Which Synology NAS should you buy?
DS225+ and DS224+ both use the Intel Celeron J4125 and share a 6GB memory ceiling. The major hardware change is networking: DS225+ combines 2.5GbE and 1GbE, while DS224+ provides dual 1GbE. The model year also changes the drive-policy context.
The short answer
Should you pay more for DS225+?
DS225+ is the stronger new purchase when your network can use 2.5GbE. DS224+ remains competitive at a substantial discount because compute, memory, bay count and Intel graphics are broadly similar.
What matters before buying: A 2.5GbE port only helps when the switch, client and storage path can exceed 1GbE. Existing DS224+ owners should upgrade only when networking, warranty or drive-policy considerations solve a real limitation.
Compare DS225+ and DS224+ offers
DS225+ vs DS224+ prices
Check prices for both two-bay models to see whether the newer DS225+ is worth the difference.
At a glance
Which option makes sense for your setup?
Interactive decision tool
DS225+ vs DS224+ Decision Tool
Enter how you will use the NAS. The recommendation helps narrow the choices; always confirm exact hardware specifications, current compatibility and the final purchase price.
Buying guide
Everything to check before you buy
Compare the actual hardware, software support and total configured cost. The recommendations below apply to the models named in this guide.
DS225+ vs DS224+: which is the better value?
For a new two-bay NAS, buy DS225+ if the price premium is reasonable and you will use 2.5GbE. Choose DS224+ when it is significantly cheaper and gigabit networking already meets your needs. Both use the Celeron J4125 and share the two-bay constraint and similar memory headroom.
If you already own a healthy DS224+, there is rarely a compelling reason to replace it simply for the newer name. A network upgrade that the clients cannot use is not a performance upgrade in practice.
The actual Ethernet difference
DS225+ has one 2.5GbE port plus one 1GbE port. DS224+ has two 1GbE ports. A 2.5GbE transfer requires support from the source machine and network path; the hard drives and filesystem also need to keep up.
Dual 1GbE ports on an older unit can improve aggregate multi-client capacity with appropriate configuration but usually do not deliver 2Gbps to one user. Test the likely work pattern before paying the premium.
Same CPU does not mean identical buyer value
Both models use the Intel Celeron J4125, so their compute capability is broadly similar. That makes chassis condition, warranty, drive support and the number of users more important buying criteria than headline CPU claims.
For frequent transcoding, confirm actual software and codec support rather than assuming Intel integrated graphics guarantees a result. Heavy virtualization and large container collections are poor reasons to pick either compact two-bay machine.
Capacity and RAM limits
Both NAS devices are built around two internal SATA bays. Using a mirrored storage pool for single-drive tolerance yields roughly one drive's capacity before overhead. There is no expansion chassis path, so future growth means swapping larger drives or replacing the entire enclosure.
Their modest installed RAM and up-to-6GB support suit backups, file service, Photos and a few lightweight packages. Plan a larger model if you expect many containers or demanding indexing jobs.
Drive policy, support and buying used
DS225+ is a 2025 model, so the more flexible DSM 7.3 third-party HDD/2.5-inch SATA policy can matter. Do not automatically apply that same 2025 rule to DS224+. Always check the exact drive and installed DSM version against Synology's current records.
When buying a discounted DS224+, check whether it is new or renewed, the seller's warranty, fan health and any bundled disks. A cheap used unit with tired drives can be more expensive than a new diskless enclosure.
Common questions
Common questions answered
Do DS225+ and DS224+ use the same CPU?
Yes. Both use the Intel Celeron J4125, so the newer model is not a major CPU-generation upgrade.
What is the biggest DS225+ improvement?
The clearest hardware change is the addition of a 2.5GbE port alongside 1GbE.
Do both support 6GB RAM?
Yes. Both list 2GB installed and a 6GB maximum using a 4GB expansion module.
Which is better for Plex?
Their shared J4125 means the hardware foundation is similar. The actual result depends on application support, codecs and configuration.
Can either model use M.2 NVMe SSDs?
No built-in M.2 slots are listed for either DS225+ or DS224+.
Can either expand beyond two bays?
No. Both are fixed two-bay systems.
Does DSM 7.3 drive flexibility apply to DS224+?
Synology says the new 2025 drive policies are not retroactive to earlier systems. Verify DS224+ drives through its own compatibility guidance.
Is dual 1GbE as fast as 2.5GbE?
Not for a normal single link. Link aggregation can help multiple flows or redundancy, while one 2.5GbE connection gives a faster individual link when the network supports it.
Should DS224+ owners upgrade?
Only when 2.5GbE, warranty or policy differences solve a real problem. The CPU and RAM ceiling are unchanged.
Which should a new buyer choose?
DS225+ is the safer current purchase unless a well-documented DS224+ discount is large enough to outweigh the networking and support differences.
Synology specifications and compatibility
Specifications and compatibility guidance come from the Synology product and support documents linked below. Check current Amazon prices and the seller's description before ordering. A price marked as last checked on an earlier date may have changed.
- Synology current Plus-series comparison
- Synology drive compatibility policies for 2025+ systems
- Synology Products Compatibility List
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