Zyxel NSA220 review

Plenty of storage capacity, although you'll have to install your own hard disks Tested at £170.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Zyxel's build-your-own approach offers good value

Pros

  • +

    Good value

  • +

    reasonably easy to set up

Cons

  • -

    You have to install your own hard disks

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

The Zyxel doesn't come with any hard disks, instead allowing you to install your own. If you can follow a LEGO-like set of instructions, it's not too difficult.

The two bays can hold hard disks of up to one terabyte (TB; equals 1000 gigabytes) each, and the arrangement means one bay can back up the other, or you can combine the capacity of both to create a 2TB system.

This build-your-own approach also allows you to save money: a decent 500GB drive will cost around £60, so two of these, plus the NSA220, will give you a 1TB unit for around £290. That's 29p per gigabyte, which is very reasonable.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test