor

The form factor of a computing device affects the design of hardware components that go into the larger unit. For NAS storage devices, form factor usually comes in two variations: rack-mount, and tower type cases. Choosing between these two options is straightforward. For example, rack cases would be suitable for enterprise networks since they have an expandable capacity. Tower type casing is better for consumers or small-to-medium businesses.

Capacity

In simple terms, the more drives you can cram into a NAS the greater its potential storage capacity. In most cases, we suggest something with four or five bays like the Synonology DS-1511. Loaded up with a swag of 1TB or 2TB drives it offers plenty of capacity.
If your needs are more modest then a two-bay unit is also handy and won't break the bank.

Apps

After storage, the next main concern is software and features. We prefer NASes that have an app store where you can download popular apps such as Plex instead of forcing you to use the manufacturer's own media software. NASes also offer apps for Android and iOS, which make it easier to get to your photos, videos, and music from your phone or tablet.

RAID

RAID stands for redundant array of inexpensive disks. RAID can be quite complex but at a basic level, you’ll want to use it to provide redundancy so if a disk fails your data is still safe. Three of the most popular variants are RAID 1, 5, and 6.
Whatever RAID you choose, however, don’t consider your NAS to be the only backup of your data. If the box just dies, or if something catastrophic happens like a fire, you’ll still lose all your data. To mitigate this you'll want another external backup, preferably to the cloud.

Transcoding

What type of processor does your NAS need? NAS drives run dedicated OSes that require a lightweight processor and more RAM. A faster processor and more memory will enable features such as transcoding, which means that any media files can be converted on the fly into a format that's playable by your TV or set-top box. It can also be useful if your videos are a higher resolution than your TV can handle, so look out for the ability to transcode 4K to Full HD in real-time.

Ports And Connections

Don't overlook connectivity. If your priority is to use your NAS as a home video server, it might be worth picking one with an HDMI output like the QNAP TS-251B so you can connect it directly to your TV. And if your TV can't play video from a network source, you'll need a separate media streamer.

Ease Of Use

A NAS is a great option for small businesses that need a solution that can run without much maintenance. Choosing a NAS that can be set up quickly with minimal labor is always a wise decision. For enterprise solutions, higher labor and administrative costs are insignificant when compared with the benefits that a NAS can bring.

FAQs

What is home network storage?

Home network storage is a way to store and access digital content like photos, music, documents and other files from any device connected to the same network. It enables you to share your data with other devices, both wired and wireless, so that you can access it from any location.

What are the benefits of using home network storage?

Home network storage offers a number of benefits, including: increased storage capacity, improved data availability, easy data sharing, improved security, and remote access. It also makes it easier to back up data, ensuring that your data is safe in case of an emergency.

What devices can be used for home network storage?

There are a variety of devices that can be used for home network storage, including NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices, external hard drives, cloud storage services, and other storage solutions.

What types of files can be stored on home network storage?

Almost any file type can be stored on home network storage, including photos, music, documents, and other files.

How do I set up home network storage?

Setting up home network storage depends on the type of device you are using. Generally, you will need to connect the device to your home network via an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection. Then, you will need to install the necessary software and configure the settings. For more detailed instructions, please refer to the user guide that came with your storage device.

What type of software is needed for a home network storage solution?

Most home network storage solutions require a specific software to be installed on the device that will access the storage device. This software allows the device to connect to the storage device over the home network. Additionally, some NAS devices require a specific software to be installed on the device that will access the storage device.


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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.