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BUFFALO LinkStation 220 12TB 2-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage with HDD Hard Drives Included NAS Storage that Works as Home Cloud or Network Storage Device for Home
BUFFALO

BUFFALO LinkStation 220 12TB 2-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage

Bottom line: The BUFFALO LinkStation 220 12TB 2-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage: 12TB of drives included — no separate disk purchase or bay-filling math; main trade-off: macOS support stops at Sequoia (macOS 15); macOS 26 needs the LS 700.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 12TB of drives included — no separate disk purchase or bay-filling math
  • ✓ Ships in RAID 1 for automatic mirrored backup across both bays
  • ✓ Switchable to RAID 0 if you want all 12TB as one volume
  • ✓ Subscription-free personal cloud — no monthly fee for your own storage
  • ✓ 2-year warranty covers the enclosure and the hard drives together

Cons

  • ✗ macOS support stops at Sequoia (macOS 15); macOS 26 needs the LS 700
  • ✗ Buffalo positions the LS 700 as up to 7x faster than this LS 200
  • ✗ RAID 1 out of the box halves capacity to 6TB usable
  • ✗ Closed system blocks third-party apps that other NAS platforms allow

Manufacturer description

The BUFFALO LinkStation 220 is a 2-bay network attached storage device that ships with 12TB of hard drives already installed, so you connect it to your router and start sharing files instead of shopping for disks. Out of the box it runs in RAID 1, mirroring your data across both drives for 6TB of usable capacity, and you can switch it to RAID 0 if you would rather have the full 12TB. Because the LinkStation sits on your own network, it works as a subscription-free personal cloud for videos, music, and photos, with no monthly fee attached to the storage you already paid for. Buffalo builds…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored BUFFALO LinkStation 220 12TB 2-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. BUFFALO's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the BUFFALO LinkStation 220 come with hard drives, or do I add my own?

Drives are included. It ships as a 2-bay unit with 12TB of hard drives already installed, and the 2-year warranty covers those drives.

How much usable storage do I actually get from the 12TB?

It ships configured in RAID 1, which mirrors the drives and gives you 6TB usable with automatic redundancy. You can reconfigure it to RAID 0 to use the full 12TB without mirroring.

Will this work with my Mac?

It supports Windows and macOS 15 (Sequoia) and earlier, including the NAS Navigator 2 utility. For macOS 26, Buffalo directs you to the LS 700 series instead.

Do I have to pay a monthly subscription to access my files remotely?

No. Buffalo markets this as a subscription-free personal cloud — you store, back up, and access videos, music, and photos with no recurring fee.

Can I keep some folders private if I share the NAS with family?

Yes. You can configure individual access restrictions per folder, so you can share storage space with family and friends while keeping specific folders private. Transfers use SSL encryption.

Key Features

  • Value NAS with RAID for centralized storage and backup for all your devices. Check out the LS 700 for enhanced features, cloud capabilities, macOS 26, and up to 7x faster performance than the LS 200.
  • Connect the LinkStation to your router and enjoy shared network storage for your devices. The NAS is compatible with Windows and macOS*, and Buffalo's US-based support is on-hand 24/7 for installation walkthroughs. *Only for macOS 15 (Sequoia) and earlier. For macOS 26, check out our LS 700 series.
  • Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
  • Storage Purpose-Built for Data Security – A NAS designed to keep your data safe, the LS200 features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps, SSL encryption for secure file transfers, and RAID for redundancy.
  • Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
  • Securely Share Files With Family & Friends – Configure individual access restrictions for folders to ensure your data remains private while securely share storage space or files with others.

Full Specifications

Size12TB (2x6TB)
BrandBUFFALO
ColorBlack
MaterialMetal
Model NumberLS220D1202
CompatibilityPC, Mac
Mounting TypeEthernet NAS Device
Built-In MediaAC Adapter, Ethernet Cable, LinkStation 220, Quick Setup Guide, Setup CD-ROM, Warranty Statement
Item Type NameNetwork Attached Storage
Mfr Part NumberLS220D1202
Compatible DevicesDesktop, Laptop
Enclosure MaterialMetal
Warranty Description2 years
Item Dimensions D x W x H5.04"D x 1.77"W x 5.02"H
Full listing titleBUFFALO LinkStation 220 12TB 2-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage with HDD Hard Drives Included NAS Storage that Works as Home Cloud or Network Storage Device for Home

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BUFFALO LinkStation 220 12TB 2-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage with HDD Hard Drives Included NAS Storage that Works as Home Cloud or Network Storage Device for Home
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