Best Plex NAS: Top picks from Synology, QNAP, and more
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DIY media hubAll-time Plex NAS: Top picks from Synology, QNAP, and more than
When shopping around for the all-time NAS for home, if you accept Plex in mind every bit to what you'll exist using your NAS for, there are a few additional factors to consider. To bask all your favorite 4K content, you'll need to have a capable NAS enclosure, which means a powerful CPU. That's where this collection of enclosures comes into play, allowing you to accept your media to the big screen without any buffering.
The best Plex NAS at a glance
- QNAP TVS-672XT — Best overall: Intel CPU, 6 bays, 8GB RAM, 10Gb LAN.
- ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 4 (AS5304T) — Best runner-up: Intel CPU, iv bays, 4GB RAM, 2.5Gb LAN.
- TerraMaster F2-221 — Best affordable: Intel CPU, 2 trophy, 2GB RAM, 1Gb LAN.
- QNAP TVS-872XT-i5 — Best performance: Intel CPU, viii bays, 16GB RAM, 10Gb LAN.
- Synology DiskStation DS220+ — Best value: Intel CPU, ii bays, 2GB RAM, 1Gb LAN.
- QNAP TS-H886 — All-time chapters: Intel CPU, eight bays, 16GB RAM, 2.5Gb LAN.
With connected high levels of need and an upshot with the supply of components, NAS enclosure stock levels are all over the place. Should an enclosure not be in stock right now, be sure to proceed tabs on the retailer or check elsewhere.
How to choose the best NAS for Plex
Choosing the all-time NAS for dwelling house is one thing, but picking the right NAS for Plex is a whole different game. Information technology's piece of cake to look at the almost affordable enclosures available and pick them for Plex, which would be sufficient for music and phones. Still, if you plan on transcoding and streaming 4K content, y'all'll need powerful components for Plex NAS compatibility.
Many vendors produce NAS enclosures that are great for Plex (and some transcoding); it's only the case of picking out the highlight models. You lot tin easily observe at least one from the likes of Synology, QNAP, and ASUSTOR. If we were to recommend one NAS for y'all to purchase to have the all-time Plex experience, it would be the QNAP TVS-672XT. It's powerful enough for Plex with plenty of other features.
A skilful runner-upwards is the ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 4 (AS5304T), which likewise has some boot-ass networking for game streamers and unique blueprint. And if you want to save some money or don't program on storing likewise many media files, the Synology DiskStation DS220+ is a sound choice for an affordable Plex that houses an Intel CPU and back up for Plex Media Server.
It all comes down to what you plan on using a Plex NAS media server for. If it'south just music and photograph streaming, y'all can get away with vastly less powerful and more affordable NAS enclosures. It'southward movies and shows where transcoding may be required, particularly for 4K content, where y'all'll demand additional firepower unless the NAS has HDMI output.
It's all about the processor. For Plex, yous're going to desire an Intel processor at the very least. Intel Atom, Celeron, and Cadre series processors are all different, too, with sure SKUs only supporting 1080p transcoding. If yous plan on primarily playing 4K content that may require transcoding to recipient devices, an Intel Core processor is certainly the way to go. However, the enclosure would exist considerably more costly.
Source: QNAP
1. QNAP TVS-672XT
All-time NAS for Plex
$1,899 at Amazon
Bottom line: The QNAP TVS-672XT is the best NAS for Plex in our collection. It houses an Intel Cadre i3-8100T processor, which is ideal for the transcoding of 4K movies, and there are viii bulldoze trophy for storing all your favorite shows, music, movies, and photos. The single 10Gb LAN port is brilliant for loftier-speed networks. This NAS ticks all the right boxes.
CPU: Intel Core i3-8100T | Bulldoze bays: 6 | RAM: 8GB DDR4 (max 32GB) | Features: 1x 10Gb LAN, 2x Thunderbolt 3, 1x USB iii.one Gen 2, HDMI
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i3 CPU
- half-dozen drive bays (72TB capacity)
- 10Gb LAN
- Upgradable DDR4 RAM
- Excellent QNAP Os
Cons:
- Pricey
- High power draw
The QNAP TVS-672XT is the best NAS for Plex, in my opinion. The balance betwixt price and functionality is first-class, making it the almost powerful enclosure for this cost betoken by a land mile. This is primarily due to the impressive Intel Core i3-8100T processor, which is far beyond the Intel Celeron CPUs institute in more affordable (and sometimes more than expensive) enclosures.
