Are you in need of faster data access and seamless storage connectivity for your home or business internet network? Do you require a router that is both fast and reliable to handle Network Attached Storage devices? Look no further, as you’re in the right place.
For optimal performance, the NAS router should have fast ethernet & USB ports, advanced storage capabilities, ample throughput, and robust security. Without these, your NAS device may experience frequent disconnections, slow speeds, and even exploits.
In order to prevent this, look for fast Ethernet support, a powerful processor, and stable firmware. If you are unsure about these characteristics, do not worry. Let me assist you in finding a good NAS-compatible router.
7 Best Routers for NAS (Network Attached Storage) in 2024
After going through a round of tests, I have finally zeroed in on seven routers that work fine with NAS. Each was tested for data transmission speeds, stability, and whatnot. Do note that I used each routing unit for over ten days, analyzing every possible aspect in regard to NAS and seamless network performance.
So let us waste no more time and get started with individual reviews:
1. Best Overall: Synology RT6600AX
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Band Frequency: Tri-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 5,000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G WAN/LAN + 1 x Gig WAN + 3 x Gig LAN + 1 USB 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 150+
- App Support: Yes
If you are interested in a highly secure router that caters specifically to networking needs and NAS devices, the Synology RT6600AX is your best bet. What stands out is the advanced security tools and hardware, led by the 1.8GHz chipset.
Also, I compared it with the RT2600AC from the same company, only to find that the Wi-Fi 6 version is better at handling network-specific needs.
Ports and NAS connectivity
The RT6600AX has four Gig Ethernet (LAN + WAN) ports. This allows you to connect your go-to NAS drive and still leave ample space to fit in other wired devices.
As a matter of fact, I would urge you to use the RT6600AX with the likes of Synology DS220+ and DS920+ NAS devices to maximize performance.
But that’s not it. There is one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port for experiencing multi-Gig speeds, followed by the availability of dual-WAN support courtesy of an additional 2.5G port. This dual WAN port comes in handy during load balancing, handles failovers, and helps with bandwidth aggregation if needed.
I even wirelessly connected my NAS device, DS220+ in this case, wirelessly to the laptop, getting consistent network-specific data transfer speeds of 100MB/s or close to 800 Mbps. The backups, therefore, were fast, and I could directly stream a 4K video from my NAS device with ease.
The router even packs a nifty USB 3.2 port, supporting additional NAS connectivity through hard drives.
Synology RT6600AX even packs a host of additional traits, including the likes of static IP support for ensuring reliable access, quick port forwarding setup to direct incoming traffic to a specific device, and Quality of Service (QOS) functionality to prioritize NAS processes during network congestion.
Wireless Speeds and Performance
I purposefully used a 300 Mbps connection and could see get speeds of up to 280 Mbps on the near band and almost 253 Mbps on the far band. The upload speeds for the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands were restricted to 29 Mbps and 17 Mbps, respectively. Do note that the Synology RT6600AX has a tri-band setup.
When paired with a 1200 Mbps plan from Xfinity, the max download speeds went as high as 1156 Mbps. With Wi-Fi 6 support, I could use the router for large downloads, multi-device video conferencing, VR gaming, and whatnot.
This additional band lowers congestion, and the entire routing setup offers ten spatial streams for you to work with. Support for the ten simultaneous streams allows you to stream 4K content with ease.
Performance-wise, there is a quad-core processor in play, capable of clocking at 1.8 GHz. There is 1GB RAM in space that allows for simultaneous processing. As there are four Gig Ethernet ports and an additional WAN port, the hardware setup can be used to experience multi-Gig speeds courtesy of Link Aggregation.
The processing setup even allows you to use the Smart Connect router function to assign a higher NAS-specific priority.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Devices Capacity
The router can easily spread out to a 3,000 sq ft house, courtesy of the beamforming support and presence of 8 powerful antennas. I have a 2,500 sq ft lab and the only drops I experienced were parking areas.
Personally, I could pair 36 devices with ease. However, on paper, Synology promises the ability to be able to connect 150+ devices at once.
Security Features
It is the Router Manager application from Synology that takes care of the security aspects of the router. There Router Manager works as the security suite offering firewall support, threat detection support, and built-in parental controls.
