Synology DS220jFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 35 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment58%
PROS 58%
CONS 42%

Rank based on 35 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a simple NAS mainly for Time Machine backups and photo/file storage
  • You're a first-time NAS buyer who values Synology's easy DSM software
  • You have light workloads without Plex transcoding or heavy virtualization needs

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need to use Plex, Docker, or other RAM-intensive apps
  • You want hot-swappable drives without disassembling the case
  • You've read reports of slow transfer speeds or backup corruption and need guaranteed reliability

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
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
You are here
11Budget
Synology DS220j
Easy setup and softwareReliable Time Machine and photo backupEasy drive upgradesBackup reliability issuesSlow performance for indexing and transfersDrive access requires full disassembly
Synology DS220j
Easy setup and software
Reliable Time Machine and photo backup
Easy drive upgrades
Backup reliability issues
Slow performance for indexing and transfers
Drive access requires full disassembly

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Setup and everyday use are beginner-friendly thanks to Synology's DSM software. Multiple reviewers and long-time users highlight how intuitive Synology's software is compared to competitors, with one calling it 'almost hand-holding' after a bad experience with another brand. Buyers frequently use it for Time Machine backups, photo syncing, DLNA/media serving, and Surveillance Station, reporting the packages ecosystem covers most home needs without requiring networking expertise.

512MB of RAM remains a persistent weak point. One user notes the DS220j still ships with the same 512MB RAM as a DS213J from 2013, calling it 'really poor' hardware investment from Synology. This limitation is tied to complaints about slow Synology Moments indexing, sluggish file transfers, and unsuitability for Plex transcoding, pushing some buyers toward higher-tier models like the DS220+ or DS720+ instead.

Reliability experiences are mixed, especially around backups and drives. While some owners report years of trouble-free use with expanded drive pools, others describe repeated Time Machine backup corruption, drives failing in rapid succession, or needing a full reset to fix upload issues. A few also raised concerns about mandatory internet connectivity for setup and configuration changes, viewing it as a security drawback for a device meant to be a private NAS.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?