Best Two Bay NAS Devices

If you’re in the market for a NAS device, our recommendations of the best 2-bay NAS devices will help you find the best solution for your data storage needs.

A NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a high-storage device that connects to your local area network, allowing you and other users on the network to access the files without plugging into the drive. Think of NAS as a hard disk drive accessible anywhere from anywhere via the internet, whether on mobile or PC. As the name suggests, a 2-bay NAS includes two drive bays and can hold two hard drives.

Two bay NAS provides the best balance between price and performance. You can slot a total of 32TB of storage and leverage different RAID arrays to improve performance or protect your data with redundancy. The best 2-bay NAS allows you to back up all devices on the network, stream your media collection, or use it for critical business needs like surveillance, store customer data, and sharing files for collaboration. Since NAS connects to a LAN, each user on the network can access the files stored in it and allow remote access via the internet.

Why You Need A NAS Device

NAS may not be among the top priority accessories that you can buy, but it can be a crucial purchase for your home and office. With 4K and 8K content becoming mainstream, the need for more storage capacity is inevitable. Factor in AAA games and day-to-day storage needs, your small and lightweight laptop cannot keep up. Accessing your data on-demand, anywhere, and from multiple devices is a huge win for users working with large files like creative pros and photographers.

NAS devices have evolved to include more capabilities than just backing up and storing your files. You can create your local Netflix and stream UHD videos to mobile and media devices, set up multiple cameras for surveillance, and host personal mail server, CMS, and virtualization support.

If you want advanced and professional-level NAS solutions with more drive bays, check out the article of the best Thunderbolt 3 NAS storage.

The Best 2-Bay NAS Devices of 2020

Image	Product	Details	Check Price
	Synology DiskStation DS720+	Processor: 2.0GHz Intel Celeron J4125 (Burst up to 2.7GHz) Memory: 2GB DDR4 (Expandable to 6GB) Interface: 2x1GbE, 2xUSB 3.0, 2xM.2 2280, 1xeSATA 4K Video Transcoding: Yes Hardware Encryption Engine: Yes	Check on Amazon
	Synology DiskStation DS220j	Processor: 1.4GHz Realtek RTD1296 Memory: 512MB DDR4 Interface: 1x1GbE, 2xUSB 3.0 4K Video Transcoding: No Hardware Encryption Engine: Yes	Check on Amazon
	Asustor AS1002T v2	Processor: 1.6GHz Marvell ARMADA-385 Memory: 512MB DDR3 Interface: 1x1GbE, 2xUSB 3.1 4K Video Transcoding: No Hardware Encryption Engine: Yes	Check on Amazon
	WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra	Processor: 1.3GHz Marvell ARMADA-385 Memory: 1 GB DDR3 Interface: 1x1GbE, 2xUSB 3.0 4K Video Transcoding: No Hardware Encryption Engine: Yes	Check on Amazon
	TerraMaster F2-422	Processor: 1.5GHz Intel Celeron J3455 (Burst up to 2.3GHz) Memory: 4GB DDR3 (Expandable to 8GB) Interface: 1x10GbE, 2x1GbE, 2xUSB 3.0 4K Video Transcoding: Yes Hardware Encryption Engine: Yes	Check on Amazon
	QNAP TS-253D-4G	Processor: 2.0GHz Intel Celeron J4125 (Burst up to 2.7GHz) Memory: 4GB DDR4 (Expandable to 8GB) Interface: 2x2.5GbE, 2xUSB 3.2, 3xUSB 2.0, 1xHDMI 2.0, 1xPCIe Gen2 x4 4K Video Transcoding: Yes Hardware Encryption Engine: Yes	Check on Amazon
	Asustor AS5202T	Processor: 2.0GHz Intel Celeron J4005 (Burst up to 2.7GHz) Memory: 2GB DDR4 (Expandable to 8GB) Interface: 2x2.5GbE, 3xUSB 3.2, 1xHDMI 2.0a 4K Video Transcoding: Yes Hardware Encryption Engine: Yes	Check on Amazon

1. Synology DiskStation DS720+ – The Best Two Bay NAS

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Synology DiskStation DS720+ is the best 2-bay NAS device in our roundup. It combines a quad-core processor, AES-NI hardware encryption engine, and intuitive software to streamline your data and multimedia management. While it still uses Gigabit Ethernet, Synology offers two M.2 slots for SSD caching and easy scalability with the DX517 expansion unit.

