Synology DiskStation DS223

After years of reliable service from my DS220+, the Synology DS223 felt like a disappointing downgrade. Despite being marketed on Synology’s website as their current 2-bay NAS, the DS223 is classified as an entry-level device—and unfortunately, it shows.

✅ What Made the DS220+ Stand Out Active Backup for Business was the game-changer. This powerful backup solution could restore entire systems after a crash, and I’ve used it successfully multiple times with impressive results. The DS220+ handled it with ease, making it one of the best investments I’ve made.

❌ Where the DS223 Falls Short

Missing Key Features: No support for Active Backup for Business, which is a major omission.

File System Limitations: The DS223 defaults to EXT4, which restricts how you can interact with backup files.

Value Comparison: While the DS223 is about 20% cheaper than the DS224+, its effectiveness feels closer to 50% less.

Second-Hand Market Tells the Story: Plenty of DS223 units available, yet you’ll struggle to find a DS220+ or DS224+—a telling sign of user satisfaction.

⚠️ A Word of Caution on Model Variants If you're browsing Synology’s range, avoid models ending in “J.” These entry-grade versions have even fewer capabilities than the DS223 and aren't suited to power users or serious backup needs.