6 Best Alternatives to the Synology 1U 4-Bay Rackmount NAS (2026)

How each alternative compares

Asustor Lockerstor 16 Pro 16-Bay Rackmount NAS

The Asustor Lockerstor 16 Pro offers 16 drive bays and 10GbE networking, which is a significant upgrade over the Synology RS822+'s four bays and 1GbE ports. It uses an 8-core Ryzen processor with 16GB of RAM. While the Synology model includes 32GB of ECC memory and 48TB of pre-installed storage, the Asustor prioritizes raw density and faster network throughput. You should choose this if you need massive expansion capacity and high-speed data transfer for a dense data center environment. It gives up the higher base RAM and included drive capacity of the Synology unit in exchange for greater scalability and network speed.

Synology DS723+ 2-Bay Ryzen NAS

The Synology DS723+ is a 2-bay desktop NAS rather than a rackmount unit. It shares the same 32GB RAM and Ryzen processor as the RS822+ but lacks the rack form factor and pre-installed storage. This model is designed for desktop users who need high memory and cache speed without the bulk of a server chassis. It offers M.2 NVMe support for caching. You should pick this if you want Synology performance in a smaller, quieter package for home or small office use. It gives up the 4-bay capacity and 1U rackmount design of the original, making it unsuitable for server racks but ideal for space-constrained desktop environments.

Synology 1U 4-Bay Rackmount NAS with 32GB RAM

This Synology RS822+ variant is a pre-configured 1U edge NAS with 32GB RAM and SSDs. Like the original, it features a Ryzen processor and 1GbE connectivity. The main difference is the inclusion of SSDs rather than the 48TB of HDDs found in the reference model. It is designed for users who want a ready-to-use system without manual assembly. You should choose this if you prioritize SSD speed and convenience over the high-capacity HDD storage of the original. It maintains the same compact 1U form factor and ECC memory, making it a direct alternative for small offices needing fast, reliable edge computing without the complexity of installing drives yourself.

Synology RackStation 12-Bay 216TB NAS

The Synology RS2421RP+ is a 24-bay rack NAS with 32GB RAM and 1GbE ports. It offers significantly more drive bays than the 4-bay RS822+, focusing on massive storage capacity and redundancy. It uses a Ryzen processor but lacks the 48TB pre-installed storage of the original. This model is built for users who need high density and power reliability in a rackmount chassis. You should pick this if your primary need is storing vast amounts of data with redundant power supplies. It gives up the compact 1U size and included HDD capacity of the RS822+ in exchange for a much larger storage footprint and enhanced power redundancy for critical deployments.

Synology RackStation 12-Bay 48TB NAS

This Synology RS2421RP+ is a 2U rack server with 32GB ECC RAM and 1GbE connectivity. It provides redundant power and high data integrity, similar to other RS2421RP+ models. Unlike the 1U RS822+, this unit is larger and designed for 2U rack spaces. It lacks the 48TB of pre-installed storage found in the reference model. You should choose this if you need redundant power and ECC memory in a standard 2U rack format. It gives up the compact 1U footprint and included HDDs of the original, making it better suited for administrators who prioritize data integrity and rack compatibility over space-saving designs or pre-loaded storage capacity.

Synology RackStation 12TB SSD NAS

The Synology RS2421RP+ with SSDs is a 24-bay rack solution featuring redundant power and 32GB ECC RAM. It uses a Ryzen processor and 1GbE ports. Unlike the original RS822+, this model includes pre-installed SSDs rather than HDDs and occupies a larger 2U rack space. It is built for users who need high data integrity and fast SSD performance. You should pick this if you prioritize SSD speed and power redundancy over the compact 1U size of the original. It gives up the 48TB HDD capacity and 1U form factor, offering instead a much larger storage array with faster drive types and enhanced power reliability for critical server environments.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

Synology 1U 4-Bay Rackmount NAS with 48TB

Best for: Small business edge storage and surveillance

Drive Bays

4-bay

Network Connectivity

4 x 1GbE

Processor

Ryzen R1500B 4-Core 2.2GHz

RAM Capacity

32GB DDR4 ECC UDIMM

Included Storage

48TB

View on Amazon: Synology 1U 4-Bay Rackmount NAS with 48TB Affiliate link

This Synology RackStation RS822+ is a 1U 4-bay NAS server featuring a Ryzen R1500B processor and 32GB of DDR4 ECC memory. It includes 48TB of storage across four 12TB drives and offers four 1GbE LAN ports. It suits branch offices and small businesses needing edge storage, data protection, and surveillance capabilities in a compact form factor.

