Best NAS in 2020

The hard disk in the computer is used to store a lot of information, but this cannot guarantee 100% safety of the files. In this case, many people use several hard drives, but for the efficiency of the system, one NAS system is created. For this, network drives are intended, which are characterized not only by compatibility, but also by the ability to collect terabytes of data. The device is a small computer that helps to manage data from various devices, exchange files on the same network. The article will allow you to find for your own needs the best network drive in 2020 for the office, home or large companies.

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Best NAS for Home Use or Small Offices

The hardware in this segment is designed to store small and medium volumes of data that can only be at home or in small companies. This technique is rarely used for large enterprises. A feature can be considered optimal technical parameters and cost.

WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

The device is designed specifically for working with clouds. The design is beautiful for 2 disks, characterized by a non-standard design, since hard disks are inserted not from the side, but from the top. They are protected by a cover that is well ventilated to prevent overheating. Indicator devices are located on the front panel and there are no extra elements. The equipment itself can work with a volume of up to 16 TB, and you can even buy a device with branded WD Red hard drives.

Pros:

• A pair of high-speed USB 3.0 jacks are installed.
• Works with all modern operating systems, including Mac, Windows and Linux.
• The manufacturer immediately installs the firmware.
• Having access to the WD personal cloud, it is possible to exchange information with other cloud storages.
• A large number of additional programs that allow you to configure and monitor equipment. Among them there are proprietary programs for servicing the drive.
• The user can schedule backups of individual items and data from other devices that are connected to the network.
• The minimum current consumption is up to 15 W.
• The set includes a power supply unit with the necessary adapters for any sockets.
• The warranty period is 3 years.
• The optimal cost without discs is 12,000 rubles.

Minuses:

• Small amount of RAM - 1 GB.
• There is no classic start button, so you need to use the software settings to turn off the equipment.
• Dust can enter the discs through the protective top grill.

Drobo 5N

An experimental device for 5 disks with different amounts of memory. The device is small, inside there is a sufficient supply of RAM of 2 GB, as well as an average performance processor for 2 cores Marvell Armada XP. Such a chip emits a minimum of heat, which can be considered a big plus. The system itself consists of a sturdy body on a steel frame. The front part is glossy, behind it are hidden places for hard drives with indicators.

Pros:

• The system provides high-quality work with accumulators of different sizes. The hardware breaks them down into groups so that the entire memory can be used.
• You can back up data for a pair of disks.
• Installed 4 flash-modules with different steam volumes of 64 MB, the second pair of 500 MB.
• For more system performance, there is an mSATA input that allows you to place 1 disk as work under the cache.
• All storage devices are fixed without screws, and SSD drives will leave a lot of free space.
• The main panel is fixed with magnets, which help to avoid vibration and other sounds, there is a seal around the entire contour.
• The user can independently adjust the brightness of the LED indicators.
• The presence of an integrated battery in case of force majeure in the form of failures in the electrical system.
• The power adapter has detachable wires.
• A woven bag is provided for easy transportation of equipment.
• The cost is about 36,000 rubles, which is optimal for a real American NAS system with 5 drives.

Minuses:

• Stable and correct work will only be with fresh versions of the Windows operating system (from 7), as well as macOS X from 10.9.
• Built-in RAM is soldered on the board, so it is impossible to replace the strips.
• There are no external USB inputs, 4K adapter and other add-ons.

QNAP D2 Pro

This NAS is best suited for home use. An inexpensive 2-core Celeron N3060 chipset is installed inside. The model is designed for 2 disks with a total data volume of up to 20 TB. The technique normally accepts and provides stability for any 2.5 and 3.5 inch format. The operating speed is optimal, which is caused by the connection method using the SATA 3 port, as well as the amount of RAM for 1 GB.

Pros:

• There is a Quick Access function that facilitates the process of installing and connecting the system, and also gives users direct access to information.
• The processor is built-in type with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz, which seems small, but it can be automatically overclocked to almost 2.5 GHz.
• The amount of RAM can be increased using a separate slot for the strap, the maximum figure is up to 8 GB.
• There is a hypervisor that allows you to make several virtual computers.
• Operation with 4K video files is supported.
• There are plenty of external ports to suit any user. There are a couple of ports for 1 GB Ethernet, 3 high-speed USB 3.0 sockets, a classic micro-B, and a mini-jack for audio. There is also a built-in SD card reader and HDMI output.
• The current consumption is only 17 W during operation, and when using the sleep function, the figure drops to 8 W.
• You can make backups with a mirror with a single key.
• There are many factory applications that allow you to search, restore data, group information, synchronize with other devices.
• Small size and weight 1.3 kg.
• The presence of a remote control.

Minuses:

• Based on modern standards, 1 GB RAM is not enough for demanding users.
• The high cost for a 2-disk system - 22 thousand rubles.

Asustor AS6404T

A powerful model that's perfect for a media library. Powered by a powerful 4-core Celeron processor, overclocked to 2.3GHz. The technician can fit 4 magnetic or solid state memory disks. The case of the devices does not matter, the main thing is compatibility with the SATA III interface. The total amount of memory must be up to 40 TB.

