Buffalo LinkStation 210 2TB
Score: 57/100
Synology DS223j 2-bay
Score: 70/100Rankings
The DS223j is a compact, diskless two-bay NAS that delivers the full DSM experience, RAID 1 redundancy and low power draw. It's ideal for basic file storage and backup, though its single-gigabit port and limited RAM keep it from handling demanding media tasks.
The Buffalo LinkStation 210 2 TB is a budget-friendly, single-bay NAS that offers basic file sharing, media streaming and remote access for home users. It provides gigabit Ethernet and low power draw but lacks RAID, USB 3.0 and modern OS support.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
6 TBbest | — | |
1 | 2best | |
1 Gbpsbest | 1 Gbpsbest | |
— | 4best | |
0.256 GB | 1 GBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 18 W | 16.31 Wbest |
| ↓ lower better | — | 18.2 dBbest |
2 yearsbest | 2 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Security(1) | ||
OS Compatibility | Windows XP and later, macOS up to 10.10, iOS, Android | DSM |
Performance(3) | ||
CPU Model | Marvell ARMADA 370 | Realtek RTD1619B |
System Memory (GB) | 0.256 GB | 1 GB |
Power Consumption (Active) (W) | 18 W | 16.31 W |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 1.102 kg | 0.87 kg |
Power Supply Type | External AC adapter | 60W AC adapter |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Supported Network Protocols | CIFS/SMB, HTTP, HTTPS, AFP, FTP, NTP, BitTorrent | SMB,NFS,AFP,FTP,WebDAV,iSCSI,CIFS,HTTP/HTTPS,SNMP,LDAP,CalDAV,Kerberos |
USB Ports | 1 | 2 |
Storage & Capacity(3) | ||
Drive Bays | 1 | 2 |
RAID Support | None | RAID 0,1,Basic,Hybrid RAID,JBOD |
Supported Drive Types | HDD | 3.5" SATA HDD,2.5" SATA SSD |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise its low price, straightforward setup and reliable DLNA/iTunes streaming, but note the lack of RAID, limited storage ceiling and outdated macOS compatibility as trade-offs.
Everyday users like the simple configuration and cross-platform compatibility, though some complain about network instability and the need to reformat the drive for newer macOS versions.
“Easy to configure”
“Works great with Windows, Linux, and Mac”
“Great for media streaming”
Professional reviewers view the DS223j as a solid successor to the DS220j, highlighting the faster Realtek quad-core CPU and polished DSM experience, but note the lack of tool-less drive bays and limited media-streaming capability.
Everyday users appreciate the straightforward setup, reliable file access, and the ability to replace cloud storage costs with a one-time purchase, while recurring complaints focus on the noisy fan during spin-down, limited RAM, and difficulties with H.265 video playback.
