Network-attached storage designed for reliable local backups and responsive file sharing. Home users and small offices gain peace of mind knowing media libraries and archives stay on-site. Is QNAP TS-216G NAS the practical choice for those who want on-premise AI capabilities alongside straightforward backup?
⚡ At a Glance
- • Form factor: Compact two-bay chassis suitable for desktop placement
- • Best for: Home offices and small businesses needing dependable local storage and backups
- • Not ideal for: Large enterprises requiring multi-bay redundancy or clustered storage
Two-bay NAS with an ARM quad-core CPU, 4GB RAM and 2.5GbE networking. Designed to keep backups, media libraries and shared files on-premise with straightforward setup.
Quicker wired transfers - with 2.5GbE networking
A 2.5GbE network interface increases available wired bandwidth for LAN file transfers and backups compared with single-gigabit links. The faster link reduces time spent copying large media and archive files across the local network.
Large backups and media transfers complete faster, which reduces overnight window times and speeds up synchronisation between machines.
Smooth concurrent tasks - with an ARM quad-core CPU and 4GB RAM
A quad-core ARM processor handles multiple server processes in parallel while 4GB of memory supports running file services, streaming and scheduled tasks without heavy swapping. The architecture prioritises efficiency to balance performance and power use.
Run file serving, media streaming and scheduled backups at the same time without noticeable slowdowns on a small network.
Practical data protection and recovery - with RAID 1 support and snapshot technology
Two-bay RAID 1 mirrors data across both drives to maintain access if one disk fails, while snapshot functionality records point-in-time states of files and folders for quick rollback after accidental deletion or malware events.
Keep copies of important data and restore previous versions quickly, reducing the risk of permanent loss from human error or corruption.
✨ The 4 Key Reasons for QNAP TS-216G NAS
- Supports two 22 TB drives - Enables up to 38.6 TB raw capacity for large media libraries
- NPU-accelerated AI Core - Speeds up on-device face and object recognition for local analysis
- One-Touch-Copy button - Backs up USB device contents with a single press for fast physical backups
- Low power operation - Delivers steady performance while keeping energy consumption down
📋 Technical Details at a Glance
- Category: Network Attached Storage
- Model: TS-216G
- Processor: ARM quad-core CPU
- RAM: 4GB
- Drive bays: 2-bay, SATA
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use very large hard drives with the TS-216G?
A: Yes, the unit supports two drives up to 22 TB each, giving 38.6 TB raw capacity and 19.3 TB usable in RAID 1.
Q: Does the NAS support on-device AI for image recognition?
A: Yes, an integrated NPU empowers QNAP’s AI Core to accelerate high-speed face and object recognition locally.
Q: Is there a simple way to back up USB drives?
A: Yes, a One-Touch-Copy button allows the contents of connected USB devices to be backed up to the NAS with a single press.
🏆 Our Verdict
The QNAP TS-216G NAS suits home users and small offices that need reliable local backup, media storage and occasional on-premise AI tasks. On-device NPU acceleration, 2.5GbE networking and snapshot plus RAID-based protection combine into a practical package for managing and safeguarding files. For those prioritising on-premise control and straightforward recovery, the long-term value is solid.
