Hi there! Dmitry Leiko here, I am the author of the article you've just read, and I write reviews for Expert Bestazy, how you've might guess. I'm passionate about a lot of things, from fishing to reviewing the newest gadgets, I especially adore writing and doing this thorough reviews on absolutely different products, as I've tested a lot of them myself and every time doing long research and advising with experts in a particular field to find the best of the best, I hope you'll find good use of these reviews! :)
Data has attained a huge scale today. You can’t depend on simple system-based hard disks anymore. People have shifted to data arrays or HDD arrays to take advantage of speed and performance. RAIDs are a viable option to unify your HDDs and optimize your data reliability. You can tie one or several storage devices in a single infrastructure to be used with your computer.
Today, we will explore the various nuances of external raid enclosures. You will learn how a raid external hard drive enclosure helps you to avail better data performance. We will also introduce the best RAID enclosures in the market to put on your shopping list.
So, let’s begin without further delay.
A Few Words on External Raid Enclosure
What is a RAID enclosure
We will share a few words on RAID hard drive enclosure and what it does. You can think of RAID external enclosure as a packaging box. You put your storage devices in the box and connect with your computer. The RAID drive enclosure treats your hard disks as a single unit and lets you enjoy more speed and improved performance.
You can find several types of enclosures to fit as many storage options as you want.
The Working Principles of RAID Enclosures
RAID HDD enclosures take the help of hardware or software to provide their services. External RAID enclosures using hardware offer a better deal, and they are compatible with system boots. Software-driven enclosures use software to manage the disks. They may not support all computers and their boot sequence.
An external RAID enclosure may also contain ventilation to keep the HDDs cool. You will also find USB ports to connect your RAID system with your PC.
Steps to Use External RAID Enclosures
How to use a RAID enclosure
Using an external SSD RAID is a simple task. You first need to start with the size of your HDD and then find a matching RAID. Some RAIDs support 2.5-inch HDDs, while others may accommodate 3.5-inch drives. Select an external HDD RAID based on your hard disk size.
The next step is to decide who many HDDs you want to run. You can find RAIDs that use a single disk and even buy one that supports four HDDs.
The next thing to determine is whether you need a software or hardware-based RAID. For this, you will also have to consider what OS your PC runs. RAIDs will clearly disclose what OSs they support, so make a note to consider this aspect.
Once you get your needs together, you can buy your external RAID system. Just hook up your HDDs and connect the RAID with your system. You may need to configure the BIOS for hardware-based RAIDs.
One thing to keep an eye on is whether your HDD enclosure is heating up. You can place your RAID on a level surface with ample space around. This will help you dissipate the heat and keep your HDDs performing at their fullest.
5 Top Best External RAID Enclosures
Preview
Name
SABRENT 2.5-Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool-Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)
Akitio Thunder3 Quad (Enclosure Only) - WINDOWS ONLY : Currently not supported by Mac
StarTech.com 3.5" External Dual Hard Drive Enclosure – Raid – USB-C and USB-A – SATA 6Gbps – 2 Bay USB 3.1 SSD/HDD Enclosure (S352BU313R)
Inateck 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure, Aluminum USB 3.0 Sata HDD Enclosure, FE3001
ORICO 5 Bay USB 3.0 3.5 inch External Hard Drive Enclosure Support 80TB (5 x 16TB) Aluminum Alloy HDD Enclosure with Fan / 150W / UASP Disk Data Storage (Diskless)
ORICO 5 Bay USB 3.0 3.5 inch External Hard Drive Enclosure Support 80TB (5 x 16TB) Aluminum Alloy HDD Enclosure with Fan / 150W / UASP Disk Data Storage (Diskless)
Tool free design, easy to install,Transfer Rates Up to 480 Mbps when connected to a USB 2.0 port,Transfer Rates Up to 5 Gbps when connected to a USB 3.0 port.
Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD;Supports Standard Notebook 2.5″ SATA and SATA II Hard drives
Optimized for SSD, Supports UASP SATA III,Backwards-Compatible with USB 2.0 or 1.1
Hot-swappable, plug and play, no drivers needed
Operating System:Supported Operating Systems:Mac,Windows;Supported Windows Versions :Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP;Supported Mac Versions:Mac OS X and Higher
Sabrent is a great choice for casual RAID needs. You can hook up a 2.5 SATA HDD out-of-the-box to the RAID. It can support USB 3.0 and provide data speeds of up to 5Gbps.
The enclosure is highly affordable and uses durable materials. You can use it with Windows XP onwards for the best compatibility. The enclosure is an effort-saver and configures without the need for any human involvement. You can just connect it with your computer and get going.
The enclosure comes without any screws and can be challenging to open.
Thunderbolt 3 interface for lightning-fast transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps
Second Thunderbolt 3 port supports Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), and DisplayPort
Dedicated DisplayPort for additional monitor to expand the workspace
Large and quiet low speed fan (1900 RPM) for active cooling
Large handle provides comfortable grip when carrying the device
This is the best multiple hard drive enclosure in the market. You can fit up to 4 HDDs with an easy-to-use mounting process. The RAID has detachable trays to make your job easy. It is suitable for HDDs from 2.5 to 3.5-inches and can provide up to 40Gbps speed.
Best of all, you have also got a DisplayPort to hook up monitors. It can also power laptops with a heavy-duty 287watts power delivery. You can also expect superior cooling due to the presence of a big fan inside the RAID.
