Best Computer Hard Drive Enclosures in 2022

Last update: January 19, 2023

Can a hard drive last 20 years?

A hard drive can theoretically last forever. However, there are many factors that can shorten its lifespan, such as heat, humidity, physical stress, and power surges. The average lifespan of a hard drive is about 10 years. However, some hard drives have been known to last 20 years or more.

Can I insert my old hard drive into my new computer and have it working without reinstalling Windows?

If you're upgrading from one generation of Windows to the next (e.g. from Windows 7 to Windows 10), you'll need to reinstall Windows on your new computer. However, if you're moving from an older computer to a new one with the same generation of Windows, you should be able to simply insert your old hard drive into your new computer and have it working without reinstalling Windows.

Can I use HDD enclosure for SSD?

Yes, you can use an HDD enclosure for SSDs. There are a few things to keep in mind, however. First, make sure that the enclosure is compatible with the specific SSD you are using. Second, SSDs are typically faster than HDDs, so the enclosure should be able to support the increased speed. Lastly, SSDs typically use less power than HDDs, so the enclosure should be able to accommodate the lower power consumption.

Can I use my old hard drive in a new computer?

You should be able to if it is the right type of hard drive. If it is an IDE hard drive, you will need an IDE to USB converter in order to connect it to your computer. If it is a SATA hard drive, then you will need a SATA to USB converter.


Corsair Dual SSD Mounting Bracket 3.5" CSSD-BRKT2 Review:


I now own three SSDs. My desktop has more than enough space for a single SSD mount, but I needed airflow around every component of my PC to make sure they lasted as long as possible. This twin mount worked well. The is excellent. It is composed of aluminum, and while installing a screw, it slipped and slightly deformed one corner. It was easily bent back; no issue.The only thing I can say that can be considered a drawback is that it protrudes further from the container than a standard 3.5 "hard drive is seated. Possibly approximately 1/8 "or so. There is more than enough space for air to flow about in my desktop case, so there is no need to worry.Overall, the fact that this product can hold two SSDs at once is enough for me to buy it again.



ORICO 2.5 USB 3 External Hard Drive Enclosure Casing for 2.5 inch 7mm/9.5mm SATA HDD SSD Support UASP SATA III Max 2TB Tool-Free Design - Clear Review:


The transparent plastic casing of this enclosure sets it apart from the majority of others and is ideal for geeks who want to peek inside. As promised, the installation method requires no tools; all you need to do is slide back the top cover and insert a 2.5" disk. How well the cover will hold up over time is still up in the air.The provided cable is useless; in addition to being short, it didn't seem to provide enough power to successfully turn on my old Seagate Momentus 7200.4 disk. However, my AmazonBasics USB 3.0 cable functions properly with the same drive and case.Chipset/Performance: The Norelsys NS1068X, a contemporary USB 3.0-SATA bridge chip that supports UASP, is used in this particular container. Even though the aforementioned Seagate Momentus 7200.4 drive is an outdated, slow disk that was manufactured in 2009, I was able to maximize its performance. On Windows 10, everything functions well for me, but according on what I've read, the NS1068X may present issues when used with UASP on Linux platforms.Overall, this is a good product; the only drawback is the inferior USB 3.0 cable that came with it. The enclosure itself is outstanding in terms of both appearances and functionality.



UGREEN USB C Hard Drive Enclosure USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C to SATA External Hard Drive Disk Case Adapter Housing for 9.5mm 7mm 2.5 Inch SATA I II III, PS4, HDD, SSD, 6Gbps Fast Speed UASP Tool Free Review:


Currently, I have two of these enclosures, and they serve my needs. When I just had one and needed to transfer drives in and out, the tool-free design came in handy. They have served as both a test OS for my desktop and my PS4 respectively. I cannot comment for HDDs and the concerns that pertain to them because both contain SSDs (e.g., heat).In contrast to some of the other reviews, I haven't experienced any problems utilizing the connections they provided (which I'm using for the drive connected to my PS4). Perhaps there was ever a QA problem. I'm not sure.I haven't tested the speed, but if they are being truthful about the ASMedia ASM235CM-QFN48 controller they are using, I have no doubts that it can achieve 6Gbps.If durability is an issue for you (it's made entirely of plastic), you might want to explore elsewhere.On the second drive I purchased, their packaging had improved noticeably, and I was pleasantly surprised. (Though, to be fair, the *style* of the package would never influence my choice of purchase.)



