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QNAP TS-231P2 vs QNAP TS-253BE
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-253BEdraws 20.4 W, 3.2 W less than the TS-231P2
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-253BE4 of 6 differing specs (boost clock 2.3 GHz, base RAM 2 GB)
- Best forTS-253BE 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 6 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-231P2 leads on 2 (weight and volume) and the QNAP TS-253BE on 4 (boost clock, base RAM, USB ports, and 1 more). On our 10GbE video editing index, the TS-253BE scores 23/100 against 2/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-231P2 and QNAP TS-253BE compare. Boost clock: the TS-253BE at 2.3 GHz versus 1.7 GHz for the TS-231P2, 0.6 GHz higher (1.4x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-253BE ranks in the bottom 44% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 19%. The TS-253BE leads on base RAM, 2 GB to 1 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253BE ranks in the bottom 14% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 6%. On USB ports, the TS-253BE posts 5 ports and the TS-231P2 3 ports, a gap of 2 ports. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253BE ranks in the top 18% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 27%. Weight: the TS-231P2 at 1.46 kg versus 1.67 kg for the TS-253BE, 0.21 kg lower. Among 212 QNAP models, the TS-231P2 ranks in the top 4% and the TS-253BE in the top 9%.
Key differences 3
Base RAMTS-253BE leads
- TS-253BE 2 GB vs the TS-231P2 at 1 GB
- the TS-253BE has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253BE in the bottom 14%, TS-231P2 in the bottom 6%
2 GB out of the box for several apps
USB portsTS-253BE leads
- TS-253BE 5 ports vs the TS-231P2 at 3 ports
- the TS-253BE has 1.7x the USB ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253BE in the top 18%, TS-231P2 in the bottom 27%
2 more USB for drives or a UPS
Boost clockTS-253BE leads
- TS-253BE 2.3 GHz vs the TS-231P2 at 1.7 GHz
- the TS-253BE is 1.4x higher
- among 201 QNAP models: TS-253BE in the bottom 44%, TS-231P2 in the bottom 19%
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-231P2 | TS-253BE |
|---|---|---|
| Base RAM | 1 GBbottom 6% | 2 GBWINbottom 14% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.3 GHzWINbottom 44% |
| Operating power | 23.7 Wtop 11% | 20.4 WWINtop 9% |
| Weight | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% | 1.67 kgtop 9% |
| Volume | 3.78 LWINtop 7% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-231P2 | TS-253BE |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.3 GHzWINbottom 44% |
| Base RAM | 1 GBbottom 6% | 2 GBWINbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| LAN ports | 2bottom 38% | 2bottom 38% |
| M.2 slots | – | 0bottom 46% |
| PCIe slots | – | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% | 1.67 kgtop 9% |
| Volume | 3.78 LWINtop 7% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 23.7 Wtop 11% | 20.4 WWINtop 9% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-231P2 | TS-253BE |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 9.1 | 17.2WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 95.7WIN | 91.2 |
| Compactness percentile | 92.8WIN | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 68 |
| Small office fit | 26 | 26 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 23WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 74 | 76WIN |
The details
How to choose
- Weight matters most → the TS-231P2 (1.46 kg vs 1.67 kg)
- Base RAM matters most → the TS-253BE (2 GB vs 1 GB)
More TS-231P2 leads
- Weight: 1.46 kg vs 1.67 kg
- Volume: 3.78 L vs 3.99 L
More TS-253BE leads
- Operating power: 20.4 W vs 23.7 W
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): 2 Gbps on both
- Operating power per bay: TS-253BE 10.2 W vs 11.8 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-231P2 0.73 kg vs 0.84 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-231P2 7 GB vs 6 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 2, CPU cores 4, max RAM 8 GB
- max LAN speed 1 Gbps, LAN ports 2, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- 10GbE video editing: TS-253BE 23 vs 2
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-253BE 76 vs 74
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-231P2 or the QNAP TS-253BE?
- The TS-253BE, with 20.4 W against 23.7 W for the TS-231P2.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-231P2 or the QNAP TS-253BE?
- The TS-231P2, with 1.46 kg against 1.67 kg for the TS-253BE.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-231P2 and the QNAP TS-253BE?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-253BE. (based on our own use-case index)