Best 4-Bay Network Attached Storages: 15 Spec-Based Picks
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links on this page are affiliate links.
Finding the best 4-Bay network attached storages requires balancing drive capacity, interface speeds, and expansion options for your workflow. We compared 15 models strictly using the specifications published on their listings.
The QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage leads because it delivers pre-configured RAID 5 capacity with bundled Seagate IronWolf drives for immediate hardware redundancy. This guide helps you compare drive interfaces, networking options from 1GbE to 10GbE, and processing specs so you can decide which enclosure matches your storage demands.
Quick picks
The best fit for you
- You need direct-attached storage with pre-configured RAID redundancy QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage It provides four drive bays with pre-configured RAID 5 capacity and bundled Seagate IronWolf drives over USB-C.
- You need rackmount storage with 10GbE network speeds TERRAMASTER 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS with 8GB DDR5 It offers a 1U rackmount chassis measuring 1.77 inches high with 10GbE networking and 8GB RAM.
- You want a compact all-flash desktop storage setup TERRAMASTER 4-Bay All-SSD NAS It weighs 1.32 pounds, measures 2.36 inches deep, and includes an Intel quad-core processor with 8GB RAM.
Our 15 picks
QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage
Best for: plug-and-play direct RAID storage expansion
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Included Storage
- 12TB
- RAID Support
- RAID 0, 1, 5, JBOD
This unit is a 4-bay direct attached storage enclosure bundled with 12TB of pre-configured RAID 5 storage via four 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives. It connects using a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C interface to Windows, macOS, and Linux systems, or directly to an existing network setup for backups. You get hardware-level protection and lockable bays without needing to source drives or build an array yourself.
Pros
- Includes four 4TB Seagate IronWolf hard drives pre-configured in RAID 5
- Comes with a 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Services plan
- Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and JBOD configurations
- Features lockable drive bays for physical disk security
- Connects via USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C and includes a Type-C to Type-A cable
Cons
- Direct attached storage requires a host USB connection instead of standalone Ethernet networking
- Internal drive bays support SATA up to 3Gb/s speeds
Good fit if
- You want 12TB of usable storage pre-configured in RAID 5 out of the box.
- You need direct USB storage to back up a computer or expand an existing QNAP unit.
- You require physical drive security via lockable drive bays.
Skip if
- You need a standalone network-attached storage device that connects directly via Ethernet.
- You require drives running on a SATA 6Gb/s bus interface.
Verdict: QNAP 4-Bay 12TB USB-C RAID Storage delivers pre-configured RAID 5 capacity and bundled Seagate IronWolf drives for direct-attached backups. It suits users who want hardware redundancy over USB without setting up an array from scratch.
Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS
Best for: power users needing multi-gigabit virtualization storage
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 2x 2.5GbE
- Processor
- Quad-Core 2.0GHz
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 2 slots
This 4-bay network attached storage unit features a 2.0GHz quad-core processor paired with 4GB of DDR4 RAM. It includes two 2.5GbE network ports for higher-speed networking, three USB 3.2 ports, and two dedicated M.2 NVMe slots for SSD storage. You can run it as a virtual storage machine, use automated backup tools, or connect up to four IP cameras. It suits power users needing multi-gigabit connectivity and virtualization support.
Pros
- Dual 2.5GbE network ports
- Two M.2 NVMe slots for SSD storage
- Three USB 3.2 ports for external connectivity
- Includes four free IP camera licenses
- Three-year hardware warranty coverage
Cons
- Comes diskless with no pre-installed hard drives
- Base configuration ships with 4GB RAM
Good fit if
- You need dual 2.5GbE ports for multi-gigabit local network speeds.
- You plan to add M.2 NVMe SSDs alongside four standard drive bays.
- You want surveillance support with four camera licenses included.
Skip if
- You need a system that ships with storage drives pre-installed.
- You require built-in 10GbE network interfaces out of the box.
Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with Dual 2.5GbE delivers multi-gigabit networking, two M.2 NVMe slots, and virtualization support for demanding storage setups. Its quad-core processor and included surveillance licenses make it a capable premium choice.
QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE SFP+ NAS
Best for: high-speed 10GbE SFP+ network setups
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 1x 10GbE, 1x 2.5GbE, 1x 1GbE
- Processor
- AnnapurnaLabs AL-314
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB DDR3L
- Included Storage
- Diskless
This diskless 4-bay network attached storage unit provides four 3.5-inch SATA drive bays powered by a quad-core 1.7GHz AnnapurnaLabs AL-314 processor. Networking specs include a built-in 10GbE SFP+ port, a 2.5GbE port, and a standard 1GbE connection alongside three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. It suits you if you need multi-gigabit network throughput and flexible storage expansion using standard SATA hard drives.
Pros
- Single 10GbE SFP+ network port
- Dedicated 2.5GbE and 1GbE network ports
- Three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
- Four 3.5-inch SATA drive bays
Cons
- Uses DDR3L memory instead of newer generations
- Maximum memory capacity caps at 8GB
- Ships diskless with no pre-installed storage
Good fit if
- You have an existing 10GbE SFP+ or 2.5GbE local network.
- You want to populate your own 3.5-inch SATA drives.
Skip if
- You need pre-installed storage ready out of the box.
- You require high-capacity DDR4 or DDR5 system memory.
Verdict: QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE SFP+ NAS combines multi-gigabit networking with four SATA bays, giving you 10GbE SFP+ speed without needing add-in cards.
Synology 4-Bay Expandable Rackmount NAS
Best for: rackmount setups needing future drive expansion
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- Four 1GbE ports
- Included Storage
- Diskless
- Dimensions
- 19.3 × 17.2 × 10 inches
- Weight
- 18.7 pounds
The Synology 4-Bay RackStation NAS gives you a four-bay rackmount enclosure engineered for high-throughput network storage. It delivers up to 2,103 MB/s sequential read and 1,074 MB/s sequential write speeds across four 1GbE ports with failover support. You can scale capacity to eight drives using an RX418 expansion unit. This diskless chassis suits rack installations where you need multi-drive pooling and room for future storage expansions.
Pros
- Over 2,103 MB/s sequential read and 1,074 MB/s sequential write throughput
- Four 1GbE ports supporting network failover and load balancing
- Scales up to eight drives with an RX418 expansion unit
- Supports optional 10GbE or 25GbE network upgrades and SSD cache
Cons
- Supplied diskless with no internal drives included
- Requires optional expansion cards for speeds above 1GbE
Good fit if
- You want a four-bay rack enclosure that can expand up to eight drives.
- You need four 1GbE network ports with failover and load balancing.
Skip if
- You need native 10GbE network ports without adding expansion cards.
- You prefer a desktop form factor instead of an 18.7-pound rackmount server.
Verdict: Synology 4-Bay RackStation NAS delivers stable throughput and link redundancy across four 1GbE connections. It provides a scalable four-bay rackmount foundation that can expand to eight drives via an RX418 unit.
QNAP 4-Bay 1U Short Depth Rackmount NAS
Best for: 1U rack installations needing dual 2.5GbE
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4 Bay
- Network Connectivity
- Dual 2.5GbE
- Processor
- Intel Celeron N5095
- RAM Capacity
- 8 GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- Dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 NVMe
This is a 4-bay rackmount NAS with a short depth design. It uses an Intel Celeron N5095 processor and has 8 GB of onboard RAM. Dual 2.5GbE ports handle network traffic. Two M.2 NVMe slots allow for SSD caching or storage. It includes an HDMI port for 4K playback. This unit is diskless and built for 1U server racks.
Pros
- Intel Celeron N5095 4-core processor
- Dual 2.5GbE network ports
- Two M.2 NVMe SSD slots
- HDMI output for 4K media playback
Cons
- 1U rackmount form factor limits placement options
- 8 GB RAM is non-expandable
- Sold diskless with no included drives
Good fit if
- You need a low-profile 1U server for a rack
- You want dual 2.5GbE connectivity for faster transfers
- You plan to use NVMe SSDs for caching
Skip if
- You require a standard desktop form factor
- You need expandable RAM beyond 8 GB
- You want a NAS with pre-installed storage drives
Verdict: QNAP TS-464eU 1U Rackmount NAS fits users who need a compact 1U server with dual 2.5GbE ports and NVMe support. It is ideal for rack installations where space is tight.
Synology 4-Bay Dual 2.5GbE NAS
Best for: multi-gigabit network storage and virtualization
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- Dual 2.5GbE
- Included Storage
- Diskless
- Dimensions
- 8.78 × 7.83 × 6.54 inches
- Weight
- 4.98 pounds
This 4-bay diskless network attached storage enclosure equips you with dual 2.5GbE networking ports for faster transfers and network redundancy. It delivers sequential throughput up to 522 MB/s read and 565 MB/s write speeds across compatible hard drives. Built-in solutions handle file management, photo backups, virtualization, and surveillance tasks directly on the device. It suits you if you want a multi-gigabit four-drive setup with hardware-backed data protection.
