Plugable USB-C NVMe Enclosure is a tool-free USB-C NVMe enclosure that supports USB 3.1 10Gbps transfer speed. The biggest thing I hated about hard drives was their periods of ‘slow’ or ‘hang,’ especially while gaming or trying to edit a video. But SSDs came in and changed the subject.
As if that wasn’t enough, enclosures have taken performance a step higher, and the Plugable USB-C enclosure is designed to give you performance at its peak.
Plugable is a super performer, and you’ll be discovering that in a moment, if you take the time to read through this review.
- HIGH SPEED - Connect your NVMe SSD to a USB-C (Gen 2) or Thunderbolt 3 port at USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps speeds. Capable of performance over 800MB/s read/write.
- TOOL-FREE DESIGN - The worlds first tool-less NVMe enclosure allows quick and easy installation of your M.2 NMVe SSDs.
- COMPATIBILITY - M.2 NVMe SSDs (SSD not included). USB-C Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3 hosts up to 10Gbps, USB-C Gen 1 and USB 3.0 systems capable of up to 5Gbps. Not compatible with M.2 SATA SSDs, M.2 PCIe AHCI SSDs, or other M.2 PCIe devices
- OS SUPPORT - Plug-and-play compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- 2 YEAR WARRANTY - We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support
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Table of Contents
Why You Should Buy Plugable USB-C NVMe Enclosure
When selecting an NVMe enclosure from the sea of models available in the market, which are mostly only differentiated by factors including the SSD form factor compatibility, the interface, and the heat dissipation capability, it is usually a challenge.
And that’s why I have compiled some of the critical features of Plugable USB-C NVMe enclosure, and how they can help you in your daily endeavors, in the following paragraphs.
1. Tool-free Makeup
If you are not so comfortable with using tools, or if you plan to use multiple SSDs on one enclosure, I will suggest you go for a no-tool enclosure like Plugable. I will choose an enclosure with a tool-free design over other enclosures that require tools to be setup.
2. Portability
The Plugable NVMe enclosure fits into the palms comfortably with a sleek and slim design, a rugged aluminum case allowing for compact and fast data transfers.
3. Ease of Installation
Installing the drive is relatively quick and straightforward. All you have to do is open the slide lock on the side of the enclosure, then carefully align the NVMe notch into the socket, and then secure it in place with the rubber peg.
The rubber peg can be adjusted into any of the four holes drilled depending on the SSD’s form factor being used.
4. Heat Management
The enclosure’s aluminum body has excellent heat throttling properties. Efficient heat dissipation is achieved when the stick-able thermal pads are used to complement the fins on the two sides of the enclosure.
Even after using it for a long time, the efficient heat dissipation properties make it to still maintain high-speed data transfers, which also prolongs the life span of the drive inserted and reduces the need for continuous drive replacement or data transfers.
5. Compatibility
This enclosure was undoubtedly designed to be useful not only for new generation computer systems but also for older computer versions. That’s probably why the enclosure can connect with windows, Mac OS, and Linux with an included USB-C to C or USB-C to A. It is also compatible with all M.2 NVMe SSDs of different form factors and manufacturers.
6. High-Speed Data Transfer
When I benchmarked the enclosure using the Crystal Drive Mark (CMD) with Samsung 970 EVO 250 GB SSD inserted, I got a performance rate of 874Mbps read and 881Mbps write. This Plugable NVMe enclosure allows the speed of the SSD inserted to come blazing through.
When leveraging a Thunderbolt 3 USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 connection, users can expect speeds greater than 900Mbps – though this is still dependent on the type of SSD installed.
7. Other Irresistible Features
Plugable’s innovative design comes with a dimension of 112× 42×13 mm and a weight of 48g without the SSD installed. Moreover, it is powered by the J micron SMS583 controller.
Plugable USB-C NVMe enclosures have extended aluminum sides, which also aid heat dissipation, although the connection side is made of plastic material, which can break easily or fall off.
The slide lock also is not very firm, and this can cause the drive to slide out if you’re not careful, although tape can be used to fasten this. Even with this, I will still give the enclosure a 4-star rating.
I liked Plugable when I started using it because of the lightweight, portable size and the innovative outlook of the device. Moreover, Plugable USB-C NVMe enclosure is the first-ever tool-free NVMe enclosure I would come across with a quick and easy installation.
Plugable USB-C NVMe Enclosure Specifications
General
- Color: Black
- Device Type: Storage enclosure – external
- Hard Drive Form Factor Compatibility: M.2
- Host Bus: USB 3.1 (Gen 2)
- Product Material: Aluminum
- Dimension: 6.1 x 3.5 x 1.1 inches.
Expansion/Connectivity
- Bays: 1 x internal – M.2 2230 (30mm) /2242 (42mm) /2260 (60mm) / 2280 (80mm)
- Connections: 1 x USB 3.1 (Gen 2)
- Interfaces: 1 x NVMe
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included: 1 x USB-C cable – external and 1 x USB-C to USB-A cable – external
- Features: Slim form factor
- Included Accessories: 3 rubber pegs
- Power Source: USB bus
Software/System Requirements
- OS Required: Apple Mac OS, Linux, Microsoft Windows
- Interface: NVMe
- Max Storage Devices Quantity: 1
- Supported Devices: SSD
Conclusion
For users that want super-fast speeds, portable drive enclosures, and a reliable enclosure that doesn’t break the speed of the SSD used, I highly recommend the Plugable USB-C NVMe enclosure as an ideal portable choice. You can check out the Asus SSD NVMe Enclosure.
The Plugable USB-C NVMe enclosure also comes with a year warranty and a 30-day full repayment period, so it’s worth giving a try if you have doubts about it. And it sells for a price which is around $50 on Amazon.