Best Hard Drive Enclosures

Looking to make use of an old hard drive you have lying around? Simply place it inside a hard drive enclosure to give it new life and for easy, portable storage. Hard drive enclosures are useful devices that connect to your computer and allow you to quickly transfer files from your computer and store them for safekeeping. In today’s market, we know that there are a wide variety of hard drive enclosure brands and models for you to choose from. We are here to break down all you need to know about the different hard drive enclosures available, so that you feel confident in deciding which enclosure is right for you.

USB 3.0 or 2.0 Powered: These hard drive enclosures connect through your computer’s USB hub to transfer your files or media into storage. USB 2.0 enclosures are supported by most computer systems. For USB 3.0 devices meanwhile, make sure that it is backwards compatible so that it will connect to older computers.

eSATA Powered: These enclosures connect wirelessly to the SATA interface within the linked computer. eSata powered enclosures also have the option to connect through a computer’s USB drive.

Single Drive: Single hard drive enclosures are a simple and affordable option. These hard drive enclosures are lightweight and easily portable, and their sleek design means they can fit in most places.

Multiple Drive: Hard drive enclosures with multiple slots are larger than the single drive option, and are generally sturdy and well constructed. For the consumer who has many hard drive enclosures or needs to swap out drives frequently, models with multiple slots can act as a one-stop shop for all of your hard drives, minimizing desktop clutter and fuss.

Based on all the consumer reviews we’ve scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new hard drive enclosures:

• Design: If your enclosure is going to be connected often and not going to move from your desk, durability might be a more important feature. However, if you plan to take your enclosure on the go, opt for a sleek, lightweight design.
• Setup instruction: Some hard drive enclosures do not come with comprehensive, or easy-to-follow instruction manuals. If you are new to this product area, make sure to find a model that does not require a lot of assembling or a brand that has reliable customer service to help with any questions you may have.
• Cooling fans: Unless you are keeping your hard drive enclosure connected for many hours of the day, cooling fans are generally unnecessary. This is because overheating is not of high concern and fans may be noisy and annoying.

• Make sure to consider what size hard drive enclosure you’ll need to ensure that it will support your hard drive, as sizes vary. If the hard drive you want to use is larger, make sure to get a large enclosure that will fit your needs.
• Some enclosures are powered through the connecting computer’s USB drive. Others require connection to an external battery source or wall mount, so keep this in mind when making your choice.
• Compatibility is crucial. If you want to connect your enclosure to a SATA hard drive, make sure to check if the product supports SATA drives, because not all do. This is also true for USB connections. Just make sure that whichever product you choose will be supported by your computer.
• What material your enclosure is made of generally correlates to the product’s durability and longevity. Aluminum models are sturdy and run less risk of overheating. Less expensive models are often made from plastic, and are lightweight and portable.

Mediasonic Enterprises Inc.: A New Jersey based company that was established in 2002, Mediasonic is a leading manufacturer of consumer electronics products, including external hard drive storage devices.

Sabrent: Manufactures computer peripherals and accessories. Since its founding in 1998, Sabrent has promised its customers and distributors the latest technologies at affordable costs.

Inateck: Founded in 2012, Inateck is an industry-leading computer peripherals company. It is committed to enhancing their consumer’s digital lifestyle.

Plugable: Plugable started in 2009, focusing on online sales to provide customers with better products, information, and support. Plugable is now one of the best-known brands selling USB, Bluetooth, and other power-related devices.