Synology DS124 Vs Synology DS1522+ Black Friday 2026 NAS

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Choosing between the Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS and the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS comes down to a straightforward question: do you need a simple place for files, or a storage system built to grow? The DS124 keeps things compact with one drive bay. The DS1522+ offers five bays, more memory and room to expand, making the two NAS devices suited to different budgets and workloads.

For this Black Friday 2026 guide, I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across Synology’s home and small-business NAS range. My pick for most people who need a serious shared storage hub is the DS1522+, while the DS124 is the sensible entry point for one-drive backups. The extra products below give shoppers useful alternatives for two, four or six drive bays.

How We Picked

• Compared drive-bay counts and storage expansion options for different household and office libraries.
• Reviewed processor, memory and networking specifications to identify models suited to backups, media and shared files.
• Considered setup simplicity and long-term flexibility, including memory upgrades, expansion units and optional network upgrades.
• Researched specs, reviews and owner feedback, prioritizing clear use cases over headline specifications alone.
• Selected models across Synology’s compact, midrange and higher-capacity NAS categories.

Comparison Table

Product	Best for	Drive bays	Memory	Ethernet
Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS	One-drive backups	1	1 GB DDR4	1 x 1GbE
Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS	Compact shared home storage	2	2 GB DDR4	2 x 1GbE
Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS	Growing media libraries	4	2 GB DDR4	2 x 1GbE
Synology DiskStation DS723+ 2-Bay NAS	Upgradeable two-drive storage	2	2 GB ECC, up to 32 GB	2 x 1GbE
Synology DiskStation DS923+ 4-Bay NAS	Expandable home-office storage	4	4 GB ECC, up to 32 GB	2 x 1GbE
Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS	Growing home offices	5	8 GB ECC, up to 32 GB	4 x 1GbE
Synology DiskStation DS1621+ 6-Bay NAS	Large shared storage pools	6	4 GB ECC, up to 32 GB	4 x 1GbE

Best Picks Reviewed

#1

Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS

The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS is the best simple personal backup hub for users who need one drive bay and 1 GB of memory.

Best for: One-drive backups and personal files

Drive bays

1

Memory

1 GB DDR4

Ethernet

1 x 1GbE

Pros

• Compact, straightforward entry into Synology NAS storage
• Useful for file sharing and automated backups
• Simple single-drive setup

Cons

• One drive provides no drive-level redundancy
• Limited room to grow storage

Is the Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS is worth considering for personal backups, shared files and a compact home setup. The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS's single bay keeps the system simple, but shoppers who need drive redundancy or room for a larger library should choose a multi-bay model.

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#2

Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS

The Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS is the best compact two-drive NAS for households that want a balanced setup with a 4-core processor.

Best for: Compact shared home storage

Drive bays

2

Processor

4-core Intel Celeron J4125

Memory

2 GB DDR4

Ethernet

2 x 1GbE

Pros

• Two bays support a more flexible storage setup
• Two Ethernet ports offer network options
• Compact footprint for a home office

Cons

• Less room to expand than four- and five-bay models

Is the Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS is a strong choice for home users who want shared storage, backups and a compact design. Two drive bays give shoppers more flexibility than a one-bay NAS, while its 2 GB of memory suits everyday file tasks.

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#3

Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS

The Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS is the best four-bay media and backup hub for households that want 2 M.2 slots.

Best for: Growing home media libraries

Drive bays

4

Memory

2 GB DDR4

Ethernet

2 x 1GbE

M.2 slots

2

Pros

• Four bays offer room for a larger storage pool
• Two M.2 slots add storage configuration options
• Two Ethernet ports support network flexibility

Cons

• Memory starts at 2 GB

Is the Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS is a practical upgrade for homes with expanding photo, video and backup libraries. Four drive bays provide more capacity options than two-bay models, and its 2 M.2 slots give users additional configuration flexibility.

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#4

Synology DiskStation DS723+ 2-Bay NAS

The Synology DiskStation DS723+ 2-Bay NAS is the best upgradeable two-bay NAS for users who want ECC memory support up to 32 GB.

