Whether you're planning to reorganize your vast media library or level up your storage setup, choosing the best NAS for Plex can be easier said than done. Fortunately, I've tested dozens of models over the years and can tell you what you should buy and where each option might need a little improvement. With Prime Day starting very soon, now is the best time to think about getting a new NAS.
In case you're unfamiliar, Plex is a terrific platform that lets you manage your media library with ease, and it offers a ton of useful extras for video playback. The best part is that the Plex client is available on just about every platform, making it straightforward to stream your content on any device — and from anywhere.
And you don't need to pay anything to get started. You can do plenty of other things with a NAS, including backing up photos and videos from all of your phones, setting up virtual machines, and accessing powerful productivity software that doesn't need any monthly fee.
Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor covering mobile and networking products at Android Central. In addition to testing way too many phones, he is interested in storage servers and networking, having used several dozen NAS models over the last 10 years and managing a 500TB homelab.
Best overall NAS for Plex
✅ You need a strong Plex server. The DXP2800 has powerful hardware that's terrific at transcoding.
✅ You want the best hardware. There isn't another model that gives you quite as much value.
❌You want the best software. The software on the DXP2800 is much better than at launch, but it's still missing a few features.
If you're new to Plex and just want a NAS that lets you stream your media collection, you should just buy the UGREEN DXP2800. This 2-bay NAS has it all: powerful Intel hardware with transcoding in Plex, 8GB of RAM and a built-in SSD that houses the software, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and M.2 slots.
Honestly, there isn't anything missing. While the software isn't quite as extensive as what you get with other brands, that's a minor criticism; with containerization available, you can easily install just about any utility you need.
That's what makes the DXP2800 such a good choice; the hardware is leagues beyond what you get with the DiskStation DS225+, and there are no inherent limitations. That's why I'm confident in recommending the DXP2800 even though UGREEN is a relatively new entrant — the combination of hardware along with its sensible software policy makes it a great choice in 2026.
Best 4-bay NAS for Plex
✅ You want the best Plex media server. There isn't any other 4-bay model that's as good at Plex hardware transcoding.
✅ You want 10GbE connectivity and powerful internals.
❌ You need a better value. The DXP4800 Pro is costly, but you get terrific hardware.
Just like the DXP2800, the DXP4800 Pro stands unchallenged in the 4-bay NAS category. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is the best 4-bay Plex server you can buy today.
It isn't just about the hardware either, even though that is a clear differentiator. With a powerful Intel Core i3-1315u platform, 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD, and M.2 slots, you don't miss out on anything. Then there's the 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity alongside a 2.5GbE port, and you start to see why the NAS is constantly at the top of NAS best-sellers lists.
The build quality is among the best around, it excels as a Plex server — I got several 4K transcodes running simultaneously without any issues — and it has all the software features you need. If you're using a NAS and are mulling an upgrade in 2026, there isn't a better choice than the DXP4800 Pro. Yes, it is costly at $719, but you're also getting hardware that puts the DiskStation DS925+ to shame.
Also great
✅ You need a turbocharged Plex server. With powerful hardware and dual 2.5GbE ports, the AS5402T is a powerhouse, and it is a terrific option if you want a home media server.
✅ You're looking to add plenty of M.2 storage. With four M.2 slots available on the NAS, there's no shortage of connectivity in this regard.
❌You need the best software. ASUSTOR is doing a better job with the software, but it still needs a bit of polish.
ASUSTOR's AS5402T has one of the best hardware in its category, and the 2-bay NAS has everything you need in a Plex server. The Intel Celeron J5105 is outstanding in daily use; you get 4GB of RAM, four M.2 slots, and dual 2.5GbE ports as standard.
Interestingly, there's also an HDMI port at the back that lets you connect the NAS straight to your TV — a good option if you don't want to stream over the network.
Basically, the AS5402T doesn't have any hardware shortcomings, so if you want multi-Gigabit connectivity and plenty of M.2 bays, the NAS is the way to go. The Celeron J5105 is great at transcodes too, so if you have Plex Pass, you can use hardware transcodes on devices that can't natively play back content.
The ADM software is decent, too; you get a native Plex client, containerization, and a ton of useful utilities. The interface isn't quite as polished as DSM, and the mobile clients aren't as refined, but on the whole, ASUSTOR is doing a good job on the software side of things as well.
The AS5402T has better hardware than other 2-bay servers in this segment, so if that is your main consideration, you'll find plenty to like with the NAS.
