Jonsbo N6 NAS Case Review

Jonsbo N6 DIY NAS Case Review

The Jonsbo N6 is the latest addition to the company’s long running lineup of DIY NAS focused enclosures, positioned between the compact N4 and the much larger N5. It is designed as a 9 bay desktop NAS chassis that supports both ITX and Micro ATX motherboards, while also introducing several changes compared with earlier Jonsbo designs. These include proper metal drive trays instead of rubber mounted sleds, expanded fan support, flexible PSU placement, and the inclusion of a physical fan controller. After spending the last 2 weeks building, configuring, and testing the N6 in a real world NAS environment, this review looks at how the case performs in practice, how its design decisions affect usability, and where it fits within the wider Jonsbo NAS case range.

BUILD QUALITY - 10/10

HARDWARE - 9/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 7/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.6

PROS

👍🏻Supports up to 9 x 3.5 inch or 2.5 inch drives, allowing dense storage in a relatively compact footprint
👍🏻Compatible with ITX and Micro ATX motherboards, offering more flexibility than earlier Jonsbo NAS cases
👍🏻Flexible PSU placement with support for ATX and SFX units, including multiple mounting positions
👍🏻Integrated drive backplane simplifies installation and reduces individual cable clutter
👍🏻Built in 3 speed fan controller provides basic manual airflow control without software dependency
👍🏻Extensive ventilation on all sides, top, and base helps maintain reasonable thermals under load
👍🏻Drive trays replace older rubber grommet mounting, making drive installation more straightforward
👍🏻Build quality feels solid overall, with steel construction and improved internal layout for cable routing

CONS

👎🏻Backplane uses individual SATA connectors rather than Mini SAS, limiting appeal for SAS focused builds
👎🏻Clearance becomes tight with Micro ATX boards and larger ATX PSUs, especially around CPU cooling
👎🏻Drive trays lack tool less latches, locks, or orientation indicators, increasing the chance of installation mistakes

Jonsbo N6 Review – Design & Storage

The Jonsbo N6 continues the brand’s established NAS focused design language, combining a compact tower format with a restrained, industrial appearance. The chassis uses a steel construction with aluminum accents and a wooden front trim, which has become a recognizable feature across several recent Jonsbo NAS cases. While the wood insert will not appeal to everyone, it is purely cosmetic and does not interfere with airflow or structural rigidity. Overall dimensions place the N6 clearly below the larger N5, though it is still substantial compared to many ITX cases due to its storage capacity.

Storage is the defining feature of the N6, with support for up to 9 drives in either 3.5 inch HDD or 2.5 inch SSD formats. All drives are housed in a dedicated lower compartment, separated from the motherboard area. This layout helps with cable management and keeps storage thermals isolated from CPU and expansion hardware. The capacity places the N6 in a relatively uncommon position, offering more drive bays than most compact NAS cases without stepping into full tower territory.

Unlike earlier Jonsbo NAS models that relied on rubber grommets and pull tabs, the N6 uses metal drive trays as standard. Each tray supports both 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch drives and slots directly into a rear mounted backplane. The trays are functional rather than refined, lacking tool less locking mechanisms or individual activity LEDs. However, spacing between drives allows some passive airflow, which is important given the density of a fully populated array.

All 9 drive trays connect to a single backplane PCB located at the rear of the drive cage. The front side of the board uses individual SATA connectors for each bay, simplifying installation compared to loose cabling. On the output side, the board breaks out into standard SATA data connectors rather than Mini SAS, alongside SATA and Molex power inputs. This choice favors compatibility but limits native SAS support, which may matter to users running enterprise drives or SAS controllers.

From an installation standpoint, drive access is straightforward, but orientation is something to be careful with. The trays do not include visual indicators for correct alignment, making it possible to insert a drive incorrectly if rushed. While this is not unique to the N6, it does introduce some risk during initial setup or drive swaps. Overall, the storage design prioritizes density and compatibility over convenience features, aligning with the case’s focus on DIY NAS builders rather than hot swap environments.

Jonsbo N6 Review – Internal Structure

The internal layout of the Jonsbo N6 is designed around flexibility rather than absolute clearance, and that becomes clear once hardware installation begins. The case supports Mini ITX and Micro ATX motherboards, but does not officially support full ATX boards, despite physical dimensions that appear close.

