Home » Computers » Western Digital My Cloud Mirror vs My Cloud EX2 Ultra – Which Personal NAS is Better?

My Cloud Mirror vs My Cloud EX2 Ultra
If you have ever had a backup drive fail, explode, or die in another horrible way, you will understand how traumatic it can be. It is not an exaggeration. It is terrible to think that beloved photographs, family videos, and work may be lost forever. This is when cloud storage might come in handy. We will look at the similarities and differences between two excellent Western Digital cloud storage solutions – Wd My Cloud Mirror and My Cloud EX2 Ultra.

Western Digital My Cloud Mirror vs My Cloud EX2 Ultra

Product Western Digital My Cloud Mirror Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra
My Cloud OS Version My Cloud OS 3 My Cloud OS 5
Processor Marvell ARMADA 385 1.3GHz dual-core processor Marvell ARMADA 385 1.3GHz dual-core processor
RAM Capacity 512 megabytes 1 gigabyte
Available Storage Capacities 4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 12TB, 16TB 0TB, 4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 12TB, 16TB, 20TB, 24TB
Interface Two USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet Two USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet
Connector Ethernet RJ45 Ethernet RJ45
Operating System Compatibility Windows 10, Windows 8, Mac OS X Yosemite, Mavericks, or Mountain Lion Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, Mac OS Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, or Mountain Lion
Product Dimensions (L x W x H) 15.5 x 10 x 17.1 cm 15.5 x 10 x 17.1 cm
Product Warranty 2-year limited warranty 3-year limited warranty
What’s Included In the Box Western Digital My Cloud Mirror, Ethernet cable, AC adapter, Quick install guide Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra, Ethernet cable, Power supply, Quick install guide
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WD My Cloud Mirror vs My Cloud EX2 Ultra – Similarities

The following are the key features found in both the WD My Cloud Mirror and My Cloud EX2 Ultra:

Design and Build

The WD My Cloud Mirror and My Cloud EX2 Ultra have similar design and build. The My Cloud Mirror’s white plastic casing, like other WD storage devices, makes it simple to see. The rubber cushioning on each of its four corners made it both quiet and sturdy, making it a pleasure to use.

While the My Cloud EX2 Ultra seems to be almost similar to its elder sibling: the My Cloud EX2. The front of the body is equipped with three LED status LEDs for power and connectivity, bay 1, and bay 2. Its matte black sides and front give it a unified appearance. The top and bottom are coated with a vented covering to distribute heat. Its power port, Ethernet port, reset button, two USB ports, and a lock slot are all located on the rear. Lastly, their dimensions are exactly the same at 15.5 x 10 x 17.1 cm.

Usability

Setting up WD My Cloud Mirror is similar to setting up the other My Cloud devices. For this, all that is required is to plug an Ethernet cable into a device’s Ethernet port and plug the other end straight into a router or network switch port. Connect the power adapter, and it should switch on automatically, with the blue LED on the front panel finally becoming solid blue.

It is easy to get started, and after signing in, you will get a status page with quick access to information like system capacity, users, and shares.

My Cloud Mirror and EX2 Ultra, like other devices in the My Cloud family, are simple to set up. The online user guide leads you through all of the procedures required to get the machine up and running. WD now offers iOS and Android mobile applications, letting you access your material from anywhere.

Front Panel and Rear Connections

On the front panel of the My Cloud Mirror, there are three LEDs: one for power and one for the condition of each disc. In addition to the Gigabit Ethernet connector, there are two USB 3.0 ports on the rear panel and a reset button and a power port. The My Cloud Mirror may also be used with a standard Kensington security connection.

While the WD My Cloud EX2’s front end is outfitted with three blue LED lights that indicate the power and condition of each drive. It is worth noting that neither side has any ventilation holes along the top border, and the bottom of the enclosure has thick rubber feet to prevent it from scratching anything it is set on.

 

WD My Cloud Mirror vs My Cloud EX2 Ultra – Differences

Available Storage Capacities

The WD My Cloud Mirror and EX2 Ultra are available in different storage capacities. The My Cloud Mirror’s storage capacity starts at 4TB which is enough for most households and small businesses. If you need more space, you can go for the largest capacity at 16TB.

