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Best NAS Case 2024: Top NAS Storage Units

Ensure your storage is correctly housed with these top NAS options
Last Updated on June 13, 2024
Best NAS Case
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Though they are useful, Network-Attached Storage – or NAS – units can be cumbersome to store and difficult to maintain. If you want to avoid your office or home looking like a server farm, then investing in the best NAS case is a worthwhile effort. These cases are effectively downscaled PC cases: giving you a better way to store your NAS system and allowing for cooling elements or other features. But as with anything NAS-related, it’s not as straightforward as buying any case.

To help, we’ve compiled an array of NAS case options for you to choose from, each with their own strengths to speak of. We’ve detailed below why you might choose one over the other, so you can make an informed purchase and safely store your storage!

How We Picked the Best NAS Case

Given the size of NAS systems, we opted primarily for ITX PC cases for storing your NAS unit. These smaller units still provide space for small PC builds whilst leaving room for airflow. We considered the available space in our units relative to their effective cooling abilities, and compatibility with various motherboards. We also factored in the durability of each case – though it goes without saying that even with a case you should store your NAS safely.

We settled on five products, across a range of price points, each with their own respective merits. You’re sure to find the ideal NAS case with our rankings.

Best NAS Case
  • JONSBO N3
Specifications
  • Motherboard: Mini-ITX
  • Cooling: 100mm Fan
  • HDD Bays: 8
  • Dimensions: 10.31″ x 9.17″ x 11.73″
What We Think

Compact yet accommodating, this Jonsbo case is ideal for storing your NAS system and keeping it in perfect working order.

Reasons to Buy
  • Great build quality – the sturdy aluminum frame makes the N3 a great storage solution.
  • Easy access – you can easily replace or swap out your NAS hard drives.
Reasons to Avoid
  • Mini-ITX only – though most NAS cases are mini-ITX, the form factor on the N3 limits additional components.

Taking our top spot today is the Jonsbo N3, a great mini-ITX case perfect for NAS systems. Intuitively designed and with plenty of headroom for hard drives, this case is well worth investing in.

Made from a steadfast aluminum frame, the N3 is a robust housing solution. The design accommodates CPU coolers for improved airflow, but the standard 100mm fans do an ample job of keeping the temperature low. You’ve also got space for an ITX motherboard slot, and an SFX PSU for power. The front panel is easily removed for quick access to the hard drives, making it especially easy to replace or install drives. With so many top features, it’s hard to pick a flaw for the N3.

That said, the form factor does limit the case’s overall scalability, with you limited to smaller components. Though this still leaves room for eight standard-sized hard drives, and is ideal for most conventional NAS setups. We highly recommend the N3 as a top NAS casing.

Best Budget NAS Case
  • Cooler Master N200
Specifications
  • Motherboard: Micro-ATX
  • Cooling: 120mm Fan
  • HDD Bays: 3
  • Dimensions: ‎14.9″ x 7.9″ x 17.5″
What We Think

At a fraction of the cost of other units, this Micro-ATX case is a great option for NAS housing.

Reasons to Buy
  • Affordable – retailing just shy of $60, this unit is ideal for low-investment NAS protection.
  • Modular design – the side panels can easily be removed on the N200 for quick configuration.
Reasons to Avoid
  • Poor HDD placement – replacing the hard drives in your NAS system can be challenge with their rear placement in this ATX case.

For a budget-friendly case housing for your NAS, consider the Cooler Master N200. A great manufacturer of an array of affordable PC parts, this Micro-ATX case makes for a sterling storage solution.

With space for 3 HDD bays, this case manages to be accommodating whilst having a compact form factor – and all retailing at a low price well under $100. The modular design makes it easy to remove the side panels and install new components, and you can fit a moderate amount of ATX components in this 14.9″ x 7.9″ x 17.5″ casing without overcrowding it. With 3 120mm fans, airflow is kept smooth and running is kept quiet.

However, if you find yourself wanting to upgrade your HDDs, we wouldn’t recommend doing it too often: due to their rear placement in this case, they can be tough to access. It’s a small cost given the savings, and we highly recommend the N200 as an excellent budget NAS case.

Best Secure NAS Case
  • SilverStone CS351
Specifications
  • Motherboard: ITX
  • Cooling: 82mm Fan
  • HDD Bays: 5
  • Dimensions: 12.68″ x 8.29″ x 8.27″
What We Think

If you want to ensure your data is protected as well as your NAS itself, this ITX case from SilverStone is the ideal solution.

Reasons to Buy
  • Anti-theft drive slots – the CS351’s drive slots can be locked to prevent tampering or theft.
  • Sturdy – made from steel alloy, this case is highly resistant to wear-and-tear.
Reasons to Avoid
  • Poor airflow – with smaller fans and limited space, this NAS case can be prone to overheating.

If your NAS server is set up to handle a great deal of secure data from your business, you’ll want to keep it physically safe as well as digitally secure. Enter the SilverStone CS351, an ITX case designed to protect your information.

The five HDD bays on the CS351 can be locked, to prevent anyone from attempting to take them. If a prospective thief attempts to make off with the whole NAS, the alloyed steel build will certainly slow them down. When there aren’t heists taking place, you’ll find this case to comfortably accommodate a decent array of components, with space for a cooler to help keep things running smoothly at all times.