ORICO USB3.0 to SATA III 2.5" External Hard Drive Enclosure for 7mm and 9.5mm 2.5 Inch SATA HDD/SSD Tool Free [UASP Supported] Black(2189U3) Review:


Don't believe these reviews that claim the enclosure is defective.There are only two issues with this enclosure:1. It's obvious from their use of Windows, Google, or YouTube that they are computer novices (let alone their brains).2. The manufacturer fails to provide instructions on how to get your hard disk to actually WORK.If it doesn't, you either received a dud because of a defective drive, a bad cable, or the enclosure itself.You'll be alright as long as all of your hardware functions.1. Insert your drive into the case and link it to the computer.2. Select Administrative Tools and select Disk Management (may also be Computer Management depending on your version of Windows).3. Search "How to Initialize a Hard Drive" on YouTube.There are many how-to videos available, and the most of them last no longer than 4-5 minutes.4. THINK. - -Two of my drives are Samsung 860 EVOs. Buy UGreen with one in this enclosure and one in the other.They both currently function quite well, and unless that changes, my review will remain unchanged.



ORICO Toolfree USB 3.0 to SATA External 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure Case for 3.5 SATA HDD and SSD[Support UASP and 12TB Drives] Review:


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Sabrent 2.5-Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool-Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP) Review:


My fiancé's hard disk malfunctioned. I wasn't particularly optimistic about ever seeing those files again in the absence of a recent backup. How was I expected to access the folders to get my information when the computer wouldn't even load the operating system? After looking into some professional recovery solutions, I quickly determined that I couldn't afford one and that the files weren't worth that much to me anyhow. What further options might there be? After conducting a brief google search, I discovered a hard drive enclosure that would enable the disk to be read as though it were an external hard drive. At ten dollars, I decided it was worth a try. I was unable to retrieve the files from a working computer after removing the hard drive and placing it in the enclosure because the drive was corrupt and unusable. With the exception of a few errant bad files along the way, the recovery program I downloaded was able to extract the files for me. In just over two hours, I was able to rescue 99% of the information for a mere $10. For the cost of a professional agency's recovery, I could have bought fifty enclosures or more. I've only had this product for three days, but it's already more than paid for itself. Once I replace the hard drive in my other computer, I hope to be able to utilize it for the purpose for which it was intended. I'm very pleased I made this purchase!



SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure Adapter, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) to NGFF NVME PCI-E M-Key Solid State Drive External Enclosure (Fits only NVMe PCIe 2242/2260/2280) Review:


I've been replacing the internal and external storage on my PC with SSD as their prices have dropped. My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 7570 running Windows 10 Pro 64-bit.For internal hard drive connected storage, my PC has an M.2 NVMe connection and a SATA 3 connection. I have a Samsung 500GB 960 EVO SSD for my operating system on the internal M.2 NVMe socket. This SSD is incredibly fast, with CrystalDiskMark reporting read and write rates of about 3300 and 1800 MB/s, respectively.I recently bought a 500GB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, which is advertised as one of the fastest external SSDs currently on the market. I was somewhat let down when CystalDiskMark reported SanDisk rates of 440 MB/sec when my internal Samsung EVO M.2 NVMe was hitting 3000 MB/sec speeds.Knowing the rapid speeds of M.2 NVMe SSDs, I bought this SSK enclosure to use in conjunction with a 512GB Intel 660p M.2 NVMe in the hopes of obtaining similar SSD speeds from my external storage as I was getting from my internal Samsung SSD. You quickly discover that, however, without the ability to directly connect the SSD to an M.2 NVMe connection, that is simply not possible. My computer has external USB 3.1 GEN 1 connectors, which can transfer data at a maximum theoretical speed of about 640MB/sec (ie 5Gbps). With this SSK case, the Intel 660p M.2 NMVe SSD achieves comparable speeds to the SanDisk Extreme SSD. As revealed by SanDisk's SSD Dashboard app, the SanDisk Extreme portable also has their 600X M.2 NMVe SSD within. Therefore, the speed barrier for these portable external devices is more likely the port on your PC that they are linked to than it is the SSD or interface controller (SSK enclosure) that they are connected to. If your computer has a USB 3.1 "Gen 2" connection capable of 10Gbps (1280 MB/sec) throughput speeds, you could be able to get a speed that is twice as fast as what I am experiencing with the USB 3.1 Gen 1 port. Additionally, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.0 rates are equivalent.It's interesting to note that I also bought a SanDisk 1TB Ultra Internal SSD with a SATA 3 connection. I discover that in addition to the SATA 3 interface converter, the SSD enclosure also has a SanDisk 600X M.2 NVMe SSD placed within the box. The inbuilt SATA 3 connection offered read rates of 550 MB/sec. As a result, my internal PC SSDs are faster than my external SSDs.The dimensions and construction of this SSK enclosure are good overall. It's longer but thinner than the SanDisk Extreme Portable in the picture I showed of them side by side. When connected to the same USB 3.1 Gen 1 port on my PC, they perform fairly similarly in terms of performance. I spent a total of $90 for the 512GB Intel 660p M.2 NVMe SSD and the $30 I spent on the SSK NVMe 2280 case. The 500GB SanDisk Extreme portable SSD cost me $90 as well. Thus, the overall cost remained unchanged. With the Intel SSD, I was able to replace the SanDisk with 11GB more storage. The only real advantage I can see to choosing between an external SSD that has already been built, like the SanDisk extreme, and a roll-your-own solution, like this SSK enclosure, is that as SSD sizes continue to grow and their prices continue to drop, the roll-your-own solution will enable me to upgrade my internal M.2 NVMe SSD in the future and save me about $30. While I'm glad the roll your own technique gave me speeds comparable to one of the best external SSD options, such as the SanDisk Extreme, I'm a little disappointed that I was unable to save any money with the roll your own solution.Comparison of endurance: There is a lot of muddle about the lifespan of SSDs that has to be cleared up. Usually, it comes down to the kind of NAND flash the SSD manufacturer utilizes. The least expensive TLC NAND has the shortest life expectancy. The type of NAND memory that SanDisk uses in their SSDs is not readily available. The newest, less expensive form of NAND, QLC NAND, has a longer lifespan than TLC NAND. I don't know what kind of NAND flash SanDisk is using, so I bought the Intel 660p SSD because it says it uses QLC NAND, thinking I was doing myself a favor. But as I went more into the specifications, I discovered that every manufacturer releases a "TBW" requirement. TeraByte's Written is TBW. The TBW is 100 for the Intel 660p. Given that the SSD has a storage capacity of 512GB, I should be able to fill up the Intel a total of 200 times before experiencing any issues. Since the SanDisk Extreme has a TBW of 200 and a similar 500GB capacity, I should be able to load it up 400 times before experiencing any issues. So even though I initially though I was doing myself a favor by making sure I got an SSD with QLC NAND by buying the Intel 660p SSD, it appears that is not the case.



