UGREEN NASync DXP8800 Plus NAS Review

The NAS market has long been a two-horse race, but a new challenger is making a serious bid for the throne. UGREEN’s NASync DXP8800 Plus arrives with formidable hardware and ambitious software, promising a premium experience for power users and small businesses alike. This device isn’t just an alternative; it’s a statement of intent.

The UGREEN NASync DXP8800 Plus immediately distinguishes itself with a spec sheet that reads more like a high-performance server than a typical home NAS. At its heart is a 10-core Intel Core i5-1235U processor, a significant leap in power compared to the Celeron or ARM chips found in many competitors at this price point. Paired with 8GB of DDR5 RAM (expandable to 64GB), this NAS chews through demanding tasks like 4K video transcoding, running multiple Docker containers, and even light virtualization without breaking a sweat. The most impressive hardware feature, however, is the I/O. With dual 10GbE Ethernet ports and, uniquely, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, the DXP8800 Plus is built for a world beyond simple gigabit file transfers. This connectivity makes it a dream for video editors and creative professionals who need direct, high-speed access to massive project files, effectively allowing it to double as a high-performance DAS (Direct-Attached Storage).

From a design perspective, UGREEN has crafted a device that looks and feels premium. The chassis is constructed almost entirely from aluminum, giving it a reassuring heft and excellent thermal properties. A sleek, magnetic front panel conceals eight hot-swappable, tool-less 3.5-inch drive bays, making installation and upgrades a breeze. Below the main bays, two M.2 NVMe slots are accessible for high-speed cache acceleration or storage pools. Cooling is managed by two large rear fans that remain relatively quiet under normal operation but can ramp up to an audible level when the CPU is under sustained, heavy load. It’s a functional, professional aesthetic that will fit well in any modern office or tech-focused home setup.

Of course, hardware is only half the story. The user experience hinges on the operating system, and this is where UGREEN faces its biggest challenge with its new UGOS Pro. The OS presents a clean, modern, and intuitive web interface that will feel familiar to anyone who has used a competing NAS platform. Core functionalities like user management, storage pool creation (with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10), and file sharing are well-implemented and easy to navigate. However, the software ecosystem is clearly in its early stages. While it has an App Center with essentials like Docker, Plex Media Server, and various backup solutions, the sheer volume and variety of applications cannot yet match the mature libraries of Synology or QNAP. This is the primary trade-off: you’re getting cutting-edge hardware in exchange for a software platform that is still growing.

For the right user, the value proposition of the DXP8800 Plus is compelling. If you are a power user who prioritizes raw performance, 10GbE networking, and the unique flexibility of Thunderbolt 4, this machine delivers hardware that would cost significantly more from established brands. It’s an ideal choice for content creators, small businesses needing a fast central file server, or tech enthusiasts who are comfortable using Docker to fill any software gaps. For those who depend heavily on a vast, one-click app ecosystem for very specific, niche functions, the still-developing UGOS Pro might be a point of hesitation. Ultimately, the DXP8800 Plus is a powerful and confident debut that puts hardware performance front and center, signaling that a new, serious competitor has arrived.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon