My cloud EX2 Ultra comes with the CPU that offers great performance and speed due to its Marvell ARMADA385.
It offers 1.3 GHz dual core processor that not only offers fast speed but also face no lag while transferring data.
We have personally tested it to transfer data and we were shocked to see its transfer speed because it offers 115MB per second which is crazy.
It all becomes possible due to its DDR3 ram and stunning processor. My cloud EX2 Ultra offers very high speed in terms of both photos, videos, files, etc.
One thing users love about this device is that not only it offers stunning speed on PC but on phone as well and that is what makes the My cloud EX2 Ultra the most compatible cloud storage device.
Both of them offers the same amount of 5400Rpm.
While on the other hand if we look at the Synology Ds220j it also offers great speed due to its 1.4 GHz Realtek RTD1296 Quad-Core processor and we have also conducted a test to review its speed and the result was no insane but satisfactory.
We have transferred 3GB of 8k video files and it offers the speed of 95MB per second which is quite fine due to its price range.
Table of Contents
Side By Side Comparison
| My cloud EX2 Ultra | Synology Ds220j | |
| Processor | Marvel ARMADA 385 1.3 GHz dual-core | 1.4 GHz Realtek RTD1296 Quad-Core |
| Installed Memory | 1 GB DDR 3 Ram | 512 MB of DDR 4 Ram |
| Raw Capacity | 0TB/Diskless, 4TB, 8TB, 12TB, 16TB, 20TB, 24TB, 28TB | 32 TB (16 TB drive x 2) (Capacity may vary by RAID types) |
| Drives Included | WD-RED NAS Hard drives | 2 x 3.5/2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD Drive Bays |
| Interface | 1 x Ethernet 1000Base-T – RJ-45 | DSM UI |
| Speed | 5400 Rpm | 5400 Rpm |
| Number of bays | 2-bays | 2 x 3.5″ |
| Raid modes | Raid 0, Raid 1 | Raid 0, Raid 1 |
| Physical Dimensions | 6.1 x 3.9 x 6.75 inches | 8.86 x 3.94 x 6.5 inches |
| Weight | 5.2 lb. / 2.4 kg | 0.88 Kg |
What their design tell us?
If we look at the My cloud EX2 Ultra it is made up of mate black plastic wraps on the sides and to be very honest it looks really stunning and also can be used as a decoration piece, just kidding.
EX2 ultra design also features 3 LED lights which helps in clear navigation and displays power and connectivity due to its bay 1 and bay 2.
To make it more heat resistant WD has done a great and innovative job to cover its EX2 Ultra with ventilated covering which allows heat to flow outside and make it cooler and that is why it’s able to offer great performance.
My cloud EX2 Ultra has the operating temperature of 41 to 95°F / 5 to 35°C which is very good.
While on the other hand if we look at the Synology Ds220j it comes in the very beautiful and sleek design covered with white plastic finish and the aluminum inside which offers great durability.
Its design look very similar to the DS218j.
It also allows air to pass due to its cooling vacuum rails and has the operating temperature of 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C which slightly higher than EX2 Ultra.
But if we compared it in terms of design it offers very slim and unique design which makes Synology Ds220j one step ahead in design game and again we have a clear winner in design category that is mentioned below.
What models do they offer?
Both My cloud EX2 Ultra and Synology DS220j offers a lot of space variants, let us discuss both of them and compare them side by side to see which one offers more space variants.
Let us discuss the My cloud EX2 Ultra first. It offers 7 different kind of space variants starting from 4Tb to 28TB. ( 4TB, 8TB, 12TB, 16TB, 20TB, 24TB, 28TB )
While on the other hand if we look at Synology DS220j it only offers 1 storage variant and that is 16TB.
But the fun fact is that Synology DS220j has two 16TB drives by defult and that is why you will get the insane amount of 32TB storage overall.
Well, I don’t know about you but to be honest I don’t know if I can fill this amount of storage in my entire life.
So, in space variants EX2 Ultra offers greater number of variants while on the other hand Synology DS220j offers greater storage, but still we have a winner in this category as well and that winner name is mentioned below.
Supported OS & Browsers
Both My cloud EX2 Ultra and Synology DS220j supported many OS and that is what makes them very convenient and ease to use.
Now let us compare each of them and see which device offers more supported OS and browsers?
My cloud EX2 Ultra supports almost all OS available in the market such as macOS, High Sierra, Sierra, Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain Loin. It also works on DLNA/UPnP and with the streaming devices as well.
While of we look at the browser section it works with Internet Explorer to Safari to Firefox to Google Chrome.
While on the other hand if we look at the Synology DS220j it also supports same browser just like EX2 Ultra but with the limited number of OS such as macOS Mojave, Sierra and EI Capitan.
And that is why in the Supported OS and Browsers category we have a clear winner and that is mentioned below.
Which has better Backup/sharing?
Now you do not have to worry about your data because EX2 Ultra offers data protection in a collaboration with Robust Data Protection with multiple RAID.
Your all data is protected with their SmartWare Pro backup software and you can easily share it with someone else with public and private links which is very convenient because now you don’t have to transfer your data to share it with someone else.
Synology also offers backup storage and it is by default enable.
They backup your data on their own servers but unfortunately you can’t share it with someone else and that is why they are step behind from EX2 Ultra and that’s why we have a clear winner is this category as well that is mentioned below.
Setting up these devices:
Setting up both of these devices is very simple and easy. Synology DS220j comes with the pre install 16TB drive and NAS has already installed in it.
If you have bought another drive first install it as well then all you just need to do is connect Ethernet cable with it and it on and yeah that’s it.
While on the other hand if we look at the My Cloud EX2 Ultra setting up it is also very simple all you just need to do is install the hard drive first and then connect the cable with it on your LAN port and boom you are on the go.
Noise Levels of these Devices
Both of these devices make a little noise when they are working and its normal.
But if you hear some unusual noises it is because of the hard drive is not fitted properly or the hard drive tray has been damaged. It’s very cheap to replace the hard drive tray and you can do it on your own.
But I have read multiple surveys and reviews from Reedit to Amazon where people says that My cloud EX2 ultra makes less noise as compared to the Synology DS220j.
What about Warranty?
Although these companies offer 5 years of warranty time period on their other models but on these two models both of them offers the same amount of warranty time period and that is 2-years.
Quick Summary
For your ease in our conclusion, we have made some bullet points that will help you to compare both of them and made your final decision which one to buy between them.
All of the following bullet points are mentioned below.
- Design: – If you are looking for the slim and elegant design that not only offers great service but offers beautiful design and great build quality then Synology DS220j might be the perfect fit for you.
- Speed: – With 1.3GHz Marvell ARMADA385 offers 115MB per second transfer speed which is more as compared to the 95MB per second speed on Synology DS220j.
- Space Variants: – My cloud EX2 Ultra offers 7 different type of space variants while DS220j only offer 1 variant ( 16TB x 2 )
- Supported OS & Browser: – EX2 Ultra supports more browser and OS then Synology DS220j
- Setup: – Both of these devices are very easy to setup but Synology DS220j comes with the pre install drive and that’s make it more convenient and easy to setup.
- Noise: – My cloud EX2 Ultra makes more noise than Synology DS220j.
- Warranty: – Both of these devices offers same 2 years’ warranty time period.