Best high-end NAS for Plex
✅You want a high-end Plex server. The ZimaCube 2 has six HDD bays and the ability to slot in four SSDs.
✅ You're need multi-Gigabit connectivity. With 2.5GbE ports and Thunderbolt 4, you can easily turn this into a beast of a home media server.
❌You need an established brand. IceWhale is still new to this category, and the ZimaCube 2 has a few rough edges around the design.
Want a high-end NAS that holds 10 drives in total? You need the ZimaCube 2. This is a seriously powerful NAS with so many extras that you don't get anywhere else. Let's start with the hardware: it has an Intel i3-1215 platform, dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, four M.2 slots in addition to six HDDs, and the ability to slot in 64GB of RAM and a network card if you want 10GbE.
Oh, and there's dual Thunderbolt 4 connectivity as well. I tested the original ZimaCube when it came out, and the ZimaCube 2 brings a lot of welcome upgrades. The software is pretty great too, and honestly, you get a lot of extensibility that you just don't find with other models.
The ZimaCube 2 is a terrific Plex server, and it handles 4K transcodes without breaking a sweat. The design may not be to everyone's tastes, but the ventilation is good, and you get good thermal management. If you're willing to try out a relatively new brand, you'll like what the ZimaCube 2 has to offer.
Best software
✅You need a reliable Plex server. The DS925+ is a proven quantity in this category, and it is a standout choice as a media server, provided you don't need hardware transcoding.
✅You need great software. The DS925+ has all the extras that you need on the software side of things, and with decent built-in memory and plenty of storage, it has a solid foundation.
❌You need transcoding. While the DS925+ does a good job in its own right, it doesn't have the requisite hardware to handle Plex transcoding, so if this is something you absolutely need, you'll need to buy an Intel-powered alternative.
Look, I'm adding the DiskStation DS925+ to this list as it continues to deliver the best software features out of the box. If you have Plex Pass and regularly rely on hardware transcoding, you should get the DXP4800 Pro instead — it costs about the same, and will serve you better.
The reason for including the DS925+ is simple; it has the best software around, and that's a big draw if you don't want transcoding and are looking for a NAS that handles the basics.
Beyond that, I like that the NAS has dual 2.5 Gigabit ports — it has been a long time coming. The hardware as such isn't as powerful as what you get with most 4-bay models now, but it has proven reliability.
Best budget NAS for Plex
✅You're just getting started. If you want to see how a NAS holds up in your home environment or if you're curious in the category, the DS223j is a great starting point.
✅You need a budget Plex server. It may not have powerful hardware, but it does a good job at the basics, and it has a native Plex client.
❌You need all the extras. You don't get all the other software features that are standard on the costlier models, but if you just need to stream media, it isn't a problem.
The DiskStation DS223j doesn't have powerful hardware, but it still manages to do a great job when it comes to Plex. You can install the native Plex client and stream content to devices on your home network, but the Realtek hardware doesn't have transcoding.
You may think 1GB of RAM is too low, but it's more than adequate for the DSM software, and it is double that of its predecessor — the DiskStation DS220j — offered. As it is an entry-level model, the DS223j doesn't have any upgradability; the RAM modules are soldered, and you can't add multi-Gigabit connectivity.
That said, if you just need an affordable NAS to store your media collection and back up photos and videos, the DS223j is a good choice. The DSM software is easily the best in this category, and while you don't get the more advanced features, all the basics are covered.
Best NAS for Plex FAQ
What makes Plex such a good media server?
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As a high-level overview, Plex is a free media server utility that catalogs your media collection and makes it available for streaming on all of the connected devices in your home.
It is often considered the best media server around, and for good reason. First up is the fact that it's available on just about any ecosystem: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android TV, all streaming dongles, and most smart TVs. Basically, you can install Plex on all the devices you own.
Plex also does a great job of organizing media. It sorts your music, movies, and TV shows into relevant categories and automatically adds high-resolution album art, covers, trailers, and metadata. Also, because the content is streamed locally on your home network, it doesn't count toward your internet bandwidth usage.
What is Plex transcode, and how does it work?
The biggest reason for Plex's dominance is that it can play any file on any device. Plex has a powerful transcoding service baked in, and if you have the paid Plex Pass plan, you can unlock hardware acceleration — that makes a huge difference for transcoding 4K files.
Even if you're using an iPhone, iPad, Amazon tablet, an older smart TV, or an Android phone, you can confidently play your media library on any device without any issues. Plex handles transcodes automatically, so there's no intervention needed from your side — and that makes it a fantastic media streaming service.