Pros:

• The case is reliable and sturdy as it is made of metal. All storage skids are damped. The system is made very high quality, the manufacturer has taken all measures to exclude vibrations and other noises.
• Installed 4 GB of RAM for fast work regardless of user requests, this allows you to work normally with 4K video.
• The amount of RAM can be expanded with a bar up to 8 GB.
• There is an integrated Intel HD graphics chip with the ability to increase performance.
• Installed 5 USB connectors, including 3 high-speed 3.0 and 2 Type-C.
• Works with many operating systems, from Windows XP and macOS X 10.6 to Android and iOS, which allows you to use data from smartphones.
• It is possible to connect multichannel speakers up to type 7.2.
• Availability of HDMI 2.0 output, as well as advanced capabilities for working with media documents.
• Different degrees of information protection, and the user can independently distribute everything among the drives.
• The WOL / WOW option is installed, which helps to save energy costs by constantly keeping the device in sleep mode, activation occurs in 1-2 seconds.
• Control can be carried out using the main panel of the system or through the remote control.

Minuses:

• The equipment weighs almost 3 kg.
• The high price of the equipment is about 45,000 rubles.

Best NAS for Large Companies

Devices from this segment are capable of storing a lot of information and sharing it in a large network, which may be in large enterprises.

Thecus N7770-10G

Robust and efficient tower-type installation with the ability to receive up to 7 drives. An excellent choice for medium to large enterprises. Each HDD slot is lockable, the case is made of solid steel, even the front is made of aluminum. A powerful and efficient processor Core i3-2120 with 2 cores with a clock frequency of 3.3 GHz is installed inside.

Pros:

• The drive slots can accommodate SSD drives, as well as 2.5 and 3.5-inch models. Each bar should be up to 10 TB.
• There are several variations for backups: within the system, to external peripherals or clouds, at a set time or at the current moment.
• An excellent supply of RAM, which costs 8 GB, and if desired, it can be increased to 32 GB.
• Flash memory is 2 GB and there is already an operating system.
• The drives are connected using the SATA III interface.
• There are 2 USB connectors installed on the main panel of the system, but they are version 2.0, so information will be transmitted at speeds up to 480 Mbps.
• A large number of ports located on the back, including 4 USB 2.0, a pair of 3.0 sockets, 2 outputs for video format VGA and HDMI, as well as network ports in the amount of 2 units of 1 Gb / s.
• Users can work with optical discs in different ways, record, make images, and more.
• High-quality and powerful cooling system, which is located in every compartment. For this, small coolers are used and a pair of large fans for the entire case.
• Supplied with a network adapter with a speed of up to 10 Gb / s.
• The warranty period for the device is 3 years.

Minuses:

• Bad appearance that has not been used by other manufacturers for over 5 years.
• Built-in PSU, which increases the size and weight of the system (8.4 kg).
• Data processing is slow due to volume encryption.
• It is impossible to work with modern clouds.
• High pricing policy, you need to pay about 82,000 rubles for the device.

Synology DS1817 Plus

The best model for medium-sized companies or small offices. The device includes 8 disks, which help to collect 80 TB of data, and the performance and processing speed is performed using an SSD cache. The system accepts 2.5 "screw-mounted drives and 3.5" side-pinned drives that do not require a screwdriver. The equipment is equipped with an additional slot for connecting external media or an Ethernet adapter.

Pros:

• A powerful and efficient chipset like Intel Atom 2.4 GHz is installed.
• There is an 8 GB RAM bar, but it can be replaced with 16 GB.
• There are 4 Ethernet ports at 1 Gb / s, as well as 4 USB 3.0, 1 PCI and 2 eSATA connectors for system expansion.
• You can make copies of data on other NAS equipment, in cloud storage or remote servers.
• One proprietary application is used to configure and install virtual PCs with one control.
• Extensive formatting options, an option for a quick system rollback is provided.
• It can function with any operating systems for smartphones, including not only Apple and Android, but also WinMobile and Symbian OS.
• Traffic shaping is available, which allows you to increase the speed of ports or is used to redirect from a link that is failing.
• When using SSD disks, it is possible to do various scenarios of use: cache, binding to certain partitions, reading or writing.
• The warranty period is 3 years.

Minuses:

• Works exclusively with operating systems Win7, macOS X 10.10 and younger.
• There is a model with a 2 GB RAM reserve, which does not provide the required operating speed, but differs in cost only by 5000 rubles.

Qnap ES1640dc

The best model in terms of reliability and spaciousness. The system is designed for 16 disks with a capacity of up to 128 TB. A 2-in-1 drive of a complex design, in which the main elements are repeated: boards, chipsets, power supply units and cooling. There is a built-in battery in case of power failures. It is recommended to buy for large companies that process a large amount of information.

Pros:

• Powerful Intel Xeon chipset with 6 cores and 2.2 GHz.
• RAM 32 GB, and if necessary, can be increased to 64 GB.
• Installed 2 GB of flash memory at maximum speed.
• There is an 8-fold increase in memory by connecting to additional external blocks.
• SnapSync technology helps to efficiently recover data in case of failures.
• 6 network slots for 10 and 40 Gb / s are provided.
• If there is a failure in one half, actions are automatically redirected to the other, and when the problem is eliminated, everything is restored.
• For cooling, 3 coolers of 6 cm for each module are used and they can be quickly replaced.
• Works with any OS and cloud storage.
• To save space, information is optimized and compressed.

Minuses:

• Very high cost, which will be around 1 million rubles.
• Large current consumption in operating mode 0.5 kW, and in standby 0.3 kW.

When choosing which is the best NAS, you need to determine the main load on it and the budget. Based on these parameters, make a choice, and to simplify the determination, it is recommended to use the rating of the best devices to date.