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) Review:


Although I rate this Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure five stars, there are some restrictions. First off, the Seagate Barracuda 3TB drive that was designed for this container was formatted on my PC, which is equipped with an AMD FX-8350 processor and Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 motherboard. I removed the drive from my PC and put it in the Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure. I then plugged it in and connected it to the USB 3.0 port on my PC, but nothing ever appeared despite the sounds indicating that the OS acknowledged a USB connection. The drive was visible in Disk Management, but there was no drive letter assigned to it, and when you right-clicked to modify the drive letter, all options but Help were grayed out. When I finally searched "GPT Protective Partition" because that's what Disk Management indicated about this drive, I got a ton of hits for unhelpful information about different cases. After using diskpart to create a new partition and formatting my drive, which erased all the data (which I had previously backed up on a NAS), I was finally able to utilize my Seagate 3TB drive within the Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure. I'm not completely sure why I had to go through all that, but according to my research, there might be some problems with the AMD CPU/handling motherboard's of USB devices.The good news is that I did not get the results I was expecting when I ran CrystalDiskMark speed tests on the Seagate drive before (when it was directly connected to my Sata controller on my Gigabyte motherboard) and after (when it was installed in the Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure and connected to a USB 3.0 port). In the actual world, do we ever see speeds as high as Sata II's 6GB/s and USB 3.0's 5GB/s, especially with spindle hard drives? I was curious to see how the identical drive would perform within the Sabrent USB 3.0 because I had always assumed that a direct connection to a Sata wire off the motherboard would always produce the fastest results. What I discovered was a great surprise:My sequential rates when connected directly to the Sata on the motherboard were 142.0 MB/s Read and 133.6 MB/s Write.The sequential speeds when connected to USB 3.0 in the Sabrent container were 160.4MB/s Read and 156.1MB/s Write! That is about 13% and 17% faster on Read and Write, respectively.Only time will tell whether the enclosure will last for a very long time, but the fact that my drive is faster with this Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure makes the price well worth it. As others have noted, it may not be the greatest for a long-term drive storage choice, but for sitting on my desk, it should work just fine. The enclosure itself appears to be solidly built out of plastic; you flip the cover open and the drive slips in and out without the need for fastening it down.



