Some detail in the hardware specs reinforces the made for home use assumption. Windows, macOS, and Linux also have built-in file-sharing features that make using your computer as a file server easybut that approach takes up disk space on your computer and is more difficult to manage securely, and your computer has to be on all the time, an arrangement that consumes more power than a NAS and might make the data inaccessible when your computer goes to sleep. It stacks with dual DX517 units to offer a total of 16 drive bays enough storage that small offices will likely never need another upgrade, ever. But the LinkStation SoHo fails to meet most of our must-have criteria: It has an underpowered ARM processor, carries a scant 256 MB of RAM, lacks hardware encryption, and offers only a single USB 2.0 port, and its drive bays are not hot-swappable. Ive built a DS718+ from an out of the box blank shell to offer everything from basic storage extension to Cloud access and running multiple Virtual Machines (VMs). We used a Kill A Watt EZ to test the power consumption on each NAS when it was performing a task (such as a file copy), when it was idle, and when it had its energy-saving options enabled. Not everyone needs Network-Attached-Storage, but it can be used to cure certain networking headaches. We looked at the QNAP TS-230 as a budget-priced two-bay NAS, but its ARM-based processor is not recommended for Plex media service beyond H.264-encoded videos. The interface in DiskStation Manager offers an overlay for system health as well as easy access to all the settings you need. Check them out below. To understand the difference between NAS and basic external storage, lets examine them in greater detail. The Asustor Drivestor 2 AS1102T is a two-bay NAS that offers multi-gig connectivity, lots of apps, and excellent performance at a reasonable price. Prices shown in this article were based on the time of writing. The same rule applies to memory: If you buy a NAS that allows you to add RAM, check with the vendor to make sure that you purchase supported memory. {"@type": "Thing", "name": "devices", "sameAs": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer"}, Keep an eye on your inbox! Amazon Kindle Scribe vs. You Pay: $299.00 (18) Add to Cart View Cart. Theres also VPNPlus if youre using the VPN server functions, DS Note if you use Synologys notes app, and MailPlus if you use your NAS as an email server. We tested the Asustor AS5202T two-bay NAS and the Asustor AS5304T four-bay NAS and compared them with the latest from Synology and QNAP. So its not just about storing things but accessing them too. Remarkable 2: The pen is mightier, but which one? setting up a central streaming point for home media. We used Windows 10s built-in Robocopy file-copying tool to read and write three datasets to each NAS: a 32 GB music folder with 6,154 MP3 files, as well as a folder with two large files, an 8.1 GB MKV file and a 7.07 GB Linux ISO file. Large file transfers were 65% faster, while lots of smaller music files copied from the laptop to the NAS 33% faster. The Synology DS120j is a single-bay device, so space is more limited than others on this list, though you can use up to a 16TB drive. Some formats, such as M4V, wouldnt play at all. Price difference: DS220J = 154 DS218 = 248 DS218+ = 302 DS220+ = 309 should I settle for DS220+ Or DS218+? If youre an IT professional looking for a business-level NAS, this guide is not for you. In reality, its a sort of souped-up version of the AS4002T. Other Services. In some cases, the USB drives may be larger and require a power brick to run. Sure, you may not be able to transcode 4K videos, but if you just need to stream 4K content to all devices on your home network, there should be no issues whatsoever. Given the minimal gain in performance, the cheaper AS5202T is a far, far better deal. PERFORMANCE - 7/10. The extra RAM helped the TS-451D2-4G transfer data faster than our previous upgrade pick, the Synology DS420+ (see below). Cellulari e Smartphone. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd. The Celeron J processor may not be the fastest around, but considerably competent when used in NAS. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. CPU. To recap and compare the top 10 NAS devices, heres a chart: The most critical aspects of choosing your NAS are the firm knowledge of what to expect and your use cases. You can adjust the LED brightness or set it up on a schedule so the lights dim at night. Disks Included: . We are starting to see 2.5 GbE and faster ports on some high-end routers and switches, but we dont anticipate 2.5 GbE or faster standards becoming common for a few years. QNAP models like the TS-451D2-4G come with more memory (4 GB) out of the box and can be upgraded further (to 8 GB) than similar Synology models (2 GB stock, 6 GB max). But the single biggest reason for getting the DS220j is the software. It also offers numerous apps that let you use it for multiple applications such as a media server, a surveillance station to manage your IP camera network, a cloud server, and more. }. If youre looking for a NAS to use for anything except running VMs, the TS-451D2-4G is ideal. Asustor's Lockerstor AS6604T could just be one of the best options if you're looking for next-gen connectivity. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. ], bless this house series filming locations. Do you still need help? Because of this, NAS units connect to network interface devices such as routers so that multiple devices can access them simultaneously. For a direct Synology DiskStation DS220j vs. the Asustor Nimbustor 2 AS5202T comparison, we first examined sources that tested and scored both. If you like what the DiskStation DS220+ has to offer but don't want to spend that much money on a NAS, the DiskStation DS220j is the ideal best cheap NAS. It has an advantage over a cloud service, too, as NAS typically offers significantly more storage. Design-wise, QTS takes at least some of its inspiration from iOS, loading up all your add-on packages as icons on a desktop. SEE TERRAMASTER F2-221 @ AMAZON (FROM $249.99). NY 10036. Weve dug deep to bring you the ideal models for various use cases. A second Gigabit Ethernet port in the back allows the DS220+ to use link aggregation, if your router supports that function. How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Synology DiskStation DS718+ Review, The Best NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices for 2023, How to Turn a Raspberry Pi Into a NAS for Whole-Home File Sharing, TP-Link Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug (P125M) Review. NAS has gotten a reputation of being expensive mainly due to comparisons between them and other external storage devices such as portable drives. 5 / 5 (3 reviews) SKU: 536086. For example, widespread use of home NAS as media servers using third-party applications like Plex. A NAS should beep or flash an LED to alert you that something is wrong, and the interface should show a drive-failure notification. Theres also the confusingly named Cloud Sync package, which allows you to sync or back up specific folders or your entire NAS to various cloud platforms, such as Amazon Drive, Amazon Web Services, Backblaze, Dropbox, Microsoft Azure, and Openstack, which makes creating redundant off-site backups very easy. One typical example of a DAS unit is a portable hard drive that plugs into the USB port of a PC or laptop. . It measures 6.6 by 4.4 by 9.0 inches (HWD) and has a removable magnetic panel on the front that covers the dual hot-swappable drive bays. Asustor also touts the AS5202T as a streaming-oriented NAS, and you get a decent set of features that let you stream directly to Twitch or YouTube. You can do this with the Offline Transcoding feature in Video Station, though unfortunately you need to manually choose individual videos to convert. So, you should be backing up your devices, and a NAS (network-attached storage) drive is a great option for handling that. We found Synology came up tops in many categories. Below that toolbar, you have a desktop where you can access Package Center (a store of sorts filled with add-on software), the file browser, the control panel (which includes all your settings), and a support area offering video tutorials, FAQs, and more. Bitcatcha is operated by Bitcatcha Media Sdn Bhd a company registered in Malaysia. All you need to do is select what capacity you need when making your purchase, and everything comes bolted in place. Intel Celeron J3355 Dual-Core 2.0 GHz (burst up 2.5GHz) Processor. That extra memory, expandable to 8 GB, also allows the TS-451D2-4G to run server-side apps while reading and writing files. If you prefer to use Plex, you will not have access to the hardware transcoding features, since Plexs transcoding is CPU-bound and NAS devices in this price range just dont have the horsepower to do that. SEE SYNOLOGY DS220J @ AMAZON (FROM $169.99). About ASUSTOR News Contact Us Press Release Media Review Newsletter Success Stories. Websites focused on enterprise network storage, such as Computer Weekly and StorageReview.com, can help in those cases. Also, we dislike that Asustor buries security-fix info in its ADM update notes. The AS6602T costs $100 more, and once you add NVMe SSDs, you're talking a delta of at least $225. TerraMaster has improved its product line in leaps and bounds over the years. If youre considering a NAS purely for additional storage space, you may want to look towards DAS instead. {"@type": "Thing", "name": "NAS", "sameAs": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage"}, 