Managing your collection of movies, music, or photos can be a challenge. Firstly, it occupies enormous amounts of disk space. So, storing them on your computer’s hard drive means overloading your system’s resources.
On the face of things, external hard drives offer a good solution. You can offload your computer’s hard drive onto the external drive and free up resources meant for more critical tasks. And you can lend the device to family and friends when you want to share your collection.
However, cataloging your media can be a nightmare; each time you exhaust the storage, you need a new one. Also, when you share the device with family and friends, you give up a small part of your privacy. What’s more, you run the risk of damage, or loss, to the drive once it is out of your hands.
A Network Attached Storage (NAS) negates all of these risks. For starters, you can expand your storage capacity to over 100TB. That is large enough to store your precious collection, which you may have spent years curating. Further, by attaching it to a network, you can grant access to any number of users you want. But the most significant advantage of using a NAS device is installing and using Plex Media Server.
Using Plex, you can set up your NAS as a media server. Think of it as your personally owned Netflix in which you curate, catalog, and manage media files and users. It does away with the need for sharing external drives with friends. And the best part is you can easily access your media file remotely using any portable device.
Imagine partying with your friends and streaming your special playlist or watching your favorite movie while you are stuck in a hotel room on a business trip. An NAS with the Plex Media Server makes all of this super easy.
This article reviews the best NAS for setting up your own media server at home. We have rounded up the best option on the market. We will compare what each one has to offer. Later, we will present our buying guide to help you choose the best device for your needs. And finally, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the best NAS devices for using Plex.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of the Best NAS for Plex to Build Your Home Media Server
- 1. QNAP TS-453D-4G – NAS with PCIe Gen 2 Slot for Expansion
- 2. Synology DiskStation DS220+ – 2-Bay NAS for Transcoding
- 3. Synology DiskStation DS220j – Best budget NAS for Plex
- 4. WD My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 NAS – NAS with up to 72TB Storage
- 5. TerraMaster F5-221 – 5-Bay NAS with Dual 4K Transcoding
- 6. Asustor Lockerstor 4 AS6604T – Most Powerful NAS for Plex
- 7. NETGEAR ReadyNAS 316 – NAS with 24TB Storage and RAID
- 8. Qnap TS-451+ – User-Friendly NAS
- Best NAS for Plex to Build Your Home Media Server – Our Buying Guide
- Best NAS for Plex to Build Your Home Media Server – Frequently Asked Questions
Comparison of the Best NAS for Plex to Build Your Home Media Server
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | QNAP TS-453D-4G | Processor: Intel Celeron J4125 RAM: 4GB DDR4 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 4 Drive Type: 3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 2 x 2.5GbE Ethernet ports 3 x USB 2.0 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1 x PCIe Gen 2 x 4 slot 1 x HDMI 2.0 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Synology DiskStation DS220+ | Processor: Intel Celeron J4025 RAM: 2GB DDR4 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 2 Drive Type: 2.5/3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 2 x 1GbE Ethernet ports 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Synology DiskStation DS220j | Processor: Realtek RTD1296 RAM: 512MB DDR4 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 2 Drive Type: 2.5/3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 1 x 1GbE Ethernet ports 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Buy on Amazon |
 | WD My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 NAS | Processor: Intel Pentium N3710 RAM: 4GB DDR3 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 4 Drive Type: 3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 3 x USB 3.0 2 x Gigabit Ethernet | Buy on Amazon |
 | TerraMaster F5-221 | Processor: Intel Celeron J3355 RAM: 2GB DDR3 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 5 Drive Type: 2.5/3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 2 x USB 3.0 2 x RJ-45 1GbE | Buy on Amazon |
 | Asustor Lockerstor 4 AS6604T | Processor: Intel Celeron J4125 RAM: 4GB DDR4 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 4 Drive Type: 2.5/3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x 2.5 GbE RJ-45 1 x HDMI | Buy on Amazon |
 | NETGEAR ReadyNAS 316 | Processor: Intel Atom 2.1GHz Dual Core RAM: 2GB DDR3 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 6 x 4 TB HDD Drive Type: 2.5/3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 1 x USB 2.0 2 x USB 3.0 1 x HDMI 2 x Gigabit Ethernet | Buy on Amazon |
 | Qnap TS-451+ | Processor: Intel Celeron J1900 RAM: 2GB DDR3 Storage: Diskless Storage Bays: 4 Drive Type: 2.5/3.5-Inch Drive Ports: 1 x USB 2.0 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1 x HDMI 2 x Gigabit Ethernet | Buy on Amazon |
1. QNAP TS-453D-4G – NAS with PCIe Gen 2 Slot for Expansion
The QNAP TS-453D-4G offers a unique advantage. It comes with four PCIe Gen 2 slots that enable you to connect 10GbE cards, M.2 SSD Cache (via QM2), and more. Thus, it is among the most customizable devices you can tweak to build the best NAS solution for your need.
