Cela fait maintenant un an que le fabricant UGREEN a fait son entrée sur le marché des NAS. Aujourd’hui, nous recevons en test le DXP4800 Plus. Dans cet article, nous allons tout d’abord explorer le matériel, puis nous nous attarderons sur la partie logicielle, enfin place aux tests de performance sur notre banc de mesure. Annoncé à moins de 600€, que vaut ce nouveau NAS ?

Test UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Plus

UGREEN est un fabricant chinois bien connu pour ses accessoires destinés aux smartphones, tablettes et ordinateurs. Sa réputation repose sur des produits fiables et performants. En 2024, la marque s’est lancée sur le marché des NAS via une campagne de financement participatif (Kickstarter). C’était un pari maîtrisé, qui a rencontré un vif succès, avec une communauté active autour du projet.

Le lancement a été relativement rapide. Entre l’annonce du Kickstarter et l’envoi des premières unités, tout cela s’est fait en 6 mois. Grâce à ses usines et ressources internes, Ugreen a su maîtriser sa production. Initialement réservée à certains pays, la commercialisation s’est aujourd’hui étendue.

Une concurrence qui s’interroge

D’abord ignoré par les acteurs historiques, le projet Ugreen a rapidement attiré l’attention. Certains fabricants ont même sollicité notre avis. Derrière une façade de désintérêt apparent, les leaders du secteur ont perçu l’impact de ce nouvel entrant, désormais considéré avec une certaine prudence.

Le Forum des NAS propose une section UGREEN, ce qui en fait la première communauté francophone pour des NAS de la marque.

DXP4800 Plus

 

Après ce rappel, intéressons nous de plus près au DXP4800 Plus. Il y a quelques semaines, un membre de la communauté Cachem avait partagé ses premières impressions. Le fabricant nous a envoyé le même modèle afin d’approfondir cette première approche.

Contenu de la boîte

À l’ouverture, on retrouve :

• Le DXP4800 Plus en lui-même ;
• 2 câble réseau RJ45 Cat. 7 ;
• L’alimentation externe et son câble ;
• Des vis pour les SSD avec un tournevis ;
• 2 blocs de pâte thermique pour les SSD NVMe ;
• Un guide de démarrage rapide en anglais, allemand et chinois ;
• Une feuille sur la garantie de 2 ans.

L’emballage est très soigné, avec plusieurs niveaux de protection. On note un effort de présentation proche de celui d’Apple.

Design et connectivité

Nous sommes en présence d’un NAS bien lourd. En effet, le boitier est en une pièce en aluminium bleu-gris (unibody à la façon d’Apple). Son poids impressionne avec 4,1 kg sur la balance. À l’arrière, un ventilateur de 140 mm souffle de l’air vers l’intérieur du boîtier, contrairement à la plupart des fabricants qui extraient l’air chaud.

En façade, on a 4 emplacements pour disques durs (ou SSD SATA). On retrouve également le bouton marche/arrêt en bas à gauche, ainsi que des diodes (LAN et disques).

 

Côté connectique :​

• 1 port 10 Gb/s RJ45 ;
• 1 porte 2,5 Gb/s RJ45 ;
• 1 port USB 3.0 (à l’arrière)
• 2 ports USB 2.0 (à l’arrière) ;
• 1 sortie audio-vidéo HDMI compatible 4K ;
• 1 port USB 3.1 Gen.2 (type-A à l’avant)
• 1 port USB 3.1 Gen.2 (type-C à l’avant)
• 1 emplacement pour carte SD.

Une connectivité complète et bien pensée.

Intérieur du DXP4800 Plus

Le DXP4800 Plus repose sur un processeur Intel Pentium Gold 8505 cadencé à 3,3 GHz (5 cœurs, 6 threads, jusqu’à 4,4 GHz en Burst) avec iGPU intégré. Il est épaulé par 8 Go de RAM DDR5 (extensibles à 64 Go). Le score PassMark est de 9220 points, plutôt prometteur !!!

Installation du NAS

Les disques dur 3,5″ s’installent sans outils. Les chariots, bien que différents des standards Synology ouQNAP, sont fonctionnels.

Pour les SSD, il faut retirer une fixation via un outil fourni. Malheureusement, il faut forcer légèrement sur une pièce en plastique fragile. Sur 4 chariots, l’une s’est abîmée pour nous.

Le NAS propose 2 emplacements pour SSD NVMe, accessibles via une trappe sous l’appareil. L’ajout de pâte thermique (fournie) et le rôle de dissipateur thermique du capot en aluminium sont des points positifs.

Petit défaut, le NAS n’est pas suffisamment surélevé.  Les patins dessous sont trop bas, ce qui limite la circulation de l’air et favorise les vibrations. De nombreux utilisateurs recommandent l’ajout de petits amortisseurs en élastomère pour corriger ce léger défaut.

UGOS

Vous êtes nombreux à vouloir en savoir plus sur le système embarqué UGOS. Nous allons être transparents de ce côté : le bon, voire très bon et le moins bon. Nous avons bien conscience que Ugreen est encore jeune sur le marché et il faut savoir être indulgent. Le fabricant met à jour très régulièrement son système afin de rivaliser avec les ténors du marché.

