Synology DiskStation DS1019+

Drive Bays: Five (expandable to 10)
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: NAS (1GbE), two USB 3.0
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 5, 6, 10
Maximum Capacity: 70TB or 140TB (with expansion bays)

Special Features: With a quad-core processor and upgradable memory to 8GB, the DiskStation is robust enough for speedy file transfers and 4K video editing. Thanks to its dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots, you can create an SSD cache for storing frequently accessed data without occupying the main drive bays you’re using for longer-term storage. With Synology’s Active Backup Suite, you can back up Windows computers and servers, VMware virtual machines, and Office 365 and G Suite apps to a centralized location. You can also stream videos to connected TVs and use the included Moments photo organizing software to sort through images.

Price: $650 (diskless)
synology.com

WD My Book Duo

Drive Bays: Zero
Drive Types: HDD
Connectivity: Two USB 3.0 (hubs), one USB C (3.1) port
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1
Maximum Capacity: 20TB

Special Features: This desktop drive offers speeds up to 360MB/s and supports 256-bit AES encryption and password protection using included security software. It’s formatted for Windows PCs out of the box but can be reformatted for Mac operating systems.

Prices: starting at $260
wd.com

G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle T3

Drive Bays: Four
Drive Types: HDD
Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
RAID Levels: 0, 1, 5, 10
Maximum Capacity: 56TB

Special Features: Fast enough to edit up to 8K resolution video, the Shuttle features a design that’s equally at home in the field or in the studio. You can daisy-chain up to five additional Thunderbolt devices to the Shuttle. It’s preformatted for RAID 5 but its hardware RAID controller let’s you switch settings with ease. 

Prices: starting at $1,800
g-technology.com

Highpoint RocketStor 6314B

Drive Bays: Four
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 5, 6, 10
Maximum Capacity: 56TB

Special Features: While it has a processor for hardware RAID control, you can also access a browser-based console to make drive configurations and receive alerts on drive status (alerts can also be sent via email). Hard drives are hot-swappable using an accessory tray.

Prices: starting at $529
highpoint-tech.com

Promise Pegasus3 R8

Drive Bays: Eight 
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort 1.4
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 5, 10, 50, 60
Maximum Capacity: 112TB

Special Features: Included ChronoSync backup software enables you to clone your drives, sync files between computers and store files in the cloud. The DisplayPort output can drive monitors up to 8K in resolution. The unit’s drives are hot-swappable. 

Price: tbd
promise.com

Drobo 8D

Drive Bays: Eight
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
RAID Levels: Uses Drobo’s Beyond RAID software
Maximum Capacity: 256TB

Special Features: This is the first Drobo drive to incorporate new “Intelligent Volume Management” technology that lets you control how data is handled across different drives. You can create volumes as large as 128TB even if you have a 2TB drive so that you can add additional storage to the volume without having to format it. A dedicated SSD slot lets you establish a hot cache for quickly accessing data—good for video editing—before moving information to the other drives for longer-term storage. There’s also battery backup to protect data stored in your cache.

Price: $1,299 
drobo.com

OWC ThunderBay 4

Drive Bays: Four
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one DisplayPort 1.2 port
RAID Levels: 0, 1, 4, 5 1+0
Maximum Capacity: 56TB

Special Features: Included SoftRAID XT software lets you configure RAID levels and monitor drive health with both desktop and email notifications in the event something goes awry. It’s built using a vented enclosure with vibration-dampening, non-skid feet. 

Prices: starting at $480
macsales.com

Areca ARC-8050U3-6

Drive Bays: Six
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: OneUSB 3.1 (Gen 2) port
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50, 60
Maximum Capacity: Drive dependent

Special Features: The Areca’s hardware RAID controller is driven by 2GB of DDR3 RAM so it can cope with the demands of 4K video and other file-heavy workloads. It has an expansion port that allows you to add more storage enclosures (up to a total of 512 hard drives in all). It also works with an optional battery backup module. 

Price: $1,899
aereca.com

QNAP TR-004

Drive Bays: Four
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: One USB-C (3.0)
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 5, 10
Maximum Capacity: Drive dependent

Special Features: The TR-004 includes software for controlling RAID settings. Its hard drives are hot-swappable and can be locked into place to prevent accidental removal. Select QNAP NAS drives can use the TR-004 as an expansion storage drive to increase your digital carrying capacity. The hard drives are not included. 

Price: $198
qnap.com

Buffalo TeraStation 3410DN

Drive Bays: Four
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: Two USB 3.0 ports, RJ-45 NAS
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 5, 6, 10
Maximum Capacity: 16TB

Special Features: The TeraStation ships with NovaBACKUP software for archiving files. Files stored on the drive can be accessed using the free WebAccess service, and the drive’s contents are encrypted to keep unwanted users from poaching your photos. 

Prices: starting at $460
buffalotech.com

ioSafe 218 NAS

Drive Bays: Two
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: One GbE LAN port, one USB 2.0, two USB 3.0 ports
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, Synology Hybrid RAID
Maximum Capacity: 24TB

Special Features: While most hard-drive arrays promise file protection for virtual calamities, the ioSafe 218 can protect data from physical ones as well. It’s built to endure fires as hot as 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 30 minutes and it can be submerged in up to 10 feet of fresh or salt water for 72 hours. It works with an optional floor mount system that lets you bolt the drive to the ground so that thieves can’t make off with it (at least without immense effort). Beyond durability, the drive can transcode a variety of media formats for streaming and it can synchronize data with several cloud backup services. 

Prices: starting at $660 
iosafe.com

Oyen Digital Mobius Pro 5c

Drive Bays: Five
Drive Types: HDD
Connectivity: Two USB-C (3.1, hub and port) 
RAID Levels: 0, 1, 4, 5, 1+0
Maximum Capacity: 70TB

Special Features: The Mobius ships with SoftRAID software for configuring RAID levels and monitoring disk status. Its front drive bay door is lockable.

Prices: starting at $349 
oyendigital.com

Rocstor Rocpro T38

Drive Bays: Eight
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one mini DisplayPort
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
Maximum Capacity: 112TB

Special Features: Speedy enough for 4K and 8K video editing, the Rocpro T38 uses a hardware RAID controller and includes a monitoring utility to keep you apprised of the system’s health. The utility also lets you test the quality of third-party drives (both HDD and SSD).

Prices: starting at $1,520
rocstor.com 

Lacie 2big

Drive Bays: Two
Drive Types: HDD, SSD
Connectivity: TwoThunderbolt 3 ports, SD and CF card slots, USB 3.0 hub, DisplayPort
RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1
Maximum Capacity: 28TB

Special Features: The 2big drive includes Rescue Data Recovery Services, a service you can access for the length of your five-year warranty. 

Prices: starting at $649
lacie.com

Related: How to Back Up Your Digital Photos

How the Right Studio Management Software Can Save Your Sanity

14 Apps and Software to Help Run and Grow Your Photography Business