Best NAS for Plex 2024

The perfect NAS for Plex ought to allow you to stream your media assortment to all related gadgets in your house. 

Plex is a terrific platform that permits you to handle your media library with ease, and the service has a ton of helpful extras in relation to video playback. The perfect half is that the Plex consumer is out there on nearly each platform, making it easy to stream your content material. And also you needn’t pay something to get began. 

Plex has a paid tier known as Plex Go that provides you a ton of extra options, together with the power to make use of {hardware} transcoding. When you have lots of older media that must be transcoded earlier than being performed again on TVs or telephones, you might wish to go this route. However for a majority of customers, the free Plex media server goes to be greater than satisfactory. 

You are able to do loads of different issues with a NAS, together with backing up images and movies from your entire telephones, organising digital machines, entry highly effective productiveness software program that does not want any month-to-month charge, and an entire lot extra. NAS servers designed for Plex are likely to have highly effective {hardware} usually, unlocking a collection of engaging use circumstances along with streaming media.

I examined dozens of NAS fashions over the course of the final three years, and these are the perfect Plex NAS servers you should purchase at the moment.

At a look

Greatest total

When you’re new to Plex and simply desire a NAS that permits you to stream your media assortment, it’s best to get the DiskStation DS224+. The NAS has two drive bays, is powered by Intel’s dependable Celeron J4125 platform, and comes with 2GB of RAM as customary. You get twin Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB ports, and the design has good passive air flow together with a 92mm fan on the again that manages thermals effectively.

That mentioned, the {hardware} is not the perfect you will discover on this phase; you do not get any M.2 drives, and also you miss out on multi-Gigabit connectivity. But it surely’s all about attaining the proper steadiness, and the DS224+ positively manages to do this. Though it misses out on a number of issues, there aren’t any points with efficiency, and for many customers, Gigabit Ethernet remains to be greater than satisfactory.

The place the DS224+ actually shines is its capability as a Plex media server. The NAS has a local Plex consumer, and configuring it takes lower than 5 minutes. And because it makes use of an Intel platform, you get hardware-based transcoding — in case you have Plex Go. Most customers needn’t transcode content material, however if you wish to share your Plex library and have gadgets that may’t play again the content material natively, it turns out to be useful.

I examined Plex extensively on the DS224+, and the NAS does a terrific job taking part in again excessive bitrate 4K content material with none points. And when you want the characteristic, it holds up effectively with transcodes as effectively. One other standout characteristic is the software program itself; the DS224+ runs DiskStation Supervisor (DSM), and it has an intensive suite of utilities that make a real distinction — you will not get this degree of polish with different manufacturers. DSM additionally has helpful cell apps that allow you to entry your knowledge on the go.

In the end, the DS224+ is a robust server that is a terrific selection for Plex, and you may’t actually go mistaken with the NAS.

Greatest 4-bay NAS

The DiskStation DS423+ is sort of an identical to the DS224+, and the important thing distinction between the 2 is that the DS423+ has 4 drive bays, supplying you with the power to accommodate twice as a lot storage. You additionally get two M.2 slots on the underside, and that permits you to use NVMe SSDs along with conventional arduous drives.

The remainder of the options are an identical; the DS423+ makes use of the identical Intel Celeron J4125 because the DS224+, you get 2GB of RAM, twin Gigabit Ethernet ports, and two USB ports. As it’s a bigger unit, there are two 92mm followers on the again. I’d have preferred to see at the very least one multi-Gigabit port — lots of different 4-bay servers provide it as customary nowadays — however apart from that, the {hardware} is fairly respectable.

Because the DS423+ makes use of the identical Intel platform, it handles Plex in a lot the identical style because the DS224+. I did not run into any points taking part in again 4K content material, and transcoding labored reliably as effectively. And similar to the DS224+, you get the identical nice feature-set inside DSM, permitting you to take action way more along with Plex streaming.

When you just like the look of the DS224+ however want M.2 slots or extra drive bays, the DiskStation DS423+ is the perfect selection.

Greatest {hardware}

ASUSTOR’s AS5402T has the perfect {hardware} in its class, and the 2-bay NAS has every thing you want in a Plex server. The Intel Celeron J5105 is excellent in every day use, you get 4GB of RAM, 4 M.2 slots in complete, and twin 2.5GbE ports as customary. Apparently, there’s additionally an HDMI port on the again that permits you to join the NAS straight to your TV — a very good possibility when you do not wish to stream over the community.

Principally, the AS5402T would not have something lacking on the {hardware} entrance, so if you need multi-Gigabit connectivity and loads of M.2 bays, the NAS is the way in which to go. The Celeron J5105 is nice at transcodes too, so in case you have Plex Go, you need to use {hardware} transcodes on gadgets that may’t natively play again content material.

The ADM software program is respectable too; you get a local Plex consumer, containerization, and a ton of helpful utilities. The interface is not fairly as polished as DSM, and the cell shoppers aren’t as refined, however on the entire, ASUSTOR is doing a very good job on the software program facet of issues as effectively.

