Best NAS for Video Editing: Fast, Reliable & Upgrade-Ready

If you’re tired of juggling massive video files between external drives—or you’ve hit the wall on your computer’s local storage—it’s time to consider a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Whether you’re a solo editor or a small studio, a NAS can dramatically improve your video editing workflow, collaboration, and backup strategy. In this guide, we break down the best NAS devices for video editing, ranging from budget-friendly options to high-performance models that can handle 4K, 6K, and even 8K video production.

Why Use a NAS for Video Editing?

Video editing demands speed, capacity, and structure. Here’s what a NAS can bring to the table:

• Direct Editing from Network Storage – No more copying files between machines. Edit straight off the NAS.
• Centralized File Access – Share files with collaborators, motion artists, or VFX pros without version chaos.
• High-Speed Transfers – With 2.5GbE, 10GbE, or Thunderbolt, you can scrub timelines smoothly—even in 4K.
• Redundancy + Backup – RAID options protect your work. Snapshots and offsite sync add another layer of safety. Many of these NAS devices offer storage pooling (software-based RAID) which allow for uneven sized hard drives.

Check out the video below where I go through my review of the Synology 1522+, a device I spent over a year researching before buying.

Watch the video below to see me editing live from the NAS

TL;DR I can edit straight from the drive as if it’s connected to my computer. I’m running very basic 5200 rpm hard drives in it from years ago. It does not have to be excruciatingly expensive to get this thing filled up with drives. However, for those with the budget, I would highly recommend you get the version that comes prefilled with drives for an easier time.

Click Here To Learn More About This Synology NAS

What to Look for in a NAS for Video Editing

1. Speed & Connectivity

• 2.5GbE or 10GbE networking is not essential for real-time editing, however, I prioritized units that offered 10 GbE as an upgrade. For instance, Synology sells a 10 Gbps upgrade card. 1GbE can be a bottleneck, but most units come with 1+ plugs (some have quad Ethernet ports).
• NVMe SSD caching improves performance when scrubbing timelines or loading projects.
  • Look for units that take M.2 blade SSDs so that you’re not sacrificing full-size hard drive bays for SSDs.
• Look for PCIe slots to upgrade to 10GbE or add SSDs.

2. CPU & RAM

• Go with Intel Core, Ryzen, or Xeon CPUs for heavy workflows.
  • Prioritize multi-core performance with a chip like the Ryzen, which enables easier multitasking and supports ECC memory. ECC means Error-Correcting Code, which is basically a fancy way of providing extra data integrity and reliability (enterprise-level servers typically use ECC memory). Learn more about ECC memory and why you shouldn’t buy a NAS without it.
• Avoid entry-level ARM chips for anything beyond basic backup.
• 8GB RAM minimum; upgrade to 16GB+ if using Docker, VMs, or heavy multitasking.

3. Drive Bays & Scalability

• 4-bay systems give you room for RAID and future growth.
• Larger projects? Go 6- or 8-bay.
• RAID 5 or 10 is ideal for balancing performance and redundancy.
• Software-based RAID allows for variably sized hard drives, which is ideal for iterative upgrades over time. For instance, if the NAS is filled with 5TB drives, you can replace 1 drive with a 20TB drive. Then replace the second drive with another 20TB drive. If you were using plain hardware RAID, you would need to upgrade all the drives at once. And you’d need a place to temporarily store everything!

4. Transcoding (Optional)

• Needed if you’re streaming preview versions or using Plex internally.
• Look for integrated GPU (Intel Quick Sync) or Xeon CPUs that support real-time transcoding.
• The AMD Ryzen is also an excellent choice. It is very fast for video transcoding, and excellent for multitasking (which the NAS might be doing unbeknownst to you whilst you’re editing from it)

Best NAS for Video Editing

Below is a comparison of top NAS units for video production. Our featured model—the Synology DS1522+—balances performance, expandability, and price, making it ideal for solo editors and small-medium studios working with 4K and even 6K footage.

🎬 Featured Pick: Synology DS1522+

If you’re looking for a balanced powerhouse that doesn’t break the bank, the Synology DS1522+ is hard to beat.

