Terramaster F4-424 Pro
Score: 87/100
Buffalo TS3430D1604S
Score: 73/100Rankings
The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro is a high-performance 4-bay NAS aimed at business and media-centric use, featuring an 8-core Intel i3-N305 CPU, 32 GB DDR5 RAM and dual 2.5 GbE ports, supporting 4K 60 fps transcoding and NVMe caching.
The TeraStation Essentials 2025 is a 4-bay NAS with pre-installed HDDs, 2.5 GbE networking and strong security features, aimed at small-office environments that value data protection and remote management. It offers solid reliability but lacks advanced features like snapshots and high-speed networking.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
88 TBbest | 16 TB | |
4best | 4best | |
2.5 Gbpsbest | 2.5 Gbpsbest | |
8best | 4 | |
32 GBbest | 2 GB | |
| ↓ lower better | 33 Wbest | 85 W |
| ↓ lower better | 21 dBbest | — |
2 years | 3 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(4) | ||
CPU Model | Intel Core i3-N305 | Annapurna Labs Alpine AL-214 |
CPU Cores | 8 | 4 |
System Memory (GB) | 32 GB | 2 GB |
Power Consumption (Active) (W) | 33 W | 85 W |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 1.905 kg | 7.08 kg |
Warranty Period (years) | 2 years | 3 years |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Link Aggregation Support | true | false |
Storage & Capacity(3) | ||
Maximum Raw Capacity (TB) | 88 TB | 16 TB |
RAID Support | TRAID, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, JBOD, Single | RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD |
Supported Drive Types | 3.5" SATA HDD, 2.5" SATA HDD, SATA SSD | HDD (CMR) |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the F4-424 Pro for its unmatched CPU power, abundant DDR5 memory, and advanced media capabilities such as 4K 60 fps transcoding with AV1 support. The dual M.2 slots and TRAID flexibility are highlighted as strong differentiators, while the plastic enclosure, lack of 10 GbE, and limited physical security features are noted as drawbacks.
Everyday users appreciate the fast performance, smooth 4K streaming, and the convenience of NVMe caching, often noting the ample RAM as a major plus. Recurring complaints focus on the non-upgradable memory, the cheap-feel plastic chassis, and the missing front USB and security lock.
“Extremely easy to use”
“These TeraStations are their newest products & I liked getting to buy this newer generation specifically as it's more user friendly than our older 5000 series.”
Professional reviewers praise the TeraStation Essentials for its security-first architecture, reliable Japanese build quality, and responsive 24/7 US support, positioning it as a solid, low-maintenance NAS for SMBs that value data protection over advanced feature sets.
Everyday users highlight the device's ease of setup, robust encryption, and dependable remote management, while noting the lack of a mobile app and slower RAID rebuilds as drawbacks.