Pros
- Dual 2.5GbE network ports for speed and link redundancy
- Sequential throughput reaching up to 522 MB/s read and 565 MB/s write
- Built-in software for virtualization, surveillance, and data protection
- Three-year limited hardware warranty coverage
Cons
- Diskless chassis requires purchasing drives separately
- Drive support restricted to the official compatibility list
Good fit if
- You need dual 2.5GbE connectivity for network redundancy or fast throughput.
- You plan to supply your own drives from the official compatibility list.
- You want built-in tools for virtualization, surveillance, and photo backups.
Skip if
- You want pre-installed storage drives ready to use out of the box.
- You plan to use hard drives not listed on the official compatibility list.
Verdict: Synology 4-Bay Dual 2.5GbE DiskStation delivers balanced 2.5GbE networking speeds and robust built-in software tools in a compact four-bay desktop enclosure.
UGREEN 4-Bay All-Flash NVMe SSD NAS
Best for: high-speed NVMe solid-state video editing workflows
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 10GbE, Wi-Fi 6
- Processor
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
- Included Storage
- Diskless
This is an all-flash network attached storage unit built exclusively for solid-state storage. You get four M.2 NVMe drive slots, a 10-core 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, and a high-speed 10GbE network port alongside Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity. It suits content creators and video editors who need fast local transfers, support for Docker and virtual machines, and compact operation without standard 3.5-inch hard drives.
Pros
- Equipped with four M.2 NVMe slots for all-flash solid-state storage
- Powered by a 10-core, 12-thread 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
- Provides both a 10GbE network port and built-in Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
- Supports multiple RAID configurations including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10
Cons
- Lacks standard 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SATA hard drive bays
- Caps maximum capacity at 32TB across all four drive slots
- Ships diskless, requiring separate purchase of NVMe drives
Good fit if
- You need 10GbE throughput or wireless Wi-Fi 6 networking on your local network.
- You plan to run exclusively on M.2 NVMe solid-state storage drives.
- You intend to run containerized apps via Docker or deploy virtual machines.
Skip if
- You want to use traditional, high-capacity 3.5-inch SATA hard drives.
- You need more than 32TB of total raw storage capacity.
Verdict: UGREEN 4-Bay All-Flash SSD NAS pairs 10GbE networking and an Intel Core i5 chip with four NVMe slots for fast solid-state performance. It is a capable choice if your workflow does not require spinning mechanical drives.
BUFFALO TeraStation 4-Bay 16TB Desktop NAS
Best for: turnkey desktop storage with pre-installed drives
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Included Storage
- 16TB (4x4TB)
- RAID Support
- RAID 0, RAID 5, RAID 6
- Form Factor
- Desktop
The BUFFALO TeraStation 4-Bay Desktop NAS comes populated with 16TB of raw storage across four 4TB drives. It runs on a closed system with 256-bit encryption and connects through a single 2.5GbE port. Out of the box, it arrives pre-configured in RAID 5 to provide 12TB of usable protected space, with RAID 0 and RAID 6 options available. You get turnkey desktop storage if you want pre-installed drives without managing diskless setup.
Pros
- Includes four 4TB pre-tested drives pre-configured in RAID 5
- Native 2.5GbE network interface for high-speed transfers
- Integrated 256-bit drive encryption with a closed system
- Syncs natively with Amazon S3, Dropbox, Azure, and OneDrive
- Three-year warranty covers both the chassis and included hard drives
Cons
- Closed operating system prevents installing third-party applications
- Single 2.5GbE port offers no option for multi-port link aggregation
- Comes fully populated with drives rather than offering a diskless option
Good fit if
- You want a ready-to-use desktop NAS with four 4TB drives pre-installed.
- You need 2.5GbE network speeds directly out of the box.
- You prefer a closed, encrypted environment with integrated cloud syncing.
Skip if
- You want a diskless enclosure to supply your own drive capacities.
- You need multiple network ports for link aggregation or failover.
- You require an open platform for installing custom third-party software.
