Buying Guide
The Best Diskless NAS Enclosures for a Cleaner, More Useful Desk
We looked at 8 diskless NAS enclosures side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
10 min read8 products evaluated
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A diskless NAS enclosure is sold empty on purpose, it lets you pick your own drives instead of paying a markup on whatever capacity the manufacturer bundled in. That flexibility only pays off if you buy the right drive type for it, since not every hard drive marketed toward consumers is actually built to survive a RAID rebuild inside a multi-bay enclosure.
99 4-bay DAS enclosure to a $700 4-bay Synology built for small business workloads.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Overall
Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS925+ (Diskless)
Buyers who want long-term app flexibility and are willing to pay for it
Our take Check price for Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS925+ (Diskless) (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 2-Bay
Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS223j (Diskless)
First-time NAS buyers who want simple backup without Plus-series pricing
Our take Check price for Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS223j (Diskless) (opens in a new tab)
Best 4-Bay Value
Synology DS423 4-Bay Diskless NAS
Buyers who want 4-bay RAID redundancy without Plus-series pricing
Our take Check price for Synology DS423 4-Bay Diskless NAS (opens in a new tab)
Best Expandable 2-Bay
Synology DS725+ Expandable 2-Bay Diskless NAS
Buyers who want to start with 2 bays but plan to expand later
Our take Check price for Synology DS725+ Expandable 2-Bay Diskless NAS (opens in a new tab)
Best Value 2-Bay
UGREEN NAS DH2300 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless)
Budget-conscious buyers open to a non-Synology NAS platform
Our take Check price for UGREEN NAS DH2300 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless) (opens in a new tab)
Best DAS Enclosure
QNAP TR-004 4-Bay USB Type-C DAS (Diskless)
Buyers who want RAID capacity for one computer rather than shared network storage
Our take Check price for QNAP TR-004 4-Bay USB Type-C DAS (Diskless) (opens in a new tab)
Best 10Gbps DAS
TERRAMASTER D4-320 4-Bay USB 3.2 Gen2 Enclosure (Diskless)
Buyers who want the fastest, cheapest 4-bay RAID expansion for a single computer
Our take Check price for TERRAMASTER D4-320 4-Bay USB 3.2 Gen2 Enclosure (Diskless) (opens in a new tab)
Best for Backup Hub
Synology DS223 Home & Office Backup Hub (2-Bay Diskless NAS)
Buyers whose primary goal is centralized backup rather than a full app platform
Our take Check price for Synology DS223 Home & Office Backup Hub (2-Bay Diskless NAS) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Overall1 of 8
Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS925+ (Diskless) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DS925+ is Synology's current 4-bay Plus-series enclosure, the tier that supports upgradeable RAM rather than the soldered memory found on entry Value-series models.
Best for
- Buyers who want long-term app flexibility and are willing to pay for it
Why we like it
That matters if you plan to add Plex, Surveillance Station, or other apps down the road rather than use the NAS purely for backup.
As a 2024+ Plus-series model, it shows compatibility warnings in DSM for non-Synology drives, a detail Synology doesn't advertise prominently. Synology-branded drives avoid the warning entirely but carry a 15-30% price premium over third-party NAS drives that will still work despite the flag.
Full DSM app ecosystem including Active Backup for Business.
Key dimensions & specs
- 4-bay diskless enclosure
- Upgradeable RAM (Plus-series)
- Supports RAID 5, SHR, RAID 10
- 2024+ Plus-series drive compatibility warnings for non-Synology drives
- Supports DSM app ecosystem including Surveillance Station
Pros
- Upgradeable RAM avoids the early upgrade trap of soldered-RAM models
- Full DSM app ecosystem including Active Backup for Business
- Supports RAID 5, SHR, and RAID 10
- 4 bays leave real expansion room over a 2-bay unit
Cons
- Most expensive pick in this list
- Shows compatibility warnings for third-party drives
- 4 drives to buy separately adds real total cost
Best Budget 2-Bay2 of 8
Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS223j (Diskless) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DS223j is Synology's entry Value-series 2-bay enclosure, priced well below the Plus-series while still running the same DSM software.
Best for
- First-time NAS buyers who want simple backup without Plus-series pricing
Why we like it
It's a simpler starting point for a first NAS, especially for buyers who just want centralized backup rather than a multi-app home server.
Value-series models carry less restrictive third-party drive compatibility than 2024+ Plus-series units, so a wider range of NAS-grade drives will run without DSM flagging a warning. The trade-off is soldered RAM that can't be upgraded later.
