Synology DS118From real comments

Name: Synology DS118
Rating: 3 (33 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 33 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment55%

PROS 55%

CONS 45%

Rank based on 33 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a cheap, low-power NAS for backups, music, or surveillance footage
You already have a separate backup plan and don't need disk mirroring
You're a beginner wanting an easy, quiet setup for personal, non-critical data

What users love

Sufficient for backups, streaming, and surveillanceKey factor0 mentions

Strongly positive

Low power consumption0 mentions

Strongly positive

Easy setup for beginners0 mentions

Strongly positive

Good value versus higher-tier models0 mentions

Widely praised

Useful as a secondary/test NAS alongside larger units0 mentions

Widely praised

Quiet, especially with SSD0 mentions

Strongly positive

Skip this if...

You need RAID mirroring or redundancy for important business data
You want to run heavy multi-user or productive workloads with fast access times
You need expandable bays or SSD caching for growth

What users complain about

No drive redundancyKey factor0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Missing vibration dampers0 mentions

Generally negative

Confusing entry-level lineup overlap0 mentions

Generally negative

Recovery requires full reconfiguration0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Unclear RAM upgrade and physical backup options0 mentions

Generally negative

Uncertain external USB backup workflow0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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3Mid

Synology DS920

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

Synology DS920

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

Synology DS1821

Expandable storage capacityReliability and data recoveryEase of use / DSM interfaceDrive compatibility alerts and vendor lock-inWeak Plex transcodingExpensive proprietary RAM

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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

OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual

Bus-Powered FlexibilityCompact, Portable DesignDrives Readable If Enclosure FailsNoisy Drive ActivityAbrupt Unmount SoundRAID 1 Doesn't Boost Read Speed

OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual

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 valueYou are here

6Budget

Synology DS118

Sufficient for backups, streaming, and surveillanceEasy setup for beginnersGood value versus higher-tier modelsNo drive redundancyConfusing entry-level lineup overlapMissing vibration dampers

Synology DS118

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

Synology DS923

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

Synology DS923

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

Ugreen DXP6800 Pro

Dual 10GbE and Thunderbolt connectivityStrong hardware for the priceExpandable and third-party OS friendlySoftware stability issuesFan noise at idleNVMe/PCIe lane limitations

Ugreen DXP6800 Pro

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

Ugreen DXP6800

Flexible RAID and third-party OS supportStrong hardware specs vs competitorsCapable for video editing workflowsInconsistent idle fan noiseUGOS software immaturityReal-world transfer speed issues

Ugreen DXP6800

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

Synology DS1621+

Highly expandable hardwareHigh throughput with 10GbE and cacheStrong VM and app supportNo hardware transcoding for 4KConfusing cache setup guidanceConsumer NVMe cache reliability risk

Synology DS1621+

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

Reliable
1. Synology DS1821arrow_upward4
2. Synology DS920arrow_upward4
Drive lock in
1. Synology DS923arrow_downward2
2. Synology DS1821arrow_downward4
Easy setup
1. Synology DS118arrow_upward3
2. Synology DS920arrow_upward2
Fan noise
1. Synology DS1621+arrow_downward1
2. Ugreen DXP6800arrow_downward4
Noisy
1. Synology DS923arrow_downward2
2. OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dualarrow_downward3
No ecc ram
1. Ugreen DXP6800arrow_downward1
2. Ugreen DXP6800 Proarrow_downward1

Overall Impression

Users see the DS118 as a solid single-purpose backup and streaming box, not a primary data vault. Commenters describe using it for PC/phone backups, photo sync, music libraries, and surveillance recordings, often alongside separate USB drives or cloud copies. Several explicitly say one-bay is 'completely sufficient' for non-critical data, provided a real backup strategy exists elsewhere, since RAID alone never replaces proper backups regardless of bay count.

