SSD Enclosure is a great little computer accessory that you must have in your arsenal if you work with computers. An SSD enclosure enables you to convert an internal SSD to an external portable SSD. It allows you to take data backups and transfer data from one computer to another faster than a USB flash drive or External hard drive. SSD Enclosures with USB interfaces are available for both M.2 and 2.5-inch form factor SSDs.
There are many SSD enclosures available in the market from various brands you may not have heard of. Selecting an SSD enclosure for your data transfer/storage/recovery needs can become challenging as you are unsure which one is good, offers good speed and features, and has no compatibility and heating issues. So, to help you with this, I am listing some of the best SSD enclosures for both M.2 and 2.5-inch solid-state drives.
What is the Need for an SSD Enclosure?
Suppose you have a spare SSD lying around or have upgraded to a higher capacity or faster SSD. In that case, you can use the older or spare SSD in the SSD Enclosure as a portable and external drive for data backups, data transfer, and OS recovery and installation. SSD enclosures are pretty cheap and offer various benefits over pre-built external hard drives or portable SSDs.
Top Advantages of SSD Enclosure
Here are the advantages and benefits of having an SSD enclosure over a pre-built External Portable SSD/HDD.
Cost Effective – Using an SSD with an SSD Enclosure is relatively cheaper than buying a branded pre-built external portable SSD from big brands like Samsung, ADATA, Sandisk, WD, Crucial, etc.
Reusable – An SSD Enclosure is reusable because you can remove and install your SSD anytime. If your SSD fails or you want to upgrade to a higher capacity SSD, then you can easily remove the existing SSD from the SSD Enclosure and put in the new SSD in a matter of minutes.
Speed – An SSD Enclosure with a high-performance SSD is faster than most external SSDs available on the market, even from big brands.
Cloning Use – An SSD Enclosure can also be used as a cloning device to clone your existing SSD in your PC or laptop. It can prove very handy when you have to replace or upgrade your laptop’s boot SSD (especially M.2 NVME) because you can clone it to a new SSD in the enclosure using good cloning software like Macrium Reflect, etc.
Recovery and Backup – An SSD enclosure can be used for making recovery or backup SSD.
Software/Windows Installation – Installing software or Windows OS from an SSD is much faster than a USB Flash Drive. You can use an SSD Enclosure with SSD to make bootable or software for your computer for quicker installations.
What to Look for in an SSD Enclosure?
Here are some important things you should consider when buying an SSD Enclosure.
Heat Dissipation – One of the most important things to consider when choosing an enclosure is how well it dissipates heat. For an NVMe Enclosure, getting a metal enclosure with a good heat dissipation design and thickness is beneficial. Moreover, getting a sandwich design/style enclosure is better than a slide-in design enclosure for M.2 SSDs. The sandwich design leaves no space between the drive and the thermal tape, resulting in better heat transfer from the SSD to the thermal tape and metal casing. In slide-in design, the thermal pad gets rubbed when sliding the frame and leaves space between the drive and the enclosure, resulting in poor contact between the thermal tape, SSD, and enclosure, which can cause poor heat dissipation and overheating of the SSD. The overheating of SSD leads to thermal throttling, causing reduced performance and may result in reduced lifespan and failure of the SSD.
Transfer Speed – If you want the best performance from your SSD in an Enclosure, you should get an enclosure that supports USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps Data Transfer Rate) interface or higher.
Compatibility – The enclosure should be physically and technically compatible with various SSDs. It must support SSDs from all well-known brands and should not throw errors or have SSD detection issues.
Build Quality – The SSD Enclosure should be well-built with no sharp edges or slack. It should not feel flimsy and should be easy to open and close when installing/removing the SSD.
UASP and TRIM support – The SSD Enclosure should support UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol), S.M.A.R.T, and TRIM command for faster, reliable, and efficient operation.
Controller or Chipset – The SSD enclosure controller or chipset is the heart of the enclosure. It is the one that establishes the connection between the SSD and the host or computer. A buggy, unstable, or unreliable controller can result in slower data transfer speed, frequent disconnection, data corruption, and computability with the SSD. Currently, JMicron JMS583, ASMedia ASM2362, and Realtek RTL9210B are the three prominent controllers used in USB SSD enclosures and adapters. The Realtek RTL9210B chip has a good reputation for being reliable, offers good speed, and is compatible with most SSDs. It is hard to find the controller or chip used in the SSD enclosure because SSD manufacturers do not specify it in the technical specifications. You can get this info from the technical forums or tech review websites.
Best M.2 SSD Enclosure [NVMe and SATA]
Below are some of the best M.2 SSD Enclosures for NVMe and SATA solid-state drives. These enclosures support USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) speed and are compatible with M.2 or NGFF SSDs with M Key and B+M Key connectors. Moreover, all the enclosures mentioned below include UASP and TRIM support.
