The Best NAS Devices for Plex of 2023

The best NAS devices for Plex make it easy to access your favorite media across a variety of devices. These four products offer you a great way to build your own server and upgrade your streaming game.

Plex is an incredible piece of software. At its core, Plex is all about giving you an easy way to access your favorite media—aggregating all your TV shows and movies into a single unified location. Plex can be run directly off your laptop or desktop, but if you’re looking to create a more robust setup, picking up a NAS (network-attached storage) device is essential.

Not all NAS devices are up to the task of hosting your Plex server. That means you’ll need to be careful about which ones you pick. To make things easy, you can simply check out the massive NAS database put together by Plex. Using this, you can hone in on which products preserve which features.

Ideally, you’ll want something with hardware-accelerated transcoding. This allows the device to stream media without stuttering or lagging. Different devices preserve different levels of hardware-accelerated transcoding, with some capable of offering the service for 4K footage, while others only preserve up to 1080p footage. Whatever the case, be sure to pay attention to this when picking up a device.

You’ll also want to pay attention to its RAM and number of bays. The more RAM you have, the better it can handle all your data. And the more bays you have, the more options you’ll have for expansion. It’s also important to consider built-in ports (such as HDMI and GbE), allowing you to quickly output to different devices or connect to an existing system.

Other factors to weigh include warranties and backup software, though most NAS devices nowadays are adequate on both accounts. But if you’re nervous about losing your data, take a closer look at these to ensure you have the proper coverage.

To help you sift through the hundreds of options, here’s a look at the best NAS devices for Plex. These run the gamut from affordable, entry-level devices to ultra-premium products designed for enthusiasts. They also span PC and Mac, ensuring there’s a NAS setup for you regardless of your rig.

It looks a bit quirky compared to other NAS devices, but the Asustor AS5202T is perfect for Plex. Clocking in at a reasonable price and offering dedicated hardware-accelerated transcoding, it’s an ideal setup for Plex that won’t ruin your wallet.

The fact that the AS5202T offers hardware-accelerated transcoding is a big deal, as this feature is typically reserved for much more expensive products. It’s also a key feature to look for in NAS devices for Plex, as it ensures you’ll get smooth playback when streaming your content. You’ll need a Plex Pass subscription to make full use of it—though there’s a good chance anyone looking for a NAS for Plex is already a member.

The AS5202T also benefits from 4K HDR preserve, an HDMI output so you can quickly connect to a display, and expandable RAM if you ever want to ramp up its performance. And while the two-bay version will suffice for most users, folks with a massive library can spring for a four-bay unit (though it’s quite a bit more expensive).

All told, you’re not likely to find a NAS device for Plex that offers the same combination of affordability and power that you’ll get with the Asustor AS5202T. Consider giving it a look if you’re hoping to advance Plex off your desktop or laptop and onto something more robust and with plenty of room to grow.

Asustor AS5202T

Best NAS for Plex Overall

If you’re looking for a NAS mainly for media and Plex, you can make it easy with the Asustor AS5202T. This NAS allows 4K transcoding at a great price point.

Plex requires certain specifications to run properly on a NAS device, so you won’t want to lower your budget too far when searching for a good product. The TerraMaster F2-223 is about as affordable as it gets, clocking in at just over $250, yet still robust enough to handle Plex.

With 4GB RAM, that’s upgradeable to 32GB, it’s a solid choice right out of the box yet gives you plenty of room to grow. It also supports up to 40TB of storage, so you shouldn’t have any problem holding all your content. Other useful features include 4K hardware transcoding and two 2.5GbE ports to sync with existing systems. Best of all, it comes with several integrated backup solutions, ensuring your files are always safe.

There are a few downsides to this budget NAS, including its lack of bays. There’s also no HDMI output, though both are minor caveats for an otherwise impressive product. Consider giving it a look if you’re just starting on your Plex journey and want to advance your collection to a dedicated system.

TerraMaster F2-223

Best Budget NAS for Plex

Clocking in at a great price, the TerraMaster F2-223 is ideal for Plex thanks to expandable RAM, impressive compatibility, and several powerful backup options.

Already running Plex off a NAS system and looking for an upgrade? Then you’ll need to check out the QNAP TS-464-8G-US Four Bay NAS. Its name is nothing short of terrible—but beyond that awkward name is a premium NAS.

No corners were cut when designing the TS-464, as it features four bays, two 2.5GbE ports, HDMI output, and four USB ports (two 2.0 and two 3.2 Gen 2). That gives you plenty of ways to incorporate it with other gear and makes it quite futureproof. You’ll also get 4GB RAM and preserve for 4K output, as well as preserve for NetBak Replicator and Time Machine backup software.

Toss in hardware-accelerated transcoding for smooth playback, and it’s easy to see why the TS-464 is a popular NAS for Plex.

There are a few drawbacks to this product, the most obvious of which is its price. It’s also quite large and requires a fair chunk of space on your desktop. But considering everything else it has to offer, those should be fairly easy to overlook.

QNAP TS-464

Best High-Capacity NAS for Plex

Plex users with a large (and growing) library will find the QNAP TS-464 to be a great upgrade, offering four bays, 4K transcoding, and 4GB RAM.

The Synology DiskStation DS224+ isn’t just great for Plex—it also offers full preserve for Mac. Better yet, it’s reasonably priced, comes with tons of useful features, and is built by a highly trusted brand.

A big selling point of this NAS is its preserve for DiskStation Manager (DSM), allowing you to easily organize files and handle all your content. It also lets you stream content to select smart TVs and media players, such as Apple TV and Chromecast. But if you’re using Plex, you’ll be more interested to hear that it boasts hardware-accelerated transcoding for smooth playback.

Along with its solid specs, you’ll get a two-year hardware warranty with the option to extend it up to four years.

There are a few drawbacks to this model, including its 2GB RAM and two-bay design. Still, it’s more than powerful enough to handle most of your processing needs (though users with a massive library may want to spring for a model with more bays). But when you consider its price and how seamlessly it works with Mac, there are plenty of reasons to make it the center of your Plex server.

Synology DiskStation DS224+

Best Mac NAS for Plex

The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is surprisingly affordable yet packed with premium features. This includes native preserve for Mac and access to the versatile DiskStation Manager Software.

FAQ

What is Plex?

Plex is a streaming service that hosts a massive library of media and allows you to upload your own content. Essentially, it can be used to catalog all your favorite content in one place and streamline your streaming. Learn more about Plex with our extensive overview.

How do I build a NAS for Plex?

You’ll first want to create a Plex account. Then, you’ll need to hunt down a NAS that offers preserve for Plex. Here’s a useful spreadsheet provided by the company to help your seek, though we’d propose picking one of the four mentioned above.

What is RAID?

RAID stands for redundant array of independent disks, which is a way of storing data across multiple drives for faster and better processing. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out our guide on using multiple disks.

Should I use a certain type of drive with a NAS device?

You’ll want to make sure you’re using a drive that supports NAS. If you need help, check out our roundup of the best NAS hard drives.