Synology Drive Compatibility Checker
Find compatible HDDs & SSDs for your NAS model
Select Your NAS Model
Choose your Synology NAS from the dropdown above to see compatible drives and current pricing.
Check the label on the front or bottom of your NAS, or go to DSM → Control Panel → Info Center.
Understanding Synology Drive Compatibility
✓ Synology Verified
Official Synology drives (HAT5300/HAT5310 series) with guaranteed compatibility and full support.
✓ Compatible
Third-party NAS drives (WD Red, Seagate IronWolf) tested and confirmed working by the community.
⚠️ DSM Warning
Drive works but may show a warning in DSM 7.2+. Functionality is not affected. Synology expanded support in DSM 7.3.
✗ Not Recommended
SMR drives or desktop drives not designed for NAS use. May cause performance issues in RAID arrays.
How to Use the Synology Drive Compatibility Checker
Finding the right drives for your Synology NAS doesn’t have to be complicated. Our free compatibility checker makes it easy to find compatible HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe cache drives for any Synology model:
- Select Your NAS Model – Choose your Synology NAS from the dropdown menu. Models are organized by series (Plus, Value, XS, and Rackmount).
- Choose Drive Type – Select HDD for storage drives, SSD for all-flash configurations, or NVMe for cache drives.
- Filter by Capacity – Optionally narrow results by drive capacity to match your storage needs and budget.
- Compare Drives – Review compatible drives with current pricing, specifications, and total cost calculations for your NAS configuration.
Understanding Synology Drive Compatibility
Synology NAS units work with a wide range of hard drives and SSDs, but understanding the different compatibility levels can help you make the best choice:
Synology Verified Drives
Synology’s own HAT5310 (HDD), SAT5210 (SSD), and SNV3410/SNV3510 (NVMe) drives are designed specifically for Synology NAS units. These drives offer guaranteed compatibility, optimized firmware, and full Synology support. They’re ideal if you want a worry-free experience and don’t mind paying a premium.
Compatible Third-Party Drives
Major NAS drive brands like WD Red Plus, WD Red Pro, Seagate IronWolf, Seagate IronWolf Pro, and Toshiba N300 are fully compatible with all Synology NAS models. These drives are designed for 24/7 NAS operation and offer excellent reliability at competitive prices.
DSM 7.2+ Drive Warnings
Starting with DSM 7.2, Synology displays warnings for non-Synology drives in the Storage Manager. Important: These warnings do not affect drive functionality. Your third-party NAS drives will work normally — the warning is simply Synology’s way of promoting their own drives.
In October 2025, Synology announced expanded drive support in DSM 7.3, acknowledging the community’s preference for third-party drives. All drives marked “Compatible” in our checker have been tested and verified to work without issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use non-Synology drives in my Synology NAS?
Yes! Synology NAS units support standard SATA drives from all major manufacturers. Popular choices include WD Red Plus, WD Red Pro, Seagate IronWolf, and Toshiba N300 drives. These work perfectly and are used by millions of Synology owners worldwide.
What’s the difference between CMR and SMR drives?
CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) drives are recommended for NAS use. They handle the random read/write patterns of NAS workloads well and perform consistently in RAID arrays.
SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) drives can cause severe performance issues in RAID configurations. Always choose CMR drives for your Synology NAS. All drives in our compatibility checker are CMR.
Should I buy Synology drives or third-party drives?
Both are valid choices depending on your priorities:
- Choose Synology drives if you want guaranteed compatibility, full Synology support, and don’t mind the premium price (typically 40-60% more expensive).
- Choose third-party NAS drives (WD Red, Seagate IronWolf) if you want excellent reliability at a lower cost. These drives are specifically designed for NAS use and work perfectly in Synology units.
What capacity drives should I buy?
Consider your current needs plus room for growth. For most home users, 8TB or 12TB drives offer the best balance of capacity and value. Business users or those with large media libraries may prefer 16TB or larger drives to maximize storage density.
Do I need NVMe cache drives?
NVMe cache drives (M.2 SSDs) can improve performance for frequently accessed files, especially in multi-user environments. However, most home users won’t notice a significant difference. Cache drives are most beneficial for:
- Virtual machine storage
- Database workloads
- Multi-user office environments
- Photo/video editing with NAS-stored projects
Related Tools
Use our other Synology tools to plan your perfect NAS setup:
- Synology RAID Calculator – Calculate usable storage for different RAID configurations
- Hard Drive Price Tracker – Compare current prices across retailers