We’ll look at the smallest ITX NAS cases, which we appropriate for IT specialists who want to set up their storage network for personal or small businesses, and even consider home storage, private clouds, HTPCs, or personal file servers. Our primary focus should be on the best barebone NAS PC cases that are well-rounded for easy management and cost-effective to recommend for all budgets. However, you should consider your options based on your needs, such as the number of drive bays ranging from 4 to 8 hot-swap or modular.
| Image | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
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SilverStone Sugo 13 (SG13) | Check Price on Amazon |
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Supermicro SuperChassis CSE-721TQ-350B2 | Check Price on Amazon |
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SilverStone Premium DS380B | Check Price on Amazon |
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InWin Development IW-MS04-01-S265 | Check Price on Amazon |
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AUDHEID ADU NAS 6-Bay K5 | Check Price on Amazon |
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KCMconmey 5 Bay DIY NAS Case | Check Price on Amazon |
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AUDHEID ADU NAS 4-Bay K3 Chassis | Check Price on Amazon |
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AUDHEID NAS 8-Bay K7 | Check Price on Amazon |
You can determine what you need for a personalized server case and prepare yourselves to meet the fundamental requirements such as PSU size, and particular height CPU cooler, and then look for ITX form factor motherboards.
Top mini ITX NAS Case
Best Home Server Case with Security
Supermicro SuperChassis CSE-721TQ-350B2
If you have experience building servers, selecting the best case for your NAS will be simple, because you will know which dimensions will work for you and how many drive bays are necessary for your servers. Those who are new shall know, that HDD trays are enclosed or hot-swap accessible from the exterior are both suitable choices for NAS, even a separate NAS DiskStation is an option for the big support.
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Best mini ITX NAS Cases for Barebone Personal Servers
At a Glance:
- SilverStone Sugo 13 (SG13)
- Supermicro SuperChassis CSE-721TQ-350B2
- SilverStone Premium DS380B
- InWin Development IW-MS04-01-S265
- AUDHEID ADU NAS 6-Bay K5
- KCMconmey 5 Bay DIY NAS Case
- AUDHEID ADU NAS 4-Bay K3 Chassis Review
- AUDHEID NAS 8-Bay K7
SilverStone Sugo 13 (SG13)
Ultra Compact Mini-ITX NAS Case
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: ATX PSU, SFF PSU | Included Fans: 1x 120mm (AIO or 140mm compatible) | Number of Bays: Total (6), 3.5″ or 2.5″ | Dimensions: 10.24 x 9.84 x 7.87 inches |
If superior quality and toughness are important to you, SilverStone Sugo 13 (SG13) is a great option to consider under $65. It is an ultra-compact mini-ITX computer case that won’t take up much space on your desk, and it is built with no compromises for durability, similar to our picks for rackmount PC cases.
There are numerous features to make it a solid deal for any professional use; such as 10-inch large graphics card support and portability, making it a useful addition to any small or medium-sized business. The front mesh panel promotes ventilation and ample airflow for either a 140mm fan or an AIO compact radiator, and 5.44 pounds of lightweight makes it easy to transport your server system wherever you go.
Supermicro SuperChassis CSE-721TQ-350B2
Best Home Server Case with Security
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: Flex ATX, SFF | Included Fans: 1x 120mm | Number of Bays: Total (4) Hot Swap Bays | Dimensions: 11 x 8.27 x 9.45 inches |
The Supermicro SuperChassis CSE-721TQ-350B2 is an easy-to-assemble case from a reputable brand, offering ready-to-pair Supermicro motherboards with magnet compatibility, allowing motherboard trays to swap out easily for upgrades, and hot plugging drives simply work great like a portable PC case.
The ability to swap your HDD from the cabin exterior is a plus, and it has four hot-swap bays for both 5.25 and 3.5 drives, locked behind the front door, which supports a Kensington lock for security. Though there is a slim DVD-ROM drive bay for optical disks, and a plethora of LED indicators for HDD activity, network activity, fan activity, and even system overheating indications to source your NAS errors.
