Terramaster F6-424
Score: 78/100
Buffalo TS3430D1604S
Score: 73/100Rankings
The TerraMaster F6-424 is a 6-bay NAS powered by an Intel N95 quad-core CPU, 8 GB DDR5 RAM (expandable to 32 GB) and dual 2.5 GbE ports, delivering high-performance storage, 4K hardware transcoding and extensive RAID options for SMBs and power users.
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 | | |
|---|---|---|
144 TBbest | 16 TB | |
6best | 4 | |
2.5 Gbpsbest | 2.5 Gbpsbest | |
4best | 4best | |
8 GBbest | 2 GB | |
| ↓ lower better | 43 Wbest | 85 W |
| ↓ lower better | 22 dBbest | — |
2 years | 3 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | ||
CPU Model | Intel N95 | Annapurna Labs Alpine AL-214 |
System Memory (GB) | 8 GB | 2 GB |
Power Consumption (Active) (W) | 43 W | 85 W |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 2.7 kg | 7.08 kg |
Warranty Period (years) | 2 years | 3 years |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Link Aggregation Support | true | false |
Storage & Capacity(4) | ||
Maximum Raw Capacity (TB) | 144 TB | 16 TB |
Drive Bays | 6 | 4 |
RAID Support | Single, JBOD, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, TRAID, TRAID+ | RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD |
Supported Drive Types | 3.5" SATA HDD, 2.5" SATA HDD, 2.5" SATA SSD | HDD (CMR) |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the F6-424 for its powerful Intel N95 processor, dual 2.5 GbE networking and flexible RAID options, noting that it delivers enterprise-level performance at a mid-range price. However, they caution that the base 8 GB of RAM and the less-polished TOS UI may require upgrades or adjustments for power users.
Everyday users appreciate the easy, tool-free drive installation and the smooth 4K media playback via Plex, but many report that the device can lag under heavy multi-user scenarios and wish for more RAM out of the box. The size of the chassis also draws mixed feedback.
“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.