In practice, fitting an ATX board is technically possible but leaves insufficient clearance for cabling, airflow, and component access, making it impractical for most builds. With ITX boards, internal space is generous and largely unobstructed, while Micro ATX installations require more planning due to tighter edge clearances near the drive backplane and PSU mounting areas.

PSU placement plays a major role in how the internal hardware layout behaves. The N6 supports both ATX and SFX power supplies and allows installation in multiple positions using included brackets. Mounting a full size ATX PSU above the motherboard significantly reduces available CPU cooler height, which can limit cooler selection to low profile or compact tower designs. SFX power supplies offer more flexibility and reduce conflicts around the CPU socket area, particularly when using Micro ATX boards.

The option for dual PSU installation adds another layer of configurability, but it further increases complexity around airflow paths and cable routing.

PCIe expansion is relatively strong for a case in this category, with support for up to 4 full height expansion slots. This allows for the use of HBAs, network cards, or even a discrete GPU, provided length and thickness limits are respected. Clearance becomes tight when multiple expansion cards are installed alongside side mounted fans, especially on the lowest slot. Cable routing is generally straightforward, with clear channels and anchor points, but routing SATA or Mini SAS fan out cables is easier if completed before final motherboard installation, particularly in Micro ATX configurations.

Jonsbo N6 Review – Connectivity

The Jonsbo N6 keeps external connectivity relatively straightforward, with all user facing ports located on the front panel for easy access. This placement makes sense for a NAS chassis that is likely to be positioned on a desk, shelf, or rack adjacent surface rather than frequently accessed from the rear. The front I O layout focuses on essential connectivity rather than attempting to replicate a full desktop case feature set.

In practical use, the inclusion of a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C port provides a high bandwidth option for external storage, temporary backups, or maintenance tasks such as system recovery media. Alongside it, the USB 3.0 Type A port offers compatibility with a wide range of existing peripherals. This combination should be sufficient for most NAS focused workflows, where frequent hot swapping of peripherals is uncommon but occasional high speed access is still required.

Internally, connectivity is more complex and is closely tied to the integrated drive backplane. All 9 drive bays connect through the rear mounted PCB, which uses individual SATA data connectors rather than Mini SAS or SAS HD outputs. Power delivery is handled through a mix of SATA power and Molex connectors, which provides flexibility but may increase cable management complexity depending on the power supply used.

While functional, this approach places more responsibility on the user to plan cabling carefully, especially in fully populated configurations.

Jonsbo N6 Review – N5 vs N6

The Jonsbo N6 and the N5 address similar DIY NAS use cases but sit at different points in the product lineup in terms of capacity and flexibility. The N6 is designed around a nine-bay drive layout with support for ITX and micro-ATX motherboards and compatibility with either ATX or SFX power supplies, offering a balance between storage density and a relatively compact footprint, which makes it suitable for builds that need a significant number of drives without a full tower size. By contrast, the N5 supports up to twelve 3.5-inch drives and up to four 2.5-inch SSDs, and accepts larger motherboard formats including ITX, micro-ATX, ATX, and E-ATX, giving it broader component compatibility and expansion potential.

The N5 also provides more PCIe slots and larger GPU clearance, supporting use cases that may combine NAS storage with workstation-class expansions, and includes a mesh front and more extensive cooling provisions to manage heat in its larger enclosure. Both cases offer USB-C and USB-A front I/O for quick access, but the N5’s larger size and multi-material construction generally result in greater internal space for hardware and cooling options. In practice, the N6 aims to offer a middle ground with substantial drive capacity and flexible power supply choices, while the N5 pushes more towards maximum expandability and support for larger and more powerful builds within the Jonsbo NAS ecosystem

Jonsbo N6 Review – Build Testing

In day to day use, the Jonsbo N6 shows that its performance characteristics are shaped more by component choice than by any inherent limitation of the chassis itself. With a fully populated 9 bay configuration using 7200 RPM hard drives, the case does not introduce noticeable bottlenecks in sustained storage workloads. During extended uptime testing across multiple days, system stability remained consistent, with no unexpected thermal throttling or airflow related instability observed. This aligns with the case design philosophy, which prioritizes open ventilation paths and modular fan placement rather than aggressive acoustic dampening.

