QNAP TS-873AeU-4G-US 8 Bay Rackmount Alternatives: 6 Similar Picks Compared

How these NAS drives compare

QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

The QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS uses an 8-core processor and includes 8GB of RAM, compared to the 4-core V1500B and 4GB base memory in the TS-873AeU. It offers 5GbE and 2.5GbE ports, providing higher potential throughput than the dual 2.5GbE setup on the original. This unit measures 23 inches in length, making it shorter than standard rack depths. It is ideal for users who need more processing cores and faster network options in a compact chassis. You get double the base RAM and a more powerful CPU, which helps with heavy multitasking. If your rack space is limited, the short-depth design is a practical advantage over the standard depth of the TS-873AeU.

Synology 8-Bay Redundant Power RackStation

The Synology RS1221RP+ features redundant power supplies, a key difference from the single power supply in the QNAP TS-873AeU. This redundancy improves uptime reliability for critical data. It also includes 4GB of RAM, matching the base capacity of the QNAP unit. The Synology model is designed for compact rack environments, similar to the QNAP, but focuses on cluster building capabilities. You trade the expandable RAM up to 64GB and the specific Ryzen processor of the QNAP for the peace of mind of redundant power. If your primary concern is continuous operation without single points of failure in the power system, this Synology unit is a strong alternative. It offers a different ecosystem but maintains the 8-bay capacity you need.

BUFFALO TeraStation 5420RN 4-Bay 32TB

The Buffalo TeraStation 5420RN is a 4-bay unit, which is half the capacity of the 8-bay QNAP TS-873AeU. It comes pre-loaded with 32TB of storage (4x8TB), whereas the QNAP is sold without drives. This unit includes 10GbE networking, offering significantly higher bandwidth than the dual 2.5GbE ports on the QNAP. It also emphasizes encryption and security features for business use. You give up four drive bays and the ability to expand RAM significantly, but you gain immediate storage capacity and faster network speeds. This alternative suits users who prioritize security, pre-installed capacity, and 10GbE connectivity over raw drive count. It is a more integrated solution if you do not want to purchase and install drives separately.

Synology 8-Bay Expandable NAS

The Synology DS1823xs+ offers 8GB of RAM, which is double the base 4GB found in the QNAP TS-873AeU. It is an 8-bay rackmount unit, maintaining the same drive capacity. This model focuses on scalable enterprise storage and license-free management. It supports expansion units for further growth, similar to the QNAP's PCIe expansion options. You trade the AMD Ryzen processor and dual 2.5GbE ports for Synology's ecosystem and higher base RAM. The DS1823xs+ is designed for teams needing robust uptime and flexible expansion via additional enclosures. If you prefer a different software environment and want more base memory for immediate performance, this Synology unit is a viable 8-bay alternative. It provides a different path to scalability without sacrificing bay count.

QNAP TL-R1600PES 16-Bay Rackmount JBOD

The QNAP TL-R1600PES is a 16-bay JBOD expansion unit, not a standalone NAS with its own processor. It is designed to expand existing QNAP NAS systems, including the TS-873AeU. This unit provides massive storage capacity in a short-depth rack form factor. You do not get independent processing power or network ports in this device; it relies on the host NAS. It is ideal for users who already have a QNAP system and need to add petabyte-level storage without taking up more rack space. This is not a direct replacement but a complementary product. If you need more drive bays and are committed to the QNAP ecosystem, this JBOD unit allows you to scale storage significantly. It lacks the compute features of the TS-873AeU entirely.

Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay 10GbE NAS

The Asustor AS6808T includes 16GB of RAM, which is four times the base 4GB in the QNAP TS-873AeU. It features 10GbE and 5GbE networking, offering much faster potential transfer speeds than the dual 2.5GbE ports. This unit also includes four M.2 NVMe slots for internal SSD caching or storage, a feature the QNAP does not have internally. It is an 8-bay rackmount unit with a Quad-Core AMD Ryzen processor. You gain significantly more RAM, faster network options, and NVMe support. However, you may need to configure these features yourself. This alternative suits users who prioritize high-speed networking, internal SSD expansion, and a larger base memory pool. It is a performance-focused option for those building a custom high-performance rackmount system.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS

Best for: Teams needing expandable RAM and fast networking

Drive Bays

8-Bay

Network Connectivity

2x 2.5GbE

Processor

AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B

RAM Capacity

4GB DDR4

Included Storage

Diskless

Form Factor

Rackmount

View on Amazon: QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS Affiliate link

This 8-bay rackmount NAS uses an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B processor running at 2.2 GHz. It includes 4GB of DDR4 RAM, which you can expand up to 64GB. Dual 2.5GbE ports help accelerate file sharing and large transfers. The unit features multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for fast external drive connectivity. It is designed for teams needing reliable storage and backup capabilities.

