Are you looking for the best USB to SATA adapters to buy in 2024 and confused between which should you choose for yourself? It happens with everyone out there and especially when you get hundreds of options to choose from.
But now, you haven’t need to worry about it anymore. With years of experience in building computers and running a few computer blogs, here I’m with a guide on choosing the best USB to SATA adapters.
Here in this guide, I’ll try my best to share the best products out there with my expertise and also help in clearing all your doubts. Not limited to this, but this guide will also clear your doubts on which products you should go with and why.
So without wasting any more time, let’s get started…
Best USB to SATA Adapters in 2024
Here in this section, you can find 10 of the best USB to SATA adapters you should buy in 2024. I’ve also included a little information and pros, cons of each product so that you understand it better and choose wisely.
1. StarTech.com SATA to USB Cable – USB 3.0 to 2.5” SATA III Hard Drive Adapter – External Converter for SSD/HDD Data Transfer (USB3S2SAT3CB)
The first in our list for the best USB to SATA adapter is from the brand named “StarTech”. StarTech is well known for its amazing accessories that really help you to enhance performance and efficiency. With this adapter, you can easily access a SATA drive or SSD.
The main advantage of the StarTech SATA to USB adapter is it can reach transfer speeds up to 70% faster than conventional USB 3.0 when connected to a computer that also supports UASP (USB 3.0 Boost). Remember, it’s not only about the transfer speed, but also the power consumption.
The product comes with a 2-year warranty plus lifetime support for the hard drive. With these features, I can assure you that the product is worth a purchase. It also supports the maximum power of 900 mA.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Compatible with all versions of Windows and Mac OSX.
- Transfer speeds up to 70% faster than conventional USB 3.0
Cons
- Max power of the attached drive is 900 mA
2. Sabrent USB 3.0 to SSD or 2.5-Inch SATA I/II/III Hard Drive Adapter (EC-SSHD)
The second best USB to SATA adapter is from Sabrent. Sabrent is a brand that produces some of the best hard drives and storage devices.
The Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA adapter comes with a lifetime warranty and with it, you’re guaranteed that the product is well-built and will serve your needs for a long time. The adapter supports transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps when connected to a USB 3.0 port, and 480 Mbps when connected to a USB 2.0 port.
This adapter comes with a free download of Acronis True Image for Sabrent software, which is a good choice because it allows you to easily clone an existing hard drive to your SSD or SATA drive. This software is perfect for all Windows PC and Mac OSX-based devices.
Pros
- Compatible with all versions of Windows and Mac OSX.
- Transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps when connected to a USB 3.0 port.
- Transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps when connected to a USB 2.0 port.
Cons
- None.
3. SKLTech USB 3.0 SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable, SATA to USB Adapter Cable for 2.5 inch SSD & HDD, Support UASP
The third best USB to SATA adapter is from SKL Tech. The adapter is one of the best-selling products on Amazon and it’s a well-built product that supports UASP.
This adapter is made with high quality and durable materials that allow you to use it for a long time. It supports transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps when connected with a USB 3.0 port, and 480 Mbps when connected with a USB 2.0 port. It also comes with reverse compatibility for both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, which means you can easily plug and play your SATA hard drive or SSD to your computer with UASP support.
Remember that this adapter is not designed to connect to 3.5-inch SATA hard drives or SSDs, only 2.5-inch SATA drives. It also does not come with a power cable, so make sure to have one before using it.
Pros
- Supports UASP for better performance.
- With speeds up to 5Gbps 3.0, it is super fast and convenient
- Reverses compatible with USB 2.0.
Cons
- The adapter is not designed to connect to 3.5-inch SATA hard drives or SSDs
4. FIDECO SATA/IDE to USB 3.0 Hard Drive Cable Converter for Universal 2.5/3.5 Inch IDE and SATA External HDD & SSD, and also support 5.25″ DVD-ROM/CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-RW/DVD+RW
The fourth best USB to SATA adapter is the FIDECO SATA/IDE to USB 3.0 adapter cable. The adapter supports UASP speeds and comes with a power cable and a user manual so you can start using it right out of the box.
It also comes with a power cable for providing a stable electricity supply. The body of this adapter is made with high-quality materials that make it durable and long-lasting. It also supports backup and processing IT data, batch processing data, formatting, file transfers, etc.
It supports data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, which means you can save time by transferring a large amount of data in a short time. This adapter is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports, so you can plug it into any computer without worrying about compatibility issues.
Also, it comes with a 24-month warranty and friendly customer service. Overall, this is a great product that you can use without any difficulties and its great features make it one of the best USB to SATA adapters you can find in the market.
Pros
- Supports UASP for better performance.
- Reverses compatible with USB 2.0/1.1.
- Faster Transfer Speeds with UASP
- Data transfer rates of up to 5Gbps
Cons
- It will not auto-format unformatted drives when cloning.
