The 6 Best NAS Storage Devices for Home Office of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: Real transcoding power and the most polished NAS software.

The DS225+ is a two-bay diskless NAS with an Intel CPU and hardware transcoding. It runs Synology DSM, which bundles Synology Drive for file sync, Synology Photos for a private photo library and Surveillance Station for cameras. Hardware transcoding converts video on the fly so a phone or tablet can stream a file in a format it can play.

It ranks first because the Intel chip with transcoding separates it from the ARM and entry models, and DSM is the best-known NAS software. The tradeoff is cost: the enclosure sits in the $200 to $500 bucket, and drives are extra.

Buy it for an office that needs backups, media and photos in one box. Skip it if you only want basic file storage, because you would pay for hardware you never use.

Bays

2, diskless

CPU

Intel, hardware transcoding

Software

Synology DSM

Drives

Sold separately

Our verdict: Four NVMe cache slots and dual 2.5GbE ports.

Inside the AS5402T is a 2.0GHz quad-core Intel processor with 4GB of DDR4 memory, four M.2 NVMe SSD slots and two 2.5GbE ports. The NVMe slots let you build a cache that keeps frequently opened files on fast storage, which speeds up shared project folders.

It ranks second because the hardware beats the Synology on network and caching options, while the software is less familiar and less polished. Dual 2.5GbE helps only when your router, switch and computers also support it.

Buy it for creators and teams that move large files all day. The caveats are that drives are sold separately and Asustor's software has a smaller community than DSM. If you want the easiest software, choose a Synology.

CPU

Intel quad-core 2.0GHz

Memory

4GB DDR4

Cache

4x M.2 NVMe slots

Network

2x 2.5GbE

Our verdict: A two-bay box aimed at creators who want something different.

The DXP2800 is a two-bay diskless NAS running UGREEN NASync OS, positioned for content creators and enthusiasts. It is the main alternative to Synology in this ranking, with a different software stack and a more aggressive price in the $200 to $500 bucket.

It ranks third because the listing offers fewer hardware specifics than the Synology and Asustor above, and the platform is newer. A shorter track record matters for a device that holds your only copy of important files.

Buy it if you want to try a newer platform and are comfortable with some early-adopter risk. Skip it if you want proven software. Before ordering, check the CPU, memory and supported drive sizes on UGREEN's product page, because the listing leaves them out.

Bays

2, diskless

Software

UGREEN NASync OS

Target

Creators and enthusiasts

Drives

Sold separately

Our verdict: Synology's software without the transcoding premium.

The DS223 is a two-bay diskless NAS running the DSM software ecosystem, positioned as a backup hub for a home or small office. It handles scheduled backups, file sharing and sync without the premium of transcoding hardware.

It ranks fourth because it lacks the transcoding chip of the DS225+, so media streaming is weaker. For pure backup and file sharing it is a sensible choice, and it lands in the $200 to $500 bucket like its sibling.

Buy it for a backup-first office with documents and photos to protect. Skip it if you stream or transcode video. The caveat: the DS225+ costs only a little more for much stronger hardware, so check the price gap before you commit to the weaker box.

Bays

2, diskless

Software

Synology DSM

Role

Home and office backup

Drives

Sold separately

Our verdict: Ships with 4TB of drives, so there is no extra shopping.

The LinkStation 720 is a two-bay NAS that ships with 4TB of drives installed, positioned for private cloud storage in a home office. It is the only pick in the guide with drives pre-installed, which makes the price directly comparable to a finished system.

It ranks fifth because the listing gives little hardware detail beyond the drives. You also cannot choose the drive model, and 4TB is limited capacity out of the box for a growing archive.

Buy it if you want one purchase and no drive shopping. The caveat: with few stated specs, you cannot compare its CPU, memory or software with the Synology boxes. Check what apps and backup tools it supports, because a NAS is only as useful as its software.

Bays

2

Drives

4TB included

Role

Private cloud storage

Setup

Pre-installed drives

Our verdict: The cheapest enclosure here, with 64TB of capacity support.

Pitched as a desktop box with two bays, the DH2300 can address as much as 64TB across both drives. It has the lowest enclosure cost in the guide, in the $100 to $200 bucket, and arrives with no drives.

It ranks last because the listing states few performance specs, so it fits light duties best: backups, shared folders and a small photo library. The price is the draw.

Buy it as a first NAS for a modest office. Skip it if you need transcoding or caching. The caveat is that drives are extra and you have no CPU or memory numbers to judge speed. If the NAS will serve several people at once, the DS223 offers more certainty for a moderate step up.

Bays

2, diskless

Capacity

Up to 64TB total

Type

Desktop NAS

Price tier

$100 to $200