Pick Your NAS Fit: NetApp, Netgear, Iron Cow, and Synology From $79.95 to $399.99

From a $79.95 two-bay enclosure to a $399.99 24-drive NetApp array, these four network storage options handle very different jobs. Match the right one to your drives, rack space, and budget.

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Network storage is a purchase where the right answer depends less on raw specs and more on the drives and space you already have. Do you have a rack and a set of 3.5-inch HDDs waiting to be installed, or do you want one system that arrives with storage built in? These four NAS options cover a price window from $79.95 to $399.99, and each one is built around a different answer to that question.

Quick take

The least expensive option is the Iron Cow Zero 1, a new network storage enclosure with a 2.5GbE LAN port. The most expensive is the NetApp NAJ-1501, a used storage array that includes 24 x 900GB SAS HDDs, two IOM12 modules, and rails. In the middle are the Netgear ReadyNAS 2100, a used rackmount NAS, and the Synology DS423, a used enclosure with an Ethernet interface.

Listed prices at a glance

Option	Listed Price	What to expect
NetApp NAJ-1501 Storage Array	$399.99	24 x 900GB SAS HDDs, two IOM12 modules, rails
Synology DS423 4-Bay NAS Enclosure	$350.00	Four-bay used enclosure, Ethernet, no drives
Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 Rackmount NAS	$149.99	Rackmount with four 3.5-inch bays, USB 3.0, no HDDs, no power adapter
Iron Cow Zero 1 2-Bay NAS Enclosure	$79.95	New two-bay enclosure with 2.5GbE LAN

Decision matrix

NetApp NAJ-1501 - Pick when you want drives included with the system and are prepared for the highest price.
Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 - Pick when you already own 3.5-inch HDDs and need a unit that works with PC and Mac.
Iron Cow Zero 1 - Pick when a new, compact, low-cost enclosure is the priority and you will supply drives.
Synology DS423 - Pick when you want a used enclosure and are comfortable with a final-sale purchase.

Product notes

NetApp NAJ-1501 Storage Array

For a buyer who wants capacity included in the purchase, the NetApp NAJ-1501 is the most complete package here. It brings 24 x 900GB SAS HDDs, two IOM12 modules, and rails, so there is no separate drive hunt. It is used, so the condition matters, and the price is the highest in this group. The real limitation is scale: this is a storage array with a lot of drives, not a small desktop unit. If your goal is to fill a couple of bays on a shelf, this is more hardware than the job needs. If you genuinely need that kind of density from day one, the included drives make the higher cost easier to justify.

Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 Rackmount NAS

The Netgear ReadyNAS 2100 is aimed at someone who already has storage ready. It is a used rackmount NAS with four 3.5-inch bays, USB 3.0, and PC/Mac compatibility. The purchase does not include HDDs, and it also does not include a power adapter, so the final cost depends on the drives and power supply you can add. That makes it a sensible fit when your hardware is already in hand and you want a 3.5-inch bay count in a rack form. If you expected a ready-to-run system, you will need to budget for those missing pieces before you can put it to use.

Iron Cow Zero 1 2-Bay NAS Enclosure

The Iron Cow Zero 1 is the only new unit in this comparison and the least expensive of the four. It is a two-bay enclosure with a 2.5GbE LAN port, which gives you a modern network connection for a compact NAS. The trade-off is that the purchase covers the enclosure only, so drives are a separate purchase and the two-bay layout limits how much capacity you can install. For someone starting fresh with a modest storage goal, it is the lowest-cost way to get into network storage. For anyone who needs more than two bays or wants drives included, one of the other options will be a better use of the budget.

Synology DS423 4-Bay NAS Enclosure

The Synology DS423 is a used four-bay NAS enclosure with an Ethernet interface and no drives included. It has been replaced by a newer model and may show minor cosmetic wear, so expect some signs of use. That makes it a practical option if you want four bays and can supply your own drives. The limitations are the used condition and the final-sale terms, so this is not the purchase for someone who wants return flexibility. If those terms are acceptable, the four-bay layout and Ethernet connection give you a solid base for a do-it-yourself storage setup.

Final recommendation by use case

Lowest entry point: Iron Cow Zero 1, new and at the low end of the price range.
Rackmount with your own drives: Netgear ReadyNAS 2100, for 3.5-inch HDD support when you already have drives and a power supply.
Used enclosure: Synology DS423, with no drives and final-sale terms.
Included capacity: NetApp NAJ-1501, with 24 x 900GB SAS HDDs, two IOM12 modules, and rails.

Match the purchase to the drives you own, the space where it will live, and the capacity you need today. The Iron Cow is the lowest-cost entry, the Netgear and Synology put the storage in your hands, and the NetApp is the choice when the drives need to arrive with the system.

Products in this article