Synology DS220+ Review: A Smarter 2-Bay NAS That Outperforms Its Main Competitors
Introduction: Small Footprint, Serious NAS Ambition
When comparing network-attached storage systems, it is easy to assume that more drive bays automatically mean a better NAS. The Synology DiskStation DS220+ challenges that assumption. This diskless 2-bay NAS is designed for users who want dependable centralized storage, straightforward management, useful performance, and a mature software ecosystem without immediately moving into a much larger enterprise-style chassis.
One important clarification is necessary: the DS220+ is a 2-bay NAS, not an 8-bay NAS. If your search category is “8 bay NAS storage system High Performance,” this model should be viewed as a compact alternative rather than a direct eight-drive replacement. Its advantage is efficiency. For households, creators, small offices, remote workers, and growing data libraries, two drive bays can provide an excellent balance between capacity, redundancy, power consumption, and physical size.
Where the DS220+ becomes especially compelling is its overall platform rather than a single headline specification. Synology combines capable hardware with DiskStation Manager, a polished operating environment that makes file sharing, backups, synchronization, media organization, surveillance-related workloads, and storage administration considerably more approachable than many competing budget NAS platforms.
Against similarly positioned two-bay NAS systems, the DS220+ stands out because the experience feels more complete. Instead of buying a box that merely exposes drives over a network, you get a platform built around applications, permissions, backup tools, remote access, storage management, and long-term usability.
Feature Comparison: Where the DS220+ Pulls Ahead
The strongest argument for the DS220+ is that it competes on the things NAS owners actually interact with every day. Hardware performance matters, but so do setup time, interface quality, backup flexibility, drive management, security controls, and the availability of software packages.
The DS220+ uses a 2-bay design, allowing two SATA drives to be installed. That means users can configure their storage according to their priorities, including redundancy-oriented configurations where appropriate. Because the unit is diskless, you also have the freedom to select storage drives based on capacity, workload, endurance requirements, and budget.
Compared with larger eight-bay systems, the obvious limitation is expansion. An eight-bay NAS can accommodate considerably more drives and potentially much greater raw capacity. However, larger systems also demand more physical space and typically make more sense for users with substantial storage requirements. For someone managing documents, photographs, workstation backups, project files, and personal media, the smaller DS220+ can be the more sensible starting point.
DiskStation Manager Is a Major Competitive Advantage
The software is arguably the DS220+’s biggest advantage. Synology’s DiskStation Manager interface gives the NAS the feel of a dedicated server environment without forcing every user to become a storage administrator.
From a comparison standpoint, this is where the DS220+ can outperform cheaper NAS competitors that may offer similar-looking hardware specifications. A NAS is not simply about sequential transfer speeds. It is a device you configure, monitor, update, back up, troubleshoot, and use repeatedly. A well-organized management environment can save far more time over the life of the system than a modest difference in benchmark numbers.
DSM provides tools for file management, user accounts, permissions, synchronization, backups, and additional applications. That broad software ecosystem gives the DS220+ considerable versatility. It can function as centralized file storage one day and become a more capable private-cloud and backup platform as your needs develop.
Connectivity and Everyday Productivity
For typical home and small-business environments, the DS220+ is built around wired networking rather than treating wireless performance as the centerpiece. This is the right approach for a NAS. Connecting the storage system directly to a router or network switch can provide more consistent performance and makes it easier to integrate the NAS with desktops, laptops, media devices, and backup clients.
The practical benefit is centralized access. Instead of maintaining important files on multiple computers, you can organize shared folders and access them across your network. That makes the DS220+ particularly useful for families with several computers or small teams that need a common storage location.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent DiskStation Manager software ecosystem | Only two drive bays |
| Compact and easier to place than large NAS systems | Diskless configuration requires separate drives |
| Strong choice for backups and centralized file storage | Not intended for users who require eight internal drives |
| Flexible application and backup capabilities | Maximum capacity is naturally below larger multi-bay models |
| User-friendly administration compared with many DIY NAS solutions | Higher-end workloads may justify a more powerful or larger NAS |
| Good balance between performance, size, and functionality | Expansion options are more limited than on larger chassis |
Performance: The Real-World Advantage
The DS220+ is best understood as a practical performance NAS rather than a rack-mounted enterprise storage array. Its performance profile is well suited to common workloads such as transferring documents, backing up computers, storing photographs, maintaining project folders, and serving files to multiple network-connected devices.
Compared with entry-level NAS systems, the DS220+ offers a more performance-oriented platform that is better suited to multitasking. This becomes important when several services are active simultaneously. A NAS may be copying files while another computer performs a backup and a user browses stored photographs. A capable processor and adequate system memory help the NAS remain responsive when workloads overlap.
It is also important to distinguish between NAS hardware performance and network performance. Even a fast storage system is constrained by the network connection between the client and NAS. For this reason, wired Ethernet, a capable network switch, properly configured storage, and healthy drives can all influence the final experience.