Pros

• AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B 4-core processor
• Dual 2.5GbE network ports
• Expandable RAM up to 64GB
• PCIe Gen 3x8 slots for expansion cards
• Multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports

Cons

• Includes only 4GB of base RAM
• Single power supply configuration
• No mention of built-in display

Good fit if

• You need high-speed 2.5GbE connectivity
• You want to expand RAM beyond 4GB
• You require PCIe expansion for network or USB cards

Skip if

• You need redundant power supplies
• You prefer a single-bay desktop unit
• You do not need rackmount form factor

Verdict: QNAP 8-Bay Rackmount NAS suits users who need expandable RAM and fast network ports for team file sharing in a rack environment.

2 Best 8-core

QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

Best for: Space-constrained racks needing 8-bay capacity

Drive Bays

8 Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 2.5GbE

Processor

Intel Atom C5125

RAM Capacity

8GB SODIMM DDR4

M.2 NVMe Slots

Dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe SSD slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: QNAP 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS Affiliate link

This QNAP unit is an 8-bay rackmount NAS designed for high-speed data access. It features an Intel Atom C5125 8-core processor and 8GB of RAM, expandable to 64GB. Dual 2.5GbE ports and two M.2 NVMe slots offer flexible connectivity and caching. The short-depth 2U form factor fits tight server racks. It suits teams needing reliable file sharing and large transfer speeds without full-height rack space.

Pros

• Intel Atom C5125 8-core processor for robust performance
• 8GB SODIMM DDR4 RAM, upgradeable to 64GB with ECC support
• Dual 2.5GbE ports for faster network file transfers
• Two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe SSD slots for caching or storage

Cons

• Diskless configuration requires purchasing drives separately
• 2U height may not fit standard 1U server chassis
• Limited to 2.5GbE speeds unless expansion cards are added

Good fit if

• You need an 8-bay NAS that fits in short-depth racks
• You require fast local network speeds with 2.5GbE connectivity
• You plan to expand RAM for heavy multitasking or virtualization

Skip if

• You already own hard drives and want a pre-loaded unit
• You require 10GbE or higher native network connectivity
• You have only 1U of rack space available

Verdict: QNAP 8-Bay Short Rackmount NAS delivers strong processing power and flexible storage options for space-constrained server rooms. It is ideal for users who need expandable RAM and fast 2.5GbE networking in a compact 2U chassis.

3 Also great

Synology 8-Bay Redundant Power RackStation

Best for: Compact 8-bay rackmount storage

Drive Bays

8 bay

Included Storage

Diskless

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM

Dimensions

22.5 × 20.8 × 8.5 inches

View on Amazon: Synology 8-Bay Redundant Power RackStation Affiliate link

This is an 8-bay rackmount NAS with 4GB of DDR4 RAM. It offers up to 2,315 MB/s read speeds and supports PCIe expansion for faster networking. The unit features a short depth of 298 mm, making it suitable for tight server racks. You can configure two units for high availability. It is diskless, so you must supply your own drives.

Pros

• 8 drive bays for high capacity
• 4GB DDR4 RAM included
• Up to 2,315 MB/s read speed
• Short depth of 298 mm
• Supports PCIe network card upgrades

Cons

• Diskless design requires separate drive purchase
• 4GB RAM may limit heavy virtualization
• No redundant power supply included

Good fit if

• You need a compact 2U rackmount solution
• You want to build a high-availability cluster
• You require high sequential read speeds

Skip if

• You need pre-installed storage drives
• You require redundant power supplies
• You need more than 4GB of RAM

Verdict: Synology 8-Bay RackStation 4GB RAM suits users needing a compact, high-speed 8-bay server. It is ideal for those building redundant clusters in tight rack spaces.

4 Best 4-bay

BUFFALO TeraStation 5420RN 4-Bay 32TB

Best for: Secure, pre-loaded 4-bay business storage

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

Native 10GbE port

Included Storage

32TB (4x8TB)

RAID Support

RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 0

Form Factor

Rackmount

Dimensions

7.9 × 23 × 21.3 inches

View on Amazon: BUFFALO TeraStation 5420RN 4-Bay 32TB Affiliate link

This 4-bay rackmount NAS ships with 32TB of pre-installed drives. It features a native 10GbE port for fast data transfers. The system includes 256-bit drive encryption and two-factor authentication. Snapshots help recover data quickly from ransomware. It syncs with major cloud services for hybrid backups. You need this for secure, high-capacity business storage.

