10 Best SATA to USB Adapter

By JDFeb 20, 2025

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Introduction

If you have a spare SATA drive then you can use it as a secondary storage device. For this, you need a SATA to USB Adapter. It is a versatile tool and is particularly useful for data recovery, disk cloning, external storage, and upgrading hard drives.

What is a SATA to USB Adapter?

Well, it is a small device that bridges the connection between the SATA drive and your computer’s USB port. It has a SATA connector on one end and a USB plug on the other. It enables you to use your SATA drive without plugging it inside your computer.

Types of SATA to USB Adapters

SATA to USB Adapters come in various forms which include the following:

Basic SATA to USB Cable
SATA to USB Docking Station
SATA to USB Enclosure

How to Use a SATA to USB Adapter

You can use SATA to USB Adapter by following these 4 steps:

🔹 Connect the SATA drive to the adapter.

🔹 Plug the USB end into your computer’s USB port.

🔹 Power the drive (if using a 3.5-inch HDD).

🔹 Access the drive through the computer’s file manager.

Here are our top picks for SATA to USB Adapters

BENFEI 2.5 Inch SATA to USB

This item has a very reasonable price and the amazing thing is that it has a 2.5-inch Hard Drive Enclosure. So, you can safely cover your Hard Drive and use it as a portable device. The plug design is also very unique as it has both USB Type C/Type-A plug.

You can easily transfer files from one PC to another PC, laptop, or even PS5 using your SATA hard drive. It has a transfer rate of up to 5Gbps and the good thing is that it supports UASP SATA III transmission protocol.

It is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and even 1.1 ports. It also has an eye-catching design that makes it look expensive. It is compatible with Windows, LINUX, MacOS 8.0, and above. It has an 18-month Warranty which looks appealing.

StarTech.com USB 3.1 to 2.5″ SATA Hard Drive Adapter

Startech.com USB to SATA Adapter — Credit: Amazon

This is one of my recommended choices if you are looking for a good transfer rate. It has an amazing transfer rate of up to 10 Gbps with support for USB 3.1 and UASP transmission protocol. It is compatible with SATA 1, II, and III but keep in mind that it only supports 2.5″ SATA drives.

It is easy to carry because of its portability as it does not offer Hard Drive Enclosure case. It is a little expensive compared to our previous pick, but this adapter is still worth it. It is also backward compatible with SB 2.0 and even 1.1 ports.

SABRENT SATA to USB Cable

SABRENT SATA to USB Adapter — Credit: Amazon

If you are looking for a cheap and easy-to-carry SATA to USB Adapter then this will be your best pick. The transfer rate is not that great, it has a 5 Gbps transfer rate when connected to a USB 3.0 port which is satisfactory at this price range. The good thing is that it supports the UASP transmission protocol.

It requires no drivers, just plug-and-play. It has an LED light indicator for Power and activity status. It is reverse compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

BENFEI SATA to USB Cable

This is a budget-friendly option and works only with 2.5″ SATA drives. It can support a transfer rate of up to 6Gbps only for SSD and 5 Gbps for the USB 3.0 version. It is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1. It also supports the UASP transmission protocol.

It has an 18-month warranty that ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase. BENFEI is famous for its high-quality products.

FIDECO USB 3.0 to SATA or IDE Adapter

FIDECO USB to SATA Adapter — Credit: Amazon

This is a good option if you have both SATA or IDE Hard Drives. It supports 2.5/3.5″ SATA I/II/III Hard Drives and 2.5″ SATA SSD and it also supports 2.5″/3.5″ IDE Hard Drive, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW. It can support up to 16TB hard drives, so you can use it as a perfect solution for file transfers, backup, and processing IT data.

The data transfer rate is not that good but still satisfactory for USB 3.0. It can transfer data at the rate of up to 5Gbps. It is backward compatible with USB 1.1/2.0. It has an On/Off switch for Hard drive protection and supports Plug and Play. They provide a 1-year warranty.

FRIGRAF 2IN1 sata to USB 3.0 Cable

It is a budget-friendly option with a sleek and compact design. It has a data transfer rate of up to 5Gbps. It is compatible with both SATA (2.5″HDD) and SSD, 3.5″ HDD is not supported. You just need to fit the hard drive into the connector and you are good to go. It has a sleek and compact design with LED indicators.

It has a 12-month worry-free and 30-day money-back warranty.