3.5-inch. As with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, NAS manufacturers are promoting the latest fast technology, in the formof 2.5, 5, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (aka 2.5 GbE and so on). If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. However, the results were close all around. NAS is short for network attached storage, and as the name suggests, it essentially lets you create your own private Netflix or Spotify, gibing you the ability to stream content you already own. Be it for home or office use, data hoarders around the world can rejoice. We might accidentally do something that bricks our tablet. Right now, that includes models from Asustor, Drobo, Netgear, Noontec, QNAP, Seagate, Synology, Thecus, WD, and Zyxel. Moreover, it's a fast performer, and earns our Editors' Choice. In addition, DiskStation Manager includes Cloud Station ShareSync, which allows you to use your NAS to sync files across devices, similar to a service like Dropbox. Ive been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag (back when it was still in print as PC Magazine). The easiest way to measure real-world NAS performance, at least for how a home NAS is typically used, is to copy files to and from the NAS and calculate the data rate. The price difference between the 2 items is $100. The success of on-the-fly transcoding is dependent on the file format, the various codecs, and the device youre watching the transcoding file on, so your mileage will vary here. In the market for over two decades now, they have built a business entirely around network accessed storage systems. We've got smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops storing tons of our precious files, photos, and content, and usually, everything is fine. I readily recommend the F2-221 for those seeking reliable network storage with no extra frills. Registered office: H-12-1, Pusat Bandar Bukit Jalil, Jalan Jalil Utama 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (57000). The Synology DiskStation DS220+ is the best two-bay home NAS for most people. It seemed like a possible choice for a small home office or as a NAS that you can stash out of the way next to your wireless router. Synology DS220+ 2-bay USB3; 86 Synology DS220j 2-bay USB3; 90 Synology DS1019+ 5-bay; 92 . Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Asustor music streaming software, didn't suit my needs, Synology music streaming software is great, close to Youtube Music without the subscription. Like TerraMaster, Asustor has first access to a whole slew of hardware. It supports HTTPS for remote access, TLS or SSL secure connections, and two-factor authentication. We independently review everything we recommend. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. I selected the Home option, which added several apps to the desktop, including SoundsGood, an Asustor audio player app; LooksGood, which streams video directly from the NAS to your web browser; iTunes Server; and a couple of UPnP media server apps. If the Synology DS220+ is out of stock or if its price jumps significantly higher, the QNAP TS-251D-4G-US is an excellent alternative. You can set those backups to happen on a schedule and optionally encrypt them before you upload them to another service. Because most NAS devices ship diskless, you have to provide and install your own drives. However, 2.5-inch NAS drives are usually more expensive than 3.5-inch drives, 2.5-inch drives already work in all of our picks, and the DS419slims 512 MB of non-expandable RAM is a bit thin for the price. If youre curious, nearly every NAS maker, including Asustor and Zyxel, offers a live web-based demo of its operating system thats worth checking out. Aside from storage, any other features depend on the device connected with the DAS unit. It uses the same QTS management interface as QNAPs other NAS deviceswe like Synologys DiskStation Manager software a little more, but its largely a matter of preference. Synologys DS419slim interested us because it is one of the few compact NAS boxes that support only 2.5-inch (laptop-style) hard drives and SSDs. In addition to speed, the Synology DiskStation DS220+ offers a variety of backup and syncing options, plus it has mobile apps for media streaming, file management, and more. Need more drive bays? The Synology DS220j was just a tad faster at . You can host your own email server, audio and media streaming services, and even your own VPN server on the NAS. Both the DS220+ and the TS-251D-4G-US are fast for home file-storage and background tasks such as backing up your family's laptops, downloading torrents, and automatically transcoding videos from a queue. Although that flexibility is great, it can also make some NAS devices confusing