Design and Build

DS720+ features a black, compact design measuring 6.5 by 14.2 by 8.8 inches (HWD) and 3.3 pounds in weight. The front panel includes two click-and-lock drive bays with tool-less sleds that accommodates 2.5 and 3.5-inch drives, a power button, USB, and three status LEDs. Two M.2 2280 slots at the bottom allow cache acceleration capabilities while the built-in fan keeps the operating temperature to an optimal level to prevent overheating.

Performance

Synology DiskStation DS720+ is one of the best NAS devices in its class. It features a four-core Intel Celeron J4125 processor with a burst frequency of up to 2.7 GHz and 2GB of onboard RAM. DS720+ supports an additional 4GB RAM through the extra slot for a total of 6GB memory. The CPU can handle demanding tasks, including 4K to 1080p video transcoding and streaming to multiple media devices.

The software bundle is one of the best-selling features of this 2-bay NAS. It runs on Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, which provides a plethora of functions to manage the DS720+, including multimedia management and streaming, backing up all of your devices, surveillance, and file management solution, which allows you to access data anytime, anywhere. For instance, you can stream your local movies and videos anywhere in the world using your laptop or iPhone. Create a fantastic collection of movies, and you won’t have to worry about Netflix anymore.

Connectivity

Synology DiskStation DS720+ has two USB 3.0 ports that allow you to transfer data from USB drives or external drives to the NAS. It also features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports that support Link aggregation to double the throughput for even faster data rates and provide redundancy should one channel fails. The two drive bays support 32TB total storage, 16TB each, and RAID arrays 0, 1, and JBOD.

Combining a bunch of apps, excellent software features, 4K video transcoding, and a powerful CPU, Synology DiskStation DS720+ makes the best 2-bay NAS for home and offices. Include Synology SSD Cache functionality and easy scalability, and you got a future-proof NAS with even better and reliable transfer speeds.

2. Synology DiskStation DS220j – Best Entry-Level 2-Bay NAS

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Synology DiskStation DS220j is an entry-level 2-bay NAS that brings the same software features as the DS720+ but at a lower price. It is an ideal NAS for home and personal use, especially for users who want to backup and access multimedia files. However, you must be ready to make a few compromises.

Design and Build

The DS220j uses a white theme with black accents. It measures 6.5 x 8.9 x 3.9 inches (HDW) and weighs only 1.94 lbs. The front panel includes four LEDs and a power button. A 92 by 92 mm fan prevents overheating to ensure optimal drive performance. DS220j supports 3.5-inch hard drives and 2.5-inch HDD and SSD using a drive bay adapter. Slot in two 16TB drives to maximize the 32TB maximum capacity.

Performance

Synology DiskStation DS220j uses a quad-core 1.4 GHz Realtek RTD1296 processor paired with 512MB of RAM, which allows you to access frequently used files and applications quickly. With sequential read/write speeds of 112.95/112.93 MB/s and 112.95/112.87 MB/s via encrypted shared folder, DS220j doesn’t go big in terms of performance but instead focusses on the software features and user experience.

With two drive bays, leverage Synology Hybrid RAID or RAID 0 and 1 for performance or data redundancy. Alternatively, JBOD allows you to utilize both drives for more storage capacity.

Onboard you get the award-winning Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS, allowing you to manage your NAS with ease. DSM provides many software features and apps to turn the DS220j into a powerful personal cloud, with functions such as multimedia management, playback, and streaming and an all-in-one server. Whether you want to stream 4K movies on-the-go or create an email server, the DS220j has all it takes.

