Best NAS deals: Great discounts on some of our top choices
For most, backing up files consists of subscribing to online cloud services like Google Drive. And while these types of services are convenient, if you don't opt for the base service which is usually free, then you're going to be spending quite a bit as the costs tend to add up in the long run. Of course, there are other options here, with perhaps the best choice being to go with a network-attached storage (NAS) system. Not only do you get roughly the same benefits as what you'd find using cloud storage options, but you'll also have better privacy and security as well, since your data isn't being stored by a third-party.
The only catch here is that NAS systems aren't cheap, but if you're like most, there's a good chance that you're going to always need a place to store your data, and going with a NAS can end up being a better financial investment that easily pays for itself over a good stretch of time. With that said, here are some of the best deals we were able to find on some of our favorite NAS systems.
Best all-in-one NAS deals
These NAS systems are going to be unique in that they don't require any additional parts. All you need to do is just plug them in, get them setup via software, and you're good to go. While extremely simple to set up and use, they do have their limitations. But if you're someone that's a beginner that isn't willing to build their own, then these are going to be some of the best solutions available.
Buffalo LinkStation 210
Buffalo's LinkStation 210 makes things easy to set up with an Ethernet port that can be connected to your existing router. From here, just set up the NAS and you're good to go. Best of all, you can also get this drive with a small discount from Amazon.
Best value
Synology BeeStation
The Synology BeeStation packs 4TB of storage and is easy to set up. Just plug it into your router, set up the software, and you're good to go. This is one of the easiest to set up and for a great price as well.
Western Digital Diskless My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS
This is probably going to be the best NAS solution you can purchase off of this list. Not only does the NAS offer a lot of storage, but it also offers a lot of power here as well, which should make accessing your data a cinch. Perhaps the only drawback is that it's not on sale right now and seems to be sold out from most retailers.
Best NAS deals
Of course, if you want to build a NAS of your own, you can always check out some of the best NAS cases that are on the market right now. Just in case you're a little worried about building a NAS of your own, these aren't all that complicated, with a majority of the parts and software already configured and ready to go. The only thing you need to do is to choose the types of drives you want and also how many you want to use in your configuration. Below we have some great deals on some of our favorite NAS cases, along with some drives that are on sale as well.
Synology DiskStation DS224+
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is the direct successor to the popular DS220+, which was praised for the value it offered to consumers looking to buy their first enclosure. The DS224+ has an Intel Celeron processor, 2GB of DDR4 RAM, and support for Synology's excellent DSM operating system and catalog of apps.
Synology DiskStation DS923+
The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is the spiritual successor to the popular DS920+ with a new AMD processor, M.2 slots, and the same excellent DSM operating system. This is one powerful compact NAS with the ability to run just about everything.
TerraMaster F4-423
TerraMaster's F4-423 might not offer the same depth and breadth of features as options from more established competitors, but it's a capable and reasonably priced option that'll do everything most users need it to.
TerraMaster F4-210
The TerraMaster F4-210 is a more affordable four-bay enclosure from the Chinese brand with an ARM processor and 2GB of RAM that cannot be expanded but it comes in at less than $300, which is great for an expansive home NAS.
As you can tell, there is a pretty good mix when it comes to deals on all-in-one and build your own NAS systems. The setup is pretty easy on the former, requiring no additional parts and the results are pretty good, which makes it perfect for a beginner. If you're someone that has some experience with building a PC, or likes to tinker with things, then buying a NAS you configure on your own is probably going to be a better option, providing a little more customization and longevity. Just make sure to pick up some drives for the case, as you'll need them.