The lack of drive redundancy is the central, repeatedly debated tradeoff. Multiple commenters warn that without mirroring, a single disk failure means total loss and about a day of downtime to rebuild, while others counter that 2-bay mirrored setups also fail entirely if the enclosure or controller dies. This unresolved back-and-forth shows real user disagreement rather than a clear consensus flaw.

Setup, quietness, and low power draw are consistently praised, especially for non-technical buyers. Several users called the accompanying setup videos a lifesaver for first-timers, noting the DS118 with an SSD runs fan-off and silent even during streaming. Its lower power consumption versus 2-bay units (one commenter estimated 20+ euros/year savings) and cheaper entry price make it appealing as a lightweight secondary or starter NAS.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

backupSufficient for backups, streaming, and surveillanceKey factor

6 mentions

Strongly positive

Many users successfully use the DS118 as a secondary backup target, music/media streaming server, or surveillance station, finding it adequate for these non-critical roles.

@bctk84

I have the ds118 and I use it to backup my PC and phones, so my PC is backed up on the ds and the ds backed up on the PC plus another external SSD as a third backup, if the ds breaks I have everything on PC if PC breaks I have everything on the ds and if both die I have everything on the SSD and if that also breaks I have everything again on Google cloud and if Google ever gets destroyed I have everything additionally burned on MDisc and lying in a safe, I think that should be enough or should I still buy a NAS with multiple bays for mirroring?

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January 25, 2023

@chrishalle1982

So as I said I use a one bay as audiostation and calendar etc. with backup to external disk.

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January 18, 2023

@ManfredW

I use it for streaming. My 2nd backup is on a 2.5-inch disk that I always carry with me ;) Movies are on it. And new ones keep getting added.

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June 5, 2022

@mastercold2

I got the DS118 for the Surveillance Station. There are a total of 3 cameras connected and 'only' a 1TB Iron Wulf attached. Completely sufficient and has enough power. The cameras are there just in case, it's not so important to me if the recordings are lost if the disk fails, I just want the recordings to be there in case that happens. An external 2.5\" disk is hooked up as a backup, so that should all work, even if the disk fails. At home I have the DS918+, very satisfied with both Synos.

smart_displayTranslated from German

June 26, 2019

battery_fullLow power consumption

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Users highlight that running a single disk keeps power draw much lower than multi-bay units, with one estimating at least 20 euros/year saved versus a 2-disk solution. This is cited as a deliberate reason to pick the DS118 over larger models.

@tombadil6761

Oh no.... You do know that the functionality of the DiskStation goes *far* beyond permanent backup (... which really not everyone needs) don't you? If you run multiple services/applications side by side, the computing power of the DS118 is absolutely helpful. The disadvantages of your preferred solution should also not be ignored: additional power consumption of at least 20 euros per year, additional hardware costs, since two disks run permanently in parallel (... and have to be replaced in turn), and the higher noise pollution from a 2-disk solution.

smart_displayTranslated from German

January 13, 2021

@NetterNachbar

Hello Dominik, an acquaintance of mine asked me to set up a DS118 including an SSD (!!). Crucial MX500 (2TB! currently 'only' 250€) for him, probably completely silent. The NAS should not run as a backup, but simply as a DLNA media server. (For proper fixing of 2.5\" HDD/SSD in 1-bay NAS, the Synology Disk Holder Type C is needed, approx. 11€) My questions for you would be: Which hard drive-typical settings in DSM 6.2 would be omitted or should be enabled when operating with an SSD so that the SSD runs problemlessly (for at least 5 years)? (S.M.A.R.T. check... etc.) It would be nice if you would address the topic of NAS with pure SSD storage (e.g. in the DS218/218+) in a video sometime. Does RAID 0/1 - SHR make sense with SSDs? What does Synology say about it? PS: I have the DS118 already running with the above-mentioned SSD, performance top, fan is completely off.... even when streaming without transcoding (Full HD videos in M2TS format) The NAS DS118 with the SSD can thus be placed problemlessly behind the TV. Minimal space requirement. No noise. Top performance ... surprisingly good. :-) (just dim the LEDs in the system menu ...) Thank you very much and Merry Christmas!!!

