15 Best NAS Devices with 5GbE, Compared
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Upgrading your network bandwidth requires finding the best hard drive enclosures with 5GbE to eliminate transfer bottlenecks. We compared 15 products based on the specifications published on the listings.
The Asustor 6-Bay NAS with Quad M.2 NVMe Slots leads the list because it combines six drive bays, four M.2 NVMe slots, and 8GB RAM with 5GbE connectivity. This guide helps you choose the right drive capacity, bay count, and network configuration for your storage setup.
Quick picks
The best fit for you
- You need hybrid NVMe storage with six drive bays Asustor 6-Bay NAS with Quad M.2 NVMe Slots It provides six drive bays, four M.2 NVMe slots, and 5GbE network connectivity.
- You want the highest installed memory capacity available QNAP 9-Bay Hybrid NAS with 32GB RAM It features 32GB of pre-installed RAM alongside 5GbE and 10GbE network ports.
- You want massive bundled capacity out of the box Synology 5-Bay 60TB Desktop NAS It delivers 60TB of bundled storage alongside 8GB RAM and 5GbE networking.
- You need rackmount hardware that features power redundancy QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with Redundant Power It offers an eight-bay rackmount design with redundant power and 10GbE support.
Our 15 picks
Asustor 6-Bay NAS with Quad M.2 NVMe Slots
Best for: content creators needing hybrid NVMe multi-bay storage
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 6-Bay
- Processor
- Intel Celeron N5105
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
- Included Storage
- Diskless
View on Amazon: Asustor 6-Bay NAS with Quad M.2 NVMe Slots Affiliate link
This 6-bay network attached storage enclosure from Asustor delivers 5GbE and dual 2.5GbE network connectivity for fast data transfers. Inside, an Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor pairs with 8GB of DDR4 memory, expandable to 16GB. You get four M.2 NVMe SSD slots alongside the six drive bays for hybrid caching or storage pools. Built-in HDMI and PCIe expansion suit content creators handling 4K video transcoding and demanding multi-drive backup tasks.
Pros
- Six SATA drive bays paired with four M.2 NVMe SSD slots
- 5GbE and dual 2.5GbE network connectivity
- Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor with 4K hardware transcoding
- 8GB DDR4 RAM expandable up to 16GB
- PCIe expansion slot for 10GbE card or SSD upgrade
Cons
- Maximum memory expansion capped at 16GB RAM
- Unit weighs over 10.8 pounds without drives installed
Good fit if
- You need six drive bays and four M.2 NVMe slots for tiered caching or flash storage.
- You want 5GbE or dual 2.5GbE connectivity with PCIe upgrade room for 10GbE.
- You run 4K media workflows requiring hardware video transcoding and HDMI output.
Skip if
- You require more than 16GB of system memory for heavier virtualization workloads.
- You want a compact enclosure with fewer drive bays.
Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 6-Bay NAS with NVMe Slots combines 5GbE connectivity, four M.2 NVMe slots, and a quad-core processor into a versatile six-bay setup. It delivers dependable throughput and hardware 4K transcoding for demanding creative workflows.
Synology DiskStation 8TB 2-Bay NAS
Best for: compact 8TB multi-gigabit network storage
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 1GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 2-Bay
- Processor
- Intel Celeron J4125 Quad-Core
- RAM Capacity
- 2 GB Non-ECC DDR4 SODIMM
- Included Storage
- 8TB
- RAID Support
- Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR)
View on Amazon: Synology DiskStation 8TB 2-Bay NAS Affiliate link
This Synology DiskStation is a 2-bay NAS enclosure equipped with 8TB of storage and 5GbE network connectivity. It runs on a quad-core Intel Celeron processor and includes 2 GB of non-ECC DDR4 memory. You can use Synology Hybrid RAID and Btrfs snapshots for file management. It suits you if you need compact 8TB storage with multi-gigabit networking and third-party drive support for home or office backups.
Pros
- 5GbE and 1GbE network connectivity
- Pre-configured 8TB capacity in a 2-bay enclosure
- Quad-core Intel Celeron processor
- Btrfs snapshot protection and Synology Hybrid RAID support
- Expandable memory from 2 GB up to 6 GB DDR4
Cons
- Limited to two internal drive bays
- Installed 2 GB DDR4 memory is non-ECC
- Maximum memory expansion caps at 6 GB
Good fit if
- You need an 8TB two-bay storage setup with 5GbE networking.
- You want Btrfs snapshot protection and Synology Hybrid RAID management.
- You intend to use third-party drives supported under DSM 7.3.
