Synology NAS Storage Guide: Best Drives, RAID & Setup

Synology has earned its reputation as the gold standard in network-attached storage, combining powerful hardware with the industry-leading DiskStation Manager (DSM) software. Whether you’re setting up your first home NAS, building a small business file server, running a Plex media library, or deploying a professional surveillance system, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Synology storage in 2026.

This guide serves as your central resource for Synology NAS storage, with detailed links to specific topics including drive compatibility, RAID configuration, model comparisons, and troubleshooting.

Table of Contents

• Drive Compatibility After DSM 7.3
• Best Drives for Synology NAS
• RAID & SHR Setup Guide
• Synology Model Buying Guide
• Use Cases: Surveillance, Plex, Backup
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Frequently Asked Questions

The 2025 Drive Compatibility Saga (And What It Means for You)

If you’ve been following Synology news, you know 2025 was turbulent. Understanding what happened helps you make informed purchasing decisions today.

Timeline of Events

What This Means for You Today

Good news: As of DSM 7.3 (October 2025), you can use third-party drives from WD, Seagate, Toshiba, and others on ALL Synology models, including the newest 2025 series.

The only caveat: Synology’s technical support may limit assistance for issues proven to be caused by non-listed hardware. In practice, this rarely matters — NAS drives from major manufacturers work flawlessly.

Our recommendation: Use quality NAS drives from established brands. You’ll save money compared to Synology-branded drives (HAT3300/HAT5300) while getting identical performance and reliability.

Drive Compatibility Quick Reference

Related Guide:Synology HDD Compatibility 2026: Complete Drive Guide

Best Drives for Synology NAS (2026)

Choosing the right drives is the most important decision after selecting your NAS model. Here’s our comprehensive recommendation matrix based on use case and budget.

Best NAS Drives for General Use

Browse all NAS-compatible drives with current pricing:

Best Overall: WD Red Plus

Why WD Red Plus:

• CMR recording — No write slowdowns like SMR drives
• NASware 3.0 firmware — Optimized for RAID environments
• 3D Active Balance Plus — Reduces vibration in multi-drive systems
• 180TB/year workload — Sufficient for most home/SMB use
• Excellent Synology compatibility — Tested across all models

Best Value: Seagate IronWolf

Why Seagate IronWolf:

• Rescue Data Recovery included — 3-year in-house recovery service
• AgileArray technology — Dual-plane balancing for vibration tolerance
• IronWolf Health Management — Integrates with Synology DSM
• 7200 RPM — Faster than WD Red Plus (5640 RPM)
• Lower price — Often $10-20 cheaper per drive

Best Budget: Toshiba N300

Best for Business: WD Red Pro

Best Drives for Synology Surveillance Station

Running Surveillance Station? You need surveillance-optimized drives, not standard NAS drives.

Best Surveillance: WD Purple

Why surveillance drives for Surveillance Station:

• AllFrame/ImagePerfect firmware — Prevents dropped frames
• Higher workload ratings — Handles constant write operations
• Optimized for sequential writes — Video recording is sequential, not random
• Lower cost per TB — Surveillance drives are often cheaper than NAS drives

Related Guides:

• WD Purple Complete Guide
• Seagate SkyHawk Complete Guide
• Synology Surveillance NAS Setup

Synology-Branded Drives: Worth the Premium?

Synology sells their own rebranded drives (HAT3300 Plus series, HAT5300 Enterprise series). Here’s an honest assessment:

When Synology drives make sense:

• You need guaranteed Synology support with no limitations
• Enterprise environments requiring vendor accountability
• You’re buying from Synology reseller with package deals

When third-party drives make sense:

• Home and small business use (99% of users)
• Budget-conscious builds
• You want flexibility in drive choice

Drive Recommendations by Synology Model

RAID & SHR Setup Guide

Understanding RAID is essential for protecting your data. Synology makes this easier with SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID), but knowing your options helps you make the right choice.

SHR vs Traditional RAID: Which Should You Choose?

Our recommendation: Use SHR for home and small business. Use RAID 5/6 only if you need drive portability to non-Synology systems.

SHR Explained: How It Works

SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) is Synology’s proprietary RAID system that automatically manages storage across drives of different sizes.