It's not the best CPU yous tin find in a NAS, but if you programme on going for an Intel Cadre i5 or Core i7, you'll be expected to pay for the luxury. The integrated graphics and four physical cores are more than a friction match for 4K transcoding, which is required if you want to stream a 4K picture to a TV or other receiving device that doesn't support the file format.
The Intel Core CPU is joined by 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which can be upgraded to 32GB, further cementing this NAS as a substantial investment for the future. The 8 drive bays are more than enough for storing all your media with upwardly to 96TB of chapters available.
Only the highlight specifications don't end there. In that location is a single 10Gb LAN port, potentially handling network speeds upwards of 1000MB/due south. So you have USB-A three.one Gen 2 ports and a further single USB-C iii.i Gen two ports, every bit well as HDMI. The only drawback to this NAS is the price, which tin put some people off.
All-time overall
QNAP TVS-672XT
QNAP TVS-672XT comes with some serious performance. The single 10Gb LAN port, a capable Intel Core i3 processor, HDMI out, and six bays brand this one of the best NAS for Plex.
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Fundamental
2. ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR iv (AS5304T)
Best runner-up NAS for Plex
$482 at Amazon
Bottom line: The NIMBUSTOR 4 (AS5304T) is a vivid NAS from ASUSTOR, rocking a hit design that sets it apart from the remainder of the enclosure lineup. Even so, it's non all nearly looks since this NAS has a capable Intel CPU, plenty of RAM, and fast networking.
CPU: Intel Celeron J4105 | Drive bays: 4 | RAM: 4GB DDR4 (max 8GB) | Features: 2x 2.5Gb LAN, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.0a
Pros:
- Powerful Intel processor
- 4 drive trophy (64TB chapters)
- 2x 2.5Gb LAN with link aggregation
- Upgradable DDR4 RAM
- Excellent ASUSTOR OS
Cons:
- No 10Gb LAN
- Bay locks feel flimsy
- No Chiliad.2 slots
- Pricey
The ASUSTOR AS5304T is an excellent NAS. Information technology'south nearly the all-time NAS for Plex. You can use information technology for home file storage, game streaming, and even Plex. The rather bulky Intel Celeron J4105 CPU is a groovy processor and has enough performance to handle even 4K movie transcoding. It's not the all-time around but is perfectly matched for media consumption.
There's 4GB of DDR4 RAM that is ample for about tasks, including Plex, only it'southward upgradable if you wish to install modules up to 8GB in capacity. ASUSTOR's Os is as proficient as QNAP and Synology. There are plenty of apps and third-party services that tin can be hooked into this enclosure to expand its capabilities.
Rocking dual-2.5Gb LAN well-nigh eliminates whatsoever network bottlenecks, and so long as your LAN infrastructure tin can keep up. This is especially of import if you're a streamer and are looking for something that tin can handle the bandwidth that comes with offloading recorded media.
There is a downside to this enclosure, and that's the price, which puts information technology higher up other 4-bay enclosures, simply you get so much more than for your money here. It isn't easy to find speedy LAN ports without going far across your upkeep, fifty-fifty though vendors are working to bring faster ports to more than affordable NAS models.
Best runner-upward
ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 4 (AS5304T)
Rocking a powerful Intel Celeron processor, 4 drive bays, speedy 2.5Gb LAN ports, and upgradable DDR4 RAM, this is one splendid NAS enclosure.
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
3. TerraMaster F2-221
Accented best affordable NAS to use with Plex
$260 at Amazon
Bottom line: Two is the magic number for the F2-221, non merely in the model number but also with the specifications. Information technology has 2GB of RAM, two 1Gb LAN ports, and 2 USB 3.0 ports. Oh, and two bulldoze trophy. Your affordable entrance to the wonderful world of NAS and Plex awaits you.
