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

Display

Neither product is a display-focused device, so this category is not really relevant in the traditional sense. If you are looking at the NAS from a setup-and-management perspective, the Synology DS224+ has the better interface experience thanks to Synology DSM, which is widely regarded as one of the most polished NAS operating systems available. The BUFFALO LinkStation 220 is more basic and functional, but it does not offer the same depth or usability. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Performance

This is where the DS224+ pulls ahead decisively. The Synology DS224+ is a desktop 2-bay NAS built for responsive file serving, media streaming, and light self-hosting, and it is generally equipped with a much stronger Intel Celeron-class platform than the entry-level Buffalo unit. That matters for SMB file transfers, multiple users, Plex metadata handling, and running packages like backup tools or Docker-compatible services. The BUFFALO LinkStation 220 is positioned as a simpler home cloud/storage box, so performance is adequate for basic file sharing and backups, but it is not the machine you buy if you want smoother multitasking or future-proofing. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Build quality and design

Both are compact 2-bay desktop NAS devices, but they serve different goals. The Synology DS224+ has the more refined design, better thermal and acoustic reputation, and a more premium feel overall. Synology’s enclosure is typically easier to live with in a home office or living room, and its two-bay layout is designed around straightforward expansion and maintenance. The BUFFALO LinkStation 220 is more utilitarian, and because it ships with 8TB of HDDs included, it is more of a ready-made storage appliance than a flexible NAS platform. If you want the better-engineered chassis and long-term usability, Synology wins. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Battery life

Neither device has a battery, so this category does not apply. For a NAS, the more relevant issue is power efficiency and uptime support. In practice, both are meant to run continuously, but the Synology DS224+ is better suited to intelligent power scheduling, wake-on-LAN-style usage patterns, and broader UPS integration through DSM. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Price and value for money

On sticker price alone, the Synology DS224+ is cheaper at £478.09 versus £604.78 for the Buffalo, a difference of £126.69. That is important because the Buffalo’s higher price does include 8TB of drives, so it is not an apples-to-apples chassis-only comparison. However, the Synology still offers better value for most buyers because you are paying less upfront for a more capable platform that can be upgraded with drives of your choice, and it avoids locking you into bundled hardware. If you already have spare drives or want to pick NAS-rated disks separately, the Synology is the stronger value. If you need a box that is ready to go immediately with included storage and you do not want to shop for drives, the Buffalo’s bundle has convenience value, but not enough to overcome the overall weaker platform. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Game library/features

NAS devices do not have game libraries, so the closest equivalent is software ecosystem and feature set. This is another clear Synology win. The DS224+ benefits from Synology DSM, which offers mature backup tools, media management, user permissions, mobile apps, remote access options, and a broad package ecosystem. It is also much more relevant for Plex, photo libraries, Time Machine-style backups, and home lab workloads. The BUFFALO LinkStation 220 is much more limited in software ambition and is better thought of as basic network storage rather than a full-featured NAS platform. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Overall user experience

For most people, the Synology DS224+ will simply be easier to recommend and easier to live with. It combines a better OS, stronger performance, lower price, and a more future-proof approach to storage. The Buffalo is easier in one specific sense: it includes 8TB of HDDs, so you can get started without separately buying drives. But once you move beyond simple file sharing, the Synology’s superior interface, ecosystem, and hardware make everyday use smoother and more capable. If you are building a home NAS for Plex, backups, family file sharing, or a small self-hosted setup, the DS224+ is the more complete product. Overall summary: the Synology DS224+ is the better NAS by a wide margin, and the Buffalo only makes sense if bundled drives and absolute simplicity matter more than performance and flexibility.