Buffalo LinkStation 210 4TB
Score: 56/100
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 4 TB offers a ready-to-go 4 TB drive, gigabit networking and basic cloud-like features in a compact, low-power package. It's ideal for home users needing simple backup and media streaming, but lacks RAID, USB 3.0 and modern macOS compatibility.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
6 TBbest | — | |
1 | 2best | |
1 Gbpsbest | 1 Gbpsbest | |
— | 4best | |
0.256 GB | 1 GBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 24 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‑11, 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) | 24 W | 16.31 W |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 1.1 kg | 0.87 kg |
Power Supply Type | External AC adapter | 60W AC adapter |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Supported Network Protocols | TCP/IP, 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).
Reviewers highlight its plug-and-play nature, media streaming, and energy efficiency, while criticizing the absence of RAID, USB 2.0 limitation, and lack of advanced features.
Users appreciate quick setup, quiet operation and the included 4 TB drive, though some encounter Windows 10 mapping issues and wish for easier HDD upgrades.
“Practically sets itself up - very fast transfer speeds”
“Replaced my old Lenovo NAS - much better and easier to use”
“Could not be mapped as a shared drive from Windows 10”
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.
