Ugreen DH2300 NAS Review

A number of weeks in the past, I reviewed the Ugreen NASync DH4300 Plus. I had comparatively low expectations as a result of Rockchip RK3576 chipset and Ugreen being comparatively new to the world of NAS units.

Nonetheless, I got here away pleasantly shocked. It isn’t excellent, UGOS is proscribed in performance in comparison with the likes of Synology or self-built choices working Unraid, however general, I’ve discovered it to be a wonderful, inexpensive, and power-efficient NAS.

Ugreen not too long ago despatched me the Ugreen DH2300, which, after a passing look, gave the impression to be similar to the DH4300, however with two drive bays, much less RAM and slower gigabit Ethernet.

Nonetheless, Ugreen has additionally tweaked UGOS on this mannequin, eradicating Docker, which severely limits a few of the superior performance that’s potential on the DH4300, comparable to working Residence Assistant or Jellyfin media server.

Whereas that’s disappointing, you need to issue within the worth. That is just about the most cost effective 2-bay NAS available on the market, lower than half the worth of the DH4300. So, whereas much less interesting than the DH4300, the DH2300 does find yourself being a terrific little NAS. The options are very primary, however it’s extremely inexpensive and really energy environment friendly.

Associated Critiques

Specification

Unboxing

The DH2300 arrives in typical Ugreen packaging – clear, minimal, and well-protected. Contained in the field, you get the NAS unit itself, an exterior energy adapter, an Ethernet cable, mounting screws for the drive bays, and a fast begin information. The setup documentation is simple sufficient, although I’d have appreciated extra element on community configuration choices for customers unfamiliar with NAS units.

The unit itself feels moderately well-built regardless of the plastic chassis. The air flow is beneficiant, with slotted openings on the highest panel and sides to advertise airflow. The entrance panel is clear with a single energy button and standing LEDs that point out drive exercise and community connectivity. The drive bays are accessible from the highest by eradicating the magnetic cowl, which makes set up easy however does imply that you must energy down the unit for drive modifications – hot-swapping is just not formally supported, although some customers have reported success with it.

Set Up

Preliminary setup is dealt with by means of UGOS Professional’s net interface, which you entry by navigating to the NAS’s IP deal with in your browser. I assumed this was not potential on the DH4300, however later realised that after I scanned my community for the IP, it simply didn’t present a hyperlink for the online interface.

The wizard walks you thru creating an admin account, configuring community settings, and initialising your storage pool. The method is genuinely user-friendly and will pose no issues even for first-time NAS customers.

One factor I appreciated is that UGOS mechanically detects your drives and suggests applicable RAID configurations based mostly in your setup. For a two-bay system, you might be realistically both RAID 1 for redundancy or RAID 0 for optimum capability. I opted for RAID 1 with two 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives, giving me 4TB of usable area with full mirroring. The array initialisation took round 45 minutes, which is cheap.

Throughout setup, you additionally create a Ugreen account, which is required if you wish to use the distant entry options. This would possibly delay some privacy-conscious customers, however it’s a crucial step for the cloud relay performance to work.

Distant Entry

In my unique overview, I didn’t hassle with the distant entry perform. I work in IT, and I’m a bit sceptical of distant entry options I’m not acquainted with. If I have to entry my NASync DH4300 remotely, I can do it by way of Tailscale.

With this, I made a decision to check it out, and it really works completely properly. The method is straightforward, that you must have a Ugreen account, which you then have to confirm, and this will get tied to your NAS.

You may then entry your NAS by way of the cell app remotely or by way of the devoted hyperlink you get.

Cellular & Home windows Apps

Each the cell and Home windows apps let you entry the complete interface.

The principle profit is that you may create backup duties to your units. So, on Home windows, I can create a backup process of particular folders or complete drives.

You may both run these duties manually or have them again up in actual time.

You can even create sync duties, with choices for one-way syncing (so, a backup), two-way syncing, or syncing from the Ugreen to your pc. This may be arrange as an actual time sync, or you’ll be able to schedule it.

On cell, the backup perform is for photographs, and it is likely one of the options I like most about this, because it offers me Google Images-like performance with out the privateness considerations or the price of storing full-resolution photographs within the cloud.

Lacking performance vs Ugreen NASync DH4300 Plus

After I initially posted my information article on the NASync DH2300 launch, I acknowledged that this had Docker help.

Ugreen emailed to right me. For some motive, this lacks Docker, however within the e-mail they did say “the DH2300 does not help Docker in the meanwhile”.

So, I’m hopeful that this might be added at a later date.

Sadly, after I began to overview this, I realised that lots of different apps had been lacking. That is partly as a result of lack of Docker, for instance, on my DH4300, qbittorrent is definitely a Docker app.

Sadly, on the DH4300, each Residence Assistant and Jellyfin get put in as docker containers, so these are additionally unavailable on the DH2300.

SSH

Connecting to SSH reveals that the underlying OS is Debian 12 (Bookworm) base with Linux kernel 6.1.115+, compiled by Ugreen.

I don’t suggest it, however you could possibly, in principle, add performance by way of SSH, comparable to Docker.

