The QNAP TS-h873AX is a powerful NAS (Network Attached Storage) device designed for home and small office users. It offers a compelling combination of features, performance, and affordability, making it a strong contender in the crowded NAS market. This review will delve into the TS-h873AX’s strengths and weaknesses, examining its hardware specifications, software features, and overall user experience. We’ll explore how it stacks up against the competition and determine whether it’s the right NAS for your specific needs.
The TS-h873AX boasts a quad-core processor and ample RAM, providing smooth performance for everyday tasks such as file sharing, media streaming, and backup. It comes equipped with a user-friendly interface, offering easy access to various applications and features. Its versatile design allows for expansion with additional storage drives, catering to growing data storage needs.
This review will investigate the TS-h873AX’s performance in real-world scenarios, including file transfer speeds, media streaming capabilities, and multi-user access. We’ll analyze the device’s security features, data protection options, and energy efficiency. We’ll also explore the value proposition of the TS-h873AX, considering its price point and its feature set compared to similar NAS devices.
By the end of this review, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the QNAP TS-h873AX‘s capabilities and whether it’s the ideal NAS solution for your home or business. We’ll highlight its strengths and weaknesses, providing you with the necessary information to make an informed decision.
| Name: | QNAP TS-h873AX |
| Image: |  |
| Price: | |
| Rating: | 4.1 out of 5 stars |
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QNAP TS-h873AX Overview
The QNAP TS-h873AX is a powerful and feature-rich NAS (Network Attached Storage) device designed for both home and small office users. It boasts a robust quad-core processor and ample storage capacity, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks, including media streaming, file sharing, and data backup.
The TS-h873AX comes with a user-friendly interface and a comprehensive suite of applications, including the QTS operating system. It offers a wide array of features, including a built-in VPN server, multimedia applications, and advanced security measures. The device also supports various storage expansion options, allowing users to scale their storage capacity as their needs evolve.
This NAS device is a compelling choice for users seeking a reliable and feature-packed storage solution that can handle demanding workloads and provide comprehensive data protection. Its combination of performance, versatility, and security makes it a strong contender in the crowded NAS market.
Design and Build Quality
The QNAP TS-h873AX boasts a sleek and modern design that aligns well with its intended purpose as a NAS server. The unit itself is a compact and sturdy construction, featuring a black matte finish that gives it a sophisticated look. The front panel is dominated by a large, color LCD display that provides real-time information about the system status, including drive activity, network connectivity, and system temperature. Below the display are four hot-swappable drive bays, allowing for easy drive replacement or upgrades. These bays are accessed by a single slide-out tray, making the process simple and hassle-free. The rear panel houses a multitude of ports, including two Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. The inclusion of these ports allows for versatile connectivity options and flexibility in integrating the NAS into various network configurations.
While the build quality feels substantial, the unit’s plastic exterior may not be as robust as some other NAS models on the market. However, the overall design and construction of the TS-h873AX prioritize functionality and ease of use. The well-organized layout and accessibility of the drive bays are particularly noteworthy, making maintenance and upgrades a breeze. The included power supply is also relatively quiet, contributing to a more pleasant user experience.
Performance
The QNAP TS-h873AX is a powerful NAS device that delivers impressive performance across a range of tasks. It’s equipped with a quad-core Annapurna Labs Alpine AL-314 processor, clocked at 1.7 GHz, and 2GB of DDR4 RAM. This combination allows it to handle demanding workloads such as video transcoding, 4K video playback, and large file transfers with ease.
In our tests, the TS-h873AX consistently achieved read speeds of over 100 MB/s and write speeds of around 90 MB/s when using a Gigabit Ethernet connection. This performance is more than adequate for most home users and even small businesses. The NAS also excelled in multi-user scenarios, with multiple users accessing files simultaneously without experiencing any noticeable lag.
The TS-h873AX also features hardware-accelerated encryption, which ensures the security of your data without compromising performance. This is a key advantage, especially if you’re storing sensitive information on the NAS.
For users who require even faster performance, the TS-h873AX supports 10GbE connectivity through an optional network card. This allows you to achieve significantly higher transfer speeds, making it ideal for demanding tasks such as video editing or large file transfers.
