The Synology DS925+ is one of the most popular 4-bay NAS units for homes, creators, and small businesses — and it also generated a lot of questions in 2025, especially around which hard drives you're actually allowed to use. If you're considering one, this guide answers the questions buyers ask most, in plain language, so you know exactly what you're getting before you buy.

What Is the DS925+, in Simple Terms?

The DS925+ is a 4-bay network-attached storage (NAS) device. Think of it as your own private cloud: a small box that holds up to four hard drives and connects to your network, so every device in your home or office can store files, back up automatically, stream media, and share data securely. It runs Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) software, which is the main reason people choose Synology — it's polished and easy to use.

What Are the Key Specs?

The DS925+ is built around a quad-core AMD Ryzen V1500B processor running at 2.2 GHz. It ships with 4 GB of DDR4 memory and can be expanded up to 32 GB using its two SODIMM slots. It has four drive bays supporting 3.5" and 2.5" SATA drives, for up to 96 TB of raw storage with current high-capacity disks. There are also two M.2 2280 NVMe slots, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and a USB-C port used for a DX525 expansion unit.

One notable change from older models: the DS925+ uses two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) ports instead of the older 1GbE, with support for link aggregation and failover. That gives you faster transfers if your network and switch support 2.5GbE.

The Big One: Can I Use Any Hard Drive, or Only Synology Drives?

This is the question that caused the most confusion. Here's the current situation, clearly.

When the 2025 models launched, Synology introduced a strict drive-compatibility policy. On these units, non-verified third-party drives (like Seagate IronWolf or WD Red) were heavily restricted — in some cases the NAS wouldn't even complete setup without an approved drive, and you'd lose features like health monitoring and storage pool creation.

After significant pushback, Synology walked the policy back with the DiskStation Manager 7.3 update in late 2025. Under DSM 7.3, you can once again install third-party 3.5" hard drives and 2.5" SATA SSDs — including Western Digital and Seagate models — without "unverified" warnings, and you can create and expand RAID volumes normally.

Important exception: this reversal applies to SATA hard drives and SATA SSDs. For the M.2 NVMe slots, creating NVMe storage pools still generally requires drives from Synology's official compatibility list. So if you plan to use the M.2 slots for storage (not just cache), check the compatibility list first.

What Can I Use the Two M.2 NVMe Slots For?

The two M.2 2280 NVMe slots can be used as a read/write cache to speed up access to frequently used files, or — on these 2025 models — as a dedicated NVMe storage pool. As noted above, using them as a storage pool generally requires NVMe drives on Synology's compatibility list, so plan accordingly if that's your goal.

How Much Storage Can It Hold?

With four bays and today's largest 3.5" drives, the DS925+ reaches up to 96 TB of raw capacity. If you need more, it supports a Synology DX525 expansion unit (sold separately) over the USB-C port, taking you up to nine drives total. Keep in mind that with RAID protection your usable space will be lower than the raw total, since one or more drives are used for redundancy.

Do I Need to Upgrade the RAM?

The included 4 GB is enough for basic file storage and backups. If you plan to run several apps at once — virtual machines, multiple Docker containers, Synology's photo and surveillance tools, or many simultaneous users — upgrading the memory makes a real difference. The two SODIMM slots let you expand up to 32 GB of DDR4.

Is It Good for Backups, Photos, and Media?

Yes — this is exactly what most buyers use it for. DSM includes free apps for automatic computer and phone backups, a Google Photos–style photo library with face and subject recognition, file syncing across devices, and media serving. For a Canadian family or small business, it's a convenient way to keep everything in one place that you own and control, rather than paying monthly cloud fees.

Will It Work With My Network?

The DS925+ connects over Ethernet and works on any standard home or office network. To get the most from its 2.5GbE ports, you'll want a 2.5GbE-capable switch or router and a computer with a 2.5GbE connection. On a regular gigabit network it still works perfectly — you simply cap out at gigabit speeds.

Is It a Good Choice in 2026?

For most home and small-office users, yes. It's quiet, capable, and backed by Synology's strong software. The main thing to be aware of is the drive policy: as long as you understand that SATA drives from major brands are supported again under DSM 7.3, while M.2 storage pools still favour the compatibility list, you can buy with confidence. If you have very advanced needs (10GbE networking, for example), you may want to look at higher-tier models.

What Do I Need to Buy Alongside It?

Quick Buyer's Checklist

• Remember it's sold diskless — budget for drives separately.
• For SATA bays, major-brand drives are supported again under DSM 7.3.
• For M.2 NVMe storage pools, check Synology's compatibility list.
• Plan your RAID level — usable space is less than raw capacity.
• Upgrade RAM if you'll run many apps or users.
• Use a 2.5GbE switch to benefit from the faster ports.
• Add a surge protector (and ideally a UPS) to safeguard your data.
• Keep DSM updated to 7.3 or later for the current drive policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DS925+ sold with hard drives included?

No. Like most Synology units, it's diskless, so you buy and install your own drives.

Can I use Western Digital or Seagate drives?

Yes, for the SATA bays. Under DSM 7.3, third-party 3.5" HDDs and 2.5" SATA SSDs from major brands work without "unverified" restrictions. M.2 NVMe storage pools still favour Synology's compatibility list.

How many drives can it hold?

Four internally, for up to 96 TB raw with today's largest disks. With a DX525 expansion unit you can reach nine drives total.

Does it have NVMe slots?

Yes, two M.2 2280 NVMe slots, usable for cache or (with compatible drives) a storage pool.

How fast is the network connection?

It has two 2.5GbE ports with link aggregation and failover. You'll need a 2.5GbE switch and client to reach those speeds; otherwise it runs fine at gigabit.

Can I expand the memory?

Yes. It ships with 4 GB of DDR4 and supports up to 32 GB across two SODIMM slots.

Is it good for backing up the whole family's devices?

Absolutely. Synology's free apps handle automatic computer and phone backups, photo libraries, and file syncing — a convenient private alternative to monthly cloud subscriptions.

Summary

The Synology DS925+ is a capable, user-friendly 4-bay NAS powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen V1500B, with 2.5GbE networking, two M.2 NVMe slots, and room for up to 96 TB across four bays (more with expansion). The headline concern — drive compatibility — has largely been resolved: DSM 7.3 restored support for major-brand SATA drives, while M.2 storage pools still favour Synology's compatibility list. Buy the right drives, add a surge protector, and it makes an excellent private storage and backup hub for Canadian homes and small businesses.

For storage drives, NVMe SSDs, surge protectors, and other accessories to complete your NAS setup, visit PC-Hybrid.ca.