The 453D comes with an Intel Celeron J4125 processor (4- Core, 4MB Cache, and up to 2.7GHz). You also get 4GB DDR4 RAM, which can scale up to 8GB. For storage, QNAP offers you four storage bays that can house 3.5-inch SATA-based HDD. This is a diskless model, so you get the flexibility to choose the drive that best suits your need.
The front panel of the QNAP 453D features a power button and a lot of indicator LEDs. You also get a USB port that allows you to connect and automatically back up your USB drives quickly. QNAP also provides multiple connectivity options via the port located on the rear panel. These include two 2.5GbE ports for network connectivity and four USB ports for expansion. And you can easily connect a 4K display via the HDMI 2.0 port to play your movie collection on your TV.
The QNAP 453D NAS comes with it’s version of a private cloud that gives you similar functionalities to Plex. You can upload your media files and access them while on the go. However, it is not as aesthetic or user-friendly as Plex. Nonetheless, it comes ready to use. And, if you can get used to the interface, it can save you the hassle of setting up Plex.
Our Take
The QNAP 453D offers you an unmatched advantage with the option of four additional PCIe Gen 2 slots for expansion. Thus, it is perfect for users who want to customize their setup.
- PCIe Gen 2 slots allow you to customize the NAS device.
- Two 2.4GbE ports for high-speed network connectivity.
- HDMI 2.0 port for connecting a 4K screens.
- It comes with disks and diskless variants that offer the flexibility of choice and capacity.
- Private Cloud (like Plex) for a ready-to-use media server.
- It does not support 2.5-inch drives for SATA-based SSDs.
- Pricey for a diskless NAS device.
2. Synology DiskStation DS220+ – 2-Bay NAS for Transcoding
The Synology DS220+ is the perfect device for users who have never used an NAS. It goes easy on the pocket, yet it offers all the essential functionalities of a NAS. The lower price tag means it lacks the advanced specifications that a high-performance NAS device offer. Nonetheless, it is an excellent starting point for first-time NAS users.
The DS220+ comes with an Intel Celeron J4025 processor (2-Core, 4MB Cache, and up to 2.9GHz). The RAM is a bit underpowered with the 2GB DDR4 module. But it fulfills the minimum requirement that Plex requires, and you have the option to upgrade it to 6GB. Thus, you have enough firepower for Plex to do what it does best, transcoding.
The device has two bays that can support both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA-based HDD/SSD. By selecting 16TB drives, you can scale up the total storage to 32TB. That should serve the purpose of most home-based media servers. The DS220+ does not come with a pre-installed storage option. So, you only get the barebone version, which offers you added flexibility to choose the best storage drives.
This Synology NAS device also allows you to transcode H.265/H.264 4K videos to 1080p resolution. Thus, you can watch your favorite movie on your 4K TV or stream it on your phone while commuting.
The DS220+ comes with two 2.5GbE ports that support link aggregation for high-speed data transfers. These ports support 225 MB/s sequential read and 192 MB/s sequential write speeds. You also get to USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports that enable quick backs for flash drives. Unfortunately, the device does not offer an HDMI port for a direct link to your TV.
Our Take
The DS220+ is an excellent device for first-time users and home-based users. It offers all the essential features of a NAS device and manages to keep a lower price tag. It supports transcoding to allow you to stream 4K content in 1080p over a network. So, you can easily access your media files while on the move.
- Pocket-friendly device.
