Streaming your favorite movies and shows in high quality requires a powerful and reliable storage solution. A Network Attached Storage (NAS) device with RAID support is your best bet. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) allows you to combine multiple hard drives into a single logical unit, offering fault tolerance and enhanced performance. This means you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, even if one of your drives fails.
Choosing the right NAS device can be overwhelming, with a multitude of options available. That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve compiled a list of the 7 best NAS devices designed for high-performance streaming and equipped with RAID capabilities. These NAS drives cater to diverse needs, whether you’re a casual streamer or a serious home theater enthusiast.
Our selections consider various factors, including speed, capacity, features, and price. We’ve focused on NAS drives that offer fast transfer speeds and seamless integration with popular streaming services. This ensures you can enjoy your favorite content without buffering or lag. We’ve also included devices with robust security features to safeguard your valuable data.
You can find more information on 22 Best Network Attached Storage for Mac Users
This guide is designed to help you find the perfect NAS device to enhance your streaming experience. Whether you’re looking to create your own personal cloud storage, stream 4K content without interruption, or simply store your ever-growing collection of movies and TV shows, our recommendations have you covered.
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Item | Image | Where to buy | Rating | Read More | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Synology DiskStation DS923+ | ![]() |
4.5 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QNAP TS-h973AX | ![]() |
4.0 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASUSTOR AS6704T | ![]() |
4.3 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra | N/A | Jump to Review | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Synology DiskStation DS923+
A powerful and feature-rich NAS with excellent performance and a user-friendly interface.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor
- RAM: 4GB DDR4 (expandable to 16GB)
- Storage: 4x 3.5" SATA drive bays (supports up to 108TB)
- Networking: 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1x 10GbE port
- Operating System: Synology DSM
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent performance for high-demand applications like 4K video streaming
- User-friendly interface with a wide range of apps and features
- Comprehensive RAID support for data protection and redundancy
- Powerful hardware with a 10GbE port for faster data transfer speeds
Reasons to avoid:
- Can be expensive compared to other NAS devices
- The 10GbE port is optional and requires a separate purchase
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a NAS with powerful performance for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming
- You value a user-friendly interface with a wide range of features
- You need a NAS that offers comprehensive RAID support for data protection
Don't buy it if:
- You are on a tight budget and need a more affordable option
- You don't need the extra speed and performance of the 10GbE port
- You are only using the NAS for simple file sharing and backup tasks
Bottom Line:
The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-performance NAS with a user-friendly interface and comprehensive RAID support. It's a great option for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming, but it can be expensive. If you are on a tighter budget or don't need the extra speed and features, you might be better off with a different model.
QNAP TS-h973AX
A powerful NAS with a high-performance processor and plenty of storage capacity.
Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 6-core processor
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 (expandable to 64GB)
- Storage: 8x 3.5" SATA drive bays (supports up to 160TB)
- Networking: 2x 2.5GbE ports, 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Operating System: QNAP QTS
Reasons to buy:
- Powerful performance with a high-end processor and plenty of RAM
- Extensive storage capacity with 8 drive bays
- Supports multiple RAID configurations for data protection
- Advanced features for network management and security
Reasons to avoid:
- Can be expensive compared to other NAS devices
- The interface can be overwhelming for some users
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a NAS with powerful performance for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming and virtualization
- You need a NAS with extensive storage capacity
- You value advanced features for network management and security
Don't buy it if:
- You are on a tight budget and need a more affordable option
- You are a novice user and want a more straightforward user interface
- You don't need the extra speed and performance of the 2.5GbE ports
Bottom Line:
The QNAP TS-h973AX is a powerhouse of a NAS device with a high-performance processor, extensive storage capacity, and advanced features. It's an excellent choice for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming, virtualization, and network management. However, it can be expensive, and the interface may be overwhelming for some users. If you need a more affordable and user-friendly option, you might be better off with a different model.
Asustor AS6704T
A versatile NAS with a good balance of performance, features, and affordability.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Celeron J6412 quad-core processor
- RAM: 4GB DDR4 (expandable to 16GB)
- Storage: 4x 3.5" SATA drive bays (supports up to 64TB)
- Networking: 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Operating System: ADM
Reasons to buy:
- Good performance for most everyday tasks like file sharing and streaming
- User-friendly interface with a wide range of apps
- Affordable price compared to other NAS devices
- Supports multiple RAID configurations for data protection
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance can be limited compared to higher-end models
- The 10GbE port is optional and requires a separate purchase
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a reliable NAS for everyday tasks like file sharing and streaming
- You want a user-friendly interface with a wide range of apps
- You are on a tight budget and need an affordable option
Don't buy it if:
- You need the best possible performance for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming
- You value the extra speed of a 10GbE port
- You need a NAS with a large amount of storage capacity
Bottom Line:
The Asustor AS6704T is a versatile NAS with a good balance of performance, features, and affordability. It's a great option for everyday tasks like file sharing and streaming, but it may not be the best choice for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming. If you need a more powerful NAS, you might be better off with a higher-end model.
You can find more information on 16 Best Network Attached Storage Media Players for 2024
Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra
An easy-to-use NAS with a focus on home users and small businesses.
