Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS223j (Diskless)

Specifications

Interface

1GbE

Form Factor

2-Bay Diskless

Endurance

—

Warranty

2 years

Brand

Synology

Price / TB

$0.00/TB

Value Score Breakdown

Our Verdict

The Synology DS223j is the right NAS for first-time buyers who want Synology's software reliability at the lowest possible entry price. At $209.99 diskless, the J-series processor is less capable than the Plus-series — 4K video transcoding and CPU-intensive apps will struggle. For personal backup, photo libraries via Synology Photos, and basic file sharing with one or two users, the DS223j handles all of it without strain. The 1GbE port limits LAN throughput to around 110 MB/s — adequate for streaming and incremental backups, not for large file transfers. Buyers who plan to run Plex hardware transcoding or multiple simultaneous users should budget for the DS225+. For straightforward backup and personal cloud storage, the DS223j is the most cost-effective Synology entry point.