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QNAP TS-231P3 vs QNAP TS-253B
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-231P3draws 15.6 W, 4.8 W less than the TS-253B
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-231P34 of 6 differing specs (max LAN speed 2.5 Gbps, weight 1.46 kg)
- Best forTS-231P3 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-231P3 leads on 4 (max LAN speed, weight, volume, and 1 more) and the QNAP TS-253B on 2 (boost clock and USB ports). On our small-office file server index, the TS-231P3 scores 46/100 against 26/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-231P3 and QNAP TS-253B compare. Boost clock: the TS-253B at 2.3 GHz versus 1.7 GHz for the TS-231P3, 0.6 GHz higher (1.4x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-253B ranks in the bottom 44% and the TS-231P3 in the bottom 19%. The TS-231P3 leads on max LAN speed, 2.5 Gbps to 1 Gbps, 2.5x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-231P3 ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-253B in the bottom 22%. On USB ports, the TS-253B posts 5 ports and the TS-231P3 3 ports, a gap of 2 ports. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253B ranks in the top 18% and the TS-231P3 in the bottom 27%. Weight: the TS-231P3 at 1.46 kg versus 1.67 kg for the TS-253B, 0.21 kg lower. Among 212 QNAP models, the TS-231P3 ranks in the top 4% and the TS-253B in the top 9%.
Key differences 3
Max LAN speedTS-231P3 leads
- TS-231P3 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-253B at 1 Gbps
- the TS-231P3 is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-231P3 in the bottom 48%, TS-253B in the bottom 22%
100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)
USB portsTS-253B leads
- TS-253B 5 ports vs the TS-231P3 at 3 ports
- the TS-253B has 1.7x the USB ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253B in the top 18%, TS-231P3 in the bottom 27%
2 more USB for drives or a UPS
Boost clockTS-253B leads
- TS-253B 2.3 GHz vs the TS-231P3 at 1.7 GHz
- the TS-253B is 1.4x higher
- among 201 QNAP models: TS-253B in the bottom 44%, TS-231P3 in the bottom 19%
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-231P3 | TS-253B |
|---|---|---|
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.3 GHzWINbottom 44% |
| Operating power | 15.6 WWINtop 7% | 20.4 Wtop 9% |
| Weight | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% | 1.67 kgtop 9% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-231P3 | TS-253B |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.3 GHzWINbottom 44% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 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 | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 15.6 WWINtop 7% | 20.4 Wtop 9% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-231P3 | TS-253B |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 11.7 | 17.2WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 95.7WIN | 91.2 |
| Compactness percentile | 94.2WIN | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 72 |
| Small office fit | 46WIN | 26 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 23WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 80WIN | 76 |
The details
How to choose
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TS-231P3 (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps)
- USB ports matters most → the TS-253B (5 ports vs 3 ports)
More TS-231P3 leads
- Operating power: 15.6 W vs 20.4 W
- Weight: 1.46 kg vs 1.67 kg
- Volume: 3.71 L vs 3.99 L
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-231P3 3.5 Gbps vs 2 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-231P3 7.8 W vs 10.2 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-231P3 0.73 kg vs 0.84 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): 4 GB on both
Same on both
- drive bays 2, CPU cores 4, base RAM 4 GB
- max RAM 8 GB, LAN ports 2, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-231P3 46 vs 26
- 10GbE video editing: TS-253B 23 vs 2
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-231P3 80 vs 76
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-231P3 or the QNAP TS-253B?
- The TS-231P3, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-253B.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-231P3 or the QNAP TS-253B?
- The TS-231P3, with 15.6 W against 20.4 W for the TS-253B.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-231P3 or the QNAP TS-253B?
- The TS-231P3, with 1.46 kg against 1.67 kg for the TS-253B.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-231P3 and the QNAP TS-253B?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-231P3. (based on our own use-case index)