I’ve continued to recommend the Synology DiskStation DS220+ as one of the best NAS enclosures for the home. TerraMaster also makes some excellent enclosures but the company’s operating system was often viewed as rough around the edges. I’ll be comparing the mighty Synology DiskStation DS220+ vs. TerraMaster F2-221 to see which NAS is best.
Better specs
Synology DiskStation DS220+
- Better Intel processor
- More refined OS
- Better ecosystem support
- 2x 1Gb LAN ports
- Can run Plex Media Server
- Worse value
- More expensive
The Synology DiskStation DS220+ is a brilliant two-bay NAS with a capable Intel processor, upgradable RAM, a great cloud-based ecosystem, two 1Gb LAN ports, and is capable of transcoding 4K media. It’s let down by the slightly higher price.
Better value
TerraMaster F2-221
- More affordable
- Better overall value
- 2x 1Gb LAN ports
- Can run Plex Media Server
- Weaker processor
- Rougher OS
- Fewer cloud options
TerraMaster NAS is all about offering better value and that’s precisely what the F2-221 offers here against the Synology DS220+. We’ve got a slightly slower Intel processor, but one that’s still capable of transcoding media. The OS is a little rough but is more than usable.
If you want one of the better value two-bay NAS from Synology, go with the Synology DiskStation DS220+. It’s a brilliant enclosure that can be used as a means for storing files or setting up your own Plex Media Server. The TerraMaster F2-221 is a great second pick if you’d like to save $40 (or more when on sale).
Synology DS220+ is a fantastic two-bay NAS
I’ve written about the Synology DiskStation DS220+ at length because it’s a brilliant little enclosure. You’ve got two drive bays, an Intel Celeron J4025 processor, 2GB of expandable DDR4 RAM, two 1Gb LAN ports, and a reasonable price.
I’ve also rated this NAS as the best NAS you can buy for another important reason; the operating system. DiskStation Manager (DSM) is class-leading thanks to the user-friendly web admin GUI and powerful admin tools available. Couple this with the powerful internal components and you’ve got one very capable yet compact server.
| Synology DiskStation DS220+ | TerraMaster F2-221 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Celeron J4025 (2 cores, 2.9GHz) | Intel Celeron J3355 (2 cores, 2.5GHz) |
| GPU | HD Graphics 600 | HD Graphics 500 |
| RAM | 2GB DDR4 (max 6GB) | 2GB DDR4 (max 6GB) |
| Drive bays | 2x (SSD/HDD) | 2x (SSD/HDD) |
| Capacity | 40TB | 40TB |
| Expansion support | ❎ | ❎ |
| Cooling | 1x 92mm fan | 1x 80mm fan |
| Ports | 2x 1Gb LAN 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 2x 1Gb LAN 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 |
| PCIe slots | ❎ | ❎ |
| Power draw | ~14.69W | ~22.1W |
| Dimensions | 165 x 108 x 232.2mm | 227 x 119 x 133mm |
| Weight | 1.30kg | 2.40kg |
| Price | $300 | $260 |
The Intel Celeron J4025 is excellent for various tasks, including running a media server. You’ll be able to transcode 4K media without issue from the DS220+. The server is designed primarily with first-time buyers in mind.
If you’re looking for your first enclosure for data storage, the DS220+ is a great place to start. Synology’s ecosystem and OS simply make it far more welcoming to beginners.
TerraMaster F2-221 is great for saving money
The TerraMaster F2-221 is very similar to the Synology DiskStation DS220+ if you were to remove the outer shells of both NAS. The enclosures have an Intel CPU, DDR4 RAM, two drive bays, and 1Gb LAN ports, and that’s about it.
A major difference between the two is the Intel processor SKU. The DS220+’s Intel Celeron J4025 is better than the Celeron J3355, making it better suited for heavier workloads (like media transcoding). Then there’s the OS. TerraMaster’s TOS isn’t terrible but it’s considerably rougher than DSM.
Synology DiskStation DS220+
The Synology DiskStation DS220+ is the company’s mid-range enclosure and is perfect if you’re just starting out with your first NAS.
TerraMaster F2-221
TerraMaster’s F2-221 has similar components and features to the Synology DS220+, but it undercuts the two-bay NAS by $40.