Verdict: BUFFALO TeraStation 4-Bay Desktop NAS 16TB delivers straightforward out-of-the-box storage with four included 4TB drives and 2.5GbE connectivity. It is a dependable desktop solution if you prioritize pre-configured RAID 5 protection without the setup effort of bare enclosures.
TERRAMASTER 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS with 8GB DDR5
Best for: rackmount setups needing dual 10GbE networking
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Processor
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR5
- Included Storage
- Diskless
- RAID Support
- RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, TRAID, TRAID+
View on Amazon: TERRAMASTER 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS with 8GB DDR5
The TERRAMASTER 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS brings enterprise rack storage to your setup with an Intel Core i3-1215U 6-core processor and 8GB of DDR5 memory. You get dual 10GbE network ports for high-bandwidth file transfers and two M.2 NVMe slots for cache acceleration across four drive bays supporting up to 96TB. It suits you if you need compact, rack-mounted network storage for high-speed multi-user workflows.
Pros
- Dual 10GbE networking ports with SMB multichannel support
- Intel Core i3-1215U 6-core processor with 8GB DDR5 memory
- Dual M.2 NVMe slots for cache acceleration
- Supports up to 96TB raw capacity across four drive bays
Cons
- Ships diskless, requiring drives to be purchased separately
- 1U rack enclosure requires a server rack or cabinet
Good fit if
- You have a server rack and need a slim 1U network storage unit.
- You require dual 10GbE network interfaces for multi-gigabit throughput.
- You want DDR5 RAM and an Intel 6-core processor for multi-user tasks.
Skip if
- You need a standalone desktop tower rather than a rackmount chassis.
- You want storage drives pre-installed out of the box.
Verdict: TERRAMASTER 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS provides fast 10GbE connectivity and 12th Gen Intel processing in a compact rack profile. It delivers a reliable platform if you manage multi-client backups and demanding workloads in a server cabinet.
Synology 4-Bay Media and Backup NAS
Best for: Small teams and multi-camera office surveillance
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Included Storage
- Diskless
- Dimensions
- 8.78 × 7.83 × 6.54 inches
- Weight
- 4.81 pounds
This Synology 4-bay enclosure provides centralized network storage for your files, backups, and surveillance feeds. It supports transfer speeds up to 278 MB/s and allows concurrent access for more than 10 users. You can also connect up to 30 IP cameras for security monitoring. Because it arrives diskless, you must supply your own hard drives. It suits small offices and teams needing snapshot backups and multi-user document access.
Pros
- Supports up to 30 IP cameras for surveillance monitoring
- Transfer speeds reaching up to 278 MB/s
- Handles concurrent access for more than 10 users
- Built-in RAID redundancy, snapshot technology, and automated backups
Cons
- Ships diskless with no pre-installed hard drives
- Data throughput is rated up to 278 MB/s
Good fit if
- You want a 4-bay enclosure and prefer buying your own drives.
- You manage a team requiring simultaneous access for 10 or more users.
- You need to connect and manage up to 30 IP surveillance cameras.
Skip if
- You want a system that includes pre-installed storage drives.
- You require network transfer speeds higher than 278 MB/s.
Verdict: Synology 4-Bay Diskless NAS delivers dependable 4-bay storage with multi-user access and 30-camera surveillance support. It provides an effective centralized repository once you install your own drives.
TERRAMASTER 4-Bay All-SSD NAS
Best for: silent, compact all-flash desktop network storage
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 1x 5Gbps
- Processor
- Intel N95
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR5-4800MHz
- Processor Cores
- Quad-Core
The TERRAMASTER 4-Bay All-SSD NAS is a compact desktop network storage unit built entirely for flash drives. It holds four M.2 2280 NVMe solid-state drives for up to 32TB of raw capacity. Powered by a quad-core Intel N95 processor and 8GB of DDR5 RAM, it features a 5Gbps Ethernet port for fast local transfers. It suits you if you need a quiet, small-footprint backup system for tight desk spaces.
Pros
- Supports four M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs up to 32TB total capacity
- 5Gbps Ethernet interface exceeds standard 1Gbps speeds
- Intel N95 quad-core processor with 8GB DDR5 memory
- Quiet operation with standby noise levels below 19dB
- Compact chassis measuring 5.51 by 5.43 by 2.36 inches
Cons
- No support for standard 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA hard drives
- Single network port prevents multi-LAN link aggregation or failover
- Maximum total capacity capped at 32TB
Good fit if
- You want an all-flash setup using M.2 2280 NVMe drives.
