Top 5 Network Attached Storage (NAS) Devices in Canada for 2026
Published on Thursday, January 1, 2026
For most Canadian homes and small offices in 2026, the Synology DiskStation DS923+ is still the safe default: four bays, ECC memory, two M.2 NVMe cache slots and DSM's app library. Need more bays or 10GbE without an add-in card? The nine-bay QNAP TS-h973AX covers that. Want a Plex box that works out of the crate? The WD My Cloud Pro PR2100 ships with its drives already installed. One thing to budget for before you compare prices: almost every NAS on this page is sold diskless, so the sticker price is the enclosure only. A NAS gives everyone on your network one shared pool of storage for backups, file sharing and media streaming, with no monthly cloud bill attached.
Top Picks Summary
Synology DiskStation DS923+
The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is a powerful and versatile NAS designed for both home and small business users. It features robust data management capabilities with advanced backup options and seamless integration with various applications. What sets it apart is its Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), known for its intuitive interface and extensive app ecosystem that enhances productivity and accessibility. With reliable performance and scalable storage, the DS923+ is an excellent choice for users looking for flexibility in their storage solutions.
QNAP TS-h973AX
The QNAP TS-h973AX is a high-performance NAS that excels in multimedia applications and virtualization. Its unique design includes 10GbE support and an ample amount of RAM, ensuring smooth operation even under high load conditions. A standout feature is the QuTS hero operating system, which offers a snapshot technology to protect your data comprehensively. Perfectly suited for creative professionals and small businesses, the TS-h973AX combines speed, capacity, and efficiency.
Western Digital My Cloud Pro PR2100
The Western Digital My Cloud Pro PR2100 is crafted specifically for creative professionals who require large storage capacities and easy accessibility. Its dual-core processor ensures swift data transfer and multiple simultaneous streams, making it perfect for 4K content. With built-in Plex Media Server support, users can enjoy seamless media streaming right out of the box. The My Cloud Pro series stands out with its reliable performance and integration with popular editing software, providing a complete solution for content creators.
TerraMaster F5-422
The TerraMaster F5-422 is designed for small business users who seek a powerful yet affordable NAS solution. Equipped with a robust Intel processor and multiple RAID options, it offers both performance and flexibility in data management. One of its key features is the support for 4K transcoding, making it an excellent choice for users needing high-quality media streaming capabilities. Its user-friendly interface and competitive pricing make it an attractive choice in the NAS market.
Asustor Lockerstor 4 AS6604T
The Asustor Lockerstor 4 AS6604T is a top-tier NAS built for high-performance tasks, particularly in media production and home entertainment. It features a powerful processor with support for 2.5GbE networking, significantly enhancing data transfer speeds. Additionally, its support for various applications ensures users can customize their systems according to their specific needs. With its futuristic design and cutting-edge technology, the AS6604T stands out as a reliable option for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Robust data management features and the ability to stream content make NAS devices indispensable for modern digital life.
What a NAS Actually Does for You
The useful parts of owning a NAS, and the one thing it is not:
1. **Centralized storage**: one pool every computer and phone on the network can reach, instead of a drawer full of external drives.
2. **File sharing with permissions**: shared folders with per-user access, so a household or a small team works off the same copy rather than emailing versions around.
3. **Automated backups**: scheduled backups from PCs, Macs and phones, plus replication to a cloud service or a second NAS for the off-site leg of a 3-2-1 plan.
4. **RAID is not a backup**: RAID keeps the array running through a drive failure. It does nothing about accidental deletion, ransomware or a stolen box — you still need a separate copy.
5. **Room to grow**: add drives to empty bays, swap in larger ones, or attach an expansion unit (Synology's DX517 takes the DS923+ to nine bays).
6. **Cost over time**: a diskless enclosure plus drives is a one-time purchase rather than a recurring subscription. The trade is that you own the maintenance, the power draw and the off-site copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NAS should I pick for home and small business?
Choose the Synology DiskStation DS923+ for home and small business use, since it’s a 4-bay NAS with dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU, rated 4.7.
Do these NAS devices come with hard drives included?
Mostly no. The Synology DS923+, QNAP TS-h973AX, TerraMaster F5-422 and Asustor Lockerstor 4 are all sold diskless — you buy NAS-rated drives separately, and that is usually a bigger line item than the enclosure. The exception on this page is the WD My Cloud Pro PR2100, which is listed in a 28 TB configuration with both drives already installed.
Does the Synology DS923+ have NVMe slots and how many bays?
Yes—Synology DiskStation DS923+ is a 4-bay NAS with two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for caching or an all-flash storage pool, and it runs on an AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core CPU with 4 GB ECC DDR4 (expandable to 32 GB); it’s rated 4.7.
How does the QNAP TS-h973AX price compare to the DS923+?
QNAP TS-h973AX costs about CAD 1,791, while the Synology DiskStation DS923+ costs about CAD 1,146; for the higher price you get a 9-bay design with built-in virtualization support and 10GbE networking on the QNAP. Both are diskless, so add drives to either figure.
Conclusion
Pick the DS923+ if you want the least friction and the best software, the TS-h973AX if you need bays and built-in 10GbE, and the PR2100 if Plex is the whole point. Buy your drives at the same time as the enclosure, and decide where the off-site copy is going to live before you start filling it. If none of these five fits, use the search bar to narrow by bay count or budget.