Which NAS expansion bays offer portability for use on-the-go or in multiple locations?
This page compares 6 NAS expansion bays with verified specifications and prices. Top options include ORICO 9758C3 5 Bay USB 3.1 Hard Drive Enclosure, Insignia M.2 NVMe to USB-C SSD Enclosure, CENMATE 8 Bay USB A/C 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure. Prices range from £5 to £249. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Capacity (pcs) ⇅ | Read Speed (MB/s) ⇅ | Write Speed (MB/s) ⇅ | Interface ⇅ | Compatibility ⇅ | Power Consumption (Watts) ⇅ |
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ORICO 9758C3 5 Bay USB 3.1 Hard Drive Enclosure
US
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£51.66 ≈ | 5 bays | 260MB/s | 260MB/s | USB 3.1 Type-C 5Gbps | Windows, Mac, Linux, PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone, game consoles, smart TV, router | 12V 10A |
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The ORICO 9758C3 is a five-bay DAS enclosure supporting up to 110TB using 2.5in or 3.5in SATA HDDs and SSDs. It offers USB Type-C connectivity, transfer speeds up to 5Gbps, and a built-in cooling fan, making it suitable for desktop storage expansion and backup workflows. ★ Ideal forIt suits portable NAS expansion because its five bays, USB Type-C 5Gbps interface, support for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and compatibility with routers allow the enclosure to be moved between systems and locations.
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Insignia M.2 NVMe to USB-C SSD Enclosure
US
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£25.82 ≈ | 1 | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) | — | — |
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This portable, tool-free enclosure converts one M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD into an external USB-C drive with transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. It supports M.2 sizes 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280, and suits users who need portable storage for compatible computers and devices. ★ Ideal forIt suits on-the-go or multi-location NAS expansion because its lightweight aluminum enclosure supports one removable M.2 NVMe SSD, uses USB-C with a USB-A adapter, and provides up to 10 Gbps data transfer.
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CENMATE 8 Bay USB A/C 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure
US
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£249.45 ≈ | — | — | — | USB 3.0, USB A/C compatible | Not compatible with NAS; DAS only | DC 12V 20A |
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This enclosure provides eight bays for 2.5in and 3.5in SATA HDDs or SSDs, with up to 160TB total capacity and USB 3.0 connectivity supporting data transfers up to 5Gbps. It suits users who need portable, high-capacity direct-attached storage with tool-free installation and built-in cooling. ★ Ideal forIt suits on-the-go or multi-location use because it is a portable DAS enclosure with eight drive bays, USB A/C 3.0 connectivity, and support for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, although it is not a network-attached NAS.
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Insignia Dual Drive Mount for 2.5in SATA SSDs or Hard Drives
US
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£4.79 ≈ | 2 | — | — | SATA | — | — |
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This black aluminum mount installs up to two 2.5in SATA SSDs or hard drives in a 3.5in drive bay. It supports 7 mm and 9.5 mm drives and suits desktop builders who need a simple, space-efficient mounting solution. ★ Ideal forIt offers portability for use in multiple locations because it is a compact, screw-in mounting bracket with two bays for standard 2.5in SATA drives, although it requires installation inside a compatible 3.5in bay. |
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StarTech.com S251BMU313 2.5in USB 3.1 External HDD Enclosure
US
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£28.44 ≈ | 1 | — | — | USB 3.1 Gen 2 Micro-B to SATA III | — | — |
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This single-drive enclosure supports one 2.5in SATA SSD or HDD and provides USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity with transfer rates up to 10 Gbps. Its compact aluminum housing, UASP support, USB-powered operation, and included protective case make it suitable for portable storage and backups. ★ Ideal forIt suits portable NAS expansion because its single 2.5in SATA bay, compact aluminum design, protective case, and USB-powered operation allow the storage drive to be carried and used easily in multiple locations.
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MAIWO 4 Bay USB-C HDD RAID Enclosure
US
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£85.61 ≈ | 4 | — | — | USB 3.1 Type-C, HDMI | — | 78W |
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This four-bay enclosure supports up to 64TB using four 3.5in SATA hard drives and offers seven RAID modes. It provides USB-C data transfer, HDMI 4K video output, adjustable fans, and a portable handle, making it suitable for desktop storage, media work, backups, and data management. ★ Ideal forIt suits portable NAS expansion because its portable handle, USB-C interface, 78W external power supply, and four-bay RAID design allow large-capacity storage to be moved and connected across multiple locations.
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