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QNAP TS-216G vs QNAP TS-253D
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-253Ddraws 12.4 W, 1.5 W less than the TS-216G
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-253D5 of 7 differing specs (boost clock 2.7 GHz, max RAM 8 GB)
- Best forTS-253D 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 7 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-216G leads on 2 (weight and volume) and the QNAP TS-253D on 5 (boost clock, max RAM, USB ports, and 2 more). On our small-office file server index, the TS-253D scores 46/100 against 42/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-216G and QNAP TS-253D compare. Boost clock: the TS-253D at 2.7 GHz versus 2 GHz for the TS-216G, 0.7 GHz higher (1.4x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the top 49% and the TS-216G in the bottom 27%. The TS-253D leads on max RAM, 8 GB to 4 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the bottom 25% and the TS-216G in the bottom 8%. On USB ports, the TS-253D posts 5 ports and the TS-216G 3 ports, a gap of 2 ports. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the top 18% and the TS-216G in the bottom 27%. Weight: the TS-216G at 1.45 kg versus 1.55 kg for the TS-253D, 0.1 kg lower. Among 212 QNAP models, the TS-216G ranks in the top 4% and the TS-253D in the top 7%.
Key differences 3
Max RAMTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 8 GB vs the TS-216G at 4 GB
- the TS-253D has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253D in the bottom 25%, TS-216G in the bottom 8%
Upgradable to 8 GB later
USB portsTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 5 ports vs the TS-216G at 3 ports
- the TS-253D has 1.7x the USB ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253D in the top 18%, TS-216G in the bottom 27%
2 more USB for drives or a UPS
WarrantyTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 3 years vs the TS-216G at 2 years
- the TS-253D is 1.5x longer
- among 214 QNAP models: TS-253D in the top 7%, TS-216G in the bottom 35%
1 more year(s) of free repairs
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-216G | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM | 4 GBbottom 8% | 8 GBWINbottom 25% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Boost clock | 2 GHzbottom 27% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
| Operating power | 13.9 Wtop 5% | 12.4 WWINtop 4% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-216G | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 2 GHzbottom 27% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 4 GBbottom 8% | 8 GBWINbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 Gbpsbottom 48% | 2.5 Gbpsbottom 48% |
| LAN ports | 2bottom 38% | 2bottom 38% |
| M.2 slots | – | 0bottom 46% |
| PCIe slots | – | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 1.45 kgWINtop 4% | 1.55 kgtop 7% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 13.9 Wtop 5% | 12.4 WWINtop 4% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-216G | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 10.4 | 24WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 96.7WIN | 93.6 |
| Compactness percentile | 94.2WIN | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 72 |
| Small office fit | 42 | 46WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 25WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 81 | 82WIN |
The details
How to choose
- Volume matters most → the TS-216G (3.71 L vs 3.99 L)
- Max RAM matters most → the TS-253D (8 GB vs 4 GB)
More TS-216G leads
- Volume: 3.71 L vs 3.99 L
- Weight: 1.45 kg vs 1.55 kg
More TS-253D leads
- Boost clock: 2.7 GHz vs 2 GHz
- Operating power: 12.4 W vs 13.9 W
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-253D 5 Gbps vs 3.5 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-253D 6.22 W vs 6.95 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-216G 0.73 kg vs 0.78 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-253D 4 GB vs 0 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 2, CPU cores 4, base RAM 4 GB
- max LAN speed 2.5 Gbps, LAN ports 2
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-253D 46 vs 42
- 10GbE video editing: TS-253D 25 vs 2
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-253D 82 vs 81
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which takes more RAM, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-253D, with 8 GB against 4 GB for the TS-216G.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-253D, with 12.4 W against 13.9 W for the TS-216G.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-216G, with 1.45 kg against 1.55 kg for the TS-253D.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-216G and the QNAP TS-253D?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-253D. (based on our own use-case index)