Sick of paying for streaming services like HBO Max and Netflix? Black Friday might be your last chance to grab discounted hardware for a Plex media server.
I should note that Plex hardware transcoding and remote streaming require a Plex Pass membership (or a cheaper remote streaming subscription if you only want the latter feature). If you don’t want to pay for a Plex Pass membership, try using the open-source Jellyfin, which isn’t subject to these restrictions.
A Plex Pass membership
A Plex Pass membership isn’t required for Plex, but it unlocks useful features like remote streaming, hardware streaming, and intro skipping in TV shows. The hardware transcoding functionality is particularly useful, as it ensures that you can stream odd file types that aren’t normally supported by client devices like your TV or phone.
You can save 40% on a Plex Pass subscription or lifetime membership now through December 2nd with coupon code ANYPASS40. I suggest that you grab the lifetime membership if you think you’ll be in this for the long haul—it’s $150 right now—or pick up the annual pass for $42 and upgrade to lifetime next year if you end up becoming a Plex fanatic.
Compatibility
Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and various other devices
Free Trial Period
Free account available
A Plex Pass subscription takes your media server to the next level, with remote streaming, hardware transcoding, offline downloads, and more.
Grab yourself a NAS or mini PC
Credit: Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek
Technically speaking, you don’t need to buy new hardware to build a Plex media server. Any old computer can get the job done, be it a laptop or desktop. Just plug it into your router with an Ethernet connection, install the Plex media server software, and hit the ground running.
However, there are plenty of benefits to using a purpose-made device like a NAS or mini PC. A NAS gives you several integrated drive bays and specialized home server software, so it’s the “easiest” option if you’re really trying to build a long-lasting, scalable home media server. Mini PCs, on the other hand, give you a much better price-to-performance ratio, so they’re generally the best option if you’re on a tight budget or can’t invest in storage right now (you could always connect a DAS enclosure later).
Again, if you’re using a min PC or desktop PC as a home server, I strongly suggest pairing it with an external DAS enclosure for storage. You can also use a NAS as a networked storage device for your mini PC, if you already own a NAS and just want a mini PC for greater transcoding capabilities.
Brand
UGREEN
CPU
Intel 12th Gen N-Series
Memory
8GB (Upgradeable to 16GB)
Drive Bays
2 x 22TB
Ports
2.5GbE, USB-C, USB-A (x3)
This cutting-edge network-attached storage device transforms how you store and access data via smartphones, laptops, tablets, and TVs anywhere with network access.
Credit: Jordan Gloor / How-To Geek
Media servers require at least a few terabytes of storage for movies and TV shows. You can get by with a minuscule amount of storage if you’re willing to regularly prune old media, but most people aren’t, so I generally suggest that you go big from day one. Otherwise you’ll have an odd low-capacity drive that you don’t know how to replace further down the line.
Any old 3.5-inch HDD will work in a Plex media server—storage is storage, after all. Feel free to repurpose old drives if you’re trying to save some money. But if you’re buying new drives, I strongly suggest that you stick with NAS HDDs, which are designed to last longer than typical hard drives in a server environment. They also come with generous warranties.
I should emphasize that there’s no benefit to using SSDs for media storage in a Plex server. HDDs are the most cost-effective option. Still, you can benefit from an SSD cache, particularly when downloading or transferring large files.
Credit: Western Digital
Storage Capacity
8TB
Compatible Devices
SATA
Brand
Western Digital
Spindle speed
5640 RPM
Transfer rate
Up to 215 MB/s
The WD Red Plus hard drive line is designed specifically for NAS usage. This means the drive is build to withstand 24/7/365 usage, with up to a 180 TB per year workload rate. You’ll also get a 3-year warranty with the purchase of WD’s Red Plus drive lineup.
You’ll need these accessories later—why not buy them now?
Credit: Corbin Davenport / How-To Geek
A NAS or mini PC is all you really need to set up a functional Plex server. But self-hosting is a hobby, and there are some extra little bits of hardware that you might finding yourself buying if you stick with it. So, if you wanna buy this stuff right now, go for it. It’s on sale.
The network switch is really the most valuable thing here. It essentially adds extra Ethernet ports to your router. I have a NAS, mini PC, PlayStation, and MacBook hooked up to my router through a cheap network switch, in case you’re curious to hear a real-world use for the thing.
Once you’ve collected all your Plex gear, I suggest reading up to prepare yourself for the setup process. Plex is actually very easy to install and run, but there are common mistakes that a lot of beginners make, so it’s best to do a little research.
Type
Network Switch
Manufacturer
TP-Link
Inputs
5
Need more Ethernet ports? TP-Link’s affordable 5-port Gigabit network switch makes it far easier to set up a high-speed local server, especially if you have several gadgets that need a wired connection.
