UGREEN DXP4800 Pro Review: A Top Choice for Media Server Enthusiasts

With a staggering 78 devices connected to my home network, my network-attached storage (NAS) has become the linchpin of my digital life. It stores critical data, serves media, and runs my smart home efficiently.

For my latest NAS upgrade, I needed a system that could serve as a dedicated media server. After evaluating options, my focus landed on the UGREEN DXP4800 Pro, a device that had already impressed me during initial testing.

Initially, I utilized a 100TB home server built on the DiskStation DS1823xs+, but this time, I wanted something tailored for media handling. I set up the DXP4800 Pro with two 24TB Seagate Exos X24 drives and two 22TB IronWolf Pro HDDs, primed to manage the streaming demands of my household.

Rigorous Testing of the DXP4800 Pro

Over the past three and a half months, I’ve invested more than 2,500 hours testing the DXP4800 Pro. It wasn't just about performance—54TB of data was transferred during this evaluation, including streaming 4K content on multiple devices simultaneously.

At the heart of the DXP4800 Pro is an Intel Core i3-1315U processor, which supports hardware transcoding for services like Plex and Jellyfin. Coupled with 10 Gigabit Ethernet and a 2.5 Gigabit connection, this NAS is seriously equipped to handle heavy workloads.

Priced at $719, the DXP4800 Pro has all the specifications needed for today’s demanding media applications, making it a worthy option for tech enthusiasts.

Setup and Configuration

My testing began with the installation of UGOS Pro, UGREEN's web-based software that has significantly improved in functionality. After creating my storage pool with the four drives, I opted for a JBOD setup since I had backups in place, although mirrored configurations are always advisable for data protection.

Next, I focused on installing essential services like Plex, Jellyfin, Roon, Immich, and Tailscale. By utilizing Docker, I could manage these services effectively, gaining insights into resource usage across my NAS environment. With 8GB of pre-installed RAM, I still had ample memory left to allocate to performance-intensive applications.

For added capacity, I subsequently upgraded to a total of 24GB RAM, which further bolstered performance across multiple virtual machines and services.

Data Transfer and Speed

Over ten days, I carefully managed the transfer of over 54TB of data to the DXP4800 Pro. Using rsync, I moved files in categories, ensuring a stable and organized migration. The connection between my existing servers and the DXP4800 Pro was facilitated using a 10GbE switch, significantly enhancing transfer speeds close to 280MB/s for large files.

Despite the intensive operations, the DXP4800 Pro maintained efficient thermal management, with operating temperatures well within a safe range. The fan design effectively dissipated any heat generated during extended periods of data transfer.

Streaming Performance Evaluation

Media streaming comprised a major focus of my testing routine. The DXP4800 Pro handled three concurrent high-bitrate 4K transcoding streams via Plex, which is no small feat. While most contemporary devices support native playback without the need for transcoding, the hardware-assisted transcoding through Intel Quick Sync proved invaluable for older client devices.

The experience reinforced the DXP4800 Pro's capabilities, making it a dependable media server for a variety of file types. Even when dealing with heavier codecs like H.265, the system adeptly transcoded content to H.264 when necessary without impacting performance.

Conclusions on the DXP4800 Pro

After extensive testing, the DXP4800 Pro stands out as a top-tier 4-bay NAS for media serving. Its combination of powerful hardware, ample memory, and efficient software creates an impressive multimedia experience. Sure, it draws a bit more power than average—24W at idle and up to 85W under load—but with a 150W power supply, it’s well within operational limits.

In summary, the DXP4800 Pro checks all the boxes for a reliable media server, and it’s my go-to recommendation for anyone looking to enhance their NAS capabilities in 2026.