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QNAP TS-251B vs QNAP TS-253D
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-253Ddraws 12.4 W, 2.8 W less than the TS-251B
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-253D6 of 7 differing specs (CPU cores 4, boost clock 2.7 GHz)
- 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-253D leads on 6 (CPU cores, boost clock, max LAN speed, and 3 more); 1 is within 2%. On our small-office file server index, the TS-253D scores 46/100 against 26/100.
Using the 14 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-251B and QNAP TS-253D compare. CPU cores: the TS-253D at 4 cores versus 2 cores for the TS-251B, 2 cores more (2.0x). Among 204 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the top 22% and the TS-251B in the bottom 9%. The TS-253D leads on boost clock, 2.7 GHz to 2.5 GHz. Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the top 49% and the TS-251B in the bottom 45%. On max LAN speed, the TS-253D posts 2.5 Gbps and the TS-251B 1 Gbps, a gap of 1.5 Gbps. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-251B in the bottom 22%. LAN ports: the TS-253D at 2 ports versus 1 port for the TS-251B, 1 port more (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the bottom 38% and the TS-251B in the bottom 8%.
Key differences 3
Max LAN speedTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-251B at 1 Gbps
- the TS-253D is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253D in the bottom 48%, TS-251B in the bottom 22%
100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)
CPU coresTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 4 cores vs the TS-251B at 2 cores
- the TS-253D has 2.0x the CPU cores
- among 204 QNAP models: TS-253D in the top 22%, TS-251B in the bottom 9%
4 cores for backups and transcodes at once
LAN portsTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 2 ports vs the TS-251B at 1 port
- the TS-253D has 2.0x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253D 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-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| CPU cores | 2bottom 9% | 4WINtop 22% |
| LAN ports | 1bottom 8% | 2WINbottom 38% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Operating power | 15.3 Wtop 6% | 12.4 WWINtop 4% |
| Boost clock | 2.5 GHzbottom 45% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-251B | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 2bottom 9% | 4WINtop 22% |
| Boost clock | 2.5 GHzbottom 45% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| 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 kgtop 6% | 1.55 kgtop 7% |
| Volume | 3.99 Ltop 9% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 15.3 Wtop 6% | 12.4 WWINtop 4% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-251B | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 7.3 | 24WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 94.3WIN | 93.6 |
| Compactness percentile | 90.3 | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | 72 | 72 |
| Small office fit | 26 | 46WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 21 | 25WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 80 | 82WIN |
The details
How to choose
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TS-253D (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps)
More TS-253D leads
- Warranty: 3 years vs 2 years
- Operating power: 12.4 W vs 15.3 W
- Boost clock: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
Combined metrics
- Expansion slots in total (M.2 plus PCIe): 1 on both
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-253D 5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-253D 6.22 W vs 7.63 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-251B 0.77 kg vs 0.78 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): 4 GB on both
Within 2%
- Weight: TS-251B 1.53 kg, TS-253D 1.55 kg
Same on both
- drive bays 2, base RAM 4 GB, max RAM 8 GB, M.2 slots 0
- PCIe slots 1, USB ports 5, volume 3.99 L
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-253D 46 vs 26
- 10GbE video editing: TS-253D 25 vs 21
- 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 has the faster built-in LAN, the QNAP TS-251B or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-253D, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-251B.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-251B or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-253D, with 12.4 W against 15.3 W for the TS-251B.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-251B and the QNAP TS-253D?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-253D. (based on our own use-case index)