Synology DiskStation DS224From real comments

Verdict distilled from 5 mentions across 4 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment40%
PROS 40%
CONS 60%

Rank based on 5 mentions across 4 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You're upgrading from an older Synology NAS and want ecosystem continuity
  • Basic file backup and sharing is your main use case, not heavy processing
  • You want to connect third-party devices like a Mi Home 360 security camera

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need faster-than-1Gb networking for large file transfers
  • You require strong CPU performance rather than an entry-level chip
  • You want a more modern processor instead of the older Celeron

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Easy setup and intuitive DSM software
Easy setup and intuitive DSM software
2Mid
Easy setup for beginners
Easy setup for beginners
3Mid
Long-term reliabilityNetworking speed beyond 1GbpsPlex and media handling improved by SSD cacheFan noiseCPU thermal and virtualization limitsMixed value of RAM/SSD upgrades for basic use
Long-term reliability
Networking speed beyond 1Gbps
Plex and media handling improved by SSD cache
Fan noise
CPU thermal and virtualization limits
Mixed value of RAM/SSD upgrades for basic use
4Premium
Expandable storage capacityReliability and data recoveryEase of use / DSM interfaceDrive compatibility alerts and vendor lock-inWeak Plex transcodingExpensive proprietary RAM
Expandable storage capacity
Reliability and data recovery
Ease of use / DSM interface
Drive compatibility alerts and vendor lock-in
Weak Plex transcoding
Expensive proprietary RAM
5
Bus-Powered FlexibilityCompact, Portable DesignDrives Readable If Enclosure FailsNoisy Drive ActivityAbrupt Unmount SoundRAID 1 Doesn't Boost Read Speed
Bus-Powered Flexibility
Compact, Portable Design
Drives Readable If Enclosure Fails
Noisy Drive Activity
Abrupt Unmount Sound
RAID 1 Doesn't Boost Read Speed
Best value
6Budget
Sufficient for backups, streaming, and surveillanceEasy setup for beginnersGood value versus higher-tier modelsNo drive redundancyConfusing entry-level lineup overlapMissing vibration dampers
Sufficient for backups, streaming, and surveillance
Easy setup for beginners
Good value versus higher-tier models
No drive redundancy
Confusing entry-level lineup overlap
Missing vibration dampers
7Mid
Great for Time Machine and photo backupLong-term reliabilitySolid upgrade from older/competing NASRAID is not a backupDrive/component lock-in and costNoise and power draw
Great for Time Machine and photo backup
Long-term reliability
Solid upgrade from older/competing NAS
RAID is not a backup
Drive/component lock-in and cost
Noise and power draw
8Mid
Dual 10GbE and Thunderbolt connectivityStrong hardware for the priceExpandable and third-party OS friendlySoftware stability issuesFan noise at idleNVMe/PCIe lane limitations
Dual 10GbE and Thunderbolt connectivity
Strong hardware for the price
Expandable and third-party OS friendly
Software stability issues
Fan noise at idle
NVMe/PCIe lane limitations
9Premium
Flexible RAID and third-party OS supportStrong hardware specs vs competitorsCapable for video editing workflowsInconsistent idle fan noiseUGOS software immaturityReal-world transfer speed issues
Flexible RAID and third-party OS support
Strong hardware specs vs competitors
Capable for video editing workflows
Inconsistent idle fan noise
UGOS software immaturity
Real-world transfer speed issues
10Premium
Highly expandable hardwareHigh throughput with 10GbE and cacheStrong VM and app supportNo hardware transcoding for 4KConfusing cache setup guidanceConsumer NVMe cache reliability risk
Highly expandable hardware
High throughput with 10GbE and cache
Strong VM and app support
No hardware transcoding for 4K
Confusing cache setup guidance
Consumer NVMe cache reliability risk
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25
Synology DiskStation DS224
Solid Synology UpgradeThird-Party Camera SupportUnderpowered ProcessorNo 2.5GbE Ethernet
Synology DiskStation DS224
Solid Synology Upgrade
Third-Party Camera Support
Underpowered Processor
No 2.5GbE Ethernet

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The Celeron processor splits opinion between adequate and underpowered. One long-time Synology owner upgrading from a nine-year-old DS414 expected the older Celeron chip to be sufficient for basic backup and file-sharing tasks, even while wishing for something more modern. A different commenter was far less forgiving, flatly calling the processor 'way too underpowered' and 'completely utterly gutless.' This contrast suggests the DS224+'s CPU may satisfy light, casual NAS use but frustrates anyone expecting snappier performance, making it important for buyers to weigh their actual workload before committing to this entry-level hardware.

Networking stays capped at 1Gb Ethernet, disappointing speed-focused buyers. A prospective buyer explicitly said they would not upgrade to the DS224+ until Synology moved past 1Gb Ethernet, since file transfer speed was the improvement they needed most. This indicates the unit's networking has not kept pace with 2.5GbE options increasingly common in the NAS market. For users primarily interested in faster local file transfers or streaming large media libraries over the network, this absence of a higher-speed port emerged as a genuine deal-breaker in the discussion around this model.

Device compatibility and ecosystem familiarity stood out as practical strengths. Beyond core storage duties, one owner confirmed successfully connecting a Mi Home 360-degree security camera to the DS224+, showing some flexibility for smart-home integration. Meanwhile, a returning Synology user replacing an aging DS414 saw the DS224+ as a natural, appealing step up after years of reliable service from their previous unit. Together these comments suggest the DS224+ works well for people already invested in the Synology ecosystem or looking to expand modest smart-home camera setups alongside file storage.

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