SilverStone Premium DS380B
Best Looking Small NAS Case
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: SFX-L | Included Fans: 3x 120mm | Number of Bays: Total (12), 8x Hot Swap Bays | Dimensions: 8.3 x 14.2 x 11.2 inches |
The SilverStone Premium DS380B is a sleek chassis with plenty of storage space in a compact package. This enclosure features a gorgeous brushed metal exterior that complements any room and the black color finish lid eliminates the need for regular cleaning, more like a sleeper PC case in disguise.
This mini-size NAS-compatible enclosure has a capacity of 22 liters and can hold up to twelve 2.5″ SAS, including four internal and 8 external hot-swappable 3.5″ SATA drives for ease of access. Aside from simple usage, I don’t think you can dispute how premium and feature-rich this high-quality, robust, and attractive case is.
SilverStone has done a great job with space management and provides something extra. A lockable front door is useful for server security and a nice pair of included fans, 1x 120mm intake, and 1x 120mm exhaust fans, that run softly but deliver blistering airflow to hot components inside. Overall, complete satisfaction with this small enclosure for building a NAS server capable of operating with both active and passive cooling.
InWin Development IW-MS04-01-S265
Best Barebones NAS Enclosure
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: SFF PSU | Included Fans: 1x 120mm | Number of Bays: Total (6), 4x 3.5″ Hot Swap, 1x 2.5″ 1x 5.25″ Bays | Dimensions: 15.71 x 13.11 x 11.18 inches |
The InWin Development IW-MS04-01-S265 little tower case is ideal for barebones NAS servers. It can build a robust, efficient personal NAS while taking up minimal desk space, making it incredibly efficient for the purpose. I’m wondering if it’s the right size for a basic NAS enclosure, neither too huge nor too small, similar to our dedicated smallest ATX cases, which offer ATX motherboard compatibility in a small footprint.
Inwin Development makes it excellent with airflow and intake mesh, allowing the system to cool quickly, as well as ATX power supply support, which will complement to bear the loads of populating all drive bays and expansion card slots at the same time. We like this case including four fan mounts so you can position your fans where they will be most effective, as well as an audio/video out port for connecting your video or audio devices.
AUDHEID ADU NAS 6-Bay K5
Best Budget Small NAS Server Case
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: FLEX PSU, SFF PSU | Included Fans: 1x 120mm | Number of Bays: Total (6), 3.5″ and 2.5″ Hot Swap Bays | Dimensions: 10.24 x 9.84 x 7.87 inches |
The ADU NAS 6-Bay K5 is another excellent option for ultra-quiet NAS builds. The $130 price tag made it affordable for 6-hot-swap bays that make it simple to assemble a large NAS server with seamless integration to help keep the server status out of the chassis.
If you want an easy-to-manage NAS case, consider the open design of the ADU NAS 6-Bay K5. It has one-click storage installation and removal and is compatible with almost all ITX boards, but standard CPU coolers’ height will not fit. However, it can serve two functions: primary as a NAS and secondary as a media center.
KCMconmey 5 Bay DIY NAS Case
DIY NAS Case with Very Small Footprint
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: 1U ATX Flex PSU, SFF PSU | Included Fans: 1x 120mm | Number of Bays: Total (5), 4x Hotswap 3.5″ 1x 2.5″ | Dimensions: 10.63 x 7.87 x 7.68 inches |
The KCMconmey 5 Bay DIY NAS case is a great option for some people because it is inexpensive at $80 and has many features that are essential for a NAS. There are four external hot-swap drive bays and one internal drive bay, all of which support up to 3.5 HDD, and its compatibility with standard ATX PSUs makes it a good budget option rather than relying on expensive SFF power supplies.
One of the primary benefits of this case is the mounting slots and swappable drives which make it ideal for constructing an HTPC or NAS server with an ITX motherboard measuring 6.7 x 6.7 inches. While a Horizontal PC case in the mid-tower sector may handle more components, this little case is ideal for network-shared storage.
AUDHEID ADU NAS 4-Bay K3 Chassis Review
Simple DIY NAS Case at Cheap
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: 1U ATX Flex PSU, SFF PSU | Included Fans: 1x 120mm | Number of Bays: Total (4), Hotswap 3.5″ and 2.5″ | Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 10 inches |
Previously, NAS servicers were difficult to put together. However, AUDHEID NAS DIY assembly is extremely quick like the bigger version (6-Bay K5 Chassis), it just meets the needs of computer hardware enthusiasts by allowing you to put less effort into managing high-capacity storage.
