Drive bays and enclosures: hot-swap trays, mounting frames and adapters for 2.5 and 3.5 inch drives, external drive enclosures and server drive carriers. The category suits anyone building a PC, expanding a NAS or maintaining a server. Our range is led by COREPARTS, ICY DOCK, INTER-TECH and FANTEC.
How to choose a drive bay or enclosure
Drive size and space in the case. Start with the drives you will use (2.5 or 3.5 inch) and the free bays in your case. Many drive bays fit a 5.25 inch slot, while mounting frames let a 2.5 inch drive sit in a 3.5 inch position.
Interface. A SATA bay suits SATA hard drives and SSDs, while an NVMe SSD needs a bay or enclosure that explicitly supports NVMe (M.2 or U.2). Servers often use SAS as well, so check the controller or motherboard first.
Hot-swap and cooling. A hot-swap bay lets you remove a drive without shutting the system down, provided the controller and operating system support it. Several drives in one bay generate heat, so look at the fan, its noise level and whether the trays lock with a key.
Connection of external enclosures. Enclosures with USB or Thunderbolt differ in transfer speed, and a slow connection holds back a fast SSD. If you will use the drive often, choose a newer USB standard.
Compatibility with your hardware. Server and NAS trays are often made for specific models, so compare the device and tray designations before buying. Universal bays fit standard PC cases with a free 5.25 inch slot.
Brands we carry
- ICY DOCK: known for hot-swap bays for 5.25 and 3.5 inch slots, as well as SATA and NVMe SSD solutions.
- ICY BOX and FANTEC: make external drive enclosures, docking stations and internal drive bays for PCs and NAS systems.
- INTER-TECH: best known for PC cases and accessories, so its frames and bays are made for standard case slots.
- OWC: specialises in storage and expansion for Mac computers, including Thunderbolt enclosures.
- SYNOLOGY and SUPERMICRO: Synology is known for NAS devices and Supermicro for server platforms, and their drive trays are made for those systems.
- LENOVO: a maker of servers and workstations, so its drive carriers are meant for its own hardware.
- COREPARTS: a supplier of computer spare parts and accessories, with the largest number of products in this category.
Also in our range: CONCEPTRONIC, LC POWER and GRAUGEAR.
Frequently asked questions about drive bays and enclosures
What is the difference between a drive bay and an external enclosure?
A drive bay is installed inside a PC or server and connects to the motherboard or controller, while an external enclosure is a separate device with a USB or Thunderbolt connection. Choose a bay when the drive should stay in the system or be swapped often. An enclosure is handy when you need to carry a drive or connect it to different computers.
Will a 2.5 inch drive fit in a 3.5 inch bay?
Yes, if you use an adapter or frame made for 2.5 inch drives. Some bays have universal mounting holes for both sizes. Before buying, check the supported formats and drive thickness in the product description.
What does hot-swap mean?
Hot-swap means you can insert or remove a drive without switching the computer off. It needs a bay, a controller or motherboard, and an operating system that all support the feature. It is useful in servers and NAS systems, where a failed drive should be replaced without downtime.
Will an NVMe SSD work in a SATA bay?
No. An NVMe SSD uses a different interface from SATA, so it needs a bay or enclosure with NVMe support. M.2 drives can be either SATA or NVMe, so check the exact type of your drive.
