Synology DS218playFrom real comments

Name: Synology DS218play
Rating: 2.1 (8 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 8 mentions across 7 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment25%

PROS 25%

CONS 75%

Rank based on 8 mentions across 7 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You need affordable long-term file storage and trust Synology's DSM ecosystem
You're fine with soldered-but-upgradable RAM and basic media serving
You mainly need simple backup/storage rather than native Plex transcoding

What users love

Long-term reliability praised0 mentions

Strongly positive

Upgradable RAM0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You specifically need Plex installed, since the Realtek RTD1296 CPU is unsupported
You want tool-free front-loading drive bays instead of full case disassembly
You're not prepared to troubleshoot RAID/JBOD configuration issues

What users complain about

No Plex support0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Problematic RAID auto-configuration0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Drive installation requires case disassembly0 mentions

Generally negative

Reliability tied to HDD quality0 mentions

Generally negative

64-bit CPU with 32-bit OS mismatch0 mentions

Mildly negative

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

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

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

You are here

31Budget

Synology DS218play

Long-term reliability praisedUpgradable RAMNo Plex support64-bit CPU with 32-bit OS mismatchDrive installation requires case disassembly

Synology DS218play

Long-term reliability praised

Upgradable RAM

No Plex support

64-bit CPU with 32-bit OS mismatch

Drive installation requires case disassembly

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

Software experience swings from praised to painful. One long-term owner of an earlier DS218-series unit calls it a fantastic piece of technology with great software, using it constantly and recommending it enthusiastically. Yet another user describes the opposite: plugging in two drives auto-triggers a RAID mirror configuration that's extremely difficult to undo, requiring a full day of troubleshooting, service shutdowns, share recreation, and a 4-6 hour parity consistency check just to recover from a single unplugged drive. This contrast suggests the DSM software is powerful but can punish anyone who deviates from Synology's expected RAID setup path.

Plex support is a recurring dealbreaker for media fans. Multiple commenters ask whether the DS218play can run Plex or handle 4K playback on TVs and Apple TV. Two separate replies confirm it cannot: the custom Realtek RTD1296 CPU isn't supported by Plex, closing off a popular transcoding route. Buyers focused on smooth 4K streaming or app-based media serving should treat this limitation as central to their purchase decision, since the hardware's processor was never built with that workload in mind.

Hardware design choices raise minor hardware-access complaints. One commenter flags concern about having to disassemble the case and screw in drives, noting most current NAS units allow front-loading drive swaps instead. Another points out the RAM is soldered, though still technically upgradable, while a third questions the logic of pairing a 64-bit processor with a 32-bit operating system. None of these issues are dealbreakers on their own, but together they paint a picture of a budget NAS with some dated internal design decisions.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

thumb_upLong-term reliability praised

1 mentions

Strongly positive

One owner of an earlier DS218-series unit describes it as a fantastic piece of technology used constantly, paired with great software. They highly recommend it to anyone considering a purchase.

@techtipsuk

I own the old version of this. Fantastic piece of technology use mine all the time. Synology have some great software too. Would highly recommend one if anyone is on the fence.

smart_display

November 28, 2017

memoryUpgradable RAM

1 mentions

Generally positive

A commenter notes that although the 1GB of RAM comes soldered onto the board in this model, it is still upgradable, which is a point in favor of the unit's flexibility.

@swiftysam

go for the ds218play plus it has up gradable ram, 1gb soldered on in this model

smart_display

August 5, 2020

blockNo Plex support

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Two commenters confirm Plex cannot be installed on the DS218play because its custom Realtek RTD1296 CPU is unsupported, which closes off a popular app-based transcoding option for media streaming.

@Batezippi

At the time Plex wasn't available due to the custom Realtek CPU. I believe it is available now.

smart_display

November 1, 2020

@alecweb2771

You CANNOT install Plex as the CPU (Realtek RTD1296) is not supported. Did I miss something here?

smart_display

February 10, 2018

warningProblematic RAID auto-configuration

1 mentions

Strongly criticized

Plugging in two drives automatically configures them as a RAID mirror, and undoing this required a full day of troubleshooting, stopping services, recreating shares, and a 4-6 hour parity consistency check after just unplugging one drive. The user called the software confusing compared to competitors.

@beba2893

Whatever you do, DO NOT plug in 2 disk into it if you dont want it configured auto as RAID mirror. To dissolve that and turn that into basic/JBOD , you need a whole day and a computer engineer knowledge. I thought WD has it quirks, but when i saw this....I mean after you finally manage to go around all hurdles Synology software puts in front of you , basically FORCING you to go mirror , and which could be done by one click in a better software...Then you hit this : Parity consistency check -4-6 hours WTF??. And all that because you HAD to unplug one of drives, reboot and end up with bad raid - to get out of it.No other way. And then scheme with stopping services before moving/deinstall of them and recreating all shares.. Software is crap , but really. I build computers like for last 30 years and if i have to read \"destruction manual\" and look online for hints where is what in menus..I suggest you move away from this one.. Unless you dont want to try RMA it later for flying outta closed window. Mine almost did. :P

smart_display

January 19, 2019

buildDrive installation requires case disassembly

1 mentions

Generally negative

One commenter is concerned about having to take the case apart and screw in drives manually, noting that most current NAS units instead allow front-loading drive swaps without disassembly.

@rons3634

Helpful video. Excellent english. Concerned about having to take the case apart and screwing in the drives since most NAS now allow you to change drives from the front.

smart_display

February 1, 2020

storageReliability tied to HDD quality

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter with a history of failed hard drives points out that the NAS is still only as good as the hard drives installed in it, implying the unit itself can't offset poor drive reliability.

@MrDownWithTheSouth

Still only as good as the Hard Drive allows it, coming from a guy who has had bad luck with failed hard drives

smart_display

June 18, 2018

developer_board64-bit CPU with 32-bit OS mismatch

1 mentions

Mildly negative

A commenter questions the point of having a 64-bit processor when the operating system itself is only 32-bit, suggesting an internal design inconsistency.

@tofu_golem

What's the point of a 64-bit processor if the OS is 32-bit?

smart_display

October 25, 2018

Synology DS218playchat_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 DS218playFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression