Compared with QNAP TS-253Be, Synology DS918+ has enhanced backup features, higher RAID modes, larger storage volume, and a longer warranty period. Conversely, the QNAP device is lightweight, enables PCle technology, provides more USB inputs, has better sharing ability, makes lesser noise, and comes cheaper.
Main Differences and Similarities between these 2 devices:
- 253Be is lightweight and presents a clean layout.
- TS-253Be shows faster read-write speeds.
- DS918+ has better storage capacity and backup efficiency.
- 253Be presents comparatively enhanced sharing ability.
- TS supports more operating systems.
- QNAP device makes lesser comparatively noise.
- DiskStation has a longer warranty period and higher price value.
The QNAP TS-253Be is a lightweight 2-bay NAS that offers a good cloud interface with MyQNAPcloud.
Moreover, its multiple USB inputs and PCle slots account for its faster read-write functions and networking efficiency.
Furthermore, it offers a better sharing facility with many local accounts and concurrent connections.
On the other hand, the Synology DS918+ offers massive storage capacity and also allows expansion through the eSATA port. Its multiple RAID modes and Synology Hyper backup suite provide complete data retrieval in case of accidental damage or malware attack.
Side By Side Comparison:
| TS-253Be | DS918+ | |
| CPU | Quad-core Intel Celeron J3455 1.5GHz (burst up to 2.3 GHz) | quad-core Intel Celeron J3455 1.5 GHz, burst up to 2.3GHz |
| RAM | 4 GB SO-DIMM DDR3L 2 GB SO-DIMM DDR3L | 4 GB DDR3L SO-DIMM |
| Compatible drive types | 2 x 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s, 3Gb/s | 4 x 3.5″ or 2.5″ SATA SSD/HDD 2 x M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD |
| Interface | SATA III | SATA |
| Number of bays | 2 | 2 |
Speed
TS-253Be takes the lead in the speed test due to PCIe slots. PCle technology enables 10Gbe performance through an expansion card.
However, this device presents speeds similar to the competitor without an expansion card.
On the other side, the performance of Synology DS918+ is slower than its competitor, and there is only a minor difference in its link aggregation and encrypted data throughputs.
| TS-253Be | DS918+ | |
| Read (Mbps) | 225 659 (with 10 GbE) | 226 (link aggregation) 225 (encrypted throughput) |
| Write (Mbps) | 225 648 (with 10 GbE) | 222 (link aggregation) 221 (encrypted throughput) |
Design
Synology DS918+ is a four-bay NAS characterizing a matte black look with drive bays opening on the front side.
A marginal bar on the front carries LED indicators, a USB 3.0 port, and the power button, while the rearview shows a reset button, fans, slots for eSATA connection, two 1GbE RJ-45, a USB input, and power supply Kensington security, and an M.2 NVMe SSD port.
It has the edge over the competitor as eSATA and M.2 NVMe SSD features provide better storage efficiency.
But it lacks PCle slots, and its Ethernet connection is limited to a 1GbE interface, reducing the data transfer speed.
Moreover, the number of USB inputs is half compared to the contestant.
In comparison, QNAP TS-253Be has a sleek outlook in black-blue contrast.
It also has indicators and a power button on the front and the rest of the elements on the backside.
It provides the efficiency of both USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 because it carries five Gen 1 ports and two 1PCle slots, which support Gen 2 and 10 GbE expansion cards. PCle express makes it capable of faster data transfers.
| TS-253Be | DS918+ | |
| Width x Height x Depth | 105 x 168 x 226 mm | 199 x 166 x 223 mm |
| Weight | 1.67 kg | 2.28 kg |
| Ports | 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port 2 x 1 PCle slots 2 x RJ-45 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 1 x eSATA port 2 x RJ-45 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports |
Performance in extreme conditions
Both these gadgets are designed to provide an optimized performance even in tough environmental conditions.
Nonetheless, the QNAP device can work in relatively cooler environments, and its storage range is also wider in comparison.
| TS-253Be | DS918+ | |
| Operational temperature | 32°F to 104°F | 40°F to 104°F |
| Storage Temperature | -4°F to 158°F | -5°F to 140°F |
| Operational humidity | 5% to 95% RH | 5% to 95% RH |
Available models
Two variants of TS-253Be are available in the market that carries different RAM. This QNAP device comes with a 2GB DD3RL and a 4GB DD3RL installed memory.
On the other side, there are no variants of DS918+. It only comes with 4 GB DDR3L RAM that users can expand up to 8GB.
Cloud storage
Both devices provide reliable cloud portals to store, sync and share NAS data conveniently. DS918+ is associated with Synology drive, where users can keep all their files and multimedia content.
This data is easily approachable through various DiskStation apps and can be used remotely. Hence, a private cloud network is established.
It wins over the competitor because it has double storage volume due to four drive bays and expansion features like M.2 NVMe SSD and eSATA connection.
253Be also enables the users to build a private cloud via MyQNAPcloud.
The data stored on NAS and this remote database is mutually synced through Qsync. Just like the competitor, QNAP offers various apps to utilize this data.
But due to the 2-disk capacity, quite a lesser amount of data can be stored on this device.
Supported OS and browsers
Synology DS918+ is compatible with fewer OS in comparison. It operates with macOS (10.12/ higher), Windows (7/ higher), and Linux.
Any device running these operating systems can be used to access the NAS files.
If you want to use the network through a smartphone, you need an Android or iOS device.
Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox are compatible with this equipment for web-based features.
QNAP here scores higher because it works with a large number of operating systems.
It supports macOS (10.10/ higher), Windows (7/ higher), UNIX, IBM AIX 7, Solaris 10, CentOS 7, RHEL 6.6, and Ubuntu 14.04. Similarly, iOS and Android are also supported for smart devices.
Online functions can be performed using Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
Backup and Sharing
When it comes to sharing, DS918+ ranks lower as the number of its user accounts is nearly half as compared to its contestant.
It permits only 2048 local user accounts.
Moreover, it allows fewer FTP connections, just 1000 at maximum.
It provides superior local backup as it enables Synology RAID hybrid, single, JBOD, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10.
Higher RAID modes improve its mirroring efficiency in comparison.
In addition, it shows 2 disk-fault tolerance due to four drive capacity.
Conversely, 253Be presents a better sharing ability than its competitor.
It allows 4096 local user accounts and 1024 FTP connections at a time.
TS enables only JBOD, single, RAID 0, and 1, rendering its local backup less efficient than its competitor.
Moreover, with two drive bays, it only provides only 1 disk-fault tolerance.
Setup
Setup of both these systems is quite an easy job because the drives are hot-swappable from the front side, and you don’t need to disassemble the whole device to install storage disks.
DiskStation has its drive trays visible while there is a cover over the drive bays of TS.
- Slide out the tray from the drive bay and mount the storage disk over it. For proper fixing, you may require a screwdriver and some screws. Then insert the drive tray back into the empty bay.
- Turn the device on, connect it with the internet and configure the cloud network through NAS web portals.
Noise
QNAP device is fairly quiet compared to its contestant due to its small-sized cooling fan.
It has only one fan of dimensions 70 x 70 mm, making noise at 16.7 decibels.
In contrast, Synology NAS has two larger fans and makes a noticeable sound while working.
Each of its fans is 92 x 92mm, and its sound level is recorded at 19.8 dB.
Warranty
Both devices are durable due to their quality material composition and user-friendly design.
However, Synology promises efficient performance for a longer duration and gives a 3-year warranty for DS918+.
TS-253Be carries a limited replacement warranty for 2 years by its manufacturer.
However, if the consumers want further assurance, they can pay the company to extend the warranty for further 3 years.
