An external hard drive enclosure is essential for anyone aiming to enhance their storage capacity, breathe new life into old hard drives, or keep their data portable and within reach.
You’re in the perfect place if you’re hunting for the finest external hard drive enclosure. Through rigorous evaluation, we’ve narrowed down the leading external hard drive enclosures known for their superior quality and performance.
Our selections cater to a broad audience, from professionals to content creators, or anyone wishing to maximize the utility of existing hard drives. Our review criteria focused on three pivotal aspects:
- Drive Size Compatibility: It’s crucial to select an enclosure that fits your SATA or SSD drive, commonly available in 2.5 inches or 3.5 inches, ensuring compatibility.
- Connectivity Speed: Choose enclosures equipped with USB 3.1 or USB 3.0 ports to enable quicker data transfers and sidestep the limitations of older USB 2.0 connections.
- Storage Capacity: Verify the enclosure’s ability to accommodate your hard drive’s storage size. Options vary, with some enclosures supporting up to 14TB or 16TB, whereas others max out at 1TB, guiding your choice based on your storage needs.
We recognize the importance of an informed decision beyond merely choosing from a list. Hence, we’ve also crafted a detailed “Buying Guide” that explores essential considerations for selecting the most suitable enclosure for your needs.
10 Best External Hard Drive Enclosure
| Best External Hard Drive Enclosure | Supported drives | Connectivity | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SABRENT External Hard Drive Enclosure | 2.5” SATA/SSD | USB 3.0 | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure | 2.5” SATA/SSD | USB 3.0 | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| ADATA External Hard Drive Enclosure | 2.5” SATA/SSD | USB 3.1 | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Inateck External Hard Drive Enclosure | 2.5” SATA/SSD | USB 3.0 | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| ORICO External Hard Drive Enclosure | 3.5 inch SATA I/II/III HDD/SSD | USB 3.0 | 18 months long | Check On Amazon |
| RSHTECH External Hard Drive Enclosure | 3.5-inch SATA I, SATA II, and SATA III HDDs | USB 3.0 | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| RSHTECH RSH-339 External Hard Drive Enclosure | 3.5 inch SATA I/II/III HDD/SSD | USB 3.0 | 18 months long | Check On Amazon |
| ineo External Hard Drive Enclosure | 2.5” SATA/SSD | USB 3.1 | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| StarTech External Hard Drive Enclosure | 2.5” SATA/SSD | USB 3.0 | 2 year long | Check On Amazon |
Best External Hard Drive Enclosure Reviews
1. SABRENT External Hard Drive Enclosure
The first option on the list comes from SABRENT which is one of the top brands and also the highest-rated on the market right now.
These hard drive enclosures come in quite an attractive design with a black color scheme that looks quite attractive. If we speak of the installation, there’s no need for any tools as you can simply put your hard drive in there and join the connectors, then close the housing. The good part is that it supports all standard notebook 2.5 inches SATA hard drives, and is also optimized to support SSD options also.
The enclosure features a USB 3.0 port which can deliver data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps with USB 3.0 connections, and up to 480Mbps with USB 2.0 connections. Apart from that, no additional driver installation is needed and you can use this drive with any of the operating systems.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.0 connectivity
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- USB 3.0 cable comes in the package
- Plug and play operation
- Backward-compatible with USB 2.0 or 1.1
Cons
- Build quality seems quite average
2. UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure
Coming up to the next hard drive enclosure option on this list, this one comes from UGREEN which is yet another popular brand in the market, popular for its budget-friendly offerings.
The construction of this hard drive appears to be very solid and robust. In fact, like the previous one, this one also supports all standard 2.5 inches SATA hard drives and SSDs also. Thanks to the USB 3.0 interface, it can fetch you data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps which is quite good. The max supported hard drive size by this enclosure is 6TB which you will have to keep in mind.
