Synology RS822+From real comments

Verdict distilled from 37 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment26%
PROS 26%
CONS 74%

Rank based on 37 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want Synology's polished DSM software and app ecosystem (Hyperbackup, Active Backup)
  • You need a rack-mounted NAS specifically, not just a desktop unit
  • You value plug-and-play reliability over raw price-to-performance

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need Plex/video hardware transcoding (Ryzen lacks iGPU)
  • You want multigig (2.5G/10G) networking or more RAM included by default
  • You're price-sensitive and want better specs for the 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
31Premium
Synology RS822+
Trusted, easy-to-use softwareLong-term reliabilityRare compact rackmount form factorInadequate base RAMWeak price-to-performancePoor transcoding due to no iGPU
Synology RS822+
Trusted, easy-to-use software
Long-term reliability
Rare compact rackmount form factor
Inadequate base RAM
Weak price-to-performance
Poor transcoding due to no iGPU

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Synology's software remains the standout strength. Multiple long-time users say DSM software is excellent, clear, and reliable, with tools like Hyperbackup for flexible backup destinations and the free Active Backup for Business app for network computer backups. One user ran an older Rackstation for six years with a single drive failure. Another upgraded from an RS815+ after seven years specifically for more RAM to speed up database queries, citing continued satisfaction with Synology's ecosystem despite the age of the hardware.

RAM and networking specs draw heavy criticism for the price. Commenters repeatedly flag the base 2GB RAM, often soldered as a single stick, as inadequate for a device costing around $1000. Several suggest 4-8GB should be the minimum in 2026. Others note the lack of multigig or 2.5GbE ports as standard, calling it outdated compared to competitors. Some argue that once you upgrade RAM and networking, the total price approaches double the sticker price, comparing this pattern to Apple's upsell strategy.

No integrated graphics hurts Plex and transcoding use cases. Several users specifically wanted this NAS for Plex hardware transcoding but found the Ryzen processor lacks integrated GPU support, unlike Intel-based Synology models. This reportedly causes slower video playback and high CPU usage during transcoding, especially with older TVs or phones needing format conversion. Some say they're waiting for future AMD chips with integrated graphics before considering a purchase, viewing this as a dealbreaker for media-server use.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?