Buffalo LinkStation 220: A Solid NAS for Home Use at a Fair Price

The Buffalo LinkStation 220 8TB 2-Bay NAS feels like a solid pick for anyone wanting a budget-friendly home cloud or [network storage](https://allthetoppicks.com/retro-gaming/jf-home-bliss-game-storage-tower-universal-vertical-stand-holds-24-discs-for-ps5-xbox-series-xs-switch-ps4-blu-ray-doubl) device. With a price tag of £610.92 and a 3.8/5 rating from 3396 reviews, it tries to strike a balance between reliability, performance, and data security.

First Impressions

When you unbox the LinkStation 220, you’ll notice its sleek, compact look right away. It fits easily into a [home office](https://allthetoppicks.com/retro-gaming/coleshome-l-shaped-gaming-desk-100x70-cm-computer-desk-corner-office-desk-with-reversible-storage-shelves-writing-study-) or tucked beside your TV.

The dual-bay setup means you can run RAID, which is a big plus for keeping your data safe. Setting it up is pretty painless—just plug it into your router and follow the guides in the box.

Key Features in Detail

Buffalo clearly designed the LinkStation 220 with security as a priority, using a closed system to cut down on vulnerabilities. It handles automated backups for several devices, whether you’re using a PC or a phone—super handy if you’re a bit paranoid about losing files.

They include the hard drives, though, oddly enough, you won’t find any details about drive speeds. That’s a bit of a letdown if you’re after top-tier performance.

There are 12 storage options to choose from, so you can pick the one that fits your needs best. Still, there’s no NVMe cache support, which could be a dealbreaker if you want to stream a lot or run demanding apps.

Performance Assessment

In terms of performance, the LinkStation 220 gets the basics right—file storage and media streaming work fine for most home users. But if you try to push it with lots of heavy tasks at once, it’s going to show its limits.

When you stack it against something like the Synology DS223J (which costs £179.97 and has a 4.4/5 rating), Buffalo’s NAS starts to look a bit barebones, especially if you want more [advanced features](https://allthetoppicks.com/alternatives/r36max-retro-games-console-128gb-handheld-games-consoles-wit-alternatives).

Build Quality

The build feels sturdy enough, but it’s all plastic—no metal here. That keeps it light, sure, but you might wonder how it’ll hold up over the years compared to tougher models.

The cooling does the job for everyday use. If you push it hard, though, you’ll probably notice more noise and heat.

Value for Money

At £610.92, this is the lowest price the LinkStation 220 has hit. But with alternatives like the Synology DS224+ going for £466.64 and offering a better rating, it’s tough not to second-guess the value. If performance and features matter most to you, you might want to look around a bit more.

How It Compares to Alternatives

When you look at the competition, the Buffalo LinkStation 220 comes in at a higher price than the Synology DS223J and DS224+. Both Synology models tend to get better ratings and pack in more features.

The Synology options really shine when it comes to user interface and app support. If you're tech-savvy or just have tons of media, they're probably going to feel like a [better fit](https://allthetoppicks.com/retro-gaming/velenti-gamer-chair-phone-stand-phone-holder-for-smartphones-kindles-up-to-19-cm-tall-fun-gaming-accessories-for-gamers-).