Best NAS for Plex 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide

Plex is a great way for you to build your media library and stream TV shows and movies. Plex servers can be used to stream movies and TV shows from your home without the need for streaming services such as Netflix or Prime Video. Plex is a popular best plex media server software choice.

The best Plex server is not only good, but it is the most user-friendly. Plex’s server functionality is still the best, even though it has added legal streaming content, podcasts, and live over-the-air television to its feature set.

You’ll also need a Plex client that is great, as well as a network-attached storage device (NAS). You can find the best NAS for plex 4k, including servers and NAS boxes.

You will still need a NAS for Plex to set up your server.

The best home nas for Plex has been chosen based on these factors:

CPU: Your NAS’s CPU handles all file access requests. It is similar to a computer. If the processor is slow enough, your NAS for Plex might experience lags while streaming media. It is better to choose quad-core processors such as the Intel Celeron J4125 over dual-core processors like the Marvell Armada 7210.

RAM: The RAM capacity of a high-performance NAS is another important factor to consider before purchasing one for Plex. A NAS with 4 GB DDR4 RAM will perform better than one with 4 GB DDR3 and 2 GB DDR3 RAM. Smooth streaming is possible because of the higher RAM capacity.

Drive Bays: You should check how many drive bays your NAS has. This will determine the maximum number of drives that you can fit into the server. Most Plex NAS will have 4 to 5 drive bays, providing ample storage and redundancy drives.

These are just a few of the things you should keep in mind when purchasing a Plex NAS. However, you can also search for a complete solution.“Buying Guide” nas for Plex has a good Plex server – How to Buy the Best One.

Best NAS for Plex 2023: Reviews

Our recommended NAS for plex are as follows:

1. Synology DiskStation DS920 NAS  

Synology is a famous brand for high-performance NAS solutions that allow you to create a Plex server at home. This list ranks the Synology DiskStation D920+ NAS for Plex at the top of the pile because it is one of the most powerful options. You get four hard drives, which can be extended up to 9 with an accessory.

It also has two M.2 SSD slots that allow for transfer speeds of up to 225 MB/s from the NAS for Plex. This NAS for Plex has so many drive slots that Synology Hybrid RAID and RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 6, respectively. RAID 10 is also supported.

Synology uses the Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core CPU with a 2.0 GHz base speed and a 2.7 GHz boost speed to ensure consistent performance.

The 4GB DDR4 RAM is also included. This can be extended up to 8GB if necessary. Unfortunately, the back of the NAS has limited connectivity options. There are only two 1GbE LAN ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and one eSATA port. For long-term use, Synology offers a 3-year warranty.

Features of Synology DiskStation DS920 NAS

1. NAS with four drive slots.
2. Two M.2 SSD slots are available for caching.
3. Uses the Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core CPU.
4. 4GB DDR4 RAM Available.
5. Includes 2 x 1GbE LAN ports, 2 x USB 3.0, and 1 x SATA ports.
6. Supports RAID 0, AID 1, RAID 5, AID 6, RAID 10, Synology Hybrid Raid.
7. 3-year warranty

2. QNAP TS-453D-4G  NAS

QNAP is a unique NAS for Plex, as it offers many valuable features and connectivity options that can be used for media consumption.

QNAP’s QNAP TS-453D-4G Plex NAS for Plex is ranked 2nd on this listicle because it is the best choice for media consumption. You can also see its storage capacity rating. There are four drive bays and a PCIe slot to install a 10GbE or PCIe SSD. This allows you to have lots of storage space and a high-speed cache drive. QNAP offers support for RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5. RAID 6, RAID 10, and RAID 10 are just a few of the options available.

The best thing about the QNAP-NAS is the Intel Celeron J4125 high-performance CPU. It boasts a quad-core CPU with a base clock of 2.0 GHz and boosts clocks at 2.7GHz. You can also expect outstanding performance thanks to the upgradable 4GB DDR4 RAM.

There are ports such as 2 x 2.5 GbE LAN and 2 x USB 3.2. You also have 3 x USB 2.0. The back has an HDMI 2.0 that allows you to play video directly from the NAS, making it ideal for media consumption. QNAP offers a 3-year warranty on its NAS for Plex, just like Synology.

Features of QNAP TS-453D-4G NAS

1. NAS with four drive slots
2. One PCI-E slot is available for caching SSD
3. Uses the Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core CPU
4. Offer: 4GB DDR4 RAM
5. Includes 2 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet LAN, 2x USB 3.2 and 3x USB 2.0, as well as 1 HDMI 2.0.
6. Supports RAID 0, 1 RAID 5, 5 RAID 6, 10
7. 3-year warranty.

3. Asustor AS5304T NAS

Asustor, a sub-brand from Asus, is well-known for producing high-performance parts for computers. This is also true of its NAS for Plex, which uses high-end components.

The Asustor AS5304T Plex NAS comes in at the third position.