Key benefits:

• Mixed drive sizes: A 4TB + 8TB + 8TB setup gives you 16TB usable (RAID 5 would waste 8TB)
• Easy expansion: Add a larger drive anytime; SHR uses the extra space automatically
• 1-click setup: DSM handles all configuration automatically
• Same redundancy: SHR-1 protects against 1 drive failure (like RAID 5)

SHR Storage Calculator Example

Tip: Use Synology’s official RAID Calculator to plan your storage configuration.

SHR-2 vs RAID 6: When You Need Two-Drive Redundancy

For larger arrays (5+ drives) or critical data, consider SHR-2 or RAID 6:

When to use SHR-2/RAID 6:

• Arrays with 5 or more drives
• Large capacity drives (12TB+) with long rebuild times
• Business-critical data that can’t be lost
• You want peace of mind during drive failures

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Storage in DSM

1. Install drives — Insert drives in bays (power off NAS first)
2. Boot and access DSM — Navigate to find.synology.com or your NAS IP
3. Open Storage Manager — Main Menu > Storage Manager
4. Create Storage Pool — Select drives, choose SHR or RAID type
5. Create Volume — Choose Btrfs (recommended) or ext4 file system
6. Configure shared folders — Create folders for different purposes

File system recommendation: Choose Btrfs for snapshots, data integrity checks, and compression. Only use ext4 if you have specific compatibility requirements.

Related Guide:Synology RAID Complete Guide: SHR, RAID 5/6, Calculator

Synology Model Buying Guide (2026)

Synology’s lineup can be confusing. Here’s a clear breakdown of current models and who they’re best for.

2025/2026 Model Overview

DS923+ vs DS925+: Which Should You Buy?

This is the most common question in 2026. Here’s our analysis:

Buy DS923+ if:

• You want 10GbE upgrade capability (PCIe slot)
• You find it discounted below $550
• You don’t need 2.5GbE networking

Buy DS925+ if:

• You want the latest model with longest support
• 2.5GbE networking is important to you
• You run many Docker containers or VMs (more CPU threads)

Related Guides:

• Best Synology NAS 2026: Complete Buying Guide
• DS925+ vs DS923+: Detailed Comparison
• DS923+ Review

Recommendations by Use Case

Home User (Photos, Documents, Basic Backup)

Recommended: DS224+ or DS423+

• 2-4 bays sufficient for most families
• Intel CPU supports Plex hardware transcoding
• Lower power consumption
• Budget: $300-$450 + drives

Plex/Media Server

Recommended: DS423+ (with Intel CPU for transcoding)

• Intel J4125 supports hardware transcoding
• 4 bays for large media libraries
• Note: AMD-based models (DS923+, DS925+) do NOT have hardware transcoding
• Alternative: Use Plex Pass with client-side direct play

Small Business / Power User

Recommended: DS923+ or DS925+

• AMD CPU better for virtualization and Docker
• ECC RAM support for data integrity
• 10GbE upgrade option (DS923+ only)
• M.2 NVMe slots for SSD cache

Surveillance System

Recommended: DS923+ or DS423+ (depends on camera count)

• Both include 2 free Surveillance Station licenses
• Additional licenses: ~$50 per camera
• Use surveillance drives (WD Purple, SkyHawk)
• 4 cameras: 4TB sufficient; 16 cameras: 8-12TB recommended

Heavy Workloads / Enterprise

Recommended: DS1621+ or DS1821+

• 6-8 bays for large storage pools
• PCIe slot for 10GbE
• AMD V1500B CPU with ECC RAM
• Supports expansion units (up to 16+ bays total)

Use Cases: Surveillance, Plex, Backup

Synology for Surveillance (Surveillance Station)

Synology Surveillance Station is a professional-grade video management system included free with every Synology NAS.

Key features:

• Free 2-camera licenses included (additional licenses ~$50/camera)
• H.265 support for bandwidth efficiency
• AI-powered motion detection (requires compatible cameras)
• Mobile app for remote viewing
• Integration with major IP camera brands

Drive recommendations for Surveillance Station:

Related Guide:Synology Surveillance NAS Complete Setup Guide

Synology for Plex/Media Server

Synology NAS is popular for Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby media servers.

