Synology balenie DS223 2-Bay NAS + 2x16TB HDD

Equipped with a Realtek RTD1619B quad-core 1.7 GHz processor and 2 GB DDR4 memory, this Synology DS223 2-bay NAS delivers responsive performance for home and small office data management. The bundle includes two 16 TB HAT3310 SATA hard drives, providing 32 TB of raw storage capacity out of the box, with support for expansion up to 40 TB using larger drives. Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and dual USB ports ensure flexible integration into existing networks and peripheral setups.

Overview

The Synology DiskStation DS223 is a compact desktop NAS designed for centralized storage, backup, and file sharing. It supports Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and Basic configurations, allowing you to balance performance and redundancy. The Btrfs file system offers advanced data protection features such as snapshot replication and self-healing, while the ext4 option provides compatibility for traditional setups. Running on DiskStation Manager (DSM), the DS223 offers a rich ecosystem of applications for multimedia streaming, surveillance, and collaboration.

What stands out

• Includes two 16 TB HAT3310 enterprise-grade SATA HDDs for immediate deployment
• Hardware encryption engine (AES-NI) accelerates secure data transfers
• Low power consumption of just 17.34 W during access, with noise levels of 14.6 dB(A)
• Supports up to 200 concurrent SMB/NFS/AFP connections for small workgroups
• Compact desktop form factor fits easily on a shelf or desk

Technical details

• Drive bays: 2 (3.5" SATA HDD, 2.5" SATA HDD/SSD with optional holder)
• Processor: Realtek RTD1619B quad-core 1.7 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB DDR4 non-ECC
• Networking: 1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45)
• USB ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 2.0
• RAID support: SHR, Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1
• File system: Btrfs, ext4
• Operating system: Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM)
• Power consumption (access): 17.34 W
• Noise level: 14.6 dB(A)
• Max concurrent connections: 200
• Warranty: 2 years (NAS hardware)

Our verdict

The Synology DS223 with 2x 16 TB drives is a turnkey storage solution that combines reliable hardware with Synology's mature DSM software. Its efficient design and included high-capacity drives make it an excellent choice for users seeking a straightforward NAS for backups, media serving, and file synchronization without breaking the bank.