- You need a quiet, palm-sized device for desktop placement.
- You have a multi-gigabit network equipped for a 5Gbps connection.
Skip if
- You rely on high-capacity 3.5-inch hard drives for bulk archiving.
- You require dual network ports for redundancy.
Verdict: TERRAMASTER 4-Bay All-SSD NAS delivers quiet, high-speed flash performance in a compact footprint with its Intel N95 CPU and 5Gbps networking. It serves well as a dedicated, low-noise workspace storage hub if you do not need traditional spinning disks.
Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Hybrid NAS
Best for: high-speed 5GbE networking and NVMe caching
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- Dual 5GbE
- Processor
- Intel Celeron N5105
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
This 4-bay NAS features an Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor and comes with 4GB of DDR4 memory. For high-speed networking, you get dual 5GbE ports out of the box, alongside four M.2 NVMe SSD slots for caching or tiered storage. It also includes an HDMI port with hardware 4K transcoding support. You will find it well-suited for fast local file transfers, multi-drive RAID setups, and direct 4K media playback.
Pros
- Dual 5GbE network ports for high-bandwidth data transfers
- Four M.2 NVMe slots for cache acceleration or tiered storage
- HDMI output with hardware 4K transcoding support
- Expandable DDR4 memory up to 16GB
Cons
- Ships with 4GB of base memory installed
- Lacks native 10GbE network connectivity
- Maximum memory expansion is capped at 16GB
Good fit if
- You need 5GbE networking speeds out of the box.
- You want four dedicated M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching or tiered storage.
- You plan to output 4K media directly to a display using HDMI.
Skip if
- You require native 10GbE network ports.
- You need more than 16GB of total system memory.
Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with Dual 5GbE delivers dual 5-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and four M.2 NVMe SSD bays alongside its primary 4-bay storage. It is a capable choice if you need fast hybrid storage and direct 4K HDMI media output.
UGREEN 4-Bay All-Flash SSD NAS Bundle
Best for: high-speed NVMe flash storage and 10GbE networking
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 10GbE
- Processor
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
- Included Storage
- Diskless
This diskless 4-bay all-flash network attached storage system holds four M.2 NVMe solid-state drives instead of traditional hard drives. It features a 10-core 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, a 10GbE network port, and built-in Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Supporting up to 32TB of total flash capacity across multiple RAID configurations, it suits you if you need high-speed local data transfers for editing, backups, and heavy workloads.
Pros
- Four M.2 NVMe SSD slots supporting up to 32TB total capacity
- 10-core, 12-thread 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
- 10GbE network port reaching up to 1250MB/s speeds plus Wi-Fi 6
- Supports JBOD, Basic, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10
- Includes a 6-foot Cat 8 Ethernet cable
Cons
- Accepts only M.2 NVMe SSDs without standard 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA bays
- Total storage capacity is limited to 32TB
- Ships diskless without included storage drives
Good fit if
- You want an all-flash M.2 NVMe array with 10GbE networking.
- You need 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processing power for heavy workloads.
- You want built-in Wi-Fi 6 connectivity alongside a wired port.
Skip if
- You plan to install standard 3.5-inch SATA hard drives.
- You need more than 32TB of raw storage capacity.
Verdict: UGREEN 4-Bay All-Flash NVMe NAS delivers compact solid-state throughput powered by a 10-core Intel Core i5 and 10GbE connectivity. It is a focused solution for flash-only network storage where mechanical hard drives are not required.
UGREEN 4-Bay Core i3 10GbE NAS
Best for: virtual machines, Docker containers, and 10GbE workflows
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 10GbE + 2.5GbE
- Processor
- Intel Core i3-1315U
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR5
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- Dual M.2 PCIe 4.0
This diskless 4-bay network attached storage enclosure runs on an Intel Core i3-1315U six-core processor with 8GB of DDR5 memory. It includes built-in 10GbE and 2.5GbE network ports along with dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots for caching or storage. You can expand the system memory up to 96GB. It suits developers, IT professionals, and power users who need high-throughput networking for virtual machines and containerized workloads.
Pros
- Intel Core i3-1315U 6-core processor reaching up to 4.5GHz
- Dual network interfaces with 10GbE and 2.5GbE ports
- Dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots for NVMe caching or storage pools
- DDR5 memory expandable up to 96GB
Cons
- Diskless configuration requires buying separate storage drives
- No RAID 6 array support listed in specifications
Good fit if
- You need 10GbE network bandwidth for fast multi-gigabit file transfers.