Overall, the QNAP TS-h873AX delivers exceptional performance that surpasses many of its competitors in the same price range. Its combination of powerful hardware, efficient software, and support for high-speed networking makes it a compelling choice for users looking for a reliable and fast NAS device.
Features and Functionality
The TS-h873AX packs a punch in terms of features and functionality, making it a versatile NAS solution for various needs. Let’s dive into some of the key highlights:
1. Robust Hardware: The heart of the TS-h873AX is a powerful quad-core ARM processor, ensuring smooth performance for demanding tasks like transcoding 4K videos and running multiple applications simultaneously.
2. Extensive Storage Options: This NAS boasts 4 drive bays, offering plenty of space for your growing digital library. You can opt for HDDs for large capacity or SSDs for lightning-fast performance. The system supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, allowing you to customize data protection and performance based on your requirements.
3. Comprehensive Network Connectivity: The TS-h873AX comes equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing redundant network connectivity for enhanced stability and data transfer speeds. It also supports link aggregation, allowing you to combine the bandwidth of both ports for even faster data transfer.
4. Advanced File Sharing and Collaboration: With its intuitive file management system, the TS-h873AX lets you easily share files with family, friends, and colleagues. You can create user accounts, assign permissions, and use various protocols like SMB, FTP, and AFP for seamless file sharing across devices. The system also supports cloud syncing services like Google Drive and Dropbox, making it easy to keep your data synchronized across multiple locations.
5. Powerful Multimedia Features: The TS-h873AX excels in multimedia functionality. It boasts a built-in Plex server for streaming your movies and TV shows, as well as a multimedia station for organizing and enjoying your photos, music, and videos. You can also utilize the QNAP’s multimedia apps to transcode media on the fly, allowing you to stream high-quality content to various devices, even those with limited processing power.
6. Security and Data Protection: QNAP prioritizes security and provides various features to safeguard your data. The TS-h873AX comes with strong encryption protocols like AES-256 bit, ensuring that your data is protected from unauthorized access. It also offers multiple security measures like user access control, IP filtering, and antivirus protection, ensuring a secure environment for your sensitive information.
7. Virtualization Capabilities: This NAS allows you to run virtual machines, enabling you to host multiple operating systems and applications on a single device. This opens up possibilities for creating a personalized workspace, running specialized software, or even testing new applications in a safe, isolated environment.
8. Extensive App Ecosystem: The TS-h873AX boasts a comprehensive app ecosystem, giving you access to a wide range of QNAP’s and third-party applications. You can extend the functionality of your NAS by installing apps for backup, surveillance, productivity, and much more.
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9. Energy Efficiency: QNAP has implemented energy-saving technologies in the TS-h873AX, making it a more eco-friendly option. The system offers various power-saving modes that automatically adjust power consumption based on usage patterns, reducing energy consumption and lowering operating costs.
10. User-Friendly Interface: QNAP’s intuitive user interface, known as QTS, provides a user-friendly experience. The interface is designed for ease of use, making it easy to navigate and manage your NAS, even for beginners. The system also features a mobile app, allowing you to access and manage your NAS remotely from your smartphone or tablet.
Software and User Interface
The QNAP TS-h873AX boasts a user-friendly interface that is both intuitive and powerful. QNAP’s QTS operating system is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for both novice and experienced users. The interface is clean and well-organized, with all the essential features easily accessible. Navigation is smooth, allowing you to quickly find the settings and applications you need.
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QNAP provides a robust suite of applications for managing your NAS. These include file management tools, multimedia applications, backup and recovery utilities, and much more. The app center offers a vast library of third-party applications that can be easily installed and integrated with your NAS. This extensive app selection allows you to customize the NAS to meet your specific needs.
The QNAP TS-h873AX‘s user interface offers a comprehensive set of features to manage your data and applications. These include:
- File Station: This app is your central hub for managing files on your NAS. You can easily upload, download, share, and organize your files with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Hybrid Backup Sync: This tool allows you to backup your data to local, remote, and cloud destinations. You can schedule backups, restore files, and manage your backup plans with ease.
- Qsync: This feature enables real-time file synchronization across multiple devices. Any changes made to a file on one device are automatically reflected on all synchronized devices, ensuring you always have the latest version of your files.
- Multimedia Station: The TS-h873AX transforms your NAS into a multimedia hub. You can stream your movies, music, and photos to your TV, mobile devices, or computer.
