UGREEN NASync DXP2800 Review | Why this is the one to read if you don't want to fail with your first NAS

Photos and videos keep piling up before you know it. I put them on external HDDs only to search around wondering, "Which drive did I put that on?", and with cloud storage, I get a notification to pay up every time I need more capacity.

Honestly, even though I knew I'd hit a limit eventually, NAS seemed difficult and expensive, so I ignored it for a while.

That was until I encountered the UGREEN NASync DXP2800, and I felt, "I can trust this as my first proper NAS." Intel N100, DDR5 8GB, 2.5GbE, M.2 NVMe x2, 4K HDMI...
Looking at the specs alone, it's a very serious configuration, yet it sits in the entry-level price range. It hits that "this is exactly what I wanted" sweet spot.

In this article, I will summarize my thoughts from actually using the DXP2800 from the perspective of a NAS beginner. If you are curious about NAS but don't know where to start, or if you don't want to fail with your first unit, I hope you read this.

Provided by: UGREEN

■ Getting up close with the appeal of the UGREEN NASync DXP2800

The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 is a very luxuriously configured model, even among 2-bay NAS devices.
The CPU is an Intel N100 (4-core), and the memory is 8GB DDR5. It also features a 2.5GbE wired LAN port, two M.2 NVMe slots, and even 4K-capable HDMI. It looks like a compact desktop NAS, but my impression was that it is a "more capable, all-purpose NAS than I expected."

What I particularly liked is that it provides plenty of room to start as a simple data storage location and then expand your role into a media server, Docker host, or living room player as you get used to it.

You don't need to master all the features at once; I really appreciated as a beginner that I could take it at my own pace—just backups today, and maybe tinker with containers on the weekend.

I think the biggest appeal of the DXP2800 is that it doesn't overreach, yet it has the "capacity to respond properly when you want to do more."

Become a jack-of-all-trades with Intel N100 × DDR5 8GB

Honestly, if you just want to "store data," there are plenty of cheaper NAS options.
But the DXP2800, with its combination of Intel N100 and 8GB DDR5, transforms from mere storage into a "reliable device that can handle many roles."

Even when opening large photo folders from a browser, thumbnails load quickly, and 4K videos are handled smoothly, so you can feel that they have invested properly in the CPU and memory.
Even when running a media server like Plex or setting up a few lightweight Docker containers to test home services, there was no strange stuttering or feeling of it running out of breath just because the family was accessing it simultaneously.

If I'm going to buy a NAS, I want more than just a warehouse; I want some room to play. I felt that way myself, so this balance of "just a little extra spec" felt very comfortable.
For those who want a NAS that you can enjoy while using rather than just saving and forgetting, this configuration is a very satisfying sweet spot.

Transfer speeds that make it impossible to go back to 1GbE, even with 2.5GbE support

When I was using a 1GbE NAS, I used it while half-resigned, thinking, "Well, this is just how it is."
Once you experience the 2.5GbE of the DXP2800, that feeling changes completely.

With a theoretical bandwidth of around 312.5MB/s, the stress of copying hundreds of gigabytes of video footage at once has noticeably decreased.
What I especially appreciate is the scenario where multiple PCs access it simultaneously. Even while running backups, reading footage on another machine, and having family members browse photos, I never felt that the performance was slow.

When combined with a multi-gig compatible router or switch, it's the perfect upgrade point where you can truly feel that your data environment has leveled up.
Once you get used to the comfort of this 2.5GbE speed, I honestly felt that I wouldn't want to go back to the old 1GbE.

Equipped with 4K HDMI, it also serves as a media hub for your living room

One thing I felt was subtly effective while using the DXP2800 is the 4K-compatible HDMI port.
Generally, NAS devices are thought of as something you access over a network from a PC or smartphone, but this model can be connected directly to a TV to play videos as is.

When I connected it to my living room TV via HDMI and played the video library I had stored on the NAS locally, I was quite impressed by how comfortable it was.
Whether watching a movie with the family or playing a collection of children's videos, you no longer have to rummage around asking, 'Where did I put that external HDD?' Since you don't need to prepare storage and a player separately, the equipment setup is much cleaner.