Key dimensions & specs
- 2-bay diskless enclosure
- Value-series, soldered RAM
- Less restrictive third-party drive compatibility than Plus-series
- Runs full DSM operating system
- Supports RAID 1 mirroring
Pros
- Lowest price among 2-bay Synology enclosures in this list
- Fewer third-party drive compatibility warnings than Plus-series
- Runs the same DSM software as pricier Synology models
- Simple setup suited to first-time NAS buyers
Cons
- Soldered RAM cannot be upgraded later
- Only 2 bays limits total capacity and RAID options
- Less CPU headroom for apps like Plex transcoding
Best 4-Bay Value3 of 8
Synology DS423 4-Bay Diskless NAS on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DS423 sits between the budget DS223j and the Plus-series DS925+, offering 4 bays without the full Plus-series price tag.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4-bay RAID redundancy without Plus-series pricing
Why we like it
Four bays open up RAID 5 or SHR with a real spare-drive margin, something a 2-bay enclosure simply cannot do.
It's positioned for family and small-business backup, video surveillance, and photo storage rather than heavy multi-user app workloads, so it's a sensible pick for buyers who want more bays without paying Plus-series prices for RAM they may not need.
Supports RAID 5 and SHR for real redundancy.
Key dimensions & specs
- 4-bay diskless enclosure
- Supports RAID 5, SHR
- Video Surveillance Station support
- Photo Vault and secure file sharing apps
- Family/small-business focused DSM feature set
Pros
- 4 bays at a lower price than the Plus-series DS925+
- Supports RAID 5 and SHR for real redundancy
- Includes surveillance and photo backup apps
- Good middle ground between budget and Plus-series
Cons
- Less CPU power than Plus-series for heavy transcoding
- Fixed RAM on this tier
- 4 drives to buy separately adds real total cost
Best Expandable 2-Bay4 of 8
Synology DS725+ Expandable 2-Bay Diskless NAS on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DS725+ starts as a 2-bay enclosure but supports an expansion unit to add more bays later, letting buyers start small and grow into a larger array without replacing the whole NAS.
Best for
- Buyers who want to start with 2 bays but plan to expand later
Why we like it
That expandability is unusual at the 2-bay tier and worth the premium over the DS223j for buyers who expect to outgrow 2 bays.
As a current-generation Plus-series model it carries upgradeable RAM and the same 2024+ third-party drive compatibility warnings as the DS925+, so budget for Synology-branded drives or expect a DSM warning flag with third-party NAS drives.
Key dimensions & specs
- 2-bay diskless enclosure, expandable
- Upgradeable RAM (Plus-series)
- Supports expansion unit for additional bays
- 2024+ Plus-series drive compatibility warnings
- Private cloud and small-business features
Pros
- Expansion unit support lets you grow past 2 bays later
- Upgradeable RAM for future app needs
- Small-business focused feature set
- Current-generation Plus-series hardware
Cons
- Pricier than the DS223j for the same starting bay count
- Shows compatibility warnings for third-party drives
- Expansion unit is a separate purchase
Best Value 2-Bay5 of 8
UGREEN NAS DH2300 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
UGREEN's DH2300 undercuts the Synology DS223j slightly while supporting up to 64TB of raw capacity across its 2 bays.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers open to a non-Synology NAS platform
Why we like it
As a non-Synology platform, its own hardware compatibility list applies rather than DSM's drive warnings, so it's worth checking UGREEN's published list before buying drives.
It's a legitimate lower-cost entry point into 2-bay diskless NAS for buyers who don't need Synology's specific app ecosystem and are comfortable with UGREEN's own NAS OS instead.
Supports up to 64TB raw capacity.
Key dimensions & specs
- 2-bay diskless enclosure
- Supports up to 64TB total capacity
- UGREEN NAS OS
- Own hardware compatibility list (not DSM)
- Desktop form factor
Pros
- Lower price than comparable Synology 2-bay enclosures
- Supports up to 64TB raw capacity
- No DSM-style third-party drive warnings
- Compact desktop footprint
Cons
- Smaller app ecosystem than Synology DSM
- Newer platform with a shorter track record
- Own compatibility list still needs checking before buying drives
Best DAS Enclosure6 of 8
QNAP TR-004 4-Bay USB Type-C DAS (Diskless) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TR-004 is a direct-attached storage enclosure rather than a network NAS, it connects over USB Type-C to a single computer instead of the network, with hardware RAID handled onboard.
Best for
- Buyers who want RAID capacity for one computer rather than shared network storage
Why we like it
That makes it a different category from the network-attached picks in this list, useful for buyers who want RAID capacity attached directly to one machine rather than shared storage. At 4 bays for its price it's one of the cheapest ways to add hardware RAID 5 capacity to a single desktop or laptop, but it does not offer the multi-user network access, apps, or remote access that a true NAS enclosure provides.
