8 Best Hard Drive Docks (Review) In 2020

Fast, easy to use, and massively effective, the Sabrent External Hard Drive Lay-Flat Docking Station is our top choice for the best hard drive dock currently available. It supports both 2.5” and 3.5” SATA drives, and delivers fast, efficient performance you may have only dreamed of previously.

The 3.0 transfer speed maxes out at an impressive (but also by now expected) 5Gbps, while transfer rates for USB 2.0 has the maximum potential of 480Mbps, while the plug and play function streamlines your projects and make it so easy to use you’ll never get another confused phone call from grandma. At less than $25, it’s superb value for money, and even though we know you can’t put a price on your digital memories and history, this goes above and beyond what you expect. For more amazing hight-tech products like this, check out our guide to the best mini PCs.

The Vantec NexStar TX Single Bay Hard Drive Dock boasts 3 USB 3.0 ports for fantastic ease of use and versatility to put it up there as the best value option around, and this isn’t just because of the price.

The plug and play system ensures a simple setup, while the super speedy transfer speeds are efficient and satisfying for even the most impatient users around. It supports a high performance SATA interface which is easy to understand, making it ideal for beginners. There’s only one port, but this is on par for the price, and when you consider it supports external hard drives with up to 12TB capacity, we’d be surprised if you care all that much.

Our premium pick is the Sabrent 4-Bay SSD/HDD Docking Station which like all Sabrent docking stations comes with simple and straightforward installation, spectacular transfer speeds, and easy-to-use functionality to ensure top quality performance.

It’s backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices, but the real meat is in the 5Gbps transfer speeds using USB 3.0. With it, you can read and write 4 drives effortlessly, and also clone them if you need to. At nearly $80, it’s the most expensive HDD docking station, but as techies, we understand how the allure of the highest quality can often eclipse the price, and if we’re discussing the plethora of files, folders, music, and movies, there is no such thing as paying too much. You will sure like some of the best external SSDs from our list, so take a moment to check them out.

Our next choice is the Thermaltake BlacX Duet External Hard Drive Enclosure Docking Station which boasts SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connectivity, plug and play installation, and supports both Mac and Windows devices to appeal to techies of all kinds.

The hard drive plugs into the machine effortlessly, and once you get it all up and running (thanks to the included USB cable), your files appear as if by magic on your new machine’s monitor. The Hot Swap functions reduce the risk of file corruption, and the cloning features even allow you to transfer HDD to SSD with ease. Overall, it’s an HDD dock that will wow you every time you use it and have you recommending it to your friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers just passing by. For more amazing devices like this, check out our reviews of the best network storage devices.

A must-have for power users and those needing support for intense, demanding (and never ending) projects, the Sabrent Aluminum Hard Drive Enclosure Case comes with a built-in cooling fan for parts protection and also boasts lightweight casing to minimize struggles if you need to take it anywhere with you.

The software makes it easy to access files on PCs and Notebooks and is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines. It also supports any standard 3.5” SATA or IDE drive. However, unlike other options, there’s no USB 3.0 connection, meaning slower transfer speeds, although you can take advantage of the eSATA  interface to achieve up to 3Gbps. You may also like some of the best SD card readers from our list, so be sure to check them out.

With space for two hard drives, the Sabrent Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station gives you top-quality control over your files and is great for anyone wanting to keep their entire computer history safe and secure. It boasts a duplicator and clone function for seamless data transfer between devices, while the plug and play process gets you up and running straight out of the box.

With USB 3.0 technology, you’re guaranteed speedy and efficient read and write speeds, and it’s compatible with both 2.5” and 3.5” SATA and SSD hardware. It costs a little more than some options, but after using it once you’ll be happy you spent that extra 10 bucks. Don’t forget to also check out our top picks of the best thunderbolt 3 docks for more cool products like this.

Again, the Unitek Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station allows you to duplicate and clone existing hard drives at the touch of a button, and supports up to 3.5” HDD and SSD devices. It’s compatible with Mac and Windows, and the SuperSpeed USB technology means you can transfer files in no time.

A durable hard drive transfer dock is something people, especially those who have never used one before, don’t consider how essential this is, but with the Unitek, you’re guaranteed robust casing to handle any unfortunate knocks or drops from the desk. The silver design is sleek and fits in perfectly with your Mac, and if you’ve got a PC, it will add a touch of flair to your home office desk.

The high-performing Sabrent Hard Drive/SSD Docking Station boasts a superb 4 docking stations for both HDD and SSD devices and delivers satisfaction you never thought possible from any kind of technology.

The simultaneous transfers minimize wait times without too much lagging, while the built-in fan keeps everything at an optimal temperature to prevent overheating. This helps maintain a fast 5Gbps transfer and works seamlessly with both Mac and PC. The LED power indicator helps you determine whether it’s working, while the tool-free installation ensures a stress-free setup, because when you’ve got 4 drives to sort through, hassle is the last thing you need. Our guide to the best micro SD cards features more cool storage options like this.