Synology DS224+ 2 Bay NAS Desktop: Efficient Storage Solution

The Synology DS224+ is exactly what I needed for reliable, centralized storage at home. Setup was super easy with the DSM interface—intuitive, polished, and packed with features. I use it for backing up devices, storing media, and running Plex, and it handles everything smoothly. The dual drive bays are perfect for RAID 1, giving me peace of mind with data redundancy. It's quiet, compact, and energy-efficient—ideal for running 24/7 without drawing attention or racking up the power bill. For anyone looking to start with NAS or upgrade from an older model, the DS224+ is a fantastic choice. Great performance, excellent software, and dependable Synology quality. Highly recommended!

The Synology DS224+ is an outstanding NAS! Setup was quick and easy, and DSM software is incredibly intuitive. Performance is fast, with great file transfer speeds and smooth remote access. Perfect for backups, media streaming, and personal cloud storage. Expandable RAM is a plus. Reliable, quiet, and efficient—this NAS is a must-have for home or small office use!

A great device overall, looks good and easy to set up. Initially I used Ironwolf Pro disks in the device and the noise was horrific, so I quickly replaced with WD Red and the device runs pretty silent. Backup of my selected drives has been generally efficient, however a number of files couldn't be copied across due to the file name length and it wasn't particularly easy to see (from the reports) which needed to be shortened as the pages ran to many. If you have short filenames, and not many sub-folders, you'll probably be fine. Remote access to files from an iphone works well and overall it was a huge step up from the WD Cloud which I had used (mostly unsatisfactorily) prior.

Usage and Initial Impressions: After two months of using the Synology DS224+, I can confidently say this NAS has exceeded my expectations in almost every aspect. Serving as the central storage hub for my household and family, the DS224+ replaced several outdated servers, effortlessly taking over their roles while adding new functionalities. The primary uses for this NAS include storing media collections (movies, TV shows, and music), backing up photos from our phones, and managing documents through Synology Office. It has significantly reduced our dependence on cloud services like Google Drive and phone manufacturers' cloud storage, providing a secure and private alternative. Upon unboxing, the NAS impressed with its minimal yet functional packaging. The device itself feels solid, well-built, and surprisingly intuitive. Concerns about cooling and vibrations were quickly dispelled as the NAS ran smoothly without any issues in these areas. Setup and Installation: Setting up the DS224+ was mostly straightforward, with one minor hiccup related to a RAM upgrade. I initially tried installing a 16GB RAM module (despite Synology's official limit being 4GB extra), which caused the NAS not to boot. After removing the module, the setup process proceeded without issue, and I later reinstalled the RAM successfully, bringing the total to 18GB. DSM (DiskStation Manager) 7.2.1-69057 Update 5 was installed without a hitch, and the documentation provided by Synology, along with online resources, made navigating the settings and customization options manageable. Performance: The performance of the DS224+ has been outstanding. Even with multiple users connected from various locations across the UK, the NAS handles tasks with ease. CPU usage remains low, even under load, and file transfer speeds are excellent, averaging around 80-100MBps over a single LAN port. The collaborative features, such as document editing and calendar syncing, work in real-time with minimal latency, providing a seamless experience. Features: The DS224+ is packed with features, many of which are customisable to suit individual needs. From Docker support to third-party app installations, the NAS offers flexibility and power. However, I would caution against installing every available package, as some third-party apps in the official package centre are outdated and may have security vulnerabilities. Despite this, the overall functionality and expandability through Docker and other means are impressive. User Interface and Software: The user interface is a hybrid of a desktop and mobile environment, providing a unique but familiar experience. While Synology excels in offering a range of features and customisation options, there are a few shortcomings. For example, the lack of a consistent dark mode across applications and the continued use of American English in the UI despite selecting British English are minor annoyances. Additionally, the outdated third-party apps in the package manager pose a security risk, which Synology should address. Storage Capacity and Expandability: With two 12TB hard drives (Sold Separately) configured in SHR-1, the DS224+ provides ample storage with fault tolerance, ensuring data safety. While the two bays are sufficient for my needs, others may find the capacity limiting. Synology's storage calculator is a helpful tool for planning your configuration, and I recommend using drives of the same size for optimal results. A word of caution however: Do not buy hard drives from Synology. They're overpriced. Noise and Cooling: The NAS offers customisable fan speed settings, allowing you to prioritise cooling or noise levels. Even at maximum speed, the fan noise is minimal and not disruptive. During a recent heatwave, the balanced setting maintained optimal temperatures without issue. Value for Money: Initially, I was hesitant about the price, given my previous experience with a subpar NAS. However, the DS224+ has proven to be worth every penny, and more! Its performance, reliability, and extensive features make it one of the best purchases I've made in recent years. Issues: While the DS224+ excels in many areas, it does have some software-related drawbacks. The outdated third-party apps in the official package manager and the inconsistent dark mode implementation are areas that could use improvement. Additionally, Synology's claim that the maximum RAM capacity is 4GB is misleading (but in a good way, I guess), as I successfully installed 16GB. Potential buyers should research compatible RAM options before upgrading and always check Amazon reviews if getting it from Amazon; look for mentions of "Synology" and "Synology NAS". Final Thoughts: Despite its minor shortcomings, the Synology DS224+ is a powerful and versatile NAS that delivers exceptional performance and value. It’s ideal for those looking to centralise their storage, reduce dependency on cloud services, and ensure data security. I highly recommend it, giving it a solid 5/5.