- Two 2.5GbE ports with link aggregation facilitate faster network connections.
- Up to 32TB of storage will take care of all your media files.
- Supports 4K transcoding to 1080p for network streaming.
- Synology provides its range of software for better security, management, and cloud storage options.
- Underpowered RAM may require you to upgrade it to a higher capacity.
- No HDMI port for direct connection to 4K display screens.
3. Synology DiskStation DS220j – Best budget NAS for Plex
The Synology DiskStation DS220j is an economical NAS device. A lower budget means you do not get a high-powered device, but you can use it with Plex. It offers a basic set of specifications and gives you the freedom to customize your rig.
Unlike it’s sibling, the DS220+, this device does not come with an Intel Celeron processor. Instead, you get a Realtek RTD1296 processor (4-Core, 1MB Cache, and up to 1.4GHz). Synology pairs this with a 512MB DDR4 RAM. The device features two bays that support 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD drives. And like the DS220+, this device allows you to choose the best storage drives for your need.
Sadly, these specifications are insufficient to support the transcoding of 4K videos to 1080p. But, you can run Plex and allow it to stream content in its native resolution without any issues.
The DS220j is a bit stingy with the ports it offers. You get only one Gigabit Ethernet port (with 112 MBps read/write speed) and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the rear panel. So, you will have to reach around the back each time you want to back up your flash drive.
Our Take
If you are looking for an inexpensive NAS to set up a media server for your home, the DS220j is the best option. It offers one of the cheapest options on the market that will allow you to set up basic streaming with Plex.
- Up to 32TB of storage will take care of all your media files.
- Synology provides its range of software for better security, management, and cloud storage options.
- The devices support 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives; this offers customizability.
- Budget pricing
- The device does not support transcoding.
- Only one 1GbE port may restrict the network speed.
4. WD My Cloud Pro Series PR4100 NAS – NAS with up to 72TB Storage
The Western Digital (WD) PR4100 offers eight variants with and without storage drives. The range starts with an 8TB storage and goes up to a colossal 72TB storage space. You also get the option for a diskless variant to customize to your need.
The PR4100 comes with an Intel Pentium N3710 processor (4-Core, 2MB Cache, and up to 2.56GHz). You also get 4GB DDR3 RAM and four bays to load up this diskless NAS device. Thus, you get enough firepower to use Plex and all its features. The specifications are also adequate to support the transcoding of 4K videos for easy viewing on portable devices.
The WD PR4100 comes with Western Digital’s cloud services, allowing you to access and manage your files remotely. Using their My Cloud mobile app, you can stream video, edit files, and grant access to friends and family. You even can link it with Adobe Creative Cloud to share and edit your files on the go.
For added connectivity, the PR4100 provides you with two Gigabit Ethernet and three USB 3.0 ports. Except for one USB 3.0 port, all the others are on the rear panel. The one on the front panel ensures easy backup of your flash drive at the push of a button (also on the front panel).
Our Take
The WD PR4100 is ideal when you have an extensive collection of media files. Its top-notch variant has a 72TB storage capacity and WD’s cloud storage apps for easy cataloging. Further, it offers excellent specifications that allow using Plex and transcoding for streaming on portable devices.
- Up to 72TB of storage will take care of all your media files.
- AES 256-bit encryption keeps your files secure over a network.
- It comes with disks and diskless variants that offer the flexibility of choice and capacity.
- Supports 4K transcoding to 1080p for network streaming.
- Two Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed network connectivity.
- The information screen on the front panel displays vital performance indicators.
- No HDMI port for direct connection to 4K display screens.
- No support for 2.5-inch SATA SSD.
5. TerraMaster F5-221 – 5-Bay NAS with Dual 4K Transcoding
The TerraMaster F5-221 offers excellent value for money. For starters, it provides five drive bays, adding up to 80TB of storage. And it also supports real-time hardware transcoding of two 4K videos simultaneously.
The F5 comes with an Intel Celeron J3355 processor (2-Core, 2MB Cache, and up to 2.50GHz). It also features 2GB DDR3 RAM, which you can upgrade to a 4GB DDR3 for customization. And, it offers you the full range of drive storage with support for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD storage.