Wrap-Up
If your focus is to get a high-performance router with theoretical NAS connection speeds of over 650 Mbps, Synology RT6600AX is the best you can get. Stacked with a purpose-specific OS, advanced security traits, tri-band, and the ability to achieve link aggregation, this is arguably the only router to cover all the bases.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 + Tri-band setup
- NAS-optimized hardware
- Robust security features
- Excellent transfer speeds
- Multi-gig ethernet port
Cons
- Premium price
2. Best Gaming Router: ASUS RT-AX86U Pro
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G WAN/LAN + 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.2 + 1 x USB 2.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 60
- App Support: Yes
The RT-AX86U Pro comes across as an upgrade that’s well-optimized for NAS connectivity. It readily improves the performance of the older ASUS RT-AX86U gaming router, courtesy of a more powerful Quad-Core chip and a multi-gig Ethernet port. This additional processing muscle makes it a great NAS-friendly router.
Ports and NAS Connectivity
As far as the ports go, the 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN orifice stands out. I tried connecting the NAS system to the 1 Gbps port and could get data transmission speeds of up to 90 Mbps. Do note that this speed is enough for direct 4K streaming.
I personally used the TerraMaster F2-421 as the NAS drive, which synced really well with the RT-AX86U Pro. You also get access to two additional 1G LAN ports, making room for both LAN and WAN-specific link aggregation support — the benefits of which reflect while evaluating wireless speeds.
The Pro version also supports QoS support for better NAS-specific traffic prioritization. You even get access to static IP routing, ensuring more stable connections with the concerned NAS device.
Wireless Speeds and Performance
The router supports two bands with max speed limits reaching 4804 Mbps and 1148 Mbps, respectively. I tested it with a 1.2 Gbps plan from Xfinity, experiencing over 1140 Mbps of download and over 1.09 Gbps in upload, on the near band.
As for the far band speed tests, ASUS RT-AX86U Pro clocked 766 Mbps in download and 656 Mbps in upload, making it ideal for gaming, 4K/8K Streaming, sizable file downloads, and more.
Performance-wise, the RT-AX86U Pro is a powerful device, all thanks to the quad-core processor and 1 GB of built-in RAM. The router’s processor is capable of clocking at 2GHz and handling a peak throughput of 2.1 Gbps — making the device fit enough for link aggregation.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Devices Capacity
As far as the coverage is concerned, the RT-AX86U Pro can cover 3,000 Sq Ft of area. There are eight high-efficiency antennas in play, followed by AiMesh support for increasing the overall range.
With beamforming support for better broadcasting and MU-MIMO compatibility for better network prioritization, I had not faced signal-related issues even once. Also, while the datasheet promises seamless simultaneous connectivity for over 130 devices, I tested the setup for over 40 devices and didn’t experience any drops or lags.
Security Features
ASUS does bring in quite a few nifty enhancements. Leading the way is the AiProtection Suite featuring the likes of two-way intrusion detection, parental controls, port scanning support, AiProtection and automated network updates, and advanced firewalls that block access and prevent denial of service attacks.
This is one of the few security routers to skillfully prevent Wi-Fi snooping, courtesy of the ultra-secure WPA3 standard. And every aspect of Asus’s router-based security is handled and managed by the proprietary app.
Wrap-Up
The RT-AX86U Pro, led by a wide array of ports and Ethernet ports, is a great choice for working with any NAS-equipped gaming setup. However, it is the excellent security suite and powerful hardware that makes it a stand-out performer.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 + Tri-Band
- Multi-gig LAN/WAN port
- Quad-Core processor
- Robust QoS support
- Loaded security suite
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Only one Multi-Gig port can be a bummer if you have multiple NAS devices to work with
3. Best Mesh Router: Linksys MX4200
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Band Frequency: Tri-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,700 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 3 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 40
- App Support: Yes
If you are a fan of mesh routers, Linksys MX4200 comes across as a formidable choice. It builds on top of the older Linksys MX4, courtesy of a more powerful quad-core chipset and the ability to reach higher speeds.
Ports and NAS Connectivity
The Linksys MX4200 comes equipped with three Gigabit LAN and one Gigabit WAN port. I tested the same with my TerraMaster F5-422 NAS device and connected the same to one of the Ethernet ports in play.
The transmission speeds were tracked at almost 75Mbps, making the MX4200 good enough for faster data transfers and even direct 4K streaming.
Wireless Speeds and Performance
I tested the MX4200 with a Gig plan from Cox and was able to clock close to 918 Mbps of download and 34 Mbps of upload on the 5GHz band. Whereas the 2.4 GHz band was tested for 482 Mbps and 24 Mbps, respectively.
Keeping the speeds in mind, the Linksys MX4200 feels good enough for 8K/4K streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, and other activities.
