HDD extras

HDD extras covers the accessories that go around hard drives and SSDs: external enclosures, docking stations, mounting frames, adapters and cables. It suits anyone reusing an old drive, adding storage to a desktop or building a backup setup. Over 700 products are listed, with brands such as DELOCK, StarTech.com, ICY BOX, AXAGON and ICY DOCK.

How to choose HDD accessories

Drive size. Check whether your drive is 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch before anything else. Laptop drives and most SSDs are 2.5 inch, while desktop hard drives are usually 3.5 inch and often need their own power supply. An enclosure or bay built for one size will not take the other without an adapter frame.

Interface and speed. Match the connector on the drive: SATA for most hard drives and many SSDs, NVMe or M.2 for newer SSDs. On the computer side, look at the USB standard, such as USB 3.0 or USB-C. A fast SSD in a slow USB 2.0 enclosure will be held back, and a SATA enclosure cannot read an NVMe drive.

Mounting and fit. For internal installs, check the bay type in your case: 3.5 inch, 5.25 inch or a slim bay. Mounting frames and brackets let a smaller drive sit in a larger bay. Hot-swap racks and caddies suit anyone who changes drives often, because the drive slides in and out without opening the case.

Power and cooling. A 3.5 inch drive in an external enclosure normally needs a separate power adapter, while a 2.5 inch drive often runs from USB alone. For drives that stay on for long periods, such as backup or media storage, an enclosure with ventilation or a metal body helps keep temperatures down.

Tool-free design and extra features. Some enclosures and docks open without screws, which saves time if you swap drives regularly. Docking stations with two bays can also copy one drive to another, which is useful when migrating data.

HDD extras brands we carry

• DELOCK: the largest brand in this category, known for a very large selection of cables, adapters and interface converters.
• StarTech.com: a connectivity specialist whose drive enclosures, docks and adapters are common in office and IT workshop use.
• ICY BOX: known for external enclosures and docking stations for 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch drives.
• ICY DOCK: focuses on hot-swap drive bays and mobile racks that fit into standard PC bays.
• AXAGON: makes USB drive enclosures, adapters and related accessories.
• FANTEC: known for external storage enclosures, including multi-bay housings.
• LogiLink: offers adapters, cables and simple USB drive accessories.

Also in our range: Qoltec, Lenovo, LC-Power, CoreParts and Renkforce.

HDD extras: frequently asked questions

What are HDD extras?

HDD extras are accessories that help you install, connect or protect a hard drive or SSD. They include enclosures, docking stations, mounting frames, caddies, adapters and cables. They are bought separately from the drive itself.

How can I turn an internal hard drive into an external one?

Put the drive in a USB enclosure that matches its size and interface. Fit a 3.5 inch SATA drive into a 3.5 inch enclosure, or a 2.5 inch drive into a 2.5 inch one, then connect it by USB. A docking station is an alternative if you want to swap bare drives without screws.

Can I put a 2.5 inch drive in a 3.5 inch bay?

Yes, with a mounting frame or bracket designed for the purpose. The frame holds the smaller drive in the correct position and lines up with the screw holes and connectors of the larger bay. Check that the frame supports the drive thickness, as some 2.5 inch drives are thicker than others.

Will an enclosure for a hard drive work with an SSD?

Usually yes, if the interface matches. A SATA enclosure accepts both SATA hard drives and SATA SSDs of the right size. NVMe SSDs need an enclosure made for M.2 NVMe, and the USB connection should be fast enough to suit the drive.