Key dimensions & specs
- 4-bay diskless DAS enclosure
- USB Type-C direct-attached, not network-attached
- Onboard hardware RAID (0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD)
- Single-host connection
- Plug and play, hot-swappable bays
Pros
- Cheapest 4-bay hardware RAID enclosure in this list
- Hardware RAID handled onboard, no network setup needed
- Hot-swappable bays for easy drive replacement
- Simple plug-and-play setup to one computer
Cons
- Not network-attached, only one host at a time
- No app ecosystem or remote access like a true NAS
- Not a fit for multi-user or Plex-style use cases
Best 10Gbps DAS7 of 8
TERRAMASTER D4-320 4-Bay USB 3.2 Gen2 Enclosure (Diskless) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
2 Gen2 Type-C connection runs at 10Gbps, faster than the TR-004's USB Type-C link.
Best for
- Buyers who want the fastest, cheapest 4-bay RAID expansion for a single computer
Why we like it
That extra bandwidth benefits large sequential transfers to a single connected computer. Like the TR-004, this is DAS, not NAS, so it lacks network sharing, apps, and multi-user access. It's the right pick for buyers who specifically want fast, low-cost RAID expansion for one machine and don't need network storage features. 2 Gen2 connection outpaces the TR-004's link speed.
Key dimensions & specs
- 4-bay diskless DAS enclosure
- USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 10Gbps
- Hot-swappable bays
- Plug and play RAID setup
- Single-host direct-attached connection
Pros
- Lowest price of any pick in this list
- 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2 connection outpaces the TR-004's link speed
- Hot-swappable, plug-and-play RAID setup
- Compact 4-bay footprint
Cons
- Direct-attached only, no network sharing
- No app ecosystem for Plex, backup software, or remote access
- Requires a computer with a fast enough USB port to see the speed benefit
Best for Backup Hub8 of 8
Synology DS223 Home & Office Backup Hub (2-Bay Diskless NAS) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DS223 sits above the DS223j in Synology's lineup, marketed specifically around centralizing files, protecting data, and monitoring property, a straightforward pick for buyers whose main goal is automatic backup and file centralization rather than a broad app platform.
Best for
- Buyers whose primary goal is centralized backup rather than a full app platform
Why we like it
It runs full DSM with RAID 1 support across its 2 bays, giving basic mirrored redundancy for a home or small office backup target. Buyers who outgrow 2 bays later will need to step up to a 4-bay model like the DS423 or DS925+ in this list.
Key dimensions & specs
- 2-bay diskless enclosure
- RAID 1 mirroring support
- Full DSM operating system
- Backup and file centralization focus
- Property/camera monitoring app support
Pros
- Positioned specifically for backup and file centralization
- Runs full DSM including monitoring apps
- RAID 1 provides basic mirrored redundancy
- Mid-price point between DS223j and Plus-series models
Cons
- Only 2 bays limits total capacity and RAID options
- No RAID 5, only mirroring
- Less CPU headroom than Plus-series for multi-app use
How We Chose These Diskless NAS Enclosures
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Bay count and RAID support
- Compared 2-bay versus 4-bay layouts and which RAID levels each enclosure supports, since bay count directly limits redundancy options.
- Separated true network-attached enclosures from USB direct-attached storage units, since the two solve different problems despite similar pricing and bay counts.
- Checked whether each platform's compatibility list is restrictive, like 2024+ Synology Plus-series models flagging third-party drives, or more permissive.
- RAM upgradeability and app headroom
- Weighed soldered-RAM Value-series enclosures against upgradeable Plus-series models for buyers planning to add apps like Plex or Surveillance Station later.
- Value at each bay tier
- Compared price against bay count and features within the 2-bay and 4-bay groups separately, since a 2-bay and 4-bay enclosure aren't really competing for the same buyer.
What to Look for in a Diskless NAS Enclosure
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Remember every listed NAS here is diskless, budget drives separately
The price shown for a NAS enclosure covers the hardware chassis, CPU, and RAM only, not the actual storage drives, NAS-grade drives built for 24/7 operation like Seagate IronWolf or WD Red still need to be budgeted on top, often adding $80 to $200 or more per bay depending on capacity and drive type.
This matters because comparing NAS units purely by enclosure price without factoring in drive cost gives a misleading picture of the real total investment, a cheaper enclosure with more bays to fill can end up costing more overall than a pricier enclosure with fewer bays.
Check whether a listing is diskless or ships with drives included, and add realistic per-bay drive costs to the enclosure price before comparing total cost across options.
Weigh CPU class and RAM over bay count for real day-to-day performance
Bay count determines maximum storage capacity, but CPU architecture (Intel, AMD, or ARM) and RAM amount determine how well the NAS actually handles real workloads, running apps, transcoding media on the fly, or serving multiple simultaneous users, and a higher bay count with a weak CPU can bottleneck performance regardless of how much raw storage it holds.
This matters more the more the NAS will do beyond simple file storage, like Plex transcoding or running multiple docker containers, less if it's purely a basic backup target.
