Buffalo LinkStation LS210
Score: 39/100
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 is a compact, single-bay NAS that offers 6 TB of pre-installed storage and basic media streaming for home users. Its simplicity and low noise are offset by outdated hardware, lack of RAID, and limited connectivity, making it suitable for light backup tasks but not for power users.
| 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, macOS 10.10 | DSM |
Performance(3) | ||
CPU Model | ARM | Realtek RTD1619B |
System Memory (GB) | 0.256 GB | 1 GB |
Power Consumption (Active) (W) | 24 W | 16.31 W |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 1.102 kg | 0.87 kg |
Power Supply Type | External AC adapter | 60W AC adapter |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Supported Network Protocols | TCP/IP, UPnP, DLNA, FTP, HTTPS, HTTP, AFP, CIFS/SMB | 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 | SATA 3 Gbps | 3.5" SATA HDD,2.5" SATA SSD |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers noted that the LinkStation 210 was a solid, easy-to-use entry-level NAS at the time of release, thanks to its straightforward software and reliable basic performance. However, they criticized its underpowered hardware, lack of expandability, and absence of modern interfaces.
Everyday users appreciate the device's simplicity, quiet operation, and ability to stream media via DLNA, often rating it highly for basic backup and file-sharing needs. Recurring complaints focus on hardware aging, incompatibility with newer macOS versions, occasional slowness of the WebAccess service, and the absence of RAID or USB 3.0.
“Set it up in 15 minutes-works perfectly for family photo backups.”
“Great for streaming music and videos to my smart TV via DLNA.”
“Crashed after 3 years-lost all data with no warning.”
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.