Connectivity

The DS220j NAS uses a single Gigabit Ethernet port to join the network and two USB 3.0 ports for external drives or connect directly to a PC. Unlike the DS720+, there is no support for SSD caching or scalability.

Synology DiskStation DS220j is an outstanding budget NAS device that brings the power and features of Synology without costing a fortune. It’s a cheap way to add 32TB of personal cloud space and access the enterprise-level features via the DSM OS. However, DS220j packs low-end hardware and offers average read/write speeds.

3. Asustor AS1002T v2 – Cheapest 2-Bay NAS

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Asustor AS1002T v2 is another entry-level 2-bay NAS ideal for homes and small offices. It is an upgraded version of the AS1002T and the cheapest 2-bay NAS you can find on the market without compromising performance.

Design and Build

Asustor AS1002T v2 sports a black-themed design with a stylish diamond-plate finished cover that brings beautiful aesthetics to complement your existing setup. Asustor placed the power button on the back panel and USB port and status LEDs on the front. A 70mm fan ensures efficient cooling to prevent throttling and bottlenecks. For dimensions, the AS1002T V2 measures 6.50 by 4.01 by 8.58 inches (HWD) and weighs 2.18 lbs.

Performance

The AS1002T v2 comes with an upgraded dual-core 1.6GHz Marvell ARMADA-385 processor paired with 512MB memory. The new CPU provides a significant performance boost compared to the previous generation, resulting in fast and smooth photo album browsing, file uploading and downloading, and improved overall OS performance. AS1002T v2 delivers up to 110/98 MB/s read/write speeds.

Like Synology DiskStation DS220j, the main selling point of Asustor AS1002T v2 is the software bundle and apps for easy management. The NAS runs on the Asustor Data Master (ADM) operating system, which provides an intuitive user interface and smooth cross-platform multi-user access. Access your data anytime, whether you’re using a smartphone, PC, or tablet, and leverage automatic backups and encryption to protect your files.

Access more than 200 apps from the ADM’s repository, App Central, to unleash the AS1002T v2. LooksGood creates your own personalized Netflix while SoundsGood allows you to jam to your favorite music from anywhere. AS1002T v2 can do much more than just a personal cloud. With RAID 0 and 1 and JBOD, prioritize performance or redundancy, or just utilize both disks for more storage space.

Connectivity

In a world where NAS devices feature advanced connectivity standards like 10G Ethernet, the AS1002T v2 is still limited to Gigabit networking. It has one Gigabit Ethernet and two USB 3.0 ports. Asustor offers four free IP cameras for surveillance, providing the best bang for your bucks.

Asustor AS1002T v2 is a feature-rich NAS device perfect for home and local backups. It comes with advanced features for file sharing, automatic backups, media playback and management, and advanced security. It has improved hardware but still not the best in the market. But if you’re looking for a personal cloud that provides remote access, smooth user experience, entertainment, and security, the AS1002T v2 is highly recommended.

4. WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra – Best Budget 2-Bay NAS

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WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is a high-performance NAS device with advanced hardware to stream and distribute files across multiple platforms and users. It provides more storage capacity for your mobile devices and notebooks and does not cost a premium. My Cloud EX2 Ultra delivers what other budget NAS devices couldn’t with 1GB memory for smooth multitasking.

Design and Build

My Cloud EX2 Ultra sports a premium and clean look ideal for office environments. The front panel includes status LEDs with Ethernet and USB ports at the back. For dimensions, the NAS measures 6.1 by 3.9 by 6.75 and has two 3.5-inch drive bays that enables multiple RAID arrays including 0 and 1 for enhanced performance or data protection, or JBOD for non-RAID setup.

Performance

The NAS runs My Cloud OS 3, which provides total control of your data, auto backups, data synchronization, and compatibility with third-party cloud services, including Dropbox and Google Drive. Access your favorite files in custom folders and create private and public links to determine who can access your data. Your personal cloud is accessible from anywhere through the mycloud.com web-based platform or MyCloud mobile app.