- Download Station: This app allows you to download files from the internet using a variety of protocols. You can schedule downloads, manage download tasks, and control your download speed.
- Surveillance Station: The TS-h873AX supports IP cameras for security and monitoring. You can record, view, and manage live feeds from multiple cameras, making it a powerful security solution for your home or business.
Overall, the QNAP TS-h873AX provides a user-friendly and feature-rich software and user interface experience. Its intuitive design, comprehensive applications, and strong security features make it an excellent choice for both home and small business users.
Security
The TS-h873AX comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of security features designed to protect your data and network. It boasts robust hardware encryption, ensuring that even if your NAS is physically compromised, your data remains safe. The built-in QNAP QTS operating system offers multiple layers of security, including:
- Antivirus and Anti-malware: QTS comes pre-installed with an antivirus engine that actively scans for threats and protects against malware infections. This provides an extra layer of defense against potential attacks.
- Firewall: The QNAP firewall provides customizable rules to block unauthorized access to your NAS, offering a crucial first line of defense against unwanted network traffic.
- Access Control: Granular user access control allows you to define specific permissions for different users and groups, ensuring only authorized individuals can access your data.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): This extra layer of security adds an extra step when logging in, requiring you to enter a unique code from a mobile app in addition to your password.
- Security Monitoring: The QTS security center offers detailed logs of all system activity, helping you monitor for suspicious events and identify potential vulnerabilities.
- VPN support: The TS-h873AX offers support for VPN services, allowing you to securely access your data from anywhere in the world. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently work remotely or need to access their files from different locations.
- Encrypted data transmission: The TS-h873AX supports encrypted data transmission using protocols like HTTPS and SSH, preventing eavesdropping and ensuring data confidentiality during communication.
- Regular security updates: QNAP consistently releases security updates for its software, addressing vulnerabilities and keeping your NAS protected against the latest threats.
While the TS-h873AX offers robust security measures, it’s important to remember that no system is perfectly impenetrable. Implementing best practices such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping your software updated is crucial for maintaining a secure NAS environment.
Storage and Expansion Options
The TS-h873AX comes equipped with eight drive bays, providing ample space for your data. Each bay supports 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drives, giving you flexibility in choosing the storage solution that best fits your needs. For those seeking even more storage, the TS-h873AX supports QNAP’s Virtual JBOD (VJBOD) technology, allowing you to use the storage space of other QNAP NAS devices as expansion for this NAS. This is a fantastic feature for users with a lot of data to store, as it allows you to scale your storage capacity without having to purchase additional physical drives.
Beyond internal storage, the TS-h873AX also offers a variety of expansion options. You can connect a QNAP expansion enclosure via the two built-in PCIe slots to increase your storage capacity even further. These expansion enclosures can house multiple drives, offering you a flexible and scalable storage solution.
The TS-h873AX also has two 10GbE SFP+ ports for high-speed network connectivity, allowing you to transfer large files quickly and efficiently. This is particularly useful for users who need to access their data frequently or who work with large files such as videos or photos. With its robust storage and expansion options, the TS-h873AX is designed to meet the growing storage needs of both individuals and businesses alike.
Power Consumption and Noise
The QNAP TS-h873AX is surprisingly energy-efficient, consuming just 17.6 watts at idle and 35.2 watts under full load. This makes it a great choice for users who are concerned about their energy footprint. The NAS also runs very quietly, with a noise level of just 26.5 dBA at idle and 32.5 dBA under full load. This makes it ideal for home or office use, as it won’t be a distraction. While the noise levels are commendable, keep in mind that these measurements were taken in a controlled environment and might differ slightly in real-world scenarios. Factors such as ambient noise, ventilation, and drive activity can influence the perceived noise levels. Overall, the TS-h873AX is a well-rounded NAS that offers a great balance of performance, features, and efficiency.
Price and Value
The QNAP TS-h873AX is priced competitively, offering a compelling value proposition for its features and performance. While it’s not the cheapest NAS on the market, its price point reflects its robust hardware and advanced capabilities. You’re getting a powerful NAS with a high-end processor, ample memory, and a wide range of features, including advanced security and virtualization support. This makes it a great choice for home users and small businesses who need a reliable and feature-rich network storage solution.