Why We Like It:

• Equipped with a Ryzen R1600 CPU and expandable to 32GB ECC RAM, it’s fast enough for real-time 4K editing.
• Includes 4x 1GbE ports that support link aggregation—and is upgradeable to 10GbE via PCIe, unlocking high-speed workflows.
• Dual NVMe SSD cache slots help with project scrubbing and faster asset access.
• 5 drive bays give room for RAID 5 or RAID 10 setups with room to grow.

🎥 Note: All demo videos featured on this page use the DS1522+, showing real-world 4K project editing, fast backups, and even network rendering setups.

• Setting Up Your Editing Network
• Use CAT6a cables for 10GbE
• Upgrade your switch to multi-gig (2.5/10GbE)
• Mac users: Use Thunderbolt-to-10GbE adapters for direct connection

Pro Tips for NAS-Based Editing

• Use RAID 10 for speed + protection
• Keep active projects on SSD cache pools
• Enable SMB Multichannel (if supported) to maximize bandwidth or use NFS mounts
• Back up regularly—RAID isn’t enough – we have an article on back ups here.

FAQ: NAS for Video Editing – What Creators Need to Know

Can I really edit video directly from a NAS?

• Yes. If your NAS and network are fast enough (2.5GbE or 10GbE with SSD caching), you can edit large video files directly over the network without needing to copy them to a local drive first. Editors working in Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve can have smooth timeline scrubbing—even with 4K or ProRes footage—when using a properly configured NAS. Watch the video above to see how it works.

Isn’t NAS too slow compared to an external SSD?

• A NAS over 1GbE is slower than a USB 3.2 SSD. However, NAS devices typically have multiple drives which spread the data out – which will boost performance to that of an SSD and beyond. NAS devices like the Synology DS1522+ can take M.2 SSDs and come with massive performance and data integrity upgrades over an external SSD that can die at any point.
  • Personal story: I actually just had a 2.5 inch SSD that was less than 2 years old die. It lost its ability to connect, and that is the end of that! A NAS has redundancy, which reduces the single-point-of-failure risk that comes with using a single external drive. Plus, you gain centralized access, redundancy, and scalability.

Can I use Wi-Fi to connect to a NAS?

• Yes, but… Wi-Fi doesn’t provide consistent throughput for video editing. Use a wired Ethernet connection for reliability and smooth scrubbing.

What if my computer doesn’t have 2.5GbE or 10GbE?

• You don’t need 2.5 or 10gig to have a great experience with a NAS. In the video above I’m running on a single gigabit connection. You can use a USB-to-2.5GbE adapter or a Thunderbolt-to-10GbE adapter to upgrade most systems only if you need it, such as if you’ve got multiple people using the NAS at the same time.

Is RAID the same as a backup?

• No. RAID protects against drive failure, not human error or malware. Always use a true backup to cloud or external storage. You want at least two other copies of your data stored elsewhere. Click here to learn about backing up a NAS device.

How many bays do I need?

• 2-bay: Basic users or audio editors
• 4-bay: Ideal starting point for most video editors
• 6-8 bay: For 4K/8K workflows or multi-user environments

Will it be loud?

• Most NAS units are quiet, especially SSD-based ones. Use NAS-rated quiet drives and consider placement or fan upgrades for noise-sensitive setups.

Best RAID for video editing?

• RAID 5: Good mix of performance and protection
• RAID 10: Best for speed + redundancy

Can I stream my edited content from NAS?

• Yes. Use Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby to preview or share videos. Transcoding helps with playback on low-power devices.

Do I need a UPS?

• Yes. Power failures during writes can corrupt data. A UPS ensures safe shutdown and integrity. Each UPS depends on the power load necessary. If you’re running a smaller setup, click here to see some of the best UPS models.

Is NAS setup difficult?

• Not at all. Most systems include guided wizards and apps. Synology, QNAP, and others make setup beginner-friendly.

Should I get a NAS or DAS?

• DAS is fine if you’re editing alone on one machine. NAS is superior for teams, remote access, backups, and growth. Pick whichever is best for you.

Final Thoughts

A well-chosen NAS can completely transform your editing workflow. Whether you’re editing in DaVinci, Premiere, or Final Cut, the right setup lets you work faster, safer, and with less friction. If you’re serious about video production, investing in one of these NAS models is a no-brainer.