One of the best features is support for Plex Media Server, which organizes all your media files for smooth streaming to mobile devices, PC, and other media player devices. Western Digital enriches the NAS with great tools, including Milestone ARCUS surveillance software and automatically backing up files to separate NAS or third-party cloud services.

Connectivity

The only downside of My Cloud EX2 Ultra is the single Gigabit Ethernet port. Other NAS devices feature 2.5G and 10G Ethernet ports, which are faster and perfect for uploading and downloading large files. Onboard you get two USB 3.0 ports for transferring data from external drives.

My Cloud EX2 Ultra delivers the best value with improved hardware and fantastic software tools on a budget. It combines a powerful CPU with Plex to provide seamless media streaming and sharing. While it doesn’t have the best features like Synology, onboard functions such as auto backups, surveillance, simplified file and folder sharing, and robust security, makes it easy to recommend for users on a budget.

5. TerraMaster F2-422 – Best 2-Bay NAS for Photographers and Creators

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TerraMaster F2-422 is a professional level NAS with advanced hardware ideal for commercial storage servers. It’s one of the few 2-bay NAS devices that offer 10Gbe connectivity for insane data transfer speeds, making it the best NAS for professional photographers and creative pros. Whether you want to edit ultra high definition videos on the fly or back up raw photos, you won’t go wrong with the F2-422.

Design and Build

The F2-422 NAS comes with a compact design with a white finish and black accents. Two drive bays supporting 2.5″ and 3.5″ drives dominate the front panel alongside four status LEDs and a power button. Each drive bay can hold 16TB of storage totaling to 32TB of storage. On the back, you get three Ethernet ports with one supporting 10Gbps, USB ports, and vents for airflow. The NAS uses an 80mm fan to keep the temperatures at optimal levels.

Performance

TerraMaster F2-422 features powerful hardware to deliver unrivaled performance. It uses a quad-core Intel Celeron J3455 processor with up to 2.3GHz frequency paired with 4GB of memory to handle multitasking, multi-user access, 4K video transcoding, and demanding I/O throughput without lagging. With support for SSD caching, you can boost the read/write speeds by installing one or more solid-state drives. TerraMaster claims the NAS can reach 647/651 MB/s read/write speeds or even higher with SSD caching and 10Gbe LAN.

F2-422 runs TOS 4.1.X operating system, which hosts a plethora of features allowing you to manage, share, back up, and protect your data. With real-time hardware transcoding, you can stream 4K videos to two devices simultaneously without third-party media servers. Suppose you’re deploying the F2-422 in an enterprise or commercial environment. In that case, the ability to create file storage servers, mail servers, FTP servers, and CRM systems will save you the recurring monthly costs.

Access your NAS device through the TNAS mobile app or TNAS.online web platform when you’re on the go and create user restrictions to protect your data. With support for RAID 1, Apple Time Machine, Rsync, remote backup, and AES NI hardware encryption, your data stays safe and secure.

Connectivity

TerraMaster raises the stakes with the inclusion of 10GbE port, which provides higher bandwidth to meet the needs of professionals and enterprises. Onboard you get two additional Gigabit Ethernet ports supporting network aggregation and failover to provide even faster speeds and limit downtimes. F2-422 includes two USB 3.0 ports to back up files from external storage.

TerraMaster F2-422 9 is a high-performance NAS suitable for photographers and pro users who demand strict speed requirements. The cutting-edge hardware feature and intuitive OS makes it easy to recommend to enterprises and commercial environments. It may be costly than other NAS, but it is worth every penny. It’s one of the few 2-bay NAS that offers 10GbE, 2.3GHz CPU, and up to 8GB RAM support.

6. QNAP TS-253D-4G – Best for Easy Expansion

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QNAP TS-253D-4G is another professional NAS box sporting dual 2.5GbE ports and a PCIe expansion slot for added functionality such as 10GbE and NVMe solid-state drives. It’s an excellent NAS for media streaming and client backup, but it doesn’t come cheap. It’s best suited for medium to large enterprises and home users with higher bandwidth and strict speed requirements.