As far as router performance is concerned, the quad-core processor is more than capable, courtesy of a 1.4GHz clock speed. Per the rating, this makes the router capable of handling max throughput of 1.8 Gbps, at one time. 512MB of RAM and 512MB of flash memory help with NAS access and simultaneous gaming.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Devices Capacity
On paper, the Linksys MX4200 boasts coverage of 2,700 sq ft. I tested the same around my 1,800 sq ft house and could notice some signal drops at the balconies. However, up to 1,500 sq ft, there were hardly any interruptions, thanks to the MU-MIMO support. The router lets you connect 40+ devices simultaneously, and I tested 20 with no lag.
Security Features
The security requirements are handled by the Linksys Secure module, which features website blocking support, integrated parental controls, WPA3 support, and intrusion monitoring functionality to keep online threats at bay.
Wrap-Up
The Linksys MX4200 is more than enough to handle your diverse NAS-specific needs. Yet, what stands out is the excellent WiFi range, and the latest wireless standards, followed by an extended suite of free security enhancements.
Pros
- Tri-band + Wi-Fi 6
- Excellent wireless range
- Four high-speed ports
- Good security suite
Cons
- Pricey
- Requires multiple nodes to extend coverage
4. Best for Streaming: Netgear RAX50
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 30
- App Support: Yes
Netgear RAX50 is one of the better routers to use with NAS. It is a significant upgrade over the RAX40, courtesy of faster throughput and two additional external antennas.
In addition to the upgrade, it also boasts greater speeds and a powerful hardware setup that boosts excellent wired and wireless performances.
Ports and NAS Connectivity
For starters, there are four Gigabit LAN ports to work with, allowing you to connect multiple NAS devices. I tested the Synology DS220+ with the RAX50 and could get link speeds of almost 60MB/s.
Apart from the Ethernet ports, the router also makes room for a solitary USB 3.0 port — allowing you to connect an external drive in addition to the NAS device.
Wireless Speeds and Performance
On paper, the Netgear RAX450 is capable of scaling 5.4Gbps, with its dual-band setup. However, I tested the same with a Gigabit internet plan from Spectrum only to see it reach download speeds of 924 Mbps in download and over 31 Mbps in upload. The router also supports the 160 MHz band for faster, congestion-free data movement.
The 4×4 spatial streams, thanks to the four external antennas, ensure that streaming, gaming, and video conferencing requirements are handled like a pro. Performance-wise, there is a triple-core chipset in play, followed by 512MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory. All of that contribute towards making the router best for streaming.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Devices Capacity
Netgear is capable of covering close to 2,500 sq ft with ease. However, that’s strictly on paper, and I could see some performance drops at 2,100 sq ft, especially with walls in between. Also, if you pair NAS devices with the router, IoT devices at a distance might face performance issues.
Regarding the device capacity, I could still easily connect around 15 devices, including the NAS device, without experiencing connection issues.
Security Features
Netgear offers pretty basic security features for free. For advanced security, you might want to shell out some money and subscribe to Netgear Armor, led by Bitdefender.
The Armor offers safe browsing support, standard firewall access, anti-malware support, and protection against ransomware. Plus, you get parental controls and can even set up guest networks at will.
Wrap-Up
If you seek a $200 router for use with NAS devices, the Netgear RAX50 seems like a perfect pick. And while there are several traits that make it attractive enough, it is the price-to-port ratio that stands out. Read the full review.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band
- Easy router to set up
- Excellent NAS link speeds
- Competitive Pricing
- Exhaustive security suite
Cons
- Limited range
- Only one USB port
5. Best for Gaming: ASUS ROG Strix GS-AX3000
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.2
- Number of Devices Supported: 30
- App Support: Yes
If you seek low latency and gamer-friendly traits, the ASUS ROG Strix GS-AX3000 is one of the best gaming routers on a budget. What makes it special is the inclusion of GameFirst QoS — a feature that amplifies gaming experiences. But that’s not all.
The GS-AX3000 builds on the older RT-AC86U with Wi-Fi 6 support and a better hardware setup, resulting in faster transmission.
Ports and NAS Connectivity
If you want a budget router for NAS, the Strix GS-AX3000 readily stands out, courtesy of four Ethernet LAN ports. I tested the TerraMaster F2-221 with the ROG router and could get link speeds of up to 60MB/s.
The speed was more than enough for ultra-fast data transfer and direct streaming. You also get a USB 3.2 port, allowing you to fit in additional storage if needed.