Nonetheless, I wouldn’t suggest this to individuals unfamiliar with Linux or should you plan to make use of this for any vital recordsdata.

I experimented with putting in issues by way of SSH and located that a whole bunch of packages had been marked as “held”, which is because of Ugreen making an attempt to maintain their firmware constant and avoiding points with software program updates by way of UGOS.

After intensive modifications, I used to be capable of get Docker and Dockage put in.

Nonetheless, as a result of variety of modifications to the underlying system, it appears extremely probably that it will trigger points with UGOS. I’d anticipate updates to fail, or in the event that they full, they’ll probably overwrite the modifications I made to the underlying OS.

So, to reiterate, I strongly suggest not doing this, you’ll probably break one thing, however should you really feel assured and wish to tinker with issues, then there’s potential to get further performance from this NAS. I’d not try this on a manufacturing NAS the place you retailer vital information.

Images / AI Picture Recognition / Photograph Backups

As beforehand talked about, I like the picture backup perform of this NAS. I nonetheless backup photographs to Google Images, however I’ve heard of many reviews of individuals getting locked out of their account and shedding years’ value of non-public photographs.

With the DH4300, I used Google Takeout to export all my photographs after which extracted them into my photographs folder on the NAS.

I’ve additionally enabled all of the AI options, so the NAS mechanically identifies faces. I also can determine objects and use metadata to point out the placement the place photographs had been taken on a map.

The AI tagging isn’t the quickest, however my NAS is left on 24/7, so the method was largely unnoticeable. I simply forgot about it for a few days a let it do its factor. Much like Google photographs, you’ll probably should merge faces as it isn’t 100% excellent, however I’ve discovered that it has carried out an honest job general.

I gained’t declare it’s higher than Google Images, or the self-host favorite, Immich, however there aren’t any on-going subscription prices vs Google, and it’s considerably simpler to arrange than Immich.

For customers who need to escape Google’s ecosystem and have their photographs saved domestically with respectable search performance, the DH2300 provides glorious worth. The face recognition works properly sufficient that I can seek for particular individuals and get related outcomes, and the placement mapping based mostly on EXIF information is genuinely helpful for locating photographs from explicit journeys or places.

Cloud Drive

The cloud drive characteristic is the opposite predominant factor I take advantage of my Ugreen NAS for. Much like photographs, I don’t need to be reliant on getting access to OneDrive or Google Drive. If I get locked out of something (or hacked), I may lose years’ value of knowledge. So this performance is an ideal means to make sure I’ve a neighborhood backup.

Different Options

Past the core file storage and backup performance, the DH2300 consists of a number of different options value mentioning. The HDMI output can be utilized to attach the NAS on to a TV or monitor for native media playback. In testing, I used to be capable of play 4K H.265 video recordsdata with none stuttering or dropped frames, which is spectacular given the ARM processor. The {hardware} decoder within the RK3576 handles commonest video codecs effectively, although I did discover some occasional stuttering with significantly high-bitrate 4K content material.

The built-in media server app gives a primary interface for searching and taking part in video recordsdata. It isn’t as feature-rich as Plex or Jellyfin, nevertheless it works adequately for easy media playback. The interface is clear sufficient, although looking out and filtering choices are restricted. In case you have a well-organised media library, it’s completely usable. In case your recordsdata are a multitude, you’ll battle.

UGOS Professional additionally features a obtain supervisor that helps HTTP, FTP, and BitTorrent protocols. I examined the BitTorrent consumer with a number of Linux ISOs, and it labored reliably sufficient, although the interface feels a bit primary in comparison with devoted torrent purchasers like qBittorrent. Obtain speeds had been respectable, hitting round 80-90MB/s on my gigabit connection.

The ability administration choices are respectable. You may schedule the NAS to energy on and off at particular instances, which is beneficial should you solely want entry throughout sure hours and need to save energy in a single day. You can even configure the NAS to enter sleep mode after a interval of inactivity, although I’ve saved mine working 24/7, given the low idle energy consumption.

Value and Various Choices

The Ugreen DH2300 is offered to order now. It has an RRP of £170 however is offered from Ugreen for £153.

This makes it probably the most inexpensive choices available on the market.

The 4 bay NASync DH4300 is greater than double the worth at £324.

The 2-bay NASync DXP2800, which has a considerably extra highly effective Intel N100 quad-core CPU is offered for £271

The TerraMaster F2-212 is, or was, one of the best various. It has has a much less highly effective chipset and fewer RAM however a lot better performance as a consequence of Docker and an even bigger app retailer. This was £170, btu it seems like Terramaster have stopped promoting it. The 4 bay F4-212 mannequin is £230.

Synology has the DS223J, which is £189. This may have way more performance, however a lot much less efficiency.

Synology has the DS223J, which is £189. This may have way more performance due to DSM, however the {hardware} is considerably weaker. You’re looking at a dual-core Realtek RTD1619B processor with simply 1GB of RAM. For easy file serving, it would work fantastic, however don’t anticipate it to deal with AI picture recognition or 4K video transcoding. Synology’s software program ecosystem is undeniably higher, with years of growth behind it, however you might be paying a premium for that polished expertise.

