Storing terabytes of photos or business files? A Network Attached Storage (NAS) device gives you secure, centralized, and private cloud storage without monthly fees or internet limits. The best part is, quality NAS devices under $300 now deliver dependable multi-bay performance for homes and small businesses at the Direct Macro store. This guide reveals the top affordable NAS options that combine value, features, and reliability.
What Is the Difference Between A NAS and an External Hard Drive?
A cheap NAS device connects to your network router, making your files accessible to all authorized devices (computers, phones, smart TVs) on your network simultaneously. An external hard drive, however, connects to a single computer and can only be accessed by that machine. The NAS is a central, versatile hub for file sharing and applications, while an external drive is for one-on-one storage.
Quick Comparison
Key Features to Look for In a Cheap NAS Solution for Home
When seeking the best NAS under $300, consider key criteria to ensure a durable and future-proof device. When you are setting up your new NAS setup for your home and small businesses, consider these key factors to look for in a cheap NAS solution.
- Two Drive Bays: Essential for data security. A two-bay NAS allows for RAID 1 (mirroring) to protect against a single drive failure.
- Operating System (OS): The software that powers the NAS. Look for user-friendly systems like Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS.
- Processor (CPU): An ARM-based CPU is sufficient for basic file sharing and backups. A more powerful Intel Celeron is better for media streaming and advanced apps.
- RAM: A minimum of 1GB is recommended, but 2GB or more will improve multitasking performance.
Small Office vs. Home Use: Tailoring Your Cheap NAS Device
The primary difference between a home and a small office NAS is performance and user management. Let’s explore the differences between the priorities of home users and small offices for the best NAS devices.
Quick Comparison
Choosing an affordable NAS storage solution means balancing these needs. With a small office where numerous people need to access large shared folders simultaneously, investing in the TerraMaster F2-223 for its faster network ports offers significant long-term productivity improvements and benefits. It proves to be the best choice of NAS devices for them. Conversely, a family primarily concerned with photo backup and simplicity will find the Synology DS223j to be the perfect NAS on a budget.
What Are the Best NAS Devices Under $300?
The best NAS devices under $300 are the Synology DiskStation DS223j, QNAP TS-233, and TerraMaster F2-223, and more options are available at the Direct Macro Store. These models are ideal for home and small office use, offering a great balance of features, performance, and value.
1.Synology DiskStation DS223j: The Software King
The Synology DiskStation DS223j is commonly rated as the best NAS under $300 for beginners and is a perfect and affordable NAS solution for the home. Synology’s reputation is built on its software, and the DS223j provides full access to the DiskStation Manager (DSM).
- Price: $352.57 at Direct Macro Store (diskless).
- Highlights:
- Offers unbeatable user experience
- Seamless mobile apps
- Strong data backup features, including Synology drive and hyper backup
- An ideal choice for a simple and reliable backup
- Helpful for file sharing
- Best for:
- First-time NAS owners
- Families with photo/video backups, and general home file storage users who want a smooth, easy-to-use experience
- Best dependable NAS on a budget option
2.QNAP TS-233: Great Hardware, Great Price
QNAP’s TS-233 is a fantastic competitor. It often challenges Synology on price-to-hardware ratio and is an excellent example of an affordable NAS storage device packed with features.
- Price: Available at Direct Macro Store at just $234.00 (diskless).
- Highlights:
- Equipped with a quad-core ARM processor and dedicated hardware for better multimedia transcoding.
- It is also quieter and smaller than some rivals, which makes it a great cheap NAS device for a desk or shelf.
- QNAP’s QTS operating system is highly capable for advanced users.
- Best For:
- Home users seeking a versatile device for media streaming, such as Plex, or small offices requiring slightly more advanced networking and app support from a NAS on a budget.
3.TerraMaster F2-223: The Performance Option
Terra Master is a rising force, often offering superior hardware specifications for a given price point. This upgrade makes its models attractive and among the best NAS devices for budget-conscious power users. The Terra Master F2-223 often sneaks in close to the $300 mark.
- Price: Discover the lowest F2-223 price at the Direct Macro Store. The best online deal you will find! Click here to get a quote.
- Highlights:
- Features a more powerful Intel Celeron N4505 processor
- Dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) ports, which transfer data at up to 2.5 billion bits per second each
- It represents a significant performance boost over standard 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) ports, which support up to 1 billion bits per second and are commonly found in lower-end units.
- It makes file transfers significantly faster and provides a major advantage for small office users.
- Best For:
- Small office users, video editors, and power users who need faster network transfer speeds
- Capable of running more demanding applications
- Available at Direct macro store in just $300 with a high-performance and reliability guarantee.
4.ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 (AS1102T): The Best Value with 2.5GbE
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 (AS1102T) stands out as an exceptional value proposition in the NAS market. It offers a powerful quad-core processor and a fast 2.5 GbE port, which is perfect for users seeking high-speed network connectivity and media capabilities without a high price.
- Price: The AS1102T is often found for under $250 at Direct Macro (diskless).