Wireless Speeds and Performance
As far as speeds are concerned, I tested the GS-AX3000 with an 800 Mbps internet plan from Xfinity. I could get speeds of up to 752 Mbps and 29 Mbps close proximity.
What works well is the 160 MHz, wide channel support, and OFDMA compatibility that allows the router to scale wired speeds in excess of 1 Gbps, keeping network congestion out. Apart from working alongside your NAS devices, this router also lets you stream 8K videos, indulge in gaming, and attend VoIP calls with ease.
Performance-wise, there is a triple-core chipset in play, working alongside 512MB RAM and 256MB of flash memory.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Devices Capacity
Despite being one of the more affordable NAS routers in play, the ASUS ROG Strix GS-AX3000 is capable of covering almost 5,000 sq ft of area. The powerful antennas powered by the RangeBoost technology are the reason behind the same.
I tested this router with 20 active connections, including NAS, and there were no connection drops within my house, which spans across 2,200 sq ft. I even set up a private gaming network using the adaptive QoS, and the latency was expectedly low.
Security Features
The ASUS ROG Strix GS-AX3000 offers a pretty extensive lineup of security traits, including the standard WPA3 encryption, network-level firewall, DoS protection, security audits, intrusion detection, and Network Address Translation, among other options.
Wrap-Up
The Strix GS-AX3000 works seamlessly with mid-level NAS devices but seriously excels if you plan on using the same for multiplayer gaming and media consumption. The business traits are a tad light, but the cost-effectiveness makes up for the same.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6
- Affordable price
- Low jitter and latency
- Traffic optimization
- Decent security traits
- A wide range of ports
Cons
- Only one USB port
6. Best Value for Money: TP-Link Archer AX55
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 35
- App Support: Yes
The Archer AX55 from TP-Link brings the best side of networking technologies, including the likes of MU-MIMO support and OFDMA — boasting excellent wireless and wired throughput for NAS and IoT devices. I even compared it with the Archer AX50, only to experience better coverage.
Ports and NAS Connectivity
When it comes to ports, the Archer AX55 features four LAN units with Gig capabilities. This accounts for super-fast connections in case you choose to go wired.
I tested the same with the Western Digital Cloud Home Duo NAS, achieving 70MB/s worth of link speed with ease.
There is a USB 3.0 port, allowing the router itself to work as a decently-paced NAS device, provided you can pair your external hard drive with the same. File sharing across the router and NAS network was made possible by the Tether application.
Wireless Speeds and Performance
The router has a cumulative speed capacity of 3 Gbps, courtesy of a dual-band setup. I tested the same with a 500 Mbps plan from Xfinity, only to get 422 Mbps and 21 Mbps worth of download and upload speed, respectively. The speed levels are good enough for gaming, TV streaming, and a lot more.
Performance-wise, the Archer AX55 comes equipped with a dual-core processor capable of clocking at 1.5GHz. You also get access to 256MB of RAM and 128MB of flash memory — elements capable of seamlessly handling almost every networking requirement.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Devices Capacity
The Archer AX55 comes equipped with four high-efficiency antennas, capable of covering up to 2,500 sq ft of area. I tested the same inside my 2,000 sq ft house and didn’t experience any connection drop whatsoever.
I even ended up connecting 30+ devices, including the NAS device and even the gaming devices didn’t lag. The reason why Archer AX55 excels in WiFi coverage is due to built-in Beamforming and higher transmission power.
Security Features
TP-Link’s HomeShield security suite takes care of the router’s well-being. As far as the free features are concerned, you get access to parental controls, WPA3 encryption, SPI firewall support, and the ability to set up guest networks.
Yet, you need to pay an additional subscription fee to activate every aspect of the HomeShield security suite.
Wrap-Up
If you plan on setting up a strong wireless connection around the house, with a focus on zero connection drops, the TP-Link Archer AX55 is the way to go. As for the NAS support, there are adequate Ethernet ports to keep the network storage needs in line with expectations.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6
- Great WiFi range
- USB 3.0 port
- OneMesh functionality
- Excellent NAS transfer speeds
- Beamforming support
Cons
- The web interface can be glitchy
- Some security features require a subscription
7. Best Budget Option: D-Link EXO AX
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0 + 1 x USB 2.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 30
- App Support: Yes
D-Link EXO AX is one of the best affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers that you can get for your NAS. While the mesh capabilities make it stand out, you also get access to MU-MIMO and packet-combining OFDMA technology for faster and uninterrupted access.
