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

Display

Neither product is a display-focused device, so this category is best interpreted as the quality of the management interface and day-to-day usability. Synology wins decisively here. The DS224+ runs Synology DSM, which is widely regarded as one of the best NAS operating systems: clean web UI, polished mobile apps, strong backup tools, media indexing, user permissions, snapshots, and remote access options that are easy to configure. Buffalo’s LinkStation software is functional, but it is much more basic and less refined, which matters when you’ll be using the NAS for years. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Performance

This is the biggest differentiator. The DS224+ uses a far more capable Intel Celeron-class platform, typically with 2 GB DDR4 RAM and upgrade headroom, plus dual 1GbE networking and an NVMe slot for cache on this model family. That gives it much better responsiveness for multiple users, faster file services, Plex metadata handling, and light Docker/self-hosting tasks. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 is a simpler ARM-based NAS with included 8 TB drives, and while it is fine for basic file sharing, it is not built for heavy multitasking or media transcoding. For home cloud use, the Synology feels faster and more responsive under load. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Build quality and design

Both are compact 2-bay desktop NAS units, but the Synology has the more premium feel. The DS224+ has a black, metal-accented chassis and a more modern, serviceable design, with a strong reputation for reliability and long-term support. The Buffalo is practical and the inclusion of drives is convenient, but it is more utilitarian and less flexible if you want to upgrade or repurpose the system later. Synology also has the broader ecosystem of accessories and better documented setup and maintenance. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Battery life

Neither product has a battery, so there is no meaningful battery-life comparison. If you mean resilience during outages, both benefit from being paired with a UPS, but Synology generally offers better UPS integration and cleaner shutdown behaviour through DSM. In practical home-lab terms, that makes the DS224+ easier to protect properly. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Price and value for money

This is the one area where Buffalo has a clear advantage on sticker price. At £433.47, the LinkStation 220 is £153.53 cheaper than the DS224+ at £587.00, and it also includes 8 TB of HDDs, which is a major part of the value proposition. If you only need basic network storage and don’t want to buy drives separately, the Buffalo is the cheaper route to getting usable capacity on day one. However, the Synology’s higher price buys you a much more capable platform, better software, and better upgrade potential. Over several years, that extra flexibility can easily justify the cost difference. Winner: Buffalo LinkStation 220 for upfront value; Synology DS224+ for long-term value.

Game library/features

For a NAS, this really translates to app ecosystem, media features, backup tools, and self-hosting capability. Synology wins by a wide margin. DSM supports a rich package ecosystem, including robust backup suites, photo management, surveillance support, media services, and container-based apps on supported hardware. The DS224+ is especially attractive if you want Plex, remote access, Time Machine, shared folders, or light homelab services. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 is much more limited and is best thought of as a straightforward file store rather than a platform. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Overall user experience

Synology is the better product to live with every day. Setup is easier, the interface is more polished, the software stack is stronger, and the hardware has enough headroom for growth. It is also the better choice if you care about RAID flexibility, future drive upgrades, or running more than just basic network shares. Buffalo’s main advantage is simplicity: it gets you 8 TB included at a lower price, with less decision-making up front. If you want a no-frills home storage box and do not care about advanced NAS features, it is perfectly serviceable. But for most buyers comparing these two, the Synology delivers a much better overall experience. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Overall summary: The Buffalo LinkStation 220 wins on initial cost and included storage, but the Synology DS224+ is the clearly superior NAS in performance, software, build quality, and long-term flexibility. If you want the best all-round home NAS, buy the Synology. If you only need basic storage and want the cheapest route to 8 TB included, buy the Buffalo.