Beelink ME Mini NAS N200: the 99mm mini server that stores up to 24TB

If you're looking to build your own home NAS without spending money on a desktop case or noisy mechanical hard drives, the Beelink ME Mini NAS with Intel Twin Lake-N200 processor is one of the most interesting options available right now: it fits in the palm of your hand, makes hardly any noise, and supports up to six M.2 NVMe SSDs to scale your personal cloud storage.

→ Buy Beelink ME Mini NAS N200

Full technical specifications

Why it's an interesting offer

The Beelink ME Mini belongs to the "ME Series" family, designed specifically as a NAS and not as a general-purpose mini PC. Beelink sells it in several configurations: the base version with only 64GB of eMMC storage is around $209 in the US, while packages with an included SSD go up to $329-$429 depending on the added capacity. The model we're reviewing here, with 12GB of RAM and no pre-installed SSD, is priced at €367.59 for the European market, a reasonable price considering that shipping and tariffs in Europe typically make the product more expensive compared to the US.

→ View Prices for the Beelink ME Mini NAS N200

The usual recommendation among those who have already tried it is to buy the version without an SSD and add your own M.2 NVMe drives, since the packages with included storage do not represent a real saving and limit your choice of drives.

This model with N200 effectively replaces the previous version with Intel N150, which we analyzed in detail in our review of the Beelink ME Mini N150.

Real-world performance: what the tests say

The Twin Lake-N200 is a low-power chip (6W TDP), so don't expect high-end speeds, but you can expect outstanding performance for its category:

• Of the six M.2 slots, one operates at PCIe Gen3 x2 and the other five at Gen3 x1, which in tests with TrueNAS and Unraid yielded an average of about 740 MB/s sequential read and 544 MB/s sequential write per SSD.

• Over the network, being limited by the 2.5 Gbps ports, the actual speed is between 230 and 280 MB/s in large file transfers, close to the theoretical maximum of the interface.

• The vertical cooling design with an aluminum heatsink keeps temperatures under control even in continuous 24-hour tests, although some analysts point out that a slightly larger fan would help in sustained loads with high-power SSDs.

• Standby power consumption is very low thanks to the N200's 6W platform, making it ideal for leaving on 24/7 without skyrocketing your electricity bill.

For whom does this mini NAS make sense?

This device isn't meant to compete with a general-purpose mini PC for office work or gaming; its purpose is clear: home storage and backup. It makes sense if you're looking for:

• Set up a Jellyfin/Plex server for your low-power multimedia collection.

• Centralize backups of multiple devices at home using RAID with TrueNAS or Unraid.

• Replace an entry-level commercial NAS (Synology/QNAP) with a cheaper solution that has more expansion slots.

• Having a quiet home server (33 dB) that you can leave on in the living room or office without disturbing anyone.

If you need computing power for heavy-duty tasks, there are better-oriented options within Beelink's own catalog, but as a "smart storage box" the ME Mini more than fulfills its purpose.

Pros and cons

In favor:

• Six M.2 NVMe slots in a chassis of only 99×99 mm and 750 g.

• WiFi 6 and dual 2.5 Gbps LAN as standard.

• Very low power consumption and noise (33 dB), ideal for 24/7 use.

• Ubuntu pre-installed, ready to install TrueNAS, Unraid or other NAS systems.

• Server features: Wake on LAN, automatic power on after power outage, TPM 2.0.

Against:

• 12GB of soldered RAM, with no possibility of expansion, which may limit NAS systems with a lot of cache or virtualization.

• Only one M.2 slot runs at Gen3 x2; the rest run at Gen3 x1, so performance per individual SSD is limited.

• The network bottleneck (2.5 Gbps) prevents taking full advantage of the speed that multiple NVMe drives in RAID would offer simultaneously.

• It is an imported product (Beelink/AliExpress), so it is advisable to check shipping and customs costs before buying.

How to upgrade the Beelink ME Mini

The ME Mini's chassis allows for expandable storage and connectivity without modifying the RAM (which is soldered in). These are the most useful accessories to take advantage of its six M.2 slots and ports:

Storage (M.2 NVMe)

• M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD up to 4TB — the standard format, best capacity/price ratio.

• SSD M.2 NVMe 2242 — intermediate form factor, useful for combining capacities in the 6 slots.

• SSD M.2 NVMe 2230 — the most compact, ideal for filling the remaining slots at low cost.

Connectivity

• USB-C to 2.5G Ethernet Hub Adapter — to add a third network port or more USB ports.

• 4K 60Hz HDMI cable — to take full advantage of the computer's video output.

Cooling and support

• M.2 NVMe SSD heatsink — recommended if you fill all 6 slots, as the chassis accumulates heat.

• Vertical base stand for mini PC — improves airflow of the ME Mini's vertical design.

Conclusion

For €367.59, the Beelink ME Mini NAS offers a combination that's hard to beat in the compact home storage segment: six NVMe bays, 2.5 Gbps networking, WiFi 6, and a quiet design less than 100 mm on each side.

It's not a machine for intensive computing tasks, but as the central piece of your backup, multimedia streaming or personal cloud, it offers a performance-size-price ratio that few traditional NAS devices can match in this range.

→ View Prices for the Beelink ME Mini NAS N200