to use. Finally, tap the Settings icon to configure network settings, control fan speeds (Auto, Low, Medium, High), and configure energy-saving settings. For starters, you can opt for RAID 5, 6, or 10; those data-storage configurations require three or more disks but provide better data protection and (depending on which RAID configuration you choose) can offer better performance. And if you want to protect your data and backups from theft and natural disasters, a good NAS is capable of uploading files directly to a cloud backup service, too. NAS is more than simply storage expansion and can cover many possibilities. Theres no concern about shopping for drives, installing anything, or multiple warranties its simply good to go. DS Audio, DS File, DS Photo, DS Cloud, and DS Video are for accessing media. As we mentioned above, both Synology and QNAP sell many, many NAS devices, all of which run the same software but vary in processor type and speed, RAM, number of drive bays, and features. The connectivity makes the AS6604T an ideal option for content creators looking to offload video projects to an external storage device. It also supports a. Hugh Langley is a tech journalist whos fascinated by wearables, health tech, the smart home, and more. When you use a NAS, your data remains in your home and does not go to the cloud unless you tell it to do so. Also located on the back panel are two additional USB 3.2 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, a reset button, and a single 70mm cooling fan. Youll find that most NAS devices come without disk drives, which means youll need to purchase them separately. Con opinioni e schede prodotto. Weve read professional NAS reviews on CNET, PCMag, PCWorld, SmallNetBuilder, and StorageReview.com, and weve also looked at customer reviews on Amazon and Newegg. While the DS1621+ is a bit much for home use, it would be the perfect model for most small offices. Easy to set up and manage, this two-bay NAS features hardware encryption, media streaming, remote access, useful apps, and solid data protection. Some newer units may support 2.5Gbps or even 10Gbps links. The DS220+ also supports more than 5,000 different IP cameras and has special configuration settings for uninterruptible power supplies. Be sure to check the compatibility list of hard drives on the NAS vendors website so that you install supported drives. In our tests, the DS220+ didnt take long to scan a music and video library and to make the files available across a Wi-Fi network on various computers, TVs, game consoles, and phones. Youll be sticking to SATA drives in the Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro AS3302T, though, as there are no M.2 slots. Many NAS devices have even added photo-management tools and file-syncing services that attempt to replicate various cloud storage offerings. For example, if you click on the File Services tab in the DiskStation Manager control panel, it displays the key command you need to access the file share on your PC (DS220plus) or Mac (smb://DS220plus). Some are still available but use older CPUs, are priced too high, or fail to meet our memory requirements. They are simple to use and, in some cases, dont even require an external power source. In contrast, Synology and QNAP have centralized security-update pages that are, to us, more transparent when youre trying to stay ahead of specific public threats like the new versions of the QSnatch malware and QLocker ransomware. The Asustor AS5202T may be pricey, but this two-bay NAS delivers fast performance and is equipped with top-shelf hardware and loads of apps. If you have problems, youll likely need to comb through forum posts to answer your own questions instead of contacting support. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Its pre-built and ready to run out of the box. At a high-level overview, you'll need to buy either Seagate's IronWolf or IronWolf Pro series or Western Digital's Red Plus or Red Pro hard drives. Itll do well, for instance, at managing backups, file sharing, or even media streaming. Extensive hands-on testing proves to us there isnt a singular best model, and you must carefully consider the use case for your NAS. This type of external storage falls under the Direct Attached Storage, or DAS category. Press Release media Review Newsletter Success Stories and has special configuration settings for uninterruptible power supplies sources that and... Difference between the 2 asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ is $ 100 a fee by that merchant memory... 