This is because it can be another excellent option for looking for high-performance options without a premium price.

Similar to the QNAP and Synology NAS models, it also has four drive bays that can hold up to 72 TB. It also supports a single M.2 SSD caching device. This NAS supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 6. RAID 10 is also supported.

Although the Intel Celeron J4015 processor of this CPU is not the fastest, it’s still a quad-core CPU with a 1.5 GHz base speed and 2.5 GHz boost clock. It comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM, which can be extended up to 8GB if necessary.

This one is similar to the QNAP NAS and features an HDMI 2.0 port on its back, 2 x 2.5GbE LAN ports, and 3 x USB 3.2 ports for high connectivity speeds and direct output. Asustor, an Asus sub-brand of Asustor, comes with a 3-year standard warranty.

Features of Asustor AS5304T NAS

1. NAS with four drive slots
2. One M.2 SSD slot for caching
3. Uses the Intel Celeron J4105 quad-core CPU
4. 4GB DDR4 RAM Available
5. Includes 2 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet LAN, 3x USB 3.2, and 1x HDMI 2.0 ports
6. Supports RAID 0, 1 RAID 5, 5 RAID 6, 10
7. 3-year warranty

4. TerraMaster F5-422 NAS

TerraMaster is a premium brand of NAS accessories and NAS. It offers a wide variety of high-end options, including NAS for Plex.
TerraMaster F5-422 is a NAS for Plex that is designed for heavy-duty use. It has five storage bays and supports a single caching SSD.

The best part about the Plex NAS is its 670 MB/s transfer speed, depending on your RAID configuration. This NAS for Plex supports all the most common RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, and RAID 10.

The processor for this NAS is the Intel Celeron J355 quad-core CPU. It has a 1.5 GHz base clock and 2.3 GHz boost clocks. Although you get four gigs of RAM, which can be expanded to 8 gigs, the DDR3 memory is used instead of DDR4, which results in slightly lower performance. You don’t have to worry about this as you get a 10 GbE Ethernet LAN port at the back, along with 1 GbE and 2 USB 3.0 ports. TerraMaster provides an excellent 2-year warranty on this NAS for Plex.

Features of TerraMaster F5-422 NAS

1. NAS with five drive slots
2. One SSD slot is available for caching
3. Uses the Intel Celeron J355 quad-core CPU
4. 4GB DDR3 RAM Available
5. Included: 1 x 10GbE LAN and 1 x 1GbE Ethernet LAN. 2 x USB 3.0 ports.
6. Supports RAID 0, 1 RAID 5, 5 RAID 6, 10
7. 2-year warranty

5. WD Diskless EX4100 NAS 

WD, or Western Digital, is a brand that makes hard drives intended to be used inside NAS units. However, it also makes NAS models that could be an excellent choice for your next Plex server.

If you are looking for a high-capacity, reliable NAS to store all your media files, the Western Digital NAS for Plex is a viable alternative. The four drive bays in the box are empty, so this is possible. This NAS does not support SSD drives for caching and only supports hard drives. You can still enjoy decent performance thanks to RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5 support.

The NAS uses the Marvell Armada388 CPU, which is 1.6 GHz in speed and offers only two cores. This NAS’s performance is inadequate because it only has 2 GB DDR3 RAM, which cannot be expanded. However, you have a good number of connectivity options, with 2 x 1GbE LAN ports and 3 USB 3.0 ports. This NAS also comes with a 2-year warranty from Western Digital, which is comparable to other options.

Features of WD Diskless EX4100 NAS 

1. NAS with four drive slots
2. It uses the Marvell Armada388 dual-core CPU
3. Offers 2GB DDR3 RAM
4. Includes 3 x USB 3.0 ports and 2 x 1GbE LAN ports
5. Supports RAID 0, 1 RAID 1, 5 RAID 10, 10
6. 2-year warranty

6. Asustor AS4002T NAS 

Asustor also offers a NAS for Plex that you can purchase. This is an excellent choice if your goal is to make an entry-level Plex server at home.
The Asustor AS4002T Plex NAS is the most affordable on this list. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are tight on budget.

It only comes with two drive bays as it is an entry-level model. Asustor has omitted an M.2 SSD slot for caching to reduce costs further. This NAS still delivers excellent performance, even though it supports JBOD and RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 1.

Like the Western Digital NAS drive mentioned above, it uses an Intel CPU instead. This one, however, also uses a Marvell CPU. It is the dual-core Armada7020, which clocks at 1.6 GHz. In addition, this NAS has slightly faster 2 GB DDR4 RAM.

The best part about this entry-level NAS, despite the price, is that it still has 2 x 1GbE LANs, 2 x USB 3.1, and 1 x 10GbE ports. This allows for exceptional transfer speeds, even considering the price. In addition, the affordable Asustor NAS comes with a 3-year warranty, just like the more expensive models.

