Synology

Synology DiskStation DS925+

Ranked #9 in NAS Devices

423 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

Macworld lists it as "versatile and expandable" in its 2026 NAS picks for Mac, and it is the top of Synology's mainstream plus line. Under this lens it is the strongest long-horizon hardware Synology sells to homes and small offices: better build, better networking, and the same class-leading firmware longevity. It ranks below the DS225+ only because it is more machine than most home buyers need, not because it is a worse owner.

Consolidated from 2 independent outlets

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

5 of 12 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

High hardware cost combined with a lock-in tax makes it the worst performance-per-dollar on the board; cheaper alternatives deliver similar experience.
Flagged 23 September 2026

High hardware cost combined with a lock-in tax makes it the worst performance-per-dollar on the board; cheaper alternatives deliver similar experience.
Flagged 23 September 2026
It is the current premium four-bay Synology that marketing pushes hardest, and it is good largely because it is expensive; the TerraMaster F4-424 Pro delivers comparable four-bay performance with more modern hardware for far less.
Flagged 23 September 2026
The tier where Synology's 2025 drive-validation lock-in bites hardest, eroding the loyalty documented across XDA, How-To Geek and switcher testimony. At this tier the TerraMaster F4-424 Pro or QNAP TS-464 give more hardware freedom.
Flagged 23 September 2026
You pay a steep brand premium for last-generation hardware philosophy at exactly the moment the critical consensus has turned on Synology's pricing; rivals like the TerraMaster F4-424 Pro deliver more performance hardware for the money.
Flagged 23 September 2026
A genuinely good machine that you pay a clear premium for, with Synology's drive-lock policy baggage attached; Neowin frames its whole review around Synology backtracking on locking out unapproved drives, and TechEnclave notes there are cheaper options available. The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro delivers comparable real-world performance with none of the restrictions.
Flagged 23 September 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

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Pros & cons

✓ Versatile and expandable design
✓ Class-leading firmware longevity
✓ The expandable step-up pick once you outgrow two bays
✓ The current Synology 4-bay Macworld singles out
✓ Premium pick for long-term relevance

✗ More machine than most home buyers need
✗ High cost for its performance level
✗ Lock-in tax from flagship pricing
✗ Premium justified largely by its price rather than the hardware
✗ QNAP ships better hardware while Synology charges for its software advantage

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

2 positive sources

Macworld Macworld · reviewer · Jun 2021

Synology’s DiskStation DS925+, offers expandable storage with future-proofing capabilities.The DS925+ resembles its predecessor, the DS923+, with a black design and four drive bays for hard drives or SSDs. Two M.2 slots on the base allow for SSD modules for a high-speed cache.

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iFeeltech Nandor Katai · reviewer · Mar 2026

For teams of 10 or more users, or anyone who needs RAID 5, the DS925+ is the right choice.

Read

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #9 of 22 on our NAS devices tier list, in C tier. That placement draws on 2 independent outlets.

More machine than most home buyers need. High cost for its performance level. Lock-in tax from flagship pricing. Premium justified largely by its price rather than the hardware. QNAP ships better hardware while Synology charges for its software advantage.