Bought this to upgrade an old 212 unit I'd had for about 10 years. This model will let you use 3rd party hard drives. Upgrade was easy, just moved the two drives over, found the unit using the desktop app and started the migration process. Total of around 30 minutes. Transfer speeds aren't much different as the ethernet is the bottleneck, but working with it is a breath of fresh air! I also installed an 8Gb ram upgrade (it says max 6Gb but the unit does show 10Gb of ram in the system information) Ram: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082ZBSBPL

This is my 4th nas and first Synology and is by far the easiest to set up with very intuitive software, which for someone like me who only wants secure storage for photographs and family history documents. Also the Plex media server is a doddle to set up compared with “ugreen”. The build quality is great and feels built to last. Yes it is not high end in the spec department but it gets the job done simply and effectively

£310 at time of review If you’re here then you’ve likely already done your homework about varying NAS systems… I’ve been in the tech business many many years, and while I’m no networking aficionado I know the difference between an RJ45 & an RJ11 ;) but I can say hands down Synology lead the way when it comes to NAS software that is easy to use. If you really really know what you’re doing then you’ll likely grab a different NAS system as Synology are a bit like Apple, you pay extra, but what you get is ease of use… it just works! So if you want something that you can set up in no time yet can still get under the hood and tinker if you want of need too then seriously look no further (I’ve recommended Synology to many of my clients over the years and they’ve always thanked me) I have this particular model at home, I have a couple of 16TB Exios drives in it, running in a Raid 1 configuration, so mirrored continually. Frustratingly this only has two 1G network ports, although for the majority of home users this will be fine, especially if you’re connecting to it over WiFi anyway! But you can always attach a 2.5Gbps adapter (although this is not supported natively by Synology, you’ll need to do a bit of tinkering and installation yourself but there’s easy enough tutorials to follow online). Talking of which, if you haven’t already, check out Space Rex on YouTube, the guy is a Synology guru, what he doesn’t know about Synology systems isn’t worth knowing! NAS Compares is also a good channel, although a lot more technical and mainly a comparison channel (hence the name!) So if you’re looking to have a system to run your Plex or JellyFin library this is great as it has an intel CPU with integrated gfx acceleration, meaning 4K HEVC streaming across your network without the need to transcode, the integrate photos app and mobile apps, means you have your own private iCloud or Google photos library at home for the whole family to share, all with your own private areas for photos, videos, documents and mobile phone or computer back ups, and sharing photo libraries or files with friends and work over the web etc is easy too. Plus if you have your own security cameras etc, then all that footage can be stored locally too, plus running your own home automation using home bridge or hoops etc is easy to set up and get running too Some reviewers mention noise… the NAS itself it completely silent, the noisy bit from time to time will be the hard drives, so it will depend on which drives you get, and yes they can click away at times when it’s doing a back up or indexing a load of photos and videos, so don’t expect to leave this on your bedside table ;) but they’re not that noisy, and certainly not as annoying as a high pitch fan… plus you can leave this pretty much anywhere, it’s relatively small, as long as it’s in a ventilated space it will be happy, tucked away behind your sofa, or on top of a book shelf beside your WiFi router you’ll forget it’s even there most of the time. Oh and upgrade the RAM, a 4Gig SIMM should cost around £25-30 I honestly can’t recommend having a NAS at home enough! for the modern family (or a small home office), it means everyone’s photos and precious memories and files are all stored centrally and easy to back up… and remember, just because it’s running in Raid 1 so mirrored mode, that’s not a back up! Yes it saves you from a hardware fault as you can hot swap out a hard drive should one of them ever fail (highly unlikely if you use server grade drives), but do get a large external hard drive too and back up the whole thing either automatically or manually, then you can keep that drive in your office or at a relatives, so you always have that back up in case disaster strikes or someone breaks in and steals your NAS! Hope my review was helpful

Used synology Nas drives for a while now, great quality. Plenty of storage.