Skip if
- You need more than two drive bays for higher internal drive counts.
- You require error-correcting ECC memory or more than 6 GB of RAM.
Verdict: Synology DiskStation 2-Bay 8TB NAS delivers 5GbE networking, 8TB capacity, and quad-core processing in a compact two-bay desktop footprint. It provides dependable multi-gigabit file storage with flexible Synology Hybrid RAID and Btrfs snapshots.
Synology 2-Bay AMD Ryzen NAS
Best for: compact multi-gigabit home office storage
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE, 1GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 2-Bay
- Processor
- Ryzen R1600
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 2 slots
- Included Storage
- 8TB
View on Amazon: Synology 2-Bay AMD Ryzen NAS Affiliate link
This Synology unit gives you a compact two-bay network enclosure powered by an AMD Ryzen processor and 4GB of RAM. It features multi-gigabit connectivity spanning 5GbE, 2.5GbE, and 1GbE, along with two M.2 NVMe slots for cache or storage. You can expand capacity up to 140TB by pairing it with a DX525 five-bay unit. It suits home offices needing centralized storage, photo management, and surveillance support.
Pros
- AMD Ryzen quad-core processor with 4GB RAM
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE, and 1GbE network connectivity
- Two M.2 NVMe slots for solid-state storage
- Expands by five extra drive bays via DX525
Cons
- Only two base drive bays without add-on unit
- Sequential throughput rated to 276 MB/s read and 224 MB/s write
Good fit if
- You need 5GbE networking in a compact desktop enclosure.
- You want M.2 NVMe slots alongside two primary drive bays.
- You plan to scale capacity later with a five-bay expansion unit.
Skip if
- You need more than two primary drive bays in a single chassis.
- You require sequential transfer speeds above 276 MB/s.
Verdict: Synology 2-Bay Ryzen Desktop NAS delivers flexible multi-gigabit connectivity and NVMe support in a space-saving two-bay footprint. It gives you reliable file management with an upgrade path up to seven total drives.
Synology 5-Bay 60TB Desktop NAS
Best for: turnkey high-capacity virtualization and multi-gigabit storage
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 5-Bay
- Processor
- Ryzen V1500B
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB
- Included Storage
- 60TB
- Weight
- 4.81 pounds
View on Amazon: Synology 5-Bay 60TB Desktop NAS Affiliate link
This 5-bay NAS unit delivers 60TB of pre-installed storage across five 12TB drives, powered by an AMD Ryzen processor and 8GB of RAM. For networking, it features multi-gigabit connectivity supporting 5GbE alongside two 2.5GbE ports. It runs DiskStation Manager for file management, backup, and virtualization. You get a complete system ready for VM storage, container hosting, and high-throughput data tasks across your local network.
Pros
- Includes 60TB of raw storage across five 12TB Seagate IronWolf drives
- Multi-gigabit connectivity supporting 5GbE and dual 2.5GbE ports
- Certified for VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix, and OpenStack
- Expandable up to 300TB with optional DX525 expansion hardware
Cons
- 10GbE networking requires an optional adapter sold separately
- DX525 expansion chassis is not included in the bundle
Good fit if
- You need 60TB of factory-installed drive storage ready out of the box.
- You run certified virtualization environments such as Hyper-V or VMware.
- You want 5GbE and 2.5GbE connectivity without installing network cards.
Skip if
- You require built-in 10GbE ports without purchasing separate add-on modules.
- You prefer a diskless enclosure so you can supply your own drives.
Verdict: Synology 5-Bay 60TB Desktop NAS provides massive bundled capacity, certified virtualization readiness, and multi-gigabit networking right out of the box. It gives you an expansive data platform that scales up to 300TB when your storage requirements grow.
QNAP 4-Bay Desktop NAS with 8GB RAM
Best for: 4-bay multi-gigabit storage and direct 4K playback
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Processor
- Intel Pentium Gold G7400
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 2 slots
- Included Storage
- Diskless
View on Amazon: QNAP 4-Bay Desktop NAS with 8GB RAM Affiliate link
This QNAP 4-bay desktop NAS provides multi-gigabit network connectivity alongside dual M.2 PCIe Gen3x2 NVMe slots for SSD caching or storage pools. Powered by a 2-core Intel Pentium Gold G7400 processor and 8GB DDR4 memory upgradeable to 64GB, it handles high-throughput file transfers and 4K real-time transcoding. HDMI 1.4b and 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports make it suitable if you need localized media playback and flexible local backup expansion.
