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TLDR REVIEW

TLDR Review: WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

September 16th 2024

Best Network Attached Storage (NAS) Drives for 2025

We analyzed top picks from leading reviewers to find the best for every need

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: January 30th, 2024

💾Hey there! In our data-filled lives, a dependable Network Attached Storage (NAS) device can really change the game. Whether you're setting up a solid media server, looking for a trusty backup solution, or need scalable storage for your home or small office, we've got you covered with our top NAS picks. Unlike cloud storage, NAS devices offer better privacy, scalability, and versatile data management—all within your own network.

Let's dive in and find the perfect NAS drive to keep your data safe and organized in 2024.

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Overall Best: Synology BeeStation 4 TB

The Synology BeeStation 4 TB takes the crown as our overall best NAS for 2024. This versatile device balances ease of use, performance, and a rich feature set. With 4TB of storage, it's more than adequate for home users and small offices alike. The BeeStation comes with user-friendly mobile apps like BeePhotos and BeeFiles, making data management a breeze. It supports both online storage for mobile devices and acts as a conventional NAS drive, offering flexible usage scenarios. While setting it up may require some technical know-how, its robust feature set—including Time Machine support for macOS and seamless automatic backups—ensures it's a top choice whether you're a beginner or an experienced user.

Available at Amazon

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Runner-up: Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra

Our runner-up, the Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra, boasts impressive performance and customization options. It features RAID configurations for both enhanced performance (RAID 0) and data protection (RAID 1), with two bays that offer easy scalability. You can even purchase it unpopulated to use your preferred hard drives. With high-performance Red Drives and 1GB of memory, the EX2 Ultra can multitask effortlessly, making it perfect for photographers, designers, and home users needing a reliable and capacious backup solution. Its straightforward setup and user-friendly design make it accessible to those who may not be technically inclined but still seek robust NAS capabilities.

Lowest at Amazon

$243.37 at Amazon

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$215.95 at Newegg Business

More Answers

Still curious about the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra? Here are some answers you might find interesting:

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What are the read and write speeds of the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra?

The WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is pretty handy if you're looking for a NAS system to store and protect your data without setting up a separate server. Now, about the read and write speeds—what you came here for. From what we've gathered, the speeds can vary a bit depending on your network setup and the type of files you're dealing with. Generally, though, you can expect read speeds up to around 116 MB/s and write speeds up to about 112 MB/s when things are running smoothly. So, it's pretty solid for transferring big files or streaming your media. Once you hook it up to your network via its Gigabit Ethernet port, it becomes a central hub for storing, accessing, and even streaming your files, photos, and videos. As the manufacturer points out, it works with both Windows and macOS, and you can also get to your stuff on mobile devices, which gives you a lot of flexibility in managing your data. Setting it up is usually pretty easy. From our research, people tend to like the web-based interface, saying it's straightforward for configuring and managing your storage. So even if you're not super tech-savvy, you should be able to navigate it without too much trouble. It's also noted for being reliable and versatile, whether you're using it at home or in a small office. One of its notable features is the support for RAID configurations, which can boost performance and help protect your data with redundancy. In short, if you're backing up business files or personal media, the My Cloud EX2 Ultra offers solid performance and is easy to manage, making it a good choice if you need reliable network storage.

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How easy is it to set up the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra?

Setting up the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is quite straightforward, even if you're not a tech whiz. Based on our research, many folks appreciate its user-friendly interface and simple setup process. The manufacturer mentions it offers various RAID and backup options to help you keep your media, photos, and important files safe. It supports a few RAID configurations like RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks). If you're particularly concerned about data protection, RAID 1 might catch your interest. It works by mirroring your data across two hard drives, so if one fails, you still have everything safe on the other one. Yes, you do lose half the storage capacity with this method, but the added data safety is worth it for some. Setting up the EX2 Ultra doesn't drag on forever, and you don't need to be super technical to get it started. From what we've found, you can set it up pretty quickly, which is handy for home users or small businesses that need dependable network storage. Just plug it in, follow the basic on-screen instructions, and you should have things up and running without much hassle. Additionally, if you're looking for something more tailored to your storage needs, the EX2 Ultra's flexibility might be appealing. Its ability to support different RAID options means you can tweak your setup to fit what you want, whether it's personal storage or more complex data protection. So, if you're looking for a device that's easy to use but still offers advanced storage features, the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra could be a solid choice for you. It's not only straightforward to set up, but also provides versatile options for managing your data.

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What is the storage capacity of the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra?

The storage capacity of the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is pretty flexible, depending on what you need. You can get it without any drives if you want to use your own. Or, if you prefer a ready-to-go setup, you can choose configurations that come with 4TB, 8TB, 12TB, or even 16TB right out of the box. This range of options means you can easily pick something that fits your storage needs now and maybe upgrade later if you need more space. The manufacturer also mentions that this model supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD configurations too, which gives you choices for organizing your data depending on whether you're aiming for performance or redundancy. Overall, it's a solid choice if you're looking for customizable storage that's ready for both personal use and small business setups. Plus, it's got some handy features like remote access through the My Cloud app, so you can reach your files from anywhere.

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Budget Pick: Buffalo LinkStation 220D

For those on a tight budget, the Buffalo LinkStation 220D stands out as an excellent choice. This dual-bay setup supports RAID configurations for either optimal performance or maximum data protection. Despite its affordable price, it delivers versatile functionality suitable for both home and small business users. While its setup may be slightly more complex, it supports essential features like Time Machine for Mac users, remote web access, and even functions as an iTunes server. The LinkStation 220D offers a cost-effective yet powerful NAS solution for anyone looking to get the most value for their money.

Available at Amazon

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Best for Scalability: Synology DS920 Plus

Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS923+ (Diskless) 4-bay; 4GB DDR4 DS923+

When it comes to scalability and performance, the Synology DS920 Plus is unparalleled. This four-bay NAS supports the DX517 expansion unit, allowing for significant storage growth to match your evolving needs. Powered by a quad-core Celeron processor, it’s equipped to handle demanding tasks such as media server duties and running a web server. The DS920 Plus also supports Docker for running various applications. Although slightly pricier, its scalability and robust features make it worth the investment for both demanding home users and small businesses aiming for an advanced NAS setup.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$597.00 at Amazon

Best for Small Offices/Working from Home: Synology DiskStation DS723

Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS723+ (Diskless) 2-bay; 2GB DDR4 DS723+

The Synology DiskStation DS723 is the optimal choice for small offices and remote work environments. Designed to handle the rigors of a busy workplace, it combines robust performance with extensive storage options. The DS723 comes unpopulated, providing the flexibility to customize storage based on specific needs. It offers crucial features like remote access, seamless application integration, and secure data management. With prices starting at $450, it strikes a perfect balance between performance and scalability for professional use, ensuring you have a reliable NAS to support your work operations.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$464.99 at Amazon

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