Installation d’UGOS

Après la découverte positive du matériel, la deuxième étape de l’installation est importante. L’utilisateur découvre pour la première fois ce qu’Ugreen va lui proposer. Le fabricant a bien compris l’importance d’accompagner l’utilisateur dès ses premiers pas avec UGOS. On vous laisse découvrir les étapes ci-dessous…

On regrettera que l’installation ne soit qu’en anglais. Cette première étape est pourtant cruciale… Après ces 4 premiers écrans, il faut ensuite patienter…

Comme vous pouvez le constater, les écrans d’attente jouent un rôle crucial pour anticiper les étapes suivantes du processus. Il est donc impératif qu’Ugreen les traduise rapidement afin d’améliorer l’expérience utilisateur.

Une fois l’installation terminée, le NAS a redémarré… en changeant d’adresse IP pour nous. Initialement configuré sur 192.168.1.151, il est passé sans avertissement à 192.168.1.191. Un comportement pour le moins surprenant, qui pourrait facilement passer inaperçu si vous accédez au NAS via son nom réseau ou si vous utilisez l’application officielle d’Ugreen que nous vous recommandons.

Pour retrouver son NAS sur le réseau, vous pouvez utiliser l’application ou taper dans votre navigateur find.ugnas.com

Découverte d’UGOS

L’écran de connexion permet de s’authentifier par identifiant et mot de passe classique… ou de cliquer en haut à droite pour obtenir un QR Code à utiliser avec l’application mobile.

Premier lancement

Au démarrage, un tutoriel se lance pour vous faire rapidement le tour du propriétaire. C’est simple, rapide et en français cette fois.

Volume de stockage

Ensuite, on est guidé vers la création du premier volume de stockage.

Là encore, on appréciera l’accompagnement d’UGOS… Beaucoup d’informations importantes et cruciales pour la suite, bravo à Ugreen.

Comme on peut le constater, le système ne prend pas le volume (unique) par défaut. C’est à l’utilisateur de le sélectionner.

 

Tout n’est pas parfait, mais l’utilisateur est bien accompagné.

Robot d’accompagnement

Sur l’écran principal, vous noterez la présence d’un robot virtuel en bas à droite. Ce dernier fournit des informations (plus ou moins importantes). En cliquant dessus, voici les informations affichées :

Il disparaitra une fois toutes les étapes finalisées. A noter qu’il faut aller jusqu’au bout pour le faire disparaitre (donc cliquer sur activer l’accès à distance).

Création d’un dossier partagé

On clique sur le bouton Créer pour la création du premier dossier…

Ici encore, un tutoriel se lance pour vous accompagner. UGOS utilise 3 terminologies différentes :

1. Dossier personnel : privé, accessible à un seul utilisateur ;
2. Dossier partagé : visible selon les autorisations définies ;
3. Dossier utilisateur (réservé à l’admin) : ensemble des dossiers personnels

Si vous avez déjà manipulé d’autres NAS, ces notions ne vous seront pas inconnues. La différence entre dossier personnel et dossier partagé, c’est que le dossier personnel n’est que pour un et un seul utilisateur. Alors que le dossier partagé sera partagé avec les autres utilisateurs.

Synthèse de l’installation et premiers pas

L’accompagnement est plutôt bien réalisé de la part d’Ugreen. L’utilisateur n’a qu’à se laisser guider. On regrettera l’absence d’un “mode expert” pour les utilisateurs avancés, et l’impossibilité de désactiver certains assistants. Ne soyons pas trop dur, on ne peut que les féliciter du travail réalisé.

Usage au quotidien

UGOS est un système Linux optimisé pour le stockage en réseau. Il propose un ensemble de fonctionnalités, qui sont complétées par des applications via le Centre d’applications : Antivirus, Download Center, Text Edit, etc. Nous sommes encore loin des capacités d’un NAS Synology ou QNAP. Ugreen a fait le choix de privilégier Docker pour compléter plusieurs de ses lacunes.

Au moment où nous écrivons ses lignes, les snapshots (instantanés avec Btrfs) viennent d’arriver, mais les capacités sont encore limitées. Il n’y a toujours pas la possibilité de chiffrer un dossier, pas de reverse proxy en natif, absence de planificateur de tâches, pas de sauvegarde vers un support externe… plutôt frustrant.

Cloud Drive permet des sauvegardes et synchronisations vers OneDrive ou Google Drive, mais l’outil reste perfectible (pas de chiffrement, filtrage limité, pas de planification).

Espérons que le fabricant corrige ces petits défauts agaçants dans les prochaines semaines.

Applications pour ordinateur, téléphone…

UGREEN propose une application de bureau (Windows et macOS) ce qui est une excellente idée. Il y a également une application mobile complète (Android et iOS), compatible également avec Apple TV et Android TV. Elles permettent d’accéder aux fichiers, au statut du NAS, aux notifications… mais aussi à la sauvegarde de photos, au visionnage de vidéo, etc. Tout y est, un véritable couteau suisse.

Mises à jour régulières

Ugreen déploie fréquemment des mises à jour pour corriger des bugs et soucis de traductions, mais aussi pour améliorer les performances et ajouter des fonctionnalités. La dernière en date vient d’introduire une protection contre les attaques DDoS.