CPU: Intel Celeron J3355 | Drive bays: two | RAM: 2GB DDR4 (max 6GB) | Features: 2x 1Gb LAN, 2x USB 3.0
Pros:
- Intel Celeron processor
- 2 bulldoze bays (28TB chapters)
- 2x 1Gb LAN
- Upgradable DDR4 RAM
- Affordable
Cons:
- Os is okay
- No 2.5Gb or 10Gb LAN
The TerraMaster F2-221 is an impressive NAS. It has merely ii drive bays so you lot won't be storing much on this enclosure if you configure RAID (and you lot really should). So that leaves 16TB of capacity, which could be increased using an external storage unit of measurement. Just information technology'due south the processor where this niggling unit truly shines.
The Intel Celeron J3355 is good enough to handle most of the things you need to do with Plex. Stream to multiple devices? Check. Transcode a few movies that aren't compatible? Check. It's when you want to try to enjoy 4K content that requires transcoding is where it all starts to autumn autonomously. So long as everything is in line, you can sentry 4K movies on this small enclosure.
This is aided past the fact TerraMaster lets y'all upgrade the 2GB RAM to 6GB. That'south equally impressive for such an affordable NAS enclosure. Add in the two 1Gb ports and two USB 3.0 ports, and y'all've got an excellent starter enclosure for anyone who has even so to ain a NAS or gear up and bask Plex Media Server.
Best budget
TerraMaster F2-221
The TerraMaster F2-221 has enough for you to go started with Plex Media Server; but don't go expecting to burn down up your favorite 4K movie that requires some transcoding.
Source: QNAP
4. QNAP TVS-872XT-i5
All-time NAS for Plex with amazing performance
$2,385 at Amazon
Bottom line: If you lot want something a niggling more than potent than the residuum of our picks hither, there'southward always the QNAP TVS-872XT-i5 with its Core i5 processor. This processor is a dream for those wanting to set up and run a Plex Media Server. Desire to stream 4K movies to multiple devices? No problem.
CPU: Intel Core i5-8400T | Drive bays: 8 | RAM: 16GB DDR4 (max 32GB) | Features: 1x 10Gb LAN, 2x 1Gb LAN, 2x Thunderbolt three, 4x USB iii.2 Gen two, 2x G.2 slots
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i5-8400T CPU
- 8 drive bays (128TB+ capacity)
- 1x 10Gb LAN
- Upgradable DDR4 RAM
- Fantabulous QNAP OS
There are NAS enclosures, and then there are NAS enclosures. The QNAP TVS-872XT-i5 is something else. Intel Celeron processors are corking, so besides is an Intel Cadre i3, but how does an Intel Core i5 CPU audio? That's precisely what this enclosure tin can exist configured with. We've highlighted the model with an Intel Core i5-8400T processor.
This CPU is a monster for anything you wish to exercise with the NAS, but even for Plex, it's excellent for transcoding 4K content to multiple devices. If y'all have a decorated home that loves to consume media, this is a great enclosure to consider. It'due south not all about the CPU, though. The CPU would exist bottlenecked if QNAP didn't include enough RAM.
Within, the TVS-882BRT3 comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM installed, merely you can easily upgrade it to a whopping 64GB if needed. That'south more than what even the more than capable desktop PCs have bachelor. And then at that place's the fact this matter comes with ii Gigabit ports and one 10Gb port and then you can link them up for increased bandwidth for all the streaming.
The eight drive bays allow you to store up to 128TB of data, not taking into account RAID configurations for data redundancy. Even so, you do get a few Thunderbolt 3 ports. If you can afford such an enclosure, you'll be jump to take a proficient time since this is the best NAS for Plex in terms of performance.
Best performance
QNAP TVS-872XT-i5
This is i of the all-time NAS enclosures around for Plex, thanks to the capable Intel Core i5 and Cadre i7 processors, and eight bulldoze trophy.
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
5. Synology DiskStation DS220+
A great affordable and value NAS for Plex pick
$292 at Amazon
Bottom line: My option for the best affordable Plex NAS Synology merely has to exist the DiskStation DS220+. The company recently released this enclosure with improved internals and a ameliorate CPU. It's a fantastic NAS enclosure for the price and can even handle some 4K transcoding, should yous require it.