Storage performance testing was carried out using a RAID 0 array across 9 mechanical drives, paired with a workstation class MATX motherboard and a dedicated SATA controller. Sequential read and write speeds reached approximately 2.0 to 2.1 GB/s in CrystalDiskMark, indicating that the enclosure itself does not constrain throughput. These figures are primarily governed by controller bandwidth, PCIe lane allocation, and drive characteristics, rather than the internal backplane. Random access behavior remained typical for high capacity HDD arrays, with no anomalies linked to vibration or drive seating within the metal trays.

Noise testing was conducted under multiple operating conditions to evaluate how the N6 behaves in real environments rather than synthetic silence. At idle with fans set to the lowest manual setting and drives spun down, measured noise levels hovered around 37 to 39 dBA. Under active disk access with the same fan profile, noise increased modestly to around 41 to 44 dBA, with most audible output coming from the rear exhaust area. Increasing the fan controller to mid and high settings resulted in only marginal increases, topping out around 43 to 44 dBA, suggesting diminishing returns in airflow relative to acoustic output.

Thermal measurements were taken after the system had been operating continuously for roughly 2.5 days, followed by active load and cooldown observation. Drive temperatures during idle periods generally sat between 25°C and 28°C, with active access pushing internal drive area temperatures to around 42°C. Surface readings across the chassis showed consistent heat distribution, with the rear PCB area and PSU zone measuring close to 42°C, while the top and side panels remained closer to ambient at roughly 26°C to 27°C. These results indicate that while airflow around the drive backplane is not optimal, overall thermal behavior remains within acceptable limits for a 9 bay enclosure.

Jonsbo N6 Review – Verdict and Conclusion

After extended hands on use, the Jonsbo N6 positions itself as a compact but ambitious DIY NAS enclosure that sits clearly between the smaller N4 and the larger, more expansive N5. It delivers a high storage density with 9 drive bays while introducing support for Micro ATX motherboards, which meaningfully expands hardware choice compared with earlier Jonsbo NAS cases. Build quality is consistent with the brand’s established approach, using thick steel panels, simple exterior styling, and a layout that prioritizes airflow potential and internal flexibility over visual flair. The inclusion of drive trays, a physical fan controller, multiple PSU mounting options, and extensive fan support marks a clear evolution over previous generations.

That said, the N6 is not without compromises. ATX motherboard support is effectively absent despite tight tolerances, cooling outcomes remain highly dependent on fan selection and placement, and the backplane design relies on standard SATA connections rather than SAS aggregation. Pricing at launch also places it in a competitive bracket where expectations are higher, particularly around refinement of drive trays and airflow optimization around the disk stack. For users who found the N5 too large or excessive but felt constrained by the N3 or N4, the N6 fills a specific and practical gap. It does not replace the N5 as a flagship option, but it stands as a capable and thoughtfully designed alternative for builders who value density, flexibility, and manageable footprint over absolute expansion.

Check Amazon in Your Region for the Jonsbo N6 Case

Check AliExpress or the Jonsbo N6 Case

Jonsbo N6 Case Review PROs

Jonsbo N6 Case Review CONs

Supports up to 9 x 3.5 inch or 2.5 inch drives, allowing dense storage in a relatively compact footprint Compatible with ITX and Micro ATX motherboards, offering more flexibility than earlier Jonsbo NAS cases Flexible PSU placement with support for ATX and SFX units, including multiple mounting positions Integrated drive backplane simplifies installation and reduces individual cable clutter Built in 3 speed fan controller provides basic manual airflow control without software dependency Extensive ventilation on all sides, top, and base helps maintain reasonable thermals under load Drive trays replace older rubber grommet mounting, making drive installation more straightforward Build quality feels solid overall, with steel construction and improved internal layout for cable routing

Backplane uses individual SATA connectors rather than Mini SAS, limiting appeal for SAS focused builds Clearance becomes tight with Micro ATX boards and larger ATX PSUs, especially around CPU cooling Drive trays lack tool less latches, locks, or orientation indicators, increasing the chance of installation mistakes

 

📧 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER 🔔

🔒 Join Inner Circle

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

☕ WE LOVE COFFEE ☕