The AUDHEID ADU NAS 4-bay chassis is an excellent choice for those looking for a simple storage network solution for computers at home or office. It has four hard drives that are all hot-swapped, and come in a sleek, lightweight, and its contemporary design looks silly, more like unique PC cases, yet fits nicely on any desk area.
AUDHEID NAS 8-Bay K7
Mini ITX NAS Case with Lots of Hard Drive Bays
SPECIFICATIONS
PSU Limit: ATX Flex PSU, SFF PSU | Included Fans: 2x 92mm | Number of Bays: Total (8), Hotswap 3.5″ and 2.5″ | Dimensions: 17 x 16.75 x 13.5 inches |
The AUDHEID NAS 8-Bay K7 is an excellent choice for an extended NAS in a compact form factor that is ITX compatible. MATX and ATX motherboards are supported, and it has room for up to eight 3.5-inch hot-swap drives for high-end media centers or NAS.
The case comes with 8 SATA cables already attached to the backplane PCBs for convenience, as well as plenty of free space for an 88mm height CPU cooler to fit comfortably. The most notable feature of this case is the half-height PCI-E slots, which allow for the installation of multiple low-profile PCI cards.
Buying Guide for Mini ITX NAS Case
What’s the difference between ITX and ATX NAS cases?
When it comes to NAS cases, the size of the motherboard they can accommodate plays a significant role in determining their differences. ITX and ATX NAS cases differ in this aspect, with ITX cases being smaller and accommodating smaller motherboards compared to their ATX counterparts. This means that ATX motherboards have more PCIe lanes, making them better suited for multi-GPU setups or users who want to use multiple PCIe devices. So if you need a space-saving build, you can see our slim ATX cases for inspiration.
How many hard drives can fit inside a mini ITX NAS case?
The number of hard drives that can fit inside a mini ITX NAS case will vary depending on the specific case model. However, most mini ITX NAS cases can accommodate at least 4 hard drives, while some high-end models can even support up to 8 and 10 storage drives.
Can a mini ITX NAS case support RAID configurations?
Yes, many mini ITX NAS cases support RAID configurations. The specific RAID configurations supported will depend on the hardware and software being used, but most mini ITX NAS cases will support at least RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5.
What type of cooling solutions is available for mini ITX NAS cases?
Mini ITX NAS cases typically come with one or more built-in fans to help keep the system cool. Additionally, many mini ITX NAS cases are designed to support aftermarket cooling solutions such as liquid cooling or additional case fans.
Pros and Cons of mini ITX NAS Case
Can a mini ITX NAS case support multiple network ports?
While some mini ITX NAS cases do support multiple network ports, this will depend on the specific case model. Many NAS users opt to use a network switch to expand the number of available network ports on the motherboard. So pretty much a versatile approach to go for a barebone ITX NAS case.
Are mini ITX NAS cases suitable for home or small office use?
Mini ITX NAS cases can be suitable for home and small office use, as they are often compact and efficient. However, the suitability will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the user.
How much does a typical mini ITX NAS case cost?
The cost of a typical mini ITX NAS case can vary widely depending on brand, model, and features. Some budget models can be found for around $50, while high-end models with advanced features can cost several hundred dollars or more.
Mini ITX NAS Case Vs RackMount Server Case
Conclusion
Compact NAS boxes are popular because they are specifically designed for network-shared storage space in a small package. If you want to build a suitable media center, personal server, or NAS, the best mini ITX NAS cases we’ve listed are best suited with hot-swap HDD trays for easy one-click removal and insertion of additional storage without rolling over the entire chassis. If you require nothing less than the best or prefer extra premium options, we are confident in our ability to assist you with more reviews, and insight help and direct you to ideal picks. Please type your request for additional help or favors. You are cordially invited to share your thoughts and experiences.
Founder
Hi, I'm Adam Payne, a tech enthusiast and PC guru. I love evaluating the latest gadgets and sharing my honest reviews of hardware improvements and experiences with modern PCs from handheld to desktops. Whether you're looking to build a new workstation rig or just want some guidance on the best components to choose, I'm here to help. Join me on my journey as I explore the world of technology and all the amazing gadgets it has to offer.
