Synology · NAS buying guide
Synology DS225+ NAS Buying Guide
Product facts and dated cost
Synology DS225+ · Exact identity: DS225+
2 primary bays · Intel Celeron J4125 · 4-core · 2GB DDR4 · max 6GB · 1 × 2.5GbE + 1 × 1GbE · Diskless: hard drives cost extra
Catalog amount: $364.99 · historical · Price record: 2026-09-27T04:12:42.815374+00:00. Tax and shipping excluded.
Historical price observation. Recheck the price and availability before buying; this is not a current offer.
DS225+: specifications and dated store comparison →A compact home NAS for backups, photos and faster file transfers
Diskless enclosure with 2 GB RAM. Drives and the optional memory upgrade are separate purchases.
Based on Synology documentation, 3 original reviews and dated US merchant listings. We have not tested this NAS ourselves. See the review evidence ↓
Is the DS225+ right for you?
Home backups
Keep household files together and use Hyper Backup and snapshots to protect them. Plan a separate backup destination.[1]
Photo library
Synology Photos supports facial recognition, but object recognition needs at least 4 GB RAM; this version ships with 2 GB.[1]
Key NAS specifications
Full specifications ↗Follow any specification for its full conditions and sources.
Living with it
2.5GbE transfers, Photos and media limits
Upgrade RAM for Photos object recognition and more apps
The included 2 GB and the supported 6 GB upgrade are meaningfully different. Photos object recognition needs at least 4 GB, and Android Central added 4 GB before using several services. That experience does not establish the same capacity on the base model.[1][5]
Plan future capacity within two SATA bays
There is no M.2 slot or expansion-unit connection. Choose your SATA drives with future space needs in mind, and keep another copy of important files: drive redundancy is only one part of a backup plan.[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.
Clubic
NercesDec 5, 2025
2.5GbE tests with separate workload conditions
CrystalDiskMark 1 GiB returned 295.71/296.22 MB/s sequential read/write. Windows archive screenshots show 283 MB/s at 95% completion, not an average. Benchmark drives were Samsung 870 EVO 1 TB; RAID is unspecified.
Read the original reviewTest setup, measurements & limitations
Test DS225+ : quand Synology cède (enfin) sur un point que vous attendiez
Tested: DS225+ 2 GB described; Samsung 870 EVO 1 TB SSDs and Toshiba MG09 18 TB HDDs in test protocol; QNAP QSW-M3224-24T switch; 2.5GbE; DSM 7.3 discussed; exact RAID for each graph not stated.
Applies to: Supports large-file network throughput and everyday use; no controlled original-2 GB VM stress test.
- SMB archive copies reached the expected 2.5GbE range. The reviewer found DSM convenient and warned that 2 GB constrains VM use.Source location: Network testing paragraphs after DSM discussion
| Measurement | Result | Conditions & source location |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 SMB archive copy, read and write | 283 MB/s | Windows11 MAME_CHD.zip screenshot at 95% shows 283 MB/s in each direction; instantaneous display, not whole-copy average. Samsung 870 EVO 1 TB benchmark drives; RAID unspecified.Paragraph beginning “Vous en avez sûrement l’habitude” |
| CrystalDiskMark1MiB Q8T1 read / write | 295.71 / 296.22 MB/s | CDM7x64 five passes1 GiB;Samsung 870 EVO 1 TB benchmark drives;2.5GbE; RAID unspecified1 GiB chart |
| 64GiB sequential1MiB Q8T1 read / write | 295.83 / 296.20 MB/s | Five passes; same benchmark configuration64 GiB chart |
| 4KiB Q1T1 read / write,1GiB /64GiB tests | 23.95/22.30;23.75/22.10 MB/s | Low queue depth; separate working setsCDM charts |
| Idle / load power | 7.9 /17.4 W | Exact drive mapping and meter not statedPower chart |
| Idle / load noise | 25.9 /34.8 dB | Distance and noise floor unspecified; cannot compare directly across reviewsNoise chart |
| Idle / load temperature | 28.4 /34.3°C | Sensor location and ambient unspecifiedTemperature chart |
Limits to keep in mind
- Power and acoustic results retain missing drive mapping, distance and measurement conditions; not controlled cross-product comparisons.
- Multiple 4K streams do not establish hardware transcoding.
- Affiliate commission disclosed; supplied/loaned review-unit terms not located.
Frandroid
Edouard PatoutOct 16, 2025
RAID 0 averages and heavy 4K conversion load
The graph averages 189.26/263.5 MB/s read/write; the text’s typical 280 MB/s is a different measure. SMB multichannel added no speed in this setup, and software 4K Plex transcoding heavily loaded the CPU.