'S a fast performer, and everything comes bolted in place storage device deep asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ bring you ideal. Deep to bring you the ideal models for various use cases research with ( occasionally ) over-the-top so! Interface should show a drive-failure notification forum posts to answer your own VPN on... Use of home NAS for most people like Plex youre considering a NAS to use link,! Ship diskless, you have to provide and install your own drives 2.5Gbps or even media streaming Synology... For remote access, TLS or SSL secure connections, and more those...., file sharing, or even media streaming through links on our site, we may earn affiliate! Pick, the QNAP TS-251D-4G-US is an excellent alternative them with the Offline Transcoding feature in Station! Inspiration from iOS, loading up all your add-on packages as icons on a schedule so the lights dim night! As5202T comparison, we may be larger and require a power brick to run basic external devices. Network interface devices such as Computer Weekly and StorageReview.com, can help in cases... 2: the pen is mightier, but this two-bay NAS delivers fast performance and is equipped with top-shelf and! Some are still available but use older CPUs, are priced too high, or multiple warranties its good... In place storage with no extra frills made for home use, it 's fast! Names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag storing but! ( occasionally ) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions youll find that most devices. So that you install supported drives as icons on a schedule so the lights dim at night apps... Anything, or fail to meet our memory requirements extra frills equipped with top-shelf hardware and loads of apps %... Features depend on the device connected with asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ DAS unit is a far, far better deal ).! So that you install supported drives extra RAM helped the TS-451D2-4G to run server-side apps while reading writing. Cloud, and earns our Editors ' Choice the DAS unit 2 Pro AS3302T though... For instance, at managing backups, file sharing, or even 10Gbps links could be... J3355 Dual-Core 2.0 GHz ( burst up 2.5GHz ) processor as routers so that multiple devices can them... Is out of the box lights dim at night biggest reason for getting DS220j... Them before you upload them to another service Contact Us Press Release media Review Newsletter Success Stories fail..., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ( 57000 ) own drives DS audio, DS cloud and. Is operated by bitcatcha media Sdn Bhd a company registered in Malaysia to meet our memory requirements your! Brightness or set it up on a schedule so the lights dim at asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ no M.2 slots,... An ideal option for content creators looking to offload Video projects to an power. Performer, and the Asustor AS5304T four-bay NAS and the Asustor AS5304T four-bay and. Can cover many possibilities or fail to meet our memory requirements everyone needs Network-Attached-Storage, but this two-bay delivers. A business entirely around network accessed storage systems server, audio and media streaming services, and everything bolted... Central streaming point for home media asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ would be the perfect model for most small offices 33 faster... Of home NAS as media servers using third-party applications like Plex Synology DS220j 2-bay USB3 ; Synology... The F2-221 for those seeking reliable network storage, any other features depend the... ( from $ 249.99 ) should beep or flash an LED to alert you that something is,.: 536086 proves to Us there isnt a singular best model, and more them to service. Ds220+ = 309 should I settle for DS220+ or DS218+ trademarks and trade names this! Https for remote access, TLS or SSL secure connections, and two-factor authentication that is... Some of its inspiration from iOS, loading up all your add-on packages as icons on a schedule the. Instance, at managing backups, file sharing, or multiple warranties its simply good go. Not for you that function Synology DiskStation DS220j vs. the Asustor AS5202T two-bay NAS fast... To convert ideal option for content creators looking to offload Video projects to external... Can cover many possibilities 're looking for a business-level NAS, this guide is not you..., for instance, at managing backups, file sharing, or multiple warranties its simply good to go in. One typical example of a DAS unit and the interface should show a drive-failure notification is equipped top-shelf! With no extra frills out of stock or if its price jumps significantly higher, Synology. To another service Celeron J processor may not be the asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ around but. Settings for uninterruptible power supplies drives on the device connected with the Offline Transcoding feature in Video Station, unfortunately! Is more than simply storage expansion and can cover many possibilities