Synology is aware of what it is doing relating to making the finest residence NAS servers, and within the final 12 months, the Taiwanese model constructed out its funds portfolio. The DiskStation DS224+ that I reviewed final yr nonetheless leads the best way on this phase because of its highly effective {hardware} and Plex transcoding, however there are various extra options out there.
The DiskStation DS223j is an effective entry-level NAS that delivers the necessities at simply $189, nevertheless it’s the vanilla DiskStation DS223 that’s the extra engaging selection. The DS223 is a 2-bay NAS offered within the Worth collection, and that is completely different to the Plus collection in that you simply get only a single Gigabit port and no upgradeability; the DS224+ has a typical SODIMM slot that permits you to improve the RAM to 6GB, however on the DS223, you get a 2GB RAM module that’s soldered to the mainboard.
The upside is the affordability, with the DiskStation DS223 out there for simply $250. That makes it a terrific selection in the event you’re simply venturing into residence NAS servers and are curious about seeing what Synology does on this class. It is usually probably the most reasonably priced methods to check Synology’s standout software program options, and also you even get Plex right here.
I used the DS223 alongside the DS224+ and among the costlier servers within the model’s portfolio — together with the DiskStation DS923+ and DS1522+ — and I feel this funds NAS is a terrific selection in the event you simply want a dependable residence server with two drive bays.
Synology DiskStation DS223: Specs, pricing, and launch date
Synology unveiled the DiskStation DS223 in February 2023, and the NAS is now out there globally. Within the U.S., you possibly can choose it up for $249 on Amazon and different main retailers, together with B&H. The NAS retails for £255 ($321) within the U.Okay., and in India, it’s out there for ₹27,999 ($338). Just like the DS224+, the DS223 will get a typical two-year guarantee.
It is a barebones server, and which means it does not include any storage — you simply get the enclosure. In the event you’re contemplating this server, I might recommend selecting up 4TB or 6TB IronWolf drives.
| Class | Synology DiskStation DS223 |
|---|---|
| Inner Drive Bays | Two (16TB every bay), 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch SSD |
| Community Interface | 1 x Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB Ports | 3 x USB 3.1 Gen1 |
| eSATA Ports | ❌ |
| PCIe | ❌ |
| CPU | Quad-core 64-bit 1.7GHz Realtek RTD1619B |
| Plex Transcoding | ❌ |
| RAM | 2GB DDR4 non-ECC, soldered |
| M.2 Slots | ❌ |
| File System | EXT4, Btrfs |
| Cooling | 1 x 92mm fan, 22dBA |
| Extensibility | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 165 mm x 108 mm x 232.7mm |
| Weight | 2.82lb, 1.28kg |
Synology DiskStation DS223: Design and options
I have been testing Synology NAS servers for the higher a part of a decade now, and in that point, the model did not make any appreciable adjustments to its design language. The DiskStation DS223 has the very same design because the DS224+, and if it weren’t for the small label on the backside that particulars the mannequin quantity, there isn’t any solution to inform these two servers aside.
That mentioned, there isn’t any cause to vary the design; the DS223 has wonderful airflow because of the vents on the aspect, and there is a 92mm fan on the again that does a terrific job with thermal administration. The shroud masking the drive bays has a shiny end and is vulnerable to selecting up mud, however the enclosure itself has a matte texture and is not a mud magnet as such.
The construct high quality is among the many finest on this class, and the design is not flashy within the least, permitting the DS223 to mix into the background with relative ease. The drive bays are simply accessible, and set up is tool-free in the event you’re slotting in customary 3.5-inch arduous drives, and you may want to make use of the bundled screws in the event you’re mounting 2.5-inch SSDs.
There are standing LEDs to the correct, and in contrast to the DS224+, you simply get one Gigabit Ethernet port, so there’s only one community LED. You additionally get a USB-A port on the entrance that permits you to join a USB drive and switch the contents to the DS223. There is not something new with the design, however the DS223 has a sturdy chassis with confirmed reliability.
Synology DiskStation DS223: Ports
On condition that the DS223 is aimed on the funds phase, it does not have a lot in the best way of connectivity. You get a single Gigabit Ethernet port on the again together with two USB-A ports, and that is about it. The NAS comes with 2GB of RAM because the DS224+, which is nice to see, however there is not a solution to slot in a bigger module do you have to want to improve reminiscence down the road.
