Imagine this: you snap a hundred photos on vacation, download a huge new game, or finally back up your family videos. Suddenly, your computer screams, “Storage Full!” Where does all that precious data go? In today’s digital world, we create more files than ever before, and relying only on your laptop’s small hard drive just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Choosing the right Network Attached Storage, or NAS, for your house can feel like navigating a maze. Should you pick something fast? Something big? How do you even set it up? Many people feel overwhelmed by technical jargon and worry about spending money on the wrong device. You need a central, safe place for everything—photos, movies, and important documents—that everyone in the house can reach easily.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down what NAS is in plain language. You will learn exactly what features matter most for your home setup, how to choose a system that fits your budget, and how to finally stop worrying about lost files. Keep reading to transform your home data management from a headache into a seamless, secure system.
Top Network Storage For Home Recommendations
- Value NAS with RAID for centralized storage and backup for all your devices. Check out the LS 700 for enhanced features, cloud capabilities, macOS 26, and up to 7x faster performance than the LS 200.
- Connect the LinkStation to your router and enjoy shared network storage for your devices. The NAS is compatible with Windows and macOS*, and Buffalo's US-based support is on-hand 24/7 for installation walkthroughs. *Only for macOS 15 (Sequoia) and earlier. For macOS 26, check out our LS 700 series.
- Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
- Storage Purpose-Built for Data Security – A NAS designed to keep your data safe, the LS200 features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps and SSL encryption for secure file transfers.
- Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
- Entry-level NAS Personal Storage：UGREEN NAS DH2300 is your first and best NAS made easy. It is designed for beginners who want a simple, private way to store videos, photos and personal files, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage or external drives and move away from scattered date across devices. This entry-level NAS 2-bay perfect for personal entertainment, photo storage, and easy data backup (doesn't support Docker or virtual machines).
- Set Your Devices Free, Expand Your Digital World: This unified storage hub supports massive capacity up to 60TB.*Storage drives not included. Stop Deleting, Start Storing. You can store 20 million 3MB images, or 2 million 30MB songs, or 40K 1.5GB movies or 62 million 1MB documents! UGREEN NAS is a better way to free up storage across all your devices such as phones, computers, tablets and also does automatic backups across devices regardless of the operating system—Window, iOS, Android or macOS.
- The Smarter Long-term Way to Store: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, a UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $459.98 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $3,599.40 for 5 years. You will save $6,738.82 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH2300 + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Blazing Speed, Minimal Power: Equipped with a high-performance processor, 1GbE port, and 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, this NAS handles multiple tasks with ease. File transfers reach up to 125MB/s—a 1GB file takes only 8 seconds. Don't let slow clouds hold you back; they often need over 100 seconds for the same task. The difference is clear.
- Let AI Better Organize Your Memories: UGREEN NAS uses AI to tag faces, locations, texts, and objects—so you can effortlessly find any photo by searching for who or what's in it in seconds. It also automatically finds and deletes similar or duplicate photo, backs up live photos and allows you to share them with your friends or family with just one tap. Everything stays effortlessly organized, powered by intelligent tagging and recognition.
- Entry-level NAS Home Storage: The UGREEN NAS DH4300 Plus is an entry-level 4-bay NAS that's ideal for home media and vast private storage you can access from anywhere and also supports Docker but not virtual machines. You can record, store, share happy moment with your families and friends, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage, or external drives to create your own private cloud, access files from any device.
- 120TB Massive Capacity Embraces Your Overwhelming Data: The NAS offers enough room for your digital life, no more deleting, just preserving. You can store 41.2 million pictures, or 4 million songs, or 80.6K movies or 125.6 million files! It also does automatic backups and connects to multiple devices regardless of the OS, IOS, Android and OSX. *Storage disks not included.
- User-Friendly App & Easy to Use: Connect quickly via NFC, set up simply and share files fast on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and smart TVs. You can access data remotely from any of your mixed devices. What's more, UGREEN NAS enclosure comes with beginner-friendly user manual and video instructions to ensure you can easily take full advantage of its features.