The device offers a secure and stable platform to store all your data. It provides six levels of security features in all. These include automated backups, file system clusters, AES 256-bit encryption, RAID, Cloud backup, and Btrfs snapshots. The Btrfs file system allows for snapshots of the entire storage and shared folders for efficient data protection. Thus, making the F5 one of the most reliable NAS devices on the market.
TerraMaster offers the F5 with two Gigabit Ethernet ports that support link aggregation to enable higher network speed. These ports support 119MB/s read and 118MB/s write speeds. You also get two USB 3.0 ports that offer 5Gbps of data transfer between devices. All this comes enclosed in a strong aluminum-alloy shell that keeps the drives safe.
Our Take
The TerraMaster F5 offers some unmatched advantages over its competitors. It comes with simultaneous dual 4K transcoding and six layers of safety features to keep your file secure. Hence, it is perfect when you want to set up Plex and secure all your precious home videos.
- Up to 80TB of storage will cover all your media files.
- Six layers of safety features to keep your media files safe.
- Gigabit Ethernet ports with network failover and link aggregation.
- The device supports simultaneous transcoding of two 4K videos.
- It supports 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD storage for added flexibility.
- No HDMI port for direct connection to 4K display screens.
- No USB ports on the front panel for easy access.
6. Asustor Lockerstor 4 AS6604T – Most Powerful NAS for Plex
The Lockerstor 4 AS6604T is one of the most potent NAS devices on the market. It comes with an Intel Celeron J4125 Gemini Lake processor (4-Core, 4MB Cache, and up to 2.7GHz). You also get 4GB DDR4 RAM, and the NAS sports an M.2 NVMe port for SSD Caching.
The device offers four drive bays that support 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives (HDD and SSD). It is a diskless NAS, so you get the freedom to choose the drives that suit your need.
The AS6604T is also packed with plenty of features and applications. It uses Btrfs and iSCSI for snapshots that help secure your files. Further, it offers you a wide range of apps, including media servers, cloud backups, anti-virus apps, and more. And streaming media from Plex and transcoding 4K video is easy thanks to the powerful specifications.
The two 2.5GbE ports support link aggregation, giving you up to 5Gbps speed. You also get three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for added connectivity.
Our Take
The Asustor AS6604T is a power-packed NAS device that supports 4K streaming and transcoding using Plex. The hefty price tag means it is not the ideal solution for everyone. But the device is perfect for users who consider their media collection valuable and want to secure it.
- Btrfs and iSCSI for snapshots and AES 256-bit encryption help keep your files safe.
- Supports 4K Plex streaming and transcoding for viewing on any device.
- 2.5GbE port with link aggregation delivers up to 5Gbps network speeds.
- Dual M.2 NVMe slot for SSD caching help improve system performance.
- It supports 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD storage for added flexibility.
- Fans tend to create a lot of noise.
- Expensive.
7. NETGEAR ReadyNAS 316 – NAS with 24TB Storage and RAID
The Netgear ReadyNAS 316 (RN316) comes with six 4TB drives along with the enclosure. It uses the Intel Atom 2.1GHz Dual-Core processor and offers you 2GB DDR3 RAM.
At first glance, the device may seem slightly underpowered to expect it to transcode videos, and it is. However, you get enough firepower considering the system requirements of Plex Media Server. So, streaming 4K content via Plex is not going to be a challenge at all.
The RN316 comes with automatic backup and sync. You also get protection from disk failure thanks to the implementation of RAID. The RN 316 supports JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10. Additionally, you get data protection from its real-time anti-virus and data encryption.
Netgear offers you ReadyCloud, their cloud-based data access, and management tool. It is similar to Plex and allows you to access your files over a network. The network connections are made via the two Gigabit Ethernet ports with link aggregation.
Our Take
The RN316 comes with six 4TB HDD drives pre-installed. It is ready to use, out of the box, with no need for buying and installing drives by yourself. Hence, it is best suited for novice users unfamiliar with drive selection and installation.
- Gigabit Ethernet ports with network failover and link aggregation.
- The five-year warranty keeps you safe in case of a device failure.
- Multiple RAID implementation gives you the choice of data redundancy.
- It is a ready-to-use device with no need for drive installations.