Pros

• Includes 32GB DDR4 ECC UDIMM memory for stability
• Comes with 48TB storage (4 x 12TB HDDs)
• Features four 1GbE LAN ports for connectivity
• Supports Synology Surveillance Station for security

Cons

• Limited to 1GbE network speeds
• Only four drive bays for expansion
• Requires separate installation of drives and memory

Good fit if

• You need a compact 1U rackmount solution
• You require ECC memory for data integrity
• You want integrated surveillance capabilities

Skip if

• You need 10GbE or faster networking
• You require more than four drive bays
• You prefer pre-installed drives for immediate use

Verdict: Synology RS822+ 4-Bay NAS provides a balanced mix of processing power, memory, and storage for small business edge deployments. It is ideal for teams needing reliable data management and surveillance in a rackmount chassis.

2 Also great

Asustor Lockerstor 16 Pro 16-Bay Rackmount NAS

Best for: high-density storage with 10GbE networking

Drive Bays

16-Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 10GbE, Dual 1GbE

Processor

AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7745

RAM Capacity

16GB ECC DDR5

Included Storage

Diskless

Form Factor

Rackmount

View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 16 Pro 16-Bay Rackmount NAS Affiliate link

The Asustor Lockerstor 16 Pro Gen2 is a 16-bay rackmount NAS built for high-density storage and performance. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7745 8-core processor and 16 GB of ECC DDR5 memory. You get dual 10GbE and dual Gigabit ports for flexible networking. The unit includes dual redundant power supplies and PCIe 5.0 slots. It suits users needing extensive drive capacity and fast data transfer speeds.

Pros

• 16-bay drive capacity for large storage arrays
• AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7745 8-core CPU
• Dual 10GbE and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Dual redundant 80 PLUS Platinum power supplies

Cons

• 16 GB base RAM is lower than competitors' 32 GB
• Heavy build at 33.7 pounds
• Limited to 1GbE Wake on LAN support

Good fit if

• You need maximum drive bays in a single unit
• You require 10GbE networking for fast transfers
• You want redundant power for reliability

Skip if

• You prefer 32 GB of base RAM
• You need PCIe 4.0 expansion only
• You want a lighter rackmount unit

Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 16 Pro Gen2 16-Bay Rackmount NAS fits users who prioritize massive storage capacity and 10GbE networking over higher base RAM. It is a robust choice for dense data centers.

3 Best budget

Synology DS723+ 2-Bay Ryzen NAS

Best for: Desktop users needing high RAM

Drive Bays

2-Bay

Network Connectivity

2 x 1GbE

Processor

Ryzen R1600 2.6GHz

RAM Capacity

32GB DDR4 ECC

M.2 NVMe Slots

1TB M.2 NVMe SSD

Included Storage

20TB HDD + 1TB SSD

View on Amazon: Synology DS723+ 2-Bay Ryzen NAS Affiliate link

This 2-bay NAS uses a Ryzen R1600 2.6GHz CPU and 32GB ECC memory. It includes 20TB of SATA storage and 1TB of NVMe SSD cache. You get two 1GbE ports with link aggregation. The unit runs Synology DSM. It suits users needing high memory and fast cache for a small footprint. It is not a rackmount solution.

Pros

• Ryzen R1600 2.6GHz processor
• 32GB DDR4 ECC memory
• 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD cache
• 20TB SATA HDD storage
• Dual 1GbE LAN ports

Cons

• Only two drive bays
• No rackmount form factor
• 1GbE network speeds only

Good fit if

• You need high RAM capacity
• You want NVMe cache support
• You prefer a compact desktop size

Skip if

• You require rackmount installation
• You need more than two bays
• You need 10GbE networking

Verdict: Synology DS723+ 2-Bay NAS offers strong processing and memory specs for desktop use. It fits users who prioritize cache speed and RAM over expansion slots.

4 Also great

Synology 1U 4-Bay Rackmount NAS with 32GB RAM

Best for: Pre-configured small office edge storage

Drive Bays

4-bay

Network Connectivity

4 x 1GbE

Processor

Ryzen R1500B

RAM Capacity

32GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM

Included Storage

8TB

View on Amazon: Synology 1U 4-Bay Rackmount NAS with 32GB RAM Affiliate link

The Synology RS822+ is a 1U rackmount NAS built for edge storage in small offices. It includes a 4-core Ryzen R1500B processor and 32GB of DDR4 ECC memory. The unit comes with 8TB of pre-installed SATA SSD storage across four bays. It features four 1GbE LAN ports for connectivity. This setup suits teams needing fast, reliable local data management and backup without complex assembly.

Pros

• Includes 8TB of pre-installed 2.5-inch SATA SSDs
• 32GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM memory for stability
• Four 1GbE LAN ports for network connectivity
• Compact 1U form factor fits standard racks

Cons

• Limited to 1GbE network speeds
• Only four drive bays available
• Requires separate installation for upgrades

Good fit if

• You need a pre-configured edge storage solution
• You require ECC memory for data integrity
• You have a small branch office

Skip if

• You need 10GbE or higher network speeds
• You require more than four drive bays
• You want a DIY barebone chassis

Verdict: Synology RS822+ 1U Edge NAS delivers a ready-to-use storage system with ECC memory and SSDs. It fits small offices needing compact, reliable edge computing without manual assembly.

