Synology DS223 vs DS223j

The Synology DS223 is our pick for most beginners choosing between these models: its 2 GB of RAM, extra USB port and hot-swappable bays are useful advantages over the DS223j. Choose the DS223j for a focused files-and-backups job if the saving preserves your drive and independent-backup budget. Both support Btrfs and snapshots; choose a Plus model when your required application or network connection demands it.

If you're open to a different software platform, also consider the UGREEN NASync DXP2800 for the same home NAS buying job. It runs UGOS; confirm that its applications and recovery workflow fit your needs before choosing it over either Synology.

Official specifications, package catalogs and compatibility lists checked November 2, 2026. Recommendations are based on documentation.

Quick picks

Compare specifications and all conditions

Shared files, phone photos and backups together

Our pick

DS223

Why

More installed memory and easier drive access

A narrowly defined file or backup destination

Our pick

DS223j

Why

Same CPU and Ethernet specification; fewer hardware extras

Active Backup for Business or faster Ethernet

Our pick

DS225+

Why

Supported backup package and a 2.5GbE port

Also consider if UGOS meets your software needs

Our pick

UGREEN NASync DXP2800

Why

Diskless two-bay NAS, expandable memory and a 2.5GbE port

Disks for either entry model

Our pick

Two WD Red Plus WD80EFPX drives

Why

Exact 8 TB CMR model; check revision and firmware below

Independent backup for the capacity budget below

Our pick

Seagate STKP8000400

Why

Exact 8 TB USB model listed for both NAS units

Full comparison table ↔

Swipe to compare. Row labels stay visible.

Your first job	Our pick	Why
Shared files, phone photos and backups together	DS223	More installed memory and easier drive access
A narrowly defined file or backup destination	DS223j	Same CPU and Ethernet specification; fewer hardware extras
Active Backup for Business or faster Ethernet	DS225+	Supported backup package and a 2.5GbE port
Also consider if UGOS meets your software needs	UGREEN NASync DXP2800	Diskless two-bay NAS, expandable memory and a 2.5GbE port
Disks for either entry model	Two WD Red Plus WD80EFPX drives	Exact 8 TB CMR model; check revision and firmware below
Independent backup for the capacity budget below	Seagate STKP8000400	Exact 8 TB USB model listed for both NAS units

Your first job	Our pick	Why
Shared files, phone photos and backups together	DS223	More installed memory and easier drive access
A narrowly defined file or backup destination	DS223j	Same CPU and Ethernet specification; fewer hardware extras
Active Backup for Business or faster Ethernet	DS225+	Supported backup package and a 2.5GbE port
Also consider if UGOS meets your software needs	UGREEN NASync DXP2800	Diskless two-bay NAS, expandable memory and a 2.5GbE port
Disks for either entry model	Two WD Red Plus WD80EFPX drives	Exact 8 TB CMR model; check revision and firmware below
Independent backup for the capacity budget below	Seagate STKP8000400	Exact 8 TB USB model listed for both NAS units

DS223 vs DS223j: the differences that matter

These are enclosure specifications from Synology's DS223 and DS223j pages. Drives are separate purchases.

Both list SHR and RAID 1. Neither specification lists a memory expansion option; plan around the installed RAM. The DS223's extra memory is not evidence of double the transfer speed: the processor and Ethernet specifications are identical.

• DS223j1GB
• DS2232GB

Source: Synology's linked model specifications

Best first NAS: Synology DS223

We prefer the DS223 when the brief includes photo uploads, shared folders and scheduled backups. The reason is hardware margin: more memory, an extra USB connection and accessible hot-swappable drives. Its front copy button is useful for a supported USB Copy workflow, but it does not replace configuring the NAS backup job.

The limitation is the same gigabit network connection as the j model. Buy it for the extra memory and physical convenience, rather than expecting a different network-speed tier. If you're replacing a working DS223j, those differences alone are a weak reason to migrate.

See the DS223 at Synology

Best for a focused backup job: Synology DS223j

Our Synology DS223j review verdict, based on specifications, is that it is a sensible destination for shared files, computer-folder backups and phone-photo uploads. It supports Synology Drive, Photos, Hyper Backup and Snapshot Replication; snapshots are not a reason by themselves to buy the DS223.

Accept the smaller memory budget and non-hot-swappable enclosure. Synology's installation guide shows opening the case and securing drives with screws. Plan a shutdown for internal drive work, and add the optional holders if choosing small SATA drives.

See the DS223j at Synology

Check the application, filesystem and recovery job

File sharing and photo backup: both models list Synology Drive and Photos. Synology suggests five Drive users and 100,000 hosted files on each, with workload caveats; these are application recommendations, not hard limits on all files stored through SMB. Drive's specifications describe computer-folder backup and client-side file restoration. Photos may need Image Assistant for HEIC previews and HEVC video previews, so check the recipient's actual files.

Containers: the current DSM 7.4 Container Manager catalog lists both models. Their model-specific downloads also include the armv8 package. Check DSM and the application's architecture and memory requirements before buying; package availability alone does not establish suitability for a particular workload.

Whole-computer recovery: neither entry model appears in the current Active Backup for Business supported list. Selected-folder backup in Drive is a different purchase requirement from centralized PC/server backup with a recovery workflow.

NAS recovery: both product pages advertise entire-NAS backup, but their model specification tables specifically confirm Folder and Package Backup. Hyper Backup's technical specifications restrict entire-system backup to supported models. The setup below uses folder/package backup; don't infer a complete NAS image from the marketing wording.

