OWC ThunderBay 4 vs QNAP TR-004
We compare the OWC ThunderBay 4 and QNAP TR-004 head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
OWC ThunderBay 4
Scored 9.1/10 in our testing
OWC ThunderBay 4
Video editors and creative professionals using Thunderbolt
QNAP TR-004
QNAP NAS owners who want expandable storage
Score Breakdown
| OWC ThunderBay 4 | Category | QNAP TR-004 |
|---|---|---|
| 10/10 ✓ | Performance | 7/10 |
| 9/10 | Features | 9/10 |
| 8/10 | Ease of Use | ✓ 9/10 |
| 7/10 | Value | ✓ 8/10 |
| 9.1/10 ✓ | Overall | 8/10 |
Specs Comparison
| OWC ThunderBay 4 | Spec | QNAP TR-004 |
|---|---|---|
| 4x 3.5" SATA | Bays | 4x 3.5" SATA |
| Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) | Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C |
| 0, 1, 4, 5, 10, JBOD | RAID | 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD |
| 88TB (4x 22TB) | Max Capacity | NAS expansion via USB |
OWC ThunderBay 4
Pros
- + Thunderbolt 3 delivers full 40Gbps bandwidth
- + SoftRAID software provides excellent drive health monitoring
- + Whisper-quiet operation suitable for studio environments
Cons
- − Premium price around $500 without drives
- − Thunderbolt cable not always included
- − Mac-centric SoftRAID — Windows support is newer
QNAP TR-004
Pros
- + Doubles as QNAP NAS expansion unit
- + Hardware RAID controller — no CPU overhead
- + Tool-free hot-swappable drive trays
Cons
- − USB bandwidth shared across all drives
- − Expansion mode only works with QNAP NAS devices
- − Plastic build feels less premium than metal alternatives
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the OWC ThunderBay 4 comes out on top with an overall score of 9.1/10. The ThunderBay 4 is the gold standard for Thunderbolt DAS. Its hardware RAID controller delivers consistent performance across all RAID levels, and the SoftRAID software provides excellent monitoring and alerting. The build quality is tank-like.
Buy the OWC ThunderBay 4 on AmazonRead the full Best RAID Enclosures 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 3 products.
Related Guides
Best External SSDs 2026
10 products compared
Best NAS Drives 2026
9 products compared
Best Home Server NAS for Plex 2026
24 products compared
Best RAM for Desktops 2026: DDR5 vs DDR4 Buyer's Guide
8 products compared
Best MicroSD Cards 2026
4 products compared
Best Professional USB Flash Drives 2026
19 products compared