Important consideration: Hardware transcoding

If transcoding is important: Choose Intel-based models (DS423+, DS224+, DS420+)

If transcoding isn’t needed: AMD models work fine with direct play (no transcoding)

Synology for Backup

Synology excels at backup with multiple built-in solutions:

• Hyper Backup: Backup to cloud (S3, Backblaze, Google Drive) or external drives
• Active Backup for Business: Backup Windows PCs, servers, VMs
• Snapshot Replication: Point-in-time recovery for Btrfs volumes
• Cloud Sync: Sync with Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive
• USB Copy: One-touch backup from USB drives

Backup drive tip: Use any quality NAS drive for backup purposes. Surveillance drives are unnecessary for backup-only Synology NAS units.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Drive Not Detected or Initialization Failed

Symptoms:

• Drive doesn’t appear in Storage Manager
• “Initialization failed” error
• “Unsupported drive” warning (pre-DSM 7.3)

Solutions:

1. Update to DSM 7.3+: This resolved most 2025 model drive compatibility issues
2. Check SATA connections: Reseat drive in bay, check cables
3. Try different bay: Rule out bay-specific issues
4. Test drive in PC: Verify drive works outside NAS
5. Check compatibility list: Verify drive capacity is supported by your model

Related Guide:Synology Drive Initialization Failed: Complete Fix Guide

Slow Transfer Speeds

Symptoms:

• Transfer speeds below expected (e.g., 50MB/s on 1GbE instead of 110MB/s)
• File copies take longer than expected

Solutions:

1. Check network cable: Use Cat 5e or Cat 6 for reliable gigabit
2. Verify switch speed: Ensure switch supports gigabit (or 2.5GbE for newer models)
3. Enable SMB3: DSM > Control Panel > File Services > SMB > Advanced > SMB3
4. Check drive health: Storage Manager > HDD/SSD > Health Info
5. Disable thumbnail generation: For large photo libraries during transfers
6. Consider SSD cache: Add NVMe cache for random I/O improvement

Drive Clicking or Making Noise

Symptoms:

• Clicking, grinding, or unusual sounds from drive bay
• Drive showing SMART errors

Action:

1. Back up immediately if drive is still accessible
2. Check SMART status in Storage Manager > HDD/SSD
3. Plan replacement — clicking usually indicates imminent failure
4. Replace with quality NAS drive like WD Red Plus or Seagate IronWolf

Related Guides:

• Synology NAS Troubleshooting Guide
• How Long Do NAS Drives Last?

Capacity Planning: How Much Storage Do You Really Need?

One of the most common mistakes is underestimating storage needs. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you plan.

Storage Consumption by Use Case

The 50% Rule

Never fill your NAS beyond 80% capacity. Here’s why:

• Performance degrades as drives fill up
• No room for snapshots (Btrfs needs free space)
• Can’t replace failed drive if replacement has slightly less usable space
• Future growth requires expensive expansion

Planning formula: Calculate your needs, then buy 50% more capacity than you think you need.

Cost-Effective Expansion Strategies

Start small, grow smart:

1. Buy a 4-bay NAS even if you only need 2 drives now
2. Start with 2 drives in SHR (leave 2 bays empty)
3. Add drives later as needs grow (SHR expands automatically)
4. Upgrade drive sizes by replacing one at a time

Example growth path:

• Year 1: DS923+ with 2x 8TB = 8TB usable (~$900 total)
• Year 2: Add 1x 8TB = 16TB usable (~$170 more)
• Year 3: Add 1x 12TB = 22TB usable (~$200 more)
• Year 4: Replace oldest 8TB with 16TB = 30TB usable (~$280 more)

DSM Software: Getting the Most from Your Synology

Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) is arguably the best NAS operating system available. Here are the essential packages and features.

Essential DSM Packages

DSM 7.3 Key Features

• Third-party drive support restored (October 2025)
• Improved Storage Manager with better drive health reporting
• Enhanced security features including 2FA enforcement options
• WriteOnce (WORM) folders for compliance
• Improved Docker/Container support
• Better Active Directory integration

Security Best Practices

Your NAS holds your most important data. Protect it:

1. Enable 2-Factor Authentication for all admin accounts
2. Disable default admin account (create a new admin user)
3. Use strong, unique passwords
4. Enable auto-block for failed login attempts
5. Keep DSM updated with automatic updates enabled
6. Use HTTPS only for web access
7. Disable services you don’t use (FTP, Telnet, SSH if not needed)
8. Set up Synology firewall rules
9. Use QuickConnect or VPN instead of port forwarding
10. Regular backups to external/cloud (RAID is not backup!)

