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Synology DS118 — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Cloud Storage DevicesSynology DS118

Synology DS118 — image 1

Synology

Synology DS118

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Black42" H x 24" W x 36" D Manufacturer

Cloud Storage Devices

Expert Review Analysis

The Synology DS118 is a compact 1‑bay NAS powered by a Realtek RTD1296 quad‑core 1.4 GHz CPU and 1 GB DDR4 RAM. It delivers sequential throughput over 113 MB/s, supports 4K H.265 transcoding at 60 FPS, and runs the feature‑rich DSM operating system for home and small‑office use.

✓ Best for: The DS118 is best suited for home users or small offices that need a low‑power, quiet NAS for basic file storage, media streaming (including 4K H.265), surveillance camera integration, and simple backup tasks without requiring RAID redundancy.✗ Not ideal for: It is not ideal for environments that demand high data redundancy, large multi‑user workloads, intensive third‑party applications, or future scalability through RAM upgrades or hot‑swap drive bays.

Pros

✓Compact plastic chassis consumes only 9.4 W of power and operates at a quiet 16.7 dB(A), reducing heat and electricity costs.
✓Hardware‑accelerated 4K H.265 transcoding at up to 4096 × 2160 @ 60 FPS enables smooth media streaming on modest devices.
✓

Price History

Current

$329.00

Average

$329.00

Lowest

$329.00

Highest

$329.00

Price trend (90d):0.0%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#167Best#98Worst#184 -69

Lower = better sales rank

Specifications

Design

Height166 mm mm

Width71 mm mm

Depth224 mm mm

Weight700 g g

Fan Size60 mm x 60 mm x 15 mm

Features

Hardware EncryptionSupported

Maximum iSCSI Targets10

Scheduled Power On/OffSupported

Kensington SlotYes

Cloud SyncSupported

General

BrandSynology

ModelDS118

ColorBlack

WarrantyManufacturer

Maximum Users2,048

Lighting

Adjustable LEDsYes

Network

Ethernet Port1 Gigabit Ethernet

Wake on LAN/WANSupported

Performance

CPU ModelRealtek RTD1296

CPU Clock Speed1.4 GHz MHz

CPU CoresQuad-core

Memory1 GB DDR4 GB

Sequential Read Speed113 MB/s MB/s

Ports

USB 3.0 Ports2

Power

Power Consumption9.4 W W

Power RecoverySupported

Software

Operating SystemSynology DSM 6.1/6.2

Supported ApplicationsFile Sharing, Multimedia, Surveillance, iSCSI

Storage

Drive BaysYes

Supported Drive Types3.5" or 2.5" SATA HDD/SSD

Maximum Volume Size108 TB TB

RAID SupportSingle Disk

File System SupportEXT4, EXT3, FAT, NTFS, HFS+, exFAT

Hardware Features

Kensington Security SlotIncluded for physical device locking

Maximum Operating Altitude5,000 m

Software Features

Maximum Local Users2,048 users

Brightness‑Adjustable LEDsLED indicators with adjustable brightness

Research Sources

nascompares.com

router-switch.com

global.download.synology.com

global.download.synology.com

global.download.synology.com

smallnetbuilder.com

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User Reviews

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Sequential read/write speeds exceed 113 MB/s read and 112 MB/s write, providing fast file transfers over Gigabit Ethernet.

✓Two USB 3.0 ports and built‑in hardware encryption enhance connectivity options and data security for backups.

✓Synology DSM ecosystem offers extensive apps for file sharing, Plex media serving, surveillance, and iSCSI target support.

Cons

✗Single‑bay design offers no RAID capability, limiting data redundancy and overall storage capacity.
✗The 1 GB DDR4 memory is non‑upgradable, which can become a bottleneck for multitasking or multiple simultaneous streams.
✗ARM‑based Realtek CPU underperforms compared to Intel alternatives when handling demanding third‑party applications.
✗Lack of hot‑swap drive support means the drive must be powered down for replacement, reducing uptime for critical use.
✗Some users report occasional USB copy‑speed throttling despite the presence of Gigabit LAN.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Professional reviewers highlight the excellent data transfer speed of >113 MB/s read and >112 MB/s write for a single‑bay unit.
✓Robust 4K H.265 transcoding at 60 FPS is praised as a standout feature for media‑centric home setups.
✓Low power consumption of 9.4 W combined with a quiet 16.7 dB(A) operation is noted as ideal for small offices.
✓The DSM software ecosystem is lauded for its comprehensive backup, surveillance, and file‑sharing applications.
✓Reviewers note that the DS118 matches the hardware of higher‑bay models like the DS218play at a lower price point.