Pros
- Intel Pentium Gold G7400 2-core processor with 8GB DDR4 RAM expandable to 64GB
- Dual M.2 PCIe Gen3x2 NVMe SSD slots for caching or dedicated storage pools
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C ports supporting speeds up to 10Gbps
- Direct 4K media playback and transcoding via onboard HDMI 1.4b output
Cons
- HDMI output limit caps 4K video playback at 30Hz
- Processor configuration provides only two physical CPU cores
- Built-in network ports default to 2.5GbE base speeds
Good fit if
- You need high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity for direct external drive backups.
- You want M.2 NVMe SSD slots for dedicated caching or high-speed storage pools.
- You plan to expand system memory up to 64GB DDR4 over time.
Skip if
- You require 4K video output at 60Hz rather than the 30Hz HDMI limit.
- You need more than two physical CPU cores for heavy virtualization workloads.
Verdict: QNAP 4-Bay Desktop NAS with Intel Pentium delivers solid multi-gigabit throughput, dual NVMe expansion, and 4K transcoding in a compact four-drive chassis. It works well if you want expandable RAM and versatile USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity without stepping up to larger enterprise racks.
QNAP 9-Bay Hybrid NAS with 32GB RAM
Best for: high-memory multi-gigabit hybrid storage setups
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE, 10GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 9-Bay
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B
- RAM Capacity
- 32GB DDR4
- Dimensions
- 8.82 × 8.84 × 6.95 inches
View on Amazon: QNAP 9-Bay Hybrid NAS with 32GB RAM Affiliate link
This QNAP 9-bay hybrid desktop enclosure provides high-capacity storage alongside multi-gigabit connectivity. You get 32GB of DDR4 memory pre-installed, an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B quad-core processor, and built-in network options covering 10GbE, 5GbE, and 2.5GbE speeds. It also includes USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C and Type-A ports for external drives. It suits you if you need expansive bay capacity and heavy multitasking capability right out of the box.
Pros
- 32GB DDR4 memory pre-installed, expandable up to 64GB
- Multi-gigabit networking with 10GBASE-T, 5GbE, and two 2.5GbE ports
- AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B 4-core 8-thread 2.2 GHz processor
- USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C and Type-A ports included
Cons
- RAM expansion capped at 64GB across two SO-DIMM slots
- Only one built-in 10GBASE-T port
Good fit if
- You want 32GB of pre-installed RAM with optional ECC support.
- You need high-bandwidth networking including 10GbE, 5GbE, and 2.5GbE.
- You require a 9-bay hybrid drive setup for mixed storage drives.
Skip if
- You need more than 64GB of total system memory.
- You require multiple 10GBASE-T network connections.
Verdict: QNAP 9-Bay Hybrid NAS with 32GB RAM delivers ample pre-installed memory and flexible multi-gigabit networking for intensive workloads. It gives you 9 bays and Ryzen processing without requiring immediate hardware upgrades.
QNAP 4-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS with M.2 NVMe
Best for: compact rack setups needing multi-gigabit networking
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE, 10GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Processor
- Marvell OCTEON TX2 CN9130 / CN9131
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 2 slots
- Included Storage
- Diskless
View on Amazon: QNAP 4-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS with M.2 NVMe Affiliate link
This 4-bay short-depth rackmount unit provides 5GbE, dual 2.5GbE, and dual 10GbE network connectivity for high-speed file transfers. It runs on a 2.2 GHz quad-core Marvell OCTEON processor with 4GB of DDR4 memory, expandable up to 32GB. You also get two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 NVMe SSD slots for caching or storage pools. It suits you if you need compact rack storage with fast networking.
Pros
- Dual 10GbE, dual 2.5GbE, and 5GbE network connectivity
- Two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 NVMe SSD slots
- Quad-core 2.2 GHz Marvell OCTEON processor
- 4GB DDR4 memory expandable up to 32GB
Cons
- Starts with 4GB base memory
- Limited to 4 primary drive bays
- M.2 slots run at PCIe Gen 3 x1 speed
Good fit if
- You need a compact short-depth rackmount enclosure.
- You want built-in 10GbE, 5GbE, and 2.5GbE networking.
- You plan to add M.2 NVMe SSDs for caching.
Skip if
- You need more than 4 primary drive bays.
- You require more than 4GB of RAM out of the box.
Verdict: QNAP 4-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS delivers versatile multi-gigabit networking and M.2 NVMe expansion in a compact chassis. It gives you flexible connectivity without taking up standard rack depth.
QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with Redundant Power
Best for: rackmount deployments needing redundant power and 10GbE
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE, 10GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 8 Bay
- Processor
- AnnapurnaLabs Alpine AL324
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB UDIMM DDR4
- Included Storage
- Diskless
- Form Factor
- Rackmount
View on Amazon: QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with Redundant Power Affiliate link
This 8-bay rackmount enclosure offers high-capacity networked storage for your business infrastructure. You get multi-gigabit capability with two 2.5GbE ports, two 10GbE SFP+ ports, and 5GbE support. It runs on an AnnapurnaLabs Alpine AL324 quad-core 1.7GHz processor paired with 4GB of DDR4 memory, expandable to 16GB. The unit holds eight 3.5-inch SATA drives and features redundant power supplies. It suits IT environments that need high throughput and continuous power uptime.
Pros
- Eight 3.5-inch SATA drive bays
- Two 10GbE SFP+ and two 2.5GbE networking ports
- Redundant power supply architecture
- Expandable DDR4 memory up to 16GB
Cons
- Base configuration includes 4GB RAM
- Rackmount form factor requires server rack space
- Comes diskless without pre-installed storage drives
Good fit if
- You need an 8-bay rackmount enclosure with redundant power.
- You require 10GbE SFP+, 5GbE, or 2.5GbE network connections.
- You plan to expand system memory up to 16GB DDR4.
Skip if
- You need a compact desktop enclosure rather than rackmount hardware.
- You prefer a unit that comes with pre-installed hard drives.
Verdict: QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with Redundant Power delivers multi-gigabit networking and eight storage bays for server racks. Its redundant power design and 16GB memory ceiling provide dependable capacity for busy local networks.
Asustor Lockerstor 10-Bay NAS with 2x 1TB SSD
Best for: high-capacity 5GbE and 10GbE network storage
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 10GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 10 Bay
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14
- RAM Capacity
- 16GB ECC DDR5
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
- Included Storage
- 2 x 1TB SSD
View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 10-Bay NAS with 2x 1TB SSD Affiliate link
This Asustor Lockerstor 10-bay enclosure delivers high-speed network connectivity with two 5GbE ports alongside two 10GbE ports. It runs on an AMD Ryzen quad-core processor paired with 16GB of DDR5 ECC memory, upgradable to 64GB. The bundle includes two 1TB NVMe SSDs to populate two of its four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. It suits you if you manage intensive network storage workloads and require multi-gigabit throughput.
Pros
- Two 5GbE ports and two 10GbE ports
- 16GB DDR5 ECC memory expandable up to 64GB
- Four M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots with two 1TB NVMe SSDs included
- Two 40 Gbps USB4 ports
Cons
- Heavy base weight of 20.6 pounds
- Large physical footprint measuring 15 by 14 inches
Good fit if
- You need both 5GbE and 10GbE networking interfaces.
- You require server-grade ECC memory expandable to 64GB.
- You want 10 storage bays with pre-installed NVMe caching SSDs.
Skip if
- You need a lightweight enclosure under 20 pounds.
- You do not need speeds beyond standard gigabit networking.
Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 10-Bay 16GB RAM NAS pairs dual 5GbE and 10GbE connections with server-grade DDR5 ECC RAM. It provides expansive 10-bay capacity alongside high-bandwidth network connectivity.
Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 12TB SSD
Best for: multi-gigabit network setups needing bundled flash storage
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4 Bay
- Processor
- Intel Celeron N5105
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
- Included Storage
- 3 x 4TB SSD
View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 12TB SSD Affiliate link
This 4-bay network enclosure gives you dual 5-Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-bandwidth data transfers across your local network. It runs on a quad-core Intel Celeron N5105 processor paired with 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and includes three 4TB NVMe SSDs out of the box. You also get four dedicated M.2 NVMe slots and two 10Gbps USB ports. It suits you if you need bundled fast storage with multi-gigabit networking.
Pros
- Dual 5GbE network connectivity
- Four M.2 NVMe SSD slots
- Includes three 4TB SSDs
- Two 10Gbps USB ports and HDMI interface
Cons
- Base memory capacity is limited to 4 GB
- Lacks native 10GbE network ports
Good fit if
- You need dual 5GbE network interfaces for multi-gigabit data transfers.
- You want pre-packaged flash storage featuring three 4TB NVMe drives.
- You require four dedicated M.2 slots for SSD installation.
Skip if
- You need native 10GbE networking rather than 5GbE.
- You require more than 4 GB of pre-installed RAM out of the box.
Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay 5GbE NAS delivers dual 5GbE connectivity and four M.2 slots alongside bundled NVMe SSD storage. It provides a balanced multi-gigabit setup for environments needing fast local network throughput.
Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen3 6-Bay NAS with 4TB SSD
Best for: high-throughput multi-gigabit local network backups
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 10GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 6 Bay
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14
- RAM Capacity
- 16GB ECC DDR5
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
- Included Storage
- 1 x 4TB SSD
View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen3 6-Bay NAS with 4TB SSD Affiliate link
This Asustor 6-bay enclosure combines dual 5GbE and dual 10GbE network ports with a quad-core AMD Ryzen processor. It arrives with 16GB of DDR5 ECC memory and an included 4TB NVMe SSD across four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. You also get two 40Gbps USB4 ports for fast external transfers. It suits you if you need multi-gigabit speeds, expandable storage bays, and error-checking system memory for demanding multi-user backup environments.
Pros
- Two 5GbE and two 10GbE network ports
- Four M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots with one 4TB SSD included
- 16GB DDR5 ECC memory upgradeable to 64GB
- Two 40Gbps USB4 ports
Cons
- Weighs 14.3 pounds before adding 3.5-inch hard drives
- Large physical footprint measuring 13 by 13 inches
- Ships with one SSD, leaving three M.2 slots vacant
Good fit if
- You need both 5GbE and 10GbE connections on the same device.
- You want ECC memory to protect against data corruption.
- You plan to use high-speed 40Gbps USB4 external storage.
Skip if
- You need a compact enclosure for a tight desk workspace.
- You prefer a fully populated drive setup out of the box.
Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 6-Bay 5GbE NAS with 4TB SSD delivers exceptional network flexibility with paired 5GbE and 10GbE ports alongside ECC DDR5 memory. It is a capable choice if you require high-speed data handling and room for six hard drives.
Asustor Lockerstor 6-Bay NAS with 3TB SSD
Best for: six-bay setups needing pre-installed NVMe storage
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE, 10GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 6 Bay
- Processor
- Intel Celeron N5105
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR4-2933
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4X M.2 NVMe Slots
- Included Storage
- 3 x 1TB SSD
View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 6-Bay NAS with 3TB SSD Affiliate link
This 6-bay NAS enclosure comes bundled with three 1TB NVMe solid-state drives and 8GB of DDR4 memory. It runs on a 2.0 GHz quad-core Intel Celeron N5105 processor and supports 5GbE, 2.5GbE, and 10GbE network connectivity via an expansion PCIe slot. You get four M.2 NVMe slots and 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2 ports. It suits you if you need multi-gigabit networking with pre-installed flash storage.
Pros
- Includes three 1TB M.2 NVMe SSDs
- Quad-core Intel Celeron N5105 2.0 GHz processor
- PCIe slot supports 10GbE NICs or additional M.2 SSDs
- USB 3.2 Gen2 ports provide 10Gbps transfer speeds
Cons
- Heavier chassis at 14.9 pounds
- Requires PCIe slot use for 10GbE expansion
Good fit if
- You need a 6-bay enclosure bundled with 3TB of NVMe SSDs.
- You plan to leverage 5GbE networking or expand to 10GbE via PCIe.
Skip if
- You prefer a lightweight enclosure under 14 pounds.
- You want diskless hardware without pre-selected solid-state drives.
Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 6-Bay NAS with 3TB SSD delivers flexible multi-gigabit networking across six drive bays. Its four M.2 slots and included flash drives provide immediate high-speed storage.
QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS
Best for: compact rack setups needing eight drive bays
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 8 Bay
- Processor
- Intel Celeron N5105/N5095
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- Dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 NVMe
- Included Storage
- Diskless
View on Amazon: QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS Affiliate link
This rackmount enclosure provides eight drive bays in a short-depth chassis powered by a quad-core Intel Celeron processor. For high-speed networking, it includes 5GbE and dual 2.5GbE connectivity to handle team file transfers. You also get dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 NVMe SSD slots for caching and multiple 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. It suits you if you need compact rackmount storage with solid multi-gigabit throughput.
Pros
- Eight drive bays in a short-depth rackmount form factor
- Dual 2.5GbE ports alongside 5GbE network connectivity
- Dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 NVMe slots for SSD caching or storage pools
- Multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports reaching up to 10Gb/s
Cons
- 8GB on-board RAM cannot be expanded
- HDMI 1.4b video output is capped at 4K at 30Hz
Good fit if
- You need an eight-bay enclosure designed for shallow or compact server racks.
- You want M.2 NVMe slots dedicated to SSD caching or high-speed pools.
- You require 10Gb/s USB Type-A ports for fast external drive transfers.
