One Gigabit port suits ordinary home sharing. Large-file tests approached its ceiling; replacing only the switch will not make this NAS a 2.5GbE device.[1][3]

Calculate capacity after mirroring

Two equal drives in RAID 1 or redundant SHR provide approximately one drive worth of usable data space, before overhead. A separate backup remains necessary.[1]

Use USB Copy for external-drive imports

Digital Citizen found the Copy button useful for importing external data. There is no SD card slot; a card reader or computer adds that step.[5]

Plan DSM apps around fixed 2 GB memory

The supplied RAM is fixed. Current Drive and Office guidance is five users under the stated vendor workloads, not every installed package running simultaneously.[1]

What original reviews found

Our buying advice combines official specifications with the original reviews below. We have not tested this product ourselves. Expand a review for its setup, measurements and limitations.

ComputerBase

Frank HüberFeb 8, 2023

Encryption changes the Gigabit file-copy result

ComputerBase measured 70.94 MB/s writing and 64.72 MB/s reading a 15 GB encrypted folder with two 20 TB IronWolf Pro HDDs in RAID 1. Ordinary large transfers reached the network ceiling; the reviewer also reported a rattling sample fan.

Read the original review

Test setup, measurements & limitations

Synology DS223 im Test: Das NAS für Otto-Normal-Nutzer: Übertragungsraten und USB-Backup

Tested: Two Seagate IronWolf Pro 20 TB HDDs, RAID 1; 2 GB onboard, single Gigabit; DSM 7.1.1-42962 Update 3. Separate power comparison used two 4 TB IronWolf drives.

Applies to: Named-drive encrypted-file and USB tests.

Large transfers reached the network ceiling; the sample fan rattled.Source location: Transfer tests; page 3 noise

Measurements reported by the reviewer
Measurement	Result	Conditions & source location
Encrypted 15GB folder write / read	70.94 / 64.72 MB/s	AES-256 folder encryption, two 20 TB drives in RAID 1.AES-256-Verschlüsselung – Ordner
5.9GB file write / read	110.76 /109.43 MB/s	Two 20 TB IronWolf Pro RAID 1;CIFSPage2 transfer table
15GB /about4000 files write / read	74.76 /66.41 MB/s	Same configuration; unencryptedPage2 transfer table
Encrypted5.9GB write / read	110.90 /111.41 MB/s	AES256 folder encryptionPage2 encrypted table
USB25GB backup write / read	2m14s /2m01s	External SSD; distinct from network copyPage2 USB table
Noise idle / access	33.9 /34.7 dBA	Two 20 TB drives; microphone distance unspecified; sample fan rattledPage3
Power idle / write / hibernation with20TB pair	15.8 /18.2 /2.4 W	Two 20 TB IronWolf ProPage3
Power idle / write / hibernation with4TB pair	13.0 /15.1 /2.4 W	Separate two 4 TB IronWolf configurationPage3

Limits to keep in mind

Synology loaned the sample under an embargo; author reports no influence or publication obligation.
Historical software-package restrictions are not current compatibility advice.

TechRadar / PC Pro

Simon HandbyDec 9, 2024

Large ATTO blocks used most Gigabit bandwidth

TechRadar / PC Pro measured 111 MB/s writes and 113 MB/s reads at ATTO’s 2 MB block size, using two 4 TB Synology HDDs in RAID 1/Btrfs. Small-block performance was weaker. The republication represents the same original test.

Read the original review

Test setup, measurements & limitations

Hands on: Synology Diskstation DS223 review

Tested: Two 4 TB Synology HDDs in RAID 1/Btrfs; fixed 2 GB, 1GbE; Windows 11 file-copy client. Exact HDD MPN and DSM build not stated.

Applies to: Basic file serving and setup.

Large-block transfers used most Gigabit bandwidth; small-block performance lagged the comparison devices.Source location: ATTO benchmark paragraph

Measurements reported by the reviewer
Measurement	Result	Conditions & source location
ATTO 2MB write / read	111 / 113 MB/s	RAID 1, Btrfs; this is the stated 2 MB benchmark result.Performance

Limits to keep in mind

Originally appeared in PC Pro issue 358; do not count its republication as another test.
Hands-on review; duration and sample terms not stated; affiliate links.

PC-WELT

Ines Walke-ChomjakovApr 22, 2023

Many small files were slower than movie copies

PC-WELT recorded 19.8 MB/s writing a 2 GB small-file backup in a two-drive SHR setup. Exact drives and client were not given. Its faster movie-copy experience should not be used to predict many-file backups.