I even compared it with the TP-Link AX55 and found that the EXO AX offers better-combined speeds and even brings voice control into the mix.
Ports and NAS Connectivity
As far as NAS connectivity is concerned, you can use the likes of QNAP TS-453D, Synology DS1621+, and any other NAS device on the market with any of the four LAN Ethernet ports in play.
Per the link test, I could get almost 90MB/s with the router and NAS connected. Do note that 90MB/s translates to 720Mbps, which is a commendable speed for most NAS and non-NAS devices.
The router also includes two USB ports, allowing you to pair external storage devices if and when necessary. Additionally, there is the D-Link wireless application to manage the home and NAS network requirements seamlessly.
Wireless Speeds and Performance
Despite being the cheapest option on the list, this router supports a whopping 5600 Mbps of combined speed capacity. The same is divided into 800 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz band and almost 4800 Mbps for the 5 GHz band.
While these are just the theoretical speeds, I even tested the same using Xfinity’s 800 Mbps plan and could get download speeds of 708 Mbps and 31 Mbps, for the 20 feet distance speed test.
Keeping all that in mind, using the D-Link EXO AX for bandwidth-intensive tasks like online gaming, 4K streaming, and more should be a cakewalk. As far as performances go, there is a powerful 4-core processor in play, capable of handling every kind of packet transmission with ease.
Plus, this is one of the few routers to offer link aggregation support, BSS coloring functionality for reducing interference, and other exclusive traits to make life easier.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Devices Capacity
Coverage-wise, the D-Link EXO AX extends its reach to as far as 3,000 sq ft. I tested it inside my 2,000 sq ft home and didn’t experience any lag. However, the walls did create some interference if I was online gaming, showing that the 2.4 GHz band might experience some interference due to obstructions.
The six antennas, beamforming support, and integrated power amplifiers add to the range’s quality. Regarding the device support, I connected the D-Link EXO AX with 30+ devices without noticing any drop in performance.
Security Features
If you are only interested in the free features, D-Link EXO AX boasts the Secure Home support from McAfee — boasting security against intrusion and cyber threats. You also get built-in parental controls, WPA3 encryption, and other perks.
Wrap-Up
D-Link EXO AX is one of the few options to fit in several exclusive traits like voice control and TWT (Target Wake Time), making it one of the best routers below $150.
And while the extended array of Ethernet and USB ports make it a good fit for NAS connectivity, it even excels as a standalone home and gaming router, courtesy of the price-to-performance ratio.
Pros
- The range can be extended using mesh networking
- Offers voice control support
- Features two USB ports
- Can connect 50+ devices with ease
- Offers link aggregation support
Cons
- Setting up a mesh can cost you more
- Subpar-free security traits
And that sums up the individual reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you do not have a standalone NAS device, you can use the existing router as Network Attached Storage, provided it has a separate USB port. If your router has a USB 3.0 or even a USB 2.0 port, you can fit it in a USB drive or even a hard drive to offer network-specific storage support. Once done, you can start dumping your network files using the NAS storage as a hub.
Setting up the router as a NAS is pretty simple. Firstly, you need to connect the storage drive to the router. Once done, you need to head over to the router’s web interface by accessing the right IP address — 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Once there, you should look for USB sharing support or the network storage option.
You can activate it or even restrict access, depending on your preferences. The moment the NAS functionality is set up, you can start accessing the drive.
Yes, NAS devices can be connected to the mesh router by simply plugging the same into the Ethernet port of any router node. You can connect the NAS device to the main router or any of the meshes. Do note that the speed of the NAS link, including data movement and streaming quality, will depend on the speed rating of the router’s Ethernet port.
Verdict
Although full-fledged NAS systems are more potent, if and when they exceed the storage limit, the USB ports can come in handy in creating a mini-NAS server by attaching storage hard drives. This can be useful for small businesses and IT organizations that require seamless access to network storage.
Each router featured on the list is expected to work well with NAS devices. However, if you still find yourself a tad confused as to which router would make the most sense, here are a few curated picks:
- If you specifically want NAS-optimized software and a lot of ports, the Synology RT6600AX seems like the perfect fit.
- In case you want an affordable router with compatibility across multiple NAS devices and tri-band support for better gaming throughput, the Linksys MX4200 seems like a great pick.
- Finally, if you only want a budget-focussed router with voice control and a decent range, the D-Link EXO AX is one of the more reliable options to go with.
And while these are only some of the handpicked options, you can read through every other review to pick one based on your specific preferences, aesthetic needs, and obviously the budget.
