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QNAP TS-216G vs QNAP TS-251B
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-216Gdraws 13.9 W, 1.3 W less than the TS-251B
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-216G6 of 9 differing specs (CPU cores 4, max LAN speed 2.5 Gbps)
- Best forTS-216G for anyone running it 24/7 on little power
Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.
Spec ruler
In short
Bottom line. Of the 9 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-216G leads on 6 (CPU cores, max LAN speed, LAN ports, and 3 more) and the QNAP TS-251B on 3 (boost clock, max RAM, and USB ports). On our small-office file server index, the TS-216G scores 42/100 against 26/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-216G and QNAP TS-251B compare. CPU cores: the TS-216G at 4 cores versus 2 cores for the TS-251B, 2 cores more (2.0x). Among 204 QNAP models, the TS-216G ranks in the top 22% and the TS-251B in the bottom 9%. The TS-251B leads on boost clock, 2.5 GHz to 2 GHz, 1.2x. Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-251B ranks in the bottom 45% and the TS-216G in the bottom 27%. On max RAM, the TS-251B posts 8 GB and the TS-216G 4 GB, a gap of 4 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-251B ranks in the bottom 25% and the TS-216G in the bottom 8%. Max LAN speed: the TS-216G at 2.5 Gbps versus 1 Gbps for the TS-251B, 1.5 Gbps higher (2.5x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-216G ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-251B in the bottom 22%.
Key differences 3
Max LAN speedTS-216G leads
- TS-216G 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-251B at 1 Gbps
- the TS-216G is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-216G in the bottom 48%, TS-251B in the bottom 22%
100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)
CPU coresTS-216G leads
- TS-216G 4 cores vs the TS-251B at 2 cores
- the TS-216G has 2.0x the CPU cores
- among 204 QNAP models: TS-216G in the top 22%, TS-251B in the bottom 9%
4 cores for backups and transcodes at once
Max RAMTS-251B leads
- TS-251B 8 GB vs the TS-216G at 4 GB
- the TS-251B has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-251B in the bottom 25%, TS-216G in the bottom 8%
Upgradable to 8 GB later
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-216G | TS-251B |
|---|---|---|
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| Max RAM | 4 GBbottom 8% | 8 GBWINbottom 25% |
| LAN ports | 2WINbottom 38% | 1bottom 8% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Boost clock | 2 GHzbottom 27% | 2.5 GHzWINbottom 45% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-216G | TS-251B |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| Boost clock | 2 GHzbottom 27% | 2.5 GHzWINbottom 45% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 4 GBbottom 8% | 8 GBWINbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| LAN ports | 2WINbottom 38% | 1bottom 8% |
| M.2 slots | – | 0bottom 46% |
| PCIe slots | – | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 1.45 kgWINtop 4% | 1.53 kgtop 6% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 13.9 WWINtop 5% | 15.3 Wtop 6% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-216G | TS-251B |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 10.4WIN | 7.3 |
| Lightness percentile | 96.7WIN | 94.3 |
| Compactness percentile | 94.2WIN | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 72 |
| Small office fit | 42WIN | 26 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 21WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 81WIN | 80 |
The details
How to choose
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TS-216G (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps)
- Max RAM matters most → the TS-251B (8 GB vs 4 GB)
More TS-216G leads (storage and connections)
- LAN ports: 2 ports vs 1 port
More TS-216G leads (size, power and warranty)
- Operating power: 13.9 W vs 15.3 W
- Volume: 3.71 L vs 3.99 L
- Weight: 1.45 kg vs 1.53 kg
More TS-251B leads
- USB ports: 5 ports vs 3 ports
- Boost clock: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-216G 3.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-216G 6.95 W vs 7.63 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-216G 0.73 kg vs 0.77 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-251B 4 GB vs 0 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 2, base RAM 4 GB, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-216G 42 vs 26
- 10GbE video editing: TS-251B 21 vs 2
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-216G 81 vs 80
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which has the faster built-in LAN, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-251B?
- The TS-216G, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-251B.
- Which takes more RAM, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-251B?
- The TS-251B, with 8 GB against 4 GB for the TS-216G.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-251B?
- The TS-216G, with 13.9 W against 15.3 W for the TS-251B.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-251B?
- The TS-216G, with 1.45 kg against 1.53 kg for the TS-251B.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-216G and the QNAP TS-251B?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-216G. (based on our own use-case index)