Synology DS224+ vs Buffalo LinkStation 220: the smarter NAS buy

Display

Neither product has a display in the traditional sense, so this category is really about the user interface and day-to-day management experience. Synology wins decisively here because DSM, its web-based operating system, is widely regarded as one of the best NAS interfaces available: clear dashboards, polished setup wizards, excellent mobile apps, and straightforward account, backup, and media management. Buffalo’s LinkStation software is functional but much more basic, and it does not offer the same depth or ease of use. For anyone who wants a smooth admin experience, Synology is the clear winner.

Performance

The Synology DS224+ is the stronger performer by a wide margin. The DS224+ uses an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM, which is enough for fast file sharing, multiple users, Docker containers, lightweight virtualisation, and Plex Media Server with hardware transcoding support. It also has two 1GbE LAN ports, giving you more flexibility for link aggregation or failover. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 is a much more basic two-bay NAS with a simpler processor and less ambition; it is fine for backups, shared folders, and occasional media streaming, but it is not built for demanding workloads. If performance matters at all, Synology wins comfortably.

Build quality and design

Both are compact 2-bay desktop NAS units, but they target different buyers. The Synology DS224+ has a cleaner, more premium chassis and a reputation for better thermal and acoustic tuning, which matters if it is sitting in a home office or living room. It is also sold as a bare NAS, so you choose your own drives and can spec them for capacity, noise, and reliability. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 includes 4TB of HDD storage out of the box, which is convenient, but the hardware is less refined and the platform is not as future-proof. Synology wins on build quality and design, while Buffalo wins only on immediate convenience.

Battery life

Battery life is not relevant for either product, since these are mains-powered network storage devices rather than portable electronics. If you meant power resilience, Synology has the advantage because it is better suited to pairing with a UPS and offers more mature shutdown and monitoring features in DSM. Buffalo is simpler and less capable in this area. Winner: Synology, by virtue of better power-management tooling.

Price and value for money

This is the one category where Buffalo has a clear and legitimate advantage. At £307.90, the LinkStation 220 is £279.10 cheaper than the Synology DS224+ at £587.00, and it includes 4TB of hard drives. For a buyer who only needs basic home cloud storage, that lower entry price is compelling. However, value is not just about upfront cost: the Synology is a far better long-term platform, especially if you plan to add larger drives, run Plex, use Docker, or expand your storage later. If you judge value by capability per pound over several years, Synology still comes out ahead; if you judge by cheapest working NAS today, Buffalo wins.

Game library/features

There is no game library on either device, so the relevant comparison is software features and ecosystem. Synology wins by a landslide. DSM gives you backup tools, snapshots, user permissions, media indexing, cloud sync, remote access, package support, and a much richer app ecosystem. It is a proper NAS operating system, not just a shared-folder appliance. Buffalo’s feature set is much narrower, aimed mainly at simple file storage and backup. For anyone who wants to do more than store files, Synology is in another league.

Overall user experience

This is where the decision becomes obvious. The Synology DS224+ is easier to live with if you care about setup quality, remote administration, data protection, media serving, and future expansion. It is the better choice for families, power users, Plex users, and home lab builders who want a NAS they will not outgrow quickly. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 is simpler and cheaper, and it will absolutely suit someone who just wants a low-cost network drive with disks included. But its lower price comes with clear compromises in speed, polish, and upgrade potential.

Overall summary: Synology DS224+ is the better NAS by a wide margin and the one to buy if you want a serious home storage platform. Buffalo LinkStation 220 only makes sense if your priority is spending as little as possible while still getting a ready-to-use 2-bay NAS with drives included.