Features of Asustor AS4002T NAS 

1. NAS with two drive slots
2. It uses the Marvell Armada 7120 dual-core CPU
3. Offers 2GB DDR4 RAM
4. 2 x 1GbE LAN ports, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x 10GbE Ethernet LAN ports
5. Supports RAID 0, JBOD, RAID 1.
6. 3-year warranty

Best NAS for Plex: A Buying Guide

A NAS, or network storage drive, can be a great tool to store a lot of data and share it with other devices on your network. NAS drives can be used for many media applications. For example, the best NAS for Plex, also mentioned above, can be an excellent option for streaming TV and movie content.

All these NAS for Plex have detailed information about their features and specifications to help you choose the right one. If you’re interested in more information about NAS for Plex, be sure to read this comprehensive buying guide for the best NAS.

CPU

A powerful CPU is the first thing that will affect the performance of your NAS for Plex. It will be able to handle all storage access requests without lags or slow transfer speeds.

You will find the following CPUs in the NAS for Plex: Intel Celeron J4125 and Intel Celeron J4105. Marvell Armada 7210 is another. There are many differences between processors. For example, a quad-core CPU provides better performance than a dual-core one.

RAM

It is also worth checking how much RAM your NAS for Plex offers, as this can affect its overall performance. NAS for Plex will usually include either 4 GB DDR4 RAM or 2 GB DDR3 RAM, the latter offering better performance. You can also upgrade your NAS’s RAM by using DIMM RAM sticks or SODIMM RAM sticks. These are identical to the ones found on your desktop or laptop.

Drive Bays

After you’ve made sure the NAS for Plex you’re getting is of high performance, it’s time to check how many drive bays it has. Fortunately, most NAS for Plex has 4 to 5 drive bays. This should allow you to store a lot of data, mainly when used with high-capacity NAS drives.

To be safe, make sure you check the maximum storage capacity for your NAS. This is often much greater than the actual use of your NAS. For example, some NAS models have SSD slots within them, either M.2 or 2.5-inch spaces. This allows you to mount a fast SSD drive, which can be used for file transfers smaller than a hard drive.

Transfer speeds

Although you can gauge the performance of your NAS for Plex through its RAM, CPU, and drive bays, you still need to verify the transfer speeds. Your NAS for Plex’s maximum speed is likely to be limited by its NAS drives. Most NAS drives have high-speed connectivity options such as 2.5 GbE and 5 GbE. Depending on which RAID configuration you use, transfer speeds can range from 150 MB/s up to 500 MB/s. However, a faster transfer speed is always better.

RAID Configuration

Plex’s NAS can contain multiple hard drives, which is different from an external hard drive. This allows you to set up RAID configurations. Depending on which RAID configuration you choose, you can get faster transfer speeds or make your NAS server more reliable by using redundant drives. This can be very useful in the event of a drive failing.

Different NAS for Plex will support different RAID types. However, the most common include RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5. RAID 6 and RAID 10. You should be able to choose the best RAID configuration that suits your needs. A NAS for Plex can support all RAID configurations for maximum versatility.

Connectivity Options

It would be best to have all your devices connected before using your high-performance Plex NAS to stream TV and movies. Therefore, it is essential to have multiple connectivity options for your NAS for Plex. You will find connectivity options such as 1 GbE to 10GbE LAN ports and USB 2.0 ports. There are also USB 3.0 ports. A NAS for Plex should have multiple ports that are rated for high-speed transfers.

Warranty

You want your NAS to be as durable as possible, just like the hard drives you will install in your NAS for Plex. Therefore, it is a good idea to choose a NAS for Plex with a lengthy warranty. NAS for Plex will typically include a 2-year or 3-year warranty. This warranty covers the hard drives and is nearly the same length as the warranty.

Conclusion

Plex is a streaming service that allows you to stream TV and movies from your home. In addition, plex allows you to create your streaming library at home, so you don’t have to use any other services.

To store your TV and movies, you’ll need a NAS for Plex. These NAS for Plex have all the details and options listed above, as well as a detailed buying guide. If you are still unsure about which NAS is best for your needs, we have some recommendations:

The cheapest option is the  Asustor AS4002T NAS This is a great choice for budget-minded people. It comes with a 10-gigabit Ethernet port on the back, which is great for accessing the dual hard drive bays.

If budget is not a concern, the following suggestions might be helpful. TerraMaster F5-422 NNAS Its 5 drive bays make it a great choice.

The device also has an SSD slot that can be used for caching and a 10GbE LAN port, which allows for file transfers at speeds up to 670 Mb/s. You can set up RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, or 10, depending on your preference, thanks to the Intel Celeron J355 processor.

The QNAP TS-453D-4G NAS If you need a NAS to store media, this is the best choice. This is the only option with an HDMI 2.0 port at the back, along with 2x 2.5 GbE Ethernet LAN ports and 2x USB 3.2 ports for file transfer. It can hold four hard drives and a cache SSD to maximize the performance of its Intel Celeron J4125 processor.