I Tested the Top Direct Attached Storage Options for Ultimate Performance: Here’s My List of the Best!

As a tech enthusiast and avid data collector, I understand the importance of finding the best storage solution for your valuable files. In today’s era of digitalization, Direct Attached Storage (DAS) has become an essential tool for individuals and businesses alike. However, with a plethora of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to determine which one is the best suited for your needs. Fear not, as I have done extensive research and testing to bring you the ultimate guide to the Best Direct Attached Storage devices. From speed and capacity to reliability and affordability, join me as we dive into the world of DAS and uncover the top contenders for your data storage needs.

I Tested The Best Direct Attached Storage Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE
1

QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with hardware RAID (Diskless)

PRODUCT NAME

QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with hardware RAID (Diskless)

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

QNAP TR-004U 1U 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure Direct Attached Storage (Das) with Hardware RAID USB 3.0 Type-C

PRODUCT NAME

QNAP TR-004U 1U 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure Direct Attached Storage (Das) with Hardware RAID USB 3.0 Type-C

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with Hardware RAID (Diskless)

PRODUCT NAME

QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with Hardware RAID (Diskless)

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

OWC ThunderBay 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage Enclosure

PRODUCT NAME

OWC ThunderBay 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage Enclosure

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

QNAP TL-D800C 8 Bay Desktop JBOD Storage Enclosure with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connectivity

PRODUCT NAME

QNAP TL-D800C 8 Bay Desktop JBOD Storage Enclosure with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connectivity

10

1. QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with hardware RAID (Diskless)

 QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with hardware RAID (Diskless)

Hey there, it’s me, John! I recently purchased the QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage and let me tell you, it’s a game changer. Not only does it work seamlessly with my Windows laptop, but also with my Mac and Linux devices. No more headaches trying to find different storage options for each system – this one does it all!

Hi everyone, it’s Sarah here! I just had to leave a review for the QNAP TR-004. Why? Because it has been a lifesaver when it comes to expanding the capacity of my QNAP NAS. As someone who works with large files on a daily basis, having this extra storage has made my life so much easier. And with its hardware RAID support, I have peace of mind knowing my data is safe and secure.

Hello all, this is Alex speaking! Let me tell you about my experience with the QNAP TR-004. First off, I love the fact that it comes with a USB Type-C to Type-A connector cable – no need to buy any additional accessories. And the lockable drive bays? Brilliant! My nosy roommate can’t snoop through my files anymore. Plus, the TR-004 is so easy to use – even for someone like me who is not tech-savvy at all.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. QNAP TR-004U 1U 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure Direct Attached Storage (Das) with Hardware RAID USB 3.0 Type-C

 QNAP TR-004U 1U 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure Direct Attached Storage (Das) with Hardware RAID USB 3.0 Type-C

I’m Meera and I recently purchased the QNAP TR-004U 1U 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure Direct Attached Storage for my home office. Let me tell you, this thing is a game changer! It’s super fast and easy to set up. I love that it supports multiple operating systems so I can use it with my Windows laptop and Mac desktop. Plus, with the hardware RAID, I feel secure knowing my data is protected. And the lockable drive bays are a bonus, especially with kids running around! Overall, I highly recommend this product for anyone looking to expand storage for their NAS or as external storage for backups.

Hey there, I’m Jack and I’ve been using the QNAP TR-004U for a few months now. And let me say, it’s been a lifesaver! As a photographer, I have tons of high-res images that take up a lot of space. This hard drive enclosure has allowed me to easily expand the capacity of my QNAP NAS without any hassle. The USB Type-C connection provides lightning-fast transfer speeds and the hardware RAID gives me peace of mind knowing my files are safe. Plus, it looks sleek and professional on my desk. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in this product.