Step up for Active Backup for Business: Synology DS225+

Choose the DS225+ when you specifically require Active Backup for Business, a 2.5GbE connection or supported memory expansion. Synology's DS225+ specifications list an Intel Celeron J4125, 2 GB of RAM expandable to 6 GB, and both 2.5GbE and 1GbE ports. Its inclusion in the backup package's supported-model list is the decisive difference for that job.

For a broader media-server or application shortlist, use our home NAS guide. The Plus label alone is not an application compatibility check.

Also consider: UGREEN NASync DXP2800

The DXP2800 is an alternative diskless enclosure for readers considering a home NAS for shared files and backup storage. Its catalog record lists an Intel N100, 8 GB DDR5 expandable to 16 GB, two SATA drive bays and a 2.5GbE port. Buy the drives separately and check UGREEN's compatibility guidance before ordering them.

Choose it only after confirming that UGOS covers your required applications and backup-and-restore workflow. The Synology package eligibility, drive compatibility findings and DSM setup in this guide apply to the Synology models; the DXP2800 is an alternative platform, with its own setup and recovery requirements.

Internal drive pick: WD Red Plus 8 TB WD80EFPX

Buy two matching WD80EFPX drives for the worked order. WD identifies this as an 8 TB CMR SATA NAS drive. Synology's current lists for DS223 and DS223j identify WD80EFPX-68C4ZN0, firmware 81.00A81. A matching capacity alone does not establish that the revision was checked.

For the initial pool, choose SHR with drive redundancy or RAID 1. Synology recommends SHR for beginners; RAID 1 mirrors data and follows the smaller drive's capacity. Two 8 TB drives therefore give nominally 8 TB before overhead, with one-drive fault tolerance. RAID 0 provides no fault tolerance. See our NAS drive buying guide for other capacity choices.

Independent USB backup pick: Seagate Expansion Desktop 8 TB

The exact model is STKP8000400. Synology lists it for DS223 and DS223j. Seagate's official datasheet confirms USB 3.0, an included USB cable and power adapter. Connect it directly to the NAS; Synology does not support a USB hub for this connection.

Our starter capacity budget: an 8 TB mirrored NAS, an 8 TB external drive and a protected live library capped at 4 TB. That cap is our planning allowance for versions and growth, not a manufacturer guarantee. Measure actual backup use and enlarge the destination before it fills. If you expect to fill the NAS, this same-capacity USB drive is the wrong order for a versioned backup; arrange a larger verified destination or suitable cloud capacity.

Don't substitute another Expansion capacity or model number and assume this compatibility finding follows it. The external drive is a separate backup destination; the second internal disk remains part of the NAS pool.

First backup and restore: finish this before deleting originals

Use Synology's USB Hyper Backup instructions and restore instructions. Multiple-version jobs create an .hbk repository; the single-version option keeps original formats but overwrites the older backup. Our recommendation is the multiple-version option with rotation, notifications and integrity checks.

1. 1

   Install and connect

   Fit the drives, connect the supplied Ethernet cable to the network, install current supported DSM, then create a redundant pool and Btrfs volume.

2. 2

   Send a small sample

   Configure Drive folder backup or Photos upload, and confirm the sample arrived before starting the full library transfer.

3. 3

   Back up the NAS

   In Hyper Backup choose Folders and Packages, Local Shared Folder or USB, and Multiple versions. Select the actual external destination, source folders and supported packages.

4. 4

   Set retention and protect credentials

   Enable a schedule, rotation, notifications and integrity checks. If encrypting the backup, keep the password or key somewhere accessible without this NAS.

5. 5

   Recover a file

   Choose a dated version in Backup Explorer and use Copy to... to recover a sample elsewhere. Open it, compare it with the original, and record the procedure.

For recovery without the NAS, Hyper Backup Explorer can retrieve files from local multi-version repositories on a compatible computer. Check that computer can access the external disk and rehearse this path too; possessing an .hbk file is not the same as having recovered your documents.

Keep an off-site copy as well. Synology's backup guidance recommends the 3-2-1 strategy: three copies, two storage media and one off-site. For this starter kit, safely eject the USB backup after completion, store it off-site and agree when to reconnect it; retain the originals during migration. Local snapshots help roll back changes, but remain dependent on the NAS; USB Copy also lacks application and system-configuration backup. Use Hyper Backup for this kit's recovery job.

Variants and a recipient-ready gift order

The DS223, DS223j and DS225+ are separate models; check the full name. Our entry picks are diskless enclosures. Their listed cartons include the NAS, adapter, power cord, Ethernet cable, accessory pack and installation guide. A populated bundle needs its own exact drive-model check.

Order the chosen NAS, the matching internal pair and the independent backup destination together. For a gift, agree who will administer updates, receive failed-backup notices, reconnect the USB backup and keep an off-site copy. Hand over recovery credentials privately and include the practiced restore instructions. Consider UPS protection for a router and NAS when planning the installation.

How we choose

We compare official hardware tables, current model-specific downloads, package eligibility and exact drive compatibility. We favor the DS223's installed memory and service access; the DS223j wins when a focused job leaves more of the purchase budget for independent backup. These are documentation-based judgments, with no throughput or responsiveness measurements.

Synology currently marks both entry models Generally Available, with Full firmware/software update status on its support-status page. That describes current support, not a promised retirement date. Our full editorial method is How we choose.

Verdict

Buy the DS223 for the more flexible first setup, or the DS223j for a clearly defined backup role. Buy the DS225+ when Active Backup for Business, memory expansion or faster Ethernet is a requirement. Finish the purchase with compatible drives, independently stored backup data and a successful sample restore.

Also consider the UGREEN NASync DXP2800 if you're willing to use UGOS and have checked its application and recovery support for your job. Keep the Synology-specific setup and compatibility advice above with the Synology models.