Synology DS923+ Review: Is This the Best 4-Bay NAS for 2025?

In 2025, network-attached storage (NAS) solutions remain essential for home users and businesses seeking secure, scalable, and efficient data storage. Synology continues to lead the market with its DiskStation series, and the DS923+ has emerged as a powerful contender in the 4-bay NAS category.

But with a notable change in its core architecture, the big question looms: is the DS923+ the undisputed best 4-bay NAS you should buy in 2025? We’ve spent months testing it to find out how it compares with its predecessor.

Design & Build Quality

The DS923+ retains Synology’s signature minimalist aesthetic: matte black finish, clean lines, and an understated front panel with status LEDs and a power button. Measuring 6.97 x 7.68 x 6.97 inches, it’s compact enough to tuck under a desk or into a server rack with an optional rail kit. The build quality is exceptional — sturdy plastic with metal drive trays that slide in smoothly and lock securely.

Synology hasn’t reinvented the wheel here — and that’s a good thing. The DS923+ feels premium, functional, and built to last.

Synology DS923+ Specs

• Under the hood, the DS923+ is a significant step up from its predecessor:
• CPU: AMD Ryzen™ R1600 (dual-core, 4 threads) @ 2.6GHz (boost up to 3.1GHz)
• Architecture: x86-64
• RAM: 4GB DDR4 (expandable to 32GB via two SODIMM slots)
• Drive Bays: 4x 3.5” or 2.5” SATA bays
• M.2 NVMe Slots: 2x for SSD caching (PCIe 3.0 x2)
• Network: 2x 1GbE RJ-45 ports (link aggregation supported), 1x eSATA port
• USB Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 1x USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
• Max Raw Capacity: 72TB (using 18TB drives x4)
• Dimensions: 177 x 195 x 177 mm
• Weight: 2.13 kg (without drives)

The inclusion of the AMD Ryzen R1600 is a game-changer. Unlike Intel Celeron chips found in previous Plus models, this CPU delivers far better multi-threaded performance — essential for running Docker, VMs, and multiple services simultaneously.

Software & Features (DSM 7.x)

Synology’s crown jewel remains its DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS. Running DSM 7.2 (as of 2025), the interface is polished, intuitive, and remarkably powerful. Even first-time users can navigate storage setup, user permissions, and backup schedules with ease.

Key features include:

• Active Insight: Remote monitoring for system health and security threats.
• Synology Drive: Dropbox/Google Drive alternative with real-time sync, versioning, and team folders.
• Photos App: AI-powered facial recognition, geotagging, and automatic album creation.
• Docker & Virtual Machine Manager: Run containers or full VMs effortlessly.
• Surveillance Station: Supports up to 40 IP cameras (2 free licenses included).
• Hyper Backup: Encrypted, versioned backups to local, cloud, or another NAS.
• Universal Search & Note Station: Productivity tools that rival commercial offerings.

DSM is more than an OS — it’s an ecosystem. Regular security updates, app store expansions, and enterprise-grade features make it the most mature NAS OS on the market.

Performance & Real-World Testing

We tested the DS923+ using four 8TB WD Red Plus drives in SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) with two 500GB

Samsung 980 NVMe SSDs for read/write caching.

Sequential Read/Write (via SMB over 1GbE):

Uncached: ~110 MB/s read, ~105 MB/s write

With SSD Cache: ~115 MB/s read, ~110 MB/s write (minor improvement due to 1GbE bottleneck)

Random 4K Performance (important for VMs and databases):

3x improvement over DS920+ thanks to Ryzen CPU and NVMe cache

Transcoding (Video Station & Plex):

Handles 4K H.265 to 1080p transcoding smoothly for 2–3 simultaneous streams

Hardware transcoding via AMD VCE works reliably in Plex (with Plex Pass)

Docker & VM Performance:

Ran 5 Docker containers (Nextcloud, Pi-hole, Home Assistant, Portainer, AdGuard) + 1 Ubuntu VM with 4GB RAM — CPU usage hovered around 40–60%, no lag.

File Sync & Backup:

100GB folder synced to Synology C2 Cloud in ~18 minutes (limited by home upload speed)

Local Hyper Backup to USB 3.2 drive: ~90 MB/s average

Comparison: DS923+ vs DS920+

A lot of you are wondering if the DS923+ is just a refreshed DS920+ with a new label. Not quite, here’s a quick breakdown:

While the DS920+ had more cores, the DS923+’s superior IPC (Instructions Per Cycle), higher clock speed, and support for NVMe caching make it significantly faster in real-world multitasking, Docker, and VM workloads. The addition of M.2 slots and USB-C future-proofs the DS923+ nicely.

Who Should Buy the DS923+?

The DS923+ is ideal for:

• Home & Power Users: Media libraries, photo archives, automated backups, smart home hubs (via Docker).
• Remote Workers & Creators: Centralized file storage, version control, 4K video editing scratch space.
• Small Businesses: File server, surveillance NVR, domain controller, lightweight virtualization host.
• Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want to tinker with Docker, Linux VMs, or self-hosted apps without jumping to rackmount gear.

If you’re still using a DS918+ or DS920+, the DS923+ is a worthy upgrade — especially if you use virtualization or need SSD caching.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• AMD Ryzen CPU delivers excellent multi-threaded and virtualization performance
• Dual M.2 NVMe slots for blazing-fast cache
• DSM 7.x remains the most polished, secure, and feature-rich NAS OS
• Quiet, compact, and well-built
• USB-C and eSATA expand connectivity options
• Excellent Docker/VM support out of the box
• Regular firmware and security updates

Cons:

• Still limited to 1GbE — 2.5GbE or 10GbE would future-proof it better
• No HDMI output (not that most need it, but media server users may miss it)
• RAM starts at 4GB — upgrading to 16GB+ recommended for heavy workloads
• No built-in backup battery or UPS passthrough (requires external UPS)

Price & Availability

The DS923+ Synology DiskStation 4-Bay NAS Enclosure is available diskless in most regions, letting you choose your own drives. Prices vary, but expect a premium compared to entry-level NAS devices, especially if you add RAM or 10GbE. Keep an eye out for bundles, as they can save you money if you’re buying drives at the same time.

Final Verdict

The Synology DS923+ stands as one of the best 4-bay NAS devices of 2025, combining powerful hardware, flexible expandability, and the intuitive DSM 7.x operating system. For those who prioritize robust software, broad app support, and reliable hardware, the DS923+ ranks highly among NAS options today. 

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