Prices and availability change, so confirm on Amazon.View on Amazon ↗
How we chose these picks
Every pick below earned its place through documented strengths, verified specifications, consistent praise in reputable reviews, and owner-feedback patterns. We don't sell placements, and we don't invent test scores.
Mistakes buyers often make
Choosing the cheapest option without checking warranty and support quality.
Assuming all models work with your existing setup, verify compatibility first.
Skipping the measurements: returns most often come from fit surprises.
Chasing the newest release when last year's model does the same job for less.
How to choose: the factors that matter
CPU Passmark score: the Plex hardware transcoding guide recommends 2000 single-threaded Passmark per simultaneous 4K software transcode stream.
Verify the NAS CPU's Passmark against your expected simultaneous stream count and client hardware.
Drive bay count: 4-bay NAS (DS923+) allows storing more data in RAID configurations, RAID 5 across 4 drives provides 3 drives' worth of usable space with 1-drive fault tolerance.
2-bay (DS220+) in RAID 1 provides 1 drive's usable space.
For large video libraries: 4-bay is the more scalable option.
The bottom line
There's no single 'best' here, only the best match for your situation. Start from your must-have features, then choose the least expensive pick that covers them.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the best NAS for plex media server 2026 right now?
Our top pick is the Synology DiskStation DS923+ (best overall), because aMD Ryzen R1600 handles multiple simultaneous 4K transcode streams without stuttering. The runner-up is the Synology DS220+ (budget Plex option), followed by the UGREEN NASync DXP2800 2-Bay NAS.
Is the Synology DiskStation DS923+ worth it?
For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our NAS for plex media server 2026 research, though higher price than 2-bay alternatives, justified only if you need 4K transcoding or 4+ drives.
