Synology has a transparent understanding of what its prospects need in a house server, and whereas the model does not ship the very best {hardware} package deal, it is the polished software program mixed with ease-of-use that make its NAS merchandise stand out from the pack. That is notably true with regards to the price range phase; the DiskStation DS220j was one of many best-selling servers during the last three years primarily due to its affordability.
The DS220j lowered the barrier to entry for these desirous to check out a prebuilt NAS server, and coming in at $189 for a 2-bay NAS, it had a terrific worth. Synology delivered the long-awaited replace to the DS220j final yr, with the DiskStation DS223j slotting in on the identical $189 value level. It is a large deal because it permits Synology to take care of its dominance within the price range class.
The DS223j has the identical design as its predecessor, and you will not be capable to inform each NAS servers aside when you cowl up the identify. However the server has 1GB of RAM — double that of the DS220j — and that makes a distinction in every day use. You additionally get just a few extras, so when you’re seeking to swap to a non-public cloud server and are contemplating a house NAS, here is what you are getting with the DS223j.
Synology DiskStation DS223j: Pricing and availability
Synology launched the DiskStation DS223j in July 2023, and the 2-bay NAS is out there for $189 on Amazon. You too can purchase the server at main retailers like Newegg and B&H in North America, and it’s out there in all markets the place the model has a presence.
You often get a three-year guarantee with most DiskStation NAS servers, however because the DS223j is aimed on the price range phase, it has a two-year normal guarantee.
| Class | Synology DiskStation DS223j |
|---|---|
| Inside Drive Bays | Two (16TB every bay), 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch SSD |
| Community Interface | 1 x Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 |
| eSATA Ports | ❌ |
| PCIe | ❌ |
| CPU | 1.7GHz 64-bit quad-core Realtek RTD1619B |
| Plex Transcoding | ❌ |
| RAM | 1GB DDR4 non-ECC, soldered |
| M.2 Slots | ❌ |
| File System | EXT4, Btrfs |
| Cooling | 1 x 92mm fan, 18.2dBA |
| Extensibility | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 165 x 100 x 225.5mm |
| Weight | 1.94lb, 0.88 kg |
Synology DiskStation DS223j: Design and options
Most DiskStation fashions have the identical aesthetic with an all-black design and drive bays that slide out, however the entry-level J sequence is a bit of completely different. The DS223j retains the identical design because the DS220j, and also you get a white housing with a shroud that covers one facet. The important thing distinction is that not like different servers, you aren’t getting slide-out drive bays; you will as a substitute must take away the casing to insert HDDs inside the server, and it is not as handy.
That stated, you are not going going to entry the drive bays with any quantity of regularity, so it is not too bothersome. The chassis itself is made out of plastic, and also you get the identical vented sides that present passive airflow. There is a 92mm fan on the again that does job with lively cooling, and whereas the design is a bit primary, the construct high quality is nice, and the DS223j does not take up a lot room.
You get standing indicators for the onerous drives and community connectivity, and an total system LED. There aren’t any USB ports on the entrance, however you get two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports on the again, and you’ll join an exterior drive and switch its knowledge to the DS223j with relative ease.
Switching to the again, you aren’t getting a lot aside from the twin USB-A ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port. There is not any Hyperlink Aggregation right here, and you aren’t getting any improve choices. That stated, what I like with this era is that the DS223j has 1GB of DDR4 reminiscence out of the field, and that makes a sizeable distinction in every day use. The DS220j was fairly restricted on this space, and the extra reminiscence offers the DS223j a little bit of a headroom, and that is nice to see.
There is not a lot else to speak about on the connectivity facet of issues. The DS223j is designed to be a primary house server that permits you to retailer your knowledge in a centralized location, and contemplating the phase it’s aimed toward, it misses out on the superior options you get in different fashions.
Synology DiskStation DS223j: Efficiency
There is not a complete lot completely different between the DS223j and its predecessor, however the important thing change is the 1GB of reminiscence. This offers the NAS the power to run a number of packages with none points, and provided that there isn’t any strategy to improve the RAM module, it’s a welcome addition.
The DS223j additionally will get a more recent Realtek RTD1619B chip that goes as much as 1.7GHz, and once more, it’s a smidgen extra highly effective than what was out there final yr. You aren’t getting Plex {hardware} transcoding, and the NAS is not designed to be a Plex server; sure, you possibly can set up the native Plex shopper and stream to linked units, but it surely hits its restrict with excessive bitrate content material.
That stated, the DS223j supplies one of the reasonably priced methods to get your arms on the excellent DiskStation Supervisor software program. You get a strong set of utilities that allow you to again up knowledge out of your telephones and different units with ease, arrange quite a lot of customized companies, and usually scale back your reliance on public cloud storage companies.
In my put up detailing what a NAS is and who wants one, I talked concerning the thought of a non-public cloud being the largest draw to establishing a house server, and merchandise just like the DS223j are designed to decrease the barrier to entry. If in case you have restricted storage necessities and are not certain when you want a prebuilt NAS, this can be a nice strategy to check the waters and see what the software program has to supply.
Whilst you miss out on among the extra superior options — containerization and digital machines — the DS223j has all of the requisite software program aimed toward house customers, and also you get to make use of Synology’s terrific cellular apps. What I like concerning the DS223j is that it does not really feel sluggish; the web-based DSM runs effectively on the NAS, and it does job delivering the fundamentals.
Synology DiskStation DS223j: The competitors
TerraMaster’s F2-212 is a superb various if you would like a greater worth. It’s out there at simply $169, and also you get the identical Realtek platform, 1GB of RAM, and two drive bays. The software program is not fairly as polished as what you get with the DS223j, however TerraMaster is making good headway on this space.
In order for you one thing with a bit extra energy, the DiskStation DS224+ is the server to get. It’s costlier at $295, however you get 2GB of RAM, twin Gigabit Ethernet ports, and all of the software program utilities that the model supplies. Sure, you’re paying extra, however you are getting a significantly better product in return.
Synology DiskStation DS223j: Must you purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
- You desire a house server to retailer knowledge
- You want dependable {hardware}
- You desire a polished software program interface
- You want a NAS with two drive bays
You should not purchase this if:
- You desire a Plex media server
- You want the choice to improve down the road
In the end, when you’re simply getting began with a house server and need to see the way it will suit your wants, the DiskStation DS223j is an efficient start line. Its affordability makes it a robust contender, and also you get respectable {hardware} with confirmed reliability, standout software program options, and worth.
The DS223j does not fairly have the identical quantity of options because the Plus fashions, however there’s nonetheless so much to love on the software program facet of issues, and DiskStation Supervisor is essentially the most polished interface on this class. That alone makes the DS223j an alluring selection; you are shopping for the NAS not for its {hardware}, however to make use of the terrific software program. That’s the key differentiator for the DS223j, and why I feel it’s nonetheless the finest reasonably priced house NAS.
Synology DiskStation DS223j
The DiskStation DS223j is a superb start line when you’re concerned about establishing a house server. It has the very best software program in its class, and it has dependable {hardware} that ought to final a number of years.