Choosing between two NAS storage & drives setups means balancing bay count, connection details, and price. The NETGEAR ReadyNAS RND-6A has a six-bay layout at a lower listed price, while the Synology DS423 pairs a four-bay enclosure with explicitly named PC compatibility, Ethernet, and HDD support. The useful question is which set of attributes matches your home NAS plan rather than which product name sounds more appealing.
Quick verdict
NETGEAR ReadyNAS RND-6A is the better fit when a six-bay layout and lower listed price are the deciding factors. Synology DS423 is the better fit when PC compatibility, Ethernet, and HDD support line up with the intended setup. Both units are used, so cosmetic condition and included hardware belong in the decision alongside the headline comparison.
At a glance
| Detail | NETGEAR ReadyNAS | Synology DS423 |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | $129.99 | $350.00 |
| Listed bay count | 6-bay | 4-bay |
| Connection | RJ-45, USB-A | Ethernet |
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Drive detail | Hard drives not included | HDD supported; drives not included |
Where each one wins
NETGEAR ReadyNAS: more bays for less
NETGEAR has the clearest edge for shoppers prioritizing the larger named bay count and lower absolute price. The six-bay wording is part of the title, and the $220.01 spread between the two listed prices makes the difference substantial in dollar terms. If you already have hard drives and want a network attached storage unit with more named bays, those details make the NETGEAR the direct match. The limitation is that its lower price does not include cables or hard drives, so the unit does not cover every part of a complete setup.
Synology DS423: clearer PC-and-HDD fit
Synology is the clearer match when PC compatibility, Ethernet, and HDD support are the deciding requirements. Those attributes give the DS423 a specific fit for a home NAS built around that combination, while its title identifies a four-bay enclosure. The trade-off is the higher listed price, plus the fact that drives are not included. It is also used, with small imperfections such as scratches possible. Choose it for the explicit PC, Ethernet, and HDD alignment rather than for a larger bay count.
Product notes
NETGEAR ReadyNAS RND-6A 6-Bay
Choose the NETGEAR ReadyNAS when the six-bay title is the priority. Its listed RJ-45 and USB-A connections give the unit two concrete connection paths to weigh for a home NAS setup, and its description says functionality was tested and working. The main limitation is preparation: the used unit may show scratches and scrapes, while cables and hard drives are not included. The lower $129.99 price is therefore attached to the unit itself rather than a drive-filled package. It suits a shopper who already has a plan for the storage media and wants the six-bay layout without moving to the Synology's higher listed price.
Synology DS423 4-Bay Enclosure
Synology DS423 earns its place when PC compatibility, Ethernet, and HDD support are the selection anchors; each is explicitly named for the model. The four-bay enclosure title also makes the physical layout easy to compare. Its concrete limitation is the $350.00 price, $220.01 above NETGEAR, while drives are not included. The unit is used, small imperfections such as scratches are possible, and sales are final with no returns. Choose it for that named PC-and-HDD alignment, not as a way to get the larger bay count or the lower listed price.
Final choice by use case
- For more named bays and the lower outlay: choose NETGEAR ReadyNAS RND-6A. Its six-bay title and RJ-45 or USB-A connectivity align with that brief; plan separately for the excluded cables and hard drives.
- For PC compatibility with HDDs over Ethernet: choose Synology DS423. The explicit compatibility, interface, and drive-type attributes make the use case clear, but the higher price and four-bay layout are the trade-offs.
- If neither priority dominates: use the lower listed price as the tiebreaker and choose Synology only when its PC-and-HDD fit is specifically needed.
