REVIEWS / COMPARE
Synology DS1522+ vs Synology DS423+
Synology DS423+ edges ahead at 8.6 vs 8.1 — but read the trade-offs below; Synology DS1522+ may still be the better fit for you.
| Synology DS1522+ | Synology DS423+ | |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | 8.1 / 10 | 8.6 / 10 |
| CONFIDENCE | low | low |
| USER VOICES | 68 | 72 |
| POSITIVE | 55% | 55% |
| PRICE | — | — |
| RECOMMENDED | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Synology DS1522+
★ STRENGTHS
- Exceptional reliability and longevity (10+ year lifespan reported)
- DSM software ecosystem is intuitive and low-maintenance
- Strong after-sales support—even out-of-warranty replacements honored
✗ WATCH OUT
- CPU maxes out (99%) on 4K transcoding—needs separate mini PC for Plex
- No built-in 10GbE; requires costly add-on adaptor
- Only 4GB RAM included at a premium price point
Synology DS423+
★ STRENGTHS
- Intel Celeron with GPU enables hardware video transcoding (advantage over DS923+)
- Docker/Container Manager support runs Plex, Pi-hole, Sonarr, Radarr smoothly
- DSM operating system widely praised as intuitive for service management
✗ WATCH OUT
- No expansion unit support — permanently capped at 4 bays
- Base RAM insufficient; upgrade recommended or near-mandatory
- Steep learning curve for Docker, hardlinks, and media automation
HOW THIS COMPARISON WAS BUILT
Both verdicts are synthesised from real user voices on Reddit, YouTube, Hacker News, ProductHunt, Trustpilot and editorial sources — 68 for Synology DS1522+, 72 for Synology DS423+. No paid placement; ratings come from raw sentiment, not our opinion. Read the methodology.