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The right choice depends first on whether you need two bays or four. Two bays are usually enough for a mirrored home backup; four bays provide more usable capacity, additional RAID layouts and room to expand without replacing every disk. The models below are diskless enclosures, so budget separately for NAS-rated hard drives and, where appropriate, M.2 NVMe SSDs.
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Quick comparison of the main alternatives
These are not identical products. F4-424 and TS-464 are four-bay systems aimed at buyers who want faster networking and room for expansion. DS224+ is a deliberately simpler two-bay appliance. ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 is another option if you are comfortable administering ASUSTOR Data Master (ADM).
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| Model | Bays | Processor and memory | Networking | Expansion and notable features | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TerraMaster F4-424 | 4 SATA bays | Intel N95 quad-core; 8GB DDR5-4800 | Two 2.5GbE ports | Two M.2 NVMe slots for cache; Single, JBOD, RAID 0/1/5/6/10 and TRAID | Affordable four-bay storage with strong baseline hardware |
| QNAP TS-464 | 4 SATA bays | Intel Celeron N5095; configurations listed with 8GB | Two 2.5GbE ports | Two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots, PCIe Gen 3 expansion slot and HDMI 2.1; supports QTS or QuTS hero | Expansion, virtualization-oriented tuning and media output |
| Synology DS224+ | 2 SATA bays | Intel Celeron J4125; 2GB DDR4, expandable to 6GB | Two 1GbE ports | Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports; 165 × 108 × 232.2 mm chassis | Low-friction household file sync, backup and photo management |
| ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 | 2- or 4-bay versions | Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core, boost up to 2.9GHz | Varies by model; check the exact 2- or 4-bay specification | ADM software ecosystem | Buyers who prefer ADM and want a choice of bay counts |
An October 2026 comparison characterizes the overall trade-off as DS224+ for the easiest household experience, TS-464 for four bays and 2.5GbE, and a Minisforum N5-class device for mini-workstation performance, more memory and faster connectivity. That is useful context, not a substitute for the specifications of the particular enclosure and drive set you are considering.
#1 Best Overall
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What makes a good compact NAS alternative?
Bay count determines your upgrade path
A two-bay NAS can run a mirrored array, normally RAID 1, so one disk can continue serving data if the other fails. Its limitation is expansion: once both bays are occupied, adding capacity generally means replacing disks one at a time and rebuilding. A four-bay enclosure can begin with two disks and add more later, or use RAID 5, RAID 6 or another layout when its software supports it. More bays also let you separate workloads, for example by keeping backup data and a media library on different volumes, although that can complicate administration.
Network speed only helps when the rest of the network matches
One gigabit Ethernet tops out at a theoretical 125 MB/s before protocol overhead. Two 2.5GbE ports can provide substantially more headroom, but the benefit appears only when the computer, switch, cabling and storage can all sustain it. Link aggregation does not turn two ports into one faster connection for a single ordinary transfer unless the operating system and network protocol support that arrangement; it is more useful for several clients at once. If your router and switch are exclusively 1GbE, a 2.5GbE NAS still works, but its extra port speed is unused until you upgrade the network.
Processor and memory affect simultaneous services
CPU resources matter for indexing, encrypted transfers, containers, virtual machines and media conversion. Memory is shared by the operating system, file cache and applications. F4-424’s specified 8GB DDR5-4800 and TS-464 configurations with 8GB leave more headroom than DS224+’s 2GB starting configuration. DS224+ can be expanded to 6GB, but it remains a two-bay, 1GbE platform intended for a narrower workload.
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Hardware and storage features
TerraMaster lists an Intel N95 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR5-4800 memory in the F4-424. Two 2.5GbE interfaces support faster clients and multiple simultaneous users than a 1GbE-only appliance. Two M.2 NVMe slots can be used for cache, subject to the SSD type, endurance and configuration supported by the installed TOS version.
The four SATA bays support Single-disk volumes, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10 and TRAID. These choices cover a simple standalone disk, combined capacity without redundancy, striping for performance, mirrored protection and several parity or hybrid arrangements. RAID is not a backup: accidental deletion, malware, filesystem corruption and theft can affect every disk in an array.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Who should choose it
- Households or small offices that need four bays but want to keep the enclosure affordable and compact.
- Users moving large files over a 2.5GbE network or serving several clients concurrently.
- Buyers who want NVMe cache slots without giving up the four SATA bays.
- Anyone comfortable spending more time learning TOS settings than a highly guided appliance requires.
Trade-offs to understand
The F4-424 gives you many RAID and cache choices, which also means more decisions during setup. Cache does not automatically improve every workload; sequential media files, a saturated network link or slow hard disks may see little change. Decide what the cache is for, use SSDs rated for sustained NAS writes, and monitor cache health rather than assuming that installing an NVMe drive guarantees a speed increase.
QNAP TS-464: the expansion and media-workload option
Hardware and capacity
QNAP lists four SATA bays, an Intel Celeron N5095 processor and two 2.5GbE ports for the TS-464. It has two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots, a PCIe Gen 3 expansion slot and HDMI 2.1 output. QNAP states that the system supports up to 72TB using four 24TB drives; that figure describes the raw drive combination and does not represent the usable capacity of a redundant array after formatting and parity overhead.