5. StarTech.com USB 3.1 to 2.5″ SATA Hard Drive Adapter – USB 3.1 Gen2 10 Gbps with UASP External HDD/SSD Storage Converter (USB312SAT3CB)
StarTech.com USB 3.1 to 2.5″ SATA adapter is a product that offers both maximum capacity and high-speed transfer rate for your hard drive or SSD transfer needs using the 2.5-inch drive form factor via a USB 3.1 Gen2 connection to your computer, which also supports UASP for faster connectivity and performance.
It’s backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1 ports and it is perfect for swapping out the hard drive or adding external hard drive space to a notebook computer, desktop computer, server, or any other device that has a USB port, such as your PS4 and Xbox One.
The 2.5” drive adapter provides true plug-and-play functionality without any additional drivers or software, so you can start accessing the contents of your 2.5” SATA drives in no time at all.
This product is designed to work with any 2.5″ SATA hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) that is larger than 9.5mm in height, and it is compatible with SATA I, II, and III (up to 6Gbps).
Pros
- Support UASP for faster speeds
- USB 3.1 Gen2 speed up to 10Gbps
- Supports other devices with USB 2.0/1.1 ports
Cons
- Not for 3.5” hard drives.
6. Neeyer SATA to USB 3.0 Hard Drive 20″ Adapter Cable for 3.5/2.5 Inch HDD/SSD with 12V/2A Power Adapter
Neeyer SATA to USB 3.0 is the sixth best USB to SATA adapter on our list. It was specifically designed to convert 2.5″ and 3.5″ SATA hard drives into external storage devices that you can access from any computer with the USB 3.0 connection. This adapter is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and Mac OS X.
It is a plug-n-play type of adapter, meaning that you can start using it immediately without the need to install any drivers or software. It supports fast data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps. The fastest speed is reached when you connect this adapter to a computer that has also supported the UASP function, which will result in faster read/write access times to your external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD).
It’s an external hard drive cable that you can plug in your 3.5″ or 2.5″ SATA drives and use as a portable external storage device for your laptop, over the go without the need to install it inside an enclosure.
Pros
- Support UASP for faster performance
- USB 3.0 data transfer rate up to 5Gbps
- Very reliable, and highly recommend especially for the price.
Cons
- The driver software/firmware is not so good.
7. EYOOLD USB 3.0 to SATA III Adapter Cable with UASP SATA to USB Converter for 2.5″ Hard Drives Disk HDD and Solid State Drives SSD
The Eyold USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter is the seventh-best external hard drive adapter on our list. This external hard drive connector cable can be used with 2.5″ and 3.5″ SATA hard drives. It’s compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and macOS.
It’s a portable hard drive interface that enables you to connect an external storage device to your computer without installing it in an enclosure. This USB-powered external hard drive cable features USB 3.0 data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
It also comes with a 12V/2A adapter, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power due to its shorter cable length. It’s compatible with any 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA hard drives and SSDs.
Pros
- This external hard drive connector cable can be used with 2.5″ and 3.5″ SATA hard drives
- USB 3.0 data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
- It’s compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and macOS.
Cons
- The cable is on the short side… I would have preferred it if it was a bit longer.
8. Unitek SATA to USB 3.0, SATA III Cable Hard Drive Adapter Converter for Universal 2.5/3.5 SATA HDD/SSD Hard Drive Disk and SATA Optical Drive, Include 12V/2A Power Adapter
Another best SATA to USB 3.0 adapter that you can find on the market today is the Unitek SATA to USB 3.0 adapter cable. It comes with a power cable, a user manual, and a 2-year warranty so you can have confidence when using this product.
The adapter supports up to 6 Gbps transfer rates, but it’s important to mention that the transfer rates vary depending on the devices you’re connecting. It is also compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10, Mac OS along with backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports.
This USB to SATA adapter is lightweight and easy to carry around, making it very portable. It supports plug-and-play functionality for hassle-free installation.
Overall, this product is very impressive and you won’t have problems using it on any computer thanks to its compatibility with any operating system. In addition, it is very affordable compared to other products. Therefore, our experts recommend it highly.
Pros
- High data transfer speed and Easy to use
- Works with Windows XP and Mac OS X
- Supports data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps
Cons
- The wire is not long enough
9. JSAUX USB A 3.0 to 2.5” SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Aluminum Shell Nylon Cord External Converter for SSD/HDD Data Transfer-Grey
This is an amazing product by JSAUX and it’s definitely going to be added to our list of best USB to SATA adapters that you can find on the market. The design is compact, so you can carry it around very easily. It comes with an external enclosure so you can easily install it inside the laptop and plug it into a SATA or SATA II port.
When it comes to speed, it supports USB 3.0 SuperSpeed and transfers data up to 5 Gbps. This means that you can quickly transfer a large amount of data in a short time. Another great thing about this adapter is its support for UASP speeds, which makes it 70% even faster than traditional ones.