- You plan to run Docker containers or virtual machines needing scalable DDR5 RAM.
- You want M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots to run SSD caches or flash storage pools.
Skip if
- You want a turnkey unit with pre-installed drives ready out of the box.
- You require RAID 6 redundancy for dual-drive failure protection.
Verdict: UGREEN 4-Bay Core i3 10GbE NAS delivers fast 10GbE connectivity alongside an Intel Core i3 processor and PCIe 4.0 NVMe support. It provides the expansion headroom and processing throughput required for virtualization and demanding multi-user environments.
Yxk 4-Bay Intel N100 NAS
Best for: direct TV playback and home media setups
- Number of Bays
- 4-Bay (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 2 x 2.5GbE
- Processor
- Intel N100
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 2 slots
This diskless 4-bay enclosure runs on an Intel N100 processor with 8GB DDR4 memory. You get direct TV connectivity through a dedicated 4K HDMI port, backed by dual 2.5GbE network jacks and two M.2 NVMe slots. It accommodates up to 144TB of raw storage across RAID 0, 1, or 5 arrays. It suits home theater setups needing localized 4K playback and flexible Docker or third-party operating system installations.
Pros
- Dedicated 4K HDMI output for direct display connection
- Intel N100 processor with 6W base power efficiency
- Dual 2.5GbE network ports with link aggregation
- Two M.2 NVMe slots for SSD storage expansion
Cons
- Includes no pre-installed hard drives or solid-state drives
- RAID configurations limited to RAID 0, 1, and 5
Good fit if
- You need direct 4K HDMI playback to a television or monitor.
- You want dual 2.5GbE networking for faster local network transfers.
- You plan to run Docker containers or alternative operating systems like TrueNAS.
Skip if
- You need hard drives pre-installed and ready out of the box.
- You require RAID 6 or RAID 10 storage redundancy.
Verdict: Yxk 4-Bay 4K HDMI NAS delivers direct media playback and dual 2.5GbE networking in an aluminum, N100-powered chassis. It provides a capable foundation if you want direct monitor output and third-party OS options.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage | Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS | QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE SFP+ NAS | Synology 4-Bay Expandable Rackmount NAS | QNAP 4-Bay 1U Short Depth Rackmount NAS | Synology 4-Bay Dual 2.5GbE NAS | UGREEN 4-Bay All-Flash NVMe SSD NAS | BUFFALO TeraStation 4-Bay 16TB Desktop NAS | TERRAMASTER 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS with 8GB DDR5 | Synology 4-Bay Media and Backup NAS | TERRAMASTER 4-Bay All-SSD NAS | Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Hybrid NAS | UGREEN 4-Bay All-Flash SSD NAS Bundle | UGREEN 4-Bay Core i3 10GbE NAS | Yxk 4-Bay Intel N100 NAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Bays | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4 Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay |
| Network Connectivity | not specified | 2x 2.5GbE | 1x 10GbE, 1x 2.5GbE, 1x 1GbE | Four 1GbE ports | Dual 2.5GbE | Dual 2.5GbE | 10GbE, Wi-Fi 6 | not specified | not specified | not specified | 1x 5Gbps | Dual 5GbE | 10GbE | 10GbE + 2.5GbE | 2 x 2.5GbE |
| Processor | not specified | Quad-Core 2.0GHz | AnnapurnaLabs AL-314 | not specified | Intel Celeron N5095 | not specified | 12th Gen Intel Core i5 | not specified | Intel Core i3-1215U | not specified | Intel N95 | Intel Celeron N5105 | 12th Gen Intel Core i5 | Intel Core i3-1315U | Intel N100 |
| RAM Capacity | not specified | 4GB DDR4 | 4GB DDR3L | not specified | 8 GB DDR4 | not specified | not specified | not specified | 8GB DDR5 | not specified | 8GB DDR5-4800MHz | 4GB DDR4 | not specified | 8GB DDR5 | 8GB DDR4 |
| M.2 NVMe Slots | not specified | 2 slots | not specified | not specified | Dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 NVMe | not specified | 4 slots | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | 4 slots | 4 slots | Dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 | 2 slots |
| Included Storage | 12TB | Diskless | Diskless | Diskless | Diskless | Diskless | Diskless | 16TB (4x4TB) | Diskless | Diskless | not specified | not specified | Diskless | Diskless | Diskless |
| RAID Support | RAID 0, 1, 5, JBOD | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | JBOD, Basic, RAID 0/1/5/6/10 | RAID 0, RAID 5, RAID 6 | RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, TRAID, TRAID+ | not specified | not specified | RAID 0/1/5/6/JBOD | not specified | RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 | RAID 0, 1, 5 |
