Synology DS1821From real comments

Verdict distilled from 33 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment48%
PROS 48%
CONS 52%

Rank based on 33 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need large, easily expandable storage with SHR flexibility
  • You want an easy-to-use platform for Docker, VMs, and business backups
  • You value long-term reliability and drive-swap recovery across units

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You rely heavily on Plex hardware transcoding
  • You don't want to pay a premium for proprietary RAM and drives
  • You want full third-party NVMe caching and open hardware flexibility

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Synology DS220
Easy setup and intuitive DSM software
Synology DS220
Easy setup and intuitive DSM software
2Mid
Ugreen DH4300
Easy setup for beginners
Ugreen DH4300
Easy setup for beginners
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
You are here
4Premium
Synology DS1821
Expandable storage capacityReliability and data recoveryEase of use / DSM interfaceDrive compatibility alerts and vendor lock-inWeak Plex transcodingExpensive proprietary RAM
Synology DS1821
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
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 value
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

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Storage capacity and reliability stand out as major strengths. Owners report running large arrays of high-capacity drives (8-22TB) across many bays, with SHR making upgrades easier. Long-term users describe years of stable operation, quiet performance, and successful drive-swap recovery between units when hardware failed. IT professionals managing multiple units report only rare failures, usually power supplies, with data staying intact across replacement units.

Plex transcoding and CPU platform changes frustrate media users. Several commenters note that modern Synology units, including AMD-based models, lack proper hardware transcoding for Plex, calling it a dealbreaker. One user found Synology's own Plex package buggy and got better results running Plex on a separate Windows workstation instead. Others confirm consumer Synology NAS boxes generally struggle to transcode much video at all.

Proprietary components and rising costs draw frequent criticism. Multiple users complain that Synology RAM costs roughly five times more than compatible alternatives from Kingston or Crucial, and that only Synology-branded drives get full compatibility support, including SMART health status. Commenters compare Synology's ecosystem lock-in to Apple's, citing high prices for convenience, vendor-locked drives, and expensive upgrade paths once capacity is reached.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?