The smarter NAS buy for Plex, backups and private cloud storage

Display

Strictly speaking, neither product has a display in the sense of a screen or panel, so there’s no real winner on display quality. What matters here is the front-panel experience and status visibility. Synology’s DS224+ keeps things minimal and clean, with a compact two-bay chassis that’s easy to place in a living room or office. The Asustor AS5304T is also a desktop unit, but with a larger four-bay body that looks more like a performance-oriented box. Winner: tie, because neither offers a meaningful display advantage.

Performance

This is where the decision starts to split. The Synology DS224+ is a 2-bay NAS built around Synology’s efficiency-first platform, which is excellent for file serving, backups, and straightforward Plex duties. However, the Asustor AS5304T has a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and, crucially, two 2.5GbE ports. That networking advantage can matter more than modest CPU differences in real-world transfers, especially when multiple users are copying files or streaming media at once. For users with a 2.5GbE switch or a direct-attached high-speed setup, Asustor can deliver much faster throughput than the Synology’s more mainstream networking. Winner: Asustor AS5304T, because the dual 2.5GbE ports and 4GB DDR4 make it the stronger performance platform for bandwidth-heavy use.

Build quality and design

Synology usually wins on industrial design, and the DS224+ is no exception. It is compact, tidy, and clearly designed for easy everyday use, with a reputation for strong build quality and a refined software-hardware experience. The two-bay layout also keeps the unit smaller and simpler, which is ideal if you want a discreet NAS for a desk or shelf. The Asustor AS5304T is still a solid desktop NAS, but the larger four-bay chassis is inherently less compact and is aimed more at enthusiasts who want expansion. In terms of fit-and-finish and ease of living with the device day to day, Synology takes it. Winner: Synology DS224+, for its cleaner design and more polished overall hardware package.

Battery life

Neither NAS has a battery in the usual sense, so battery life is not a meaningful differentiator. If you mean resilience during power cuts, both depend on external power and should ideally be paired with a UPS. In that scenario, the better choice is the one that integrates more cleanly with your UPS and shutdown workflow. Synology has a strong reputation for simple, reliable UPS handling in DSM, which gives it a practical edge for home users who want set-and-forget protection. Winner: Synology DS224+, by virtue of more mature power-management and UPS integration.

Price and value for money

At £478.09, the Synology DS224+ is £43.05 more expensive than the Asustor AS5304T at £435.04. On pure hardware value, Asustor is the better deal: you get four drive bays instead of two, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and two 2.5GbE ports for less money. Those extra bays are a major advantage because they give you more usable capacity, more flexible RAID options, and easier expansion without replacing drives. Synology’s higher price makes sense only if you value its software ecosystem enough to pay a premium for it. Winner: Asustor AS5304T, because it offers more bays and faster networking for less money.

Game library/features

These are NAS devices, not gaming consoles, so there is no game library to compare. If you mean media and app features, the Synology DS224+ is usually the stronger all-round experience thanks to DSM, which is widely regarded as the most user-friendly NAS operating system for backups, photo management, remote access, and Plex-style workloads. Asustor’s ADM platform is capable and flexible, but it tends to appeal more to enthusiasts who are comfortable digging into settings and optimising hardware. For features that feel polished rather than merely available, Synology wins. Winner: Synology DS224+, because its software ecosystem is easier and more refined for everyday users.

Overall user experience

For a first NAS, Synology is often the safer and less stressful choice. The DS224+ is a two-bay unit, so setup is straightforward, storage management is simple, and the software experience is excellent for family backups, Time Machine, photo sync, and light media serving. The Asustor AS5304T is more exciting for power users because four bays give you better RAID flexibility, more room to grow, and the dual 2.5GbE ports can unlock noticeably faster transfers. If you’re building a home lab, running multiple services, or expect storage needs to grow quickly, Asustor feels more future-proof. If you want the easiest, most polished NAS experience, Synology feels better day to day. Winner: tie on experience, because it depends on whether you value simplicity or expandability more.

Overall summary: the Asustor AS5304T is the better hardware buy, while the Synology DS224+ is the better software-first buy. If you care about value, capacity, and faster networking, Asustor gives you more for less. If you care about a smoother interface, cleaner ownership experience, and trusted NAS software, Synology is the premium choice. For most UK buyers who want the best balance of specs and price, the Asustor AS5304T is the more compelling purchase.