The 10th annual Prime Day sale event kicks off on Tuesday, July 16th, which means you only have a few more days until some major NAS deals go live over at Amazon. Whether you’re hoping to find an early discount or you simply want to gain some knowledge before the sale, this guide has everything you need to know about shopping for NAS servers during Prime Day.
We’ll start this guide with a collection of early NAS deals that you can enjoy today followed by an FAQ with loads of helpful shopping advice. More deals are expected to go live over the next few days, so check back later if nothing piques your interest right away.
The best NAS servers let you stream your locally-stored media to all devices on your home network (and beyond) using a service like Plex — think of it as your own personal Netflix or Spotify. So if you’re interested in buying a NAS or are considering an upgrade, these are the best deals currently available.
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Best NAS deals
FAQ
Which NAS should I buy?
The first question you have to ask yourself is how much storage you’re going to need. That sets the basis for whether you should get a two-bay, four-bay, or a larger NAS server.
Synology is the largest manufacturer of NAS servers, and it sells dozens of products across various categories. Synology is known for its high-quality offerings, and its products are built to last. But the defining feature of Synology’s NAS models is the software, with the web-based DiskStation Manager setting the standard for this category.
If this is the first NAS you’re buying and you don’t want to invest a lot of money into a server, the Synology DiskStation DS223j is our top pick for the best cheap NAS. You’re still getting all the best software features that Synology has to offer, and while you don’t get as many drive bays as some devices, it is a great choice for those making their foray into this segment. If you don’t mind spending a little extra cash, the Synology DiskStation DS723+ is a great choice for most users.
How do I choose a hard drive for my NAS?
Choosing the right hard drive for your NAS is just as vital as selecting the right enclosure. Because NAS enclosures are designed to run 24/7, there are NAS-focused hard drives available in the market. These models feature vibration resistance and are designed to handle the stresses of a 24/7 environment, and differ from your regular hard drives.
Another factor to consider when choosing a NAS hard drive is the speed. HDDs are usually available in either 5400rpm or 7200rpm, and the latter delivers better performance because the spindle moves at 7,200 rounds per minute. I’ve used 5400rpm drives in NAS enclosures tailored for media streaming for years without any issues, but if you’re building a more enthusiast-focused NAS and are looking for better performance, pick a model with a 7200rpm.
There are several NAS-focused hard drive product lines, with WD Red Plus and Seagate IronWolf dominating the sales charts. With drives starting out at 1TB and going all the way to 20TB, there’s no shortage of options available across either product line.
When is Prime Day?
Amazon’s biggest sale of the year, the 10th annual Prime Day shopping event is scheduled to begin on July 16th and run through the 17th.
Do I have to be a Prime member to shop during Prime Day?
Yep, the vast majority of Prime Day deals will only be available to Prime subscribers. If you’re interested in shopping during the sale and you aren’t a member just yet, we recommend taking advantage of Amazon’s 30-day free trial so you can explore the benefits of Prime Day without paying a cent. Alternatively, you could just wait and see if Amazon’s biggest competitors will launch rival sales that don’t require a membership.