5 Best premium

Synology RackStation 12-Bay 216TB NAS

Best for: high-density rackmount storage with redundancy

Network Connectivity

4 x 1GbE

Processor

Ryzen V1500B

RAM Capacity

32GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM

Included Storage

216TB

View on Amazon: Synology RackStation 12-Bay 216TB NAS Affiliate link

This 24-bay Synology RackStation offers high-capacity storage with 216TB of pre-installed HDDs. It features a Ryzen V1500B quad-core CPU and 32GB of ECC memory for robust performance. The unit includes redundant power supplies and four 1GbE LAN ports. It is designed for server roles like backup and file storage. You should choose this if you need extensive drive bays in a rackmount form factor.

Pros

• 24-bay capacity with 216TB pre-installed storage
• Redundant power supplies for added protection
• Ryzen V1500B 4-core processor
• 32GB DDR4 ECC memory included
• Four 1GbE LAN ports with link aggregation support

Cons

• Only 1GbE network connectivity
• Requires manual installation of drives and memory
• Heavier and bulkier than 4-bay alternatives

Good fit if

• You need high-density storage in a rackmount chassis
• You require redundant power for critical data
• You want a pre-configured high-capacity server

Skip if

• You need 10GbE or faster network speeds
• You prefer a compact 4-bay desktop unit
• You want a plug-and-play setup without assembly

Verdict: Synology RS2421RP+ 24-Bay Rack NAS is ideal for users needing massive storage capacity and redundancy in a rackmount form factor. It suits those who prioritize drive count and power reliability over compact size or faster networking.

6 Also great

Synology RackStation 12-Bay 48TB NAS

Best for: 2U rack servers needing redundant power and ECC RAM

Network Connectivity

4 x 1GbE

Processor

Ryzen V1500B

RAM Capacity

32GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM

Included Storage

48TB

View on Amazon: Synology RackStation 12-Bay 48TB NAS Affiliate link

This Synology RackStation RS2421RP+ is a 2U rackmount NAS built for high-performance server roles. It features a Ryzen V1500B 4-Core 2.2GHz CPU and 32GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM memory. The chassis includes 48TB of SATA storage across 12 bays and four 1GbE LAN ports. You get redundant power supplies and a sliding rail kit for installation. It suits users needing robust file storage, backup, or domain controller capabilities in a rack environment.

Pros

• Ryzen V1500B 4-Core 2.2GHz processor
• 32GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM memory
• Redundant power supplies for reliability
• Four 1GbE LAN ports with aggregation support
• Includes sliding rail kit for rack mounting

Cons

• 1GbE network ports limit bandwidth compared to 10GbE options
• No mention of included rackmount ears or screws
• Requires separate installation of drives and memory

Good fit if

• You need a 2U rackmount chassis for your server room
• You require redundant power for critical data services
• You want a Synology ecosystem with ECC memory support

Skip if

• You need 10GbE or higher network connectivity
• You prefer a 1U form factor for dense racks
• You want a NAS with pre-installed drives and memory

Verdict: Synology 2U RackStation RS2421RP+ NAS is a solid choice for administrators who need redundant power and ECC memory in a 2U rack chassis. It fits users who prioritize data integrity and rack compatibility over high-speed networking.

7

Synology RackStation 12TB SSD NAS

Best for: 24-bay SSD storage with redundant power

Network Connectivity

4 x 1GbE

Processor

Ryzen V1500B

RAM Capacity

32GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM

Included Storage

12TB

View on Amazon: Synology RackStation 12TB SSD NAS Affiliate link

This Synology RackStation RS2421RP+ is a 24-bay server built for high-performance roles like backup and file storage. It includes a Ryzen V1500B 4-core processor, 32GB of ECC memory, and 12TB of 2.5-inch SSDs. The chassis features redundant power supplies and four 1GbE LAN ports. You get a sliding rail kit for installation, though hard drives are pre-installed in this specific unit.

Pros

• Includes 12TB of 2.5-inch SATA SSDs
• Redundant power supply for reliability
• 32GB DDR4 ECC memory included
• Four 1GbE LAN ports with link aggregation

Cons

• Limited to 1GbE network speeds
• No mention of NVMe cache slots
• Requires assembly for rail installation

Good fit if

• You need a pre-configured 24-bay server with SSDs
• You require redundant power supplies for critical data
• You want ECC memory for data integrity

Skip if

• You need 10GbE or higher network connectivity
• You prefer a 4-bay desktop form factor
• You want a system with pre-installed HDDs

Verdict: Synology RS2421RP+ Rack NAS is a robust 24-bay solution for users needing pre-installed SSD storage and redundant power. It suits those prioritizing data integrity with ECC memory over high-speed networking.

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