Best for: Upgradeable two-drive storage

Drive bays

2

Processor

2-core AMD Ryzen R1600

Memory

2 GB ECC, expandable to 32 GB

Ethernet

2 x 1GbE

Pros

• ECC memory can be expanded to 32 GB
• Optional 10GbE upgrade supports faster networking
• Good fit for a compact but upgradeable setup

Cons

• Two drive bays limit internal expansion

Is the Synology DiskStation DS723+ 2-Bay NAS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS723+ 2-Bay NAS suits users who want a compact NAS with a meaningful upgrade path. Support for up to 32 GB of ECC memory and an optional 10GbE upgrade make it more flexible than a basic two-bay storage box.

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#5

Synology DiskStation DS923+ 4-Bay NAS

The Synology DiskStation DS923+ 4-Bay NAS is the best upgrade-focused four-bay NAS for users who want 4 GB of ECC memory and optional 10GbE.

Best for: Expandable home-office storage

Drive bays

4

Processor

2-core AMD Ryzen R1600

Memory

4 GB ECC, expandable to 32 GB

Ethernet

2 x 1GbE

Pros

• Four drive bays suit larger file collections
• Memory expands to 32 GB
• Optional 10GbE adds a faster networking path

Cons

• A more advanced choice than basic backup needs require

Is the Synology DiskStation DS923+ 4-Bay NAS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS923+ 4-Bay NAS is worth a look for home offices and experienced NAS users who value expansion. Four bays, 4 GB of ECC memory and support for up to 32 GB provide a strong foundation for a growing shared-storage system.

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#6 · Top pick

Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS

The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS is the best overall NAS for growing home offices that need five drive bays and 8 GB of ECC memory.

Best for: Growing home offices and large libraries

Drive bays

5

Processor

2-core AMD Ryzen R1600

Memory

8 GB ECC, expandable to 32 GB

Ethernet

4 x 1GbE

Pros

• Five bays offer a useful mix of capacity and flexibility
• 8 GB of ECC memory is included
• Four Ethernet ports and optional 10GbE support network upgrades

Cons

• More storage and features than a simple backup setup needs

Is the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS is a strong choice for growing libraries, shared office files and users who want room to expand. Five drive bays, 8 GB of ECC memory and four Ethernet ports make it substantially more flexible than the DS124.

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#7

Synology DiskStation DS1621+ 6-Bay NAS

The Synology DiskStation DS1621+ 6-Bay NAS is the best high-capacity choice for advanced users who need six drive bays and a 4-core processor.

Best for: Large shared storage pools

Processor

4-core AMD Ryzen V1500B

Memory

4 GB ECC, expandable to 32 GB

Ethernet

4 x 1GbE

Pros

• Six bays support a large internal storage pool
• Four-core processor suits a busier NAS environment
• Memory expands to 32 GB

Cons

• Large and advanced for basic household backups

Is the Synology DiskStation DS1621+ 6-Bay NAS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS1621+ 6-Bay NAS is a good fit for advanced users who need substantial shared storage and expansion headroom. Six bays and a 4-core processor distinguish it from compact home models, though simple personal backups do not need this much capacity.

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Which is better, the Synology DS124 or the Synology DS1522+?

The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS is better for expandable storage, while the Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS is better for simple backups and one-drive setups. The biggest difference is physical capacity: five bays give the DS1522+ more room for multiple drives and a growing file library.

The DS124 keeps the experience simpler with 1 GB of memory and one Ethernet port. The DS1522+ includes 8 GB of ECC memory, four Ethernet ports and optional 10GbE support. Those specifications suit busier shared storage, media collections and home offices that need room to expand.

Choose the DS124 when a single drive meets the need and simplicity matters most. Choose the DS1522+ when storage growth, multiple users or networking flexibility matter more than a compact setup.

How many drive bays should a home NAS have?

The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS has 1 drive bay, while the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS has 5, so the right count depends on storage growth and redundancy needs. A one-bay system suits a basic file destination, but it does not provide drive-level redundancy.

Two-bay models such as the Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS fit modest home libraries and give owners more configuration choices. Four-bay systems such as the Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS and Synology DiskStation DS923+ 4-Bay NAS provide more room for expansion.

Five or six bays make sense for large media collections, shared office files or users who want to add drives over time. More bays also mean a larger system and more setup decisions, so match capacity to actual use.

Is the DS124 enough for backups and shared files?

The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS is enough for straightforward backups and shared files when one drive meets the storage need. The single-bay design and 1 GB of memory make it a direct route to network storage without the size or extra configuration of a multi-bay NAS.

A single drive is also the key limitation: drive failure leaves no second internal drive for redundancy. Users with important files should keep a separate backup copy, whether on another device or through an off-site backup plan.

For multiple users, a growing photo archive or a larger media library, a two-bay or four-bay model offers more room to adjust. The DS124 works best when simplicity is the priority, not expansion.

What makes the DS1522+ better for expanding storage?

The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS offers 5 drive bays, 8 GB of ECC memory and 4 Ethernet ports, giving it more headroom than the one-bay DS124. Five bays let users build a larger storage setup and add capacity without replacing the entire NAS.

The DS1522+ also supports memory expansion up to 32 GB and an optional 10GbE network upgrade. Those features are useful for a busy home office or a shared library accessed across several devices. Synology expansion support adds another path to extend a storage setup.

The DS1522+ is not the practical pick for everyone. Users with one computer and a small backup folder do not need five bays; users with many files or a plan to grow gain more value from its flexible design.

Which Synology NAS features matter most before buying?

The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS and Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS show why buyers should compare drive bays, memory and Ethernet before choosing a NAS. Drive bays set the internal expansion limit, memory helps determine how much room the system has for varied tasks, and networking affects connections to the local network.

Check whether the model supports the type and capacity of drives you plan to use. Confirm memory upgrade limits, Ethernet port count and any expansion-unit compatibility on the product specifications. Optional upgrades add flexibility, but they also make a model more complex than a basic backup box.

Finally, plan for a separate backup of important files. A NAS centralizes storage and sharing, but a second copy protects files if the NAS or its drives fail.

Buying Guide

Start with your storage needs

The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS is a straightforward fit for one-drive storage, while the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS suits larger libraries. Estimate the files you need to keep and leave room for growth.

Choose the right bay count

The Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS suits compact home storage, while the Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS adds two more bays for expansion. More bays provide flexibility, but basic backups often need less.

Check memory and networking

The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS includes 8 GB of ECC memory and 4 Ethernet ports. Compare included memory and port counts against your workload, network equipment and upgrade plans.

Plan for redundancy and backups

The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS has one drive bay, so it cannot offer internal drive-level redundancy. Keep a separate copy of important files regardless of the NAS model you select.

Compare the whole setup for Black Friday 2026

The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS and Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS serve different needs. Compare the NAS, compatible drives and any upgrades as one complete setup before deciding.

FAQ

Synology DS124 vs Synology DS1522+: which should I buy?

Choose the Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS for simple personal backups and a one-drive setup. Choose the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS for expandable storage, multiple users and larger libraries. The DS1522+ has five bays and 8 GB of ECC memory; the DS124 has one bay and 1 GB.

Does the Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS support multiple drives?

No. The Synology DiskStation DS124 1-Bay NAS has 1 drive bay, so it holds one internal drive. Users who want multiple internal drives should compare two-bay models such as the Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS or larger options in this guide.

Is the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS good for a home office?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS suits a home office that needs shared files, multiple drives and expansion options. The system includes 8 GB of ECC memory and 4 Ethernet ports, with memory expansion up to 32 GB and optional 10GbE support.

Can the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS expand beyond five drives?

Yes. The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS supports a Synology DX517 expansion unit, allowing a compatible setup to add 5 drive bays. Check current compatibility and drive guidance before choosing an expansion unit for your storage plan.

Which Synology NAS is best for a growing media library?

The Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay NAS is a balanced choice for a growing home media library, with 4 drive bays and 2 M.2 slots. The Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay NAS is the better fit when more bays, 8 GB of ECC memory and expansion matter.