External storage that revives 2.5-inch SATA drives and speeds up file transfers for PCs, consoles and routers. The ORICO External Hard Drive Enclosure makes drive swaps painless with tool-free installation and broad compatibility. Is it the easiest way to reuse old laptop drives and free up space?
⚡ At a Glance
- • Transfer Speed: USB 3.0 interface with UASP support, capable of up to 5Gbps transfers
- • Best for: Users repurposing 2.5-inch SATA HDDs or SSDs for extra portable storage
- • Not ideal for: Those requiring 3.5-inch drive support or advanced RAID setups
Accepts 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs in 7mm or 9.5mm thickness. USB 3.0 with UASP accelerates transfers while tool-free, hot-swap installation keeps things simple.
Faster file transfers - Thanks to USB 3.0 with UASP support
USB 3.0 provides a maximum theoretical transfer rate of 5Gbps and the enclosure supports the UASP protocol for accelerated transmission on UASP-capable hosts. The manufacturer states UASP can be around 70% faster than conventional USB 3.0 on compatible systems.
Large backups and media folders copy noticeably quicker when connected to a UASP-capable computer, reducing wait times for everyday file work.
Instant drive swaps - With tool-free installation and hot-swap support
A push-out cover allows the SATA drive to slot in without screws, and the enclosure supports hot-swap functionality so drives can be connected or removed while the host is running. No drivers are required for plug-and-play recognition.
Testing, cloning or recovering data from drives becomes straightforward, ideal for quick diagnostics or occasional expansion without tools.
Broad device and OS compatibility - Thanks to SATA I/II/III support and wide system recognition
Compatible with 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs at 7mm and 9.5mm thickness, plus backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. Recognised by Windows 98/XP/Vista/7/8/10 and newer, Linux, Mac OS 9.1/10.8.4 and above, and works with consoles and routers listed.
Useful for repurposing drives from older laptops and for connecting storage to a mix of computers, consoles and network devices.
✨ The 4 Key Reasons for ORICO External Hard Drive Enclosure
- UASP support – Speeds transfers significantly on compatible hosts
- Tool-free design – Enables quick, effortless drive installation without screws
- Wide OS/device compatibility – Works with Windows, macOS, Linux and consoles
- Bus-powered operation – No external power supply required for normal 2.5-inch drives
📋 Technical Details at a Glance
- Interface: USB 3.0 (backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1)
- Supported Drive Type: 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs
- Supported Thickness: 7mm and 9.5mm
- Max Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps (USB 3.0)
- UASP: Supported (accelerated transmission protocol)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use both HDDs and SSDs with this enclosure?
A: Yes. The enclosure accepts 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III hard disk drives and solid state drives at 7mm and 9.5mm thickness.
Q: Do I need drivers to use the enclosure?
A: No driver is required; the enclosure supports plug & play and is recognised by a wide range of operating systems.
Q: Does the enclosure need an external power supply?
A: No external power supply is needed for ordinary 2.5-inch drives, as the enclosure is bus-powered.
🏆 Our Verdict
The ORICO External Hard Drive Enclosure suits anyone who needs a quick way to reuse 2.5-inch SATA HDDs or SSDs across computers and consoles. Its standout features are UASP-accelerated USB 3.0 transfers and tool-free, hot-swap convenience for fast drive access. Although costs vary, the simple, compatible design makes it a practical long-term investment for expanding or recovering storage.