QTS or QuTS hero
The TS-464 can run QTS or QuTS hero. QTS is the conventional QNAP operating system and is generally the simpler starting point for ordinary file sharing and applications. QuTS hero uses a ZFS-based storage stack and brings different requirements and management choices, including planning for memory and storage-pool behavior. Select the operating system before creating pools, read the current compatibility notes, and do not assume that a pool created under one platform can be moved to the other without a migration plan.
Why HDMI and PCIe matter
HDMI 2.1 can simplify a direct display connection for supported local playback or management scenarios, while the PCIe slot allows an approved expansion card to add capabilities such as networking or storage. Those features make TS-464 more adaptable than a deliberately simple two-bay NAS. They also increase the number of firmware, driver and compatibility choices you must maintain.
Best use cases
- Four-disk arrays where future expansion and multiple RAID options are important.
- Media libraries or applications that benefit from HDMI output and stronger connectivity.
- Users who want to tune storage and applications rather than use only the default file-sharing workflow.
Synology DS224+: the simplicity-first choice
What you get
Synology specifies an Intel Celeron J4125, 2GB of DDR4 memory expandable to 6GB, two SATA bays, two 1GbE ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Its chassis measures 165 mm × 108 mm × 232.2 mm. Synology positions it for faster indexing in Synology Drive and Synology Photos than previous-generation systems.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Why two bays can be an advantage
With two bays, there are fewer physical disks, fewer vibration sources and a shorter setup decision tree. A mirrored volume gives a household a straightforward way to keep one disk’s contents available when the other fails. The trade-off is capacity growth: replacing both disks is the usual route to a larger mirror, and the rebuild can take substantial time while the array is at increased risk from a second failure.
Who should buy it
- Families that primarily need automatic computer backups, shared folders, phone-photo uploads and file synchronization.
- People who value guided DSM workflows over extensive hardware expansion.
- Users whose existing network is 1GbE and who do not plan a near-term 2.5GbE upgrade.
DS224+ is not the right match if you already know you need four disks, 2.5GbE transfers or a PCIe card. Buying a smaller enclosure and replacing it soon is usually more disruptive than choosing the required bay count at the start.
ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2: an ADM-based alternative
ASUSTOR’s 2025 comparison lists Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processors with boost speeds up to 2.9GHz for the NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 family. The range includes two- and four-bay versions, so confirm the exact model before comparing ports, memory and expansion. ADM offers a different application and administration experience from TOS, QTS, QuTS hero and DSM.
Choose this family when you have a specific ADM application, an existing ASUSTOR deployment or a preference for its interface. Do not select it solely from the family name: the two-bay and four-bay units are not interchangeable, and port availability can differ by model.
Two bays or four: a practical decision framework
Choose two bays when all of these are true
- Your main goal is a mirrored backup or personal cloud rather than a large media archive.
- The amount of data fits comfortably on one disk, with room for growth, because a mirror provides roughly the capacity of its smaller member.
- You have no planned need for 2.5GbE, PCIe expansion or additional parity layouts.
- You prefer the smallest number of drives and the least administration.
Choose four bays when any of these apply
- You need more usable capacity than a two-disk mirror can provide.
- You want RAID 5, RAID 6 or RAID 10 options, where supported, rather than only a two-disk mirror.
- You expect several users, workstations or media clients to access the NAS concurrently.
- You want to start with two disks and add disks later without replacing the original pair immediately.
- You need a PCIe slot, HDMI output or additional NVMe options.
Four bays do not automatically mean better reliability. A larger array has more components and longer rebuilds. Use drives with matching or compatible capacities, keep a tested external backup, and monitor disk health regardless of bay count.
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Storage layouts explained without the jargon
| Layout | What happens if one disk fails? | Capacity and use |
|---|---|---|
| Single disk | Only that disk’s data is affected; there is no array redundancy. | Simple, but requires an independent backup. |
| JBOD | Failure of one member can make the combined volume partly or entirely unavailable, depending on implementation. | Combines disks for capacity without parity protection. |
| RAID 0 | The array fails if any member fails. | Striped performance and capacity, not data protection. |
| RAID 1 | One disk can fail while the mirror remains available. | Usable capacity is approximately that of the smaller disk; suited to two-bay backups. |
| RAID 5 | One disk failure is tolerated. | Four-bay capacity with one-disk parity cost; rebuild and workload effects must be considered. |
| RAID 6 | Two disk failures are tolerated. | More protection, but two disks’ worth of capacity is devoted to parity. |
| RAID 10 | Can tolerate failures in separate mirrored pairs; two failures in one pair are not tolerated. | Combines mirroring and striping, generally requiring four disks. |
| TRAID | Protection behavior depends on the TerraMaster implementation and selected disks. | Flexible TerraMaster layout intended to simplify mixed-capacity expansion; verify current TOS documentation before deployment. |
Before creating a pool, write down the desired usable capacity, the number of tolerated disk failures, and the replacement plan. Never treat a RAID status of “healthy” as proof that a second copy exists elsewhere.
