Do I really need a NAS?

Only if you need always-on access, sharing across devices, or proper redundancy. If you just store and back up files for one computer, a couple of external drives are simpler and cheaper. The live table shows the drive costs either way.

What can a NAS do that external drives can't?

A NAS is always on, serves files to every device on your network, runs apps like Plex, and can hold drives in a redundant array so one failure does not lose data. Externals are simpler but do none of that automatically.

Are external drives a bad idea?

Not at all. For one person backing up a single machine, two external drives kept in different places are cheap, simple and effective. A NAS only earns its cost once you outgrow that.

Do You Need a NAS, or Just External Drives?

Published: July 7, 2026

Live answer · Amazon.com

Pulling live prices…

📊 As of August 2, 2026, the typical external drive (4TB+) on Amazon.com is $47.19/TB or $0.047/GB, widest choice around $31.62/TB, with some as cheap as $20.29/TB across 391 live listings.

Sourced from real discussions on r/DataHoarder, r/homelab and r/synology, cross-checked against live PricePerGig listings.

You need a NAS if you plan to share the files with more than one computer or device, 24/7. If you don’t need either of those, you don’t usually need a NAS. The only exception is if you just simply can’t fit your data on a single drive; then you may need a NAS, but you may also just need another external drive. Often, an external drive will suffice and save you money.

However, if you’re a tinkerer, into computers, or like to complete overnight downloads, then go buy a NAS!

The table above shows live drive prices on your marketplace, because either path comes down to buying good drives at a good price per TB.

When external drives are all you need

Let me defend the humble external drive, because it gets unfairly dismissed.

If you are one person backing up one computer, externals are brilliant.

Dead simple. Plug in, copy, unplug.
Cheap. No extra box, no network gear, no fan humming all day.
Portable. Keep one copy at a friends house for free offsite backup.

For a lot of people, two external drives kept in two places is a complete, sensible storage and backup plan. Do not let the internet shame you out of it.

When a NAS actually earns its keep

A NAS is not a bigger external drive. It is a different thing, and it is worth it when you need what it uniquely does.

Always on, so every device can reach your files without plugging anything in.
Shared across the whole house, phones, laptops, TVs, all at once.
Runs apps, like Plex for media or backup tools that just work in the background.
Redundancy, so a single drive dying does not lose your data.

If you find yourself wanting two or more of those, a NAS stops being a luxury and starts being the right answer.

The honest cost difference

Here is what nobody likes to spell out.

A NAS is the box plus the drives plus the power it sips every hour of every day. Externals are just the drives.

So if your needs are simple, a NAS is a lot of extra money and complexity for features you will not use.

Check the live table for drive prices, then be honest about whether you are paying for capability you actually need or just for the cool factor.

A simple way to decide

Run yourself through this.

One computer, just want backups: buy two external drives, keep one offsite. Done.
Multiple devices, want shared always-on storage: a NAS is worth it.
Want Plex, redundancy, or to tinker: get the NAS, you will enjoy it.

There is no wrong answer, only the right one for your situation.

The bottom line

You need a NAS when you want always-on, shared, redundant storage that runs apps. You need external drives when you just want cheap, simple backups for one machine.

Be honest about which you are, buy good drives at the best price per TB using the live table above, and do not overspend on a NAS you bought for features you will never touch. Simple often beats clever.

If you think you can get away with just an extra external drive, take a look at external drives specifically and save yourself some cash. If you’re venturing into a NAS, you’ll love this page where I show hard drives with Backblaze’s legendary reliability data.

When external drives are all you need

When a NAS actually earns its keep

The honest cost difference

A simple way to decide

The bottom line

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