As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Best overall: ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2
- Best budget: ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T
- Best premium: ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T
- Best for TrueNAS flexibility: iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+
- iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ suits home offices that value ECC memory and a flexible TrueNAS system.
- ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T is a straightforward two-bay choice for basic home storage and backups.
- ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 adds four bays and 2.5GbE for growing media libraries.
- Compare drive bays, network ports, memory, and software needs before choosing a NAS for Black Friday 2026.
Choosing between TrueNAS Mini and ASUSTOR Drivestor for Black Friday 2026 comes down to priorities: flexible storage management and expandable hardware, or a simple NAS that is easy to set up. We researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across seven models, from compact two-bay systems to an eight-bay option.
My pick for most people is the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2, since four bays and 2.5GbE offer a practical balance for home media and backups. Choose an iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ when ECC memory and TrueNAS flexibility matter more. Skip it if you need a low-maintenance plug-and-play device but are considering a system designed for deeper configuration.
How We Picked
- Compared the number of drive bays and how well each NAS fits a growing storage library.
- Reviewed processor, memory, and network specifications for backups, media serving, and everyday file access.
- Considered setup and management needs, including the appeal of TrueNAS flexibility versus ASUSTOR’s approachable ADM software.
- Checked published specifications alongside review coverage and owner feedback; no product was presented as personally compared.
- Prioritized models with clearly differentiated roles, from basic home storage to multi-drive and higher-performance use.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Drive bays | Memory | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ | Flexible home-office storage | 5 | 16GB ECC | 2 x 2.5GbE |
| iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ | Large local storage pools | 8 | 16GB ECC | 10GbE and 1GbE ports |
| ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T | Basic home backups | 2 | 1GB DDR4 | 1 x 1GbE |
| ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T | Affordable four-bay storage | 4 | 2GB DDR4 | 1 x 1GbE |
| ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 | Fast two-bay home storage | 2 | 2GB DDR4 | 1 x 2.5GbE |
| ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 | Growing media libraries | 4 | 2GB DDR4 | 1 x 2.5GbE |
| ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T | Premium performance and expansion | 4 | 4GB DDR4 | 2 x 2.5GbE |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ is the best flexible five-bay NAS for home offices that want ECC memory and TrueNAS software. The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+'s 16GB of ECC memory gives it a strong foundation for storage-heavy workflows.
Best for: Flexible home-office storage
- Drive bays
- 5
- Memory
- 16GB ECC
- Processor
- Intel Celeron J4125, 4 cores
- Network
- 2 x 2.5GbE
- ECC memory included
- Five drive bays
- TrueNAS offers extensive storage configuration
- Requires more setup knowledge than a basic home NAS
Is the iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ is a strong Black Friday 2026 choice for buyers who want a flexible NAS with five drive bays and 16GB of ECC memory. Choose it for storage control, not the simplest setup.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#2
iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ is the best high-capacity TrueNAS tower for small teams that need eight drive bays. The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+'s eight-bay chassis supports a larger storage pool than the compact models here.
Best for: Large local storage pools
- Drive bays
- 8
- Processor
- Intel Xeon E-2224, 4 cores
- Memory
- 16GB ECC
- Network
- 10GbE and 1GbE ports
- Eight drive bays for capacity
- ECC memory
- High-speed network connectivity
- Large chassis and advanced software suit a deliberate setup
Is the iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ is worth considering for a small team or serious home server that needs eight bays, ECC memory, and 10GbE connectivity. The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+'s capacity and configuration depth suit buyers planning a substantial storage pool.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#3
ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T is the best entry-level two-bay NAS for home users who want simple shared storage. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T's 1.4GHz quad-core processor handles everyday file serving and backup duties.
