Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures

You can now transform an internal storage drive into a portable, USB backup device.

Internal storage drives were designed for connecting to the M.2 or SATA interfaces inside a PC, but with a hard drive enclosure or SSD, you can turn it into a USB-connected backup device that is also portable. If you are confused about which one to choose, we have tested more than a dozen different models and the best picks are given below.

PLUGABLE TOOL-FREE NVME ENCLOSURE

The Plugable Tool-Free NVME Enclosure is the Best M.2 SSD Enclosure for Most People

Specifications:

Output Port: USB-C
Output Speed: 10 Gbps
Supported SSDs: NVMe M.2 2280, 2260, 2242 and 2230
Included cables: USB-C to C, USB-C to A
Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.25 x 0.5 inches (112 x 31 x 13 mm)

Advantages:

There are no tools needed
The drives are easy to swap in and out
It has an attractive, compact design

Disadvantages:

It is not the cheapest
It has no SATA support

Plugable’s plainly named “Tool-Free NVMe Enclosure” makes it quite clear that its installation and removal is tool free and easy. If you need an SSD enclosure for drive cloning, this is a great choice for you.

SABRENT EC-UASP

The Sabrent EC-UASP is the Best 2.5-inch SSD / Hard Drive Enclosure for Most People

Specifications:

Output Port: USB Type-A
Output Speed: 5 Gbps
Supported SSDs: 2.5-inch SATA SSDs or HDDs (7.5 or 9mm thick)
Included cables: USB 3.0 Type A to Type A
Dimensions: 5.4 x 3 x 0.6 inches (137.2 x 76 x 15 mm)

Advantages:

It’s tool-free installation is easy
It has USB Type-A port that adds flexibility
It has on / off switch

Disadvantages:

It’s some competitors are cheaper

The EC-USASP of Sabrent stands out mainly due to its couple of unusual features and a nice, but subtle design. There is no need for tools or any kind of struggles in the opening and closing or the black plastic case and it is quite easy. There is room for a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD that’s either 9 or 7.5 mm thick in the interior. You won’t need any screws to hold the drive in place.

Orico M2V0-C4

The Orico M2V0-C4 are the Best USB 4 / Thunderbolt Enclosure

Specifications:

Output Port: USB-C
Output Speed: 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 4, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3)
Supported SSDs: NVMe M.2 2280
Included cables: USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB Type-A
Dimensions: 4.8 x 2 x 0.7 inches (122 x 50 x 18 mm)

Advantages:

It is backward compatible with USB 3.x
It has an attractive, all-metal design
It gives strong performance

Disadvantages:

It only supports 2280 size SSDs

The M2V0-C4 of Orico can prove to be the best choice if you want an SSD enclosure that can connect via a USB 4 connection or 40 Gbps Thunderbolt. At press time, its price is $134, but for that price you get backward compatibility and speedy performance with 3.× USB ports.

DOCKCASE VISUAL SMART M.2 ENCLOSURE

The Dockcase Visual Smart M.2 Enclosure is the Best Premium M.2 SSD Enclosure

Specifications:

Output Port: USB-C
Output Speed: 10 Gbps
Supported SSDs: NVMe or SATA M.2 2280, 2260, 2242 and 2230
Included cables: USB-C to C with built-in Type-A adapter
Dimensions: 5 x 1.5 x 0.6 inches (127 x 39 x 14mm)

Advantages:

It’s screen shows status
It has attractive, premium design
It has power loss protection

Disadvantages:

It’s premium features add to cost
It’s glass top is easily smudged, more fragile than metal

A couple of really unique features and a very attractive and premium design is offered by the Dockcase Visual Smart M.2 Enclosure. Most other 10 Gbps SSD enclosures would certainly cost a bit more with all these features, but at $49 as of press time, it can not be considered crazy expensive.

DOCKCASE 2.5-INCH SMART HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE

The Dockcase 2.5-inch Smart Hard Drive Enclosure is the Best Premium 2.5-inch SSD / Hard Drive Enclosure

Specifications:

Output Port: USB-C
Output Speed: 10 Gbps
Supported SSDs: 2.5-inch SATA SSDs and Hard Drives
Included cables: USB-C to C with built-in Type-A adapter
Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 0.7 inches (127 x 76 x 18 mm)

Advantages:

It is the fastest SATA Enclosure
It has status screen
It has rugged, Attractive Design

Disadvantages:

It doesn’t have power loss protection

DockCase’s 2.5-inch Smart Hard Drive Enclosure is the one for you if you want the snazziest and most performant 2.5-inch SSD / hard drive enclosure. It has a 1.75-inch LED screen that displays information such as the drive capacity, drive health, model number and partitions. When compared with Dockcase’s M.2 Enclosure, this one has back, forward and home navigation buttons that can be used to toggle between the different menu screens.

UGREEN CM472 EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE

The Ugreen CM472 External Hard Drive Enclosure is the Best 3.5-inch Hard Drive Enclosure

Specifications:

Output Port: USB 3.0 Type B
Output Speed: 5 Gbps (USB 3.x)
Supported SSDs: 3.5-inch SATA hard drives, 2.5-inch SATA hard drives and SSDs
Included cables: USB Type-B to USB Type-A 3.0
Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.6 x 1.4 inches (193 x 117 x 36 mm)

Advantages:

It is more compact that some competitors
It gives solid performance

Disadvantages:

It has no bracket for 2.5-inch drives

You will have to spin up the power-hungry Ugreen’s CM472 hard drive because its enclosure comes with an external power brick. When compared to the competitors like the Orico HM35C3, CM472 is a bit smaller, despite all the bulk.

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