Pick Xiaomi Smart Storage or the Synology DS225+
A first-generation Xiaomi home cloud against a proven two-bay DSM appliance
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Buy the DS225+ for DSM, Plex availability, SHR/RAID 1, memory expansion and supported US ownership. Choose Xiaomi Smart Storage only when you can buy it in its official China market and specifically want Xiaomi phone/camera integration, 2.5GbE and HDMI. The Xiaomi unit is not a confirmed drop-in substitute for Synology packages.
Major differences
| Specification | Xiaomi Smart Storage | Synology DS225+ | Buying effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Reported Realtek RTD1619B, 4-core Arm | Intel Celeron J4125, 4-core | DS225+ has the better documented app/transcode path |
| Memory | 4GB | 2GB DDR4, expandable to 6GB | Different priorities: more factory RAM vs upgrade slot |
| Bays | 2 × SATA, up to 30TB per bay published | 2 × SATA; use Synology compatibility list | Both suit a mirror |
| Network | 1 × 2.5GbE | 1 × 2.5GbE plus 1 × 1GbE | DS225+ adds a second network port |
| M.2 | None published | None | Tie |
| Software | Xiaomi storage/HyperOS apps | DSM and Package Center | DS225+ |
| Plex | No confirmed native package | Plex package available; J4125 has media acceleration | DS225+ |
| Availability | China; no confirmed US date | Official US product and 3-year warranty | DS225+ |
Best choice by buyer
| Use case | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi-phone household in China | Xiaomi | Tighter first-party phone and smart-home workflow. |
| Plex and third-party packages | DS225+ | Supported DSM software and Intel media hardware. |
| Photo backup with least platform risk | DS225+ | Synology Photos and support are established. |
| Fast single-client file copies | Either | Both provide 2.5GbE, though drives and protocol overhead set real speed. |
Price and long-term value
Xiaomi's Chinese bundles include matched drives, so compare the full bundle with a diskless DS225+ plus two compatible disks. Imported Xiaomi pricing can lose its advantage after shipping, tax and the value of a local warranty.
The DS225+ is modest by homelab standards, with only 6GB maximum memory and no M.2 slots, but its Intel processor, DSM packages and documented RAID behavior make it more versatile than the bare specification suggests.
Frequently asked questions
Is Xiaomi NAS faster than the DS225+?
The 2.5GbE link gives both a higher network ceiling than 1GbE, but no controlled cross-platform benchmark supports a blanket winner. Software, disks and workload matter.
Which is better for Plex?
The DS225+ is the safer answer because Plex support and its Intel Celeron J4125 media engine are documented. Xiaomi has not confirmed a native Plex server path.
Does either model have NVMe slots?
No. Both are built around two SATA bays without published M.2 storage slots.