Read the original review

Test setup, measurements & limitations

Synology Diskstation DS223 im Test: Unkompliziertes Gigabit-NAS

Tested: Two-drive SHR comparable to RAID 1; 2 GB fixed RAM, 1GbE. Exact drives, client and DSM build not stated.

Applies to: Small-file backup and mixed workload contrast.

Large movie copies were much faster than the small-file backup; the reviewer found the sample unobtrusive in Quiet mode.Source location: Geschwindigkeit; Energieverbrauch

Measurements reported by the reviewer
Measurement	Result	Conditions & source location
UHD write / read	107.7 /107.4 MB/s	SHR; prose confirms DS223 although results heading incorrectly saysDS220+Results prose/table
2GB small-file backup	19.8 MB/s	SHR; unknown drive/clientResults prose/table
Concurrent UHD copy and backup	53.2 MB/s	Mixed workload, not standalone per-client throughputResults prose/table
Power idle / sleep / load / off	14.2 /3.3 /18.2 /0.3 W	Unknown drives and meterResults table

Limits to keep in mind

Affiliate commissions disclosed; sample-provision terms not located.
Several prose mentions mistype DS223 as DS233; exact product identity is established by the headline and photographs.
Quietness is a sample observation, not a promise.
Table heading namesDS220+ and DSM version has an extra digit; prose confirms rounded DS223 transfer values. Jumbo-frame and AES-NI claims conflict with official ARM/MTU specifications and are excluded.

Digital Citizen

Ciprian Adrian Rusen

Convenient USB imports in a home setup

Digital Citizen found the front USB Copy button useful. With two 4 TB SkyHawk HDDs in SHR, LAN Speed Test averaged 816.5 Mbps download and 750.25 Mbps upload. These are megabits per second; file sizes and client details were unstated.

Read the original review

Test setup, measurements & limitations

Synology DiskStation DS223 review: Compact and efficient!

Updated Aug 27, 2025

Tested: Two Seagate SkyHawk 4 TB HDDs in SHR; 2 GB fixed RAM and Gigabit Ethernet. Exact firmware, client and file sizes unstated.

Applies to: USB Copy and home storage experience.

The front USB Copy button made imports convenient in the author’s home setup.Source location: Setting up and using

Measurements reported by the reviewer
Measurement	Result	Conditions & source location
LAN Speed Test download / upload	816.5 / 750.25 Mbps	Averages across several transfers; units are megabits, not megabytes.LAN Speed Test paragraph

Limits to keep in mind

Page shows an update date but not the initial publication date; unit-provision terms not located, Amazon affiliate link present.
Incorrect tray-lock claim and manufacturer noise rating treated as a maximum are not adopted.

Common HDD combinations

Examples ordered by recorded drive unit price, which may be historical or an editorial reference. Check capacity, vendor compatibility, included storage and price evidence before choosing. These are component checks, not compatibility certifications.

DS223 + 2 × WD Red Plus 2TB (WD20EFPX, 2TB each) →
Component total: $564.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T05:25:22.024837+00:00 · 4TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T05:25:22.024837+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T01:23:41.974420+00:00. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.
DS223 + 2 × IronWolf 4TB (ST4000VN006, 4TB each) →
Component total: $634.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T05:25:22.024837+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T05:25:22.024837+00:00; drive price record: 2026-10-09T03:58:24.994342+00:00. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Price observed at the store on the shown date. Confirm the current price and availability at the store. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.
DS223 + 2 × WD Red Plus 4TB (WD40EFZZ, 4TB each) →
Component total: $644.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T05:25:22.024837+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T05:25:22.024837+00:00; drive price record: 2026-09-27T13:58:17.239646+00:00. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer. Recheck component prices, stock, shipping and tax at the stores before purchase; even recent checks do not guarantee live prices.

Before you buy

DS223 prices and ownership costs

Include drives and an independent backup

The listed model is empty. A mirrored pair trades capacity for drive-failure tolerance, while USB or remote backup protects a separate copy.[1]

Buy the memory and network you will need

The 2 GB is fixed and the single Gigabit connection cannot be upgraded through a network-card slot.[1]

Check optional ongoing costs

More than two surveillance cameras require extra licenses. Cloud backup and an eligible extended warranty may add costs.[1]

Match published workload figures to the installed memory

The full specifications retain manufacturer test conditions. Some application limits use maximum supported RAM or SSD volumes; extra RAM, SSDs and licenses can add to the enclosure cost.[9]

Compare stores for this exact model

Diskless enclosure with fixed 2 GB RAM; SATA drives purchased separately. Check the total delivered price at the store.