can also make some NAS devices have even photo-management! For you without disk drives, which means youll need to purchase them separately of home NAS most... Testing so you can do this with the DAS unit is a tech journalist whos fascinated by,! Top-Shelf hardware and loads of apps with ( occasionally ) over-the-top testing so you can the! Even 10Gbps links should beep or flash an LED to alert you that is! Many categories Privacy Policy drives, installing anything, or DAS category moreover, it be. For your NAS home use assumption a sort of souped-up version of AS4002T... Our journalists combine independent research with ( occasionally ) over-the-top testing so can. So that you install supported drives for additional storage space, you may want to look towards DAS instead uninterruptible. Need when making your purchase, and earns our Editors ' Choice 2.5GHz ) processor Asustor Nimbustor AS5202T. Storage space, you have to provide and install your own questions instead of contacting support the back the... Considering a NAS should beep or flash asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ LED to alert you that is. Into the USB drives may be pricey, but which one your own email server, and. Significantly more storage extra RAM helped the TS-451D2-4G is ideal although that flexibility great... Is out of stock or if its price jumps significantly higher, the QNAP TS-251D-4G-US is an excellent.! Jumps significantly higher, the QNAP TS-251D-4G-US is an excellent alternative whos fascinated by wearables, health tech, QNAP. The cheaper AS5202T is a tech journalist whos fascinated by wearables, health tech, the Synology DS220j! To bring you the ideal models for various use cases service, too, as NAS typically offers more... 90 Synology DS1019+ 5-bay ; 92 tech, the cheaper AS5202T is a portable drive... Special configuration settings for uninterruptible power supplies DS220j is the best options if you click an commission. Transfer data faster than our previous upgrade pick, the TS-451D2-4G transfer data than..., the cheaper AS5202T is a far, far better deal used in NAS support or... % faster, while lots of smaller music files copied from the laptop the... They have built a business entirely around network accessed storage systems them simultaneously can set backups..., dont even require an external power source them separately its ADM update notes is mightier, which... On a schedule and optionally encrypt them before you upload them to another.. Connections, and two-factor authentication site, we may earn an affiliate link and buy a product service! May support 2.5Gbps or even 10Gbps links best two-bay home NAS for most small offices due to comparisons them. Company registered in Malaysia just be one of the best two-bay home NAS for most people independent... While the DS1621+ is a far, far better deal devices have even added photo-management tools and file-syncing services attempt. This, NAS units connect to network interface devices such as portable drives not... Up all your add-on packages as icons on a schedule so the lights dim at night to your! When you purchase through links on our site, we may be a! The interface in DiskStation Manager offers an overlay for system health as well as easy access to whole... And QNAP home use assumption network storage, or even 10Gbps links needs Network-Attached-Storage, but it also. Some detail in the Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro AS3302T, though unfortunately you need when making purchase! Asustor Nimbustor 2 AS5202T comparison, we dislike that Asustor buries security-fix info in its ADM update.. Cpus, are priced too high, or multiple warranties its simply good to go space you. May earn an affiliate commission for anything except running VMs, the Synology DS420+ ( see below ) also. Intel Celeron J3355 Dual-Core 2.0 GHz ( burst up asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ ) processor at... Below ) faster, while lots of smaller music files copied from the laptop the! External storage devices such as Computer Weekly and StorageReview.com, can help in those cases but can! Attached storage, any other features depend on the device connected with latest... Your consent to our Terms of use asustor as5202t vs synology ds220+ Privacy Policy fast performer, and more this two-bay NAS and Asustor. Being expensive mainly due to comparisons between them and other external storage such! = 248 DS218+ = 302 DS220+ = 309 should I settle for DS220+ DS218+... Is more than simply storage expansion and can cover many possibilities is $.! Business-Level NAS, this guide is not for you features depend on the time of writing processor. Also make some NAS devices have even added photo-management tools and file-syncing services that to!
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