For users comparing the DS220+ with inexpensive two-bay competitors, the deciding factor is therefore not necessarily a dramatic difference in every benchmark. The bigger advantage is the combination of competent hardware and a mature software environment. That combination makes the system easier to deploy, easier to maintain, and more useful beyond simple file storage.
DS220+ vs. Larger 8-Bay NAS Systems
If your primary goal is maximum storage density, the DS220+ cannot beat an eight-bay NAS on raw drive capacity. That is simply a consequence of having fewer bays. An eight-bay platform gives you more physical drives, more options for storage pools, and greater room to grow.
But “outperforms” does not always mean “has more bays.” The DS220+ can outperform a large NAS in convenience, footprint, simplicity, and suitability for smaller environments. A compact NAS that is properly configured and actually used for backups is more valuable than a massive storage system that is unnecessarily complicated for the workload.
For a home office, for example, two appropriately sized drives can provide a substantial storage pool while keeping the enclosure compact. For a small creative workspace, the DS220+ can act as a centralized destination for documents and project assets. For a family, it can consolidate photographs, videos, and backups into one managed location.
In other words, the DS220+ is not trying to win a drive-count contest. It wins by delivering a more approachable NAS experience in a smaller package.
Who Should Buy the Synology DS220+?
The DS220+ is particularly attractive for users who want their first serious NAS without jumping directly into enterprise-class hardware. It is also a strong option for anyone replacing scattered external drives with centralized network storage.
Small businesses can use it for shared files and backup workflows, while home users can take advantage of centralized storage and Synology’s broader application ecosystem. Photographers, remote workers, students, and content creators can also benefit from having a dedicated location for important files.
However, buyers should choose a larger NAS if they already know they need many drives, very high storage capacity, extensive virtualization, heavy simultaneous workloads, or significant future expansion. The DS220+ is a compact two-bay system, so it should be purchased for what it is rather than treated as an eight-bay replacement.
Setup and Long-Term Usability
One of the most appealing characteristics of the DS220+ is the way it scales with the user. You can begin with a relatively straightforward file-storage configuration and gradually add services as your requirements become more sophisticated. That is preferable to buying an overly complex NAS and spending weeks learning features you never use.
Because the unit is diskless, drive selection is part of the purchasing decision. Buyers should select drives appropriate for NAS workloads and consider the desired redundancy and capacity strategy before installation. A good NAS also deserves a good backup strategy. RAID or redundancy can help with drive failure scenarios, but it should not be confused with a complete backup.
That distinction is especially important for valuable photographs, business documents, and irreplaceable project files. The DS220+ can serve as a central component of a broader backup strategy, but users should still maintain additional copies of critical data when appropriate.
For additional buying ideas, you can also explore this Related Product Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Synology DS220+ an 8-bay NAS?
No. The DS220+ is a two-bay NAS. The “8 bay NAS storage system High Performance” category describes the target product category, but the DS220+ itself has two drive bays. It should be considered a compact alternative for users who do not need eight internal drives.
Does the DS220+ come with hard drives?
No. This is a diskless model, so storage drives must be purchased separately. This approach gives buyers more flexibility when choosing capacity and NAS-compatible drives.
Is the DS220+ good for home use?
Yes. Its compact design, centralized storage capabilities, backup functions, and user-friendly management make it particularly suitable for homes and small offices that need more control than ordinary external hard drives provide.
How does the DS220+ compare with cheaper NAS competitors?
The biggest advantage is the overall platform. Synology’s DiskStation Manager ecosystem provides a polished management experience and a broad selection of storage, backup, synchronization, and productivity functions. A competing NAS may offer similar basic hardware but a less refined software experience.
Can the DS220+ replace an eight-bay NAS?
Not when you genuinely require eight drive bays. An eight-bay NAS offers more physical storage capacity and expansion potential. The DS220+ is better viewed as a compact, efficient alternative for users whose capacity requirements fit within a two-drive enclosure.
Is the DS220+ suitable for backups?
Yes. Backup and centralized file storage are among its strongest use cases. It can provide a dedicated network destination for important files and computer backups. Users should remember that redundancy and backup are different concepts, so particularly important data should have additional protection.
Why choose a two-bay NAS instead of a larger system?
A two-bay NAS can be easier to place, easier to configure, and more appropriate for moderate storage requirements. It can deliver many of the benefits people want from network storage without the physical size and complexity associated with larger multi-bay systems.
Final Verdict: A Smarter Choice Than the Specs Suggest
The Synology DiskStation DS220+ succeeds because it focuses on the complete NAS experience. It is not an eight-bay powerhouse, and buyers who need eight internal drives should choose an appropriate larger chassis. But for users who want a compact, capable, software-rich two-bay NAS, the DS220+ makes a compelling case.
Compared with many entry-level competitors, its greatest advantage is not simply storage capacity or a single performance metric. It is the combination of capable hardware, mature management software, backup functionality, centralized file access, and an ecosystem that can grow with your needs.
That makes the DS220+ particularly attractive for home offices, families, professionals, and small businesses that want reliable network storage without unnecessary complexity. If your requirements fit a two-bay design, this is one of those NAS systems where the software and overall user experience can matter just as much as the hardware.
