Looking Beyond the QNAP 4-Bay M.2 NVMe SSD? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

How each alternative compares

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS

The Asustor AS6604T shares the 4-bay M.2 NVMe form factor and dual 2.5GbE ports found in the QNAP unit. It differs by offering only 4GB of RAM compared to the QNAP’s 8GB. This lower memory capacity may limit complex multitasking or heavy virtual machine workloads. However, it retains the quad-core processing power suitable for general storage tasks. You choose this model if you need the dual 2.5GbE connectivity but can accept reduced RAM to save on cost. The physical dimensions are slightly larger, measuring 9.06 inches in length. It lacks the dual HDMI 2.0 outputs of the QNAP, focusing instead on core storage and network flexibility for users who do not require direct 4K media playback from the NAS chassis.

Aiffro K100 4-Bay All-SSD NAS

The Aiffro K100 is significantly smaller than the QNAP TBS-464, measuring just 4.61 inches in length. It also uses an Intel N100 processor, which differs from the QNAP’s unspecified quad-core CPU. While it offers similar M.2 NVMe interfaces, it omits the 8GB RAM found in the QNAP unit. The network connectivity includes 5GbE and 2.5GbE ports, providing higher potential bandwidth than the QNAP’s dual 2.5GbE setup. You should pick this alternative if space is your primary constraint. The compact design makes it ideal for small desks or tight enclosures. It sacrifices the dedicated 4K media output ports of the QNAP for a lower profile. This unit is best for users who prioritize high-speed SSD storage in a minimal footprint over multimedia streaming capabilities.

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay 10GbE NAS

The Asustor AS6804T upgrades the networking and memory significantly. It features 16GB of RAM, double the capacity of the QNAP’s 8GB. The network setup includes both 5GbE and 10GbE ports, offering greater flexibility than the QNAP’s dual 2.5GbE configuration. It uses an AMD Ryzen quad-core processor, which may provide different performance characteristics than the QNAP’s Intel chip. This model is larger, measuring 13 inches in length. You should choose this NAS if you require high memory for database services or virtualization. The 10GbE port supports faster network transfers for compatible clients. It lacks the dual HDMI outputs of the QNAP, focusing entirely on storage performance and network speed. This is the premium choice for users needing maximum RAM and high-speed networking.

Ubiquiti UNAS-4 White 4-Bay NAS

The Ubiquiti UNAS-4 differs by supporting 3.5-inch drives in addition to M.2 NVMe cache. The QNAP TBS-464 is strictly an M.2 NVMe unit. This hybrid approach allows you to use larger, more cost-effective HDDs for bulk storage while using NVMe for speed. The form factor is compact, similar in intent to the QNAP. However, specific processor and RAM details are not provided in the data. You should pick this model if you need to balance capacity and speed. It is ideal for users who want to cache frequently accessed data on NVMe while storing large files on traditional drives. The QNAP offers direct 4K HDMI output, which this unit does not. This alternative is best for mixed storage needs rather than pure SSD performance.

LincPlus LincStation E1 4-Bay NAS

The LincPlus LincStation E1 combines SATA and M.2 NVMe interfaces in one chassis. The QNAP TBS-464 uses only M.2 NVMe slots. This hybrid design allows for flexible storage configurations using both drive types. It includes 4GB of RAM, which is half the capacity of the QNAP’s 8GB. It features dual 2.5GbE ports, matching the QNAP’s networking. A key difference is the inclusion of an HDMI port, similar to the QNAP’s dual HDMI 2.0 outputs. You should choose this unit if you need to mix SATA and NVMe drives. It is suitable for users who want direct media playback via HDMI. The lower RAM capacity may limit advanced applications. This model is best for those who prioritize hybrid storage flexibility and multimedia output over maximum RAM and pure NVMe speed.

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 12TB SSD

The Asustor AS6704T v2 comes with pre-configured 3x4TB NVMe SSDs. The QNAP TBS-464 is sold without included drives. This unit offers 4GB of RAM, half the capacity of the QNAP. It features a 5GbE port, which is faster than the QNAP’s 2.5GbE ports. It also includes an HDMI output for direct media playback. The physical size is larger, measuring 13 inches in length. You should pick this model if you want a ready-to-use solution without purchasing separate drives. The 5GbE connectivity provides higher single-port speeds than the QNAP. It lacks the dual HDMI outputs and higher RAM of the QNAP. This alternative is best for users who prefer a complete package with strong networking and media capabilities, rather than building their own storage array.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

QNAP 4-Bay M.2 NVMe SSD NAS

Best for: Fast NVMe storage and 4K media streaming

Drive Bays

4 Bay

Network Connectivity

2 x 2.5GbE

Processor

Intel Quad-core

RAM Capacity

8GB

M.2 NVMe Slots

4 M.2 PCIe Gen3x2 NVMe

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: QNAP 4-Bay M.2 NVMe SSD NAS Affiliate link

The QNAP TBS-464 is a 4-bay NAS built for speed. It uses four M.2 NVMe SSDs and an Intel quad-core CPU with 8GB RAM. You get dual 2.5GbE ports for fast network transfers. The device also supports 4K media playback via two HDMI 2.0 outputs. This setup suits users who need high-performance local storage and multimedia capabilities.