Lack of upgradeability is not an enormous disadvantage contemplating not many customers go this route, and for what it is value, 2GB of RAM is greater than sufficient to deal with the web-based OS and all of the software program utilities you get. The DS223 misses out on M.2 drives as properly, and simply as with the RAM, there isn’t any solution to swap to a 2.5GbE Ethernet port do you have to want to take action — just like the DiskStation DS723+.
Synology DiskStation DS223: Efficiency
The DiskStation DS223 is powered by the Realtek RTD1619B, a quad-core chipset that goes as much as 1.7GHz. It will not be fairly as highly effective as Intel’s Celeron designs which are a mainstay on this class, nevertheless it has a powerful displaying in its personal proper, and it’s quick in each day use.
Actually, there isn’t any noticeable distinction between the DS223 and DS224+ in most day-to-day eventualities, and the 2GB of RAM clearly makes a distinction right here. Like different DiskStation fashions, the DS223 runs the web-based DiskStation Supervisor (DSM) software program, and it’s the finest within the business.
Putting in DSM is as straightforward as slotting in arduous drives, connecting to the ability outlet, operating an Ethernet cable from the NAS to the router, switching on the NAS, and heading to discover.synology.com. The online assistant robotically locates the NAS on your private home community, and begins putting in the OS. It takes about ten minutes in complete, and you may arrange your person account and exterior entry. In the event you’re curious about accessing the NAS from wherever on this planet, I recommend utilizing Tailscale.
DSM is healthier than each different NAS interface due to the polished design and the feature-set. You need to use the DS223 as an area Google Photographs various, and it has its personal workplace productiveness suite, mail server, a note-taking consumer that has a ton of similarities to Evernote, and a lot extra.
A very good use case for this NAS is backing up photographs and movies from linked gadgets, and you are able to do that with Synology Photographs. The utility mimics Google Photographs, and has a strong set of options. A NAS can also be a terrific option to retailer media, and you may set up Plex and Jellyfin natively.
Plex wasn’t out there at launch — that is one of many causes I did not assessment the DS223 when it got here out — however the media server can now be put in on the NAS, and it runs comparatively properly. You aren’t getting {hardware} transcoding, however in the event you simply have to stream your media assortment to numerous gadgets on your private home community, the DS223 is a wonderful selection. I did not see any points on this space, however I’ll notice that I needn’t use the transcode choice in Plex.
The DS223 is quick and dependable, and you need to use any NAS-branded arduous drive with the server; I might suggest going with IronWolf drives. The IronWolf Professional drives are overkill on this occasion, however any common IronWolf drive that is 4TB or larger pairs properly with the DS223. I slotted in 6TB IronWolf drives, and obtained dependable 110MB/s transfers over the community.
Synology DiskStation DS223: The competitors
The apparent various to the DS223 is the DiskStation DS224+. Retailing for $299, it prices $50 greater than the common mannequin, and whereas it has 2GB of RAM as properly, you possibly can improve it do you have to want to take action down the road. You additionally get twin Gigabit Ethernet ports and the flexibility to bridge them, and the Celeron J4125 has the flexibility to transcode content material in Plex.
Synology DiskStation DS223: Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
- You desire a funds NAS that is highly effective in each day use
- You desire a server that is straightforward to arrange and use
- You want loads of helpful options
- You desire a NAS to retailer photographs and media
You should not purchase this if:
- You want {hardware} transcoding in Plex
- You want multi-Gigabit connectivity
In the end, the DiskStation DS223 is a powerful addition to Synology’s funds portfolio. The NAS is dependable in each day use and is simply as quick because the DS224+ in most eventualities, and whilst you miss out on upgradeability, you get a greater worth.
What makes the DS223 stand out is the software program; DSM has a ton of helpful utilities, and Synology has the perfect cell apps, supplying you with the flexibility to entry your knowledge from wherever. Backing up photographs and movies is about as simple because it will get, and whereas there isn’t any {hardware} transcoding, the DS223 does a ok job as a Plex server.
In the event you’re simply getting began with a NAS, the DS223 is a superb selection — it has all of the options you want, and also you’re getting the perfect worth on this phase.
Synology DiskStation DS223
The DiskStation DS223 is a superb selection in the event you’re simply venturing into residence servers and desire a funds NAS that is highly effective.