NVMe SSD Cache: Is It Worth It?

Synology Plus models include M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching. Here’s when it helps:

SSD cache helps with:

• Random I/O workloads (databases, VMs, Docker)
• Frequently accessed files (“hot” data)
• Photo thumbnail generation
• Multiple simultaneous users

SSD cache doesn’t help with:

• Large sequential transfers (video files)
• Single-user file access
• Surveillance recording (sequential writes)
• Backup operations

Recommended cache SSDs:

• Synology SNV3400 (officially supported)
• WD Red SN700 NVMe
• Seagate IronWolf 525

Cache configuration:

• Read cache (1 SSD): Improves read performance
• Read/Write cache (2 SSDs in RAID 1): Improves both, with redundancy

10GbE Networking: Worth the Upgrade?

For models with PCIe slots (DS923+, DS1522+, DS1621+), 10GbE is an attractive upgrade.

When 10GbE makes sense:

• Large file transfers (video editing, photography)
• Multiple simultaneous users
• iSCSI for VMs
• You already have 10GbE infrastructure

When 1GbE/2.5GbE is fine:

• Home use with occasional file access
• Streaming media (even 4K only needs ~25Mbps)
• Backup operations (overnight is fine)
• Surveillance recording

Upgrade options:

• Synology E10G22-T1-Mini (~$110) — For DS923+, DS1522+ mini PCIe slot
• Synology E10G18-T1 (~$150) — For full PCIe slot

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Drive Longevity and Maintenance

Your NAS drives are the heart of your storage system. Proper care extends their lifespan significantly.

Expected Drive Lifespan in Synology NAS

Monitoring Drive Health in DSM

DSM includes excellent drive health monitoring. Check regularly:

1. Storage Manager > HDD/SSD — Overall health status
2. Health Info — Detailed S.M.A.R.T. data
3. IronWolf Health Management — Additional monitoring for Seagate drives
4. Notifications — Set up email/SMS alerts for drive issues

Key S.M.A.R.T. attributes to watch:

• Reallocated Sector Count — Any value > 0 is concerning
• Current Pending Sector — Sectors waiting to be reallocated
• Uncorrectable Sector Count — Failed reads/writes
• Temperature — Keep below 45°C for optimal lifespan

Temperature Management

Heat is the enemy of hard drives. Synology NAS units are generally well-cooled, but:

• Optimal temperature: 25-40°C
• Acceptable: 40-45°C
• Concerning: 45-50°C
• Dangerous: 50°C+ sustained

Cooling tips:

• Ensure adequate ventilation around NAS (don’t enclose it)
• Keep in air-conditioned room if possible
• Consider fan speed settings in DSM (Hardware & Power > General)
• Clean dust from vents periodically
• Replace thermal pads on older units if needed

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

RAID is NOT backup. RAID protects against drive failure, not against:

• Ransomware/malware
• Accidental deletion
• Fire/flood/theft
• Corrupted files (replicated across RAID)
• User error

Follow the 3-2-1 rule:

• 3 copies of your data
• 2 different storage media (NAS + external drive)
• 1 offsite copy (cloud or second location)

Synology backup options:

• Hyper Backup to cloud: Backblaze B2, AWS S3, Google Cloud, Azure
• Hyper Backup to USB: External drive for local backup
• Snapshot Replication: Point-in-time recovery (Btrfs only)
• Synology C2: Synology’s own cloud backup service

Power Protection

Power issues can corrupt data and damage drives. Protect your investment:

• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Essential for any NAS
• Synology UPS support: DSM can communicate with UPS for safe shutdown
• Recommended UPS: APC Back-UPS or CyberPower with USB connectivity
• Size your UPS: NAS + drives typically need 50-100W; get 300-500VA UPS minimum

Configure UPS in DSM:

1. Connect UPS via USB to Synology NAS
2. Control Panel > Hardware & Power > UPS
3. Enable “UPS support” and configure safe shutdown threshold
4. Set to shut down when battery reaches 20-30%

Synology vs. Alternatives: Is Synology Still Worth It?

After the 2025 drive policy controversy, many questioned whether Synology is still the right choice. Here’s an honest assessment.