3. StarTech.com 3.5″ External Dual Hard Drive Enclosure
Create high performance external storage with a dual SATA HDD RAID array through USB 3.1 (10Gbps)
2-Bay 3.5" HDD Enclosure with RAID support, including RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD and SPAN (BIG)
2-Bay hard drive enclosure supports SATA I/II/III (up to 6Gbps) and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (backward compatible with USB 3.0 / USB 2.0)
Dual 3.5" HDD/SSD/SSHD External Drive Enclosure provides high speed, high-capacity external data storage for your USB-C or USB-A laptop or computer (both USB-C and USB-A cables included)
Solid aluminum enclosure with metal hard-drive mounting tray and built-in fan to assist in heat dissipation / 2-drive 3.5" HDD/SSD RAID enclosure / 2-bay 3.5in enclosure / 2-bay 3.5" HDD RAID enclosure / 2-bay 3.5" SSD enclosure / Dual 3.5" HDD enclosure / Dual bay SATA enclosure / 2-bay 2.5" RAID enclosure
StarTech is another deserving candidate on the list of best RAID external hard drive list. You can get it at an affordable price and enjoy maximum performance. The rig can house 2 HDDs that measure 3.5-inches. You can use both SATA and SSD drives with USB 3.1 compatibility.
Like Quad X, this RAID system also features a cooling fan. The rig is also very easy to assemble, and you don’t even need to look at instructions. The system is also quiet and doesn’t ruin your peace.
Super speed USB 3. 0 connections up to 5 Gaps ; Built-in ASM1153E chipset supports SATA III with up to 6Gbps Signal bandwidth at for extra fast backups ; Support UASP targeted at SSD
Suitable Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8. 1/10, Linux/Android, Mac OS 10. 3 and higher. Support all standard 2. 5/3. 5 inch SATA I/II/III drives (up to 10TB Max); backwards compatible with USB 2. 0/1. 1 connections
Internal layer of smooth and slip resistant PU Leather, protection against Scratches
The durable aluminum-alloy material promises ultra-light portability and exquisite craftsmanship; featured with highly effective heat dissipation; non-slipping rubber pads on all four corners
Plug and play; hot-swap, no reboot or additional drivers are needed; 12V/2a power adapter provides stable power supply
Inateck is a premium RAID enclosure that looks and performs like a star. It comes in an aluminum casing with minimalist looks and controls. You can run your enclosure with Windows 7 onwards and Mac 10.11 and beyond. The enclosure can offer a steady data transfer speed of 10Gbps. You can also use four modes to take advantage of different RAID models.
The enclosure is also very easy to use. You can charge the device with your Android smartphone charger in a simple manner. It is also efficient in keeping out the heat.
1.【Flexible Data Backup Storage Solution】: Are you worried lost your data? The 95 series is designed for small to medium businesses company, Video Media servers, photographer and professional users that want to protect their valuable data. Suitable for massive storage capacity, redundancy or backups, such as video editing, digital photos backup, storage media files or even expand the capacity and create storage pools and snapshots, it’s time to get serious about data.
2.【80TB Capacity and 5Gbps Transfer Speed】: 5 Bay External Hard Drive Enclosure, Compatible 3.5 inch SATA HDD hard drives, Supports up to 80TB Capacity (16TB x 5bay), Super Speed USB3.0 5Gbps Connection transfer your files in a breeze, supports SATA I/II/III(6 Gbps),UASP and USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), with Activity LED indicator disk access status. (No RAID, No NAS).
3. 【Dual-Core Chip and 150W Power Supply】: The HDD Enclosure Built-in JMS567+JMB575 SATA3.0 Dual-Core chip, provide Safety and Stability of Data storage and Transferring, Lockable Drive Bays, Protect your hard drive with care, and with Powerful 150W power adapter supply to provide stable power supply for equipment.
4. 【Dissipates heat efficiently】: The USB3.0 SATA Hard Drive Enclosure Features an Unibody Aluminum-Alloy Shell and Fan, good in heat dissipation, up to 4mm thickness which is firm and reliable, The Forced Convection Process helps speed up the air circulation and heat ventilation to effectively cool the drive and whole system for stable operation and an extended lifespan.
5. 【PLUG and PLAY, HOT SWAP】: Tool Free design mounts drives without tools and screws in seconds, hot-swapping supported, plug and play. The 3.5 inch HDD enclosure Compatible with Windows XP/ VISTA/ Windows 7/ 8 /8.1/ 10/ Linux/ Mac 9.1/10.2 or higher Computer and Laptop.
This big daddy is for people who mean serious business. The rig packs five bays that can allow you to add 80TB of space to your storage. You can enjoy the high speeds of USB 3.0 with an internal fan for optimum cooling. The rig is also very sturdy and uses aluminum alloy for better reliability. It is compatible with 3.5-inch HDDs.
The enclosure works fine with Linux, Mac 9.1 and higher, and Windows 7 onwards. The system needs 150watts of power to drive the mega storage unit.
Final Thoughts
External RAID enclosures can help you unify your HDDS for optimized performance. You can buy a RAID for your home PC or office based on your needs. Professional models can support several HDDs and offer unmatched speed and reliability. You can pick a product from our list and place your order with complete peace of mind. Do let us know what your favorite pick is in the comments.
Author and Today's Expert
Hi there! Dmitry Leiko here, I am the author of the article you've just read, and I write reviews for Expert Bestazy, how you've might guess. I'm passionate about a lot of things, from fishing to reviewing the newest gadgets, I especially adore writing and doing this thorough reviews on absolutely different products, as I've tested a lot of them myself and every time doing long research and advising with experts in a particular field to find the best of the best, I hope you'll find good use of these reviews! :)
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