Synology DS Plus Series

The Verdict

If you’re shopping for your first NAS, you’ve probably seen the Synology DS Plus Series mentioned in every forum thread, YouTube video, and Reddit post about home network storage. The 4.7-star average across 235 ratings isn’t accidental. This is the default recommendation for a reason — but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.

What You Actually Get

The box contains the DS Plus unit itself, a power adapter, two RJ-45 Ethernet cables, and a quick start guide. No drives. That’s important to understand going in: the price you see is for the chassis and the software, not storage. You’ll need to budget another $100–$200 per drive depending on capacity.

The build is classic Synology — matte black plastic and metal, with tool-less drive bays that click in smoothly. It’s compact enough to tuck next to a router or on a shelf, and the front LED indicators are unobtrusive. As shown in the product image, the front panel is clean and minimal; there’s no cluttered mess of ports, just what you need.

What It Actually Does Well

The DS Plus runs DiskStation Manager 7.2, and this is where Synology earns its reputation. Setting up a RAID array takes about 15 minutes from unboxing to mapped network drive. The interface is genuinely pleasant to use — drag-and-drop file management, one-click backup schedules, and a package center where you can install Plex, Synology Photos, or Surveillance Station without touching a command line.

Transfer speeds over a wired connection hit the theoretical limit of the 1GbE port — around 110–113 MB/s read, slightly less on write. That’s fine for most home users backing up photos and streaming media. If you’re editing 4K video directly off the NAS, you’ll want the 2.5GbE model, but for general file storage and Plex streaming, this is plenty.

One thing buyers mention repeatedly is reliability. One customer noted, “I’ve had my previous DS model running for 6 years without a single issue. I upgraded to this one for the newer DSM and faster processor.” That tracks — Synology’s build quality is consistently solid, and the Plus series gets the more capable CPU (an Intel Celeron in most models) rather than the lower-end Realtek chips in the cheaper J-series.

Where It Falls Short

Drive costs are the elephant in the room. You’re looking at $150–$300 for decent NAS-rated drives on top of the unit price. Some budget alternatives from QNAP or TerraMaster undercut Synology on price, but you’re trading away DSM — and honestly, the software is the main reason to buy Synology.

The 1GbE limitation on the base model is noticeable if you’re moving large files regularly. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re a photographer or videographer working with big RAW files, budget for the Plus variant with 2.5GbE support instead.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You want a set-and-forget solution for backing up family photos, streaming media to your TV, or centralizing files across multiple devices. It’s also ideal if you’re mildly technical but don’t want to manage a DIY server — DSM handles the heavy lifting.

Skip it if: You’re a power user who wants to run Docker containers with custom scripts, or if you need high-throughput storage for professional video editing. In those cases, look at the higher-end Synology models or build your own TrueNAS box.

FAQ

Do I need to buy Synology-branded drives? No. Any 3.5" SATA drive works — WD Red, Seagate IronWolf, or even desktop drives. Synology’s compatibility list is just a suggestion, not a requirement.

Can I use this with a Mac and PC? Yes. It supports Time Machine backups for macOS out of the box, and Windows file sharing via SMB works natively. No extra software needed on either platform.

Is it loud? At roughly 19 dB under normal operation, it’s quieter than most desktop PCs. You’ll hear a faint disk hum when drives spin up during heavy access, but it’s not noticeable from across a room.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

The Synology DS Plus Series isn’t the cheapest NAS you can buy, and it’s not the fastest. But it is the most dependable, best-supported option in its class. The combination of polished software, solid hardware, and years of firmware updates makes it a smart investment for anyone serious about protecting their data. If your budget stretches to include drives, this is the one to get.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.