Un NAS est coûteux, c’est un investissement sur le long terme. Aujourd’hui, les NAS sont régulièrement mis à jour… et surtout pendant de nombreuses années.

Nouvel entrant : doit-on faire preuve de tolérance ?

Ugreen est nouveau sur le marché des NAS, mais ce n’est pas un novice. L’entreprise possède une solide expérience industrielle et maîtrise déjà la conception matérielle et logicielle. Le fabricant savait dans quoi il s’engageait avec ce secteur exigeant, dominé par des acteurs comme Synology et QNAP.

Côté matériel, le produit tient la route. Mais c’est sur la partie logicielle que le bât blesse : UGOS reste limité pour un usage avancé. Si certains parient sur des mises à jour futures pour corriger le tir, d’autres estiment qu’un NAS doit être pleinement opérationnel dès l’achat, pas dans 6 mois. Ugreen en est conscient… Aussi, il propose l’installation de systèmes alternatifs comme OMV, TrueNAS, Unraid… Une approche ouverte, appréciée des utilisateurs.

L’essentiel est là : une base matérielle fiable et une volonté claire d’évoluer. À Ugreen maintenant de consolider son positionnement logiciel.

Performances du DXP4800 Plus

Dans la première partie des tests, nous allons évaluer les performances des transferts à travers un réseau 10 Gb/s (entre le NAS et des ordinateurs). Ensuite, nous regarderons les capacités du processeur, en analysant ses performances globales…

Vitesses dans les transferts

Depuis plusieurs années, nous avons mis en place un protocole de tests rigoureux fournissant des données fiables et comparables avec les performances des autres NAS. Pour cela, nous utilisons 4 applications de mesure différentes (2 sous macOS et 2 sous Windows) et réalisons en plus des transferts de fichiers de tailles variées dans les deux sens (NAS -> Ordinateur puis Ordinateur -> NAS) :

• Petites tailles : 100 fichiers de 500 Ko à 12 Mo (MP3, photos, documents Office)
• Tailles moyennes : 30 fichiers de 12 à 350 Mo (DivX, images RAW, archives ZIP)
• Fichiers volumineux : 10 fichiers avec une taille comprise entre 4 et 10 Go (MKV, ISO)

À la suite des tests, une moyenne des transferts est calculée et nous la représentons sous forme de graphiques exprimée en mégaoctets par seconde (Mo/s). Plus le nombre est élevé, plus le NAS est rapide. Pour notre évaluation du DXP4800 Plus, nous avons configuré un premier volume avec 2 SSD NVMe en RAID 0, puis un second volume avec 3 SSD SATA en RAID 5.

RAID 0

En RAID 0, nous devrions profiter pleinement des performances avec 2 SSD NVMe combinés. Comme vous pouvez le constater, les performances sont bonnes, mais pas exceptionnelles en lecture comme en écriture. On s’attendait à mieux au vu de la configuration.

RAID 5

En RAID 5, les performances en lecture restent stables, proches du RAID 0. En écriture c’est correct, mais on s’attendait à mieux également.

Performances générales

Ugreen a misé sur une architecture solide avec le processeur Intel Pentium Gold 8505 (sorti en 2022), qui a largement fait ses preuves. Son score PassMark de 9148 points témoigne de ses capacités. Ce choix lui permet d’assurer efficacement des tâches variées comme la conteneurisation, la virtualisation ou encore le transcodage vidéo. Seul regret, la présence de seulement 8 Go de RAM.. C’est un peu juste pour exploiter pleinement le potentiel de ce type de machine. 16 Go auraient été préférables pour offrir plus de marge, notamment en usage avancé.

Vous pourrez facilement trouver de la RAM compatible :

• Kingston 8 Go à 32€ 
• Kingston 16 Go à 50€
• Corsair 16 Go à 47€

Consommation électrique et nuisance sonore

LeDXP4800 Plus dispose d’un ventilateur de 140 mm à l’arrière, qui peut se faire entendre. Contrairement aux ventilateurs des principaux fabricants de NAS, ce dernier n’extrait pas l’air, mais souffle à l’intérieur du NAS. Certains l’ont remplacé par un Noctua NF-A14 afin de gagner quelqus décibels. Un ventilateur est présent au niveau du processeur, mais difficilement accessible. En fonctionnement normal avec 5 SSD, la consommation est de 27 W en fonctionnement normal. En cas de forte charge, elle monte à environ 64 W, ce qui peut surprendre pour ce type de produit.

New Value Series UGREEN DH4300 and DH2300 NAS Drives

UGREEN has unveiled two new value-focused NAS devices, the DH3400 and DH3200, designed to meet the needs of home and small office users who want practical, low-power network storage without unnecessary complexity. The DH3400 is a 4-bay model, while the DH3200 offers a 2-bay configuration, both intended for those looking to implement efficient backups, multimedia streaming, and personal cloud storage at a more affordable price point. First revealed through the 2025 iF Design Awards and then quietly launched with a limited discount during Amazon Prime Day, these models occupy a lower tier in UGREEN’s NAS range, complementing rather than replacing their existing higher-end DXP series.

