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Under $900

Complete NAS Storage for Under $900 (2025)

Build a 16TB RAID5 NAS for backups, file sharing, and media streaming with reliable hardware.

💰 Actual Cost: $817.88Save $1200 vs PremiumUpdated December 10, 2025

Struggling to afford a NAS without compromising on storage or reliability? With $900, you can't match enterprise-grade setups, but you can build a robust 4-bay NAS with 16TB raw capacity (12TB+ usable in RAID5) that handles daily home use perfectly. This guide delivers a complete, compatible system—no guesswork.

You'll get automated backups from all your devices, 4K media streaming via Plex, and secure file access from anywhere. Expect solid performance (2.5GbE speeds) but not ultra-high throughput for 10+ users. It's realistic: great value, but skip if you need 24/7 heavy workloads.

This budget prioritizes capacity and reliability over flashy features, leaving room for growth.

Budget Philosophy

For a $900 NAS setup, I allocated ~45% ($370) to the enclosure for its critical role as the 'brain'—reliable OS, app ecosystem, and expandability deserve premium attention. Another 44% ($360) goes to NAS-optimized drives, as data integrity trumps everything; cheap consumer HDDs fail prematurely in multi-drive arrays.

The remaining 11% covers protection and tweaks (UPS, RAM, cable), where basics suffice without risking the core. This balances must-haves (storage redundancy) vs. nice-to-haves (fancy ports), avoiding overkill on speed you won't max out at home. Trade-off: fewer bays than $1500 builds, but perfect for 90% of users.

Rationale: NAS fails cost more in lost data than upfront savings. Prioritize CMR drives and proven enclosures over generic PCs.

Where to Splurge

  • NAS Enclosure: The OS and hardware integration ensure stability and apps like Plex/Docker. Cheaping out leads to crashes, poor support, and rebuild hassles.
  • Storage Drives: NAS-rated HDDs handle vibration/heat in arrays. Consumer drives die fast in RAID, risking data loss.
  • RAM Upgrade: Boosts multitasking (VMs, surveillance). Skimping causes slowdowns during scrubs/backups.

Where to Save

  • UPS: Basic surge protection suffices for home; you're not sacrificing runtime (15-30min) needed to shut down safely.
  • Ethernet Cable: Generic Cat6 handles 2.5GbE fine; no need for premium shielding unless in a noisy environment.
  • Accessories: Off-brand cables/power work; focus savings here keeps core reliable.

Recommended Products (5)

#1essentialNAS Enclosure

TerraMaster F4-423 4-Bay NAS

Core server housing drives, running TOS OS for apps, sharing, and RAID management.

$369.99
45% of budget
TerraMaster F4-423 4-Bay NAS

The TerraMaster F4-423 is a 4-bay Intel N5105 NAS with 4GB RAM (upgradable), dual 2.5GbE ports, and TOS 5 OS supporting RAID 0/1/5/6/10/JBOD. It fits budgets by offering near-Synology features at lower cost.

Ideal for this setup: handles 12TB+ RAID5 reliably, Plex transcoding, and Docker. Vs pricier Synology DS423 ($480), it lacks polished DSM but has faster CPU for VMs.

Outstanding value: Similar specs to $500+ rivals, with HDMI for direct media output.

Pros

  • +Quad-core N5105 for smooth 4K Plex
  • +Dual 2.5GbE for fast LAN transfers
  • +TOS apps rival Synology (backups, surveillance)
  • +Expand via USB/eSATA
  • +Quiet fans, metal chassis

Cons

  • -TOS less intuitive than DSM
  • -No 10GbE native
  • -App ecosystem smaller
  • -Firmware updates occasional bugs

Upgrade Option: Synology DS423 ($479) - Superior DSM software, better mobile apps, longer support.

Budget Alternative: TerraMaster F2-223 ($199) - Lose 2 bays and 2.5GbE speed.

Check Price on Amazon
#2essentialHard Drives

WD 4TB Red Plus WD40EFPX (x4)

Provides 16TB raw storage in RAID5 for redundancy and capacity.

$359.96
44% of budget
WD 4TB Red Plus WD40EFPX (x4)

WD Red Plus 4TB CMR drives are NAS-optimized with 180TB/year workload rating, vibration sensors, and 3-year warranty. Buy 4 for RAID5 (11-12TB usable).

Perfect budget fit: Reliable for 24/7 use without IronWolf premium. Vs $120 IronWolf, similar MTBF but cheaper per TB.

Value king: Avoids SMR pitfalls of budget drives; real users report 2+ years zero failures in TerraMaster.

Pros

  • +CMR tech prevents RAID rebuild issues
  • +64MB cache for quick access
  • +5-year warranty on some batches
  • +Low power/heat
  • +NASworks compatibility

Cons

  • -Slower than IronWolf Pro
  • -No encryption hardware
  • -5400RPM (fine for home)
  • -Bulkier packaging

Upgrade Option: Seagate IronWolf 4TB ($115ea, $460 total) - Better vibration protection, health monitoring.

