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QNAP TS-251D vs QNAP TS-253D
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-253Ddraws 12.4 W, 2.8 W less than the TS-251D
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-253D5 of 6 differing specs (CPU cores 4, max LAN speed 2.5 Gbps)
- 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-251D leads on 1 (weight) and the QNAP TS-253D on 5 (CPU cores, max LAN speed, LAN ports, and 2 more). 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-251D and QNAP TS-253D compare. CPU cores: the TS-253D at 4 cores versus 2 cores for the TS-251D, 2 cores more (2.0x). Among 204 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the top 22% and the TS-251D in the bottom 9%. The TS-253D leads on max LAN speed, 2.5 Gbps to 1 Gbps, 2.5x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-251D in the bottom 22%. On LAN ports, the TS-253D posts 2 ports and the TS-251D 1 port, a gap of 1 port. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-253D ranks in the bottom 38% and the TS-251D in the bottom 8%. Weight: the TS-251D at 1.48 kg versus 1.55 kg for the TS-253D, 0.07 kg lower. Among 212 QNAP models, the TS-251D ranks in the top 6% and the TS-253D in the top 7%.
Key differences 3
Max LAN speedTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-251D at 1 Gbps
- the TS-253D is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253D in the bottom 48%, TS-251D 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-251D at 2 cores
- the TS-253D has 2.0x the CPU cores
- among 204 QNAP models: TS-253D in the top 22%, TS-251D in the bottom 9%
4 cores for backups and transcodes at once
LAN portsTS-253D leads
- TS-253D 2 ports vs the TS-251D at 1 port
- the TS-253D has 2.0x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-253D in the bottom 38%, TS-251D in the bottom 8%
2 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-251D | 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% |
| Weight | 1.48 kgWINtop 6% | 1.55 kgtop 7% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-251D | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 2bottom 9% | 4WINtop 22% |
| Boost clock | 2.7 GHztop 49% | 2.7 GHztop 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 | 1.48 kgWINtop 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-251D | TS-253D |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 7.8 | 24WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 94.8WIN | 93.6 |
| Compactness percentile | 90.3 | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | 72 | 72 |
| Small office fit | 26 | 46WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 22 | 25WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 80 | 82WIN |
The details
How to choose
- Weight matters most → the TS-251D (1.48 kg vs 1.55 kg)
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TS-253D (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps)
More TS-251D leads
- Weight: 1.48 kg vs 1.55 kg
More TS-253D leads
- Warranty: 3 years vs 2 years
- Operating power: 12.4 W vs 15.3 W
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-251D 0.74 kg vs 0.78 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): 4 GB on both
Same on both
- drive bays 2, boost clock 2.7 GHz, 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 22
- 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-251D or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-253D, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-251D.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-251D or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-253D, with 12.4 W against 15.3 W for the TS-251D.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-251D or the QNAP TS-253D?
- The TS-251D, with 1.48 kg against 1.55 kg for the TS-253D.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-251D and the QNAP TS-253D?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-253D. (based on our own use-case index)