- AI Album Recognition & Classification: The 4 bay nas supports real-time photo backups and intelligent album management including semantic search, custom learning, recognition of people, object, pet, similar photo. Thus, you can classify and find your photos easily. What's more, it can also remove duplicate photos as desired.
- More Cost-effective Storage Solution: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, A UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $629.99 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $1,439.76 for 2 years, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $7,198.80 for 10 years. You will save $6,568.81 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH4300 Plus + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Advanced Storage Management & Resilience: Yxk NAS ensures data integrity through enterprise-grade features like RAID redundancy, automated backups, and snapshot recovery, safeguarding your information against single drive failures.
- Scalable Capacity Without Recurring Costs: Expand storage seamlessly by adding drives or upgrading existing ones. Unlike cloud services with ongoing subscriptions and capacity limits, this home NAS offers flexible, one-time hardware investment for true ownership.
- Intuitive Setup & Effortless Control: Get started instantly via QR code scanning. Our comprehensive mobile/desktop app provides a unified, user-friendly interface for all functions, ensuring a smooth and efficient management experience.
- Truly Private & Secure Cloud: Maintain 100% data ownership within your personal cloud. Advanced encryption and granular permission controls protect files during collaboration, while our strict zero-knowledge policy guarantees we never access or store your data.
- Effortless Multi-User Collaboration: Securely share and synchronize data across diverse devices and platforms with family, friends, or colleagues. Enable seamless teamwork while preserving individual privacy with dedicated user spaces.
- Value NAS with RAID for centralized storage and backup for all your devices. Check out the LS 700 for enhanced features, cloud capabilities, macOS 26, and up to 7x faster performance than the LS 200.
- Connect the LinkStation to your router and enjoy shared network storage for your devices. The NAS is compatible with Windows and macOS*, and Buffalo's US-based support is on-hand 24/7 for installation walkthroughs. *Only for macOS 15 (Sequoia) and earlier. For macOS 26, check out our LS 700 series.
- Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
- Storage Purpose-Built for Data Security – A NAS designed to keep your data safe, the LS200 features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps and SSL encryption for secure file transfers.
- Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
- Secure private cloud - Enjoy 100% data ownership and multi-platform access from anywhere
- Easy sharing and syncing - Safely access and share files and media from anywhere, and keep clients, colleagues and collaborators on the same page
- Comprehensive data protection - Back up your media library or document repository to a variety of destinations
- 2-year warranty
- Check Synology knowledge center or YouTube channel for help on product setup and additional information
- Value NAS with RAID for centralized storage and backup for all your devices. Check out the LS 700 for enhanced features, cloud capabilities, macOS 26, and up to 7x faster performance than the LS 200.
- Connect the LinkStation to your router and enjoy shared network storage for your devices. The NAS is compatible with Windows and macOS*, and Buffalo's US-based support is on-hand 24/7 for installation walkthroughs. *Only for macOS 15 (Sequoia) and earlier. For macOS 26, check out our LS 700 series.
- Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
- Storage Purpose-Built for Data Security – A NAS designed to keep your data safe, the LS200 features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps and SSL encryption for secure file transfers.
- Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
- Centralized Data Hub - Consolidate all your data with complete data ownership and multi-platform access
- Seamless Sharing and Syncing - Sync and share data across devices and operating systems, enabling effortless collaboration
- Built-in Data Protection - Back up your files to a variety of destinations
- Smart Surveillance - Create a comprehensive video surveillance system that scales with your needs
- 2-year warranty
Your Simple Guide to Buying Home Network Storage
Network Attached Storage, or NAS, might sound tricky. But it is just a special hard drive connected to your home internet box (router). It lets everyone in your house save and share files easily. This guide helps you pick the best one for your family.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a home NAS, focus on these important parts:
1. Drive Bays (How Many Hard Drives Fit)
- 2-Bay NAS: Good for beginners. You can start with one drive and add a second later for backup.