Skip if
- You plan to expand your system memory beyond the fixed 8GB capacity.
- You require 4K video display output at refresh rates above 30Hz.
Verdict: QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS offers dense eight-bay capacity and multi-gigabit connectivity for compact server racks. It handles shared team storage effectively, though its memory cannot be upgraded.
QNAP 2-Bay 5GbE Desktop NAS
Best for: compact home storage with high-speed networking
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 2-Bay
- Processor
- ARM Cortex-A55
- RAM Capacity
- 4GB DDR4
- Included Storage
- Diskless
- Form Factor
- Desktop
View on Amazon: QNAP 2-Bay 5GbE Desktop NAS Affiliate link
This desktop unit provides a 2-bay storage solution with 5GbE and 2.5GbE network connectivity. It runs an ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core 2.0GHz processor paired with 4GB DDR4 RAM and an integrated NPU for AI-accelerated image recognition. You get centralized file management and media streaming for personal backups across local networks. It suits you if you need a compact dual-bay hub for high-speed file transfers.
Pros
- ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core 2.0GHz processor
- 5GbE and 2.5GbE network interfaces
- 4GB DDR4 system memory
- Built-in NPU for AI photo and object recognition
Cons
- Limited to two drive bays
- No internal M.2 SSD slots listed
Good fit if
- You need a compact dual-bay enclosure with multi-gigabit networking.
- You want built-in NPU hardware for photo indexing and face recognition.
Skip if
- You need more than two drive bays for advanced RAID arrays.
- You require an x86 processor for specific application environments.
Verdict: QNAP 2-Bay 5GbE Desktop NAS pairs multi-gigabit networking with quad-core processing and NPU acceleration. It manages central file sharing and media backups across your home network efficiently.
Synology 4-Bay 16TB NAS
Best for: turnkey multi-gigabit business storage and backups
- Network Connectivity
- 5GbE, 2.5GbE (what this guide is about)
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen V1500B Quad-Core
- RAM Capacity
- 4 GB DDR4 ECC
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 2 slots
- Included Storage
- 16TB
View on Amazon: Synology 4-Bay 16TB NAS Affiliate link
This 4-bay enclosure comes bundled with four 4TB Seagate Ironwolf hard drives for 16TB of total raw storage. It features dual 2.5GbE networking, two M.2 NVMe slots for caching or storage pools, and an AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core processor with 4GB ECC memory. You can expand it up to nine bays using a DX525 unit. It suits small offices needing ready-to-run shared storage, data backups, and video surveillance.
Pros
- Pre-installed with four 4TB Seagate Ironwolf drives
- Dual 2.5GbE LAN ports and two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
- Two M.2 NVMe slots for cache or storage pools
- AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core CPU with expandable ECC RAM
Cons
- Ships with 4GB of RAM out of a possible 32GB maximum
- Nine-drive expansion requires buying a separate DX525 unit
Good fit if
- You want a complete storage bundle with drives already included.
- You need dual 2.5GbE networking and dedicated M.2 NVMe slots.
Skip if
- You want an empty diskless enclosure to choose different drive capacities.
- You require more than 4GB of system memory out of the box.
Verdict: Synology DS925+ 4-Bay 16TB NAS delivers an all-in-one storage solution with quad-core processing, multi-gigabit networking, and included hard drives. It gives small environments dependable local backup performance and clear bay expansion options.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Asustor 6-Bay NAS with Quad M.2 NVMe Slots | Synology DiskStation 8TB 2-Bay NAS | Synology 2-Bay AMD Ryzen NAS | Synology 5-Bay 60TB Desktop NAS | QNAP 4-Bay Desktop NAS with 8GB RAM | QNAP 9-Bay Hybrid NAS with 32GB RAM | QNAP 4-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS with M.2 NVMe | QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with Redundant Power | Asustor Lockerstor 10-Bay NAS with 2x 1TB SSD | Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 12TB SSD | Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen3 6-Bay NAS with 4TB SSD | Asustor Lockerstor 6-Bay NAS with 3TB SSD | QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS | QNAP 2-Bay 5GbE Desktop NAS | Synology 4-Bay 16TB NAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Bays | 6-Bay | 2-Bay | 2-Bay | 5-Bay | 4-Bay | 9-Bay | 4-Bay | 8 Bay | 10 Bay | 4 Bay | 6 Bay | 6 Bay | 8 Bay | 2-Bay | 4-Bay |