Design and Build

QNAP TS-253D-4G comes with a clean and attractive industrial build with a slide-away cover and tool-less drive bays. The NAS stands 8.9 inches tall, 4.1 inches wide, and 6.6 inches deep. The front panel includes a quick-copy button, power button, USB, and five status LEDs. The dual 2.5GbE ports are at the back, along with four USB ports and an HDMI port that provides direct video output to external displays.

Performance

QNAP TS-253D-4G redefines the NAS architecture with powerful hardware. It features a 2.0GHz Intel Celeron J4125 processor (burst up to 2.7 GHz), 4GB DDR4 memory, and a PCIe x4 expansion slot for adding 10GbE support, M.2 solid-state drives for SSD caching, and more performance upgrades adapters. The NAS supports up to 8GB of memory and 2.5″ and 3.5″ drives.

Using both 2.5GbE ports with link aggregation delivers around 588/507 MB/s read/write speeds perfect for smooth 4K video streaming and large file transfer. You can get even better speeds with a 10GbE PCIe adapter.

The TS-253D-4G runs QTS operating system, a web-based platform accessible from anywhere via the internet. The OS provides a plethora of apps to manage your NAS and unlock more capabilities. Hybrid Backup Sync lets you backup files to the NAS or from the NAS to various online cloud services. Onboard app solutions for CMS, mail server, surveillance, and virtualization make TS-253D-4G a perfect solution for enterprises.

Connectivity

The NAS has five USB ports for copying files from external drives and two 2.5GbE ports that link aggregation for faster speeds. QNAP raises the bar high with an HDMI 2.0 port capable of playing crystal-clear 4K60 content to an HDTV or other 4K displays. With an x4 PCIe expansion slot, add adapter cards for 10GbE or NVMe drives to improve the performance significantly.

QNAP TS-253D-4G packs everything you need to create a powerful home server. With dual 2.5GbE ports, HDMI output, one-click copy button, and PCIe slot for SSD and 10Gb Ethernet, TS-253D-4G is worth the premium price tag.

7. Asustor AS5202T – Best 2-Bay NAS for Gaming

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Asustor AS5202T is a powerful 2-bay NAS optimized for gaming. It packs dual 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports paired with high-end hardware and live streaming software tools, making it the best cloud storage device for gamers and enthusiasts.

Design and Build

The AS5202T brings that gamer’s look and aesthetics with a black-themed design and red accents. It uses a tool-less magnetic front cover that covers the hot-swappable drive bays. Next to the drive cover are five status LEDs, a USB 3.2 port, and a One-Touch Backup button. Turn the NAS to access two additional USB ports, dual 2.5GbE ports, reset, button, and an HDMI port. AS5202T supports up to 32TB of storage and link aggregation for even higher bandwidth.

Performance

Featuring a 2.7GHz capable Intel processor and expandable 2GB DDR4 RAM, AS5202T has the power you need to handle multiple I/O operations, 4K video decoding, and encryption without a dip in performance. The NAS is 30% faster than the previous generation and is capable of up to 563/561 MB/s read/write speeds resulting in smooth user experience and smooth 4K video streaming.

The AS5202T runs a refined and gaming-inspired ADM operating system, making it easy to manage your backups, file sharing and encryption, multi-user access, and unlock more capabilities via the App Central repository. Combine 4K transcoding and Plex media server to play movies directly to an external display via the HDMI port. With a wide range of backup solutions, surveillance, and mobile apps, the Asustor AS5202 NAS is the best companion for enthusiasts and pro gamers.

Connectivity

The lack of 10Gbps Ethernet is the only downside of this NAS. However, with aggregation, the dual 2.5GbE ports can deliver up to 5Gbps bandwidth to make up. AS5202T includes three USB ports for backing up data from external drives and an HDMI port to play media directly to a 4K display.