Plex streaming generally falls into three categories:
- Direct Play: This is when the Plex client (your TV or streaming box) natively handles the video container and just streams the file as-is without any issues. This uses minimal resources.
- Direct Stream: In this scenario, the client device you're using can play the video and audio streams, but does not work with the container (like .mkv or .m4a), so Plex will copy those streams to a compatible container and send them to your device. This mode uses few resources and isn't demanding on the server.
- Transcode: Plex will transcode files when a client device cannot play the video or audio streams, converting them into a file that can be played on the device. This is due to the lack of audio or video codecs (H.265, HEVC, H.264) on the client device. This is the most CPU-intensive option and needs a powerful NAS.
How to choose
There are a few things you'll need to pay attention to if you're interested in a Plex NAS.
CPU
This is a key consideration when choosing a Plex NAS, as you'll need a powerful CPU for transcodes. Most servers over $400 meet this criterion, but as a general rule, you'll need a recent Intel chipset.
Celeron models are good for home use, but if you're sharing your Plex server with friends and family and need more bandwidth, you'll need to look at servers featuring Intel Core hardware.
While AMD has made inroads into the NAS category, Intel is still king here. If you want the ability to transcode 4K content in Plex, you'll need to buy a NAS server with a recent-gen Intel Celeron or Core CPU.
Memory
Basically, you'll need a decent amount of RAM to avoid bottlenecks. Plex isn't memory-intensive, but if you have many other services running on the NAS, it could become an issue.
Generally, 2GB of RAM is the bare minimum in this category, and if you're looking to run a lot of services, I'd suggest getting an 8GB memory module and slotting it in.
Most NAS servers let you upgrade the RAM with ease, so you shouldn't have any issues slotting in 8GB or more memory within the server, should you need it.
Connectivity
Most NAS servers have two Gigabit ports as standard, and that should be adequate for home use. But if you're sharing your Plex instance and need additional bandwidth, you should consider a server with 2.5 GbE or even 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.
That said, if you switch to a NAS with multi-Gigabit connectivity, you'll need to upgrade your switch and router to take full advantage of the additional bandwidth. It isn't as costly as it used to be to switch to a 10GbE home network, but you'll still need to factor in those additional costs.
For now, Gigabit Ethernet is more than adequate for handling a few Plex 4K streams without any issues.
Some NAS models feature an HDMI port that lets you connect the server to a TV or monitor. This is useful because you can then play media stored on the NAS directly, without having to stream it wirelessly over your home network.
What is the best Plex server?
There are plenty of options if you want the best NAS for home use, and you can choose between entry-level picks with a single or two drive bays and four-bay models designed to last.
But if you're on the best Plex server, there are a few additional points to consider. For one thing, Plex transcoding is very CPU-intensive, so you will need to look for NAS enclosures with a powerful chipset.
Thankfully, the biggest NAS manufacturers — Synology, UGREEN, TerraMaster, and ASUSTOR — offer models tailored for Plex media streaming.
Which Plex NAS should you buy?
Right now, if you're looking to pick up a NAS for Plex streaming, the best option is the UGREEN DXP2800. The internal hardware makes it an enticing model in this category, and with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and good software, the NAS has all the basics covered.
The ZimaCube 2 is my recommendation if you need up to 10 drive bays across HDDs and SSDs. Otherwise, the DXP4800 Pro is the obvious choice if you want a powerful 4-bay Plex server.
How we test
Our testing methodology for the best Plex server
There are a few things I consider when deciding what NAS servers to recommend for Plex streaming. First up is the CPU; I run a few synthetic tests to determine its performance potential, looking at single and multi-core scores.
Then I set up a native Plex install on the NAS and run multimedia streaming tests to see resource usage in real-world scenarios when streaming 720p, 1080p, and 4K files on the local network.
I also evaluate transcoding potential by streaming a 4K file to a device that doesn't handle the native container — this is a great way to determine if the NAS can handle on-the-fly transcodes for 4K files with high bitrates.
Finally, I look at sequential read/write potential by transferring an image library containing over 5,000 files (all under 1MB), and a dozen media files over 1GB in size.
Ultimately, the best Plex server needs to be able to stream your local media library to all devices on your home network (and over the internet), and it should be able to do so consistently for several years.
All of the NAS models highlighted in this post can do just that, so if you're looking to get your hands on a Plex NAS server, you can go ahead and pick up any models in this list with confidence.
