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QNAP TS-251B vs QNAP TS-253BE
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-251Bdraws 15.3 W, 5.2 W less than the TS-253BE
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-251B4 of 6 differing specs (boost clock 2.5 GHz, base RAM 4 GB)
- Best forTS-251B for people who keep movies and photos at home
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-251B leads on 4 (boost clock, base RAM, weight, and 1 more) and the QNAP TS-253BE on 2 (CPU cores and LAN ports). On our home media server index, the TS-251B scores 72/100 against 68/100.
Using the 14 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-251B and QNAP TS-253BE compare. CPU cores: the TS-253BE at 4 cores versus 2 cores for the TS-251B, 2 cores more (2.0x). Among 204 QNAP models, the TS-253BE ranks in the top 22% and the TS-251B in the bottom 9%. The TS-251B leads on boost clock, 2.5 GHz to 2.3 GHz. Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-251B ranks in the bottom 45% and the TS-253BE in the bottom 44%. On base RAM, the TS-251B posts 4 GB and the TS-253BE 2 GB, a gap of 2 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-251B ranks in the bottom 47% and the TS-253BE in the bottom 14%. LAN ports: the TS-253BE at 2 ports versus 1 port for the TS-251B, 1 port more (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253BE ranks in the bottom 38% and the TS-251B in the bottom 8%.
Key differences 3
CPU coresTS-253BE leads
- TS-253BE 4 cores vs the TS-251B at 2 cores
- the TS-253BE has 2.0x the CPU cores
- among 204 QNAP models: TS-253BE in the top 22%, TS-251B in the bottom 9%
4 cores for backups and transcodes at once
Base RAMTS-251B leads
- TS-251B 4 GB vs the TS-253BE at 2 GB
- the TS-251B has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-251B in the bottom 47%, TS-253BE in the bottom 14%
4 GB out of the box for several apps
LAN portsTS-253BE leads
- TS-253BE 2 ports vs the TS-251B at 1 port
- the TS-253BE has 2.0x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253BE in the bottom 38%, TS-251B in the bottom 8%
2 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-251B | TS-253BE |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores | 2bottom 9% | 4WINtop 22% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 47% | 2 GBbottom 14% |
| LAN ports | 1bottom 8% | 2WINbottom 38% |
| Operating power | 15.3 WWINtop 6% | 20.4 Wtop 9% |
| Weight | 1.53 kgWINtop 6% | 1.67 kgtop 9% |
| Boost clock | 2.5 GHzWINbottom 45% | 2.3 GHzbottom 44% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-251B | TS-253BE |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 2bottom 9% | 4WINtop 22% |
| Boost clock | 2.5 GHzWINbottom 45% | 2.3 GHzbottom 44% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 47% | 2 GBbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| LAN ports | 1bottom 8% | 2WINbottom 38% |
| M.2 slots | 0bottom 46% | 0bottom 46% |
| PCIe slots | 1top 49% | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 5top 18% | 5top 18% |
| Weight | 1.53 kgWINtop 6% | 1.67 kgtop 9% |
| Volume | 3.99 Ltop 9% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 15.3 WWINtop 6% | 20.4 Wtop 9% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-251B | TS-253BE |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 7.3 | 17.2WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 94.3WIN | 91.2 |
| Compactness percentile | 90.3 | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | 72WIN | 68 |
| Small office fit | 26 | 26 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 21 | 23WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 80WIN | 76 |
The details
How to choose
- Base RAM matters most → the TS-251B (4 GB vs 2 GB)
- CPU cores matters most → the TS-253BE (4 cores vs 2 cores)
More TS-251B leads
- Operating power: 15.3 W vs 20.4 W
- Weight: 1.53 kg vs 1.67 kg
- Boost clock: 2.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz
Combined metrics
- Expansion slots in total (M.2 plus PCIe): 1 on both
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-253BE 2 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-251B 7.63 W vs 10.2 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-251B 0.77 kg vs 0.84 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-253BE 6 GB vs 4 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 2, max RAM 8 GB, max LAN speed 1 Gbps, M.2 slots 0
- PCIe slots 1, USB ports 5, volume 3.99 L, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Home media server: TS-251B 72 vs 68
- 10GbE video editing: TS-253BE 23 vs 21
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-251B 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 draws less power, the QNAP TS-251B or the QNAP TS-253BE?
- The TS-251B, with 15.3 W against 20.4 W for the TS-253BE.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-251B or the QNAP TS-253BE?
- The TS-251B, with 1.53 kg against 1.67 kg for the TS-253BE.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-251B and the QNAP TS-253BE?
- A home media server: the TS-251B. Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-251B. (based on our own use-case index)