When files outgrow one external drive, the NAS decision comes down to a few questions: how many drives do you want to install, do you want storage included, and what is the budget? The four network attached storage options here run from $169.95 to $374.99, and each answers those questions differently.
Before choosing, the first question to answer is whether you want drives included. The LinkStation 210 is the one unit with storage already inside. The other three options are diskless enclosures that ask you to bring hard drives, though they differ in bay count, condition, and the features around them.
Listed prices at a glance
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Synology DS423 4-Bay NAS Enclosure | USD 374.99 | |
| 2-Bay NAS Enclosure Diskless White | USD 346.97 | |
| 2TB LinkStation 210 NAS | USD 268.99 | |
| Qnap TS-431P2 4-Bay Personal Cloud NAS | USD 169.95 |
Decision matrix
| Decision driver | Product | Condition | Drives |
|---|---|---|---|
| New 4-bay enclosure for a larger home setup | Synology DS423 | New | Diskless |
| Compact 2-bay white enclosure with IP camera monitoring | 2-Bay NAS Enclosure Diskless White | New | Diskless |
| Lowest listed price | Qnap TS-431P2 | Used | Diskless, caddies included |
| Storage included | 2TB LinkStation 210 | New | 2TB HDD included |
Product notes
Synology DS423 4-Bay NAS Enclosure - USD 374.99
This is the highest listed price in the group. The DS423 is a four-bay DiskStation that accepts 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives, so you bring your own hard drives. It runs on a Realtek RTD1619B quad-core processor with 2GB of DDR4 RAM, two gigabit Ethernet ports, and two USB-A 3.0 ports. In black, it is meant to sit quietly in a home or small office setup. If you are planning a larger storage project and want a new unit with room to grow, this is a solid 4-bay foundation. The clear limitation is that drives are not included, so the real-world cost goes up once you add the disks you want.
2-Bay NAS Enclosure Diskless White - USD 346.97
This white tabletop enclosure takes a different approach from the other three. It is a 2-bay diskless NAS with a plastic and tempered glass build aimed at home users and small teams. It supports 24/7 home monitoring by connecting multiple IP cameras for remote viewing, alongside private cloud file access from desktop, laptop, or mobile devices. Low-power and quiet operation are also part of the design. At $346.97, it is the second-highest listed price here even though it offers fewer bays than the Qnap or Synology options. For someone who wants a compact white unit and also wants to monitor a property with IP cameras, the monitoring angle is what separates it from the rest.
Qnap TS-431P2 Network Attached Storage NAS 4-Bay Personal Cloud - USD 169.95
The Qnap TS-431P2 is the lowest-priced option at $169.95 and brings a 4-bay personal cloud build to the table. For that price, you get a used unit and four included drive caddies, and each unit has been tested by an in-house technical team. The big trade-offs are spelled out plainly: the power adapter and the drives are not included, so you are responsible for both before this NAS can spin up. That means the list price is not the full cost to run unless you already own a compatible adapter and drives. Shoppers who want four bays at the lowest price point will need to bring their own accessories and be comfortable with used gear.
2TB Network Attached Storage - LinkStation 210 - USD 268.99
The LinkStation 210 is the only product in this lineup that includes its storage: a 2TB HDD is already inside. It is a value NAS with RAID, centralized storage, and backup for all devices, plus scheduled backups, SSL encryption, and individual access restrictions for secure file sharing. It also offers a subscription-free personal cloud, so you can back up and manage videos, music, and photos without ongoing fees. It works with Windows. The trade-off is that the 2TB capacity is fixed from the start, so if your file collection grows quickly, you will be shopping for a larger unit or a second device later. At $268.99, it is the direct pick for shoppers who want one box with storage included.
Final recommendation by use case
If you want a new enclosure with the processing power and connectivity to support a growing home setup, the Synology DS423 is a strong place to start. If you want the lowest listed price and are fine with used gear, the Qnap TS-431P2 is the entry point, but you will need to supply a power adapter and drives. If you want storage included from day one, the LinkStation 210 avoids drive shopping entirely. If a compact tabletop unit with IP camera monitoring matters more than expansion capacity, the 2-Bay NAS Enclosure is the one to look at.