Sabrent M.2 NVMe and SATA SSD Enclosure (EC-SNVE)
[Sandwich Design, Fast and Reliable, Tool-Free Installation]
Sabrent M.2 NVMe and SATA SSD Enclosure is the best M.2 SSD Enclosure for NVMe and SATA solid state drives (having M Key and B+M Key connectors). Sabrent is a well-known and reputed brand for SSDs and SSD accessories, offering high-quality products at competitive prices. The enclosure has a thick aluminum case or housing that acts as a heatsink for the M.2 SSD. The frame is made of ABS plastic, which is also quite sturdy. One of the best features of this M.2 SSD enclosure is its sandwich-type snap-fit design instead of the slide-in tray design, which is common with other M.2 SSD enclosures. The main advantage of the sandwich design is that it is easier to fit an SSD in the enclosure with a thermal pad. In the slide-in tray design, the thermal pad gets rubbed while sliding the SSD in the enclosure, and the contact between the thermal pad and the metal case is not uniform and proper. In sandwich design, the pressure is distributed evenly on the thermal pad, which allows for better heat transfer from the SSD to the Case. A latch locks the Case to the frame in a snap-fit mechanism, making the installation and removal completely tool-less. This makes the installation and removal of SSDs easier and faster. The enclosure casing locks onto the frame with the latch, and to open the case/cover, you have to push the latch, and the casing will unlock from the frame.
Sabrent M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure has a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C interface offering a data transfer speed of up to 10Gbps. It is backward compatible with USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 at their respective speed limits. The enclosure supports UASP, SMART, and TRIM and uses Realtek RTL9210B chipset, a good controller for M.2 SSD Enclosures regarding speed, compatibility, and reliability. A small LED is at the front of the enclosure to indicate drive power and data transfer activity. This SSD Enclosure is compatible with a wide range of SSDs (up to 8TB) from various brands and supports all major operating systems, including Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS 10.5 or higher, and Linux. An 8-inch USB Type-C to Type-C cable comes bundled with the enclosure in the package. The model number for this M.2 SSD enclosure is EC-SNVE.
| Sabrent M.2 NVMe and SATA SSD Enclosure Specifications | |
| Form Factor | M.2 2230/2242/2260/2280 |
| SSD Support | NVMe and SATA (M Key and B+M Key) up to 8TB |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C |
| Transfer Speed | 10 Gbps |
| Features | Aluminum Case with ABS Frame, UASP and TRIM support, Tool-Free Installation, Snap-Fit Design, LED Indicator, Realtek RTL9210B Chipset |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS 10.5 or higher, Linux. |
Buy Sabrent M.2 NVMe and SATA SSD Enclosure
UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure
[Silicone Cover for Grip and Protection, Good Quality USB Cables, Fast and Reliable]
Another good SSD enclosure for M.2 NVMe and NGFF SATA solid-state drives (having M Key and B+M Key connectors). The enclosure has an aluminum housing for faster heat dissipation. It comes with a silicone cover or sleeve that prevents the enclosure from damage during accidental drops and helps grip the enclosure better. An LED indicator is there to help you know the power-on status and data transfer activity.
UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA Enclosure uses the Realtek RTL9210B controller chip and supports USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (10Gbps), TRIM, SMART, and USAP. The installation is not tool-free and requires a screwdriver. Two high-quality USB cables, one USB Type-C to Type-C and USB Type-A to Type-C, and a thermal pad come bundled with the enclosure package. The maximum SSD capacity supported is 8TB, and the operating systems supported are Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android. The SSD enclosure is compatible with a wide range of M.2 SSDs from various brands, whether small or big, available in the market. The model number of this enclosure is 90264. An NVMe-only version is also available, which costs a bit less. You can also check that model from the links below.
| UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure Specifications | |
| Form Factor | M.2 2230/2242/2260/2280 |
| SSD Support | NVMe and SATA (M Key and B+M Key) up to 8TB |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C |
| Transfer Speed | 10 Gbps |
| Features | Aluminum Housing, Silicone Sleeve, UASP and TRIM support, LED Indicator, Realtek RTL9210B Chipset |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 7 and higher, Mac OS, Android, Linux |
Buy UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure
SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure
[Budget Enclosure, Stylish Design, Well-built, Fast and Reliable]
A great budget M.2 SSD Enclosure for NVMe and NGFF SATA solid state drives (with M Key and B+M Key connectors). SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure has an aluminum alloy shell or Case that acts as a heatsink for M.2 SSD and dissipates heat better. It uses the latest Realtek RTL9210B Chipset and supports USAP, SMART, TRIM, and USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (10 Gbps transfer rate). A blue LED indicator notifies the data transfer activity and enclosure power status. The enclosure is well-built and looks stylish. Regarding OS support, it is compatible with Windows 7 and higher, macOS, Linux, and Android. Two cables, USB Type-A to Type-C and USB Type-C to Type-C, a thermal pad, and a screwdriver for installation come bundled with the SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure.
| SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure Specifications | |
| Form Factor | M.2 2230/2242/2260/2280 |
| SSD Support | NVMe and SATA (M Key and B+M Key) up to 8TB |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C |
| Transfer Speed | 10 Gbps |
| Features | Aluminum Alloy Casing or Shell, UASP and TRIM support, Blue LED Indicator, Realtek RTL9210B Chipset |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 7 and higher, macOS, Linux, Android |
Buy SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure
Waterproof M.2 NVMe Enclosure
If you are looking for a rugged, shock-resistant, and waterproof M.2 NVMe Enclosure, check out the SSD enclosures mentioned below.
SABRENT Rugged Waterproof Enclosure for NVMe SSD (EC-WPNE)
[IP67 Water and Dust Resistance, Shock Resistant, Fast and Reliable]
A Rugged and Waterproof Enclosure for M.2 NVMe SSDs from Sabrent. The enclosure has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, offering protection from immersion in fresh water with a depth of 1 meter (3.3 ft) for up to 30 minutes, and is totally sealed against dust. The rugged design is tested for a 1-meter (3.3 ft) drop test. It is a USB 3.2 Gen2 enclosure offering data transmission speeds up to 10 Gbps. The enclosure has aluminum housing for faster heat dissipation and a silicone cover to protect against shocks and drops. An LED on the enclosure displays the connection and data transfer activity status. Type-C to Type-C and Type-A to Type-C cables and a thermal pad are included in the package. The model number of this enclosure is (EC-WPNE).
| SABRENT Rugged Waterproof NVMe Enclosure | |
| Form Factor | M.2 2242/2260/2280 |
| SSD Support | NVMe |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C |
| Transfer Speed | 10 Gbps |
| Features | IP67 Rated Design, LED Indicator, USAP and TRIM support |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 7/8 /10/11, Mac OS 10.5 or higher, Linux. |
Buy Sabrent Rugged Waterproof NVMe Enclosure
ASUS TUF Gaming A1 M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure
[IP68 Water and Dust Resistance, Military-grade drop resistance, Fast and Reliable, Wide Compatibility, Q-latch mechanism]
A tough, rugged, and waterproof M.2 SSD enclosure from Asus. It is an IP68 Water and Dust Resistant M.2 SSD enclosure that has been tested for Military-grade drop resistance (MIL-STD-810H drop resistance). It supports M.2 NVMe and SATA SSDs having M.2 2242/2260/2280 form factor and up to 2TB capacity. It uses a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C interface offering a data transfer speed of up to 10 Gbps. The enclosure features a Q-latch mechanism that makes it easy to mount an SSD into the enclosure. The enclosure is compatible with a wide range of M.2 SSDs and supports PS5 and Xbox. A USB Type-C to Type-C cable comes with the enclosure in the package.
| ASUS TUF Gaming A1 M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure Specifications | |
| Form Factor | M.2 2242/2260/2280 |
| SSD Support | NVMe and SATA (up to 2TB) |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C |
| Transfer Speed | 10 Gbps |
| Features | IP68 Water and Dust Resistant, M.2 Q-Latch, Military-grade drop resistance MIL-STD-810H drop resistance), PS5 and Xbox support, USAP and TRIM support, supports mobile devices |
| OS Compatibility | Windows, Mac OS |
Buy ASUS TUF Gaming A1 M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure
RGB M.2 NVMe/SATA Enclosures
Below are some RGB M.2 NVMe/SATA Enclosures you can check out. However, I don’t recommend RGB SSD Enclosures because the RGB lighting draws more power and runs hotter because of the additional heat generated by the RGB LEDs.
- SABRENT Rocket RGB M.2 SATA NVMe SSD Enclosure (EC-RGBC)
- ASUS ROG STRIX Arion Aluminum Alloy M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure
Best 2.5-inch SSD Enclosure [SATA]
Below are some of the best 2.5-inch SSD Enclosures for SATA solid state drives.