| Form Factor | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | Rackmount | not specified | not specified | Desktop | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Hardware Interface | not specified | M.2 NVMe | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | HDMI |
| Number of Bays | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay | 4-Bay |
| Target Audience | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | Content Creators | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | Content Creators | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Processor Cores | not specified | Quad-Core | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | Quad-Core | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Dimensions | not specified | 9.06 × 6.69 × 7.3 inches | 10 × 10 × 10 inches | 19.3 × 17.2 × 10 inches | 12 × 12 × 12 inches | 8.78 × 7.83 × 6.54 inches | not specified | not specified | 14.2 × 17.3 × 1.77 inches | 8.78 × 7.83 × 6.54 inches | 2.36 × 5.51 × 5.43 inches | 9.06 × 6.69 × 7.3 inches | not specified | 10.1 × 7.01 × 7.01 inches | 9.2 × 7.9 × 6.3 inches |
| Weight | not specified | 6.53 pounds | 5.1 pounds | 18.7 pounds | 9.7 pounds | 4.98 pounds | not specified | not specified | 13.7 pounds | 4.81 pounds | 1.32 pounds | 6.48 pounds | not specified | 8.77 pounds | 7.84 pounds |
| Size | 4 Bay | 4 Bay | 2.5GbE and 10GbE Ports | RS822+ | 4 bay (Unav.) | 166 mm x 199 mm x 223 mm | DXP480T Plus 4-Bay (Diskless) | 16TB | 4Bay, 1U, 6Core CPU, 8GB RAM | 166 mm x 199 mm x 223 mm | 5.5 inches x 5.4 inches x 2.4 inches | 4 Bay | not specified | DXP4800 Pro,4-Bay | 4-Bay |
| Color | Black | AS6604T | black | Not Available | Black | Black | Grey | not specified | Black | Black | Black | Black | not specified | Grey | Black |
| Model | TR-004 | AS6604T | TS-431X3 | RS822+ | BAQN-TS-464EU-8G | DS925+ | DXP480T Plus,4-Bay (Diskless) | TS3430D1604S | U4-500 | DS425+ | F4 SSD | AS6704T v2 | not specified | DXP4800 Pro,4-Bay (Diskless) | not specified |
If you plan to aggregate Ethernet ports for higher throughput, pair your enclosure with the best managed network switches.
Choosing Your Four-Bay Network Attached Storage
-
Select Enclosure Form Factor
You should check whether your installation space requires a standard desktop tower or a rackmount chassis. Desktop models sit on desks or shelves and use vertical bay orientations. If you maintain a dedicated server cabinet, select a 1U rackmount model instead. The TERRAMASTER 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS with 8GB DDR5 measures 1.77 inches tall and 17.3 inches wide to fit server rails. Verify your physical cabinet depth against chassis specifications to ensure adequate clearance for rear cable routing and power connections.
-
Choose Drive Inclusion Status
You must decide between purchasing a diskless enclosure or a turnkey unit with factory-installed drives. Diskless systems allow you to choose drive brands and storage capacities independently. Turnkey units arrive ready to deploy with matching drives already fitted and configured into redundant arrays. For example, the BUFFALO TeraStation 4-Bay 16TB Desktop NAS includes four 4TB hard drives pre-configured in RAID 5. If you prefer to bypass drive sourcing, drive mounting, and array initialization tasks, select a pre-populated unit with verified storage capacity.
-
Evaluate Base RAM Capacity
You need to check the installed RAM capacity based on how many background services you run. Base setups handling simple file backups function reliably on 4GB of system memory. Demanding tasks like virtualization and Docker containers demand larger memory allocations to maintain responsiveness. The Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS provides 4GB RAM, which suits standard multi-user storage access. If you plan to deploy virtual machines or host memory-heavy network services, compare base memory specs and choose units with 8GB or higher memory allocations.
-
Check Dedicated Video Outputs
You should check physical video ports if you intend to use the enclosure as a direct media player. Standard network storage devices stream media exclusively across local Ethernet connections. Units equipped with physical display connections connect straight to televisions and PC monitors without third-party streaming clients. The Yxk 4-Bay Intel N100 NAS includes an HDMI interface that outputs directly to displays. If you want direct playback or direct console access without routing network bandwidth through a client computer, verify the exact video port specifications.