For those building a home theater-oriented environment, I think this offers a 'two birds with one stone' change where upgrading your NAS also improves your living room experience.
The feeling of the NAS, which used to just store data, turning into a gateway for entertainment to enjoy with the family in the living room was very pleasant.

With plenty of USB ports, you can 'just connect everything here'

As you acquire more gadgets, your USB devices—like external SSDs, HDDs, card readers, and audio interfaces—really start to get cluttered.
My desk area is no exception, and before I knew it, it was full of USB hubs.

The DXP2800 also plays an active role as a device that can handle all that 'USB clutter' in one place.
On the front, there are 10Gbps-compatible USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to quickly plug in devices you want to use temporarily. On the back, there are multiple USB-A 3.2 and 2.0 ports, so you can consolidate external storage and peripherals that you want to keep connected at all times.

As a result, I now have a central hub where I can just connect things if I'm unsure, which has significantly reduced the stress of managing cables.
The fact that it acts as a reliable core that serves as a receptacle for USB devices while still being a NAS is a point that really resonated with me personally.

Energy-saving design that you don't have to worry about even when running 24/7

Since a NAS is basically a device that you keep powered on, power consumption is an important factor in the long run.
The DXP2800 is built with this in mind, designed to stay in the single-digit wattage range when idle and only around a dozen watts even during access.

With this level of power efficiency, you can keep it running 24/7, 365 days a year, without worrying too much about electricity costs.
Being able to set up nighttime backups or scheduled synchronization tasks without worrying, 'Is it okay to run it this much?' is a great source of peace of mind when entrusting it as your main storage.

The sense of balance in ensuring proper performance while simultaneously pursuing energy efficiency strongly reinforces the impression that this is a 'NAS you want to keep at home for a long time.'
I felt that the combination of the peace of mind that you can access it anytime and the energy efficiency that allows you to leave it on is directly linked to its ease of daily use.

Dedicated OS and apps make it easy to use even for NAS beginners

"NAS setup seems really difficult."
At first, I had that image too, and just thinking about router settings and port forwarding made me feel reluctant.

UGREEN's proprietary NAS OS and app significantly eased that anxiety.
With a UI organized by use case, you can proceed with the setup in a wizard format from a smartphone app or browser, so you always know exactly what to do next.

The configuration allows you to start without any specialized network knowledge, and it feels like it genuinely caters to people who love gadgets but are new to NAS.

A NAS where you won't easily get lost in the settings—just knowing that really increases my sense of security for a first-time device.

■ Pros: This spec-heavy configuration is honestly quite a bargain

Let me summarize the benefits of the DXP2800 that I've felt after using it this far.

• Among 2-bay NAS devices in the same class, the N100 + DDR5 + NVMe + 2.5GbE configuration is a cut above the rest

• You can set up a mirror configuration with RAID 1, allowing you to safely store important photos, videos, and work data

• You can utilize M.2 NVMe as a cache or high-speed storage area, improving the perceived speed of frequently used data

• With 2.5GbE support, handling backups and exchanging editing data is comfortable

• With 4K HDMI, it can also be used as a media player connected directly to a TV

• Despite being in an entry-level price range, it has a wide range of applications from home use to small businesses

• It is easy to set up and offers a perfect balance for those looking to upgrade from their first NAS

• Compared to other models in the same class, the value for the specs is highly convincing

The great cost-performance ratio, which makes you wonder how they packed so much in at this price, is a major appeal.

■ Cons and Points to Note: Choose with a clear understanding

Of course, it is not a perfect device. While using it, I felt there were some areas where opinions might differ depending on the person.

• It only has two bays, and RAID configurations are limited to basic patterns like 0 and 1.

• Since it does not have 10GbE, the bandwidth might feel insufficient for a professional video editing environment that relies on 10GbE.