CPU: Intel Celeron J4025 | Drive bays: 2 | RAM: 2GB DDR4 (max 6GB) | Features: 2x 1Gb LAN, 2x USB 3.0, upgradable RAM
Pros:
- Powerful Intel processor
- ii bulldoze trophy (32TB capacity)
- 2x 1Gb LAN with link aggregation
- Upgradable DDR4 RAM
- Excellent Synology OS
Cons:
- No M.two slots
- Express capacity with RAID
- No 2.5Gb LAN
The Synology DiskStation DS220+ may be considerably more affordable than our top NAS picks for Plex, only don't let that fool you into bold it won't be able to handle its own. This capable enclosure comes rocking an Intel Celeron J4025 processor, which is more than enough to handle 4K transcoding of movies, so long equally you only have one stream running.
It'south not all about the CPU, however, which is why Synology included 2GB of DDR4 RAM, and you can upgrade that later if you find yourself hitting capacity often. The only drawback is 2 bulldoze bays, which does restrict only how much you can store on the NAS. If you configure the drives to exist in a RAID configuration (and we recommend you lot practise), you'll exist left with upwardly to 16TB of storage space.
Other highlights include 2 1Gb LAN ports that tin can be linked together to increase bachelor bandwidth to your router or switch. At that place are a few USB ports besides that let yous hook up external storage or accessories. The Os is one of the best effectually from Synology, allowing you to get more washed.
Installing drives inside this enclosure is also a cakewalk, thanks to the hot-swappable tool-less design of the bays. Simply extract, install the drive, and re-insert, and you're good to go. This isn't the best NAS out there for Plex, but it won't cause a hole in your wallet.
Best value
Synology DiskStation DS220+ NAS
The DiskStation DS220+ is a well-positioned NAS with an attractive price and plenty of performance. It only has two bulldoze bays and 1Gb LAN, but the upgradable RAM and excellent OS brand up for these drawbacks.
Source: QNAP
half dozen. QNAP TS-H886
Summit pick for people who demand a LOT of storage
$i,789 at Amazon
Bottom line: The QNAP TS-H886 is an excellent NAS. Information technology has a powerful Intel Xeon D-1622 processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM preinstalled, four 12.5Gb ports, and two expansion slots. This is a NAS you should consider if you need a capable storage device to store plenty of media with the capability of driving 4K transcoding.
CPU: Intel Xeon D-1622 | Drive bays: 8 | RAM: 16GB DDR4 (max 128GB) | Features: 4x ii.5Gb LAN, 3x USB 3.two Gen 1, 2x One thousand.2 slots
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Xeon D-1622
- 8 drive bays (112TB+ capacity)
- 4x two.5Gb LAN
- Upgradable DDR4 RAM
- Excellent QNAP OS
The QNAP TS-H886 is what you lot need for storing endless movies and shows. Nosotros could take gone with a 12-bay NAS with a mediocre processor, just if y'all plan to store more than 100TB worth of content, chances are some of it volition be in 4K. It's got i impressive CPU, making it easily the best NAS for Plex if you need power.
This is where the Intel Xeon D-1622 comes into play. It's powerful enough to brand mince work of 1080p transcoding and tin can even take a bash at 4K, so long as you don't accept a agglomeration of clients attempting to practise so simultaneously. This beefy CPU is joined by 8GB of expandable RAM and eight bulldoze bays in total — six for HDDs and a farther two for SSDs.
For networking, QNAP decided to become with iv 2.5Gb ports, and so in that location's plenty to play with hither, even if yous've yet to upgrade your dwelling network to 2.5Gb/s. The add-on of two Grand.two slots allows you lot to install 2 SSDs to act as caching and improve performance further.
Best capacity
QNAP TS-H886
The QNAP TS-H886 has it all. Six HDD bays with a further two for SSDs, two One thousand.2 slots, upgradable RAM to 128GB, a powerful Intel Xeon D-1622 CPU. Yous proper noun it, this NAS has information technology.
What about all other NAS enclosures?