- 4-Bay NAS or More: Better for large families or people with huge photo and video collections. More bays mean more space and better backup options.
2. Speed and Connectivity
Look for Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE). This is the standard port that connects the NAS to your router. Faster speeds mean you copy files quicker.
3. Operating System (OS) and Apps
The software inside the NAS matters a lot. Good brands offer easy-to-use apps. These apps let you do cool things like stream movies to your TV or automatically back up your phones.
4. RAID Support (Data Safety)
RAID is a fancy way to say “data protection.” If you have two drives, RAID 1 copies everything onto both. If one drive breaks, your data is safe on the other. This is a major quality booster.
Important Materials and Build Quality
Most NAS boxes use plastic or metal cases. Metal cases often feel sturdier and help keep the internal drives cooler.
Hard Drive Choice
Remember: The NAS box itself is just the container. You must buy the hard drives separately (usually). Buy drives made specifically for NAS use (like WD Red or Seagate IronWolf). These drives are built to run 24/7, which improves their lifespan.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a NAS great or just okay?
Quality Boosters:
- Processor (CPU): A faster processor helps when multiple people use the NAS at once, or when you stream video.
- RAM (Memory): More RAM helps the system run many apps smoothly.
- Quiet Operation: Since the NAS usually lives in your living room or office, quiet fans and good vibration dampening are important.
Quality Reducers:
- Slow Setup: If the initial setup takes hours and requires complicated network knowledge, the user experience suffers.
- No Mobile App Support: If you cannot easily check files or upload photos using your phone, the device feels less useful.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about what you want to use the NAS for:
Family Photo Hub
If you want one central place for every family photo, choose a system with strong photo management software. This lets everyone see pictures instantly.
Home Media Center
If you want to watch saved movies on your smart TV without loading them onto a computer first, you need a NAS with good media server software (like Plex or DLNA support). This improves your movie-watching experience.
Automatic Backup Station
The best use is backing up everyone’s computer. Look for systems that support Time Machine (for Macs) or Windows Backup easily. This saves you time and stress.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Home Network Storage
Q: Do I need a special internet plan for a NAS?
A: No. You only need a normal home internet connection. The NAS connects to your home router, not directly to the outside internet provider.
Q: Is NAS the same as using the Cloud (like Google Drive)?
A: No. The Cloud is storing data on someone else’s computer far away. NAS stores data on your own computer at home. You have total control.
Q: Do I need to buy hard drives when I buy the NAS box?
A: Usually, yes. Most NAS units are sold as “enclosures” or “shells.” You must buy the hard drives separately and install them yourself.
Q: How hard is it to set up a 2-bay NAS?
A: Modern NAS units are quite easy. Most use a simple web browser setup. You plug it in, find it on your network, and follow the on-screen steps.
Q: What is RAID 1, and why is it important?
A: RAID 1 mirrors your data. If Drive A dies, Drive B has an exact copy. It is the simplest way to protect your important files from drive failure.
Q: Can I access my files when I am away from home?
A: Yes, most good NAS systems let you securely log in remotely using an app or web address to get your files from anywhere.
Q: Will a NAS slow down my internet speed?
A: It might slow down your *local network* slightly when large files are copying. It generally does not affect your speed when browsing websites or watching Netflix.
Q: Should I buy SSDs or traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) for my NAS?
A: For most home users, traditional HDDs offer the best space for the price. SSDs are faster but cost much more for the same amount of storage.
Q: How many people can use the NAS at the same time?
A: A modern NAS handles several users fine. If many people stream 4K video simultaneously, you might want a model with a faster processor.
Q: Does a NAS use a lot of electricity?
A: No. When idle, most home NAS units use very little power, similar to a modern Wi-Fi router. They use more power when actively reading or writing data.