The 2-bay NAS category has three credible options in Australia: the Ugreen DXP2800, the Synology DS223, and the Synology DS225+. These sit at different price points and represent meaningfully different hardware philosophies. The DXP2800 brings Intel x86 compute, NVMe caching, and 2.5GbE to a 2-bay enclosure at a price above both Synology options. The DS223 and DS225+ trade raw hardware for DSM's mature software ecosystem and Synology's established AU support chain. Choosing between them comes down to whether you need the extra compute, or whether the software gap matters more than the hardware advantage.
In short: If you want the most capable 2-bay hardware and plan to run Docker, use NVMe caching, or need 2.5GbE, the DXP2800 is the stronger machine. If you want a simpler setup with a mature OS and clearer AU warranty path, the DS225+ ($528) is the right choice. The DS223 ($428) suits buyers who want basic Synology file storage at the lowest entry point without Plus-tier requirements.
Side-by-Side Specs
Ugreen DXP2800 vs Synology DS223 vs Synology DS225+
| Ugreen DXP2800 | Synology DS223 | Synology DS225+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bays | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Processor | Intel N100 (x86) | Realtek RTD1619B (ARM) | Intel (Plus series) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR5 | 2GB DDR4 | 2GB DDR4 |
| M.2 NVMe slots | 2 x M.2 | None | None |
| Main networking | 2.5GbE | 1GbE | 1GbE |
| USB 3.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI out | Yes | No | No |
| Operating system | UGOS Pro | DSM 7.x | DSM 7.x |
| Docker support | Yes | Limited (ARM) | Yes |
| Active Backup | No | No | Yes (Plus) |
| AU price (from) | Check retailers | $428 | $528 |
| AU warranty path | Via retailer (no local distrib.) | Via BlueChip IT | Via BlueChip IT |
Where the DXP2800 Wins: Hardware
The DXP2800's Intel N100 is a significantly faster processor than the ARM chips in the Synology DS223. The N100 is a modern quad-core x86 chip with Intel Quick Sync hardware encoding, which means Plex hardware transcoding works properly without a Plex Pass workaround. Running multiple Docker containers simultaneously is practical on the N100 in a way that is marginal on the DS223's ARM hardware.
The two M.2 NVMe slots are a genuine differentiator. Neither Synology 2-bay option includes M.2 slots, which means NVMe caching is unavailable. On the DXP2800, NVMe drives can serve as a cache tier for spinning HDDs, dramatically improving random read performance. If the drives in the NAS will be spinning HDDs, the NVMe cache benefit is real and measurable.
The 2.5GbE port is the third hardware advantage. Both Synology 2-bay models use 1GbE, which caps network throughput at roughly 112MB/s. The DXP2800's 2.5GbE delivers up to 280MB/s on a compatible switch, which is relevant if the NAS feeds a workstation with large file workloads.
Where Synology Wins: Software and Support
DSM's software maturity is a genuine competitive advantage. Synology has over 15 years of NAS-specific software development behind it. Hyper Backup, Active Backup for Business (DS225+ only), Surveillance Station, and Synology Drive are polished first-party applications with dedicated development teams and extensive user documentation. UGOS Pro covers core NAS tasks but does not yet match DSM's application depth or third-party integration library.
Community support matters for 2-bay NAS buyers more than it does for enthusiast buyers, because 2-bay NAS is often a first purchase. If something does not work as expected on a Synology NAS, the answer is almost always available through a quick search of Synology's community forums or Reddit. For UGOS Pro, the community is smaller and the documentation is thinner. If you are comfortable troubleshooting hardware without as much community scaffolding, this is manageable. If you want to set it up and forget it, DSM's ecosystem advantage is real.
Warranty support is clearer for Synology in Australia. BlueChip IT distributes Synology products locally, which means warranty escalation goes through an Australian channel with local stock. Ugreen does not yet have an official Australian distributor, which means warranty claims route through international channels for complex cases.
The DS223 vs DS225+: Which Synology 2-Bay?
The DS223 ($428) uses an ARM processor and does not include Plus-tier DSM features. Docker runs on the DS223, but the ARM architecture limits it to ARM-compatible images, and some common Docker containers are not packaged for ARM. For straightforward file sharing and backup on a budget, the DS223 handles the workload. For Docker, the DS225+ is the better choice.
The DS225+ ($528) is the 2025 Plus series 2-bay, running an Intel-based processor and accessing the full DSM application suite including Active Backup for Business. At $100 more than the DS223, the DS225+ is the correct long-term investment for anyone who wants to use Docker, Plex, or Synology's enterprise backup tools.