Synology Strengths

• DSM software: Still the best NAS OS for most users
• 10-year software support: Longer than any competitor
• Ecosystem: Mobile apps, packages, integration
• Reliability: Hardware quality is excellent
• Community: Large user base, extensive documentation
• Drive policy reversal: Third-party drives work again (DSM 7.3)

Synology Weaknesses

• Premium pricing: Hardware costs more than competitors
• Slow hardware updates: CPUs often lag 2-3 years behind
• No hardware transcoding on AMD models: Intel models only
• 2025 trust damage: The drive policy reversal helped, but trust was affected
• Limited PCIe on newer models: DS925+ lacks 10GbE upgrade path

Alternatives to Consider

Our verdict: Synology remains the best choice for most home and small business users who want a reliable, polished experience. The DSM 7.3 drive policy reversal addressed the biggest concern. Power users might prefer QNAP or DIY solutions for more hardware flexibility.

Related Guides

Drive Compatibility & Reviews

• Synology HDD Compatibility 2026: Complete Drive Guide
• Synology Compatible Hard Drives Database
• WD Purple Synology Compatibility Guide
• Seagate SkyHawk Synology Guide

Model Buying Guides

• Best Synology NAS 2026: Complete Buying Guide
• DS925+ vs DS923+ Comparison
• Synology DS923+ Review
• Synology DS925+ Review
• Best Synology NAS for Plex

RAID & Setup

• Synology RAID Guide: SHR vs RAID 5/6
• SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) Explained
• Synology RAID Calculator Guide

Use Cases

• Synology Surveillance NAS Guide
• Synology Plex Server Setup
• Synology Backup Guide: Hyper Backup & More

Troubleshooting

• Synology NAS Troubleshooting Guide
• Drive Initialization Failed Fix
• DSM 7.3 Drive Support Guide

Surveillance Drive Guides

• Complete Surveillance Drives Guide
• WD Purple Complete Guide
• Seagate SkyHawk Complete Guide
• Surveillance Storage Calculator

Last updated: February 2026. This guide is updated regularly as Synology releases new DSM updates and hardware.

Quick Start Checklist: Setting Up Your First Synology NAS

New to Synology? Here’s your complete setup checklist:

Before You Buy

• ☐ Determine your storage needs (use tables above)
• ☐ Choose model based on use case (Plex = Intel, VMs = AMD)
• ☐ Select drives (WD Red Plus or Seagate IronWolf recommended)
• ☐ Purchase UPS for power protection
• ☐ Ensure gigabit (or better) network switch

Hardware Setup

• ☐ Unbox and place NAS in well-ventilated location
• ☐ Install drives in drive trays (tool-free on most models)
• ☐ Connect Ethernet cable to router/switch
• ☐ Connect power cable (through UPS if available)
• ☐ Power on NAS

Initial DSM Configuration

• ☐ Navigate to find.synology.com or [NAS IP]:5000
• ☐ Install DSM (follow wizard)
• ☐ Create admin account (don’t use “admin” as username)
• ☐ Enable 2-Factor Authentication
• ☐ Configure network settings (static IP recommended)
• ☐ Update DSM to latest version

Storage Configuration

• ☐ Open Storage Manager
• ☐ Create Storage Pool (SHR recommended)
• ☐ Create Volume (Btrfs recommended)
• ☐ Create shared folders for different purposes
• ☐ Set up user accounts and permissions

Essential Packages

• ☐ Install Synology Drive (file sync)
• ☐ Install Synology Photos (if storing photos)
• ☐ Install Hyper Backup (critical!)
• ☐ Install other packages based on your needs

Backup Configuration

• ☐ Set up Hyper Backup to cloud (Backblaze B2 recommended)
• ☐ Configure snapshot schedule (if using Btrfs)
• ☐ Test backup restoration
• ☐ Document your backup strategy

Security Hardening

• ☐ Disable default admin account
• ☐ Enable auto-block for failed logins
• ☐ Configure firewall rules
• ☐ Enable HTTPS only
• ☐ Set up QuickConnect (or VPN) for remote access
• ☐ Configure notification settings (email alerts)

Ongoing Maintenance

• ☐ Check drive health monthly
• ☐ Verify backups quarterly
• ☐ Update DSM when updates available
• ☐ Monitor storage capacity
• ☐ Plan drive replacement at 4-5 years

Glossary of Synology Terms

Last updated: February 2026. This guide is updated regularly as Synology releases new DSM updates and hardware. Bookmark this page and check back for the latest recommendations and compatibility information.