Read the original reviewTest setup, measurements & limitations
Test du Synology DS225+ : une évolution timide pour ce NAS d’entrée de gamme
Tested: DS225+ with two Synology HAT3300 HDDs, RAID 0; Windows client; dual client NICs for SMB multichannel attempt; originally DSM 7.2, DSM 7.3 arrived during review; exact build/RAM change not disclosed.
Applies to: RAID 0 sequential transfers and software-transcoding experience; not mirrored-array throughput or a stock-RAM concurrency guarantee.
- SMB multichannel brought no throughput improvement in the reviewer’s dual-NIC setup.Source location: Un NAS très capable
- With the graphics driver disabled, 4K Plex transcoding heavily loaded the CPU; 1080p was less demanding.Source location: Un NAS très capable
| Measurement | Result | Conditions & source location |
|---|---|---|
| File-copy averages, read / write | 189.26 / 263.5 MB/s | Two HAT3300 HDDs RAID 0;Windows2.5GbE. Prose and chart annotations describe typical 280 MB/s; these are the chart averages.Transfer graph average and legend |
| Power, idle / 4K transcoding | about 10 / 20 W | Two HDDs installed; latter load puts CPU at 100%; meter and disk capacities not disclosed.Un NAS très capable: final power paragraph |
Limits to keep in mind
- Vendor supplied the review sample.
- Suggested adding 4–8 GB exceeds official 6 GB total at the high end; only official limit is adopted.
- Exact codecs/bitrates not reported; no universal stream-count promise.
- Typical280 MB/s is not the plotted whole-run average.
Dong Knows Tech
Dong NgoAug 4, 2025
Mirrored HDDs were slower than RAID 0 and SSDs
Two 4 TB HAT4400 HDDs reached 197.4/188.6 MB/s read/write in SHR and 296.1/294.2 MB/s in RAID 0. SAT5221 SSDs approached2.5GbE in both arrays. The article records 275 Wh over 24 hours with unspecified duty cycle.
Read the original reviewTest setup, measurements & limitations
Dong Knows DS225+ 2.5GbE hands-on
Tested: Two 4 TB HAT4400 HDDs or two 480 GB SAT5221 SSDs, separate SHR and RAID 0 tests via 2.5GbE;factory2 GB described, client and DSM build unspecified.
Applies to: Direct for DS225+ 2.5GbE with Synology drives. Not a factory-2 GB application-scale test.
- SSDs and HDD RAID 0 approached2.5GbE throughput; the mirrored HDD SHR configuration was slower.Source location: Original read/write charts
- Virtual Machine Manager needs the RAM upgraded to the 6 GB maximum; 2 GB is too limited.Source location: VMM/Plex apps paragraph
| Measurement | Result | Conditions & source location |
|---|---|---|
| HDD RAID0 read / write | 296.1 /294.2 MB/s | Two 4 TB HAT4400;2.5GbERead/write charts |
| HDD SHR read / write | 197.4 /188.6 MB/s | Same disks in mirrored SHRRead/write charts |
| SSD RAID0 read / write | 296.4 /294.7 MB/s | Two 480 GB SAT5221;2.5GbERead/write charts |
| SSD SHR read / write | 296.4 /294.6 MB/s | Same SSDs mirroredRead/write charts |
| 24-hour energy | 275 Wh | HDD configuration; unspecified duty cycle; energy, not instantaneous powerHardware table |
Limits to keep in mind
- Live site unavailable; archived article and original chart images were read.
- File size/client/DSM build not disclosed; no factory2 GB application-scale benchmark.
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.
- DS225+ + 2 × WD Red Plus 2TB (WD20EFPX, 2TB each) →
Component total: $674.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T04:12:42.815374+00:00 · 4TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T04:12:42.815374+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.
- DS225+ + 2 × IronWolf 4TB (ST4000VN006, 4TB each) →
Component total: $744.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T04:12:42.815374+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T04:12:42.815374+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.
- DS225+ + 2 × WD Red Plus 4TB (WD40EFZZ, 4TB each) →
Component total: $754.97 · historical · Oldest price record: 2026-09-27T04:12:42.815374+00:00 · 8TB raw, before redundancy.
