Synology DS220From real comments

Verdict distilled from 6 mentions across 1 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment100%
PROS 100%

Rank based on 6 mentions across 1 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an easy-to-use first NAS for backups and photo/media storage
  • You already have or will upgrade to gigabit ethernet
  • You value Synology's DSM software ecosystem and long-term reliability

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need faster transcoding or heavier workloads than a 2-bay entry NAS offers
  • You're stuck on an old sub-gigabit router and won't upgrade
  • You're uncomfortable with a device requiring internet connectivity for setup/changes

What users complain about

No cons data available.

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceYou are here
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
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

Setup and daily use are consistently praised as simple and beginner-friendly. Multiple first-time NAS buyers describe the DSM software as intuitive with a shallow learning curve, calling it 'effortless' to set up and use for years afterward. Reviewers highlight automated backups, easy package installation, and low maintenance once configured. Several commenters explicitly credit review videos for their purchase decision, citing clarity of the setup walkthroughs as a deciding factor in choosing Synology over competitors like ASUStor or QNAP.

Network speed and fan noise are the most common friction points. Several users found transfer speeds painfully slow until they upgraded to gigabit routers, with one describing pre-upgrade performance as 'almost useless' at 100mbit. Others report the stock fan is noisy even at low speed, though swapping it for a quieter aftermarket fan (like Noctua or be quiet!) resolved the issue. One user still struggled with only 6MB/s speeds despite the review's praise, suggesting setup-dependent variability.

Long-term reliability and DSM's redundancy features build strong loyalty, though some had bad experiences. Owners running RAID 1 or SHR for 3+ years report trouble-free operation for Plex servers, work backups, and Docker experimentation. However, some experienced hardware failures outside warranty with poor support response, one had a full data loss following bad support advice, and another called performance 'super slow' compared to a higher-tier model. Dated 512MB RAM on the j-model also drew criticism as outdated for a 2020-era release.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?