NAS (Network-Attached Storage) devices have become a staple not only in business, but in home users' networks. A NAS provides data storage and sharing across a network. However, the NAS devices we have tested in PC Labs lately have extensive capabilities, backup, and data recovery options, as well as application add-ons to plump up the feature set even further.
Besides providing a way to store and share data on a network, many NAS devices can run in additional server modes. Just about all of the current NAS products on the market support UPnP and DLNA, and are ideal to use as multimedia servers. Just store multimedia content such as video on a share on a NAS, and your DLNA and UPnP supported clients can stream that data.
NASes can also function as iTunes and print servers. Others— mostly developed for small business— can run as email or lightweight database servers.
No matter the category of NAS, there are some specific aspects all NASes tested that score high, share. They typically have:
- Headache-free setup (particularly important for the consumer/prosumer)
- Have good read/write performance
- Have features that aid in doing the things users want in a NAS: sharing files, backing up data from Windows, Mac, and possibly Linux machines, or offering some cloud service for storage and backup
- Have good data redundancy and protection options (of particular importance for business)
- Offer security—either data encryption, and/or user access control
- Ship with well-written documentation and have an abundance of good help resources for users.
Here's a look at the top NASes we've tested recently in each category (keep in mind, this is a dynamic list and as we test more NASes, we'll update it accordingly):
Consumer
Pogoplug Series 4
$99.99 list
$68.66 at Amazon.com This little box takes your hard drive, SD card, and other USB storage devices and makes them accessible via the Web as a cloud drive that you can upload and download to, and from which you can share files with whomever you wish. It even works with smartphones and tablets. Although the way it works with video could use some polish, this is a neat device that keeps your data safe in your possession while allowing you to share with whom you choose. Read the full review ››
$99.99 list
$68.66 at Amazon.com This little box takes your hard drive, SD card, and other USB storage devices and makes them accessible via the Web as a cloud drive that you can upload and download to, and from which you can share files with whomever you wish. It even works with smartphones and tablets. Although the way it works with video could use some polish, this is a neat device that keeps your data safe in your possession while allowing you to share with whom you choose. Read the full review ››
Cirago NUS1000 Network USB Storage Link
$69.99 list
$45.99 at Amazon.com Cirago's Network USB Storage link may be the tiniest NAS for your USB-based storage. It's not on par with pricier competitors, but it works surprisingly well for file, media, and printer storage and sharing. Read the full review ››
$69.99 list
$45.99 at Amazon.com Cirago's Network USB Storage link may be the tiniest NAS for your USB-based storage. It's not on par with pricier competitors, but it works surprisingly well for file, media, and printer storage and sharing. Read the full review ››
Consumer/Prosumer/SOHO
Iomega StorCenter ix2-dl
$174.99
The ix2 combines easy-to-use consumer features with capabilities of Iomega's weightier StorCenter business-class NASes. The ability to set up a personal cloud, means content sharing across a secured, Internet tunnel. Read the full review ››
$174.99
The ix2 combines easy-to-use consumer features with capabilities of Iomega's weightier StorCenter business-class NASes. The ability to set up a personal cloud, means content sharing across a secured, Internet tunnel. Read the full review ››
Synology DiskStation DS712+
$ 497 at Amazon.com Priced at under $500, the DS712+ offers excellent Read/Write speeds for its class, great recovery from hard-disk failure with Synology's proprietary Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) technology, and an extensive set of features, thanks to a number of available add-ons. Read the full review ››
$ 497 at Amazon.com Priced at under $500, the DS712+ offers excellent Read/Write speeds for its class, great recovery from hard-disk failure with Synology's proprietary Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) technology, and an extensive set of features, thanks to a number of available add-ons. Read the full review ››
Netgear ReadyNAS Duo v2
diskless $195, 1TB single drive $269, 1TB 2 drives $299
Netgear's ReadyNAS Duo v2 offers impressive hardware at a good price. While there are some flaws in the software it gave us excellent performance, easy setup with the RAIDar utility and the ability to easily share files and images with others. It also can be configured with some RAID redundancy or performance enhancing options. Read the full review ››
diskless $195, 1TB single drive $269, 1TB 2 drives $299
Netgear's ReadyNAS Duo v2 offers impressive hardware at a good price. While there are some flaws in the software it gave us excellent performance, easy setup with the RAIDar utility and the ability to easily share files and images with others. It also can be configured with some RAID redundancy or performance enhancing options. Read the full review ››
LG Super Multi N2A2 NAS
$150 1TB list, $250 2TB list
Our reigning choice for power home users, prosumers and the SOHO crowd, LG's Super Multi N2A2 NAS offers a truly hassle-free setup, an excellent software interface and good performance. Plus, it is filled with features. Read the full review ››
QNAP TS-212 TurboNAS
$197.99 list
Qnap's Ts-212 Turbo NAS has a slick interface and decent performance, although a few issues with remote access cropped up during testing. This beautifully designed NAS also offers advanced security options good for a small business. Read the full review ››
SMB
Buffalo TeraStation Pro TS-QVHL/R6
$1099.99 list
The excellent TeraStation Pro TS-QVHL/R6 is part of the TeraStation line of powerful, yet affordable NASes for SMBs and power users. Read the full review ››
$1099.99 list
The excellent TeraStation Pro TS-QVHL/R6 is part of the TeraStation line of powerful, yet affordable NASes for SMBs and power users. Read the full review ››
Iomega StorCenter px4-300d Network Storage
$699 list diskless
There is something for everyone in the impressive StorCenter px4-300d NAS, from social networking integration to advanced iSCSI targeting in virtual environments. It's also available in higher capacity configurations of 4-12 TB. Read the full review ››
$699 list diskless
There is something for everyone in the impressive StorCenter px4-300d NAS, from social networking integration to advanced iSCSI targeting in virtual environments. It's also available in higher capacity configurations of 4-12 TB. Read the full review ››
Synology DS1511+
$900 List
Synlogy's DS1511+ is a top-of-the-line NAS with great performance, a rich feature set, and advanced capabilities. It offers not only backup and recovery, but can also serve just about any other small-to-mid-sized business' need. It can perform as an e-mail server; FTP server; IP camera surveillance system; and Web, media and print server. Read the full review ››
$900 List
Synlogy's DS1511+ is a top-of-the-line NAS with great performance, a rich feature set, and advanced capabilities. It offers not only backup and recovery, but can also serve just about any other small-to-mid-sized business' need. It can perform as an e-mail server; FTP server; IP camera surveillance system; and Web, media and print server. Read the full review ››
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