Check the specific CPU model and RAM amount (and whether RAM is upgradeable) rather than choosing primarily by bay count.
Understand RAID as a rebuild-time safety net, not a substitute for real backup
RAID configurations protect against a single drive failure by letting the array rebuild from redundant data, but RAID is not a backup, it does nothing to protect against accidental deletion, ransomware, theft, fire, or a controller failure that affects the whole array at once.
This distinction matters because treating RAID redundancy as sufficient backup protection is a common and risky misunderstanding, a real backup strategy needs a copy of critical data stored somewhere physically separate from the NAS itself.
Check what RAID level a given NAS supports, and separately plan an actual backup strategy, ideally following a 3-2-1 approach, rather than relying on RAID redundancy alone.
Match drive type (HDD vs SSD/NVMe) to your actual access pattern
Traditional hard drives offer the lowest cost per terabyte for bulk storage like media libraries or backups, while SSD or NVMe-based NAS storage costs significantly more per terabyte but delivers much faster random access speeds, useful for frequently-accessed files, active project work, or serving as a fast cache tier.
This matters directly based on how you'll actually use the storage, a media library accessed sequentially benefits little from SSD speed, while an active working file share benefits considerably.
Check whether the NAS supports the drive type you need, and weigh the real cost-per-terabyte difference against how much you'll actually benefit from faster random access.
Consider noise level if the NAS will run continuously in a shared living or office space
A NAS that runs 24/7 generates continuous fan and drive noise, and that noise profile varies meaningfully between models, some use larger, slower-spinning fans that stay quiet, while others rely on smaller, faster fans that produce a persistent whine noticeable in a quiet room.
This matters a great deal if the NAS will sit in a bedroom, living room, or shared home office rather than a dedicated closet or basement out of earshot.
Check reviews specifically for real-world noise level mentions during continuous operation, not just idle noise, since drive activity and fan speed both increase under load.
How to Choose a Diskless NAS Enclosure
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
- The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its CPU and RAM against your actual workload.
- The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real bay count or performance headroom above the cheaper pick.
Default to TERRAMASTER D4 unless your storage needs call for the pricier pick.
Check each pick's listed CPU architecture and RAM amount against your actual workload before buying, not just bay count alone.
For Media Streaming or Plex Specifically
- A CPU capable of hardware transcoding and enough RAM to handle multiple simultaneous streams, not just total bay count.
- You need real multi-user performance, media transcoding, or business-critical reliability, where Synology 4's CPU and RAM give real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You just need simple backup storage for one or two users, where TERRAMASTER D4 covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a diskless NAS enclosure and a complete NAS with drives included?
A diskless enclosure ships empty, letting you choose your own drive brand, capacity, and recording type, which usually saves money over a bundled unit but requires you to research drive compatibility yourself. A complete NAS with drives included is simpler for first-time buyers who want to avoid that research, though it typically costs more for the same total capacity and locks you into the manufacturer's bundled drives.
Do I need CMR drives or can I use SMR drives in a diskless NAS?
Always use CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) drives for any RAID array. SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) drives write new data by overlapping existing tracks, which slows dramatically during a RAID rebuild and can cause the rebuild to fail entirely. Some lower-capacity drives marketed toward NAS use still use SMR, so verify the recording type on the specific model, not just the marketing label, before buying.
Why does my Synology NAS show a warning for a third-party drive that should be compatible?
2024+ Synology Plus-series models, including the DS925+ and DS725+ in this list, show compatibility warnings in DSM for drives that aren't Synology-branded, even when the drive is a suitable CMR NAS drive. Synology-branded drives avoid the warning but carry a 15-30% price premium over comparable third-party NAS drives. Older Value-series models like the DS223j and DS223 are less restrictive.
What's the difference between the DAS enclosures and the NAS enclosures in this list?
The QNAP TR-004 and TERRAMASTER D4-320 are direct-attached storage (DAS), they connect via USB to one computer and handle RAID onboard, but they have no network sharing, apps, or multi-user access. The Synology and UGREEN picks are true network-attached NAS units that multiple devices can access over the network and that support an app ecosystem like Plex or Surveillance Station.
Does a diskless NAS come with the operating system pre-installed?
A diskless enclosure ships with no OS installed. During first setup, the NAS operating system downloads and installs automatically for most brands, which requires an internet connection and takes real time on first boot. This first-boot installation step surprises some new buyers who assume the OS ships pre-loaded.
How many bays do I actually need for a home diskless NAS?
2 bays are enough for simple backup with basic RAID 1 mirroring, covered by picks like the Synology DS223j and DS223 in this list. 4 bays, like the DS423 or DS925+, open up RAID 5 or SHR with a real spare-drive margin and more total capacity, worth the extra cost if you expect to grow past basic backup into Plex, surveillance, or business use.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS925+ (Diskless) — best overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all diskless nas enclosures on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.