Historical price estimate. Calculated from separately purchased components, not a complete-system offer. NAS price record: 2026-09-27T04:12:42.815374+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
DS225+ prices and ownership costs
Add storage and a backup destination
The advertised enclosure contains no storage drives. DSM 7.3 broadened support for third-party SATA HDDs, but check the official compatibility guidance and exact drive before purchase; drive-caused faults have limited technical support. Include a separate backup destination.[1][2]
Allow for RAM and networking
Object recognition requires more than the supplied 2 GB. Official expansion is a 4 GB module for 6 GB total; faster file transfers also require a 2.5GbE-capable computer and network.[1]
Check optional licenses
Two camera licenses and five MailPlus accounts are included. Additional licenses and eligible warranty extensions cost extra.[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.[7]
Compare stores for this exact model
Diskless enclosure with 2 GB RAM. Drives and the optional memory upgrade are separate purchases. Check the total delivered price at the store.
Lowest observed price
$364.99
In stock at observation
Currency not confirmed
5 stores · 1 recent price observation
Amazon
Sold by Amazon.com
$364.99
Observed price
Currency not confirmed
In stock at observation · Condition not recorded
Observed Oct 9, 2026, 3:59:10 AM UTC[13]
View exact product at AmazonB&H Photo Video
Seller not recorded
$364.99
Historical price
Currency not confirmed
Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded
Observed Sep 27, 2026, 5:25:36 AM UTC[11]
View exact product at B&H Photo VideoNewegg
Sold by Newegg
$364.99
Historical price
Stock not confirmed · New
DS225+; factory configuration; diskless enclosure
Observed shipping: $0.00
Observed Oct 9, 2026, 1:18:35 AM UTC[12]
View exact product at NeweggAdorama
Seller not recorded
$364.99
Historical price
Currency not confirmed
Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded
Observed Sep 27, 2026, 4:12:42 AM UTC[14]
View exact product at AdoramaBest Buy
Sold by Tech Deal
$364.99
Historical price
Currency not confirmed
Stock not confirmed · Condition not recorded
Observed Sep 27, 2026, 1:53:00 PM UTC[15]
View exact product at Best BuyPrices 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
Is 2 GB enough for Synology Photos?
Photos is supported, but object recognition explicitly needs at least 4 GB RAM. No selected review establishes a large-library indexing time on the supplied 2 GB.[1]
Does the J4125 provide hardware transcoding here?
The CPU has graphics capability, but selected 2025 and 2026 reviews report missing default driver support on DS225+. Do not buy it assuming supported Plex/Jellyfin hardware transcoding without extra changes.[5][4]
Can I reproduce the long-term review’s Home Assistant setup with stock memory?
That reviewer upgraded to 6 GB before running several utilities. The report does not verify the same workload on the factory 2 GB.[5]
Does it accept third-party hard drives now?
DSM 7.3 broadened support for third-party SATA HDDs. Check the official compatibility guidance and exact drive before purchase; the NAS warranty and support for drive-caused faults are different questions.[2]
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 DS225+ product specifications ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Hardware + DSM tables, last updated Aug 6, 2026
- [2] Synology DSM 7.3 drive compatibility blog ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · SATA vs M.2
- [3] Clubic DS225+ test ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · SMB archive 283 MB/s; CDM 295/296 MB/s 2.5GbE
- [4] Frandroid DS225+ test ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · HAT3300 RAID 0 ~280 MB/s; ~10/20 W idle/4K transcode
- [5] Android Central DS225+ long-term ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · 6 GB upgraded sample; factory 2 GB reservation
- [6] B&H DS225+ enclosure-only product page ↗
Checked Sep 8, 2026 · MFR number, factory RAM, main new-product buy box, In Stock, price and shipping
- [7] Synology DS225+ product page ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Same current US product page
- [8] Amazon — DS225+ ↗
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.
- [9] Newegg — DS225+ ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Exact-model title, specification table, buybox price/seller and Add to cart; parent captured source
- [10] Dong Knows DS225+ review ↗
Checked Sep 11, 2026 · Wayback; HAT4400+SAT5221 SHR/RAID 0 saturating 2.5GbE; VMM needs max RAM
- [11] B&H product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 27, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:9a34c293d660eeee6db708232248b8d22c65990544219f77698d80e8650fa39e
- [12] Newegg product price observation ↗
Checked Oct 9, 2026 · newegg-main-item; sha256:9ae8767ccf88f26ecd9559509c149ccceb3513b5c542a00ff190f2db6bd28806
- [13] Amazon product price observation ↗
Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:3b628ab38db424c888ada8216ccea7ae69161cd0f00cf84c439f92cf2b526b33
- [14] Adorama product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 27, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:6cdc505723e0b11f0e8f81c46afed550235aa5b700198d2d1db8ba99626f9ed4
- [15] Best Buy product price observation ↗
Checked Sep 27, 2026 · Captured observation; sha256:fdc49cf416b879cf1bf86931e6c63e2bfde08722420b8b599026e00260b56cd6
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)