Lowest observed price

$286.59

In stock at observation

Currency not confirmed

5 stores · 1 recent price observation

Amazon

Sold by Amazon.com

$286.59

Observed price

Currency not confirmed

In stock at observation · Condition not recorded

Observed Oct 9, 2026, 3:59:00 AM UTC[16]

View exact product at Amazon

B&H Photo Video

Seller not recorded

$254.99

Historical price

Currency not confirmed

Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded

Observed Sep 27, 2026, 5:25:22 AM UTC[12]

View exact product at B&H Photo Video

Best Buy

Sold by Newegg Official

$287.99

Historical price

Currency not confirmed

Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded

Observed Sep 26, 2026, 8:17:53 AM UTC[14]

View exact product at Best Buy

Newegg

Sold by Newegg

$304.99

Historical price

Stock not confirmed · New

Observed shipping: $0.00

Observed Oct 9, 2026, 1:18:16 AM UTC[13]

View exact product at Newegg

Adorama

Seller not recorded

$304.99

Historical price

Currency not confirmed

Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded

Observed Sep 27, 2026, 4:11:59 AM UTC[15]

View exact product at Adorama

Prices are dated observations. Confirm the model, seller, condition, stock and delivered total at the store. Older prices remain visible as history. Links may earn a commission.

Questions before buying

Does it come with storage?

No. This page covers the diskless enclosure with fixed 2 GB RAM.[1]

Can I add memory, NVMe or faster networking?

There is no user RAM expansion, M.2 slot or network upgrade slot. Choose another model if these are expected needs.[1]

Do two drives make my files a backup?

No. A mirror protects availability after one drive fails; keep a separate copy for deletion, ransomware, theft or enclosure failure.[1]

Can it organize photos?

Synology Photos and facial recognition are listed. Budget application use around the fixed 2 GB rather than assuming every DSM package or a large library will perform alike.[1]

Sources

Research updated Sep 11, 2026. Individual source check dates are listed below. Measurements belong to the named reviewers; tested configurations and software versions may differ from the product you buy.

[1] Synology DS223 product specifications ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Hardware + DSM tables, last updated Aug 6, 2026
[2] ComputerBase DS223 test page 2 ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Encrypted 15 GB 70.94/64.72 MB/s; IronWolf Pro 20 TB RAID 1
[3] TechRadar DS223 hands on ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · ATTO 2 MB 111/113 MB/s
[4] PCWelt DS223 test ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Small-file backup ~19 MB/s
[5] Digital Citizen DS223 review ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Wayback; LAN Speed Test 816.5/750.25 Mbps
[6] B&H Photo Video DS223 enclosure listing ↗
Checked Sep 8, 2026 · New buy box; exact model and diskless factory configuration
[7] Best Buy DS223 enclosure listing ↗
Checked Sep 8, 2026 · New buy box; exact model and diskless factory configuration
[8] Adorama DS223 enclosure listing ↗
Checked Sep 8, 2026 · New buy box; exact model and diskless factory configuration
[9] Synology DS223 product page ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Same current US product page
[10] Amazon — DS223 ↗
Checked Sep 10, 2026 · Selected buy-box seller; Product information model; New offers. MAP-hidden main price is not inferred from other sellers or recommendations.
[11] Newegg — DS223 ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Exact-model title, specification table, buybox price/seller and Add to cart; parent captured source
[12] B&H product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 27, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:4de0ed67c4e4d8230b79ad825292f636c01e0985b6b43178eb31398cc303df09
[13] Newegg product price observation ↗
Checked Oct 9, 2026 · newegg-main-item; sha256:c823bf1d6da02e6816c43253f74141ceae07a5a9eaef311c31a20cb72ebddb76
[14] Best Buy product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 26, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:5fe5832ec17766720a1a91a27c1bd0cf7459ac5b065b0c40471c2854abffcdbb
[15] Adorama product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 27, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:fa4669338c582327a533dba74d0e04e9c11de1df72f5ccbe63289a9d0636fc25
[16] Amazon product price observation ↗
Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:7b1b58709f48a9a9a4478cb80dc6cd4c15b12a281f034362ebe5dab71e3e9d42

Research and review record

Research: Grok 4.6 · Source research and data update
Self-check: Grok 4.6 · Researcher self-check
Independent review: GPT-6 (Codex) · Independent available original prose, official hardware/software tables and recorded chart review. Source-specific contradictions resolved or excluded. Current Newegg buyboxes checked; inaccessible merchants retain historical dates. Full videos not reviewed.
Editorial integration: GPT-6 (Codex) · Editorial integration and validation

Independent review completed for the scope recorded in the audit.

Source evidence and review history (JSON)

How we research products·Affiliate disclosure