Streaming movies and TV shows is a popular pastime, but it can be frustrating when your network storage can’t keep up. A slow NAS can lead to buffering, lag, and other problems that can ruin your viewing experience. If you’re a serious streamer, then you need a NAS that can handle the demands of high-bandwidth applications.
But choosing the right NAS for streaming can be a challenge. There are so many different models on the market, each with its own unique set of features and specifications. It can be difficult to know which one is right for you, especially if you’re not familiar with NAS technology.
That’s where this article comes in. We’ve compiled a list of the 7 best network attached storage (NAS) devices for streaming with low latency. These NAS devices are all designed to deliver fast, reliable performance, so you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows without any interruptions.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-end NAS with all the bells and whistles, we’ve got you covered. So read on to learn more about the best NAS for streaming and find the perfect one for your needs.
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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-h873AX |  |
4.1 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASUSTOR AS6704T |  |
4.3 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TerraMaster F5-422 | N/A | Jump to Review | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Synology DiskStation DS923+
A powerful and versatile NAS designed for home and small office users.
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Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Celeron N5105
- RAM: 4GB DDR4 (expandable to 16GB)
- Drive Bays: 4
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet (2 ports)
- Operating System: Synology DSM
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent performance for demanding tasks like video editing and 4K streaming.
- User-friendly interface with a wide range of apps and features.
- Strong security features and reliable data protection.
Reasons to avoid:
- Can be expensive compared to other NAS devices.
- Requires some technical knowledge to set up and configure.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a high-performance NAS for demanding tasks like video editing and 4K streaming.
- You want a user-friendly interface with a wide range of apps and features.
- You prioritize security and data protection.
Don't buy it if:
- You're on a tight budget.
- You're not comfortable with setting up and configuring a NAS device.
Bottom Line:
The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is a fantastic choice for users who need a powerful and versatile NAS for demanding tasks. It offers excellent performance, a user-friendly interface, and strong security features. However, it can be expensive and requires some technical knowledge to set up and configure. If you're willing to invest in a top-of-the-line NAS, the DS923+ is a great option. If you're on a budget or not comfortable with technical settings, you might want to consider a different NAS device.
QNAP TS-h873AX
A high-performance NAS designed for creative professionals and demanding workloads.
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Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-12400
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 (expandable to 64GB)
- Drive Bays: 8
- Network: 10GbE (2 ports), Gigabit Ethernet (2 ports)
- Operating System: QTS
Reasons to buy:
- Powerful hardware capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing and 4K streaming.
- Extensive storage capacity with support for multiple hard drives.
- Excellent performance with support for high-speed networking.
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive compared to other NAS devices.
- May be overkill for casual users.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a high-performance NAS for demanding workloads.
- You have a lot of data to store.
- You prioritize speed and efficiency.
Don't buy it if:
- You're on a tight budget.
- You're a casual user who doesn't need a lot of storage or performance.
Bottom Line:
The QNAP TS-h873AX is a powerhouse NAS designed for users with demanding needs. It offers exceptional performance, extensive storage capacity, and support for high-speed networking. However, it comes at a premium price and may be overkill for casual users. If you're a creative professional or a power user who needs a top-of-the-line NAS, the TS-h873AX is a great option. If you're looking for a more affordable NAS or only need basic features, there are other options available.
ASUSTOR AS6704T
A feature-rich NAS that offers a balance of performance and value.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Celeron J6412
- RAM: 4GB DDR4 (expandable to 16GB)
- Drive Bays: 4
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet (2 ports)
- Operating System: ADM
Reasons to buy:
- Offers a good balance of performance and value.
- User-friendly interface with a wide range of apps and features.
- Strong security features and reliable data protection.
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance may not be as high as some other NAS devices.
- The 4GB of RAM might be limiting for demanding workloads.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a reliable NAS with a good balance of performance and value.
- You want a user-friendly interface with a wide range of apps and features.
- You prioritize security and data protection.
Don't buy it if:
- You need the highest performance possible.
- You plan to run demanding workloads that require a lot of RAM.
Bottom Line:
The ASUSTOR AS6704T is a great option for users who need a reliable NAS with a good balance of performance and value. It offers a user-friendly interface, strong security features, and a wide range of apps. However, its performance may not be as high as some other NAS devices, and the 4GB of RAM might be limiting for demanding workloads. If you're looking for a budget-friendly NAS that's still capable of handling most tasks, the AS6704T is a great choice. If you need the absolute best performance or plan to run demanding workloads, you might want to consider a different NAS device.
TerraMaster F5-422
A compact and affordable NAS designed for home users.
Specifications:
- Processor: Realtek RTD1296
- RAM: 2GB DDR4 (expandable to 8GB)
- Drive Bays: 2
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet (1 port)
- Operating System: TOS
Reasons to buy:
- Compact and affordable.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Offers basic features for home users.
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited storage capacity with only two drive bays.
- Performance may not be as fast as other NAS devices.
- Limited features compared to more expensive NAS devices.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a basic and affordable NAS for home use.
- You don't need a lot of storage space.
- You're looking for an easy-to-use device.
Don't buy it if:
- You need a lot of storage space.
- You need a high-performance NAS for demanding tasks.
