One of the toughest challenges of managing a small business or organization with multiple employees is making sure everyone has access to the files they need to keep work running smoothly, while also protecting your data from prying eyes. Cloud storage services may work for some, but they can be limited and pricey if you're looking at high-capacity plans. If you're looking for a simple and secure long-term solution, you may want to invest in a network attached storage, or NAS, drive.
A NAS drive essentially functions as a self-contained cloud, with one or more high-capacity storage drives that anyone on the network can access. While they can be costly up front, they're one of the more efficient ways to keep your organization's data assembled, secure and accessible. Plus, you can often find models on sale for hundreds less than their list prices. We've rounded up some of the best NAS drive deals out there at the moment, and we'll continue to update this page as offers come and go, so be sure to check back often.
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If your organization primarily uses Windows, this 8TB Buffalo network attached storage drive is a great pick. It's powered by Windows Server IoT 2019, which means it's designed to seamlessly integrate into a Windows environment. Plus, it has Hyper-V and DHA, which offer increased data protection capabilities. It automatically discounted by $565, but you can save an extra $250 when you use the promo code BUFFY224 at checkout.
With 32TB of included storage and at over $600 off its usual price, this is one of the best-value NAS drives you'll find out there at the moment. It's equipped with 4GB of ECC memory as well as a 10-gigabit Ethernet port for lightning-fast data transfer, and the 256-bit AES encryption ensures that your data can't be accessed from anyone outside your network. It also supports integration with popular third-party cloud services such as Dropbox and Microsoft Azure for an extra offsite backup of your data in case something happens to the physical drive.
This WD drive is primarily designed for home use and personal storage, but still boasts a substantial 12TB storage capacity. It plugs directly into your home Wi-Fi router, and allows you to access your data from anywhere with an internet connection using the companion My Cloud Home apps. The drive's Mirror Mode keeps your data secure by automatically duplicating any files stored on one drive and backing it up on the other.
With 8TB of storage, this WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is great for both individuals with serious storage needs, and for smaller businesses looking for a budget-friendly pick. With 1GB of DDR3 memory, it boasts impressive data transfer speeds, and the built-in USB 3.0 ports allow you to transfer photos or videos from a camera or flash drive with the touch of a button. It's also compatible with Apple Time Machine so you can back up your files, and with 256 AES volume encryption, you can be confident that your data is safe from prying eyes.
At $200, this Synology drive is the most affordable on this list. However, that price comes with a catch. This is a two-bay drive with 512MB DDR4 of memory, but it doesn't come with any storage drives included. That allows you to pick and choose how much capacity you'd like to have, but it does mean you'll have to purchase the drives separately. Fortunately, you can also find plenty of drives on sale like this Seagate IronWolf 8TB drive, which is $70 off right now. There's a few more steps involved, but being able to piece this drive together with discounted hardware makes it a good value if you're willing to do a little legwork.