Asustor has the Drivestor 2 Lite, which is £174. This makes use of a Realtek RTD1296 quad-core processor and comes with 1GB of RAM, so performance-wise it sits someplace between the Synology and the Ugreen. Asustor’s ADM working system is fairly succesful, although I discovered it much less intuitive than UGOS after I examined it.

Total

The Ugreen DH2300 is likely one of the most inexpensive NAS enclosures available on the market. The Rockchip ARM chipset is each succesful and power-efficient, providing you with the choice for some superior performance, comparable to AI picture tagging. Whereas UGOS Professional can not compete with Synology DiskStation Supervisor (DSM), and has far fewer apps than the TerraMaster TOS, I discover it completely satisfactory for a primary NAS.

My predominant criticism is that Ugreen seems to have hobbled this NAS with fewer software program options than the DH4300 Plus. They run the identical chipset, so there is no such thing as a logical motive to omit issues like Jellyfin or Docker. As it is a very new product, I hope Ugreen will add this performance at a later date.

When it comes to uncooked efficiency, the DH2300 punches properly above its weight class. File switch speeds over the 1GbE connection are about what you’ll anticipate – sequential reads and writes within the 110-115MB/s vary, dropping to 60-80MB/s with smaller combined recordsdata. That is fully network-limited somewhat than being constrained by the NAS {hardware}. If Ugreen had included 2.5GbE, I believe we’d see considerably larger throughput.

The ability effectivity is genuinely glorious. At 9-10W idle and 12-13W below load, this is likely one of the most effective NAS models I’ve examined. For context, my previous Synology DS220+ attracts round 15-18W doing the identical duties. Over a yr of 24/7 operation, that distinction provides as much as actual financial savings in your electrical energy invoice. At present UK power costs (round £0.25 per kWh), the DH2300 will price you roughly £22 per yr to run constantly, in comparison with £33-£40 for much less environment friendly alternate options. Small financial savings, admittedly, however they accumulate over the system’s lifespan.

The noise ranges are acceptable. With the fan on computerized settings, the unit is barely audible from a number of toes away throughout idle intervals. Below heavy load, the fan turns into noticeable however not objectionable. I measured round 35-38dBA at one metre distance below typical use, rising to 42-44dBA below sustained heavy load. If you’re planning to put this in a bed room or quiet workplace, you would possibly need to configure quieter fan profiles in UGOS, although it will improve drive temperatures barely.

Talking of temperatures, drive thermals are well-managed. My two 4TB IronWolf drives sometimes sit at 36-38°C throughout idle intervals and climb to 42-43°C below sustained transfers. These are completely protected working temperatures for mechanical drives, properly inside producer specs. The only rear fan does an honest job of extracting warmth, aided by the beneficiant air flow openings within the plastic chassis.

Construct high quality is satisfactory for the worth. Sure, it’s plastic somewhat than metallic, however the building feels strong sufficient, with no flex or creaking when dealing with the unit. The magnetic high cowl for drive entry is a pleasant contact, making set up easy. My solely concern is long-term sturdiness – plastic housings can change into brittle over time, significantly if uncovered to daylight or warmth. Hold it someplace cool and out of direct daylight, and it ought to final for years.

The dearth of hot-swap help is a minor inconvenience somewhat than a deal-breaker for residence customers. In a enterprise atmosphere the place uptime is vital, you’ll need correct hot-swap bays. For residence use, the occasional have to energy down the unit to interchange a drive is hardly the tip of the world.

UGOS Professional continues to enhance with every replace. After I first examined Ugreen NAS units final yr, the software program felt tough across the edges. A yr on, it has matured significantly. The interface is cleaner, options are extra steady, and the app ecosystem, whereas nonetheless restricted, has expanded. Ugreen seems dedicated to ongoing growth, which is encouraging for long-term help.

That stated, UGOS nonetheless lacks the polish and maturity of Synology’s DSM and even QNAP’s QTS. When you want superior options like digital machines, intensive Docker help, or extremely granular permission controls, you will see that UGOS limiting. However for the core NAS capabilities – file storage, backups, picture administration, and primary media streaming – it does the job completely properly.

The audience for the DH2300 is evident. This isn’t a NAS for fans who need to run complicated Docker stacks or construct elaborate residence lab setups. That is for normal customers who’re bored with paying month-to-month subscriptions to Google, Microsoft, or Apple for cloud storage and need a easy, inexpensive various that they management. For that use case, the DH2300 is genuinely glorious.

If Ugreen provides Docker help in a future firmware replace, the DH2300 turns into considerably extra interesting. Even with out it, at £153, this represents excellent worth for a primary 2-bay NAS. The mix of respectable {hardware}, low energy consumption, quiet operation, and satisfactory software program makes it simple to suggest for residence customers looking for to flee cloud storage subscriptions with out diving into the complexity of self-building or spending £300+ on premium alternate options.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and sensible residence units.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits permit me to carry a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the most recent tech developments.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Programs Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I intention to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-11-11 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API