- You want a NAS with a wide range of features.
Bottom Line:
The TerraMaster F5-422 is a good option for home users who need a basic and affordable NAS for storing and sharing files. It's compact, easy to set up, and offers basic features. However, its storage capacity is limited, and its performance may not be as fast as other NAS devices. If you're looking for a simple and affordable NAS for basic tasks, the F5-422 is a good choice. If you need a lot of storage space or require a high-performance NAS, you might want to consider a different option.
Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra
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A user-friendly NAS designed for home and small office users.
Specifications:
- Processor: Marvell Armada 385
- RAM: 2GB DDR3 (expandable to 4GB)
- Drive Bays: 2
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet (1 port)
- Operating System: WD My Cloud OS 3
Reasons to buy:
- Easy to set up and use.
- Offers a user-friendly interface and mobile app.
- Affordable and good for basic tasks.
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited features compared to other NAS devices.
- Performance may not be as fast as other NAS devices.
- The 2GB of RAM might be limiting for demanding workloads.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a simple and affordable NAS for home or small office use.
- You want an easy-to-use device with a user-friendly interface.
- You're looking for a basic NAS for storing and sharing files.
Don't buy it if:
- You need a high-performance NAS for demanding tasks.
- You need a NAS with a wide range of features.
- You plan to run demanding workloads that require a lot of RAM.
Bottom Line:
The Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra is a good option for home and small office users who need a basic and affordable NAS for storing and sharing files. It's easy to set up and use, offers a user-friendly interface, and comes with a mobile app. However, its features are limited, and its performance may not be as fast as other NAS devices. If you're looking for a simple and affordable NAS for basic tasks, the My Cloud EX2 Ultra is a good choice. If you need a lot of storage space or require a high-performance NAS, you might want to consider a different option.
Netgear ReadyNAS 426
A reliable and feature-rich NAS for home and small office users.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Celeron N3160
- RAM: 2GB DDR3L (expandable to 8GB)
- Drive Bays: 4
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet (2 ports)
- Operating System: ReadyNAS OS 6
Reasons to buy:
- Reliable and feature-rich.
- Good performance for most tasks.
- User-friendly interface and mobile app.
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance may not be as fast as some other NAS devices.
- The 2GB of RAM might be limiting for demanding workloads.
- Limited expandability with only one PCIe slot.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a reliable and feature-rich NAS for home or small office use.
- You want a user-friendly interface and mobile app.
- You're looking for a NAS with good performance for most tasks.
Don't buy it if:
- You need the absolute best performance possible.
- You plan to run demanding workloads that require a lot of RAM.
- You need a NAS with extensive expandability.
Bottom Line:
The Netgear ReadyNAS 426 is a solid option for users who need a reliable and feature-rich NAS for home or small office use. It offers good performance, a user-friendly interface, and a mobile app. However, its performance may not be as fast as some other NAS devices, and the 2GB of RAM might be limiting for demanding workloads. If you're looking for a reliable and well-rounded NAS that's capable of handling most tasks, the ReadyNAS 426 is a good choice. If you need the absolute best performance or plan to run demanding workloads, you might want to consider a different option.
Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay
A simple and affordable NAS designed for home users.
Specifications:
- Processor: Marvell Armada 385
- RAM: 1GB DDR3
- Drive Bays: 2
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet (1 port)
- Operating System: Seagate Personal Cloud OS
Reasons to buy:
- Simple and affordable.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Offers basic features for home users.
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited storage capacity with only two drive bays.
- Performance may not be as fast as other NAS devices.
- Limited features compared to more expensive NAS devices.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a basic and affordable NAS for home use.
- You don't need a lot of storage space.
- You're looking for an easy-to-use device.
Don't buy it if:
- You need a lot of storage space.
- You need a high-performance NAS for demanding tasks.
- You want a NAS with a wide range of features.
Bottom Line:
The Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay is a good option for home users who need a basic and affordable NAS for storing and sharing files. It's simple, easy to set up, and offers basic features. However, its storage capacity is limited, and its performance may not be as fast as other NAS devices. If you're looking for a simple and affordable NAS for basic tasks, the Personal Cloud 2-Bay is a good choice. If you need a lot of storage space or require a high-performance NAS, you might want to consider a different option.
Choosing the right NAS for streaming can be a game-changer for your entertainment experience. With the right NAS, you can enjoy smooth, lag-free streaming of your favorite movies, shows, and games. The key factors to consider are processing power, network connectivity, and storage capacity. When selecting a NAS, prioritize models with powerful CPUs, fast network connections like Gigabit Ethernet or even faster options like 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and ample storage space for your growing media library.
Ultimately, the best NAS for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you're a casual streamer, a budget-friendly NAS with basic features may suffice. However, if you're a serious streamer or have a large media library, a more powerful and feature-rich NAS is recommended.
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By following the tips outlined in this article, you can confidently choose a NAS that meets your streaming needs and elevates your entertainment experience. Remember to prioritize models with good performance, ample storage, and reliable features like automatic backups and media server capabilities.
With a well-chosen NAS, you can enjoy the freedom to stream your favorite content whenever and wherever you want, with the assurance of smooth playback and low latency. Enjoy your new streaming experience!
Bilal 
Karim