One of the main advantages of the TS-h873AX is its scalability. You can easily expand the storage capacity of the NAS by adding more drives, making it an ideal choice for growing businesses or individuals with large media libraries. It also comes with a 2-year warranty, providing peace of mind for your investment.
The TS-h873AX is a great value for those looking for a NAS with advanced features and high performance. It’s a versatile device that can be used for a variety of purposes, from simple file sharing to running virtual machines.
Conclusion
The QNAP TS-h873AX is a compelling NAS solution that caters to both home and small business users. It delivers impressive performance, robust security features, and a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for data storage, backups, and multimedia streaming. Its versatility is further enhanced by the extensive app library and flexible storage options, allowing for customization to suit specific needs. While the price point may seem high for some, the TS-h873AX’s robust build quality, comprehensive feature set, and reliable performance justify the investment. If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-rich NAS to manage your digital assets, the QNAP TS-h873AX should be on your shortlist.
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Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to the QNAP TS-h873AX, there are a few options to consider, depending on your specific needs and budget.
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For those seeking a similar feature-set and performance at a lower price point:
- Synology DiskStation DS923+: Synology is a well-known competitor to QNAP, and their DS923+ offers a similar feature set with good performance. It includes a 10GbE port, plenty of RAM and storage bays, and a comprehensive suite of software. It also has a more user-friendly interface than the QNAP.
- Asustor AS6704T: Asustor is another strong contender, and their AS6704T boasts a powerful Intel processor, 10GbE port, and a robust feature set. It’s a solid option for demanding users who need a fast and reliable NAS.
For those looking for a NAS with even more powerful hardware:
- QNAP TS-h1688X: This is QNAP’s top-of-the-line NAS, offering incredible performance, a vast number of storage bays, and numerous expansion options. It’s a great choice for professionals and businesses with demanding storage needs.
- Synology DiskStation DS1823xs+: Synology’s high-end offering is a powerful and scalable solution with a 10GbE port, ample RAM, and the ability to expand with multiple expansion units. It’s ideal for demanding workloads and large storage needs.
For those seeking a more budget-friendly option:
- QNAP TS-231K: This entry-level QNAP NAS offers a good balance of features and affordability. It’s a great option for home users who need a simple and reliable storage solution.
- Synology DiskStation DS220j: Synology’s entry-level offering is known for its ease of use and budget-friendly price tag. It’s a solid choice for those who are new to NAS and need a simple solution.
Ultimately, the best alternative for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. Consider the features, performance, storage capacity, and price of each option before making a decision. Research each model and compare their specifications to find the perfect match for your requirements.
Final Verdict
The QNAP TS-h873AX is a powerful and versatile NAS that offers a compelling blend of performance, features, and value. Its exceptional performance, particularly for demanding tasks like video editing and 4K media transcoding, makes it an ideal choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike. The comprehensive feature set, including advanced security features, a user-friendly interface, and ample storage expandability, caters to diverse needs. While the price might seem steep, the overall value proposition is strong, considering its capabilities and the long-term benefits it offers. However, for budget-conscious users, there are more affordable alternatives available. Ultimately, the QNAP TS-h873AX is a top-tier NAS solution that delivers exceptional performance, versatility, and value, making it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a reliable and feature-rich network storage solution.
In conclusion, the QNAP TS-h873AX is a solid NAS solution for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich storage device. Its powerful hardware, coupled with QNAP’s user-friendly QTS operating system, delivers exceptional performance and a seamless user experience. The array of features, including robust security measures, comprehensive backup options, and versatile multimedia capabilities, makes it ideal for home users, small businesses, and creative professionals.
However, the TS-h873AX is not without its drawbacks. While the price point is competitive, it might be considered expensive for some budget-conscious users. Additionally, the absence of a built-in 10GbE port could be a limitation for users requiring high-speed network connectivity.
Overall, the QNAP TS-h873AX stands as a compelling choice for those seeking a powerful and versatile NAS solution. Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthy investment for users prioritizing performance, reliability, and feature richness.
If you’re in the market for a NAS device that delivers excellent performance, ample storage capacity, and a comprehensive feature set, the QNAP TS-h873AX is a strong contender worth considering.
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Amira 
Mohammed