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QNAP TS-231P3 vs QNAP TS-253D
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-253Ddraws 12.4 W, 3.2 W less than the TS-231P3
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-253D4 of 6 differing specs (boost clock 2.7 GHz, USB ports 5)
- 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 6 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-231P3 leads on 2 (weight and volume) and the QNAP TS-253D on 4 (boost clock, USB ports, operating power, and 1 more). On our 10GbE video editing index, the TS-253D scores 25/100 against 2/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-231P3 and QNAP TS-253D compare. Boost clock: the TS-253D at 2.7 GHz versus 1.7 GHz for the TS-231P3, 1 GHz higher (1.6x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the top 49% and the TS-231P3 in the bottom 19%. The TS-253D leads on USB ports, 5 ports to 3 ports, 1.7x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the top 18% and the TS-231P3 in the bottom 27%. On weight, the TS-231P3 posts 1.46 kg and the TS-253D 1.55 kg, a gap of 0.09 kg. Among 212 QNAP models, the TS-231P3 ranks in the top 4% and the TS-253D in the top 7%. Volume: the TS-231P3 at 3.71 L versus 3.99 L for the TS-253D, 0.28 L lower. Among 217 QNAP models, the TS-231P3 ranks in the top 6% and the TS-253D in the top 9%.
Key differences 3
USB portsTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 5 ports vs the TS-231P3 at 3 ports
- the TS-253D has 1.7x the USB ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253D in the top 18%, TS-231P3 in the bottom 27%
2 more USB for drives or a UPS
Boost clockTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 2.7 GHz vs the TS-231P3 at 1.7 GHz
- the TS-253D is 1.6x higher
- among 201 QNAP models: TS-253D in the top 49%, TS-231P3 in the bottom 19%
WarrantyTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 3 years vs the TS-231P3 at 2 years
- the TS-253D is 1.5x longer
- among 214 QNAP models: TS-253D in the top 7%, TS-231P3 in the bottom 35%
1 more year(s) of free repairs
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-231P3 | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Operating power | 15.6 Wtop 7% | 12.4 WWINtop 4% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Weight | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% | 1.55 kgtop 7% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-231P3 | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 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 | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% | 1.55 kgtop 7% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 15.6 Wtop 7% | 12.4 WWINtop 4% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-231P3 | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 11.7 | 24WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 95.7WIN | 93.6 |
| Compactness percentile | 94.2WIN | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 72 |
| Small office fit | 46 | 46 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 25WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 80 | 82WIN |
The details
How to choose
- Volume matters most → the TS-231P3 (3.71 L vs 3.99 L)
- USB ports matters most → the TS-253D (5 ports vs 3 ports)
More TS-231P3 leads
- Volume: 3.71 L vs 3.99 L
- Weight: 1.46 kg vs 1.55 kg
More TS-253D leads
- Operating power: 12.4 W vs 15.6 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 7.8 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-231P3 0.73 kg vs 0.78 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, max LAN speed 2.5 Gbps, LAN ports 2
Use-case scores
- 10GbE video editing: TS-253D 25 vs 2
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-253D 82 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 draws less power, the QNAP TS-231P3 or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-253D, with 12.4 W against 15.6 W for the TS-231P3.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-231P3 or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-231P3, with 1.46 kg against 1.55 kg for the TS-253D.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-231P3 and the QNAP TS-253D?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-253D. (based on our own use-case index)