-
Compare 10GbE Connection Types
You must inspect the physical interface used for high-speed network connections. High-speed enclosures offer either twisted-pair copper ports or optical transceiver cages. Copper 10GBASE-T ports use standard RJ-45 patch cables over shorter cable runs. SFP+ ports accept direct attach copper cables or optical modules for low-latency connections over longer distances. The QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE SFP+ NAS integrates a native 10GbE SFP+ cage alongside multi-gigabit copper ports. Review your network switch hardware before choosing an enclosure to ensure physical port transceiver and cable compatibility.
-
Check External Expansion Support
You should evaluate whether a four-bay unit supports external expansion enclosures when your capacity needs grow. Standard four-bay models restrict your storage strictly to the four internal drive slots. Expandable units feature dedicated external expansion ports that connect directly to secondary drive chassis. The Synology 4-Bay Expandable Rackmount NAS allows you to scale from four drives up to eight drives using an add-on RX418 unit. Check the technical specifications for supported expansion hardware if your storage pool requires future scaling without replacing the main chassis.
Frequently asked questions
Can you connect a 4-bay NAS directly to a monitor or TV?
Yes, select models feature HDMI outputs for direct local display. For instance, the Yxk 4-Bay Intel N100 NAS includes an HDMI interface designed for 4K video playback. Additionally, the Asustor Lockerstor AS6704T v2 provides 4K HDMI media output alongside its network ports. These interfaces allow you to output video feeds without streaming data across your local network.
Are all 4-bay NAS units sold with hard drives included?
Most 4-bay units ship as bare enclosures, but select options include storage out of the box. The BUFFALO TeraStation TS3430D1604S includes 16TB of storage across four pre-installed 4TB drives. Similarly, the QNAP TR-004 bundle supplies pre-configured Seagate IronWolf drives. In contrast, models like the Synology DS425+ and UGREEN DXP4800 Pro arrive diskless, requiring you to install your own drives.
What network port speeds are standard on modern 4-bay NAS enclosures?
Port speeds range from 1GbE up to 10GbE depending on the specific model. The Synology RS822+ features four 1GbE ports for link redundancy. Mid-tier desktop units like the Synology DS925+ provide 2.5GbE connections, while the Asustor AS6704T v2 features dual 5GbE ports. For maximum throughput, enclosures like the QNAP TS-431X3 and TERRAMASTER U4-500 provide high-speed 10GbE interfaces.
Can you install M.2 NVMe solid-state drives in a 4-bay NAS?
Yes, several 4-bay enclosures include dedicated M.2 slots alongside primary drive bays. The Asustor AS6604T provides two M.2 NVMe slots, while the Asustor AS6804T includes four M.2 NVMe slots. Additionally, all-flash options like the UGREEN DXP480T Plus rely entirely on four internal NVMe SSD slots instead of accommodating mechanical 3.5-inch hard drives, speeding up solid-state data workflows.
Can a 4-bay rackmount NAS expand beyond four drives?
Certain rackmount models support external expansion enclosures to increase overall drive capacity. The Synology RS822+ rackmount NAS supports scaling from its initial four bays up to eight total drives when paired with an RX418 expansion unit. This allows you to double your drive capacity as your data footprint grows without having to replace your primary rack server.
How much system memory do 4-bay network attached storages include?
Installed RAM ranges from 4GB up to 16GB across different hardware configurations. The Asustor AS6604T comes equipped with 4GB of system memory. Stepping up, the TERRAMASTER U4-500 rackmount model and TERRAMASTER F4 SSD provide 8GB of RAM. For memory-intensive workloads like virtualization, the Asustor AS6804T includes 16GB of built-in system RAM paired with an AMD Ryzen processor.
How does an all-flash 4-bay NAS differ from a traditional 4-bay enclosure?
All-flash enclosures omit traditional 3.5-inch SATA drive bays in favor of dedicated solid-state storage. Models like the TERRAMASTER F4 SSD feature a compact, lightweight body weighing just 1.32 pounds. The UGREEN DXP480T Plus pairs four NVMe SSD slots with an Intel Core i5 processor and 10GbE networking, delivering silent operation and reduced dimensions compared to mechanical drive towers.