Specifications:
- CPU: Marvell Armada 388 processor
- RAM: 2GB DDR4
- Storage: 2x 3.5" SATA drive bays (supports up to 20TB)
- Networking: 1x Gigabit Ethernet port
- Operating System: WD My Cloud OS 3
Reasons to buy:
- Easy to set up and use with a simple interface
- Affordable price compared to other NAS devices
- Supports multiple RAID configurations for data protection
- Includes cloud backup features for off-site data protection
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance can be limited compared to other NAS devices
- Only two drive bays limit storage capacity
- Limited features compared to other NAS devices
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a simple and easy-to-use NAS for home or small business use
- You are on a tight budget and need an affordable option
- You want a NAS with cloud backup features for off-site data protection
Don't buy it if:
- You need a NAS with high performance for demanding workloads
- You need a NAS with a large amount of storage capacity
- You need a NAS with a wide range of advanced features
Bottom Line:
The Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra is an easy-to-use NAS that's a great option for home users and small businesses. It's affordable and has cloud backup features, but it lacks the performance and features of higher-end models. If you need a more powerful NAS, you might be better off with a different model.
TerraMaster F5-423
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A budget-friendly NAS with a good balance of performance and features.
Check this blog on 22 Best Rack Mounted Network Attached Storage Options
Specifications:
- CPU: Realtek RTD1619 quad-core processor
- RAM: 2GB DDR4 (expandable to 8GB)
- Storage: 4x 3.5" SATA drive bays (supports up to 40TB)
- Networking: 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Operating System: TOS
Reasons to buy:
- Affordable price compared to other NAS devices
- Good performance for most everyday tasks
- User-friendly interface with a wide range of apps
- Supports multiple RAID configurations for data protection
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance can be limited compared to higher-end models
- The 10GbE port is optional and requires a separate purchase
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need an affordable NAS for everyday tasks like file sharing and streaming
- You want a user-friendly interface with a wide range of apps
- You need a NAS with a good balance of performance and features
Don't buy it if:
- You need the best possible performance for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming
- You value the extra speed of a 10GbE port
- You need a NAS with a large amount of storage capacity
Bottom Line:
The TerraMaster F5-423 is a budget-friendly NAS with a good balance of performance and features. It's a great option for everyday tasks like file sharing and streaming, but it may not be the best choice for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming. If you need a more powerful NAS, you might be better off with a higher-end model.
Netgear ReadyNAS 426
Read more about this on 15 Best Network Attached Storage Software
A reliable and feature-rich NAS with a focus on small businesses.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor
- RAM: 2GB DDR4 (expandable to 8GB)
- Storage: 4x 3.5" SATA drive bays (supports up to 40TB)
- Networking: 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Operating System: ReadyNAS OS 6
Reasons to buy:
- Reliable and feature-rich NAS with a focus on small businesses
- Good performance for most everyday tasks
- User-friendly interface with a wide range of apps
- Supports multiple RAID configurations for data protection
Reasons to avoid:
- Can be expensive compared to other NAS devices
- Performance can be limited compared to higher-end models
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a reliable NAS for your small business
- You want a NAS with a wide range of features
- You need a NAS with good performance for everyday tasks
Don't buy it if:
- You are on a tight budget and need a more affordable option
- You need the best possible performance for demanding workloads like 4K video streaming
- You need a NAS with a large amount of storage capacity
Bottom Line:
The Netgear ReadyNAS 426 is a reliable and feature-rich NAS that's a great option for small businesses. It has a good balance of performance and features, but it can be expensive. If you need a more affordable or powerful NAS, you might be better off with a different model.
Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay
An easy-to-use NAS designed for home users.
Specifications:
- CPU: Marvell Armada 385 processor
- RAM: 1GB DDR3
- Storage: 2x 3.5" SATA drive bays (supports up to 16TB)
- Networking: 1x Gigabit Ethernet port
- Operating System: Seagate Personal Cloud OS
Reasons to buy:
- Easy to set up and use with a simple interface
- Affordable price compared to other NAS devices
- Supports RAID 1 configuration for data protection
- Includes cloud backup features for off-site data protection
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance can be limited compared to other NAS devices
- Only two drive bays limit storage capacity
- Limited features compared to other NAS devices
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a simple and easy-to-use NAS for home use
- You are on a tight budget and need an affordable option
- You want a NAS with cloud backup features for off-site data protection
Don't buy it if:
- You need a NAS with high performance for demanding workloads
- You need a NAS with a large amount of storage capacity
- You need a NAS with a wide range of advanced features
Bottom Line:
The Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay is an easy-to-use NAS that's a great option for home users. It's affordable and has cloud backup features, but it lacks the performance and features of higher-end models. If you need a more powerful NAS, you might be better off with a different model.
So, there you have it - the top 7 NAS devices for high-performance streaming with RAID support. Each device offers a unique combination of features and performance, so it's important to choose the one that best fits your specific needs and budget. Whether you're a casual streamer or a hardcore gamer, you'll find a NAS on this list that can handle your needs.
One key takeaway is the importance of RAID support for data redundancy and protection. RAID configurations allow you to mirror your data across multiple drives, ensuring that your data is safe even if one drive fails. This is especially important for streaming applications, where data loss could mean losing hours of footage or important files.
Ultimately, the best NAS for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you're unsure which NAS is right for you, it's always a good idea to consult with a professional or do some research online to compare different models and features. By carefully considering your options and choosing the right NAS, you can enjoy the benefits of high-performance streaming with peace of mind.
Remember that the NAS market is constantly evolving, so it's always a good idea to stay up-to-date on the latest models and features. By doing so, you can ensure that you're getting the best possible performance and reliability for your streaming needs.