Best for: Basic home backups
- Drive bays
- 2
- Processor
- Realtek RTD1296, 4 cores at 1.4GHz
- Memory
- 1GB DDR4
- Network
- 1 x 1GbE
- Simple two-bay footprint
- Quad-core processor
- ADM software supports common NAS tasks
- 1GbE network connection limits transfer speed
Is the ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T is a sensible Black Friday 2026 pick for basic backups, shared folders, and a small home media library. Two bays and 1GbE keep the design straightforward, though demanding workloads suit a faster model.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#4
ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T is the best basic four-bay NAS for households that need more drive capacity without moving to a premium tier. Four bays give owners room to organize a larger collection.
Best for: Affordable four-bay storage
- Drive bays
- 4
- Processor
- Realtek RTD1296, 4 cores at 1.4GHz
- Memory
- 2GB DDR4
- Network
- 1 x 1GbE
- Four bays for storage growth
- 2GB memory
- Suitable for everyday backups and shared files
- 1GbE is slower than the Pro Gen2 models’ 2.5GbE
Is the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T is worth a look for home users who value four drive bays for backups and shared files. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T's 2GB of memory supports routine NAS use, while its 1GbE port makes it a basic rather than speed-focused option.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#5
ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 is the best two-bay upgrade for home users who want 2.5GbE in a compact NAS. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2's network connection is rated at 2.5GbE for faster transfers on a compatible network.
Best for: Fast two-bay home storage
- Drive bays
- 2
- Processor
- Realtek RTD1619B, 4 cores at 1.7GHz
- Memory
- 2GB DDR4
- Network
- 1 x 2.5GbE
- 2.5GbE connection
- Compact two-bay design
- Quad-core processor
- Two bays offer less expansion room than four-bay models
Is the ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 is a good fit for a home user who wants two drive bays and 2.5GbE networking. The faster port is useful with compatible network equipment, while the compact chassis keeps the system simple.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#6 · Top pick
ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 is the best all-round four-bay NAS for households with growing backup and media needs. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2's 2.5GbE connection adds useful transfer headroom over a 1GbE model.
Best for: Growing media libraries
- Drive bays
- 4
- Processor
- Realtek RTD1619B, 4 cores at 1.7GHz
- Memory
- 2GB DDR4
- Network
- 1 x 2.5GbE
- Four bays for a growing library
- 2.5GbE network connection
- Quad-core processor
- 2GB memory is modest for heavier multitasking
Is the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 is a strong choice for a family NAS with four bays, 2.5GbE, and a quad-core processor. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 balances capacity and network speed for shared files, backups, and a home media library.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#7
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T
The ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T is the best premium four-bay NAS for users who want fast networking and NVMe expansion. The ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T's four M.2 slots offer an additional storage and caching path beyond the four drive bays.
Best for: Premium performance and expansion
- Drive bays
- 4
- Processor
- Intel Celeron N5105, 4 cores
- Memory
- 4GB DDR4
- Expansion
- 4 x M.2 NVMe slots
- Network
- 2 x 2.5GbE
- Four M.2 NVMe slots
- Dual 2.5GbE ports
- Four drive bays and 4GB memory
- Advanced expansion features exceed basic backup needs
Is the ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T is worth considering for demanding home users who need four bays, dual 2.5GbE, and four M.2 NVMe slots. Choose it for expansion and performance features rather than simple file backup.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
Is TrueNAS Mini or ASUSTOR Drivestor better for Black Friday 2026?
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ and ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 serve different buyers, with five bays and 16GB ECC in the Mini X+ versus four bays and 2.5GbE in the Drivestor.
Choose an iXsystems TrueNAS Mini when storage flexibility, ECC memory, and a more configurable system are priorities. TrueNAS rewards users who want control over storage setup and server features. The larger iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ extends that approach to eight drive bays.
Choose an ASUSTOR Drivestor for a more approachable home NAS experience. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 is a sensible middle ground, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T is a simpler two-bay option. Match the choice to the way the NAS will be managed, not just the number of bays.
How many drive bays do you need in a home NAS?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T has 2 bays, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T has 4 and the iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ has 8.
A two-bay system is a compact starting point for personal backups, shared folders, or a modest media collection. A four-bay NAS gives a household more room to add drives and organize a growing library. Bay count alone does not determine usable capacity; drive size and storage configuration matter too.