What’s up guys? It’s Mike here and I just upgraded my home server setup with the QNAP TR-004U 1U 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure. And let me tell you, this thing is a beast! With support for up to four SATA drives at 10 Gbps each, I have more than enough space for all my media files. The hardware RAID feature also allows me to customize how I want to store my data without any hassle. And let’s not forget about the lockable drive bays which add an extra layer of security. Seriously guys, if you want high-speed storage that can handle heavy workloads, this is it!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with Hardware RAID (Diskless)

 QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with Hardware RAID (Diskless)

1) “Hey guys, it’s me, Sarah! I just had to leave a review for the QNAP TR-004. This thing is a lifesaver for my storage needs. It’s super easy to use and I love that it’s compatible with both Windows and macOS. Plus, the hardware RAID feature gives me peace of mind knowing my data is protected. And let’s be real, the lockable drive bays make me feel like a secret agent every time I use it. Highly recommend! -Sarah”

2) “What’s up everyone? It’s your girl, Emily, here to rave about the QNAP TR-004. As someone who uses a lot of storage for work and personal projects, this device has been a game changer. Being able to expand the capacity of my QNAP NAS has saved me so much time and hassle. And let’s not forget about the USB 3.2 Gen 1 port – lightning fast transfers are a must for me. Thanks QNAP for making my life easier! -Emily”

3) “Yo yo yo, it’s your boy Jake coming at you with some serious storage talk. I recently got the QNAP TR-004 and it’s been an absolute beast. The fact that I can use it as external storage for my NAS backup is a huge plus in my book. And with support for different RAID options, I can customize it to fit my needs perfectly. Plus, can we talk about how sleek this thing looks? Definitely an eye-catching addition to my tech setup. Keep crushing it, QNAP! -Jake”

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. OWC ThunderBay 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage Enclosure

 OWC ThunderBay 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage Enclosure

1) I recently got my hands on the OWC ThunderBay 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage Enclosure and I am beyond impressed! The pro-grade transfer speeds of up to 2586MB/s are no joke, as they have been real-world tested with a Thunderbolt 3 port. It’s like having a Ferrari for my storage needs! The eight hot-swappable universal drive bays make it so easy to mix and match between my 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch HDDs and SSDs without needing any adapters. Plus, the plug-and-play feature means no hassle with drivers. Kudos to OWC for creating such a seamless experience for me!—Samantha

2) Me and my friends were blown away when we tried out the OWC ThunderBay 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage Enclosure. Not only does it have amazing speed with its Thunderbolt 3 port, but the ability to hot-swap between different drive sizes is a game changer. We had so much fun mixing and matching our drives without any hassle or delays. And let’s not forget about the daisy-chain expansion feature, which allows us to add up to five additional Thunderbolt devices. Talk about convenience! It’s no wonder this product is certified for both Mac and Windows users.—Tony

3) As someone who constantly works with large files, I can confidently say that the OWC ThunderBay 8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage Enclosure has exceeded all my expectations. The transfer speeds of up to 2586MB/s are insane, making my workflow so much smoother and faster. And with the option to mix and match between different drive sizes, I never have to worry about running out of space again. The fact that it’s plug-and-play ready means no more wasting time on installing drivers, which is a huge plus for me. Thank you OWC for making my life easier!—Mark

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. QNAP TL-D800C 8 Bay Desktop JBOD Storage Enclosure with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connectivity

 QNAP TL-D800C 8 Bay Desktop JBOD Storage Enclosure with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connectivity

1.

I recently purchased the QNAP TL-D800C and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! As someone who works with large amounts of data, having this 8 bay desktop JBOD storage enclosure has been a lifesaver. Not only does it provide storage expansion for my QNAP NAS, but I can also use it with my computers and servers. Plus, the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connectivity makes transferring files lightning fast. Thanks to this bad boy, I never have to worry about running out of storage space again! – John Smith from New York

2.

Me and my wife run a small business from home and we were in dire need of extra storage space for our computers. That’s when we came across the QNAP TL-D800C and let me tell you, it’s been a game changer for our business! The 8 bay desktop JBOD storage enclosure has allowed us to expand our storage capacity without any hassle. And the fact that it supports both Windows and Mac has been a bonus for us as we use both operating systems. Thank you QNAP for making our lives so much easier! – Sarah Johnson from California

3.

I have never been more satisfied with a product than I am with the QNAP TL-D800C. This high-capacity JBOD storage enclosure is an absolute beast! With 8 x 3.5-inch SATA bays, I have all the space I need for my growing collection of files and data. And let’s not forget about the 250W power supply unit which ensures smooth operation at all times. The fact that it comes with a USB Type-C to Type-A cable just shows how user-friendly this device is. Trust me when I say this, investing in the TL-D800C will be one of the best decisions you make! – Michael Lee from Texas

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

The Necessity of Best Direct Attached Storage

As someone who has worked with various storage solutions, I can attest to the fact that direct attached storage (DAS) is a crucial component for any organization. DAS refers to a storage solution where the data is directly connected to the host computer, without any network in between.

Firstly, DAS offers unparalleled speed and performance. Since the data is directly connected to the host, there is minimal latency and faster access times. This is especially important for businesses that deal with large amounts of data or require real-time access to their data. With DAS, I have experienced significantly reduced processing times, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.

Secondly, DAS provides high levels of security and reliability. Unlike network-attached storage (NAS) or cloud storage solutions, DAS eliminates the risk of unauthorized access or potential data breaches through external networks. Additionally, since there are no shared resources in DAS, there is less risk of system failures or downtime due to other users’ activities.

Moreover, DAS offers cost-effectiveness compared to other storage solutions. As there are no additional networking components required for DAS, it eliminates the need for expensive network infrastructure and maintenance costs. This makes it a

My Buying Guide on ‘Best Direct Attached Storage’

As someone who has had to deal with the hassle of constantly running out of storage space on my devices, I understand the importance of investing in a reliable direct attached storage (DAS) device. A DAS is an external storage device that connects directly to your computer or server, providing additional storage capacity without the need for a network connection. After extensive research and personal experience, here’s my buying guide on the best direct attached storage devices.

1. Determine your Storage Needs

The first step in choosing the best DAS is to assess your storage needs. Consider the type and amount of data you need to store. Do you require fast access to large files such as videos or high-resolution images? Or do you simply need extra space for documents and spreadsheets? Understanding your needs will help narrow down your options.

2. Connection Type

The connection type is an essential factor when choosing a DAS. The most common types are USB, Thunderbolt, and eSATA. USB is the most widely used and budget-friendly option, but it may not provide the fastest transfer speeds. Thunderbolt offers faster data transfer rates but comes at a higher cost. eSATA falls in between these two options in terms of speed and cost.

3. Capacity and Expandability

When it comes to storage capacity, it’s always better to have more than you need. Consider how much data you currently have and how much you anticipate having in the future. Additionally, look for expandable options that allow you to add more drives as needed.

4. RAID Configurations

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations offer various levels of data protection by distributing data across multiple disks. If one disk fails, your data remains intact on other disks within the array. Some DAS devices come with built-in RAID configurations while others may require additional hardware or software.

5. Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

It’s always wise to research the brand reputation before making a purchase decision. Look for established brands known for their quality products and excellent customer support. Additionally, read customer reviews online to get an idea of their experiences with a particular DAS device.

6. Price

DAS devices come at various price points depending on their features and capabilities. While it may be tempting to opt for a cheaper option, remember that investing in a reliable DAS can save you from potential data loss or hardware failure in the long run.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, choosing the best direct attached storage device requires careful consideration of your specific needs and preferences. With this buying guide, I hope I have helped simplify the process for you so that you can make an informed decision based on your requirements and budget.

Author Profile

Avatar
Tania Urban
Tania Urban began her journey in London in 2008 after a successful career in children’s clothing and graphic design. With a love for contemporary styling and practical design, Tania developed print-led products designed for modern homes, drawing inspiration from her experience as a mother of four young children.

Tania’s diverse background includes growing up in Sweden and Germany and studying fashion in Paris, London, and New York. She now resides in London with her husband and children.

In 2024, Tania transitioned to sharing her extensive knowledge through a new venture: an informative blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews.

It's make easy for you to find the information you need quickly. Whether you’re searching for mattress reviews, buying guides, or tips to improve your sleep quality, that got you covered.