These two devices clearly target users who prioritize straightforward functionality over high-end processing power or advanced virtualization. Both systems are engineered with energy-efficient components and a compact design that makes them suitable for desktop environments where noise, heat, and power consumption need to be minimized. By offering a clear set of features—including RAID support, snapshot capabilities, and 4K multimedia output—at a modest price, the DH3400 and DH3200 aim to appeal to customers who need reliable, low-maintenance storage hardware that can integrate easily into a home network or small office setup.

UGREEN DH2300 and DH4300 NAS Hardware Specifications

The UGREEN DH3400 and DH3200 are built on a shared hardware platform, with the key difference being drive bay count—four bays on the DH3400 and two on the DH3200. Both systems use the Rockchip RK3588C processor, an 8-core ARM-based SoC running at 2.4 GHz, designed to prioritize energy efficiency and low thermal output rather than raw performance. The RK3588C includes integrated Mali-G610 graphics and an AI engine capable of delivering up to six tera operations per second (TOPS), which enables features like facial recognition and semantic photo search without taxing the CPU as much as it would likewise ARM processors without it.

Both units come equipped with 8 GB of soldered LPDDR4X memory, which cannot be upgraded. This is a typical limitation of ARM-based NAS systems, where memory is tightly coupled with the SoC for efficiency. The onboard memory is adequate for the included software stack, which supports multi-user environments, Docker containers, and AI-driven media management. For system storage, UGREEN integrates a 32 GB eMMC module to host the UGOS Pro operating system. This keeps the SATA bays fully available for user storage, though it does mean the system disk cannot be swapped or expanded.

The DH3400 supports up to four 3.5” or 2.5” SATA drives, while the DH3200 supports two, and both models can accommodate up to 30 TB per bay, for a maximum of 120 TB on the DH3400 when fully populated. Supported RAID configurations include JBOD, Basic, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, providing a range of data protection and performance options suited to home and SOHO environments.

Networking and external connectivity are kept simple yet functional. Each system includes a single 2.5 GbE Ethernet port, which supports transfer speeds up to roughly 300 MB/s under optimal conditions. Although dual LAN ports for link aggregation or failover would have been welcome at this price point, the single-port setup is likely sufficient for the target audience.

Three USB ports are provided: one USB-C @ 5Gb/s and two USB-A @ 10 Gb/s. These are useful for connecting additional external drives, creating tiered backups, or quickly offloading data from portable devices. The inclusion of a full-size HDMI port capable of 4K/60Hz output is another notable feature, enabling direct connection to a monitor or TV for multimedia playback or system administration from a local display—something not all competing devices offer.

From a physical and design perspective, the DH series is clearly built to fit seamlessly into a home or small office. The DH3400’s chassis measures just 155 × 155 × 215.7 mm, and its vertical, injection-molded plastic design keeps its footprint compact and thermals manageable. Power consumption is modest at a rated 12V/6A, helping keep operational costs low and making the units suitable for 24/7 use.

The overall aesthetic is understated, drawing comparisons to earlier Western Digital consumer NAS devices, with a focus on quiet operation and minimal disruption to the workspace. While there is no support for PCIe expansion or M.2 NVMe storage—features found in higher-end UGREEN DXP models—the streamlined hardware specification aligns with the device’s role as an affordable, efficient, and easy-to-deploy file server for users who don’t require more advanced features.

UGREEN DH2300 and DH4300 NAS Software Specifications

Both the DH3400 and DH3200 ship with UGREEN’s UGOS Pro operating system, a Linux-based NAS software platform designed to be user-friendly while offering a solid range of core functionality. UGOS Pro provides a clean, browser-based interface accessible from Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and even smart TVs, making it easy for users to manage their storage from almost any device. The OS supports secure multi-user access with advanced encryption, a built-in firewall, and two-factor authentication, ensuring that data remains protected from unauthorized access. Local data storage is emphasized over cloud reliance, though cloud backup targets are supported for redundancy.

In terms of features, UGOS Pro includes most of the essential applications expected of a modern NAS. File and folder management is straightforward, with support for SMB/CIFS, NFS, and WebDAV protocols. Users can set up scheduled or on-demand backups, including multi-tiered strategies spanning local drives, external USB storage, and supported cloud services. Snapshot functionality is included to help protect against accidental deletion or data corruption. Multimedia applications are also integrated, with tools for organizing and streaming photos, videos, and music, plus support for the HDMI output for direct 4K media playback on connected displays.

Despite being a value-oriented device, the DH3400 and DH3200 still offer some advanced capabilities thanks to the efficiency of the RK3588C CPU. These include AI-powered features such as photo recognition by faces, scenes, and locations, automatic duplicate removal, and the creation of personalized albums. Semantic search functionality helps users locate files more intuitively, and Docker is supported for lightweight containerized applications. However, resource-intensive functions like virtualization and more complex enterprise-grade apps are not included, in keeping with the intended role of these systems as affordable, entry-level NAS solutions. Plus, no doubt, the ease of integrating this more cost-effective solution with other, more powerful DXP NAS systems using the nativa backup sync application is going to be a breeze on the LAN!

UGREEN DH2300 and DH4300 NAS – Price and Launch Date?