smart_displayTranslated from German

December 21, 2018

@johnbee1107

I bought the predecessor (DS116j) as an NVR for video surveillance. I mainly paid attention to the power consumption, which is much lower than in the larger models thanks to only one hard drive and handy processor. In the meantime I'm also using it as a VPN server.

smart_displayTranslated from German

November 27, 2017

check_circleEasy setup for beginners

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Several users, including older and non-technical buyers, praised how straightforward setup was, especially when guided by tutorial videos. One 70-year-old user called such videos a 'real life saver.'

@redgreen303

Had to replace fan and this video insured I was accessing the internals and reassembling cover correctly. Plus now I know how to replace HDD when it is needed. Thanks, much appreciated...!

smart_display

March 8, 2022

@TwoWheelsWithTC

Thanks for making this vid! I just unboxed, installed and set up my DS118 + HDD while watching this. So easy!

smart_display

December 4, 2020

@robbo9566

Hi there, just ordered one of these units with a 3tb hard drive, I was a little apprehensive about setting it up when it arrives, thank you so much for making it simple to understand, I now look forward to setting it up, it's replacing one I installed ten years ago, I'm 70 now and things have got a lot more complex. Channels like yours are a real life saver for we non technical minded. Many thanks.

smart_display

February 11, 2020

attach_moneyGood value versus higher-tier models

3 mentions

Widely praised

Commenters note that once extra hard drives are factored in, the DS118 is notably cheaper than 2-bay alternatives, and at a low enough price point it makes sense as an entry NAS.

@robertrichter8839

When buying a 2-bay (or more), you also have to consider not just the price of the diskstation itself, but also the price of the additional hard drives. So it's not such a marginal difference as it seems at first glance. Then we have the problem that in a RAID system, the controller or the diskstation itself can break. The simplest way to recover would be to buy an identical diskstation and transfer the disks 1 to 1. But what if it's an older model and it's no longer available? Then there's only one option: BACKUP! That's necessary regardless of whether 1-bay or multi-bay, pure disk redundancy alone is not sufficient and should not be the deciding purchase criterion. The purchase decision for a multi-bay system depends more on the following criteria: 1. Downtime & convenience: if only the hard drive is affected, you generally need 1 day to recover with a 1-bay system and everything has to be set up again unless you have a disk clone with the finished configuration. With a multi-bay system, if only the hard drives are affected, you have no downtime, at most the system is a bit slow for a while during RAID recovery. 2. Access times: With multi-bay systems you have the option to increase read & write rates via RAID. Also, larger systems often have 2 LAN ports for link aggregation, allow RAM upgrades and can sometimes also be upgraded with SSD cache. This allows you to increase access times and multi-user performance. For someone who wants to work productively on the NAS, possibly also in a team, and who can only tolerate short downtimes, a multi-bay system is recommended (although a 2-bay is not sufficient for this anymore). For the active penny-pincher among home users who simply wants to use the NAS as storage for their data, for streaming their videos, for their photos, etc., who is also not too proud to set up the system again if the hard drive crashes and can tolerate 1 day of downtime & effort, a 1-bay system is sufficient. For the home user who doesn't feel like setting up the system again if the hard drive crashes and is willing to invest a bit more for that, a 2-bay system is worth it. No matter which option applies to you, one thing is important for all devices: BACKUP!

smart_displayTranslated from German

January 14, 2019

@NetterNachbar

I agree with you, the NAS DS118 doesn't fit in a production environment, neither private nor in a company. But for personal (private) further education ('DSM-playing', e.g. DS Photo, phone sync, remote access, backup etc.) with a used 'old' 1TB hard drive (which every home admin probably has in the closet), the NAS is completely sufficient. Of course you use unimportant data or copies of data that you've backed up elsewhere. Cost effort: manageable 180€. If the hard drive breaks, you set up the NAS again... so what... the more often you do it, the more you understand DSM. Once you have DSM and the apps under control (or think you do... ;-)), you can buy a proper DS218+ or 718+. With 2x4TB you're already at around 550€ upwards.

