Synology DiskStation DS220+ vs. DS218+: Which NAS is better?

Best value NAS

Synology DiskStation DS220+

Synology DS220+

Best budget NAS

Synology DiskStation DS218+

Synology DS218+

The DiskStation DS220+ is the NAS to buy for most people. It's a great balance betwixt price and performance, rocking an Intel CPU and other loftier-end features.

$294 at Amazon

Pros

DSM 7.0
Two drive bays
Better Intel processor
Splendid Plex support

Cons

More expensive
No eSATA port

If yous already own the DS218+, I wouldn't recommend upgrading to the DS220+ unless you take the spare cash available and require a slightly better spec sheet.

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Pros

DSM 7.0
2 drive bays
Good Plex support
Tin can be more affordable
eSATA port

The DS220+ is the better NAS as it'due south the latest model, replacing the older DS218+. It's one of the best Synology NAS available. I would merely recommend the DS218+ if you lot tin find a good deal and don't require all the benefits of using the latest NAS from Synology.

DS220+ vs. DS218+: Specs

Category	DiskStation DS220+	DiskStation DS218+
CPU	Intel Celeron J4025	Intel Celeron J3355
RAM	2GB DDR4 (max 6GB)	2GB DDR3L (max 6GB)
Drive bays	2	two
Capacity	24TB	24TB
Expansion support	N/A	N/A
Cooling	1x 92mm fan	1x 92mm fan
Ports	2x 1Gb LAN 1x rear USB 3.0 1x forepart USB 3.0	1x 1Gb LAN 2x rear USB three.0 1x front USB iii.0 1x eSATA
PCIe	N/A	N/A
Ability draw	Up to fourteen.69W	Upwards to 12.46W
Dimensions	half dozen.5 ten 4.25 x 9.xiii inches (165mm x 108mm ten 232.2mm)	6.four 10 iv.25 x 9.14 inches (165mm x 108mm ten 232.2mm)
Weight	ii.86 pounds (one.30kg)	2.86 pounds (1.30kg)

DS220+ is a more recent and powerful NAS

Synology DiskStation DS220+ Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

There are a few notable differences between the older DS218+ and newer DS220+, including pattern and specs. The front end stop has been redesigned to look a piddling sleeker and more premium, though you will notice a lack of eSATA back up with the newer enclosure.

Within the Synology DiskStation DS220+, which is the more powerful unit here, you'll observe an Intel Celeron J4025 processor. The Synology DiskStation DS218+ has an older and weaker Intel Celeron J3355. In that location's likewise DDR3L RAM inside the DS218+, fifty-fifty though y'all can install up to 6GB.

The number of available drive bays is the same, and then too is the storage capacity and expansion support (lack thereof). The two NAS also come with identical ports, except for the eSATA port on the DS218+. Information technology'south easy enough to remove the drive bay trays in both enclosures and they're cooled past the same 92mm fan.

Both take the same excellent Bone

Synology DS218+ Source: Synology

While the DS218+ is an older NAS, should you already own i you will be able to upgrade to the latest version of Synology's DSM OS. DSM seven.0 Os is a substantial upgrade for all supported NAS and can give your older Synology NAS a new lease of life. Yous'll exist able to enjoy most of the same features of the more pricey DS220+.

Performance with the DS220+ and DS218+ is excellent until y'all effort to transcode 4K media. This requires considerable computing power and will render your NAS almost unusable for other tasks while this intensive process is underway. And so long equally you choose the all-time Synology NAS hard drives, you'll have a great fourth dimension with either NAS.

DSS220+ is the better NAS overall

We rated the DS220+ well and gave information technology our best award for its value and operation. It's ane of the best NAS for home, as well as for Plex, making information technology a better choice if you lot plan on doing more than intensive tasks on the habitation server. It'south improve than the DS218+ so long as you don't demand an eSATA port.

Best value NAS

Synology DS220+

Synology DiskStation DS220+

The best affordable NAS for the dwelling

Synology got by and large everything right with the DiskStation DS220+. It has a really skillful processor, upgraded DDR4 RAM, 2 drive bays, and dual 1Gb LAN ports, but information technology'due south just a shame about the lack of 2.5Gb LAN or M.2 slots.

DS218+ could be a better deal

If you're a piddling tight on cash and don't mind using an older NAS, the DS218+ could be a worthwhile buy if you tin locate it for a decent price. It'southward merely a little less capable than the DS220+ and can still run Plex without many serious bug. It does take one feature the DS220+ doesn't: an eSATA port.

Older NAS

Synology DS218+

Synology DiskStation DS218+

Can be a better bargain

The DS218+ was an excellent NAS for its time, rocking a slightly less capable Intel Celeron processor, DDR3L RAM, but comes with an eSATA port. Ideal if you lot can find a proficient deal.

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