Synology DS401+ Drive Review

Last updated on 01 Apr 2025 📧 Subscribe

Synology DS401+ Review: A Big Leap in Data Portability

Synology has once again redefined innovation with the launch of its latest device, the DS401+, a radical departure from traditional NAS design. Unlike anything in their existing lineup, the DS401+ is a compact, ultra-portable single-bay system that arrives with 8GB of pre-installed storage.

While its modest appearance might lead some to question its capabilities, this device is full of surprises and packed with what Synology describes as “next-level user-driven expandability.” Upgrades are a breeze, requiring nothing more than confidence, persistence, and maybe a little brute force.

Connectivity is as streamlined as it gets, with USB 2.0 ensuring compatibility with virtually every system released in the past 20 years.

Performance skeptics will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the DS401+ boasts transfer speeds of up to 8GB per second—a metric achieved under rigorous, real-world conditions involving trajectory and velocity.

While traditional benchmarks focus on read/write speeds, Synology’s new direction explores the physics of momentum as an alternative measurement of data mobility. One of the standout features of the DS401+ is its offsite backup functionality.

Designed for those constantly on the move, users can effortlessly transfer data, pop the DS401+ into a bag, and take their backup anywhere—whether that’s to work, the grocery store, or an accidental adventure sparked by a missing cat collar, missing your train and leaving your bag at home – can’t question it, that’s a pretty solid off-site backup!

While the DS401+ doesn’t support DSM, Synology’s usual operating system, it does come with pre-installed software of a different nature. Details remain scarce, but early reports suggest a mysterious blend of anti-ransomware tools, possibly paired with rudimentary antivirus protection.

Whether this is a security feature or just a cleverly disguised README file remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the DS401+ clearly takes a bold stance on cybersecurity—even if no one knows exactly what it’s doing.

File sharing has never been more intuitive. With the DS401+, users can now share files simply by passing the device to someone else. There’s no need for network mapping, no passwords to remember, and absolutely no waiting for uploads. This tactile approach to data transfer offers unmatched immediacy and person-to-person encryption powered by trust. For those concerned about future expansion, Synology has teased a “Forb” edition, rumored to support even more aggressive upgrade techniques.

And for power users who demand more from their tiny NAS, Synology has introduced the DS401+ Forb, a “four-bay” variant that somehow fits into an even smaller form factor than the original. Early hands-on impressions describe it as “smaller than the palm of your hand but twice as confident.” While there’s no visible evidence of four bays, Synology assures customers that the extra capacity is there if you’re willing to think small enough. Expansion remains as simple as ever—just apply additional USB drives using light percussion.

The launch date of the Synology DS401+—April 1st—is no coincidence. Known globally as April Fools’ Day, it’s a time when tech companies occasionally tease products that walk the line between absurdity and brilliance.

From its minimalist design to its unconventional “performance” metrics, every detail feels like a carefully crafted nudge and wink to the audience. It’s a playful reminder that innovation sometimes requires not just thinking outside the box—but joking about the box entirely.

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      185 thoughts on “Synology DS401+ Drive Review”

      1. Quick Question: Based on your confirmation that a 16GB DDR4 SODIMM at 2666 MHz RAM chip from Crucial would work in a DS720+, I installed one. Unit would not even start the boot up process ….. power indicator flashed 4-5 times and it powered down. Didn’t even try to spin the drives – all other indicator lights dark. I realize Synology does not spec this unit for more than 6GB, and I am taking my chances. Is it most likely that I just got a defective chip? After 3 attempts to power on, I removed the drives, and the RAM chip was blazingly hot to the touch. I removed it immediately and rebooted with my original 4GB RAM once again installed. No problem – not damage, not even an Active Insight notification (the system never got up and running to detect a problem. If this is likely just a defective product, I will exchange it. I hold you blameless in anything that might go wrong with this experiment, but I would invite you to speculate on the likelihood that this was due to a product defect with the memory chip. Thanks!
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      2. Even if it’s an April Fools’ joke, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to be able to continue using old Synology: take the old electronics out and put a new circuit board in. Maybe even with a Pi5? and thus the case could still be used.
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      21. With a RIITOP M.2 to USB 3.1 Type A Adapter, it should be easy to hook up the IOCREST M.2 to 10GbE NIC Adapter Kit you previously reviewed, and get that on the network for all to use. Although, I am fond of the new air gap storage feature shown at the end.
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      25. Only April 1 goofy video waiting for me when I got out of work. So, with a total lack of competition I am pleased to acknowledge you had the best 04/01/2025 gag video. 🙂
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      53. kudo’s – well played, very well played … took a bit into the video for the WTF to kick in and my inner skeptic took over, then realized what today was. on leaving vid at end noted the Synology model number and fact that case of the “NAS” looks #3D printed. again, very well played … rivals some of our IT best back in 80s & 90s.
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      60. I think that 4-bay model is just overkill. Would much rather the base model, even given its considerable girth. Plus, it has a much better color scheme with the dark grey vs the medium grey. You can really tell the designers knew their target demographic and kicked that old pencil eraser pink to the curb.

        Thanks as always for bringing us the latest cutting edge tech. This is why I like, subscribe, join, notify, donate, share, save, download, and replay every video you release.

        Cheers ????
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      61. You forgot about the price tag on the DS401+… it comes at a typical Synology bargain price of only 499 for the 2-bay and 799 for the 4-bay to make up for the outdated USB2.0 connectivity. It is rumoured that the 2028 model might feature USB3 though.
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      76. I like that it’s 10Gb wireless, uses Qi charging and when I turn my speakers all the way to 100, that it appears to be fanless. Great job once again NASCompares! Congrats to Synology for pulling this off.
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      99. Waiting at Shanghai airport to return to the UK and in my tired state when I read the written online version I was a little confused, but then it clicked ! ???? I went straight to the Youtube version. Nice! ???? Many thanks for cheering me ahead of a very long journey ~13 hours back to the UK. ????
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      107. You got me there. Looking at the thumbnail I expected a tiny NVMe 2280 NAS with a tiny board. Maybe even powered by a single PoE interface…
        Kudos, made me smile. 🙂
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      143. Man looks so neat, can’t wait for the CPU/iGPU announcement and especially the thermal performance, hope you can cram a Noctua in there for perfect silent nano-NAS configuration !
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      160. For the first 1:30 I was thinking, “how odd. I don’t recall this being much of a satire site and anyway I don’t get why synology warrants this kind of roasting……..ohhhh Spoiler

        it’s the first of April!!!!”
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      161. Did you buy those yourself or is this “sponsored” content? No affiliate links? Tsss
        But it is typical, everyone progresses to multi gb ethernet and Synology is regressing to no ethernet.. well it is movement at least ????????
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