To say there are enough NAS enclosures to choose from is an understatement. The selection bachelor is immense, but non so much for Plex. If you don't like the look of our elevation selection, there are plenty of other shortlisted enclosures worth because for installing and running a Plex Media Server.
It's possible to get similarly powered enclosures from different vendors as well. It doesn't have to be Synology. You can easily choice a good NAS that will run Plex well from ASUSTOR, QNAP, amongst others. If yous want to stream your favorite shows, movies, music, and some photos, most NAS enclosures with an Intel processor will be enough.
When you enter the earth of 4K content and incompatibilities betwixt the server and receiving hardware (be it your smart TV, phone, etc.), transcoding is required. This is where the processor matters nearly, and you lot need a perfect i to keep upward with 4K. You lot could always go it alone and build your ain FreeNAS Plex Media Server.
What is Plex?
Plex is an online media streaming service, much like Netflix or Amazon Prime. You can access complimentary and premium content similar other on-demand platforms, simply Plex has a killer characteristic set if you own media outright. Plex Media Server (or PMS for short) is a slice of software that can be run on your PC to host music, movies, Telly shows, photos, and more from your media library.
One window into all your personal media. No matter where you are.
Devices can then connect to this server and stream content from anywhere. Where yous can take this feel to the next level is by adding a network-fastened storage (NAS) enclosure. It'due south not skillful to run your PC all the fourth dimension when a server with a far lower power draw can do the same job so some. This is where our Plex NAS collection comes into play.
By purchasing a NAS, a few hard drives, and installing Plex Media Server, yous can chop-chop create your own home entertainment system. We have a comprehensive Plex beginner's guide available should yous wish to learn more well-nigh the media platform.
What makes a good NAS enclosure for Plex?
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
A good NAS enclosure for Plex needs a few things:
CPU
Information technology's only not viable to run Plex on an enclosure that doesn't have an Intel processor. Information technology's possible, just not recommended. If you want to stream music and photos, fifty-fifty the bottom Intel CPUs will be more than enough in affordable enclosures.
When you become to pic and show streaming and transcoding, that's where the performance really needs to increase to lucifer demand. And that'due south just for a unmarried receiving device. Consider your dwelling where in that location could be multiple users on unlike hardware wanting to access content stored on Plex. This is why the latest Intel Celeron processors are recommended as the blank minimum to get past for 4K.
To exist safe, I'd recommend an Intel Core i3 processor or higher. These CPUs have enough operation to handle 4K transcoding and more, allowing multiple users to stream their favorite content. It's all-time to fix an enclosure with more operation than required, much like the best graphics card. It's better to pay more than now than paying even more downwardly the line for an earlier upgrade.
RAM
Media streaming isn't heavy on RAM, just it's a good thought to always have more you crave merely in case multiple people plan on streaming content simultaneously. 2GB is considered the baseline for a Plex NAS, while 4GB is usually enough for a busy dwelling, but having upgradable RAM puts you in an first-class position to aggrandize it later.
It's worth checking the maximum capacity for RAM of an enclosure to see whether you tin upgrade the RAM.
Drive bays
There need to be plenty bays to handle the number of drives required. If you lot want to store 4K content, yous'll want one with at to the lowest degree six trophy. Otherwise, you'll find yourself running out of infinite speedily. Shows and movies in Full Hd tin get abroad with being stored on a NAS with 4 or more than bays.
Ports
HDMI is important since that tin can let your Television receiver to connect to the NAS directly. This negates the demand to transcode anything since the TV volition simply exist displaying the output from the server itself. If you can, choose a NAS that has an HDMI port if you plan on having the server located near the large screen.
For Ethernet, 1Gb ports are okay, so long equally you can link them upwards and increase bandwidth, though ideally, you lot'll want to have 2.5Gb or 10Gb ports. This besides depends on your network infrastructure. Virtually routers from internet service providers (ISP) can handle only 1Gb connections, so you lot may demand to upgrade if you plan on increasing bandwidth.
Credits — The squad that worked on this guide
Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which ways he tests out more than software and hardware than he cares to call back. Joining Mobile Nations in 2022, you can usually find him inside a PC instance tinkering effectually when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to utilise British words. Hit him upward on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.
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