Today I have something wonderful for you. When it comes to HDD docks, it is never easy to tell which one is better than the other. That is not just a problem of a few but almost all of us. My research tells me that when it comes to technological products, there are a lot of similarities. In most cases, the difference is only on the cover, but when you take a close look at the inside of the products, you realize that they are all the same. I found a way of telling the difference, not based on how the docks looked like but based on the efficiency of the HDD docks. Take a look at the best HDD docks this year.
Table of Contents
- 10. MEDIASONIC HFR2-SU3S2 PRORAID 4 Bay 3.5″ SATA Hard Drive Enclosure
- 9. UNITEK Aluminum USB 3.0 to SATA Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station
- 8. SISUN ® 2.5″/3.5″ IDE SATA HDD Docking Station +Card Reader Hub
- 7. Cable Matters USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station (USB to SATA Docking Station)
- 6. Inateck USB 3.0 to SATA Dual-Bay USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station
- 5. iDsonix Tool Free USB 3.0/2.0 to SATA 2.5/3.5 Inch Hard Drive Docking Station
- 4. Plugable USB 3.0 Hard Drive Dock for 2.5 and 3.5 HDD or SSD
- 3. Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station
- 2. Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station for Windows
- 1. Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station
10. MEDIASONIC HFR2-SU3S2 PRORAID 4 Bay 3.5″ SATA Hard Drive Enclosure
We may have heard about Panasonic but let us not confuse it with MEDIASONIC. They are two distinct companies operating independently. The MEDIASONIC HFR2-SU3S2 found its way to position ten in this list. The dock supports 3.5 inches SATA hard disk drive. However, the capacity is limited to 10TB per drive. The dock is also in the list of those that support hard drive transfer rate of SATA 3 speed. It gives you a hardware raid control unit that comes with one button to help you take control.
When you have to transfer via USB, you can get the assurance of 5.0Gbs per second transfer rate. Furthermore, you can transfer up to 3 G per second through e-SATA. Other properties include a smart fun that comes with a built-in thermal- sensor and 3-speed levels. Don’t shy away from using it with Mac OSX 10.8 or even Windows 10/8.1/8/7.
Pros
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
- High transfer speed
- Durable
Cons
- It is limited to 10 TB per second.
9. UNITEK Aluminum USB 3.0 to SATA Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station
UNITEK Aluminum is another top HDD dock that you cannot fail to know. If you have never heard about it, then this is the time to read keenly about the HDD dock. It supports all 2.5 and 3.5 inches SATA. When I say all I mean SATA 1, SATA 2 SATA 3 HDD SSD. You don’t need any driver as the device is simply plug_and_play. That is not all; it also gives you easy time while hot swapping and it is too easy to set up and to disassemble.
The aluminum case that it comes in makes it durable to ensure that it is always safe from external damage. The dock also offers you a super speed of USB 3.0 interfaces with a data transfer of up to 6Gbs per second. It is ten times faster than some of the competition. The device also helps you save some energy through the auto sleep mode that comes into play after every 30 minutes in inactivity. Other than that, it also supports UASP which gives you a faster transfer of up to 70% of the read speed and 40% faster than the write speed of the traditional USB 3.0.
It also comes with one touch power function and an LED light that indicated the cloning progress and the power. It is compatible with a wide range of computer operating systems and therefore the best options for you if you have not decided on which operating system to use. To sum it up, the manufacturer gives you two years warranty on the HDD dock.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- High speed
- Supports a wide range of OS
- Supports UASP
Cons
- None
8. SISUN ® 2.5″/3.5″ IDE SATA HDD Docking Station +Card Reader Hub
In this era of technology, nobody wants to have equipment that requires manual connection before they can operate. That is why plug and play HDD docks have more preference than the competition on the market today. SISUN manufactures are well aware of this fact, and that is why they offer you a plug and play HDD dock. Other than the cap and play feature, the equipment also has hot –swap capacity that ensures rapid multi HDDs access and also exchange.
The operation is straightforward as the device is not complicated. In just a single push of the slid, you can correct the IDE power if the LED power light turns on. The LED indicator is compatible with Windows and Mac OS AND ALSO INTEGRATES ALL in one card reader. However, it is important to note that the hard drive is not compatible with some of the Western Digital IDE drives. The dock can also not clone any hard drive and is only for transfer of data between hard drives. In addition to that, it can also not solve any hard drive problem. If you are looking for something to help you transfer data with ease, you just got it.
Pros
- High transfer speed
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
- Easy to use
Cons
- It can only transfer data
7. Cable Matters USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station (USB to SATA Docking Station)
The docking station gives you an offer of hot-swap access to 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches SDD, HDD, AND SSHD. THE CAPACITY IS NOT AN ISSUE HERE as the dock has adequate capacity to handle drives of all existing capacity. If there exist a drive with a capacity that the dock is unable to handle, then such a drive is yet to get a proper introduction on the market. The device is a three port thunderbolt that is compatible with the USB-C to B Cable. In addition to that, the AC power hard drive that comes with it ensures stable drive performance to give you an amazing experience.