We do recommend investing in that cooler, however. Due to the compact nature of the CS351, it can be prone to a buildup of heat. If you keep the airflow cool, then the CS351 is an ideal choice for secure NAS housing.

Best Large NAS Case
  • Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Specifications
  • Motherboard: SSI-EEB
  • Cooling: 120mm
  • HDD Bays: 10
  • Dimensions: 22.05″ x 9.45″ x 22.83″
What We Think

For a larger-scale NAS storage, big enough to house ten HDD units, we turn to Phenteks’ huge SSI-EEB solution.

Reasons to Buy
  • Huge HDD capacity – capable of storing up to 10 hard drives, the potential for housing your NAS are huge.
  • Great airflow – with huge fan capacity and great native cooling, the Enthoo Pro 2 remains cool at all times.
Reasons to Avoid
  • Poor build quality – though most of the case is made of steel alloy, the plastic components are notably flimsy.

If your storage solution needs triple-digit terabytes to be safely stored, then the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 is a great case to do so. With the capacity for ten HDDs, you’ll have ample server space in this tower case.

Due to the size of the Enthoo Pro 2, both component capacity and cooling capabilities are top-notch. This large NAS case can not only accommodate a large amount of drives, but also as many as 15 fans to keep them cool. Even without, this case optimizes its airflow to ensure your unit doesn’t overheat. Sturdy thanks to it’s design primarily comprised of alloyed steel, the Enthoo Pro 2 is a sterling addition to any large-scale business’ NAS.

However, we should stress that it is primarily made of steel. The plastic components are reportedly quite flimsy, and can cause issues. It’s a rarity for anything to break. We still highly recommend the Enthoo Pro 2 as a top large-scale NAS storage solution.

Best NAS Case for Home
  • Fractal Design Node 804
Specifications
  • Motherboard: ATX
  • Cooling: 120mm Fan
  • HDD Bays: 10
  • Dimensions: 13.54″ x 12.09″ x 15.31″
What We Think

If you’re in the habit of taking your work home with you, this Fractal Design NAS case is ideal for a discreet storage solution.

Reasons to Buy
  • Large HDD capacity – not as large as the Enthoo 2 Pro but still acommodating, this NAS case is ideal for compact storage.
  • Great airflow – coming with two 120mm fans ensures the Node 804 is ideal for cooling.
Reasons to Avoid
  • Compact – the size of the Node 804 may mean components have to be tightly fitted.

With the same HDD capacity as the large Enthoo 2 Pro in a more compact body, the Fractal Design Node 804 closes out our ranking. For a reliable home NAS storage unit, this versatile case is ideal.

With space for both HDDs and SSDs, the Node 804 can be customized to suit your specific needs. Coming with two 120mm fans, your unit is kept cool no matter the component combination. The NAS case also supports installing additional fans to your heart’s content, and features dust filters at every contact point to prevent contamination. A good 10″ shallower than the Enthoo 2 Pro, this is a great option for limited spaces in home office or small businesses.

So why isn’t the Node 804 the best NAS case? As an ATX case, this unit will be tightly packed with full-size components, especially if you want to maximize the number of HDDs in there. This can make installing or swapping parts a hassle, but for a mainstay home NAS that requires minimal maintenance, you can’t beat the Node 804.

Features and Considerations

If you’re looking for a different NAS case from the ones selected today, there are a few features to factor into your purchase. Most pressing is the HDD capacity, which will determine how much storage your Network-Attached Storage can accommodate. This pairs with the physical footprint of the case: larger cases can accommodate more hard drives, but will take up more space. Bulkiness is a worthy consideration, too, as these devices are quite heavy – and too large a case will compound that effect.

The more technical aspects include the fan capacity and airflow: just like with any custom PC, good airflow will ensure your server doesn’t overheat. Most cases come with slots for fans of various sizes, but you can also invest in CPU coolers to further improve airflow. You should also consider the motherboard slot on the NAS case in question, as that will determine the ease of installing all other components such as your power supply. Finally, we recommend a degree of security for your case – even a simple lock-and-key solution will ensure your drives stay safe.

FAQs

What is the difference between a NAS and a server?

A NAS system is a shared storage space, ideal for use in offices or small businesses where an array of devices need access to files and folders. A server is more multipurpose: able to host sites or run complex processes.

Do I need a hard drive for NAS?

Yes: even most pre-built NAS storage systems ship without an HDD, so that customers can choose a storage capacity to suit their own respective needs.

Verdict

Verdict
  • JONSBO N3
Specifications
  • Motherboard: Mini-ITX
  • Cooling: 100mm Fan
  • HDD Bays: 8
  • Dimensions: 10.31″ x 9.17″ x 11.73″

Capable, albeit compact, the Jonsbo N3 is our favorite NAS case: striking an excellent balance between form an function with it’s eight-bay capacity and Mini-ITX board factor. This case, or any of the other units we’ve suggested, are all great NAS options: guaranteeing damage-free and secure housing for your network storage.

Looking for a pre-built NAS for your office? Check out our guide on the best NAS for small business today.

Angus Warrender is a PCGuide Writer and Editor. He's interested in a range of tech, from cameras to consoles, and has an eye for spotting the best products on the market!