In recent times, hard drives are prevalent for digital storage. The built-in storage capacities in digital devices may not be sufficient to store your huge data. When buying a hard drive, you also need to think about its protection. An external hard drive enclosure is a plastic or metal housing that protects the drive against damage. One of the best things is that they can hold multiple drives at a time. Also, they support the connection of the drive to a host computer.
The best enclosure enables you to simply pop in on single or several older drives. Subsequently, you can easily connect them to your PC very easily. There is no need for extra tools for protection. Generally, the good quality drive enclosures are compatible with older hard disks. So, you need not purchase a pre-built external drive. To make a perfect choice, take a look at the article below on the best external hard drive enclosures:
Bestseller External Hard Drive Enclosures On Amazon:
Feature to key consider for external hard drive enclosures:
The below factors help you make a wise decision for the external hard drive enclosures:
Transfer rates:
The hard drive enclosures are meant to protect the drives without any compromise in the performance. The transfer rate is the prime feature of every external hard drive. Make sure the enclosure you choose makes no degradation in the data transfer rate. It is usually expressed in Gbps.
It is worth noting that the USB transfer rates will decrease depending on the number of USB devices active in the system. For example, if multiple USB devices are operating in sync, the transfer rate gets divided by the motherboard. The same takes place with the eSATA format. Many external hard drive enclosures support different transfer rates for different USB interfaces. For example, the rates can be different for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Some good quality enclosures support data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps.
Installation:
The proper setup is vital to ensure full protection of the drive. Many of these enclosures come with an easy installation mechanism with plug & play interface. There is no need for drivers or any extra tools. The need may arise to install some software for the proper use. However, in many of the hard drive enclosures, there is no need for software installation. To ensure stability and safety, some manufacturers install a shock-resistant sponge on the bottom cap.
Other features:
Several extra features enable you to use the enclosure more effectively. In some of them, you may find multiple drives along with backup features. For instance, offline cloning is a wonderful feature to have. It facilitates the passive transfer of information from one drive to another. Some enclosures let you just pop the drives in and allowing you to create a backup without a drop in performance. The presence of LEDs is an extra feature to display the information.
List of 10 Best External Hard Drive Enclosures in 2021:
![Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Lay-Flat Docking Station for 2.5 or 3.5in HDD, SSD [Support UASP] (EC-DFLT)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51S+2nr3moL._SL160_.jpg)
![ORICO Toolfree USB 3.0 to SATA External 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure Case for 3.5 SATA HDD and SSD[Support UASP and 16TB Drives]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ZNjCdTfpL._SL160_.jpg)
![Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Lay-Flat Docking Station with Built-in Cooling Fan for 2.5 or 3.5in HDD, SSD [Support UASP and 6TB] (EC-DFFN)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41w1HlmJwtL._SL160_.jpg)
10. Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Docking Station:
Now swapping hard drives is simpler than ever with this Sabrent docking station. It is fundamentally a caseless solution to meet this need. Certainly, it offers full protection to your drive without compromising on performance. The enclosure is found compatible with every 2.5 and 3.5-inch SATA drives. The connection is easy to establish through SuperSpeed USB 3.0. Once this connection is established, the maximum speed is up to 10 times that with USB 2.0. Furthermore, UASP provides even speedier performance.
The included serial ATA bus supports the speed of up to 6 Gbps. The corresponding signal bandwidth allows quick backups. Acronis True Image is available as a free download for Sabrent software. It helps for easy cloning. For ease of operation, an on/off power switch is available. Through LED light, you can know the status of activity and power. One great feature is the docking station is compatible with USB 1.1 and USB 2.0.
Pros:
- No need for drivers’ installation
- LED light offers an easy interface
- Fast transfer rate
Why We Liked It?
It benefits you with a super-fast speed of USB 3.0 for the quick transfer of huge data.
9. ORICO 2.5 USB 3 External Hard Drive Enclosure:
When it comes to quick data transfer rate, this ORICO enclosure is so much useful. It is basically
a 2.5 hard drive enclosure. The build quality is sturdy with the use of quality PC material which is transparent. The transparent design of the SSD case lets you glance at the interior of the drive. Through this enclosure, you can easily connect an old 2.5-inch SATA hard drive. Subsequently, there will be a smooth transfer of files from one PC to another. Also, the transfer will be allowed o another laptop or PS4 or a new USB hard drive.
To enable a flexible connection, a USB-A cable is included. The plug & play interface demands zero installation of drivers. Simply take out the cover, connect in the drive, and shut down the cover. On the LED indicator, you can know about the different parameters of the enclosure. With the USB 3.0 interface, the maximum data transfer speed is 5 Gbps. Also, you can connect the enclosure with USB 2.0 or 1.1 ports.
Pros:
- Allows flexible connection
- Tool-free installation
- Indicators show working status
Why We Liked It?
We admire the fast transfer rate with various USB interfaces.
8. Inateck 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure – External Hard Drive Enclosures:
Quick backup is important to look at when buying an enclosure for a hard drive. This Inateck product includes an ASM1153E chipset for the same. It supports SATA III with a speed of up to 6 Gbps signal bandwidth. Generally, the enclosure supports all the standard 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA I/II/III drives. The maximum storage space of these drives must be up to 10 TB. The enclosure also possesses backward compatibility with USB 2.0/1.1.
Inateck uses a durable aluminum alloy to make it lightweight yet solid. This alloy makes your drive portable. The structure also highlights an interior layer of PU leather. It is slip-resistant and scratch-resistant. On each of the 4 corners, non-slip rubber pads are available. Some other features of this enclosure are hot-swappable and plug & play. There is no dependence on extra drivers. What’s more, a 12V/2A power adapter offers a steady power supply. You can easily determine working status from the blue and green LED lights.