For a larger archive or several users, the five-bay iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ and eight-bay iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ give more internal drive positions. Plan for future growth and redundancy when selecting a NAS, rather than filling every bay based only on current needs.
Does 2.5GbE matter on a NAS?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 has 2.5GbE, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T has 1GbE.
A faster NAS port helps when the router, switch, and client device also support the same network speed. Large file transfers and frequent multi-device access are the clearest reasons to favor 2.5GbE. The connection does not make an entire network faster if another component remains limited to 1GbE.
For everyday documents and scheduled backups, a 1GbE NAS remains a practical fit. For a media workstation or frequent movement of large files, consider the 2.5GbE ASUSTOR Drivestor Pro Gen2 models or the 10GbE iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+. Check compatible network hardware before paying for faster ports.
Is TrueNAS harder to manage than ASUSTOR ADM?
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ provides a configurable TrueNAS platform, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 uses ASUSTOR’s ADM software.
TrueNAS is a strong match for people who want greater control over storage configuration and server functions. That flexibility brings a steeper learning curve, so owners should be comfortable reviewing settings and planning their storage layout. The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ fits teams with a more involved storage plan.
ASUSTOR’s Drivestor family makes more sense for home users who prioritize a familiar setup for shared folders, backups, and media tasks. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 pairs that simpler direction with four bays and 2.5GbE. Pick the software experience that suits the person who will maintain the NAS.
Which NAS is best for media and backups?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 is a balanced media-and-backup choice with 4 bays and 2.5GbE.
Four bays provide room for a growing collection, and 2.5GbE supports faster transfers when the rest of the network is compatible. Households that need only basic backups can keep things simple with the two-bay ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T. Neither choice replaces a separate backup plan for important files.
For larger archives and deeper storage control, the iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ adds five bays and 16GB ECC memory. The ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T is a premium alternative with four M.2 NVMe slots and dual 2.5GbE ports. Match the feature set to the size of the library and the network.
Buying Guide
Count bays before choosing a NAS
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T has 2 bays, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 has 4. Select the bay count around planned storage growth, not only the files already on hand.
Match network speed to your equipment
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T offers 1GbE, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 offers 2.5GbE. A router, switch, and client with matching support are needed to benefit from faster networking.
Choose software for the person maintaining the NAS
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ suits owners who want deeper configuration, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor family emphasizes approachable home NAS management. Pick the system the administrator can confidently maintain.
Check memory and expansion needs
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ includes 16GB ECC memory; the ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2 AS6704T includes 4GB DDR4 and 4 M.2 slots. Compare memory and expansion against your actual storage tasks.
Plan a separate backup for important files
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 can centralize household files, but a NAS is not a complete backup plan by itself. Keep another copy of irreplaceable data on a separate device or service.
FAQ
What is the main difference between TrueNAS Mini and ASUSTOR Drivestor?
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ emphasizes a configurable TrueNAS system and 16GB of ECC memory, while the ASUSTOR Drivestor models focus on approachable home storage. ASUSTOR offers two- and four-bay choices, while the TrueNAS Mini range includes larger bay counts.
Which ASUSTOR Drivestor is best for a home media server?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 is a strong home media choice because it combines four drive bays with 2.5GbE networking. The connection benefits large transfers when the rest of the home network supports 2.5GbE.
Is a two-bay NAS enough for backups?
The ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 AS1102T has two bays and suits basic home backups, shared files, and a smaller media library. A four-bay model offers more room to expand, so choose the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 AS1104T if storage growth is a priority.
Does the ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 have 2.5GbE?
Yes. The ASUSTOR Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T v2 has one 2.5GbE network port and four drive bays. A compatible router or switch and client device are needed to take advantage of the faster connection.
Who should buy the iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+?
The iXsystems TrueNAS Mini XL+ suits small teams and advanced home users who need eight drive bays, ECC memory, and 10GbE connectivity. Its larger capacity and configurable TrueNAS platform fit planned storage pools better than basic backup needs.