Budget Alternative: Seagate BarraCuda 4TB ($75ea, $300 total) - Risky for RAID, higher failure rates.

Check Price on Amazon
#3recommendedPower Protection

CyberPower CP550SLG UPS

Protects against outages, allowing safe NAS shutdown to prevent drive corruption.

$54.95
7% of budget
CyberPower CP550SLG UPS

550VA/300W standby UPS with 8 outlets, surge protection, and 2.5min runtime at full load—enough for graceful shutdown via USB.

Budget hero: Covers NAS (~50W loaded) perfectly. Vs $100 APC, same core function without extras.

Reliable per reviews: Thousands of NAS users swear by it for blackouts.

Pros

  • +USB auto-shutdown software
  • +8 outlets for NAS+router
  • +Compact, lifetime warranty
  • +ROI in one outage

Cons

  • -Short runtime (not for long outages)
  • -No LCD display
  • -Fanless but audible beep

Upgrade Option: APC Back-UPS Pro 900 ($150) - Longer runtime, LCD status.

Budget Alternative: Basic surge protector ($15) - No battery backup.

Check Price on Amazon
#4recommendedRAM Upgrade

Timetec 8GB DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMM

Doubles RAM to 12GB total for smoother multitasking and Plex transcoding.

$24.99
3% of budget
Timetec 8GB DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMM

Single 8GB DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM compatible with TerraMaster N5105 boards. Easy slot install.

Fits budget: Generic beats stock 4GB for VMs/backups. Vs $50 branded, identical speed/performance.

Users confirm stability in F4-423 for surveillance.

Pros

  • +Plug-and-play
  • +Boosts Plex/VMs
  • +Low power
  • +Lifetime warranty
  • +Cheap upgrade path

Cons

  • -No ECC
  • -Single channel
  • -Void if not compatible (rare)

Upgrade Option: Crucial 16GB CT16G4SFRA32A ($55) - Dual-channel potential, more headroom.

Budget Alternative: Skip - Use stock 4GB ($0 loss).

Check Price on Amazon
#5essentialNetworking Cable

Cable Matters Snagless Cat6 Ethernet Cable 10ft

Connects NAS to router at full 2.5GbE speed for fast transfers.

$7.99
1% of budget
Cable Matters Snagless Cat6 Ethernet Cable 10ft

Shielded Cat6 cable supports 10Gbps short runs, snagless boots.

Budget staple: Works flawlessly with 2.5GbE NAS. Vs $20 fiber, overkill for home.

Running total: $817.88 ($82 buffer for tax/ship).

Pros

  • +Full 2.5GbE speed
  • +Durable, flat design
  • +Lifetime warranty
  • +Cheap insurance

Cons

  • -Short for large homes
  • -No PoE

Upgrade Option: Cat8 10ft ($20) - Future-proof 40Gbps.

Budget Alternative: Cat5e ($5) - Caps at 1Gbps.

Check Price on Amazon

Start by unboxing the TerraMaster F4-423, installing the 4x WD Red Plus drives in bays 1-4 (no tools needed, slide-in). Power on, connect Ethernet cable to your 1Gbps+ router, and visit find.terra.com for initial setup (~15min).

In TOS: Create SHR-1 (like RAID5) volume, format, and enable services (file sharing, Plex via App Center). Install RAM: power off, open side panel (Phillips screwdriver), slot in SO-DIMM, reseat (~5min). Plug into UPS USB for auto-shutdown config.

Test: Copy files, stream media, run scrub. Total time: 1-2 hours. Tips: Update TOS first, use BTRFS for snapshots, enable email alerts. No RAID experience? Watch TerraMaster YouTube.

Buffer covers shipping; buy drives prepped if paranoid.

Budget Tips

  • Buy drives in bulk from Amazon Warehouse for 10-20% off (check CMR).
  • Use open-box NAS from Newegg—TerraMaster often $50 less, full warranty.
  • Skip initial full 4 drives: Start with 3 ($270), add later for RAID growth.
  • Hunt Black Friday for HDDs; prices drop $10/TB.
  • DIY backup scripts instead of paid cloud ($5/mo savings).
  • Used/refurb drives risky—stick new for NAS.
  • Price-match Amazon at Best Buy for bundles.

Common Mistakes

  • Using desktop HDDs in RAID—vibration kills them in months.
  • Skipping UPS: One outage corrupts arrays.
  • Overbuying bays (2-bay $200 cheaper but limits growth).
  • Ignoring SHR: Basic RAID0 loses data on single failure.
  • No offsite backup—NAS isn't bulletproof.

Upgrade Roadmap

First: Add 4th drive ($90) for full RAID5 if starting SHR-1. Next: 16GB RAM kit ($50) or 8TB drives ($200ea swap) for capacity. Then: 2.5GbE switch ($100) for multi-device LAN.

These matter: Capacity first (fills fast), then speed. $300 gets 32TB. Wait on 10GbE ($300+) till need it.

Long-term: Migrate to 6-bay ($600) in 2 years; export pools easily.

Related Topics

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