SSD extras

The SSD accessories category covers external SSD enclosures, M.2 and SATA adapters, mounting brackets, hot-swap drive bays and other items for connecting or fitting an SSD. It suits anyone who wants to turn a spare drive into portable storage, fit an SSD into a PC or change the connection type. DELOCK, ICY DOCK, AXAGON and ICY BOX account for most of the models.

How to choose an SSD accessory

Drive type. M.2 SSDs come as SATA or NVMe (PCIe), and each needs a matching accessory. An enclosure or adapter made for one type will not recognise the other, so check which SSD you have before buying. Some enclosures support both.

External connection. A SATA SSD is well served by USB 3.2 Gen 1, but an NVMe drive needs at least USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbit/s) to show its speed, and USB4 or Thunderbolt is better still. Check which port your computer has and whether a cable is included with the enclosure.

Size and mounting. For internal installation, find out whether the bay takes 2.5-inch, 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch drives. Brackets let a 2.5-inch SSD sit in a larger bay, while hot-swap bays let you remove a drive without tools, which helps if you change drives often.

Cooling and casing. Fast NVMe drives heat up during long copy jobs and may slow down. An aluminium casing or heatsink carries heat away, whereas a plastic enclosure is usually enough for SATA drives and occasional use.

Brands we carry

• ICY DOCK: known for hot-swap bays and drive backplanes that fit 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch bays in servers and workstations.
• DELOCK: makes many different adapters, converters and cables, including M.2 to SATA adapters and PCIe expansion cards.
• AXAGON: a Czech manufacturer known for USB enclosures, adapters and expansion cards.
• ICY BOX and FANTEC: German brands whose products include external drive enclosures, docking stations and hot-swap bays.
• STARTECH: focuses on connectivity accessories used by IT professionals, such as adapters and drive docks.
• GEMBIRD: known for cables and simple adapters for everyday use.
• INTER-TECH: known for PC cases and case accessories, including drive mounting brackets.

Also in our range: COREPARTS, DELL, INLINE and MAXTRACK.

Frequently asked questions about SSD accessories

What is the difference between an SSD enclosure and an adapter?

An enclosure is a casing with a USB or similar port that holds the SSD so you can use it as an external drive. An adapter or converter simply matches one connector type to another, for example M.2 to SATA. An enclosure also protects the drive and often helps with cooling, while adapters are mostly used for internal connections.

Will an NVMe SSD work in a SATA enclosure?

No, an NVMe SSD only works in an enclosure designed for NVMe (PCIe) drives. A SATA enclosure lacks the right interface, and M.2 drives with different connector keys may not even fit physically. Check the supported drive types in the product description before buying.

Can I turn an SSD into an external drive?

Yes, all you need is a suitable enclosure or USB adapter. Choose according to the SSD format: 2.5-inch SATA, M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe. An enclosure with USB 3.2 Gen 2 or a faster port makes better use of an NVMe drive.

What can I do if my motherboard has no free M.2 slot?

You can use a PCIe expansion card with an M.2 slot, provided the board has a free PCIe slot. Another option is to put the M.2 SSD in an external USB enclosure. A SATA-type M.2 drive can also be connected with an M.2 to SATA adapter if you have a free SATA port.