UGREEN’s new DH2300 and DH4300 NAS models have already quietly launched, with availability beginning during Amazon Prime Day 2025 in what can best be described as a stealth release. The DH4300, the 4-bay model, is currently listed at $429.99 diskless, although a temporary promotional discount during Prime Day dropped the price as low as $349.99. At the time of writing, UGREEN has not provided an official end date for the promotional pricing, so buyers should assume the standard price is $429.99 going forward. The DH2300, the 2-bay variant, has not yet been widely listed, and official pricing for that model has yet to be confirmed. Both models are expected to continue rolling out to major online retailers over the coming weeks, with broader global availability likely to follow given UGREEN’s previous product launch patterns. For now, early adopters in supported regions can purchase the DH4300 directly from platforms like Amazon, and keep an eye on listings for the DH2300 to appear soon. Buyers should note that, as with most diskless NAS products, storage drives are sold separately. These models are positioned as affordable, efficient storage solutions in UGREEN’s lineup, complementing rather than replacing their existing DXP series. By offering a lower barrier to entry, UGREEN appears to be catering to users looking for basic yet capable NAS hardware at an accessible price. Those interested in purchasing should monitor retailer listings closely for availability and any further discounts as stock becomes more widely distributed.

You can order from the Official UGREEN site via the banner below:

Alternatively, the UGREEN DH4300 has appeared on Amazon on Multiple locations. So you can check the Amazon store in your region by clicking the banner below.

Remember. We get a small commission from any sales that occur from using the links above, and these go directly into allowing us to keep doing what we do.

UGREEN Store – https://ugreen.pxf.io/jejy6Z/

Amazon Store – https://amzn.to/409Sckl/

 

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Best NAS You Can Buy Right Now (Mid-2025) for Under $499

As of mid-2025, the sub-$499 NAS market is more competitive than ever, with several brands offering systems that deliver strong hardware, dedicated operating systems, and multiple drive bays within a modest budget. For home users, prosumers, and small teams looking to centralize data, manage backups, or stream media locally, this price bracket now includes options that would have cost significantly more just a few years ago. From rackmount storage appliances to compact flash-based servers, there are now choices to suit a wide variety of workloads and network environments.

This article examines five out-of-the-box NAS systems that are currently available for $499 or less. While each system takes a slightly different approach—whether prioritizing raw bandwidth, containerization, virtualization support, or software simplicity—they all represent viable solutions for users seeking value without compromising core functionality.

Important Disclaimer and Notes Before You Buy

All of the NAS systems featured in this list are diskless, meaning they do not include storage media by default. Users will need to purchase compatible 3.5″ HDDs, 2.5″ SSDs, or M.2 NVMe drives separately depending on the system’s configuration. This significantly affects the total cost of ownership, particularly for all-flash systems where NVMe drives are required. Some devices also use onboard flash or eMMC storage to house the operating system, but this is not sufficient for general file storage. Buyers should also consider the cost of drives, RAID redundancy planning, and any accessories (e.g., cables or cooling enhancements) when budgeting for deployment.

Another consideration is the variation in NAS operating systems provided. While most models come with a vendor-specific OS—such as Synology DSM, TerraMaster TOS, UGOS, or Unraid—some platforms allow or even encourage the installation of third-party alternatives like TrueNAS or Unraid without voiding hardware warranties. However, in cases where the software stack is less mature or limited in features, users may need to invest more time configuring services such as Plex, Docker, or SMB sharing manually. As such, these systems are best suited to users who are comfortable managing basic network services or are willing to explore more advanced functionality over time.

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UniFi UNAS Pro 7-Bay NAS

$499 – ARM Cortex-A57 – 8GB – 7x 3.5″ SATA – 1x 10GbE SFP+, 1x 1GbE – UniFi OS – BUY HERE

The UniFi UNAS Pro is a 2U rackmount NAS solution designed primarily for high-speed, large-scale data storage. It features seven hot-swappable 2.5″/3.5″ SATA drive bays and is built around a quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 processor running at 1.7GHz, paired with 8GB of onboard DDR4 memory. Unlike general-purpose NAS systems that include container support or multimedia features, this device is focused purely on network file storage. It offers robust network connectivity with both a 10GbE SFP+ port and a 1GbE RJ45 port, making it suitable for use cases where bandwidth is a priority—such as centralized backups, archival storage, or high-volume file transfers within a UniFi-managed network.

The system is managed via UniFi’s Drive app within the UniFi OS ecosystem, and supports standard RAID configurations including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6. Power redundancy is provided via a dual-input system—an internal 200W AC/DC PSU and support for USP-RPS DC failover. There’s also a 1.3-inch front panel touchscreen for quick diagnostics and system status at the rack. While it lacks container support, virtualization, or media server capabilities, it integrates easily with other UniFi products or can operate as a standalone storage node in a mixed environment. For users who require reliable, scalable storage with 10GbE connectivity but can forego app extensibility, the UNAS Pro represents a straightforward, hardware-driven option in the sub-$500 space.

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LincStation N2 NAS

$399 – Intel N100 – 16GB – 2x 2.5″ SATA + 4x M.2 NVMe – 1x 10GbE – Unraid OS – BUY HERE

The LincStation N2 is a compact, all-SSD NAS that delivers a high-performance spec sheet at a relatively low price. Powered by an Intel N100 processor and equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, it supports a mix of two 2.5″ SATA SSDs and four M.2 2280 NVMe drives. This six-bay design—entirely SSD-based—is geared toward users who require faster IOPS, quieter operation, and lower power draw than traditional hard drive-based systems. Network connectivity is handled by a single 10GbE RJ45 port, a rare inclusion in this price bracket and especially valuable for direct workstation or multi-client environments.