Pros

• Includes 32TB of NAS-grade hard drives
• Native 10GbE port for high-speed transfers
• 256-bit drive encryption and two-factor authentication
• Snapshot feature for instant data recovery

Cons

• Only 4 drive bays compared to 8-bay competitors
• Heavier build at 27.2 pounds
• Closed system limits third-party app integration

Good fit if

• You need a pre-loaded storage solution
• You require 10GbE connectivity
• You want enterprise-grade security features

Skip if

• You need more than 4 drive bays
• You prefer open-source operating systems
• You want a lighter, smaller chassis

Verdict: Buffalo TeraStation 5420RN 32TB 4-Bay suits users who need immediate, secure capacity without buying drives separately. It fits businesses prioritizing encryption and 10GbE speed over raw bay count.

5 Best budget

Synology 8-Bay Expandable NAS

Best for: Scalable enterprise storage needs

Drive Bays

8-Bay

Included Storage

Diskless

RAM Capacity

8GB RAM

Dimensions

14.6 × 18.1 × 12.6 inches

Weight

16.5 pounds

View on Amazon: Synology 8-Bay Expandable NAS Affiliate link

The Synology DS1823xs+ is an 8-bay rackmount NAS designed for enterprise environments. It includes 8GB of DDR4 RAM and supports hot-swappable drives for high availability. You can expand capacity by attaching up to two Synology DX517 units. This diskless model allows you to select your own drives. It is suitable for users needing scalable storage with license-free backup and replication features.

Pros

• 8 drive bays for high capacity
• 8GB DDR4 RAM for performance
• Supports up to 18 bays with expansion units
• Hot-swappable drives for uptime

Cons

• Sold diskless without included storage
• Large 18.1-inch width requires rack space
• No mention of included software licenses

Good fit if

• You need expandable storage beyond 8 bays
• You want hot-swappable drive support
• You prefer to choose your own drives

Skip if

• You need a pre-loaded storage solution
• You have limited rack width available
• You require a compact desktop form factor

Verdict: Synology DS1823xs+ 8-Bay Rackmount NAS offers flexible expansion and robust uptime features for enterprise users. It fits teams needing scalable, license-free storage management with room to grow via expansion units.

6 Best premium

QNAP TL-R1600PES 16-Bay Rackmount JBOD

Best for: expanding QNAP NAS storage in tight racks

Drive Bays

16-Bay

Included Storage

Diskless

Form Factor

Rackmount

Hardware Interface

SATA

Dimensions

1 × 13 × 24 inches

View on Amazon: QNAP TL-R1600PES 16-Bay Rackmount JBOD Affiliate link

This QNAP TL-R1600PES-RP-US is a 16-bay rackmount JBOD designed to expand storage for compatible QNAP NAS units. It supports SATA 6Gb/s drives and uses Mini-SAS HD connections for flexible, high-capacity expansion. The short-depth design fits small cabinets, and redundant power supplies ensure continuity. It includes a standard five-year warranty.

Pros

• Supports 16 x 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s drives
• Uses Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) for high-speed expansion
• Redundant power supplies for service continuity
• Short depth design fits small media cabinets
• Standard five-year warranty

Cons

• Rail kit sold separately
• Requires a compatible QNAP NAS to function
• Limited to JBOD expansion, no independent OS

Good fit if

• You need to expand storage for a QNAP NAS
• You have limited cabinet depth for rackmount gear
• You require redundant power for critical data

Skip if

• You need a standalone NAS without a host
• You do not own a compatible QNAP system
• You want a compact desktop enclosure

Verdict: QNAP 16-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount JBOD is a practical expansion unit for users with QNAP NAS systems who need petabyte-level storage in a space-saving rack form factor.

7 Best m.2 nvme

Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay 10GbE NAS

Best for: Users needing multiple M.2 NVMe slots

Drive Bays

8-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 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay 10GbE NAS Affiliate link

The Asustor AS6808T is an 8-bay rackmount NAS featuring an AMD Ryzen quad-core processor and 16GB of ECC DDR5 RAM. It includes four M.2 NVMe slots for high-speed caching or storage. You get dual 5GbE and dual 10GbE ports for flexible networking. This unit is diskless and designed for users who need robust internal expansion options alongside standard drive bays.

Pros

• Four M.2 NVMe slots for SSD expansion
• 16GB ECC DDR5 RAM for data integrity
• Dual 5GbE and dual 10GbE network ports
• AMD Ryzen quad-core 2.3 GHz processor

Cons

• Large 42U rackmount form factor requires space
• Sold diskless with no included storage drives
• No mention of included software licenses or apps

Good fit if

• You need dedicated M.2 NVMe slots for caching
• You require 10GbE connectivity for high throughput
• You want ECC RAM for system stability

Skip if

• You need a pre-loaded storage solution
• You have limited rack space or depth
• You prefer a simpler single-port network setup

Verdict: Asustor AS6808T 8-Bay NAS with 4 NVMe Slots suits users who prioritize internal SSD expansion and high-speed networking over included storage. It is a strong option for those building a custom high-performance rackmount system.

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