Apart from that, the installation is quite simple and it works fine with all operating systems smoothly, without needing any driver installation. In addition, despite being such an affordable option, it still comes with a 1-year warranty as well.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.0 connectivity
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Robust and Solid construction
- Easy installation
- Backward-compatible with USB 2.0 or 1.1
Cons
- Not ideal for high-capacity hard drives with more than 6TB space
3. ADATA External Hard Drive Enclosure
ADATA is one such brand that is quite popular for providing rugged hard drive options in the market. However, this time we have a rugged hard drive enclosure option which you should not miss out on checking.
If you look at the design and its build, it’s one of the toughest hard drive enclosures that you will find in the entire market. Built from high-quality ABS material, this enclosure is designed to survive drops and shocks very easily. On top of that, it also comes with IP54 water & dust resistance rating to prove its worth.
The tool-free installation allows you to easily plug in any 2.5 inches SATA/SSD into this enclosure and use it without any complications. If we talk about the features, this enclosure is capable of handling drives up to 5TB capacity. And, thanks to the USB 3.1 connectivity, the data transfer rates can go as high as 5Gbps. So, if you are looking out for a rugged enclosure for your SSD or HDD, this one is the best to go with.
Best Features
- IP54 water & dust resistance
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.1 connectivity
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Shock vibration resistant design
- Tool-free design
- Backward-compatible with USB 2.0 or 1.1
Cons
- Quite heavy
4. Inateck External Hard Drive Enclosure
Coming up to the next product on our list, we have quite an affordable hard drive enclosure offered by Inateck which we think is actually quite a good deal to grab if you are on a budget.
The sliding mechanism of this hard drive enclosure is quite cool and simple to use, and you can just easily slip in any 2.5” SATA/SSD drive into the enclosure. Apart from that, what we like the most about this hard drive enclosure is that it has a very sleek and slim body which makes it quite handy and a portable choice for you.
The compatibility with the computers is great as it works with almost all the operating systems, and there’s not even any need for additional drivers to make it work. In addition, it also features a super-speed USB 3.0 connector that is capable of delivering data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps which is quite good. Not just that, it’s also compatible with previous-generation USB connections that makes it highly versatile.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.0 connectivity
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Slim and Sleek design
- Very lightweight and handy
- No additional drivers needed
Cons
- Only supports up to 2TB hard drives
5. ORICO External Hard Drive Enclosure
Next up, we have this very unique-looking option available here from ORICO which makes a wide range of hard drive enclosure options, all of which are pretty good in quality.
This hard drive enclosure is quite unique as it comes with a transparent body which gives a very appealing look when you load your hard drive into it. Speaking of its features, this enclosure features a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port that is capable of delivering fast data transfer speeds up to 6Gbps.
On the other hand, if we talk about its compatibility, you can use any 2.5 inches SATA HDDs or SSDs with this enclosure, it’ll work with all of them. Moreover, it has support for all operating systems as well. However, what you have to keep in mind is that you can only use hard drives with up to 4TB capacity with this hard drive enclosure. In addition, you also get a 1-year warranty for this product which is a great gesture by the brand.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.1 Type-C connectivity
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Transparent design
- Handy and portable
- Has a fast-speed Type-C port
Cons
- Only supports hard drives up to 4TB
6. RSHTECH External Hard Drive Enclosure
RSHTECH is one such brand that is highly specialized in designing hard drive enclosures of various kinds, and also sells various other computer accessories as well.
Since it’s one of the most reliable brands in the market, we have picked up this decent hard drive enclosure for you which supports all kinds of 3.5 inches SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs up to 16TB which is quite amazing. Not just that, since high-capacity drives need an external power source, you also get an AC power adapter included in the box which you can use with this hard drive enclosure.
