The SSD accessories category covers external SSD enclosures, adapters, mounting brackets, hot-swap drive bays and other parts needed to connect or install a drive. It suits anyone who wants to turn an SSD into a portable drive or fit it into an older PC or server. Our range has over 200 products, including AXAGON, ICY DOCK, DELOCK and ICY BOX.
How to choose an SSD accessory
Type of accessory. If the SSD will be used as an external drive, choose an enclosure with a USB connector. A bracket is enough to fit a 2.5-inch drive into a 3.5-inch bay, and an M.2 drive can be added to a PC without an M.2 slot using an expansion card or adapter. If you swap drives often, a hot-swap bay lets you pull a drive out without a screwdriver.
Drive format and interface. M.2 SSDs can be SATA or NVMe, even though the slot looks similar. Many enclosures support only one of the two, some work with both, so read the product description before buying. A 2.5-inch SSD is almost always SATA.
Connection speed. A USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) enclosure is enough for a SATA SSD. An NVMe drive needs 10 Gbps or faster, such as USB4 or Thunderbolt, to show its speed. An enclosure with USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) will limit it, and the port on your computer must support the same standard.
Cooling and casing. NVMe drives get hot, especially when copying large files. An aluminium casing with a thermal pad helps avoid a drop in speed, while a plastic enclosure suits lighter, occasional use.
Space and thickness. When installing inside a PC case or server, check that the bay fits a 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch slot. 2.5-inch drives come in 7 mm and 9.5 mm thicknesses, and not every bracket suits both.
Brands in our range
- AXAGON: a Czech manufacturer known for USB adapters, external drive enclosures and hubs.
- ICY DOCK: specialises in hot-swap drive bays and racks that fit into 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch slots.
- ICY BOX: makes external drive enclosures and docking-station style products for SSDs and other drives.
- DELOCK: known for cables, adapters and converters for computer connections, including M.2 and SATA.
- STARTECH and FANTEC: STARTECH offers adapters, cables and docking stations, while FANTEC, a German manufacturer, is known for external drive enclosures.
- GEMBIRD and INLINE: cables and adapters for everyday use, such as SATA and USB connections.
- INTER-TECH: a German company that makes PC cases and drive mounting frames.
Also in our range: DELL, LC-POWER, SUPERMICRO.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NVMe and SATA M.2 enclosures?
An NVMe enclosure is made for M.2 drives that use the PCIe interface, while a SATA M.2 enclosure is made for drives that use SATA. The slot can look similar, but an NVMe drive will not work in a SATA-only enclosure, and the reverse is also true. Some enclosures support both types, which is stated in the product description.
Does an SSD enclosure make the drive slower?
An enclosure only limits speed when its interface is slower than the drive. For example, an NVMe SSD in an enclosure with a 5 Gbps USB connection will run slower than it could. If the enclosure and the computer's port both match the drive's capability, the difference is small.
Can I use an old laptop SSD as an external drive?
Yes, a suitable enclosure or USB adapter is all you need. Find out the drive format (2.5-inch SATA, M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe) and choose the accessory to match. Before reusing a drive, it is worth copying off or erasing any data left on it.
How do I fit a 2.5-inch SSD into a 3.5-inch bay?
Use a 2.5 to 3.5-inch bracket or frame: screw the drive into it, then slide the frame into the 3.5-inch bay. The drive connects with the usual SATA data and power cables. Check before buying that the bracket suits the thickness of your drive.
