Synology NAS boxes are cutting features for non-Synology hard drives

DIY types already love building their own desktops, laptops, keyboards, etc., so it’s no surprise that they also like to assemble network-attached storage out of disparate parts. But trying that on the latest Synology NAS hardware might see you shut out of some advanced features. Going forward, Synology is insisting that users stick with its pricey, self-branded hard drives for maximum feature support.

German site HardwareLuxx reports that Synology Plus NAS hardware released in 2025 will not have full support for third-party drives. Though they’ll still work if you install them, only Synology’s hard drives—or those certified by Synology—will get access to the most advanced features, including hard drive health reports, volume-wide deduplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic firmware updates. Third-party drives that aren’t Synology-approved will get a warning in the user interface.

Synology has already rolled out this requirement for enterprise-grade network-attached storage devices, but now the same standard is being applied to new consumer and prosumer models releasing in the future. The company claims that it needs the extra layer of hardware scrutiny in order to deliver the best performance and reliability.

Of course, as Tom’s Hardware notes, Synology doesn’t actually manufacture its own hard drives. Reviewers and enthusiasts have determined that the Synology-branded drives being sold since 2021 are made by Toshiba and Seagate, two of the biggest hard drive manufacturers on the planet, only rivaled by Western Digital. Synology may have higher standards and more rigorous testing for drives bearing its brand name on the sticker… but it’s hard to forget that it is indeed just a sticker, especially if Synology is going to be a stickler about it.

Synology devices made in 2024 and earlier won’t be affected by this change. Those who like to load up on cheap hard drives for their NASes might want to pay close attention to that, or possibly investigate offerings from competitors like Asustor or TerraMaster.