Pros:
- Efficient heat dissipation
- Ultra-lightweight beautiful design
- Resists scratches
Why We Liked External Hard Drive Enclosures?
The exquisite and lightweight design makes it versatile.
7. ORICO Tool-free USB 3.0 to SATA External 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure:
The aforementioned ORICO enclosure works as a case for 3.5-inch SATA HDDs and SSDs. Typically, it is compatible with most 3.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs or SSDs with 16 TB of space. The operating systems it can work with are Macintosh, Windows, Linux, and Unix PCs. Additionally, there is support for UASP. Due to the simple plug & play interface, there is no need for drivers. To employ fast data transfer, the maximum rate it supports is 5 Gbps.
In the manufacturing, metal and ABS plastic are used. They ensure lasting performance and durability. Moreover, the 12V/2A power adapter gives out a steady power supply. A sponge is fixed at the base cap of the enclosure. Its surface is shock-proof, so it makes your drive stable and safe. The box contains this enclosure, a power adapter, a USB 3.0 data cable, and a user manual.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Tool-free installation
- High stability and safety
Why We Liked It?
To save time, it comes with the simplicity of installation and disassembly.
6. RSHTECH USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Enclosure:
Presented in form of a caddy, this product is basically a 3.5-inch HDD caddy. It contains a USB 3.0 cable that allows super-fast data transfer of up to 6 Gbps. Also, there is UASP support. Particularly the plug and play convenience makes this enclosure multipurpose. It is because it cuts down time for installation. The reliability and portability makes it versatile. So, you can use it at home, office, or any outdoor place. The need may arise to extend the external storage of devices like TV, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc. For such needs, you can use this HDD caddy.
One key protection feature it includes is the latest ASM1153e master chip. It saves on power consumption. Using the available 12V/2A power supply, the transmission will be always stable. Some extra features are leakage protection and protection against short circuits. Hence, there will be zero data loss.
Pros:
- Stable transmission mechanism
- Multiple protection features
- Quick and easy installation
Why We Liked It?
We like the full protection it employs for compatible drives.
5. UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure:
For 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SATA SSDs and HDDs, this enclosure works well. It is found compatible with USB 3.0 and SATA interfaces. Due to wide compatibility, you can use it with TVs, PS4, Xbox, etc. It is straightforward to make a connection to a laptop or PC or other devices. Consequently, there will be an enormous transfer of data at a fast pace.
Your hard drive stays protected against scratches and wear & tear. When working with the USB 3.0 interface, the highest data transfer rate is 5 Gbps. To save installation time, it allows plug and play convenience.
Pros:
- Compatible with various devices
- No extra tools needed
- Useful for massive data transfer
Why We Liked External Hard Drive Enclosures?
The power supply is reliable and stable for a huge transfer of data.
4. Unitek Aluminum External Hard Drive Docking Station:
Through this well-built docking station, you can protect a wide range of hard drives. Specifically, it supports every 2.5-inch/3.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs. It employs a plug & play interface without requiring drivers. The body of the aluminum case is extremely durable. The super-fast USB 3.0 interface enables maximum data transfer pace up to 5 Gbps. One unique aspect is the enclosure is backward compatible with USB2.0 and 1.1. To save power, it includes an automatic sleep mode. This mode turns on after detecting 30 minutes of inactivity.
The docking station support UASP and SATA with speeds up to 6 Gbps. Using this product, you can clone a hard drive. No need to connect it to a PC. Hence, duplication of files and data is easy from one hard drive to another. The pack comprises a 3.9 feet data cable, a 12V/3A power adapter, and a user manual.
Pros:
- Can clone existing hard drive
- Allows fast data transfer
- The aluminum case makes it durable
Why We Liked It?
Compared to the typical USB 3.0, the speed is quite faster.
3. Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive:
For 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch HDDs and SSDs, you can use this Sabrent docking station. Its unique component is the cooling fan to make sure the drives run cool. This fan offers great reliability and also boosts the longevity of the HDDs. The caseless solution makes it easy to swap hard drives. The design shows a folding top to protect the drive during use.
Pros:
- Easy to swap hard drives
- No need for software installation
- Does not generate much heat
Why We Liked External Hard Drive Enclosures?
We admire the cooling efficiency.
2. External Hard Drive Enclosure – RSHTECH USB C Hard Drive Enclosure:
Every enclosure for an external hard drive doesn’t support various protection features. This RSHTECH enclosure has aluminum housing for durability and protection. The plug and play interface does not need drivers. Inside the structure, the ASM1153e master chip reduces power consumption. It also leads to steady data transmission.
To save energy, the enclosure enters sleep mode. It does this when there is the inactivity of data access for 10 seconds.
Pros:
- Multiple protection features
- Fast and stable transmission
- LED indicator included
Why We Liked It?
We like the ease of reading the power status.
1. ORICO Hard Drive Docking Station, Support 16TB:
For 2.5-inch/3.5-inch HDDs and SSDs SATA I/II/III drives, consider using this docking station. It can support a maximum of 16 TB capacity of the drive in use. Generally, its application includes formatting, data recovery, backup, batch processing data, etc. You can connect it with most operating systems. The 360° design keeps the drive cool.
Pros:
- Perfect for backup of data
- Excellent heat dissipation
- Easy to install and remove
Why We Liked External Hard Drive Enclosure?
Its stable data transfer indicates versatility.
Concluding Note:
The external hard drive enclosures come with great compatibility with various external hard drive types. They fully protect them and also assure fast data transfer.