The gap between the DS223 and DXP2800 is larger than the gap between the DS225+ and DXP2800. The DS225+ closes some of the hardware deficit by running on an Intel chip, though the N100 in the DXP2800 is a faster chip than the Celeron-class processor in the DS225+, and the M.2 slots and 2.5GbE remain exclusive to the Ugreen model.
Who Should Buy the DXP2800?
The DXP2800 is the right choice for homelab users and enthusiasts who specifically want a 2-bay form factor with x86 compute. If you are building a small NVMe-backed storage pool, want Plex with hardware transcoding in a compact enclosure, or need 2.5GbE without a switch upgrade, the DXP2800 delivers hardware the Synology 2-bay models do not.
The 2-bay limitation is a real constraint regardless of the model. With two drives in RAID 1 (mirroring), half the raw capacity is consumed by redundancy. There is no room to expand by adding drives, meaning growth requires replacing existing drives with larger ones. For users who might need more capacity within 2-3 years, stepping up to a 4-bay enclosure at the initial purchase avoids this problem. The DXP4800 and DS925+ both make stronger long-term storage investments than any 2-bay model at equivalent price points.
Pros
- Intel N100 delivers x86 compute and Quick Sync hardware transcoding
- Two M.2 NVMe slots for caching or all-flash storage
- 2.5GbE supports higher local network throughput than Synology 2-bay options
- 8GB DDR5 is substantially more RAM than either Synology 2-bay model
Cons
- Higher upfront cost than both Synology 2-bay models
- UGOS Pro is less mature than DSM with a smaller community
- No official AU distributor. Warranty escalation is less direct
- 2-bay constraint limits storage growth regardless of hardware quality
Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide, our Synology brand guide, and our Synology vs QNAP comparison.
Is the DXP2800 worth it over the DS225+ for Plex?
Yes, if hardware transcoding is important. The DXP2800's Intel N100 supports Quick Sync hardware transcoding natively, which handles multiple simultaneous 1080p streams and some 4K streams efficiently with a Plex Pass subscription. The DS225+'s Intel processor also supports Quick Sync, but the N100 is a more capable chip with more headroom for simultaneous transcodes. For 1-2 simultaneous streams, both work. For 3+ streams or 4K HDR content, the DXP2800 has the advantage.
Can the DS223 run Docker?
Yes, but with limitations. The DS223 runs ARM architecture, which means Docker containers must be built for ARM (arm64). Many popular Docker images are published as multi-architecture images and run fine on ARM. Some niche or less actively maintained images are x86-only and will not run on the DS223. For common containers (Portainer, Vaultwarden, Nextcloud, Pi-hole), ARM support is available. For unusual or enterprise containers, check ARM compatibility before relying on the DS223.
What drives should I use in a 2-bay NAS?
NAS-grade drives from Seagate (IronWolf) or Western Digital (WD Red Plus) in the 4TB to 8TB range are appropriate for all three models. For the DXP2800, any reputable NAS-grade drive works without compatibility restrictions. For the DS225+, 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch SATA SSDs are unrestricted after DSM 7.3. M.2 NVMe drives in the DXP2800 should be from reputable brands (Samsung, WD, Kingston). Check current AU pricing at PLE, Scorptec, and Mwave for the best value per terabyte before buying.
Should I buy a 2-bay or step up to 4 bays?
For most buyers, a 4-bay NAS is the better long-term investment. Two bays in RAID 1 lose half the capacity to redundancy and offer no path to adding more drives later without replacing existing ones. A 4-bay NAS in RAID 5 or RAID 6 provides redundancy while retaining more usable capacity and room to grow. The DXP4800, DS425+, and DS925+ are all credible 4-bay alternatives that give more flexibility than any 2-bay model at a relatively modest price premium.
Does the DXP2800 have Synology's Active Backup for Business equivalent?
No. UGOS Pro does not have a direct equivalent to Synology's Active Backup for Business, which backs up Windows endpoints, VMware VMs, and physical servers to the NAS without per-device licensing fees. UGOS Pro covers basic scheduled backup tasks and supports external backup destinations (rsync, cloud). For users who specifically need Active Backup for Business functionality, the DS225+ running DSM is the correct choice over the DXP2800, regardless of the hardware differences.
Not sure whether to go 2-bay or 4-bay? The NAS sizing wizard gives a recommendation based on your workload and budget.
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