This adapter is plug and play so you don’t have to worry about installing any software. Just plug it into your laptop and you’re good to go. We would highly suggest this product to anyone who is looking for a USB to SATA adapter that they can easily carry around and that supports UASP speeds.
Please note: This adapter is not compatible with ATA(IDE), MSATA, and M.2 interfaces. Also, it doesn’t support a 3.5” hard drive, so you have to be sure in advance which kind of hard drive you want to use with this adapter.
Pros
- Superfast data transfer speed of 5GBPS.
- It supports UASP speed which makes it 70% faster than other adapters.
Cons
- It doesn’t support a 3.5″ hard drive.
10. Vantec SATA/IDE TO USB 3.0 Adapter (CB-ISA225-U3)
Last but not least, you should also consider the Vantec SATA/IDE to USB adapter. My first impression of this product is its compact and lightweight design, which makes it easy to store in a small space and take with you wherever you go.
No matter the size of the drive, this adapter cable will be able to access it easily since it supports 2.5″ and 3.5″ IDE and SATA, SSDs, and CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives. The drive is optimized for any speed and supports both SATA I and II, which is great.
With this adapter, you can access hardware in a variety of ways. It supports hot-swapping, which means you won’t have to reboot your operating system after plugging it in. Simply plug it in and start using it!
Since no drivers are needed for this product, you need not worry about compatibility issues. In addition, it works with a variety of operating systems, such as Windows and Mac OS X. Our expert’s rate this adapter 10th in our list of the best USB TO SATA adapters.
Pros
- Very compact and lightweight in design.
- It supports 2.5″ and 3.5″ IDE and SATA, SSDs, and CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive.
- Compatible with both Windows and macOS X.
Cons
- None
Choosing the Best USB to SATA Adapter – Buying Guide
Not sure what to check before you buy one of these external hard drive adapter cables? Here are some things to look for to help you make a good purchase decision.
1. Speed
The speed of the USB to SATA adapter cable that you purchase is a huge factor and strongly depends on the computer you will be using it. If your computer runs Windows XP, Vista, or 7, then it can support USB 2.0 speeds only, which is up to 480 Mbps.
Windows 8 and 10 computers can support both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. The USB 3.0 speeds are limited to 5 Gbps, and the USB 2.0 speeds are limited to 480 Mbps, so just make sure that your computer supports USB 3.0 before you try purchasing a USB to SATA adapter.
If your computer runs Windows 10, you can buy a UASP supported adapter that will give up to 6 Gbps transfer rates using the included USB 3.0 cable.
2. Drive Compatibility
Before you purchase the USB to SATA adapter cable, make sure that it supports your drive. You can find support for any 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA hard drives or SSDs using the included UASP support on the product page of each USB to SATA adapter.
If there is no UASP support and your computer does not have a USB 3.0 port, you can still use the adapter, but the speed will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.
3. Enclosure Compatibility
USB to SATA adapters are designed for external hard drive enclosures and hard disk drives that need a little more power than what USB ports can provide. This is why these products come with their own power supply in order to ensure that your drive continues functioning properly when using it, especially if you have a 2.5″ hard drive or SSD.
Enclosures are usually not sold separately. If you buy an enclosure after you purchase an external hard drive adapter cable, make sure that the enclosure supports the speed of your USB to SATA adapter.
4. Compatible Operating Systems
Before you purchase a USB to SATA adapter, make sure that it is compatible with your operating system. The newer Windows computers support both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, but if you do not have a USB 3.0 port, then you will need to purchase a USB 2.0 cable and plug it into the adapter before you can use it.
Windows 8 and 10 also support UASP transfer speeds for external hard drive/optical drive cables with the included USB 3.0 cable. In Windows 8, the adapter will give you up to 6 Gbps of speed when you attach your SATA hard drive or SSD to your computer.
5. Cable Length
The length of the provided USB to SATA adapter cable varies. Some come with longer cables, while some do not, so make sure to check whether or not this is an important factor before making your purchase. Longer cables are better for keeping your computer away from the enclosure because it can sometimes get hot due to the hard drive’s operation.
USB to SATA adapter cables are not very long, so you can keep your computer well away from the enclosure. The longer the cable, the more space it will take up, so make sure that this is not an issue before you buy one of these products.
6. Customer Reviews and Feedback
Since there is a lot of USB to SATA adapter cables in the market right now, you can find reviews for each of them online. You should check out the available customer reviews and feedback for a product before buying it to see what other people have said about it.
You can find out more about how you can find the most reliable USB to SATA adapter by reading this article.
Wrapping Up!
So in this article, I’ve listed the best USB to SATA adapter for your computer. Just a quick word of caution, make sure that you check for any UASP compatibility when purchasing one of these external hard drive adapter cables.
It will tell you if the speed is limited to USB 2.0 or if it will give you up to 6 Gbps transfer rates using the included USB 3.0 cable and since USB to SATA adapter cables are not very long, you can keep your computer away from the enclosure using these products.
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