Sabrent 2.5-Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Enclosure (EC-UASP)
[Physical On/Off switch, Tool-free installation]
A very good 2.5-inch enclosure for 2.5-inch SATA SSDs and HDDs (7mm and 9.5mm thick) from Sabrent. The enclosure supports the USB 3.0 interface, offering a maximum data transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps (625 MB/s). It is made of plastic, and installing and removing SSDs/HDDs is entirely tool-free. A rectangular blue LED indicator at the top shows the drive status, including power on and data transfer activity. A physical ON/OFF switch is present at the front of the enclosure and can be handy. The enclosure supports USAP and all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. A USB 3.0 Type-A to Type-A cable comes bundled with the enclosure.
| Sabrent 2.5-Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Enclosure Specifications | |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| SSD Support | SATA |
| Interface | USB 3.0 Type-A |
| Transfer Speed | 5Gbps |
| Features | On/Off Switch, LED Indicator, Tool-free design, plug-and-play, Hot-swappable, UASP SATA III and TRIM support |
| OS Compatibility | Windows, Mac OS 8.6 and above, Linux 2.4 and above |
Buy Sabrent 2.5-inch SATA USB 3.0 Enclosure
UGREEN 2.5-inch Hard Drive Enclosure
[Tool-free, Fast and Reliable, USAP and TRIM support]
Another good 2.5-inch Hard Drive Enclosure that supports 2.5-inch SATA SSDs and HDDs (7mm and 9.5mm thick) up to 6TB. The enclosure supports USB 3.0 standard/interface with a maximum data transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps (625 MB/s). The build quality of the enclosure is good, and it is made of plastic. The installation and removal of the drive is tool-free and has a sliding tray design. A blue LED is on the top of the enclosure to indicate the drive activity and status. The SSD enclosure supports USAP, TRIM, and all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. It is compatible with 2.5-inch SSDs/HDDs from all major brands, including Samsung, WD, Hitachi, Toshiba, etc. A micro-USB to USB 3.0 Type-A cable is included with the enclosure.
| UGREEN 2.5-inch Hard Drive Enclosure | |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| SSD Support | SATA |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Transfer Speed | 5Gbps |
| Features | LED Indicator, Tool-free Installation, USAP and TRIM support, |
| OS Compatibility | Windows, Linux, Mac OS 8.0 and above |
Buy UGREEN 2.5-inch Hard Drive Enclosure
ORICO 2.5-inch External Hard Drive Enclosure
[Clear Transparent Case, Tool-free, Budget Pricing]
A budget 2.5-inch SSD/HDD enclosure with clear and transparent casing. Orico is quite a well-known name in USB adapters and enclosures for HDDs and SSDs. The transparent case allows you to view the drive without opening the enclosure case, and it looks fancy, too. The enclosure uses USB 3.0 interface and supports USAP and TRIM. It can support 2.5-inch SATA HDDs (9.5mm and 7mm) and SSDs up to 6TB capacity. The enclosure features tool-free installation and removal of drives and is compatible with 2.5-inch SSDs/HDDs from all major brands. A blue LED indicator lets you know the hard or solid-state drive’s working status. The enclosure supports all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. A USB 3.0 Type-A to micro-USB cable comes along with the enclosure. The model number of this enclosure is 2139U3.
| ORICO 2.5-inch External Hard Drive Enclosure Specifications | |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| SSD Support | SATA |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Transfer Speed | 5Gbps |
| Features | LED Indicator, Tool-free Installation, USAP and TRIM support |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 2000 and higher, Linux, Mac OS 9.1 or above |
Buy ORICO 2.5-inch External Hard Drive Enclosure
Cable Matters Premium Aluminum 2.5-inch SSD/HDD Enclosure
[Aluminum Case, 10Gbps Transfer Rate, Tool-free]
If you are looking for a premium 2.5-inch enclosure with a metal body and faster transfer speeds, Cable Matters Premium Aluminum 2.5″ SSD/HDD Enclosure is one of the best in the market. It uses an aluminum case that feels premium and dissipates heat better than a plastic case. The enclosure supports USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C with a maximum data transfer speed of 10Gbps. An LED indicator shows drive activity and status. The drive installation/removal is tool-free.
The enclosure is compatible with a range of 2.5-inch SSDs/HDDs (9.5mm and 7mm) and supports USAP, SMART, and TRIM. Moreover, the enclosure is compatible with the Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. It is compatible with popular drives like Samsung 860 EVO, Samsung 870 EVO, Kingston A400 SSD, SSD Plus, Crucial MX500, WD Blue 3D NAND PC SSD, and more. The operating systems supported by the enclosure are Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Two USB cables, Type-A to Type-C and Type-C to Type-A, are included in the package.
| Cable Matters Premium Aluminum 2.5″ SSD/HDD Enclosure Specifications | |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| SSD Support | SATA |
| Interface | USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C |
| Transfer Speed | 10Gbps |
| Features | Aluminum Case/Body, LED Indicator, Tool-free Installation, USAP, SMART and TRIM support, Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible |
| OS Compatibility | Windows, Mac OS, Linux |
Buy Cable Matters Premium Aluminum 2.5″ SSD/HDD Enclosure
Waterproof and Shockproof 2.5-inch SSD Enclosure
Need more help?
If you need any help with SSD enclosure technical aspects or compatibility, please post your queries in the comment section below.
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