You can also backup your data from 2016/2017 Mac Book, Mac Book Pro, iMac, and even windows. The same applies to computers like HP Elite X2, Spector350, Lenovo ThinkPad 50/70 and many others. When you back up your data, they go to centralized storage to ensure that you can access them easily anytime you want.
Pros
- Compatible with SSD, SSHD, and HDD
- Compatible with a range of computers and OS
- Data backup storage
- Reliable
Cons
- None
6. Inateck USB 3.0 to SATA Dual-Bay USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station
Number 6 is of high quality and reliable dock. It offers you US 3.0 external and SATA 3 internal. If you like speed, then you can have an assurance that this dock will never let you down. Data transfer on the pier is as super speed and in addition to that, it also supports UASP which increases that data transfer speed even further. As opposed to the previously mentioned counterparts, the dock comes with its integrated safeguards that prevent overvoltage.
The safeguards also protect the device from short circuits, overvoltage, leak currents, disturbance, and interference. You now have a guarantee that your data transfer is always safe and secure. You don’t run the risk of losing your data in case of a power surge during data backup. That is entirely a story of the past. Everything about the product is efficient, and that includes the power supply. When not in use, the device helps you save some power by automatically going to sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Pros
- Power safeguard
- Durable
- Faster data transfer
- Reliable
Cons
- None
5. iDsonix Tool Free USB 3.0/2.0 to SATA 2.5/3.5 Inch Hard Drive Docking Station
The product that splits my list into two equal parts is an HDD dock that comes to you with external docking stations and provides maximum support of up to 8TB. You can use it with your computer as the device supports Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. The data transfer speed is unbeatable, and you don’t have to struggle with remote connections. The invention is plug_and_play to give you an easy time while you use it. Furthermore, the dock is one of the few that offer you 18 Months warranty. If it is quality that you seek, then the drive offers one of the best that the market has to offer you.
Pros
- External docking station
- 18 months warranty
- Has approval of CE, FEE
Cons
- None
4. Plugable USB 3.0 Hard Drive Dock for 2.5 and 3.5 HDD or SSD
The dock is a product that you should take advantage of its presence at your disposal. If it is faster back up you seek, then this is the right hard drive dock for the job. The dock ensures that your back up is more than efficient and when it comes to data transfers, the story is not different. The product has all the qualities that anybody can seek in an HDD dock. The docking station connects to USB 3.0 at a super speed of 5Gbs per second.
It is ten times faster than the USB 2.0 which is 480Mbs per second. The device is also plug and play and therefore does not need technical knowledge to set up. The UASP makes the transfer speed even faster. If you want an HDD dock that is not going to give you problems, then you just found it. Enjoy efficiency and effectiveness,
Pros
- Efficient
- Super high speed
- Plug and play
- Durable
Cons
- None
3. Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station
Like the other products mentioned in this list, this HDD dock offers you efficiency and quality all in one package. The device supports the standard desktop SATA hard drive. If you intend to use it for cloning, then you got the right device. It allows offline cloning and comes to you with its cooling fan. You don’t have to take time setting it up as it is plug_and_play. Who does not like plug and play devices? The device is hot swappable, and you don’t need additional drivers for it to function efficiently. Furthermore, it supports hard drives up to 8 TB with USB 3.0
Pros
- Supports SATA hard drives
- Hot-swappable
- Plug and play
Cons
- None
2. Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station for Windows
When you go to the market in search of good HDD docks, you must have efficiency in the back of your mind. When I say efficiency, I mean the ease of use and the speed at which the equipment can transfer data. The dock matches all the above descriptions, and that makes it one of the best that you can get in today’s market. With this device, you can transfer data at the speed of 5Gbs per second. Furthermore, it does not require a lot of setting up as the dock is plug_and_play. It also supports HDMI resolution of up to 2560 by 1440 that comes with a display of 1080p.
You can attach two displays at the same time. The Ethernet port can support 10/100/1000Mb per second speeds. Even though the dock is compatible with some operating systems, it is not suitable for gaming. You can use the device for all other function s except gaming. Note that when you connect two displays at the same time, the resolution is limited to the resolution of 1920 by 1200. Plug and play products are the order of the day. Make your work easier than ever with this high quality and efficient HDD dock.
Pros
- High quality
- Super fast speeds
- Plug and play
- Can support two displays at once
Cons
- None
1. Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station
At position one is one of the best HDD docks that the market has to offer to you. The device supports standard desktop 2.5 and 3.5 inches SATA hard drives or even SSD. The device supports hard drive up to 10 TB. As opposed to the tradition docks that still need lot s of setting up, this drive spares you the hustle. You can comfortably plug and play. You do not need extra drivers to use the dock as it is self-efficient. All that you can ever want from an HDD dock covered in this beautiful piece of innovation.
The creativity involved here is just amazing. If you did not have any dock in mind, I would recommend that you add this one to your cart. It assures you of efficiency, and in addition to that, it is also compatible with USB 1.1 AND 2.0. The transfer speed is 5GB per second. Don’t waste any more time, log in to Amazon and make that order.
Pros
- Plug and play
- Efficient
- Supports Hard Drive up to 10TB
- It is compatible with Us 1.1. And 2.0
Cons
- None