On the other hand, the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is available with a larger storage capacity. You can opt for a whopping 24TB of storage space. However, if you already have hard drives lying around, you can buy My Cloud EX2’s 0TB variant. It comes without any hard drive. Due to this flexibility, the My Cloud EX2 is better in this category.

 

The Winner Is – WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

Operating System Compatibility

All your pictures, movies, and data are stored twice as safely in My Cloud Mirror and EX2 Ultra. Both network-attached storage devices allow you to access your files from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. However, you should be aware of their compatibility with operating systems. Perhaps, your current device is not supported anymore.

Since the EX2 Ultra is the more modern NAS offering from Western Digital, it supports more operating systems for both Windows and Mac OS users. Additionally, it has better backward compatibility as it is compatible with Windows 7 and older Mac OS versions. While Western Digital has not officially declared compatibility for Windows 11, Mac OS Bug Sur, and Monterey, we expect that EX2 Ultra will support them in the future.

 

The Winner Is – WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

My Cloud OS Version

The WD My Cloud Mirror and My Cloud EX2 Ultra use the My Cloud service as a NAS portal. These NAS devices use different My Cloud OS versions. The My Cloud EX2 uses the latest My Cloud OS 5, while the My Cloud Mirror uses My Cloud OS 3.

The My Cloud OS 5 offers more security than version 3. Due to this fact, Western Digital recommends buying a NAS device with the latest My Cloud OS version. They even suggest buying the EX2 Ultra for current owners of My Cloud Mirror.

 

The Winner Is – WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

RAM Capacity and Video Playback

While the high performance of a 2-bay NAS has a few advantages over its predecessor, The My Cloud EX2 Ultra enables safe remote access to your data as well as a simple platform for syncing and sharing material between devices. NAS discs are an inexpensive option to back up data in my cloud mirror, but if you are serious about storage, you should look into devices that can also mirror files.

While in My Cloud EX2 Ultra, this NAS includes everything you will need for the home office or small company, including several backup solutions. Its backup possibilities make it an appealing solution for tiny and home workplaces.

The My Cloud Mirror has 512 megabytes of RAM, while the My Cloud EX2 Ultra has 1 GB of RAM. This translates to smoother video playback of 4k and 8k videos from anywhere. If you are the person who saves movie backups on your NAS, you will have a more pleasant experience with the My Cloud EX2 Ultra.

 

The Winner Is – WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

Product Warranty

The My Cloud Mirror has 2 years of warranty while the My Cloud EX2 Ultra has 3 years of warranty. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra is more affordable than My Cloud Mirror, with many additional features in the price comparison. So, in my opinion the My Cloud EX2 Ultra is the winner!

 

The Winner Is – WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

 

Pros and Cons

My Cloud Mirror

Pros:

  • The WD My Cloud Mirror’s 4TB storage capacity is enough for most consumers.
  • It can transfer files rapidly over the cloud.
  • It is simple to install and use.
  • It has a lengthy warranty of 2 years.

Cons:

  • The plastic handle to remove drives out of the bay is a tad fragile.
  • It offers fewer third-party plugins and apps than its competitors.

Buy My Cloud Mirror

My Cloud Ex2

Pros:

  • The WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra offers larger storage capacities.
  • It is more secure due to the latest My Cloud OS version installed.
  • It has an easy-to-use UI.
  • It supports automated backup of smartphone cameras.
  • It has a lengthier warranty of 3 years.
  • It has a larger RAM capacity for smoother video playback.

Cons:

  • It can be a little difficult to switch out the hard drives.
  • We wished that it was available in different colors.

Buy WD My Cloud EX2

Final Verdict: My Cloud Mirror vs My Cloud EX2

The WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is simple to use and comes with a simple user interface. The most recent model has numerous capacity choices, with the highest capacity being 24TB. Small businesses and households alike may benefit from the My Cloud EX2 Ultra. The EX2 Ultra provides 128K sequential performance, with reading and write speeds of up to 116 MB/s and 112 MB/s, respectively. With that said, this is the winner!

 

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Manufacturer

Western Digital