| Network Connectivity | Dual 2.5GbE | not stated | 1x 2.5GbE, 1x 1GbE | 2 x 2.5GbE | Dual 2.5GbE | 1 x 10GBASE-T, 2 x 2.5GbE | Dual 2.5GbE, Dual 10GbE | 2 x 10GbE SFP+, 2 x 2.5GbE | Dual 5GbE, Dual 10GbE | Dual 5GbE | Dual 5GbE, Dual 10GbE | Dual 2.5GbE | Dual 2.5GbE | 2.5GbE | 2x 2.5GbE |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N5105 | Intel Celeron J4125 Quad-Core | Ryzen R1600 | Ryzen V1500B | Intel Pentium Gold G7400 | AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B | Marvell OCTEON TX2 CN9130 / CN9131 | AnnapurnaLabs Alpine AL324 | AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 | Intel Celeron N5105 | AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 | Intel Celeron N5105 | Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 | ARM Cortex-A55 | AMD Ryzen V1500B Quad-Core |
| RAM Capacity | 8GB DDR4 | 2 GB Non-ECC DDR4 SODIMM | 4GB | 8GB | 8GB DDR4 | 32GB DDR4 | 4GB DDR4 | 4GB UDIMM DDR4 | 16GB ECC DDR5 | 4GB DDR4 | 16GB ECC DDR5 | 8GB DDR4-2933 | 8GB DDR4 | 4GB DDR4 | 4 GB DDR4 ECC |
| M.2 NVMe Slots | 4 slots | not stated | 2 slots | not stated | 2 slots | not stated | 2 slots | not stated | 4 slots | 4 slots | 4 slots | 4X M.2 NVMe Slots | Dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 NVMe | not stated | 2 slots |
| Included Storage | Diskless | 8TB | 8TB | 60TB | Diskless | not stated | Diskless | Diskless | 2 x 1TB SSD | 3 x 4TB SSD | 1 x 4TB SSD | 3 x 1TB SSD | Diskless | Diskless | 16TB |
| RAID Support | not stated | Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Form Factor | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | Desktop | not stated | Rackmount | Rackmount | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | Rackmount | Desktop | not stated |
| Hardware Interface | M.2 NVMe, HDMI | not stated | M.2 NVMe | not stated | not stated | not stated | M.2 NVMe | not stated | M.2 NVMe | M.2 NVMe, HDMI | M.2 NVMe | M.2 NVMe | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Number of Bays | 6-Bay | 2-Bay | 2-Bay | not stated | 4-Bay | not stated | 4-Bay | 8-Bay | not stated | 4-Bay | 6-Bay | 6-Bay | 8-Bay | 2-Bay | 4-Bay |
| Size | 6 Bay | 8TB | 6.54 inches H x 4.17 inches W x 8.78 inches D | 60TB | Intel Pentium | 32GB RAM | 4 Bay (Unav.) | 8 Bay | 2X1TB | 3X4TB | 1X4TB | 3X1TB | 8 bay (Unav.) | 2 Bay (Unav.) | 16TB |
| Target Audience | Content Creators | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Processor Cores | Quad-Core | Quad-Core | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | Quad-Core | not stated | Quad-Core | Quad-Core | Quad-Core | Quad-Core | not stated | Quad-Core | not stated |
| Dimensions | 2.76 × 3.61 × 3.57 inches | 11.8 × 11 × 4.72 inches | 8.78 × 4.17 × 6.54 inches | not stated | not stated | 8.82 × 8.84 × 6.95 inches | not stated | not stated | 14 × 15 × 13 inches | 10 × 12 × 13 inches | 13 × 10 × 13 inches | 13 × 12 × 13 inches | 17.7 × 6.61 × 9.3 inches | 3.94 × 3.94 × 3.94 inches | not stated |
| Weight | 10.8 pounds | 4.41 pounds | 6.61 pounds | 4.81 pounds | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 20.6 pounds | 11.9 pounds | 14.3 pounds | 14.9 pounds | 20.5 pounds | 3.2 pounds | 13.2 pounds |
| Color | black / black | Black | gray | black | Black | black | not stated | Black | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | black | Black | not stated |
| Model | AS6706T | DS225+/8TB-IW | DS725+/8TB-IW | DS1525+ | not stated | TS-h973AX-32G-AM-US | not stated | TS-832PXU-RP-4G-AM-US | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 0885022024544 | TS-216G-US | DS925+/8TB-IW |
For portable storage options, see our guide to the best ORICO SSD enclosures.
How to Choose a 5GbE NAS
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Form Factor Selection
Match the chassis design to your available physical space. Desktop enclosures suit office desks and shelves where compact footprints matter. If you maintain standard server cabinetry, choose a rackmount model. Some enterprise units use short-depth chassis that fit shallow wall-mount cabinets, while standard rack enclosures require deeper server racks. Check width, height, and depth dimensions before buying to make sure your space accommodates the physical enclosure cleanly.