The device ships with an Unraid Starter license pre-installed, giving users access to advanced features like Docker container support, virtual machines, hardware passthrough, and flexible storage management. While Unraid requires some learning curve for new users, it offers a high degree of customization and adaptability compared with fixed software stacks. The system also includes HDMI output, USB-C, USB 3.2, and multiple USB 2.0 ports, making it suitable for use as a lightweight home server or media workstation. For users prioritizing SSD storage, 10GbE, and virtualization support, the LincStation N2 delivers a capable platform that’s uncommon at this price point.

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TerraMaster F4 SSD NAS

$399 – Intel N95 – 8GB – 4x M.2 NVMe – 1x 5GbE – TOS (TerraMaster OS) – BUY HERE

The TerraMaster F4 SSD is a 4-bay, all-flash NAS designed for high-speed home storage, media streaming, and photo management. It is equipped with an Intel N95 processor, an entry-level quad-core CPU from Intel’s Alder Lake-N family, and 8GB of DDR5 memory via a single SODIMM module. Storage is handled via four M.2 NVMe slots: two operating at PCIe 3.0 x2 speeds and two at PCIe 3.0 x1. These are designed for SSDs only—no support for SATA drives is provided. On the network side, the unit includes a single 5GbE port, offering a higher single-link bandwidth than systems using dual 2.5GbE, and can be directly connected to 10GbE networks at reduced speeds.

The system runs TerraMaster’s TOS operating system, which supports multimedia applications like Plex and Emby, cloud sync, photo AI tagging, user account control, and flexible backup solutions. TOS includes support for Btrfs and TRAID (TerraMaster RAID), along with remote access features and mobile apps for file synchronization and photo uploads. With three high-speed USB ports (2x Type-A and 1x Type-C), HDMI output, and low-noise fan operation (~19 dB), the F4 SSD targets users looking for a quieter, flash-based NAS for home environments. It lacks 2.5″/3.5″ bay support but offers fast SSD performance in a small form factor with minimal configuration requirements.

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Synology DiskStation DS425+ NAS

$499 – Intel Celeron J4125 – 2GB – 4x 3.5″ SATA + 2x M.2 NVMe – 1x 2.5GbE, 1x 1GbE – DSM 7.x – BUY HERE

The Synology DS425+ is a 4-bay NAS designed to serve as an entry point into Synology’s DSM ecosystem, offering a balance between hardware efficiency and access to a mature, enterprise-grade operating system. It runs on the Intel Celeron J4125 processor, a quad-core chip with a base frequency of 2.0GHz and a burst frequency of 2.7GHz. The system ships with 2GB of DDR4 non-ECC memory, expandable up to 6GB, and supports both 3.5″/2.5″ SATA drives and two M.2 NVMe SSDs for caching or storage volumes. For networking, it includes one 2.5GbE port and one standard 1GbE port, giving users some flexibility depending on their switching infrastructure.

DSM (DiskStation Manager) remains one of the most advanced NAS operating systems available, offering built-in apps for file management, media streaming, surveillance, and virtualization. Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) is supported for flexible storage management, along with Btrfs file system benefits such as snapshots and data integrity checks. The DS425+ is part of Synology’s 2025 refresh lineup, which enforces stricter compatibility with Synology-branded drives. Users should confirm drive support in advance, particularly if planning to reuse existing disks. Despite these limitations, for users seeking reliability, security features, and long-term OS support, the DS425+ remains a strong choice at the $499 price point.

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The NAS market under $499 in mid-2025 presents a broad spectrum of options tailored to different storage priorities and technical requirements. Whether you’re looking for high-capacity traditional RAID storage, SSD-focused performance, or a feature-rich operating system, there are viable choices within this price bracket. The UniFi UNAS Pro stands out as a pure storage appliance with 10GbE connectivity and seven bays, suited for high-throughput archival or backup scenarios. Meanwhile, the UGREEN DXP4800 and LincStation N2 offer hybrid and full-flash storage respectively, with both systems supporting modern features like Docker, virtualization, and optional third-party OS deployment. For those focused on user-friendly software ecosystems and long-term support, Synology’s DS425+ remains a leading contender, albeit with stricter drive compatibility requirements. On the other hand, the TerraMaster F4 SSD delivers compact all-SSD storage with high-speed 5GbE networking and a growing feature set in TOS, including AI photo management and multimedia tools. All five models require user-supplied storage media and, in some cases, benefit from user familiarity with setup or configuration processes. Ultimately, the best choice depends on how much weight you place on performance, expandability, software polish, and overall system control within this tightly priced segment.

 

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Il y a quelques mois, j’ai décidé de remplacer mon QNAP TS-464. Ce dernier ne m’avait jamais vraiment convaincu : impression d’un OS mal fichu, performances pas dingues… Bref, il était temps de passer à autre chose. En cherchant une alternative, je suis tombé sur le UGREEN DXP4800 Plus – un nouveau venu sur le marché du NAS, avec des promesses intéressantes : matériel récent, format compact, et un OS maison qui semblait tenir la route. Voici mon retour après plusieurs semaines d’usage intensif…

UGREEN DXP4800 Plus

Aujourd’hui, c’est Flow (lecteur de Cachem) qui s’est proposé de prendre le clavier pour nous présenté son UGreen DXP4800 Plus et l’usage qu’il en fait.