Pros

• Four M.2 PCIe Gen3x2 NVMe SSD slots for fast storage
• Intel Quad-core CPU with 8GB RAM for efficient processing
• Dual 2.5GbE ports with port trunking support up to 5 Gbps
• Two HDMI 2.0 outputs for 4K @60Hz media playback

Cons

• Lacks 10GbE networking found in some competitors
• Uses PCIe Gen3x2 instead of newer Gen4 slots
• No mention of built-in USB Type-C connectivity

Good fit if

• You need fast NVMe storage for active projects
• You want to stream 4K media directly from the NAS
• You prefer 2.5GbE network speeds for your home office

Skip if

• You require 10GbE networking for heavy enterprise workloads
• You need SATA drive bays for bulk cold storage
• You want a rackmount form factor for server rooms

Verdict: The QNAP TBS-464 4-Bay NVMe NAS delivers high-speed NVMe storage and 4K media output for users who prioritize performance and multimedia features in a compact desktop unit.

2 Also great

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS

Best for: users needing M.2 slots and dual 2.5GbE

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

2x 2.5GbE

Processor

Quad-Core 2.0GHz

RAM Capacity

4GB DDR4

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS Affiliate link

The Asustor Lockerstor 4 is a 4-bay NAS featuring a quad-core 2.0GHz processor and 4GB of DDR4 RAM. It includes two M.2 NVMe slots for cache or storage expansion and dual 2.5GbE ports for network connectivity. This diskless unit suits users seeking a balance of performance and expandability. It supports over 200 apps and includes four free IP camera licenses for surveillance needs.

Pros

• Quad-core 2.0GHz processor for multitasking
• 4GB DDR4 RAM for smooth operation
• Two 2.5GbE network ports
• Two M.2 NVMe SSD slots
• Includes four free IP camera licenses

Cons

• Diskless design requires separate drive purchases
• No 10GbE port for high-speed networking
• Only 4GB RAM limits heavy virtualization

Good fit if

• You need M.2 NVMe caching or storage
• You want dual 2.5GbE connectivity
• You plan to add IP cameras

Skip if

• You require 10GbE network speeds
• You need a pre-configured storage solution
• You want more than 4GB of RAM

Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 4 4-Bay NAS offers solid mid-range specs with M.2 slots and dual 2.5GbE ports, making it a practical choice for users who need flexible storage expansion and surveillance capabilities without the cost of higher-end networking hardware.

3 Also great

Aiffro K100 4-Bay All-SSD NAS

Best for: compact, high-speed SSD storage

Drive Bays

4 Bays

Network Connectivity

2.5GbE

Processor

Intel N100

RAM Capacity

8GB LPDDR5 4800MHz

M.2 NVMe Slots

4 slots

Hardware Interface

M.2 NVMe

View on Amazon: Aiffro K100 4-Bay All-SSD NAS Affiliate link

The Aiffro K100 is a compact, all-flash NAS built for speed and efficiency. It houses four M.2 NVMe SSD bays and runs on an Intel N100 processor with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The unit includes a 2.5GbE port for fast local transfers. Its small aluminum chassis fits easily in tight spaces. This drive suits users who prioritize low power consumption and high SSD performance over traditional hard drive capacity.

Pros

• Intel N100 quad-core processor with 6W TDP
• 8GB LPDDR5 4800MHz RAM for fast data handling
• Four bays for 2280 M.2 NVMe SSDs
• Compact aluminum chassis measuring 4.61 x 4.41 x 1.34 inches

Cons

• No 10GbE network port for ultra-fast networking
• Limited to M.2 SSDs, not compatible with 3.5-inch HDDs
• Requires DIY operating system installation

Good fit if

• You want a silent, cool-running storage device
• You need high read/write speeds for video editing
• You have limited desk or rack space

Skip if

• You need to store large archives of 3.5-inch hard drives
• You want a pre-installed, user-friendly operating system
• You require 10GbE connectivity for heavy network traffic

Verdict: The Aiffro K100 4-Bay All-SSD NAS delivers efficient, high-speed storage for users who value compact design and low power draw. It is ideal for professionals needing fast SSD performance in a small footprint.

4 Best 16gb ram

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay 10GbE NAS

Best for: High-performance 4-bay NAS with 10GbE

Drive Bays

4 Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 5GbE, Dual 10GbE

Processor

AMD Ryzen Quad-Core 2.3 GHz

RAM Capacity

16GB ECC DDR5

M.2 NVMe Slots

4 M.2 NVMe Slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay 10GbE NAS Affiliate link

The Asustor AS6804T is a 4-bay NAS featuring an AMD Ryzen Quad-Core 2.3 GHz processor and 16GB of ECC DDR5 RAM. It includes four M.2 NVMe slots and dual 5GbE plus dual 10GbE network ports. This diskless unit suits users needing high-speed internal storage and robust networking for demanding workloads.

