Storage space is limited on laptops and desktops, which can make it difficult to store large video files or other data. This is where hard drive enclosures come in handy! In this blog post we will be reviewing 5 of the best hard drive enclosures for storing your desktop drives on your laptop.
Hard drive enclosures, or HDEs, are an inexpensive way to make data storage more mobile and flexible. Read on as we explore what they are and how you can best use them in your work environment!
A HDE is a box that allows you to connect any standard external desktop-sized hard drive (with power supply) to another device such as a laptop computer without the need for additional cords.
Why would you want to use a hard drive enclosure?
A HDE allows for simple and quick data retrieval. It also provides protection from damage that may occur when someone moves the computer or accidentally bumps into it. Generally, these devices are cheaper than buying an external USB portable storage device outright and they’re faster too!
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Benefits of hard drive enclosures
They’re a great way to make data storage more mobile and flexible.
With the increase of laptops at work, it’s easier than ever before for someone to accidentally bump into or knock over your drive if you have it stored in an external USB device! A HDE is cheap protection from potential damage that may occur when moving your laptop around without having to buy another expensive external hard drive.
HDEs are inexpensive compared with buying out right. They provide cheaper options while still providing easy accessibility and better mobility than traditional desktop drives. Consider them as a cheaper alternative, but faster too!
There is no need for additional cords which makes these devices perfect for on-the-go professionals who travel often and want to make sure their data is always accessible
If you have a lot of files, it’s easy to buy an external hard drive enclosure and simply plug in your old internal with the new USB.
The best HDD enclosures are those that can be used on desktops or laptops for increased mobility. You never know when you might need access to your data so why not invest in one?
All these benefits make them perfect for any professional who needs quick and convenient storage while still maintaining security and accessibility.
Factors to Look For in Hard Drive Enclosures
The type of hard drive enclosure you purchase is determined by the size, function and capacity you need.
You will want to think about how much data storage do I require? How often am I working on this device? What features or accessories are necessary for it to be functional? Is it a desktop or laptop that has limited space or does my computer have room for an additional module bay so as not to take up any extra desk space?
For example, if your work requires connecting with clients and sending large files all day long, then both USB ports and eSATA connections would be useful in order to transfer these quickly. If security of the information stored is important (e.g., enterprise environments), encryption software should also be considered.
These are just a few things to consider when purchasing your next hard drive enclosure. All five of these models have something for everyone and will surely meet all of your demands whether it be size, function or capacity.
What is important to you? What do you need from this device the most? The choice is yours!
5 Best Hard Drive Enclosures
Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Lay-Flat Docking Station

Sabrent’s innovative, stylish design for data storage is made to accommodate everyone from home users to professionals. Simplicity and ease of use are the end goal with this docking station. The UASP support will help you smoothly backup without any worry about lag time while uploading or downloading your files.
The Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Lay-Flat Docking Station can provide up to ten times the data transfer speed of previous USB standards and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 technology, as well as all SASI hard drives. The dual-purpose design allows for simultaneous operation in both portable and stationary configurations thanks to foldable stand legs that allow it to be set down at an angle or attached securely onto a desk when in use.
A free download of Acronis True Image software makes hard drive cloning easy! Acronis True Image software for the device means you have everything you need right in front of you–a one-stop solution tailored specifically to your needs!
ORICO USB3.0 to SATA III 2.5″ External Hard Drive Enclosure

The ORICO USB3.0 to SATA III 2.5″ External Hard Drive Enclosure has all the features necessary to store your data securely and with ease! Made of high-quality ABS plastic, this enclosure is compact and easy to carry around, making it convenient for a desktop or laptop user on the go. With its brushed surface design, fingerprints will easily be wiped away without hassle! The build-in shockproof sponge pad can well protect your hard drive and precious data.
The UASP protocol can reduce data transmission speeds by 20%, perfect for those who wish their external enclosure will work at optimum output levels while recognizing they are traveling or on the go a lot! Whether for music or videos, you can store plenty of files with the USB 3.0 interface and fast data transmission rate.
This storage device will come with ABS plastic made shell which is stronger than normal PLA plastics as it can cope better to strong shock-impact due to extensive drop resistance tests, avoiding your HDD from getting damaged when accidently dropped onto pavement or flooring surface!
What’s not there about this device that you need?!
Vantec NexStar TX 3.5″ USB 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure

There are no drivers needed for the powerful NexStar TX 3.5″ USB 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure, and it is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1! It is perfect for those who seek ultimate mobility at a fraction of the cost; this product also comes in handy when you want to consolidate your storage devices into one convenient place on-the-go without sacrificing speed or performance due to its SuperSpeed USB transfer rates of up to 5Gbps and rates UASP.
This NexStar TX enclosure only takes seconds to install, converts any hard drive into an external operative hard drive on either Windows OS or OSx, as well as featuring great flexibility in that it allows users to choose any HDD or SSD that best suits their needs.
Be sure not to get caught off guard when travelling nor connect through devices not compatible! It’s also great if you’re looking for quick data security backup on the go, and fits perfectly in a backpack or laptop bag. You can save time loading files onto other SD cards since this package comes with two USB cables: one for connecting
UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure

Protecting what you love and cherish just got a whole lot easier! The UGREEN 2.5″ hard drive enclosure will make your SATA HDD or SSD portable for data storage while keeping them safe from outside scratches, offering double the capacity of traditional external enclosures!
You can easily connect your 2.5″ SATA hard drive to a PC, laptop, PS4 and other devices for data transfer with the UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure! For those of you with 1TB or larger capacity HDD’s but want something that will allow you to take the storage on-the-go this could be a perfect solution.
This enclosure protects the hard disk from outside scratches and makes your external HDD portable for data storage – whether it’s at home or in a working environment such as school. File transfers happen up to 70% faster than traditional USB 3.0 thanks to the interface being based on UASP acceleration protocol!
Mediasonic ProBox K32-SU3

Finding a new way to store all your digital memories is now much easier with the Mediasonic ProBox K32-SU3! This convenient media storage device makes it possible for you to enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, audio books and photos from any computer by plugging and playing with simplicity. But not only does it make storing data easy—it also allows files that are connected to be read faster than ever before.
The 2TB HDD drive in the ProBox provides super speed transfer rates of up to 5 gigabits per second, which means even transferring heavy files will take just seconds instead of minutes or hours! Plus its built-in power switch eliminates worries about complicated shutdown procedures after you’ve been watching videos on your laptop all day long.
The Mediasonic ProBox K32-SU3 is the perfect way to add a RAID system on your laptop, desktop, or gaming console. Equipped with USB 3.0 SuperSpeed (Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 / 1.1) for transferring data at up to 5.0 Gbps via USB 3.0 and up to 480Mbps via USB 2. This external hard drive enclosure supports all of the latest high capacity hard drives on the market today; it accepts all both 3.5-inch SATA I/ II/ III HDD up to 16 TB.
This super fast, high-capacity hard drive enclosure is perfect for people who want to make storage a breeze!