Comparing Synology NAS: DS218+, DS218, DS218play, & DS218j

Synology Ds218

Synology has a wide collection of network attached storage (NAS) models, just like its competitors. This allows you to choose the right unit for your requirements, but how easy is it to tell the different models apart? There are some differences between the units available so here's all you need to know.

The NAS company uses a suffix system to represent different price points and features:

se - Budget-friendly option.
j - Affordable option for home use.
play - Usually has a more powerful processor for better transcoding.
+ - Sports an Intel processor.
+II - The same model as the "+" but with a newer processor.

Using the list above, it's easy to see which of the DS218 range you'll be best suited with. (The DS218 is essentially the model year and the number of bays. DS216 would be a two-bay unit from 2016.) A DS218+II would be a DiskStation NAS with a newer generation of Intel processor.

The DS218j, on the other hand, would contain less powerful internals but command a more affordable price. A DS418 would sport four bays, though in this guide we'll be looking at two-bay units only.

Comparing models

Here's a comparison table with a few of the latest models from Synology. While specifications do not differ too much (aside from the upgraded Intel processors), pricing does range between around $170 to $300, depending on what you need.

Category	DS218+	DS218play	DS218j	DS218
CPU	Intel Celeron J3355 Dual-core 2.0GHz	Realtek RTD1296 Quad-core 1.4GHz	Marvell Armada 385 88F6820 Dual-core 1.3GHz	Realtek RTD1296 Quad-core 1.4GHz
RAM	2 GB DDR3L (6 GB max)	1 GB DDR4	512 MB DDR3	2 GB DDR4
Drive bays	Two	Two	Two	Two
Capacity	24 TB Two x 12 TB	24 TB Two x 12 TB	24 TB Two x 12 TB	24 TB Two x 12 TB
Transcoding	H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2 VC-1 4K 30 FPS	H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2 VC-1 4K 60 FPS	N/A	H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2 VC-1 4K 60 FPS
Ports	One Gb LAN Three USB 3.0 One eSATA	One Gb LAN Two USB 3.0	One Gb LAN Two USB 3.0	One Gb LAN Two USB 3.0, One USB 2.0
Warranty	Two years	Two years	Two years	Two years
Price	$297.98	$229.99	$169.99	$249.99

At this level, the choice available to you is fairly restricted concerning performance and price, but that can be a positive, negating the chance you'll pick a unit that doesn't suit the task at hand. Whether you opt for the DS218+ or DS218play, you're going to be able to transcode media, stream content, and store files.

If you're stumped, we reviewed the DS218+ favorably here at Windows Central and found it to be an excellent NAS.