Choosing between these two storage options comes down to one central trade-off: drive bay count versus price. The 5-Bay Black Network Attached Storage NAS Enclosure w/ Drive Trays gives you five slots to fill, while the NETGEAR ReadyNAS 202 RN202 2-Bay Network Attached Storage NAS offers two bays at a much lower listed price. If you expect your storage needs to expand, the five-bay unit has obvious appeal. If you want to spend less while still getting a model with a solid processor and hot-swap bays, the NETGEAR makes a strong case.
Quick verdict
If your priority is maximum drive capacity, the 5-bay enclosure is the straightforward pick - it has five bays and includes the drive trays. If you'd rather save money and still get a model with a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB RAM, and hot-swap bays, the NETGEAR ReadyNAS 202 is the smarter choice for a smaller footprint.
At a glance
| 5-Bay NAS Enclosure | NETGEAR ReadyNAS 202 | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 170.00 | USD 71.00 |
| Price bar | ||
| Drive bays | 5 | 2 |
| Hot-swap bays | - | Hot Swap |
| Model | - | RN202 |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Country of origin | United States | China |
| Type | Network Attached Storage | Network Attached Storage |
Where each wins
The 5-bay enclosure takes the lead on capacity. Five drive bays give you plenty of room to grow your storage pool without buying another unit, and the included drive trays make installation simpler. It also comes from the United States, which may be relevant if you prefer domestic sourcing.
The NETGEAR ReadyNAS 202 wins on price and feature density. At USD 71, it's $99 less than the 5-bay enclosure, and it still provides hot-swap bays, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor with 2 GB RAM - all in a more compact 2-bay chassis.
Product notes
#### 5-Bay Black Network Attached Storage NAS Enclosure w/ Drive Trays
This is the capacity-first choice. The five drive bays and included drive trays make it easy to scale your storage pool as you add files. The used black unit is made in the United States, and the power indicator is reported to turn on with no visible damage to the exterior or interior. The trade-off is the higher cost: it's the more expensive of the two, so if you're on a tighter budget, the NETGEAR gives you more for less. Choose it when you know you'll need plenty of bays and don't mind paying for that room.
#### NETGEAR ReadyNAS 202 RN202 2-Bay Network Attached Storage NAS RN20200-100NES
This is the compact, lower-priced option. It packs a 1.4 GHz dual-core ARM processor, 2 GB RAM, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and hot-swap drive bays in a 2-bay chassis. The used unit is black and includes the RN202 model number. The main limitation is the two-bay design: you'll max out at two drives, which could be restrictive if you plan to store a large media library or many backups. It's a smart pick if you want a clear model identity and core NAS features for less money.
Final choice by use case
- Maximize capacity: Choose the 5-Bay Black Network Attached Storage NAS Enclosure w/ Drive Trays when you want five bays and drive trays in one box.
- Balance price and features: Choose the NETGEAR ReadyNAS 202 if you want hot-swap bays, a dual-core processor, and 2 GB RAM without spending as much.
- Decide by growth plan: If you think two drives will cover you for years, the ReadyNAS saves you money; if you're already planning a fourth or fifth drive, the 5-bay model is the one to start with.