Pros

• 16GB ECC DDR5 RAM capacity
• AMD Ryzen Quad-Core 2.3 GHz processor
• Four M.2 NVMe slots
• Dual 10GbE and dual 5GbE ports

Cons

• Sold diskless with no included storage
• Large footprint at 13 inches deep
• No mention of USB Type-C connectivity

Good fit if

• You need fast M.2 NVMe caching
• You require 10GbE network speeds
• You want ECC memory for stability

Skip if

• You need pre-installed drives
• You want a compact desktop unit
• You prefer USB DAS connectivity

Verdict: Asustor AS6804T 4-Bay NAS offers strong processing and networking specs for users who prioritize speed and memory capacity over included storage or a small form factor.

5 Best 3.5 inch

Ubiquiti UNAS-4 White 4-Bay NAS

Best for: mixed HDD and NVMe cache setups

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

Gigabit Ethernet

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Form Factor

3.5 Inch

Hardware Interface

M.2 NVMe

View on Amazon: Ubiquiti UNAS-4 White 4-Bay NAS Affiliate link

The Ubiquiti UNAS-4 is a white 4-bay NAS designed for 3.5-inch HDDs and M.2 NVMe SSDs. It features dual M.2 slots for cache expansion and supports 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet speeds. The unit includes USB-C connectivity options. This drive suits users who need a compact 25-inch wide chassis with mixed storage capabilities for local data management.

Pros

• Supports 3.5-inch HDD bays
• Dual M.2 NVMe cache slots
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet capability
• USB-C connectivity option

Cons

• No mention of built-in Wi-Fi
• No mention of 10GbE ports
• No mention of RAID management software

Good fit if

• You want a 4-bay NAS for 3.5-inch drives
• You need M.2 NVMe cache support
• You prefer a compact 25-inch wide design

Skip if

• You require 10 Gigabit Ethernet speeds
• You need built-in wireless connectivity
• You only want an all-SSD NAS

Verdict: Ubiquiti UNAS-4 White 4-Bay NAS fits users who prioritize 3.5-inch drive capacity with M.2 cache expansion in a compact form factor.

6 Best budget

LincPlus LincStation E1 4-Bay NAS

Best for: Hybrid SATA and NVMe storage with HDMI

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

2.5GbE

Processor

Quad-Core Cortex-A55

RAM Capacity

4GB DDR4

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: LincPlus LincStation E1 4-Bay NAS Affiliate link

The LincStation E1 is a 4-bay NAS with a quad-core 2.0GHz processor and 4GB RAM. It features two SATA bays for HDDs and two M.2 NVMe slots for SSDs. This hybrid design supports up to 76TB of total storage. It includes a 2.5GbE port and 4K HDMI output for direct media playback. The device uses LincOS for a mobile-first interface.

Pros

• Hybrid 4-bay design with 2 SATA and 2 M.2 NVMe slots
• Quad-core 2.0GHz processor with 4GB DDR4 RAM
• Dedicated HDMI 2.0 port for 4K video playback
• 2.5GbE network port for faster local transfers

Cons

• Only 4GB RAM limits heavy virtualization workloads
• No mention of dual 2.5G or 10G network ports
• Smaller RAM compared to competitors with 8GB options

Good fit if

• You want to mix HDDs for capacity and NVMe for speed
• You need direct 4K video output to a TV
• You prefer a tool-free drive installation process

Skip if

• You require heavy virtualization with more than 4GB RAM
• You need dedicated 10GbE networking for high throughput
• You want a standard 3.5-inch SATA-only NAS design

Verdict: The LincPlus LincStation E1 4-Bay NAS suits users who want a compact hybrid storage solution with direct HDMI media output. It fits those who prioritize a mix of SATA capacity and NVMe speed over maximum RAM.

7 Best premium

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 12TB SSD

Best for: users needing pre-configured NVMe storage

Drive Bays

4 Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 5GbE

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

The Asustor AS6704T v2 is a 4-bay NAS featuring an Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor and 4GB of DDR4 RAM. It includes dual 5GbE ports and four M.2 NVMe slots. This unit comes pre-configured with three 4TB SSDs. It suits users needing fast local storage for media or backups without complex setup.

Pros

• Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core CPU
• Dual 5GbE Ethernet ports
• Four M.2 NVMe slots
• Includes three 4TB SSDs

Cons

• Only 4GB of RAM
• No SATA drive bays
• Heavier build at 11.9 pounds

Good fit if

• You want pre-installed NVMe storage
• You need dual 5GbE connectivity
• You prefer a compact 4-bay form factor

Skip if

• You require SATA HDD support
• You need more than 4GB of RAM
• You want a diskless expansion unit

Verdict: Asustor AS6704T v2 3x4TB SSD NAS offers a ready-to-use NVMe solution with strong networking for small offices.

Specifications side by side

Frequently asked questions

See also

• aoostar wtr pro 4 2 bay NAS mini PC alternatives
• pantrypro 4 liter 4 2 alternatives