Synology DiskStation DS220+ review – the perfect cloud replacement for backing up photos and files

• Networked-attached storage (NAS) is a great way to enjoy the benefits of cloud storage without incurring the monthly charges.
• NAS also gives you complete freedom and control over your data, which is an important aspect to consider if you are conscious about your privacy.
• The Synology DiskStation DS220+ is aimed at beginners for basic home use, promising seamless performance.
• Does it deliver on its promise and is it worth the money? Read the full review to find out.

Since 2015, Google Photos has proven to be a great service that let you back up unlimited photos and videos in high resolution, but that is changing in the next few months.

Starting June 1, 2021, Google is taking away the free unlimited storage feature, so your photos and videos will start counting towards the 15GB storage available for each Google account.

If you exceed the 15GB limit, you will have to pay a fixed subscription fee to continue backing up new photos or to even receive new email.

This is where network-attached storage (NAS) comes in. Sure, you can back up your photos and videos locally, on your phone, laptop or computer, but NAS provides you the flexibility to access your photos and files from anywhere.

The Synology DiskStation DS220+ is an entry-level NAS that comes with enough storage and power for basic users, especially at home. It was launched in September 2020 in India. Synology is a Taiwan-based company and was founded in 2000. It specialises in network-attached storage devices.

I have been using the DS220+ for a few weeks now and here is my detailed review.

Let’s understand NAS

Before I dive into the review, let’s first understand what NAS is.

As the name suggests, it is storage that is attached to the network – in this case, your local network or the internet.

Connecting storage to a network allows you to remotely access it. So, for example, if your NAS is at your home and you are on a vacation, you can transfer your photos to the NAS remotely and not worry about running out of storage on your phone.

This also ensures your photos and files are safe in case you lose your phone. Simply put, it is your private cloud storage, so you have complete control over it. As an added bonus, you only have to pay for it, once.

However, as is the case with everything that is connected to the internet, using a NAS also carries its own risks. It is worth noting that you should set a strong password for the admin account during the setup. There are additional options in the interface to further strengthen the security, but the defaults work fine with Synology.

Synology DiskStation DS220+ – price and features

The Synology DiskStation DS220+ is available for purchase on Amazon.in and Flipkart at ₹32,500. It is worth noting that you will have to purchase compatible hard disks separately.

The DS220+ is powered by a dual core processor and has 2GB memory, which can be expanded by another 4GB. It supports two hard disks with a maximum capacity of 32TB (2x 16TB). It has 2 gigabit ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports.

Getting started

The DS220+ comes with two local area network (LAN) cables, a power adapter, tray lock keys to secure the hard drives and a quick installation guide.

The setup process is simple, and very clearly illustrated in the video below.


Once you are up and running, you will want to browse through the interface and explore the various options available.

Performance and ease of use

In my tests, I focused on backing up my photos and files from my phone. You can also create multiple users, each with their own space on your hard drive that can be accessed only by them.

This can be really useful if you want to help your family and friends backup their photos and files on your NAS.

Synology has dedicated apps specially designed to help you manage your backed up data. For instance, the Moments app is a great tool that lets you backup and access your photos. Synology has also added an artificial intelligence (AI) feature that analyses your photos and adds effects to improve them. You can preview and save these effects if you like them.

As for files, the DS File app lets you upload files as well as folders to the DS220+. It might not be the best-looking app, but it gets the job done efficiently.

You can view, download and manage your backed up photos and files on your computer by logging into the Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) that you installed above.

Verdict

The Synology DiskStation DS220+ is an excellent NAS for beginners and for basic home use. It runs quietly and efficiently, and the DSM has a plethora of features to ensure you have complete control over your data.

Admittedly, if you have never used NAS, it might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but once the initial setup is done, the entire process is seamless.

Overall, Synology has done a good job with the DS220+, especially since it is aimed at beginners. All things considered, this NAS is worth the money.

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