Rank #4 in Best NAS Enclosure 2026: 10 Ranked, and Why the TB Maths Doesn't Add Up
Synology DS223J 2-Bay Desktop NAS
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
This is the Synology DS223J, a two-bay desktop NAS in white, priced at £179.97 and rated 4.2 out of 5 from 1,234 ratings. It took fourth place in this guide. Its first bullet claims it consolidates up to 36TB of data — and with two bays, that works out at 18TB per bay.
The listing does not agree with itself on that figure. Storage Volume is given as 36TB in the specification table, while the Size field in the same table says 0TB. Nor does 18TB per bay sit well beside the rest of the list: the two-bay UGREEN here claims 80TB, or 40TB per bay, more than double. What you can actually verify on the page is the number of bays and the network port; the TB in the title depends on disks that no listing identifies. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing, not from any testing we carried out.
How those 1,234 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.2 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £179.97 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 out of 5 from 1,234 ratings |
| Bays | 2 |
| Stated capacity | Up to 36TB total — 18TB per bay |
| Storage Volume (as listed) | 36TB |
| Size (as listed) | 0TB |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 10 x 22.5 x 16.5 cm |
| Weight | 1.58 kg |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“I needed a new 2 Bay NAS to replace my old D-Link as no longer compatible with Apple Time Machine. This arrived yesterday and was up and running within 20 minutes using the my existing 2 x WD Red 3Tb disks. The DS Finder App was having trouble finalising the install, but going through a web browser worked perfectly. The web interface is easy to use and the Time Machine backup works flawlessly (once set up - see the Synology help site for instructions).”
Verified purchase“Haven't had any problems with it. It's perfect for home use as it isn't very big but still has enough space to store all personal data to keep safe. Very quiet, it's in my bedroom and I can't hear it apart from sometimes it turns itself off and back on again. Very reliable and I can access all my data from anywhere in the world which is a plus. Easy web interface and fast speed transfer”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best NAS Enclosure 2026: 10 Ranked, and Why the TB Maths Doesn't Add Up.
Questions people ask
How much storage does the Synology DS223J hold?
The bullet says up to 36TB, which across its two bays is 18TB per bay. The specification table lists a Storage Volume of 36TB but a Size of 0TB.
Does the Synology DS223J come with hard drives?
The DS223j box contents are the main unit, an AC power cord and adapter, an accessory pack, an RJ-45 LAN cable and a quick installation guide. No drives are listed.
What does the Synology DS223J cost, and how is it rated?
£179.97, rated 4.2 out of 5 from 1,234 ratings.
What can the Synology DS223J be used for?
The listing covers centralised data storage with multi-platform access from anywhere, a file system with self-healing and data snapshots, secure sharing and syncing, backing up media or documents to various destinations, and camera surveillance.
What warranty does the Synology DS223J carry?
Two year manufacturer, as listed.
How big is the Synology DS223J?
10 x 22.5 x 16.5 centimetres and 1.58 kg, in white, with a metal enclosure.
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