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November 25, 2017

@TheArea51

For 100 euros I would take it, otherwise as you already said, you might as well get the next bigger model right away.

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November 25, 2017

device_hubUseful as a secondary/test NAS alongside larger units

3 mentions

Widely praised

Several owners of larger multi-bay Synology NAS use the DS118 specifically as a low-load secondary backup target or test device to reduce strain on their main system.

@khlstrkog

I have three different Synology NAS at three different locations, a souped-up 218+, a 216j and also a 118, which I currently mainly use as a test device for communication between the NAS.

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December 8, 2020

@janderises6054

Hi,\nnutze die DS118 neben einer größeren DS als Surveillance Station um die more Bay DS und ihre Festplatten weniger zu belasten und habe einfach eine größere Platte reingeschoben um regelmäßige updates/Syncs auf die \"kleine\" DS118 zu schieben. Somit habe ich ein getrenntes Backup zu meiner more bay DS. Meine Frage wäre nur, würde es Sinn machen diese Beiden Geräte in unterschiedlichen Netzwerkbereichen zu verwalten (unifi Equipment) oder bringt hier der Aufwand keinen wirklichen Mehrwert zu Sicherheit gegen Angriffe von außen?\nviele Grüße

smart_display

June 29, 2020

@detunedguitar

A one-bay solution can certainly make sense. It just depends on what you want to do with it. As an entry into the NAS world, I would also spend 'a few' euros more and buy a two-bay variant. Even if you initially only install one disk. But then you have the option to expand. I've now also gotten the DS118 cheaply as a display model for a backup strategy and quick access to developed photos. With an SSD as main storage and an external hard drive, this works well. It sits in a wall cavity in the attic and is inaudible. My main system is a DS1515+, which runs in the network cabinet in the basement. From here I run backups to an external disk directly and to the external drive of the DS118, as well as to a remote DS213j. Since my data volume is still manageable and I have 50 Mbps U/L, it works great. Photos from clients in the house and externally via the photo station open extremely quickly, VPN also runs over the 'little one'. The 'big one' is then the workhorse, which also processes larger amounts of data quickly via LAG. PS: I recently learned what a backup really means. RAID rebuild in the DS1515+ and then 'BANG' second disk goes! Even though I had a backup, I was able to read the defective disk up to a few bytes with Knoppix and clone it to a new disk. After that, access to all data was possible again. So please always remember: Make backups. The tears over the loss of your documented child's development don't need to be shed!

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January 30, 2018

volume_offQuiet, especially with SSD

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple commenters report the DS118 runs silently, with the fan staying off entirely when fitted with an SSD, even during Full HD streaming without transcoding. It's also noted as quieter than 2-bay NAS models by design.

@martin9933

Thanks for the video. I especially want to use the DS118 for music (with SSD). All Flac files are backed up on an online server anyway, so they're secure. And the DS118 is (according to technical specifications) much quieter than 2-bay NAS. Because you did ask what a 1-bay NAS is good for ;-).

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November 22, 2019

@NetterNachbar

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December 21, 2018

warningNo drive redundancyKey factor

6 mentions

Frequently criticized

As a single-bay unit, the DS118 offers no RAID mirroring, meaning a hard drive failure results in total data loss on that device unless backed up elsewhere. This is the most frequently raised concern across comments.

@RiKER-Ni-

In 25 years of IT, I've never had a drive fail. Unless I helped it along. But hardware failure that takes all the drives with it has happened more often. There is a user group that doesn't need a 2-bay system and that's why the 118 has its reason for existing. Furthermore, you can take precautions. I use the DS118 for automated backup and a few other things and make a backup once a week to 3 USB drives directly on the PC. No big effort and on the PC I just have to be there to plug it in to the USB port. There's a nice saying: What can go wrong with a data backup? EVERYTHING! What good is a 2-bay or 6-bay system if the hardware, for whatever reason, takes the disks with it to the grave.