Speaking of its design, we feel it’s a bit bulky as it’s made for larger drives, however, the build quality has no issues and it looks quite robust as well. For the connectivity, you will find a USB 3.0 connector on this enclosure that will help your drive reach data transfer speeds up to 6Gbps. If you are concerned about its compatibility, this enclosure works on all operating systems including Windows 2000/XP/ VISTA/ Windows 7/ 8 /10/ Linux/ Mac 9.0 or above. Moreover, the warranty offered by RSHTECH on this hard drive enclosure is 18 months which is better than most other brands offer.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.0 connectivity
- Comes with 18 months long warranty
Pros
- Speeds up to 6Gbps
- Premium build quality
- Quick installation process
Cons
- A little heavy and bulky
7. RSHTECH RSH-339 External Hard Drive Enclosure
As we said earlier, RSHTECH is a highly specialized brand in making hard drive enclosures and has a wide range of options available to choose from. So, here’s another one that you can check out.
Unlike the previous option that we just discussed, this one has a slightly unique design as it’s entirely made of aluminum which makes it one of the most premium-quality options on this list. Apart from the build quality, the rest of the features are pretty much similar as it is also designed to work with 3.5 inches SATA I/II/III /HDDs and SSDs up to 16 TB capacity.
On top of that, it also supports UASP which lets it deliver fast speeds up to 6Gbps through its USB 3.0 connector. Speaking of compatibility, you can use this with any PC, with any OS installed on it. In fact, the installation is quite simple, and you will find all the accessories already present in the package.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 3.5 inches SATA I/II/III /HDDs and SSDs up to 16 TB
- Uses USB 3.0 connectivity
- Comes with 18 months long warranty
Pros
- Aluminum body
- Premium design
- Fast data transfer speeds
Cons
- A little pricey
8. ineo External Hard Drive Enclosure
For those who are looking for a premium rugged hard drive enclosure, do not miss out to check this amazing deal from INEO as it’s one of the best and most durable options you will find on this list.
This enclosure is loved for its high build quality mostly because it features a robust silicon frame, and also comes with an aluminum cover screwed on top for additional rigidity. Not only that, it has been passed through MIL-STD-810 military-grade drop tests, and also features IP6X dustproof and IPX6 waterproof ratings also. Moreover, one of the most amazing facts about this enclosure is that it comes with integrated cable, so there’s no risk of losing it anywhere.
Coming over to its performance, the enclosure has an ample amount of space to fit in any SATA 2.5 inch hard drive and SSD options. That being said, it doesn’t even require any external power source. So, you can just plug it right into your PC and share your files at over 10Gbps speeds using the USB 3.1 connector.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.0 connectivity
- IP6X dustproof and IPX6 waterproof
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Aluminum cover on top
- Speeds up to 10Gbps
- MIL-STD-810 military-grade quality
Cons
- A bit costly
9. StarTech External Hard Drive Enclosure
Last but not the least, we have yet another decent hard drive enclosure to discuss which is offered by Startech, one of the most well-known brands that make a wide range of computer accessories, cables, adapters, and much more.
From such a versatile brand, we have chosen this hard drive enclosure to include on this list for you. This enclosure has quite an appealing look and even the build quality is very impressive. Hence, if you are out in the market looking for a compact and lightweight option, it’s one of the best ones that you can check out. It comes with a USB 3.0 connector and is suitable for all 2.5” SATA/SSD drives.
Depending on the capability of your hard drive, it can transfer data at speeds up to 5Gbps which is very good. Moreover, the enclosure opens up right away and it’s a very simple process to install the storage drive in it. On top of that, its broad compatibility with all the operating systems makes it totally worth it’s pricing.
Best Features
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD
- Uses USB 3.0 connectivity
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Pros
- Compact design
- Very lightweight
- Highly durable
Cons
- Works up to 1TB drives only
Buying Guide For The Best External Hard Drive Enclosure
Hard drive enclosures provide a fantastic solution that helps you convert the internal SATA hard drives into external portable ones. So, as you can see, we have already put some of the best options on the list for you, you can compare them very easily as all the important information is also provided alongside.
However, if you are not aware of such products and don’t know much about them, picking the right one for yourself can be a complicated task. Thus, we have explained all the important information related to hard drive enclosures in this buying guide so that you can know about them properly, and choose a suitable option for yourself from the list. That being said, let’s go through each and every point one by one!