The AS5402T has higher {hardware} than different 2-bay servers on this phase, so if that’s your important consideration, you will discover loads to love with the NAS.

Greatest worth

I’ve used sufficient TerraMaster NAS servers through the years to know that the model prioritizes worth, and that is no totally different with the F4-423. The 4-bay NAS server manages to undercut its rivals by a substantial margin, providing Intel’s Celeron N5095, 4GB of RAM, twin 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, HDMI connectivity, and two M.2 slots.

Contemplating you get all of that at below $400 is a cut price in and of itself, and the NAS holds up extremely effectively in every day use. It has a local Plex consumer, handles 4K content material and transcodes with none points, and the HDMI port enables you to join the NAS to your TV.

TerraMaster’s greatest limitation prior to now was the software program, however that has modified in latest months with the introduction of TOS6. The brand new interface is cleaner and simpler to make use of, and it has helpful options. It nonetheless would not fairly have the identical degree of polish as different distributors, and the cell utilities are missing. That mentioned, you get the fundamentals, and it is clear that TerraMaster is intent on tweaking its software program.

So if you need the perfect cut price out of a Plex server, simply get the F4-423.

Greatest software program

The DiskStation DS9xx collection has all the time been a best-seller, and the DiskStation DS923+ maintains that streak. The NAS now makes use of Ryzen {hardware} in lieu of Intel, and since it would not have an built-in GPU, you lose out on Plex transcoding. So when you completely want to make use of the characteristic, it’s best to contemplate the DS423+ as an alternative.

Though most fashions on this class have 2.5GbE and even 10GbE, the DS923+ is restricted to twin Gigabit Ethernet ports. In order for you multi-Gigabit connectivity, you will have to pay one other $100 to get a 10GbE community card and slot it into the NAS. So why must you contemplate the NAS? For starters, the AMD {hardware} is excellent; it’s noticeably sooner in every day use, and that makes the DS923+ better-suited for demanding duties.

And whereas you do not get Plex transcodes, the DS923+ is a standout selection for media streaming. It handles Plex playback with none points in anyway, doing a terrific job with excessive bitrate content material throughout two gadgets on the similar time. The DSM software program is the perfect round, and since you get 4GB of RAM, you may run virtualization duties and containers with relative ease.

There’s additionally the power so as to add extra drive bays down the road; the DS923+ has 4 bays as customary, however you should purchase an exterior housing just like the DX517 and join as much as 5 extra drives to the NAS. It is this extensibility mixed with the highly effective {hardware} that provides it an edge over servers just like the DS423+.

Greatest finances

The DiskStation DS223j would not have highly effective {hardware}, nevertheless it nonetheless manages to do a terrific job in relation to Plex. You may set up the native Plex consumer and stream content material to gadgets on your house community, however the Realtek {hardware} would not have transcoding.

It’s possible you’ll suppose 1GB of RAM is just too low, nevertheless it’s greater than satisfactory for the DSM software program, and it’s double that its predecessor — the DiskStation DS220j — supplied. As it’s an entry-level mannequin, the DS223j would not have any upgradability; the RAM modules are soldered, and you may’t add multi-Gigabit connectivity.

That mentioned, when you simply want an inexpensive NAS server to retailer your media assortment and again up images and movies, the DS223j is an efficient selection to contemplate. The DSM software program is well the perfect on this class, and whereas you do not get the extra superior options, all of the fundamentals are lined.

FAQ

As a high-level overview, Plex is a free media server utility that catalogs your media assortment and makes it obtainable for streaming on the entire related gadgets in your house. 

It’s typically thought of to be the perfect media server round, and there are a number of causes for that. First up is the truth that it is obtainable on nearly any ecosystem: Android, iOS, Home windows, macOS, Android TV, all streaming dongles, and most sensible TVs. Principally, you may set up Plex on all of the gadgets you personal. 

Plex additionally does a terrific job with media group. It types your music, films, and TV reveals into related classes, and provides high-resolution album artwork, covers, trailers, and metadata robotically. Additionally, because the content material is streamed domestically inside your house community, it would not depend towards your web bandwidth prices.

What’s Plex transcode, and the way does it work?

The most important motive for Plex’s dominance has to do with the truth that it might probably play any file on any gadget. Plex has a robust transcoding service baked in, and in case you have the paid Plex Go plan, you may unlock {hardware} acceleration — that makes an enormous distinction for transcoding 4K information.

Even when you’re utilizing an iPhone, iPad, Amazon pill, an older sensible TV, or an Android telephone, you may confidently play your media library on any gadget with none points. Plex handles transcodes robotically, so there is no intervention wanted out of your facet — and that makes it a unbelievable media streaming service. 

