Synology
Synology DiskStation DS220+
- 2-bay drive enclosure
- Intel Celeron J4025 dual-core
- 2GB DDR4 ECC RAM (expandable to 6GB)
- Synology DSM 7 operating system
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On this page
Is the Synology DiskStation DS220+ worth it?
Yes, for the right buyer. The Synology DiskStation DS220+ ranks #1 in our Best NAS Devices for Home Use 2026 list (best overall). Its biggest strength: dSM software is the most polished NAS interface available, Plex, photo backup, and file sync apps are well-integrated. The main caveat: diskless, drives sold separately (add the cost of two WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives).
Overview
What the Synology DiskStation DS220+ does well
2-bay NAS with Intel Celeron J4025 processor, 2GB RAM, and Synology DSM operating system. What earns it a place here: dSM software is the most polished NAS interface available, Plex, photo backup, and file sync apps are well-integrated and transcoding support handles 4K video playback without client-side processing. One caveat, diskless, drives sold separately (add the cost of two WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives).
2-bay NAS with hardware transcoding support for Plex Pass subscribers. The highlights are hardware transcoding (with Plex Pass) handles 1080p streams efficiently and lower price, good entry point for Plex on a 2-drive setup. Keep in mind that software 4K transcoding is too slow on Intel Celeron, hardware transcoding required for 4K.
Specs that matter
Key features
- 2-bay drive enclosure
- Intel Celeron J4025 dual-core
- 2GB DDR4 ECC RAM (expandable to 6GB)
- Synology DSM 7 operating system
The trade-offs
Pros & cons
Pros
- DSM software is the most polished NAS interface available, Plex, photo backup, and file sync apps are well-integrated
- Transcoding support handles 4K video playback without client-side processing
- Drive compatibility list is extensive, most major NAS-optimized hard drives are verified
Cons
- Diskless, drives sold separately (add the cost of two WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives)
Fit check
Should you buy the Synology DiskStation DS220+?
Buy it if you're…
- Shopping for home use 2026
- Shopping for plex media server 2026
Think twice if this matters to you
- Diskless, drives sold separately (add the cost of two WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives)
Where it ranks
Featured in 2 best-of lists
| List | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best NAS Devices for Home Use 2026· Best Overall | #1 / 3 |
| Best NAS for Plex Media Server 2026 | #2 / 3 |
Cross-shop
Alternatives to the Synology DiskStation DS220+
Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.
Head-to-head
Compared with
Buying advice: nas devices
- Two bays allow mirroring; more bays add capacity.
- Stronger CPUs help with media transcoding.
- Ecosystem apps add features.
- 2.5GbE improves speed.
- Use cloud or external backups.
Read the full guides
Answers
Synology DiskStation DS220+: common questions
Is the Synology DiskStation DS220+ worth buying?
Yes, for the right buyer. The Synology DiskStation DS220+ ranks #1 in our Best NAS Devices for Home Use 2026 list (best overall). Its biggest strength: dSM software is the most polished NAS interface available, Plex, photo backup, and file sync apps are well-integrated. The main caveat: diskless, drives sold separately (add the cost of two WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives).
Who is the Synology DiskStation DS220+ best for?
Based on our research it suits home use 2026 and plex media server 2026. It's ranked #1 of 3 in our Best NAS Devices for Home Use 2026 list.
What are the downsides of the Synology DiskStation DS220+?
The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: diskless, drives sold separately (add the cost of two WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives).
What are the key features of the Synology DiskStation DS220+?
2-bay drive enclosure, Intel Celeron J4025 dual-core, 2GB DDR4 ECC RAM (expandable to 6GB) and Synology DSM 7 operating system.
What are the best alternatives to the Synology DiskStation DS220+?
Worth comparing: Western Digital My Cloud Home 4TB, UGREEN NASync DXP2800 2-Bay NAS and Synology DiskStation DS923+. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.
Where can I buy the Synology DiskStation DS220+?
It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.
How long does NAS initial setup take?
Initial hardware setup (installing drives, connecting to the router) takes 15-30 minutes. The DSM operating system installation and initial configuration wizard takes another 20-30 minutes. Total first-time setup is typically under one hour. After setup, the NAS creates storage pools and volumes which may take additional time depending on drive size.
Do I need to format hard drives before putting them in a NAS?
The NAS operating system (DSM for Synology, QTS for QNAP) formats and partitions the drives during the initial setup process. Installing new, unformatted drives is the correct procedure. If you are reusing drives that have existing data, the setup will erase that data, back it up before installing.
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