Corsair SSD Mounting Bracket Kit 2.5" to 3.5" drive bay(CSSD-BRKT1) Review:


Although I rate this Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure five stars, there are some restrictions. First off, the Seagate Barracuda 3TB drive that was designed for this container was formatted on my PC, which is equipped with an AMD FX-8350 processor and Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 motherboard. I removed the drive from my PC and put it in the Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure. I then plugged it in and connected it to the USB 3.0 port on my PC, but nothing ever appeared despite the sounds indicating that the OS acknowledged a USB connection. The drive was visible in Disk Management, but there was no drive letter assigned to it, and when you right-clicked to modify the drive letter, all options but Help were grayed out. When I finally searched "GPT Protective Partition" because that's what Disk Management indicated about this drive, I got a ton of hits for unhelpful information about different cases. After using diskpart to create a new partition and formatting my drive, which erased all the data (which I had previously backed up on a NAS), I was finally able to utilize my Seagate 3TB drive within the Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure. I'm not completely sure why I had to go through all that, but according to my research, there might be some problems with the AMD CPU/handling motherboard's of USB devices.The good news is that I did not get the results I was expecting when I ran CrystalDiskMark speed tests on the Seagate drive before (when it was directly connected to my Sata controller on my Gigabyte motherboard) and after (when it was installed in the Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure and connected to a USB 3.0 port). In the actual world, do we ever see speeds as high as Sata II's 6GB/s and USB 3.0's 5GB/s, especially with spindle hard drives? I was curious to see how the identical drive would perform within the Sabrent USB 3.0 because I had always assumed that a direct connection to a Sata wire off the motherboard would always produce the fastest results. What I discovered was a great surprise:My sequential rates when connected directly to the Sata on the motherboard were 142.0 MB/s Read and 133.6 MB/s Write.The sequential speeds when connected to USB 3.0 in the Sabrent container were 160.4MB/s Read and 156.1MB/s Write! That is about 13% and 17% faster on Read and Write, respectively.Only time will tell whether the enclosure will last for a very long time, but the fact that my drive is faster with this Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosure makes the price well worth it. As others have noted, it may not be the greatest for a long-term drive storage choice, but for sitting on my desk, it should work just fine. The enclosure itself appears to be solidly built out of plastic; you flip the cover open and the drive slips in and out without the need for fastening it down.


Do I need HDD enclosure?

An HDD enclosure is a great way to protect your hard drive and keep it portable. If you have an older hard drive that you want to keep around, an enclosure can help keep it safe from damage. If you need to move your hard drive from one computer to another, an enclosure can make it easy to do so.

How do I know what hard drive enclosure I need?

There are a few things you need to consider when choosing a hard drive enclosure. First, you need to decide what interface you need. The most common interfaces are USB 3.0, eSATA, and Thunderbolt. USB 3.0 is the most common and is compatible with most computers. eSATA is faster than USB 3.0 but is not as widely compatible. Thunderbolt is the fastest interface but is only compatible with a limited number of computers. Second, you need to decide what size hard drive you need. The most common sizes are 2.5" and 3

How do I transfer everything from my computer to an external hard drive?

One of the most common ways to back up data is to copy it to an external hard drive. This method is relatively simple and inexpensive, and it gives you a lot of flexibility in how and where you store your backups. To transfer data from your computer to an external hard drive, you'll need to connect the hard drive to your computer using a USB cable. Once the hard drive is connected, you can copy files from your computer to the hard drive by dragging and dropping them into the hard drive's folder. You can also use backup software to automate the process of

How do I transfer everything from my old computer to my new computer Windows 10?

If you're upgrading to a new computer with Windows 10, you can transfer files and settings from your old computer using the Windows Easy Transfer tool. Here's how: 1. On your old computer, open the Windows Easy Transfer tool. 2. Select the option to create an Easy Transfer key, and then follow the instructions. 3. On your new computer, open the Windows Easy Transfer tool. 4. Select the option to use an Easy Transfer key, and then follow the instructions. 5. Once the transfer is complete, you can

How do I use an external hard drive enclosure?

An external hard drive enclosure is a great way to connect a hard drive to a computer. Most enclosures come with USB 3.0, which is the fastest way to connect a hard drive to a computer. To use an external hard drive enclosure, you will need to connect the hard drive to the enclosure using a SATA cable. Once the hard drive is connected to the enclosure, you can then connect the enclosure to the computer using a USB cable.

How do I use my old hard drive as storage?

If you have an old hard drive that you're not using, you can easily turn it into storage for your files. All you need is a USB hard drive enclosure, which you can get for around $20. Once you have the enclosure, just insert your hard drive and connect it to your computer via USB. You can then access your hard drive just like you would any other external drive, and use it to store files, music, photos, and more.