Plex streaming typically falls into three classes:

Direct Play: That is when the Plex consumer (your TV or streaming field) natively handles the video container and simply streams the file as-is with none points. This makes use of minimal assets. Direct Stream: On this situation, the consumer gadget you are utilizing can play the video and audio streams, however doesn’t work with the container (like .mkv or .m4a), so Plex will copy these streams to a suitable container and ship it to your gadget. This mode makes use of a number of assets, nevertheless it is not demanding on the server. Transcode: That is the place issues get attention-grabbing. Plex will transcode information when a consumer gadget is unable to play the video or audio streams in any respect. That is as a result of lack of audio or video codecs (like H.265, HEVC, H.264) on the consumer gadget, and on this scenario Plex converts the video to a file that may be performed on the gadget. That is essentially the most CPU-intensive possibility and wishes a robust NAS. 

What must you search for in a Plex NAS?

There are some things you will want to concentrate to when you’re concerned with a Plex NAS. 

CPU

This can be a key consideration when selecting a Plex NAS, as you will want a robust CPU for transcodes. Most servers over $400 meet this standards, however as a normal rule, you will want a latest Intel chipset — Celeron fashions are good for house use, however when you’re sharing your Plex server with family and friends and wish extra bandwidth, you will want to take a look at servers that includes Intel Core {hardware}.

Whereas AMD has made inroads into the NAS class , Intel remains to be king right here. In order for you the power to transcode 4K content material in Plex, you will want to purchase a NAS server with a recent-gen Intel Celeron or Core CPU.

Reminiscence

Principally, you will want an honest quantity of RAM to ensure there aren’t any bottlenecks. Plex is not memory-intensive, however in case you have lots of different providers working on the NAS, it might develop into a difficulty. Usually, 2GB of RAM is the naked minimal on this class, and when you’re seeking to run lots of providers, I would recommend getting an 8GB reminiscence module and slotting it in. 

Most NAS servers allow you to improve the RAM with ease, so you should have no points slotting in 8GB or extra reminiscence inside the server must you want it. 

Connectivity

Most NAS servers have two Gigabit ports as customary, and that ought to be satisfactory for house use. However when you’re sharing your Plex occasion and wish extra bandwidth, it’s best to have a look at a server with 2.5GbE and even 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. 

That mentioned, when you change to a NAS with multi-Gigabit connectivity, you will have to concurrently improve your change and router to take full benefit of the extra bandwidth on provide. It is not as expensive because it was once to modify to a 10GbE house community, however you will must take these extra prices into consideration. For now, Gigabit Ethernet is greater than satisfactory for dealing with a number of Plex 4K streams with none points. 

Some NAS fashions characteristic an HDMI port that permits you to join the server to a TV or monitor. That is helpful as you may then play the media saved on the NAS instantly with out having to stream it wirelessly on your house community. 

What’s the greatest Plex server?

There are many choices if you need the perfect NAS for house use, and you may select between entry-level picks which have a single or two drive bays, and there are four-bay fashions which might be designed to final. 

However when you’re in the perfect Plex server, there are a number of extra factors to contemplate. For one factor, Plex transcoding is a really CPU-intensive activity, so you’ll need to take a look at NAS enclosures which have a robust chipset. Fortunately, the largest NAS producers — Synology, QNAP, and ASUSTOR — ship fashions catered for Plex media streaming. 

Synology’s DiskStation DS224+ illustrates this level completely — the two-bay NAS server options the Intel Celeron J4125 and handles Plex native streaming in addition to transcoding with out breaking a sweat. 

In order for you just a little extra room, the DiskStation DS423+ has 4 bays that may maintain as much as 64TB of storage in complete. The remainder of the options as the identical because the DS224+, however you get two M.2 slots. 

Which Plex NAS must you purchase?

Proper now, when you’re seeking to choose up a NAS for Plex streaming, the best choice is the DiskStation DS224+. The upgraded inside {hardware} makes it an attractive mannequin on this class, and with two Gigabit Ethernet ports and sturdy software program options, the NAS has all of the fundamentals lined.

ASUSTOR’s AS5402T is a very good contender as effectively, and it delivers the perfect {hardware} package deal on this phase. 

Our testing methodology for the perfect Plex server

There are some things I contemplate when deciding what NAS servers to suggest for Plex streaming. First up is the CPU; I run a number of artificial checks to find out its efficiency potential, taking a look at single and multi-core scores. 

Then I arrange a local Plex set up on the NAS and run multimedia streaming checks to see useful resource utilization in real-world situations when streaming 720p, 1080p, and 4K information on the native community. 

I additionally consider transcoding potential by streaming a 4K file to a tool that does not deal with the native container — it is a nice strategy to decide if the NAS can deal with on-the-fly transcodes for 4K information with excessive bitrates. 

Lastly, I have a look at sequential learn/write potential by transferring a picture library containing over 5,000 information (all below 1MB), and a dozen media information over 1GB in measurement. 

In the end, the perfect Plex server wants to have the ability to stream your native media library to all gadgets on your house community (and over the web), and it ought to find a way to take action persistently for a number of years. 

All the NAS fashions highlighted on this submit can just do that, so when you’re seeking to get your arms on a Plex NAS server, you may go forward and choose up any fashions on this record with confidence.