Présentation & déballage

À la réception, bonne surprise côté packaging : soigné, propre, rien à dire. Le NAS lui-même respire la qualité, à la hauteur de ce qu’on retrouve chez QNAP ou Synology. Le boîtier est sobre, bien fini, et se fait discret une fois installé. Côté bruit, rien à signaler, même en charge. On est clairement sur un produit sérieux.

Configuration matérielle

J’ai choisi la version standard du DXP4800 Plus, avec un petit upgrade de la RAM à 32 Go.

Stockage :

• 2 SSD NVMe de 4 To en RAID pour les services critiques (VM, containers, DB…)
• Des disques 3.5″ à 7200 tr/min pour un total de plus de 40 To pour les médias et sauvegardes

Le CPU embarqué est bien plus récent que ce qu’on trouve chez Synology sur des gammes équivalentes. C’est aussi une des raisons de mon choix.

Installation & OS

J’ai gardé l’OS fourni par UGreen. Franchement, aucun souci à l’installation, c’est du plug and play comme on en a l’habitude avec les NAS récents. Pas besoin de réglages complexes ou de tweaks bizarres : ça fonctionne dès le départ.

Et pour les curieux, oui, on peut y installer autre chose (TrueNAS, Unraid…), mais je ne suis pas allé jusque-là pour l’instant.

Utilisation au quotidien : 70 containers Docker

Je suis un gros utilisateur de containers Docker, et le NAS les encaisse sans broncher. Voici une liste (non exhaustive) des services que je fais tourner dessus :

Domotique & maison connectée :

• Home Assistant
• Zigbee2MQTT
• ESPHome
• AppDaemon

Multimédia :

• Jellyfin
• Jellyseerr
• Radarr
• Sonarr
• Komga
• Navidrome

Téléchargement & automation :

• Transmission
• Prowlarr
• Recyclarr
• Authelia
• Autobrr

Sauvegardes & supervision :

• pgBackWeb
• Watchtower
• Portainer
• Uptime-Kuma
• Crowdsec

Divers :

• Actual
• Ghostfolio
• Freshrss
• Meilisearch
• Ombi
• Firefox
• Dozzle
• Ghost
• Money-actual
• Stash
• ModManager

À noter : 4 utilisateurs Jellyfin peuvent streamer en simultané sans aucun lag. Clairement, la machine est stable et tient la charge.

Performances

Je n’ai pas benché précisément les débits, mais aucun ralentissement à signaler, même avec 70 containers actifs.
Pas de bruit excessif, pas de surchauffe, et je ne monitore pas la consommation électrique — mais vu la charge, je suis impressionné par la stabilité.

Comparaison & raisons du choix

J’ai eu plusieurs NAS avant celui-ci : des Synology 2 baies, un QNAP TS-464… Pourquoi avoir choisi le DXP4800 Plus ?

• Matériel plus récent
• OS simple, mais fonctionnel
• Bon rapport qualité/prix
• Marque prometteuse qui évolue vite

UGREEN NASync NAS: One Year Later – The Good, The Bad, and What’s Still Missing?

One year ago, UGREEN made waves in the NAS industry by launching its NASync series through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, raising $6.6 million from over 13,000 backers. This new line of NAS devices aimed to offer a cost-effective alternative to established brands like Synology and QNAP, promising powerful hardware, a user-friendly experience, and AI-powered features at a more competitive price. Since its general retail release in mid-2024, UGREEN NASync has been available via Amazon, B&H, and UGREEN’s website, gaining a strong following among enthusiasts and small businesses. But after a year of real-world usage, firmware updates, and customer feedback, does the NASync series truly compete with industry leaders? Has UGREEN delivered on its promises, or are there still major issues preventing it from being a go-to NAS solution? This article will explore where UGREEN has excelled, where it still needs improvement, and whether the NASync series is a worthwhile investment in 2025.

Note – UGREEN are running a promotion during World Backup Day that drops the price significantly on several of their NASync devices on their own website and on Amazon. Find out more here or via the banner link below:

The UGREEN NASync NAS Kickstarter – A Recap

Unlike many hardware startups that struggle with fulfilling Kickstarter orders, UGREEN managed to deliver its NASync units on schedule to most backers, a significant achievement for a crowdfunded product. While there were some reports of faulty units, these appeared to be within normal failure rates for electronics and were generally covered by UGREEN’s replacement and support policies. What truly set UGREEN apart, however, was its unorthodox marketing strategy. Instead of focusing on traditional advertising or securing major sponsorship deals, UGREEN distributed thousands of review units to mid-tier and micro-influencers.

This grassroots approach ensured that discussions about the NASync series remained active and widespread across online tech communities. Unlike companies that pay for high-profile reviews on massive platforms like Linus Tech Tips, UGREEN instead prioritized authenticity and volume, creating long-term engagement from reviewers who actually tested the product in-depth. This strategy has proven successful, keeping UGREEN’s NAS devices relevant in online discussions long after their launch, though it has also meant that larger, mainstream tech publications have not widely covered the NASync series. While this marketing approach has helped build a loyal user base, it also raises concerns about how well UGREEN’s products will compete with more established brands in the long run if they do not gain broader mainstream recognition.

