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

Display

Neither product has a display or screen, so this category is not relevant in the usual sense. For NAS buyers, the real equivalent is the quality of the management interface and how clearly the system presents storage, users, backups, and apps. Winner: Synology DS224+ because Synology DSM is widely regarded as the most polished NAS interface in the consumer market, with clearer setup flows and better day-to-day usability than Buffalo’s more basic web UI.

Performance

This is where the gap becomes very clear. The Synology DS224+ uses an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 RAM out of the box, with support for expansion to 6GB, which makes it far better suited to multitasking, Plex, Docker, multiple users, and heavier file services. It also includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, which can be used for link aggregation or failover, improving throughput and resilience on a busy home network. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 is a much more modest 2-bay NAS with included 4TB drives, but it is aimed at basic file sharing and backup rather than demanding workloads. Winner: Synology DS224+ by a wide margin, because it has the CPU headroom, RAM flexibility, and networking features that matter once you go beyond simple storage.

Build quality and design

Both are compact desktop NAS units, but they target different levels of refinement. The Synology DS224+ is a cleaner, more modern enclosure with tool-less drive access, efficient cooling, and a design that feels purpose-built for long-term use in a home office or media setup. Synology’s ecosystem also tends to be better documented and more consistent, which matters when you are installing drives, migrating data, or changing RAID settings. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 is functional and practical, but it is more of an entry-level appliance, and the fact that it includes 4TB HDDs in the box signals convenience over flexibility. Winner: Synology DS224+, thanks to better enclosure quality, more mature product design, and stronger long-term serviceability.

Battery life

Neither NAS has a battery in the way a laptop or UPS-backed device would, so this category is not directly applicable. If we interpret this as power-efficiency and reliability under continuous operation, the Synology DS224+ still comes out ahead in practical terms because it is built for 24/7 server use with better software controls, more predictable performance, and support for features like scheduled power on/off. The Buffalo can certainly run continuously too, but it is not as feature-rich for managing uptime, backups, and data protection. Winner: Synology DS224+ for better always-on NAS behaviour and operational control.

Price and value for money

This is the one area where Buffalo has a clear advantage. At £310.90, the LinkStation 220 is £167.19 cheaper than the Synology DS224+, and it includes 4TB of HDD storage, so the initial outlay is much lower. That makes it attractive if you simply want a ready-to-go network storage box for photos, basic backups, and sharing files around the home. However, the Synology’s £478.09 price is for the chassis alone, and you still need to buy your own drives, so the true cost is even higher. Even so, the DS224+ offers much better value over time for anyone who will use advanced apps, media streaming, or multiple backup jobs, because you are paying for a stronger platform rather than just a preloaded storage device. Winner: Buffalo LinkStation 220 on upfront price, but Synology DS224+ on long-term value for serious users.

Game library/features

NAS products do not have a game library, so the closest equivalent is software features and ecosystem depth. Synology is the runaway winner here. DSM offers a broad suite of packages for backups, photo management, media serving, surveillance, user accounts, remote access, and containerised apps via Docker on supported hardware. The DS224+ is especially appealing for Plex users because the Intel CPU supports hardware transcoding, which can be a major advantage for streaming to phones, tablets, and TVs. Buffalo’s LinkStation software is much more limited, with a narrower feature set focused on straightforward file sharing, backup, and cloud-style access. Winner: Synology DS224+ by a very large margin.

Overall user experience

For most people, the Synology is the better experience from the moment you unbox it to years later when your storage needs grow. The setup wizard is easier, the app ecosystem is richer, the admin tools are better, and the hardware is more capable of handling future demands. The dual-bay design also gives you RAID 1 mirroring if you want redundancy, or a larger single-volume setup if you prefer capacity. The Buffalo is easier to justify if you want something simple and affordable with drives already included, but it is much more limited as a platform and less future-proof. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Overall summary: The Synology DS224+ is the better NAS by a substantial margin for anyone who wants performance, better software, Plex support, and a platform that can grow with them. The Buffalo LinkStation 220 only wins on initial price and convenience because it includes 4TB of storage, but it is not as capable or as flexible. If this is for a serious home server, buy the Synology. If you only need basic home cloud storage at the lowest possible upfront cost, the Buffalo is the budget pick.