Should you buy the DS218play or the DS216play Synology NAS in 2017/2018

• Both units are completely compatible with Windows, Android and Mac systems, as well as acting as a bring between software platforms to share and distribute files
• Both can be used as a comprehensive iTunes server
• Both units can be used as mail and business servers, providing excellent CRM and CMS systems
• Both units can be used as download stations, allowing you to set up tasks and schedules for downloading files and in popular formats such as BT, NZB, HTTP, FTP and more

Why should you buy the Synology DS218play NAS?

Originally announced back in early September 2017 and released much further into the year, the DS218play is one of very few ARM based CPU NAS devices that can both playback 4K media, as well as transcode it. Typically you will find this possible only with Intel and AMD based x86 processors as the massive instructions and commands put forward to the CPU are just to complex for energy and resource efficient ARM chip to handle. However the DS218play is one of only a handful of NAS devices featuring the newer 64bit architecture Realtek RTD processor that is a quad-core 1.4GHz processor that is easily the most powerful and efficient that we have seen in a Synology NAS yet. Likewise the inclusion of DDR4 memory is a welcome addition and serves to further highlight what makes this device special.

All the positive comments aside, it is still a little underwhelming once you make direct comparisons with the 4-Bay (DS418play) which arrives with a much more proficient CPU, twice the memory and two more HDD bays. The longer you look, the more you feel that although it is more expensive, you are getting better value for money from the 4-Bay NAS. However with a four HDD bay NAS device there is the additional power use, the additional size, noise and more. So let me save you the ordeal of considering between them – unless you know you are going to take advantage of the additional resources of the DS418play, stick with the DS218play as it is a much more compact, efficient and direct solution.

Why should you buy the Synology DS216play NAS?

When the DS216play was first announced, it was announced amidst the release of much more powerful 2 bay NAS devices such as the DS216+ and DS716+, leaving it looking a little lacking. It is still very comparable to the DS218play in a number of ways, but there was no denying that for those looking to buy a media NAS, it looked a little underwhelming. However this slightly dampened release has improved since release because it soon became clear that though in would struggle to share a podium with the big flagship NAS two bay devices (though the DS216play could transcode and playback high-resolution media), it was priced at a great spot to make it a SIGNIFICANTLY better choice of 2-Bay device when compared with the DS216j (£130), DS216 (£220), as well as arriving with a much, much higher price vs hardware RRP than those. So though it’s release was a little weak, it has since gained a reputation as a 2-bay NAS that can operate well for your media needs, but more importantly is a better standard NAS than the actual synology standard NAS devices!

However the DS216play was not even the first play series NAS by Synology. It’s predecessor was the DS214play, and that still ranks in terms of reviews, initial sales and user feedback as one of the most popular Synology 2-Bay NAS ever made. When the DS216play was released the first complaints were to do with the dropping of the popular SD Card slot, as well as a perceived dip in internal hardware when compared. Also much like the DS218play mentioned earlier, their was a 4-bay version released (the DS416play) that arrived with hardware that was far more attractive to buyers (more RAM and an Intel x86 CPU) and this served as another nail in the coffin for the device in the eyes of many. Nevertheless, the DS216play still is a greatly priced and well-balanced NAS. If you see the NAS at a good price in the Black Friday Deals 2017 in November and you need a low-key balanced NAS with a smaller overall footprint in your household, I would certainly recommend it.

Should you buy the DS218play or DS216play from Synology in 2017 and 2018? CONCLUSION

All too often in my NAS comparisons here on NASCompares we end up saying “go for the new one, the specs are better” – it sounds a bit lame but often with devices featuring the same specs and same software applications, it just makes sense in terms of warranty and support to go for the newer device. It will come as no real surprise that I recommend the DS218play NAS as the one to buy between it and the DS216play, but it is more than just about a CPU that has a higher clock speed and faster memory. The DS218play have efficiency at its heart thanks to that CPU and DDR4 memory and with the prices of these devices being so close, it makes it near impossible to give an advantage to the DS216play in comparison. If you can pick up the DS216play for at least 20%, then perhaps consider it, but overall it just makes sense to put your faith, money and data into the DS218play.

How do the specifications of the DS218play and DS216play measure up?

Below you can see how to core specs in terms of hardware and software measure up between the 218play and 216play NAS.

Need Help?

Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry.

Terms and Conditions