Choosing NAS storage & drives means resolving a practical trade-off: do you want a lower-priced NAS with a specific model and explicit functionality statement, or a black enclosure that comes with drive trays? The NETGEAR ReadyNAS and 5-Bay Black enclosure serve different priorities, so the right choice depends on what your setup still needs.
Quick verdict
NETGEAR is the straightforward pick if you want the lower listed price and functionality described as tested and working. The 5-Bay Black enclosure is the fit when its enclosure format is the priority, though only the power indicator turns on and no additional testing has been done. Both are marked used, so the deciding factors are the concrete configuration, stated condition, and price gap.
At a glance
| NAS option | Listed price | Listed bay count | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| NETGEAR ReadyNAS RND-6A | $129.99 | 6 bays | Used |
| 5-Bay Black NAS Enclosure | $170.00 | 5 bays | Used |
The difference between the two prices is $40.01. That is a meaningful part of the decision, particularly because neither choice is presented as a complete drive purchase.
Where each product wins
Where the NETGEAR ReadyNAS wins
NETGEAR ReadyNAS wins when you want concrete connection details rather than a generic enclosure description: RJ-45 and USB-A are named for the unit. The specific ReadyNAS RND-6A RNDU6000-100NAS model also gives the project a defined reference point. This is the better fit for a home NAS plan organized around those connections and a particular ReadyNAS model, not around exterior color.
Where the 5-Bay Black NAS Enclosure wins
The 5-Bay Black NAS Enclosure wins when black color and drive trays are the brief, especially for home or small-office storage involving file, photo, and video sharing across multiple devices. Its title makes the enclosure format clear, while the description frames it around shared access. That makes it the more format-specific choice for a setup where the enclosure itself matters more than a named model.
Product notes
NETGEAR ReadyNAS RND-6A 6-Bay NAS
The NETGEAR ReadyNAS RND-6A RNDU6000-100NAS suits a buyer who wants the specific six-bay format and RJ-45 plus USB-A connectivity. Functionality is described as tested and working, which gives this choice a clearer operational starting point than the alternative. The model designation is also a concrete reference for a NAS storage project. The limitation is what is not included: cables and hard drives are excluded, and the body has scratches and scrapes. It is marked used as well. Choose it when you already have a plan for sourcing those missing components; pass if included drives or cables are essential to the purchase.
5-Bay Black NAS Enclosure with Drive Trays
The 5-Bay Black Network Attached Storage NAS Enclosure w/ Drive Trays suits a shopper who wants the five-bay format named in the title. It is framed for home or small-office storage and sharing files, photos, and videos across multiple devices, giving it a clear use-case fit. The trade-off is the evaluation detail: the power indicator turns on, but no additional testing has been done. It is marked used, even though no visible exterior or interior damage is described. Choose this enclosure when its stated format and home or small-office role matter more than a documented functionality check; choose the NETGEAR instead when that testing distinction is central.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the NETGEAR ReadyNAS for a project centered on a specific ReadyNAS model and RJ-45 or USB-A connections, provided you can source cables and hard drives separately.
- Choose the 5-Bay Black NAS Enclosure when a black enclosure with drive trays and a home or small-office file-sharing role are the deciding requirements.
With a $40.01 price spread, the final call is whether the lower price and explicit operational statement or the enclosure format matters more. For the clearer stated-functionality path, NETGEAR has the edge; for the specific black enclosure and tray configuration, choose the 5-Bay Black option.