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February 14, 2021

@robertrichter8839

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January 14, 2019

@HPdschneider

Thank you for the tips. I was about to buy the DS118 for backing up my small company. Your urgent warnings about possible total failure without 'mirroring' in 1 bay have made me think!

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July 19, 2018

@KarlAlfredRoemer

Let's say the NAS dies, the disk itself would still be fine, can you still access the data or is it in a proprietary format or even encrypted?

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February 28, 2018

vibrationMissing vibration dampers

2 mentions

Generally negative

Because there's only one drive, the DS118 lacks the rubber buffers found on multi-bay models that protect against micro-vibrations, since a single disk can't disturb itself.

@KindGottes92

Two disks need to be mechanically decoupled from each other. Just one can hardly disturb itself. That's probably why the rubber dampeners are missing.

smart_displayTranslated from German

June 9, 2019

@aero66

Regarding vibrations: In general, these rubber buffers protect against micro-vibrations which could negatively affect other hard drives. So these are not really necessary with a 1-drive model.

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November 30, 2017

help_outlineConfusing entry-level lineup overlap

2 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter felt Synology's entry lineup (DS118, DS218j, DS218play, DS218) overlaps confusingly, with some models offering little advantage over the DS118 despite higher prices.

@d3bugg3r

You shouldn't forget one point in your list. The DS218j has only half as much RAM - and a DS218play currently costs about 70 euros more than a DS118. for me as on promise intermediate storage at my parents with slow DSL connection, for drive, the DS118 is ideal

smart_displayTranslated from German

March 21, 2018

@herbface23

Hi iDomex, I've watched a lot of your videos about NAS devices lately. Your videos are really super informative and very well spoken. Big praise to you. I'll get the DS118 in the next few days. Why? Because I've never had a NAS before and I want to spend as little as possible initially, but have current hardware and try everything out. RAID 1 doesn't matter to me at the moment anyway, since I make backups to external hard drives anyway. I use the NAS exclusively for private purposes and don't have data that I immediately need if the disk fails, it wouldn't be a big deal for me. What bothers me about Synology is that there are too many entry-level devices. DS118, DS218J, DS218play, DS218, DS218+. What's the point of the DS218J? It currently costs 10€ more than the DS118, has 2Bay as its only advantage, but only a dual core, half the RAM and no video transcoding. You might as well buy the DS216J for currently 150€, which only has 300MHz less. In my opinion, the DS118, DS218play and DS218+ would have covered everything. Best regards

smart_displayTranslated from German

December 30, 2017

restoreRecovery requires full reconfiguration

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

If the single disk fails, users note you generally need about a day to set everything back up from scratch, unlike multi-bay systems that can rebuild without downtime.

@robertrichter8839

smart_displayTranslated from German

January 14, 2019

memoryUnclear RAM upgrade and physical backup options

1 mentions

Generally negative

Users asked whether RAM can be upgraded and how to make a physical backup, noting the DS118 lacks the 'copy' button on the front found on some other Synology models.

@OMG_BeCkY

Can you upgrade the RAM? And how do you make a physical backup of what's on the Synology? It doesn't have the 'copy' button on the front that many of the other models have.

smart_display

August 10, 2020

usbUncertain external USB backup workflow

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter questioned whether the single disk's contents can be backed up via an external USB drive, and what purpose the USB 3 ports serve if not, indicating unclear documentation.

@jorgensenabrahamson6479

Is it posibble to backup the content of the single disk via external usb driver? if not, what is the porpouse of those usb 3 ports?

smart_display

May 22, 2020

Synology DS118chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Reliable

Drive lock in

Easy setup

Fan noise

Noisy

No ecc ram

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Synology DS118From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression