QNAP TS-133 1-Bay Affordable Desktop NAS - Simple Home Backup

Our review of the QNAP TS-133 finds it to be a practical, budget-friendly single-bay NAS aimed at home users and small offices who need a straightforward place to store files and stream media. The biggest reason to buy is its blend of quiet, compact design with the essentials for reliable backup and remote access: an ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core processor, 2 GB of DDR4 RAM, snapshot-based ransomware protection, and MyQNAPCloud remote access. For anyone wanting a low-cost central storage device without advanced enterprise features, the TS-133 is an attractive choice.

Key Features

• Processor and memory: The ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core 1.8 GHz CPU with 2 GB DDR4 RAM provides adequate performance for file serving, media streaming, and lightweight multitasking.
• Compact design: The compact and slim chassis stays cool and quiet with an effective cooling fan, making it unobtrusive in a home or small office environment.
• Centralized storage: It lets users centrally store and organize photos, music, and videos so family files are easier to manage and access.
• Ransomware protection: Built-in snapshot technology helps mitigate the threat of ransomware by preserving recoverable versions of stored data.
• Backup compatibility: Native support for NetBak Replicator and Apple Time Machine simplifies backing up Windows and Mac computers to the NAS.
• Remote access: MyQNAPCloud support enables secure access to files from anywhere without complex configuration.

Who It's For

The TS-133 is best for home users, families, and small office owners who want an easy-to-manage, single-drive NAS for backups, media streaming, and photo libraries. Its modest hardware and quiet enclosure suit living-room or desktop placement where space and noise matter.

Users who need multi-bay redundancy, heavy virtualization, or high sustained network throughput should look elsewhere; this model is diskless and optimized for value rather than enterprise performance or multi-drive fault tolerance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good value for money with a capable ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core CPU and 2 GB DDR4 RAM for everyday NAS tasks.
• Compact, quiet design that fits well in home or small office setups and stays cool under typical use.
• Snapshot-based protection and integrated backup tools provide sensible data protection and easy Mac/Windows backups.

Cons

• Some customers report mixed experiences with initial setup and network connectivity, so expect occasional configuration steps or troubleshooting.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The QNAP TS-133 is a sensible, affordable single-bay NAS for home users who want a quiet, compact device for backups, media streaming, and centralized file storage. It delivers strong value through its processor, memory, snapshot protection, and easy backup options, but those needing multi-drive redundancy or advanced enterprise features should consider higher-end models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the TS-133 include a hard drive?
The TS-133 is sold diskless, so you must install your own 3.5 in or compatible drive.

Can I backup both Windows and Mac computers?
Yes, it supports NetBak Replicator for Windows and Time Machine for Mac for straightforward backups.

Is it noisy and suitable for a living room?
Its compact chassis and effective cooling fan are designed to keep it cool and quiet for home placement.