Asustor AS5202T combines powerful hardware and live-streaming capabilities to deliver a handy NAS solution to gamers and enthusiasts. Asustor refined the design and operating system with a gaming look to match most gaming rigs. Inside the NAS offers 4K video decoding, improved performance, multiple backup solutions, and plenty of apps to create a kicking home server.

Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Two Bay NAS

Like any other device, NAS devices aren’t made the same. Depending on your needs, the term “best NAS” may have a different meaning with other users. Here is the ultimate buying guide for 2-bay NAS storage devices:

Safe Storage: RAID and Hardware Encryption

One of the reasons to buy a NAS device is to backup and protect your data. With a 2-bay NAS, you can set up RAID 1 array where one drive mirrors the content of the other disk. Basically, you are storing the same data on each drive, also known as redundancy.

Implementing redundancy is the safest way to store your data. In case either drive fails, the other drive can provide access to all the data stored on that NAS. No downtime, no data loss. Many NAS combine RAID with AES-NI hardware encryption for added security of files and folders. Encryption is vital, especially if you’ll be accessing your data via the internet.

JBOD mode is another setup closely related to RAID arrays. JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) doesn’t provide any security or redundancy solutions. Instead, it enables you to access the two drives as independent drives, providing more storage space than RAID 1 array, but you may lose your data from disk failure.

Media-Streaming: Plex and 4K Video Transcoding

When buying a NAS box, you want one that allows you to stream videos and music to multiple devices in your home. This is essential because some media devices can only play specific types of media files, not all.

Some NAS includes software to bypass the limitations and deliver smooth media streaming across different devices. For the best streaming experience, ensure your NAS supports Plex Media Server. Plex organizes all of your media files, including photos, music, and videos, in one place and allows you to stream to multiple devices. Whether using iPhone, Android, or PC, you can play all media files from anywhere in the world.

Advanced NAS boxes can handle 4K video streaming and playback to create the perfect media server for home use. If you want 4K, ensure to select a NAS device that supports 4K transcoding to convert the ultra-high-resolution video in real-time to formats suited to the bit rates and resolutions of other devices such as smartphones. Please note 4K transcoding requires powerful CPU and memory, which can be expensive.

Remote Access

What’s the point of having network storage if you cannot access it off-premises? NAS allows you to create your Dropbox or Google Drive but with more storage capacity and no monthly fees. The best NAS supports remote multi-platform and multi-user access, making it easy to access your data when traveling or share it with friends and colleagues.

Most include a web-based platform and mobile application to access your data through the internet. With remote access, ensure the vendor offers encryption and privacy solutions to protect your data from the public. You don’t want anyone with a link to access every data stored on your NAS.

Connectors: At Least 2.5GbE and USB 3.0

Ethernet and USB ports are essential for a NAS device. USB ports allow you to add more storage via external drives or share devices, such as printers, with other users on the network. If you’ll frequently be backing up files from external storage, ensure to go for USB 3.0 to give you better transfer speeds.

Every NAS has one or more Ethernet ports. Dual or more ports provide link aggregation and failover support or enhanced speeds and redundancy to reduce or prevent downtimes. If you’re a content creator or photographer, choosing a model that offers 10GbE (10gbps) port will give the best bandwidth and speeds to copy thousands of raw photos and UHD video footage within a short time and focus on retouching and editing.

Best Two Bay NAS FAQ

What is the difference between NAS and Hard Drive Enclosure?

NAS lets you access storage drives through a local area network or remotely via the internet. As a result, NAS must have an Ethernet port. On the other hand, Hard Drive Enclosure simply houses one or more hard drives to be accessed externally by USB or other interfaces.

What is meant by diskless NAS?

A diskless NAS does not come with a drive installed. You must plug your own drives, allowing you to choose the amount of storage for your needs.

What is the best NAS for home use?

A 2-bay NAS provides the sweetest spot between performance and cost, providing the perfect storage solution for home backup and media streaming. Some 2-bay NAS devices are easily scalable to provide more storage capacity as your data grows.