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Additional Network Port Speeds
Look beyond the base 5GbE port at auxiliary network interfaces. Many multi-gigabit units include extra 2.5GbE, 1GbE, or 10GbE ports. If you plan to connect directly to higher-tier switches or keep high-bandwidth client traffic isolated on a dedicated subnet, choose a model with 10GbE support. Matching the NAS port speeds to your switches and router ensures you achieve rated transfer throughput without creating severe network bottlenecks across local clients.
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Dedicated NVMe Flash Slots
Check whether the chassis includes dedicated M.2 NVMe slots. These slots allow you to mount fast solid-state drives without sacrificing any primary mechanical hard drive bays. If your workflow requires swift file access or secondary flash storage volumes, look for models with M.2 support, such as the Synology 2-Bay AMD Ryzen NAS. Units lacking NVMe interfaces must rely entirely on SATA bays for all data storage and system functions.
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Processor Platform and Cores
Examine the processor brand and core architecture on the specification sheet. Quad-core AMD Ryzen processors handle compute-heavy operations, concurrent user access, and virtualization tasks efficiently. Intel Celeron and Pentium processors suit central backup routines, lightweight local tasks, and direct 4K video transcoding. If your deployment involves multiple background applications or heavy shared file serving, prioritize a quad-core processor to keep data movement smooth across 5GbE connections without system lag.
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Power Supply Configuration
Examine the power supply specifications for high-availability setups. Most desktop models use a single power brick or internal supply, which works well for personal file management. For business racks where network hardware must stay online continuously, select an enclosure with redundant power supplies, such as the QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with Redundant Power. Dual supplies ensure your storage remains operational even if one power cable or source feed disconnects unexpectedly.
Frequently asked questions
What network speeds does a 5GbE NAS connection provide?
A 5GbE connection transfers up to 5 gigabits per second, roughly five times faster than standard gigabit Ethernet. This higher bandwidth speeds up large file transfers and local backups. Many 5GbE models, such as the Synology DS1525+ or QNAP TS-216G-US, also negotiate 2.5GbE connections on compatible switches.
Can a 5GbE NAS connect directly to a 10GbE network port?
Yes, multi-gigabit network ports negotiate compatible connection speeds automatically. If your switch or computer supports 10GbE, multi-gigabit hardware drops to 5GbE speeds across compatible cabling. Several options, including the Asustor Lockerstor 10-Bay and QNAP TS-h973AX-32G-AM-US, provide dedicated 10GbE ports alongside 5GbE interfaces for mixed setups.
Do 5GbE NAS devices support M.2 NVMe solid-state drives?
Many multi-gigabit enclosures include dedicated M.2 NVMe hardware interfaces. Models like the Asustor AS6706T provide four M.2 slots, while the Synology DS725+/8TB-IW integrates NVMe hardware alongside two standard bays. You can install fast flash storage to handle demanding local workloads without taking up mechanical drive bays.
Which processors are available in these 5GbE NAS units?
These systems use multi-core desktop and embedded processors from Intel and AMD. You can select quad-core chips like the Intel Celeron in the Synology DS225+/8TB-IW, an Intel Pentium in the QNAP 4-Bay desktop unit, or AMD Ryzen processors featured in models such as the Synology DS1525+.
Can you connect a 5GbE NAS directly to an HDMI display?
Direct video output depends strictly on the hardware interfaces built into the chassis. Units such as the Asustor AS6706T and Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay include dedicated HDMI ports alongside network connections. This lets you connect a monitor directly for video output and local 4K playback.
Do all 5GbE NAS models require purchasing hard drives separately?
No, several models come pre-populated with bundled storage capacities. For example, the Synology DS225+/8TB-IW includes 8TB of storage, the Synology DS925+/8TB-IW provides 16TB, and the DS1525+ includes 60TB. Other configurations, such as the Asustor Lockerstor 6-Bay with 3TB SSD, bundle internal flash drives right out of the box.
How much memory comes installed in 5GbE NAS enclosures?
Pre-installed system memory varies between 4GB and 32GB across available hardware configurations. Compact setups like the QNAP TS-216G-US provide 4GB of RAM, while midrange units feature 8GB. For memory-intensive workloads, the QNAP TS-h973AX-32G-AM-US includes 32GB of pre-installed RAM, and the Asustor Lockerstor 10-Bay supplies 16GB of DDR5 ECC RAM.