What Are Synology NAS Product Refreshes and What is Synology’s Logic? When Synology introduces a new wave of NAS devices, it’s easy to assume that each new model is a significant leap forward. However, many of these launches are better classified as product refreshes, not entirely new product lines. This distinction matters. A refresh typically […]
Category: Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Aoostar WTR Max NAS Review
Aoostar WTR Max NAS Review The Aoostar WTR Max is a compact, AMD-powered NAS platform aimed at advanced users seeking a balance between high-density storage and compute capabilities. Designed as a substantial upgrade over the earlier WTR Pro model, it offers support for up to eleven total drives, including six SATA bays and five M.2 […]
QNAP NAS Port Reference Guide (2025 Edition)

For users looking to secure and configure their QNAP NAS correctly, understanding the many system and application ports is crucial. Below is a consolidated and sorted list of known ports used by QNAP services, apps, and protocols as of 2025. This guide is ideal for users setting up firewalls, VPN tunnels, or remote access via […]
Week 26 Tech Roundup – Compact NAS Launches, microSD Express Speeds, NAND Forecasts, and Synology’s Global Release

https://nascompares.com/podcasts/weekly/week26-2025.wav This week in storage and networking technology, we’re seeing a strong trend toward energy-efficient NAS hardware, ultra-fast removable storage, and growing demand for high-endurance NAND solutions in industrial sectors. Meanwhile, Synology’s long-anticipated DS1525+ NAS has officially launched for global users, marking a notable expansion in AMD-powered NAS offerings. Here’s your detailed breakdown of the […]
45Drives HL8 NAS Case Review
45Drives HL8 8-Bay MITX NAS Case Review The 45Drives HL8 is an 8-bay desktop NAS chassis developed for users who want professional-grade storage hardware without committing to the rigid ecosystems of traditional NAS vendors. Designed and manufactured in North America, the HL8 is available in several configurations, with this review focusing specifically on the chassis, […]
Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS
Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS Comparison – Get It Right, FIRST TIME! When Synology releases a new NAS in its “Plus” lineup, users often expect a blend of practical improvements, long-term support, and a reasonable upgrade path from the previous generation. The Synology DS1825+ arrives in 2025 as the official successor to the 2020/2021-released DS1821+, […]
Aoostar WTR Max NAS Review – NAS Perfection?
Aoostar WTR Max NAS Review The Aoostar WTR Max is a compact, AMD-powered NAS platform aimed at advanced users seeking a balance between high-density storage and compute capabilities. Designed as a substantial upgrade over the earlier WTR Pro model, it offers support for up to eleven total drives, including six SATA bays and five M.2 […]
Synology NAS vs EVERYONE ELSE – Which Is Best?
If Not Synology? Which Other NAS Brand Should You Choose? It’s an odd question, but with Synology arguably making some rather higher business and enterprise decisions in recent years, there have been increasing queries about who would fill the void if they moved onwards and upwards. As Synology holds such a powerful position in the […]
Synology vs Terramaster NAS – Which Should You Buy?
Synology VS Terramaster NAS Drives in 2025 – Which One Deserves Your Data? Synology and TerraMaster are two well-established brands in the network-attached storage (NAS) industry, each targeting a range of users from home enthusiasts to small and medium-sized businesses. Synology, a Taiwanese company with over two decades in the field, is widely recognized for […]
NEW UniFi NAS – What Comes Next in 2025/2026? ZFS, NVMe, More Racks
UniFi New NAS Rumours – Everything We Know Duing the UniFi World Conference event (the UWC 2025 expo event that took place in several places around the world over a week in May) the brand took the opportunity to share a huge amount of information about their roadmap for hardware and software in 2025 (and […]
NEW UniFi NAS – What Comes Next in 2025/2026? ZFS, NVMe, More Racks
UniFi New NAS Rumours – Everything We Know Duing the UniFi World Conference event (the UWC 2025 expo event that took place in several places around the world over a week in May) the brand took the opportunity to share a huge amount of information about their roadmap for hardware and software in 2025 (and […]
Synology Hard Drives and SSDs VS Everyone Else – PRICE, PERFORMANCE and SUPPORT
Synology Hard Drives and SSD Comparison with Seagate/WD/Toshiba and More – Deal Breaker? In recent years, Synology has steadily moved toward a more vertically integrated hardware ecosystem, and the arrival of the 2025 generation of NAS systems marks a significant escalation in that approach. With a much stricter verification process for compatible storage media—covering both […]
Orico Cyberdata Vault NAS (Early) Review
Does the Orico Cyberdata Vault CF56 and CF56 Pro Deserve Your Data? IMPORTANT – This is a review of two early prototypes of the Orico Cyberdata Vault NAS devices that will be launching on crowdfunding in July, and likely will see improvement and optimization as time and development continue. I provide this rolling/dynamic review as […]
Protected: NEW UniFi NAS – What Comes Next in 2025/2026?
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NEW UniFi NAS – What Comes Next in 2025/2026?
UniFi New NAS Rumours – Everything We Know Duing the UniFi World Conference event (the UWC 2025 expo event that took place in several places around the world over a week in May) the brand took the opportunity to share a huge amount of information about their roadmap for hardware and software in 2025 (and […]
How I Added Plex Media Server to the UNAS Pro with a $50 Raspberry Pi 5 Upgrade

Although many NAS systems now come with built-in multimedia support and Plex compatibility, some devices—such as the UniFi UNAS Pro—do not currently offer native Plex Media Server installation. This limitation can be frustrating for users who want to stream their personal movie libraries across their home network or while travelling. However, there is a simple […]
Beelink ME Mini NAS Review – a Heatsink Sized NAS with 6 SSD Bays
Reviewing the Beelink ME Mini NAS – Flashy Brilliance The Beelink ME Mini NAS is a compact, six-slot network-attached storage solution aimed squarely at home users seeking a quiet, efficient, and flexible storage platform without the cost or complexity of traditional full-size NAS systems. Measuring just 99mm in each dimension and built with a minimalist […]
Jonsbo N10 NAS Case Review – A REAL M-ITX NAS Enclosure?
Jonsbo N10 NAS Enclosure Review The Jonsbo N10 is a purpose-built NAS enclosure tailored for Mini-ITX builds that prioritizes a compact footprint, flash-based storage, and low-power operation. Announced at Computex 2025, the N10 represents a significant design departure from Jonsbo’s earlier N5 chassis by reducing overall dimensions to just 205mm in width and depth, and […]
Orico Cyberdata Vault NAS (Early) Review
Does the Orico Cyberdata Vault CF56 and CF56 Pro Deserve Your Data? IMPORTANT – This is a review of two early prototypes of the Orico Cyberdata Vault NAS devices that will be launching on crowdfunding in July, and likely will see improvement and optimization as time and development continue. I provide this rolling/dynamic review as […]
CWWK M8 N150/N355 10Gbe NAS Board Combo Review – Worth $200+ ?
CWWK M8 MITX 10GbE NAS Motherboard & CPU Review The CWWK M8 NAS motherboard, equipped with either the Intel Twin Lake N150 or N355 processor, is a compact Mini-ITX platform aimed at advanced home NAS builders and small office users looking for a cost-effective alternative to branded NAS systems. Measuring just 17 x 17 cm, […]