When I first picked up the UGREEN NASync DXP2800, I was looking for a cost effective, quiet, and beginner friendly way to run containers and back up devices around the house. Two months later, it’s fair to say this NAS has earned its place in my setup, but it’s also time to move on.
This will be my last post dedicated to the DXP2800. Not because it’s failed me, but because I’ve reached a point where the NAS is no longer the centrepiece. It’s now just one part of a much larger smart home and self hosting ecosystem. So before I pivot to new topics, here’s my final verdict on the DXP2800.
Key Specs (Quick Overview)
- CPU: Intel N100 (4 cores)
- RAM: 8GB DDR5 (upgradeable)
- Drive Bays: 2 (3.5/2.5 inch)
- Networking: 2.5GbE
- Expansion: Dual M.2 NVMe slots
- Video Output: HDMI
- OS: UGOS (Linux based)
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Build Quality and Noise
The DXP2800 is solidly built and looks great on a desk. It runs quietly if you’re using SSDs instead of HDDs, but when using spinning drives, the noise is noticeable, though not awful. All NAS systems will face the same reality with HDDs, so it’s not a unique issue to this model.
Reviewers across several tech sites have praised the DXP2800’s design. The aluminium alloy chassis gives it a premium feel, and the magnetic dust filter and tool less drive bays are practical and appreciated. For a 2 bay system, it punches above its weight in design quality.
Performance
I’ve tested a range of Docker containers like Home Assistant, Pi hole, and others, and the NAS handled everything I tried smoothly. The Intel N100 and 8GB of DDR5 RAM offer more than enough headroom for most home lab needs, especially if you’re not using heavy VM workloads.
While I don’t run Portainer, Plex, or Jellyfin myself, I recommended them in a previous post based on community feedback and ease of use. Docker itself runs reliably, and containers have been easy enough to deploy manually without needing a GUI.
The inclusion of a 2.5GbE port and dual M.2 NVMe slots is another bonus, especially for users who want SSD caching or faster read/write operations. Some reviewers noted the lack of a second Ethernet port, but for most home users, it’s not a dealbreaker.
Software (UGOS)
UGOS is still developing, but I’ve personally had no issues with it. Everything works as expected. While some reviewers have pointed out that it’s not as polished as Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS, I’ve found it stable and reliable for my needs.
Once Docker was installed and configured, I rarely needed to interact with UGOS directly. It stays out of the way and hasn’t caused any crashes, slowdowns, or compatibility issues.
Interestingly, users of the larger DXP4800+ model have echoed this sentiment. One community member reported using it to run Home Assistant in a VM, stream music and video, back up mobile photos automatically, and edit documents via ONLYOFFICE. They were particularly impressed with the unified web portal and mobile app, which simplified access and syncing across devices. They also noted that UGOS receives frequent updates and has continued to evolve, with features like object recognition, OCR, and AI tagging in the photo app.
While there are still some gaps like limited mobile document editing and occasional network filtering issues when accessing remotely, it’s clear UGOS is heading in a promising direction.
Real World Use
Currently, I use the DXP2800 for:
- Running Home Assistant to manage smart home devices
- Hosting some personal files and containers
I also installed Pi hole, but haven’t directed network traffic through it yet due to limitations with my router hardware.
While I’ve recommended other containers in my previous post like Navidrome, Frigate, WireGuard, and media servers, I’m not using those myself. They’re great options depending on your needs and future plans.
I’m also exploring PoE camera setups and considering Frigate as part of that project, so the NAS may take on a bigger role in home surveillance later down the line.
Recent discussions suggest that Frigate does in fact run well on these NASync models. One user reported it handled four IP cameras with total CPU usage sitting around twenty percent. Others have noted ffmpeg can push CPU load higher, especially on older or lower power chips, but the Intel N100 in the DXP2800 should handle light to moderate workloads comfortably. Using a Coral TPU is also being explored in the community to offload object detection, which could be worth looking into if I go that route.
Protecting Your NAS with the UGREEN US3000 UPS
After two months of non-stop uptime, it’s clear that stable power is just as important as good hardware. A brief outage can interrupt writes or risk drive corruption — something no NAS owner wants to deal with. That’s why I’ve added the UGREEN US3000 UPS to my setup.
This compact 120 W DC UPS is designed specifically for NASync devices and integrates directly with UGOS Pro. Once connected via DC and USB-C, it’s detected automatically and lets you configure auto-shutdown or short standby modes under Control Panel → Hardware & Power → UPS. Setup takes just a few minutes and adds complete peace of mind for unattended operation.
It runs silently, provides around ten minutes of backup for the DXP2800, and ensures a clean, controlled shutdown every time. If you’d like a deeper look at performance, build quality, and teardown details, check out my full UGREEN US3000 UPS Review.
Would I Still Recommend It?
Yes, with a few caveats.
If you want to run Docker apps, manage your own services, and don’t mind using community resources for support, the DXP2800 is a solid deal for the price. If you prefer a more polished software experience, plug and play apps, or long term vendor support, Synology might be a better fit.
That said, I’ve been impressed by how far UGREEN have come in a short time. Their software updates have been consistent and meaningful, and the platform feels like it’s improving month by month. Compared to Synology’s latest hardware restrictions, like requiring branded drives, UGREEN’s more open approach could be a major draw for anyone looking to build a flexible and affordable home setup.
For me, it’s hit the sweet spot. Powerful enough to do what I want, flexible enough to grow with me, and affordable enough that I didn’t feel like I was buying into an overkill system.
What’s Next?
This will be my last focused post on the DXP2800. Moving forward, I’ll be looking at:
- Choosing PoE cameras for home security
- Setting up Frigate properly with Coral or NPU support (if needed)
- Automating alerts and recordings with Home Assistant
- Managing local and cloud storage for recordings
The NAS will still be a part of that, but it’s no longer the star.
If you’re following along for the self hosting journey, the next few posts should be right up your alley. If you’re curious about camera compatibility, Frigate setups, or how this NAS holds up as an NVR, stay tuned — that’s what’s next.
Want to stay in the loop? Follow the blog or drop a comment if there’s a specific setup you’re curious about. I’ll be diving into smart security next.