Network planning for 1GbE and 2.5GbE
DS224+’s two 1GbE ports are adequate for ordinary document sync, backups scheduled overnight and streaming within a typical household. F4-424 and TS-464 each provide two 2.5GbE ports, which are valuable when your desktop, switch and cabling support multi-gigabit links. Cat5e cabling can often carry 2.5GbE over normal home distances, but verify the capability of your particular cable run and switch.
Measure the slowest component before paying for multi-gigabit hardware. A hard-disk array may be slower than a 2.5GbE link for random operations, while sequential transfers from several disks can make the faster interface worthwhile. Configure link aggregation only after confirming that the NAS, switch and operating systems support the same mode.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Setup checklist for any of these NAS enclosures
- Confirm the exact model and drive support. Check the enclosure’s current compatibility list, bay count, memory configuration and supported disk sizes. Buy NAS-rated SATA drives appropriate for the expected workload; drives are normally separate from the enclosure.
- Install disks with a recovery plan. Record each disk’s serial number and bay position. Keep the original packaging until the array has completed its initial consistency check.
- Update firmware before creating data. Connect the NAS to a trusted network, install the current stable firmware for DSM, QTS, QuTS hero, TOS or ADM, and change the default administrator credentials.
- Create the smallest sensible pool. Select RAID or the vendor layout based on the failure tolerance and capacity plan. Do not fill every bay immediately if you have not tested expansion and replacement procedures.
- Configure alerts. Enable email or push notifications for disk errors, degraded arrays, high temperature, failed backups and low capacity. An alert that is never delivered is not an alert system, so test it.
- Create users and shares with least privilege. Use separate accounts, disable anonymous access, and give applications access only to the folders they require.
- Set up the 3-2-1 backup. Keep at least three copies of important data, on two different types of storage, with one copy offline or off-site. A second NAS in the same room is not protection against theft, fire or power events.
- Test restoration. Restore a representative folder, a large file and a previous version. Document the steps while the system is healthy.
- Add cache or applications last. Establish baseline transfer and indexing behavior before installing NVMe cache, containers or media services. This makes it possible to identify which change caused a problem.
Costs and what the enclosure price does not include
Current NAS prices change by region, retailer, promotions and whether memory or drives are bundled, so a single “current price” is not reliable. Compare the total system cost instead: enclosure, NAS-rated HDDs, optional NVMe SSDs, a compatible 2.5GbE switch or adapter, backup media and any warranty extension.
Diskless wording is important. The F4-424, TS-464, DS224+ and NIMBUSTOR products described here are enclosures whose usable capacity depends on the disks you install. Mixing capacities can strand space or constrain an array to the smallest member. Check the vendor’s current maximum-drive and expansion notes before buying unusually large disks.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Common mistakes and how to recover
Buying two bays for a four-bay workload
If your capacity plan requires parity or a media archive, return to the bay-count decision before purchasing. Replacing an enclosure later can require a migration, temporary storage and downtime.
Assuming RAID replaces backup
RAID protects availability from particular disk failures; it does not preserve deleted, encrypted or corrupted files. Keep a separate, versioned backup and perform a restore test.
Expecting 2.5GbE to fix every slowdown
Check disk health, CPU load, memory pressure, SMB settings and the client drive first. A faster interface cannot accelerate a failing disk or a saturated Wi-Fi link.
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Enabling unsupported cache configurations
Use the vendor’s supported NVMe type and endurance guidance. If a cache reports errors, disable or detach it using the operating system’s documented procedure before removing hardware; pulling an active cache drive can make data unavailable.
Changing operating systems after creating a pool
On TS-464, choose QTS or QuTS hero deliberately. Treat a platform change as a migration project with a verified backup, not as a routine toggle.
Ignoring updates and exposed services
Keep the NAS firmware and applications patched, disable services you do not use, avoid exposing the administration interface directly to the internet, and use a VPN or another controlled remote-access method.
Which alternative should you buy?
| Your priority | Recommended model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Closest affordable four-bay replacement with fast networking | TerraMaster F4-424 | Four SATA bays, 8GB DDR5-4800, dual 2.5GbE and two M.2 cache slots. |
| Expansion cards, HDMI and broader media-oriented flexibility | QNAP TS-464 | PCIe Gen 3 slot, HDMI 2.1, dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots and QTS or QuTS hero choices. |
| Simple household backup, sync and photo management | Synology DS224+ | Two-bay design, guided DSM experience, expandable memory and compact 165 × 108 × 232.2 mm chassis. |
| Preference for ADM with a two- or four-bay choice | ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 | N5105 quad-core platform with boost speeds up to 2.9GHz; verify the exact model’s ports and memory. |
In practical terms, start with the number of disks and the network you will actually use, then select the software experience you are willing to administer. F4-424 is the balanced four-bay answer, TS-464 is the expansion-oriented answer, and DS224+ is the easiest two-bay household answer. Whichever enclosure you choose, reserve part of the budget for reliable disks and a backup that is independent of the NAS.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