• There is no SD card slot, so you will need a separate card reader if you want to import files directly from a camera.

• Because it is equipped with a cooling fan, it is not completely silent, and some people might find the operating noise noticeable in a quiet room.

However, these points can change depending on how much you want to rely on this NAS.
If you require four or more bays or a 10GbE environment, you will be happier considering a higher-end model from the start, but if you don't need that much, the DXP2800's range is often more than enough.

I felt that if you choose after imagining your own usage and how you want to be using it in a few years, your satisfaction will be quite high.
If you choose it while understanding its weaknesses, it should become a device that you feel is 'just right' for your needs.

■ Who is this NAS for?

So, who is it specifically suited for? Based on my own usage and stories from other NAS users, I will list the points where it seems to be a great match.

• People who are already using a 1GbE entry-level NAS and want a 2.5GbE connection and a slightly more powerful CPU next.

• People who have too many photos, videos, and game data and want to increase capacity while protecting it with RAID 1.

• People who want to consolidate a file server, media server, and a light container environment into one unit for home or SOHO use.

• People who want to utilize M.2 NVMe to manage materials currently being edited at high speeds while archiving others on an HDD.

• People who find QNAP or Synology too expensive but don't want to compromise much on specs.

• People who want to connect to their living room TV via 4K HDMI and easily play local videos.

If you feel like 'this might be me' with any of these, I think the DXP2800 will be a very strong candidate.
I feel that a NAS is a product that starts providing benefits to those who take action as soon as they truly realize they need it.Data won't wait, so there is great value in taking the next step while you are still thinking 'it's still okay.'
The moment you feel that even a little bit of this applies to you might be the best time to start thinking positively about introducing a NAS.

■ How does it compare to other UGREEN NAS models? Organizing the position of the DXP2800

In addition to the DXP2800, the UGREEN NASync series also includes more accessible models like the DH2300 and more professional models like the DH4300.
Especially when choosing your first NAS, I think the 'differences from other models' is a point of concern.

Roughly speaking, the DH2300 is a lighter entry-level model with an ARM CPU and 1GbE, aimed at those who want to try out a NAS for the first time.
On the other hand, the DH4300 is a higher-end model with 4 bays and 10GbE, positioned for those who want to fully utilize large capacity and high bandwidth for everything from SOHO to professional business use.

Among them, the DXP2800, with its configuration of 2 bays, 2.5GbE, Intel N100, DDR5 8GB, M.2 NVMe x2, and 4K HDMI, gives the impression that it is firmly targeting a "mid-range model that can be used for a long time for home use."
While there are options like lower-end models if you want to keep costs down, or higher-end models if you are looking at professional-level use, I felt that the DXP2800 is in the most perfect position for those who don't want to fail with their first unit and want a NAS with a bit of headroom.
"The balanced central position"is what I believe the DXP2800 occupies when looking at the series as a whole.

The balanced UGREEN NASync DXP2800

The accessible DH2300

The professional-grade DH4300

■ Summary: A perfect unit to take the next step

The UGREEN NASync DXP2800is a model that packs a nearly "all-in-one" configuration—Intel N100, DDR5 8GB, 2.5GbE, M.2 NVMe x2, and 4K HDMI—into a price range that is quite aggressive for a 2-bay NAS.
I felt it was the perfect unit to step up from a simple data storage location to a "digital hub" where you can store data for your home, work, and hobbies all in one place.

Of course, for those who require 4 or more bays or a 10GbE environment, other options might be a better fit.
Even so, for many people, it should serve as a well-balanced "slightly better NAS" that you can live with for a long time.

If you are currently feeling like "I want to finally set up a proper NAS" or "I'm looking for a unit that will let me take the next step," the DXP2800 is a model I want you to take a close look at.
I feel that this is a NAS that gently pushes you forward, helping you take a realistic step toward the data environment you've always wanted to set up.

The balanced UGREEN NASync DXP2800

The accessible DH2300

The professional-grade DH4300

Recommended HDDs for the UGREEN NASync DXP2800

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