1. Supported Drive Size
Internal PC drives do come in different form-factors such as 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches. While both the drives work using the same connectors, they differ in size as well as storage capacity also. That is why larger capacity drives are usually 3.5 inches in size whereas the latter only has a 2.5 inches form factor.
So, whenever you lookout to buy a new hard drive enclosure, make sure you buy one that suits the form-factor of your hard drive. For instance, if you have a 2.5 inches SSD or HDD, you have to buy the same size enclosure to use with the hard drive. And, the same is the case with larger hard drives, you will need to purchase a 3.5 inch compatible hard drive enclosure if you have a big hard drive.
2. Storage Supported
One of the most major facts that most people usually forget to check is if the enclosure supports the hard drive or not. Not in the terms of size, but in the terms of their storage capacities. Hard drive enclosures only support hard drives only up to a certain storage capacity. For instance, let’s say you have a 5TB hard drive, and the max capacity supported by the enclosure is up to 2TB only, you won’t be able to use your 5TB hard drive with that enclosure. Hence, it’s quite important to check beforehand.
3. Connectivity
To have a fast experience using the hard drive enclosure, you must take a look at the connector which is used. Most hard drive enclosures these days come with USB 3.1 or USB 3.0 connectors which are considered to be one of the fastest mediums of data transfer. USB 3.1 and 3.0 ports are capable of delivering fast speeds up to 10Gbps, 5Gbps, etc., depending on whether it’s a Gen 2 or Gen 1 port. However, do keep in mind that your drive should also be able to work up to these standards. In case your hard drive only offers data transfer speeds up to 100MBps, a 5Gbps port won’t make any difference in its performance.
4. Compatibility
If you want to use your hard drive with a particular operating system such as MacOS X, Linux, or even Windows, you will have to confirm if the enclosure is compatible to work with them or not. Although if you choose to pick a hard drive enclosure from our list, you won’t have to pay much attention to it. Because we have only included those options in our list which are highly versatile and work with all the operating systems seamlessly.
5. Warranty
Lastly, the things that you should be concerned about are the build quality and the warranty. For the build quality, you can ensure if the enclosure is built from good materials and is tough enough to last for a long time. However, there’s no way to test out the durability of the chipsets present inside. That is why it is very important to consider the options which come with a warranty so that if the drive enclosure experiences any fault, you will be able to get a replacement from the brand without paying a single extra penny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. No, that’s just a myth that most people believe in. Hard Drive enclosures just provide your SATA hard drive a medium to communicate with your laptop/PC via the USB port. However, as far as the data transfer speed is concerned, it totally depends on how capable your drive actually is. If your drive has the capability to deliver 10 Gbps speed, you will have to choose an enclosure that supports such speeds to have the best experience. However, if you choose a 10Gbps capable enclosure while your drive’s only capable of offering 5Gbps speed only, you won’t see any performance gain.
Ans. Yes, Hard drive enclosures also support SSDs, as long as the SSD has a SATA connector port because that’s what HDDs use, and most enclosures are designed that way only.
Ans. That depends on which generation of USB 3.1 we are comparing. In terms of speed, both the USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 are pretty fast as compared to conventional USB 2.0 ports. But, when we compare them with each other, you have to check whether it’s a Gen 2 or Gen 1 port. USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.0 ports are both quite fast and capable of delivering up to 5Gbps speeds. However, if we talk about USB 3.1 Gen 2, it’s almost two times better than USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.0 as it delivers up to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds.
Conclusion
As we conclude our article, we hope you found our roundup of the top hard drive enclosures informative and helpful.
Should you need more assistance, our buying guide is available to clarify any doubts. If decision-making seems daunting, consider our personal picks:
- For an affordable yet versatile option, the UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure is our top recommendation.
- If aesthetics and performance are your priorities, the ORICO External Hard Drive Enclosure stands out with its transparent design.
- For those with 3.5-inch drives, the RSHTECH External Hard Drive Enclosure is unmatched.
Choose based on your specific needs and preferences for the best experience.
