Synology DS225From real comments

Verdict distilled from 52 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment27%
PROS 27%
CONS 73%

Rank based on 52 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You value Synology's DSM software and support ecosystem over raw hardware specs
  • You mainly need it for basic file storage, Plex, Photos sync and backup at modest scale
  • You can use Synology-branded or supported drives without issue

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want to reuse existing third-party or refurbished hard drives freely
  • You expect modern hardware specs like hardware transcoding, more RAM, or faster CPU/USB
  • You're price-sensitive and want the best hardware value per dollar

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 DS225
Praised DSM softwareLong device lifespan reported on older modelsUseful home featuresThird-party drive restrictionsOutdated CPU and hardwarePerceived poor value for price
Synology DS225
Praised DSM software
Long device lifespan reported on older models
Useful home features
Third-party drive restrictions
Outdated CPU and hardware
Perceived poor value for price

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Drive compatibility restrictions are the top complaint by far. Numerous commenters say the DS225+ warns about or limits third-party and refurbished drives, which they see as a dealbreaker. Several canceled orders, switched to UGREEN, or vowed never to buy Synology again over this policy, calling it proprietary lock-in that prevents them from truly owning the device or reusing drives from older NAS units.

Hardware specs are widely seen as outdated for the price. Reviewers point to the old J4125 CPU, RAM still capped near 6-8GB, loss of hardware transcoding, and fewer USB ports compared to the years-old DS218+. Several long-time owners of older Synology units say the DS225+ barely improves on hardware from nearly a decade ago, making the upgrade feel pointless at its price point.

DSM software still earns genuine praise from satisfied users. Despite hardware gripes, some users highlight DSM as excellent, citing easy setup, Plex, Synology Photos, Hyper Backup, and reliable long-term operation of older models like the DS215+ and DS1019+. One buyer specifically chose DS225+ for software and support rather than hardware, and another reports strong 2.5GbE performance for a workstation file-server use case.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?