Criticized by Experts

✗Reviewers criticize the single‑bay configuration for lacking capacity expansion and redundancy options such as RAID.
✗The fixed 1 GB RAM is identified as a potential bottleneck for heavy multitasking or multiple concurrent media streams.
✗The ARM‑based Realtek processor is said to underperform versus Intel‑based alternatives in demanding workloads.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Everyday users appreciate the straightforward setup process and the device’s quiet operation at 16.7 dB(A).
✓DSM apps for Plex and other media servers are reported to work well, enabling smooth 4K playback on modest hardware.
✓Low power draw of 9.4 W is frequently mentioned as a cost‑saving benefit for continuous operation.
✓The inclusion of two USB 3.0 ports provides convenient local backup and peripheral connectivity.
✓Hardware encryption gives users confidence that their stored data remains protected from unauthorized access.

Users Complain About

✗Customers often experience slowdowns when running multiple streams or services due to the limited 1 GB RAM.
✗The single‑drive setup is seen as risky because a drive failure results in total data loss without RAID protection.
✗Several users note that USB copy speeds can be throttled, not fully utilizing the Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth.
✗The inability to upgrade RAM is repeatedly mentioned as a limitation for future performance needs.
✗Absence of hot‑swap capability means the device must be powered down to replace a failed drive, affecting uptime.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers consider the DS118 a capable entry‑level NAS that delivers impressive sequential throughput and 4K transcoding performance while maintaining low power consumption and noise. They commend its DSM software suite and note that it offers hardware comparable to higher‑bay models at a lower price, but they also point out the inherent limitations of a single‑bay design, fixed 1 GB RAM, and an ARM CPU for more demanding tasks.

What Users Say

Home and small‑office users generally praise the DS118 for its easy setup, quiet operation, and reliable media streaming capabilities, especially the 4K transcoding on modest hardware. Recurring complaints focus on the limited RAM, lack of RAID redundancy, and occasional USB speed throttling, with many wishing for upgradeable memory and hot‑swap drive support.

Common Complaints

Common issues reported by users include performance slowdowns due to the fixed 1 GB RAM, lack of RAID or hot‑swap drive capability leading to data loss risk, and occasional USB copy‑speed throttling despite Gigabit Ethernet availability.

How It Compares

vs. Synology DS218play

Advantages

✓Two drive bays allow RAID configurations and greater total storage capacity.
✓Same Realtek quad‑core CPU and 1 GB DDR4 RAM provide identical performance for media tasks.

Disadvantages

✗Larger physical footprint and slightly higher power consumption compared to the DS118.
✗Higher price point for the additional bay without offering performance improvements.

Choose the DS218play when you need RAID redundancy or more total storage; choose the DS118 for a smaller, lower‑cost solution with similar performance.

vs. Synology DS115j

Advantages

✓Lower price makes it an ultra‑budget option for basic file sharing.

Disadvantages

✗Much weaker Marvell Armada CPU and only 256 MB RAM limit performance and media transcoding capabilities.
✗No 4K transcoding support and slower sequential throughput.

The DS115j is suitable only for very light, non‑media workloads; the DS118 offers far superior performance and features for a modest price increase.

vs. QNAP TS-131K

Advantages

✓Alternative brand with comparable 1‑bay design and similar power consumption.

Disadvantages

✗Lacks the DSM software ecosystem and the same level of hardware‑accelerated 4K transcoding as the DS118.

Prefer the DS118 for its richer app ecosystem and proven 4K transcoding; consider QNAP only if you have a strong preference for QNAP’s interface.

vs. WD My Cloud (single‑bay)

Advantages

✓Simple setup and familiar Western Digital brand.

Disadvantages

✗Does not provide DSM features, limited app support, and generally weaker transcoding performance.

The DS118 is the better choice for users who need robust media streaming and a versatile software platform.

Power Features

Power RecoveryAutomatic power‑on after outage

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