Synology
Synology DS224+
2-bay · Intel Celeron · DSM 7.3
88
/ 100
From $370
VS
Synology
Synology DS1522+
NAS · $699
88
/ 100
From $699
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Synology DS224+ lands at 88 and Synology DS1522+ at 88. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Synology DS224+ if…
- ✓Cheapest path to DSM 7.x ecosystem
- ✓Strong Plex transcode (Celeron)
- ✓Apple Photos / Google Photos sync built-in
Pick Synology DS1522+ if…
- ✓Rich software ecosystem (Synology/QNAP)
- ✓NVMe cache slots on newer models
- ✓Docker/VM support on higher tiers
Synology DS224+ 88
vs 88 Synology DS1522+
Score breakdown
Synology DS224+
88 hardware 80
software 100
value 92
ease 96
performance 0
features 0
Synology DS1522+
88 hardware 0
software 86
value 82
ease 0
performance 88
features 88
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Synology DS224+ | Synology DS1522+ |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Celeron J4125 (4 cores) | — |
| RAM | 2 GB DDR4 (expandable to 6) | — |
| Bays | 2× 3.5″ SATA | — |
| Max single volume | 108 TB | — |
| Network | 2× 1 GbE | — |
| USB | 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1 | — |
| Warranty | 2 years (extendable to 4) | — |
Synology DS224+
Pros
- +Cheapest path to DSM 7.x ecosystem
- +Strong Plex transcode (Celeron)
- +Apple Photos / Google Photos sync built-in
Cons
- −1 GbE only at this tier
- −2 GB RAM baseline (expandable to 6)
- −Limited M.2 cache
Synology DS1522+
Pros
- +Rich software ecosystem (Synology/QNAP)
- +NVMe cache slots on newer models
- +Docker/VM support on higher tiers
Cons
- −Disks rarely included
- −Drive compatibility restrictions on some brands
- −Power draw 24/7
FAQ: Synology DS224+ vs Synology DS1522+
Which is better, Synology DS224+ or Synology DS1522+? +
Both score 88 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Synology DS224+ worth the price? +
At $370, Synology DS224+ delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in software.
Is Synology DS1522+ worth the price? +
At $699, Synology DS1522+ delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in performance.
Does Synology DS224+ or Synology DS1522+ last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.