Synology DS223From real comments

Verdict distilled from 26 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment29%
PROS 29%
CONS 71%

Rank based on 26 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want simple mirrored (RAID1) backup storage without extra features
  • You value Synology's easy-to-use DSM software over raw hardware specs
  • You're a NAS beginner just backing up phone photos, videos, or a MacBook

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need Plex transcoding or direct play support
  • You want 2.5GbE, SD card slots, or M.2 cache SSD expandability
  • You're comparing against the DS220+ for similar money

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
31Mid
Synology DS223
Easy DSM SoftwareGood for Simple Backup UseOne-Touch USB Backup ButtonNo Plex SupportUnfavorable Comparison to DS220+Non-Upgradable 2GB RAM
Synology DS223
Easy DSM Software
Good for Simple Backup Use
One-Touch USB Backup Button
No Plex Support
Unfavorable Comparison to DS220+
Non-Upgradable 2GB RAM

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Software simplicity is the DS223's strongest selling point. Commenters repeatedly praise the DSM interface as easy to set up even for inexperienced users, calling the review thorough and appreciating the one-touch USB copy button for backups. One user contrasted this favorably against Netgear's discontinued ReadyCloud service, while another highlighted DSM's reliability and ease of use compared to more complex QNAP systems, making it approachable for NAS newcomers doing simple backup tasks.

Hardware limitations frustrate experienced NAS users. Multiple commenters criticize the single 1GbE Ethernet port as outdated, wishing for 2.5GbE support instead. Others lament the loss of SD card and USB ports compared to older Synology models, the absence of M.2 slots for SSD caching, and non-upgradable 2GB RAM. Long-time QNAP and Synology users say these cuts make the DS223 feel neutered and no longer suited to home media users' needs.

Plex absence and DS220+ comparisons dominate buying decisions. Several commenters note the DS223 doesn't support Plex, with one saying it could take six months before Plex becomes available, prompting people to wait for a plus model instead. Many directly compare it to the DS220+, which reportedly supports DSM 7, BTRFS/snapshots, and more drives for only a modest price difference, leading several to recommend skipping the DS223 entirely in favor of that model.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?