Synology DiskStation DS224+ Review: A Compact NAS for Home
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is a two-bay network-attached storage device designed for households and small offices that want control over files, backups and media. It is compact enough for an apartment in Sydney or Melbourne, yet capable of running Synology’s full DiskStation Manager operating system.
For Australian buyers, a NAS can be particularly useful when several family members share photos, laptops and streaming libraries. NBN connections make remote access practical, although a NAS remains valuable even when the internet is unavailable. This review examines its hardware, software, storage capacity and everyday limitations.
Compact Hardware For Everyday Storage
The DS224+ uses an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor with 2GB of DDR4 memory. Its two tool-free drive bays accept 3.5-inch hard drives or 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, making installation straightforward for first-time NAS owners. The enclosure is small, quiet and easier to place in a study than a larger four-bay model.
Two Gigabit Ethernet ports support link aggregation or failover, while a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port allows connection of an external drive. There are no built-in 2.5GbE ports, NVMe cache slots or HDMI output. Those omissions keep the unit affordable, but they limit its appeal for demanding video-production workflows.
Storage Options And Expansion
With two drives, users can choose Synology Hybrid RAID, RAID 1 or a basic separate-disk arrangement. SHR and RAID 1 mirror data, so one drive can fail without immediately taking the files offline. The usable capacity is therefore roughly the size of the smaller disk, rather than the combined capacity of both drives.
A pair of 8TB disks provides around 8TB before formatting and system overhead, while two 12TB disks offer a similar mirrored arrangement at a higher cost. RAID is not a substitute for backup: accidental deletion, malware, theft and electrical damage can affect both drives. An external USB disk or cloud copy remains important.
DSM Software And Backup Features
Synology’s DSM interface is the DS224+’s strongest feature. Synology Drive can provide a private alternative to consumer file-sync services, while Hyper Backup supports copies to USB drives, another NAS or selected cloud providers. Active Backup tools can protect Windows PCs and some business workloads.
The device can also run Photos, Video Station alternatives, download tools and container-based applications, although performance depends on the workload. Plex-style transcoding may be acceptable for compatible files, but real-time conversion of high-bitrate 4K video is not the reason to buy this model. Synology’s networking guides can provide useful background when planning a home network around it.
Performance In An Australian Home
For document storage, phone-photo backups and several simultaneous users, the DS224+ is responsive. Gigabit Ethernet can theoretically approach 125MB/s, although hard-drive speed, file size, network equipment and encryption reduce real-world results. A wired connection is preferable for the initial transfer of a large photo library.
The NBN connection in a typical Australian home affects remote access rather than local performance. Upload speeds on some plans can be considerably lower than download speeds, so synchronising a large video archive from Brisbane to a travelling laptop may take time. QuickConnect simplifies access, but strong passwords and multi-factor authentication should be enabled.
Comparison With Similar Home NAS Choices
The DS224+ sits between entry-level appliances and more powerful four-bay systems. Its balance of software support, low power consumption and simple operation suits a household that values dependable file management over maximum speed.
| Feature | Synology DS224+ | Basic Two-Bay NAS | Four-Bay NAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Typical protection | SHR or RAID 1 | RAID 1 | SHR, RAID 5 or RAID 6 |
| Network speed | 2 × 1GbE | Usually 1GbE | 1GbE or faster |
| Best use | Photos, backups, home files | Simple shared storage | Larger libraries and expansion |
| Electricity use | Low to moderate | Low | Moderate to high |
| Expansion potential | Limited | Limited | Strong |
Security, Privacy And Running Costs
A NAS exposed to the internet should be treated like a small server. Install DSM updates promptly, disable unused services, use a separate administrator account and require multi-factor authentication. Australian households should also consider the Privacy Act and Notifiable Data Breaches scheme when storing customer, health or work information, especially in a home-based business.
Power consumption is modest compared with a desktop computer, but the drives run continuously unless scheduled to sleep. In areas where electricity prices are high, such as parts of Adelaide or regional New South Wales, scheduled hibernation and an efficient UPS can reduce waste and protect against short outages. A UPS also gives the NAS time to shut down safely.
Who Should Buy The DS224+
The DS224+ is a strong fit for families, photographers and small operators who need centralised storage without building a server. It works well for automatic laptop backups, shared documents, phone photos and a modest media library. It is also a sensible first NAS for someone moving away from scattered USB drives.
Buyers who expect rapid multi-user video editing, virtual machines or extensive future expansion should consider a four-bay model with faster networking. Before purchasing, compare drive prices from Australian retailers and check that the selected disks are intended for NAS use. Independent storage buying advice can help put capacity and warranty differences into perspective.
Everyday Use And Final Verdict
After setup, the DS224+ largely disappears into the background: phones upload photos, computers synchronise folders and scheduled backups run without much attention. It can also act as a private archive for household documents, media and saved web material, including reference pages such as baccarat wild symbols, while access permissions keep unrelated family accounts separate.
Its main weaknesses are the two-drive limit, Gigabit networking and modest memory. Its strengths are mature software, efficient hardware, straightforward administration and a broad backup ecosystem. For an Australian home that needs dependable shared storage rather than a high-end server, the practical setup is two NAS-rated drives in SHR, an external backup, current security updates and a UPS where power interruptions are common.