Synology NAS review and current prices
DS225+ keeps the familiar Intel Celeron J4125 platform while adding a 2.5GbE port beside 1GbE. It is a compact backup, Photos and light media NAS, but its two-bay ceiling, 6GB maximum memory and lack of M.2 or expansion limit long-term growth.
The short answer
Who should buy the DS225+?
Choose DS225+ for backups, file sync, Photos and direct-play media when a mirrored two-drive pool provides enough capacity. Its Intel integrated graphics can be useful for supported media workflows, but application and configuration support must still be verified.
What matters before buying: DS225+ improves networking over DS224+ without changing the J4125 compute and memory ceiling. Buyers who expect more drives, heavy containers, large Photos libraries or major capacity growth should compare DS425+, DS725+ and DS925+ before committing.
Shop the Synology DS225+
Synology DS225+ prices
See prices for the two-bay DS225+ and compare them with other compact Synology NAS systems.
At a glance
Which option makes sense for your setup?
Interactive decision tool
DS225+ Workload Fit Checker
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+ review: a sensible two-bay NAS for whom?
Buy DS225+ when your priority is a compact DiskStation for computer backups, shared files, Synology Photos and light media serving. It uses an Intel Celeron J4125 and comes with 2GB RAM. Its distinguishing network change over DS224+ is one built-in 2.5GbE port alongside one 1GbE port.
Two bays are also its main limitation. With two identical drives and single-drive redundancy, usable storage is approximately one drive's capacity before overhead. If a growing household or studio will need more than two internal disks, buy a four-bay NAS instead of planning an expansion unit that this model does not support.
DS225+ versus DS224+: the money question
The DS225+ and DS224+ have closely related J4125 compute capabilities, so upgrading an otherwise healthy DS224+ often provides little benefit unless the network has moved to 2.5GbE. A new buyer should compare the actual enclosure premium and warranty, not assume a “25” model is much faster at every task.
The DS224+ has dual 1GbE; DS225+ provides one 2.5GbE and one 1GbE. Reaching higher transfer rates requires a compatible network switch or client and a storage workload that can sustain the speed.
How much memory do you need?
The DS225+ includes 2GB of non-ECC DDR4 and lists a 6GB supported maximum with the correct Synology expansion module. That is enough for straightforward backup and file-sharing uses, but it limits how many applications and containers you can run comfortably at once.
For virtual machines, a growing Docker stack or heavier photo indexing, a DS925-series model with more memory headroom is often a better long-term purchase. Do not shop for a generic RAM stick simply because an Amazon listing names DS225+ as compatible.
Plex playback versus transcoding
The J4125 includes integrated graphics, which is an advantage to investigate if your setup needs hardware-assisted media conversion. However, Plex hardware transcoding depends on platform drivers, software version, codecs and whether your Plex setup supports it. Streaming a file directly to a compatible TV is much easier on the NAS than converting it live.
Before buying, identify whether most clients can direct-play their videos. If regular remote conversion is essential, validate the current software support path, not an unqualified seller claim.
Drive selection and the absence of M.2 slots
DS225+ accepts two supported SATA drives but provides no internal M.2 NVMe slots. If fast SSD caching or NVMe pools are essential, this chassis is the wrong starting point. Use NAS-oriented CMR HDDs or suitable SATA SSDs according to Synology's exact compatibility information.
For DSM 7.3 on 2025 Plus systems, Synology permits more third-party HDD/2.5-inch SATA flexibility than at launch; an unlisted product still differs from a verified drive. Verify drive model, warranty, power and acoustic requirements before buying.
Real installed cost and backup plan
A two-bay diskless NAS looks affordable until the two drives, a UPS and an independent backup destination are added. Choose drives with enough headroom for snapshots and future growth. RAID 1 or SHR redundancy helps you recover from a drive failure but not from deletion, theft or ransomware.
When no exact DS225+ Amazon offer is eligible, look at DS224+ as a cheaper older alternative or DS425+ if four bays would solve the next problem before it arises.
Common questions
Common questions answered
Does DS225+ support Plex hardware transcoding?
The Intel Celeron J4125 includes integrated graphics, but actual Plex hardware transcoding depends on Plex Pass, codec support, DSM/package or container configuration and current software support.
How much RAM can DS225+ use?
Synology lists 2GB DDR4 non-ECC installed and a 6GB maximum using the D4NS01-4G expansion module.
Does DS225+ have 2.5GbE?
Yes. It has one 2.5GbE port and one 1GbE port.
Does DS225+ support NVMe cache?
No built-in M.2 slots are listed for DS225+, so it does not provide the internal M.2 cache path found on DS425+ and larger models.
Can DS225+ use an expansion unit?
No. It remains a two-bay system.
Can I use WD Red or IronWolf drives?
DSM 7.3 provides more flexibility for unlisted third-party HDDs on 2025 Plus models, but verify the exact drive against the current Synology list and understand that unlisted drives are not Synology-verified.
Is DS225+ better than DS224+?
It mainly adds 2.5GbE while retaining the J4125 and 6GB memory ceiling. The better purchase depends on price and whether multi-gig networking matters.
Is two-bay SHR the same as RAID 1?
With two equal drives, both provide one-drive fault tolerance and roughly one drive’s usable capacity, though SHR offers Synology-specific flexibility in broader upgrade scenarios.
Is DS225+ suitable for Docker?
It can run Container Manager workloads, but the 6GB memory ceiling and two-bay storage limit make it better for a small, deliberate container set than heavy consolidation.
Who should buy a larger Synology instead?
Choose a larger model when you need more than two drives, M.2 storage/cache, ECC memory, much more RAM, expansion units or many simultaneous services.
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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