- Expensive
- Not suitable for video transcoding.
8. Qnap TS-451+ – User-Friendly NAS
This NAS device from Qnap comes with the Intel Celeron J1900 processor (4-Core, 2 MB Cache, and up to 2.42GHz). The TS-451+ comes with 2GB DDR RAM and four bays to install the storage drives.
The device is functional yet compact, and you get all the essential RAID volumes for efficient data backups. For added security, the device uses AES 256-bit encryption to secure your files on the network.
The specifications may not be the best suited for high-resolution transcoding. But you can use Plex and stream 4K videos.
The device follows the diskless trend, which is typical of such devices. And it supports both sizes of drive in the HDD and SSD variants. Hence, you have the freedom of choice.
Our Take
The Qnap TS-451+ is the perfect device to stream 4K videos using Plex. But when it some to transcoding, the device specifications fall short. Nonetheless, it offers considerable value with RAID and AES encryption and provides you with all the essential NAS features.
- It supports 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD storage for added flexibility.
- Two 2.4GbE ports for high-speed network connectivity.
- HDMI port for connecting a 4K screens.
- The device supports up to 64TB storage with four drive bays.
- Expensive for a diskless device.
- The underpowered specifications are not suitable for high-resolution transcoding.
Best NAS for Plex to Build Your Home Media Server – Our Buying Guide
Specifications
A NAS device uses a processor and RAM to help manage the file system and organizes the storage. Hence, it is vital to get these specifications right. More specifically, you must ensure that these specifications adhere to Plex’s minimum requirement. Typically, you cannot go wrong with a processor like the Intel Celeron with 2.0GHz+ speed and 2GB RAM. Anything less than that would mean limiting the capabilities of Plex. Further, the CPU choice depends on factors such as what resolution you want to stream content and how many concurrent steam you anticipate.
Transcoding
For the sake of simplicity, think of transcoding as scaling down a video resolution for easy transmission over a network.
This is one of the essential features to consider if you intend to view your video files remotely. While on the go, the difference between a 4K video and a 1080p video may not be so apparent. Hence, you can save considerable network traffic by transcoding a 4K video to 1080p.
We have highlighted the NAS devices that support transcoding. However, you must remember that you can use Plex without the transcoding feature and stream content in its native resolution.
Number of Bays and Type of Drives
The number of bays governs the total storage your NAS device can have. A 2-bay NAS will give you 32TB of storage at best. This is dependent on the type and capacity of drives that you use. NAS devices use SATA-based storage. Hence, an HDD/SSD drive will offer up to 16TB storage per drive. While HDD drives tens to be economical, SSDs deliver better performance.
Gigabit Ethernet Ports
NAS devices, by nature, are meant to be connected to a network. Hence, you should choose a device that offers high-speed Gigabit Ethernet ports. Most devices provide at least a 1GbE port, but some come with more than one 2.5GbE port and support Link aggregation. Such devices deliver superior data transfer speeds, ideal for quick read/write speeds and flawless streaming over a network.
Best NAS for Plex to Build Your Home Media Server – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Plex with any Operating System?
Yes, there is a Plex version for all leading operating systems and NAS devices. So, it does not matter which OS you are using; there is a Plex Media Server version for it. But that is on the host side of things. Plex offers applications for all leading mobile phones, TV sticks, gaming consoles, and computers for the client-side.
How much RAM do I need for a Plex server?
Plex requires you to have a minimum of 2GB RAM. However, you may like to settle for a 4GB RAM in the interest of future-proofing your setup.
What is Link Aggregation?
Link aggregation is a mechanism in which two (or more) network connections are combined to function as a single connection. By “aggregation” of these connections, you get one link that is as fast as the summation of all the individual links. For example, if you have two 1GbE ports, link aggregation allows you to combine both bandwidths to get 2Gbps speed.
Does my NAS require a GPU card for Plex?
No, it does not. Plex uses software transcoding to scale down the resolution of your video. Interestingly, some NAS devices offer an option for hardware transcoding, which requires dedicated hardware. Such NAS devices can benefit from a GPU card, but these devices are unpopular, mainly because of the utility they offer viz-a-viz the price.
