Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ NAS Review: A High-Security Storage Solution for Power Users and Small Businesses

In the rapidly evolving landscape of network-attached storage (NAS), the market is often divided between user-friendly consumer devices and complex enterprise servers. The Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ (AS6702T v2) arrives as a compelling bridge between these two worlds, offering a hardware-rich experience that prioritizes security and performance over simple "plug-and-play" accessibility. After several weeks of testing, it is clear that while this unit may present a steep learning curve for those new to the world of homelabbing, it offers a level of granular control and robust protection that enthusiasts and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) will find invaluable.

The Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is a two-bay NAS that punches well above its weight class, thanks to a combination of high-speed networking, extensive NVMe expansion options, and a security-first operating system. However, its premium price tag and professional-grade interface suggest that it is a tool designed for a specific type of user—one who values data integrity and system throughput over a simplified setup process.

Price and Availability

The Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ NAS enters the market with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at approximately $517. This positioning places it at the higher end of the two-bay NAS spectrum, competing directly with flagship models from brands like Synology and QNAP. It is currently available through major technology retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo Video, Newegg, and Micro Center.

While the $500+ entry point may seem high for a two-bay system, the value proposition lies in the internal architecture. Unlike many entry-level units, the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is sold as a diskless system, allowing users to select their own SATA hard drives and M.2 NVMe SSDs to meet their specific storage and caching needs.

Solid Hardware and the Toolless Design Debate

At first glance, the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is a sturdy piece of kit. It features a compact, professional aesthetic that fits easily onto a desk or into a server rack shelf. However, the physical design choices present a curious contradiction. For a device retailing for over $500, there is a certain expectation of modern convenience, particularly regarding drive installation.

One of the most notable critiques of the unit is the lack of toolless drive bays for 3.5-inch hard drives. In an era where competitors like Synology, Ugreen, and TerraMaster have standardized toolless latches that allow for drive swaps in seconds, Asustor still requires the use of a screwdriver to secure 3.5-inch HDDs into their trays. While this is expected for 2.5-inch SSDs, the requirement for tools on standard hard drives feels like a missed opportunity for a device aiming for a premium user experience in 2026.

Despite this minor inconvenience in the initial setup, the rest of the hardware design is impressively accessible. By removing just three screws at the rear of the unit, the outer shell slides off to reveal the internal motherboard. This design provides easy access to the four M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 NVMe slots, which can be used for either high-speed storage volumes or SSD caching to accelerate read/write performance.