The UGREEN NAS Software Development So Far…

When the NASync series launched, its UGOS operating system was one of its most significant unknowns. Unlike Synology DSM or QNAP QTS, which have been refined for years, UGOS was a first-generation NAS OS that lacked many critical features and refinements expected by experienced users.

Over the past year, UGREEN has made steady improvements, rolling out regular firmware updates that have expanded its functionality. One of the most notable additions is the inclusion of Jellyfin as a native app, providing an alternative media server option for users who want to stream videos without needing complex third-party installations.

However, Plex support remains absent, a surprising omission considering Plex is the most widely used NAS-based media server. Another major shortcoming is the lack of iSCSI support, which is essential for business users, virtualization environments, and enterprise-level storage solutions.

While UGREEN has stated that iSCSI support is on their roadmap, it has yet to be implemented, making the NASync series a less viable option for professional users who rely on networked block storage solutions. Despite these improvements, UGOS is still not as polished or feature-rich as competing NAS operating systems, and for users who need advanced storage capabilities, its limitations remain a concern.

UGREEN NAS and Security – After 1 Year

Security was one of the biggest concerns when UGREEN first launched its NASync series, as it initially lacked two-factor authentication (2FA) and had limited built-in protections for remote access. Over the past year, UGREEN has addressed some of these concerns, adding 2FA and expanding firewall settings to include IP blocking, MAC filtering, and customizable access controls.

These updates have significantly improved overall security, but the absence of dedicated anti-ransomware protection remains a critical weakness. Competing NAS brands such as Synology and QNAP have introduced automated ransomware protection tools, snapshot-based rollback systems, and real-time anomaly detection, features that UGOS has yet to incorporate.

The NASync series does provide basic malware and antivirus scanning, but it is still lacking the more advanced automated security solutions that have become standard in the NAS industry. Users who are particularly concerned about security may prefer to disable UGREEN’s remote access services and instead use third-party VPN solutions like Tailscale or even install an alternative NAS operating system such as TrueNAS or UnRAID, both of which UGREEN supports without voiding hardware warranties.

UGREEN NAS and Local AI Use

UGREEN has been heavily investing in AI-driven functionality, integrating photo recognition, AI-assisted indexing, and content categorization into UGOS. Unlike cloud-based AI solutions, these run entirely on the NAS itself, keeping user data private and locally processed. This makes UGREEN one of the few NAS brands to offer AI-powered automation without cloud dependencies, a feature that privacy-conscious users appreciate.

However, with the recent announcement of UGREEN’s new IDX series, which focuses even more on AI-powered storage and advanced computing, there is growing uncertainty about the long-term future of the NASync series. It remains unclear whether UGREEN will continue to develop UGOS at the same pace for NASync devices or shift focus toward its newer, AI-driven IDX models.

While UGREEN insists that the NASync and IDX series will coexist as separate product lines, there is a possibility that software development for NASync may slow down in favor of newer hardware platforms. This uncertainty may deter potential buyers who want long-term software support guarantees.

UGREEN NASync Devices and Mixed Global Availability

Despite the NASync series’ popularity, UGREEN has struggled to expand its global distribution network. While the devices are widely available in the US, Germany, and select European markets, many regions still lack direct purchasing options. The UK recently saw improved availability, but other regions remain underserved, forcing potential buyers to import devices at higher costs.

Given the strong demand and continued interest, it is surprising that UGREEN has not prioritized expanding its retail presence globally. If the company wants to compete seriously with major NAS brands, broader availability through additional international retailers should be a key focus moving forward.

UGREEN NAS 1 Year Later – Verdict

One year in, UGREEN’s NASync series has made a strong impression in the NAS market, proving that it is more than just a one-off experiment. The company has demonstrated consistent software development, ongoing support, and a commitment to hiring industry experts to strengthen its NAS business. However, the NASync series still falls short in key areas, particularly iSCSI support, security automation, and mainstream availability. For enthusiasts and tech-savvy users willing to customize their setup, UGREEN’s NASync devices offer solid hardware at an attractive price. But for those who expect a polished, fully mature NAS experience, Synology and QNAP still lead the market. UGREEN has the potential to become a serious competitor in the NAS space, but its future success depends on how aggressively it continues to develop UGOS, improve security, and expand its global footprint.

20% OFF UGREEN NAS this World Backup Day

UGREEN is currently running a Work Backup Day promotion, offering a 20% discount on NASync devices purchased through their official website and Amazon. This limited-time deal runs from March 25th to March 31st, making it an excellent opportunity for those considering a UGREEN NAS for data protection and backup storage. With the growing importance of secure, local backups, especially for businesses and home users managing large datasets, this promotion provides a cost-effective way to invest in a NAS solution. Whether you’re looking to set up automated backups, secure your media collection, or expand your existing storage infrastructure, the discount makes UGREEN’s already competitive pricing even more attractive. However, with global availability still being somewhat inconsistent, buyers should check regional stock levels and shipping options before purchasing.

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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