- Highlights:
- Comes with quad-core Realtek RTD1296 processor
- A 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, which is an impressive inclusion at this price point
- It offers excellent multimedia capabilities, including 4K transcoding and HDMI output for direct media playback
- Best For:
- Budget-conscious users who want both a powerful processor for multimedia and high-speed network connectivity without breaking the bank.
- Drivestor 2 AS1102T is an excellent choice for a personal media server or home cloud storage.
5.TerraMaster F2-210: The Affordable Media Hub
The TerraMaster F2-210 is an excellent entry-level option for every user who is looking to build a home media server. Its budget-friendly price and Realtek RTD1296 quad-core CPU make it a strong choice for smooth 4K video transcoding and basic network-attached storage needs.
- Price: The F2-210 is available for around $170 (diskless) at Direct Macro.
- Highlights:
- Comes with Realtek RTD1296 quad-core CPU
- 1GB of DDR4 RAM, allowing for smooth 4K video transcoding.
- Its compact design and low power consumption make it perfect for quiet environments
- Best For:
- Best for first-time NAS buyers who are looking for budget-friendly options.
- It is the best choice for the users who primarily focus on a home media server for Plex or similar applications.
- It’s a no-frills NAS that provides great value for basic to moderate use
6.ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 (AS1104T): High Capacity on a Budget
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 – AS1104T is a rare find. It offers four drive bays for users who need expansive storage capacity and advanced RAID options. This model provides impressive data protection and faster transfers with its 2.5GbE port, which makes it a budget-friendly powerhouse.
- Price: The Drivestor 4 – AS1104T is priced at approximately $280 at Direct Macro (diskless).
- Highlights:
- It offers four drive bays instead of the typical two.
- Comes with significant storage capacity and more advanced RAID configurations like RAID 5 or RAID 6 for better data protection.
- It also features a 2.5GbE port for faster transfers.
- Best For:
- Users who need maximum storage capacity and data redundancy on a limited budget.
- Drivestor 4 – AS1104T is ideal for a growing family or a small office with large data sets, such as video files or professional documents.
How Much Does A NAS on a Budget Cost?
The $300 budget for a NAS on a budget typically covers the enclosure (the main device), but hard drives are sold separately. The total cost of a 2-bay NAS with two hard drives is still a cost-effective alternative to long-term cloud storage subscriptions.
- Personal Cloud: Utilize the NAS’s synchronization apps, such as Synology Drive or Qsync, to create your own private Dropbox or Google Drive alternative. It is a primary function of a cheap NAS solution for home users.
- Surveillance Station: Many NAS units support the connection of IP security cameras. It allows you to record and manage surveillance footage without a dedicated DVR or subscription.
- Media Server: Set up a Plex or Jellyfin media server. Your cheap NAS device will organize your movies and TV shows and stream them to any device in your home. It also offers a professional media experience.
- Automatic Backup: Configure your computers to back up automatically to the NAS. It is essential to ensure that all your data is protected, from your work PC to your family laptop, with your new affordable NAS storage.
You can confidently purchase one of the Best NAS devices by carefully considering your needs and prioritizing the right features that fit both your requirements and your wallet. It provides a reliable and feature-rich network storage solution that does not have to be expensive.
Final Thoughts
This guide has proven that securing a powerful, centralized, and private NAS solution does not require a large budget. The $300 price point is truly the sweet spot, giving you access to two-bay, feature-rich devices that deliver on both performance and reliability for home users and small offices.
The Synology DS223j stands out as the ultimate choice for those who prioritize an intuitive user experience and rock-solid software. The QNAP TS-233 offers a great balance of hardware and multimedia capabilities. Finally, the Terra Master F2-223 stands out as the performance king for budget-conscious power users who need faster 2.5GbE transfers.
By combining one of these best NAS devices under $300 with reliable NAS-rated hard drives in a RAID 1 setup, you gain complete control over your data, superior local access speed, and a versatile platform for everything from media serving to surveillance. The initial investment quickly pays for itself, freeing you from recurring cloud subscription costs while providing a secure and future-proof digital hub.
Direct macro professional team available 24/7 to assist you. For swift and dependable assistance with all affordable NAS storage solutions, please feel free to call us at (855) 483-7810 or contact us by completing the form.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
- Is an NAS under $300 a complete backup solution?
No, an NAS is not a complete backup solution by itself. While a two-drive NAS in a RAID 1 configuration protects against a single drive failure, you still need to follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of your data, on at least two different media types, with one copy kept off-site. Your NAS is the central copy. - What is NAS-rated hard drives?
NAS-rated drives, like Seagate Iron Wolf or Western Digital Red, are specifically designed for 24/7 operation in a NAS. They have optimized firmware for constant use and features to manage vibration and RAID error recovery, which are not present in standard desktop hard drives. - Which brand has the most user-friendly OS for beginners?
Synology is widely regarded as having the most user-friendly OS, DiskStation Manager (DSM). Its clean, intuitive interface and stable apps make a model like the DS223j the top recommendation for first-time NAS owners.