JSAUX SATA to USB A Cable

JSAUX SATA to USB Adapter — Credit: Amazon

This beautiful little Adapter is a budget-friendly option for you. You can connect SATA 2.5″, SATA SSD, or HDD using this Adapter. It does not support a 3.5″ hard drive, ATA(IDE), MSATA, and M.2 interfaces. It supports USB 3.0 and has a data transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps. You can also get transfer speed up to 70% faster than USB 3.0 with its UASP transmission protocol. But for this, your computer should support UASP protocol.

It is super portable with a beautiful appearance. It is plug-and-play and does not require any drivers.

Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter

Unitek USB to SATA Adapter — Credit: Amazon

This is a universal Hard Drive Adapter as it supports any standard 2.5″, 3.5″ SATA I/II/III, SATA SSD, HDD. It can support Disk Capacity up to 18 TB. It has a good transfer speed of up to 6 Gbps only for SSD and for USB 3.0 it has a speed of up to 5 Gbps. It is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1. You can also get higher transfer speed with its UASP transmission protocol.

It does not require any driver, just plug and play.

Basesailor SATA to USB Adapter Cable

This Adapter can transfer data at a rate of up to 5Gbps with USB 3.0. It is only compatible with 2.5-inch SATA Hard Drives and does not support 3.5-inch hard drives. You can use it with both USB-C and USB-A devices with the included OTG adapter. It is Plug and Play on most Operating Systems making it easy to use. It is very lightweight and portable.

WAVLINK SATA to USB Type-A Hard Drive Cable

This is a portable and decent-looking Adopter, a little expensive but worth it. It supports 2.5″ SATA I/II/.III, HDD and SSD, as well as 3.5″ HDD. It supports hard drive space of up to 20TB. It has a beautiful blue LED indicator that shows its working status. It is lightweight and slim design makes it a perfect portable adapter.

It has a transfer rate of up to 5 Gbps with USB 3.0. It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1. It goes into auto-sleep mode after it gets inactive for 3 minutes.

SATA to USB Adapter Buying Guide

A SATA to USB adapter is a must-have tool for data transfer, recovery, and external storage solutions. With various models available, choosing the right one depends on speed, compatibility, and intended use. This guide will help you select the best SATA to USB adapter for your needs.

1. Key Factors to Consider

a) USB Interface & Speed

USB 2.0 – Slower speeds (~480 Mbps), suitable for basic file transfers.
USB 3.0 – Faster (5 Gbps), ideal for quick backups and large file transfers.
USB 3.1/3.2 & USB-C – Speeds up to 10 Gbps, best for SSDs and professional use.
USB 4.0/Thunderbolt – High-end, ultra-fast options for maximum performance.

Recommendation: Choose at least USB 3.0 for good speed, or USB 3.1/3.2 for SSDs.

b) Drive Compatibility

2.5-inch SATA HDDs & SSDs – Most adapters support these without external power.
3.5-inch SATA HDDs – Requires an external power adapter.
M.2 NVMe & M.2 SATA Drives – Special adapters are needed for M.2 drives.

Check the specifications to ensure your drive type is supported.

c) Power Requirements

2.5-inch SATA drives – Can be powered via USB alone.
3.5-inch SATA drives – Needs a dedicated power supply (check if included).

If using a 3.5-inch HDD, make sure the adapter includes an external power supply.

d) Adapter Types

SATA to USB Cable
- Simple and portable.
- Good for quick data transfers.
- Typically lacks external power for 3.5-inch drives.
SATA to USB Docking Station
- Supports multiple drives.
- Often includes cloning and backup features.
- Ideal for IT professionals and frequent users.
SATA to USB Enclosure
- Protects the drive for portable use.
- Turns internal drives into external hard drives.
- Available for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives.

2. Additional Features to Look For

✅ Plug & Play – No drivers needed for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
✅ UASP Support – Faster data transfers and lower CPU usage.
✅ On/Off Switch – Helps manage power for HDDs.
✅ LED Indicators – Shows connection and data transfer status.

3. Choosing the Right Adapter for You

For occasional use: A basic USB 3.0 SATA to USB cable is enough.
For frequent drive swaps: A docking station is more convenient.
For portable storage: A SATA enclosure turns your drive into an external HDD.
For maximum speed: Look for USB 3.2 or USB-C with UASP support.

SATA to USB Adapter FAQs

1. What is a SATA to USB adapter?

A SATA to USB adapter is a device that allows you to connect a SATA hard drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) to a computer via a USB port. It is commonly used for data recovery, drive cloning, backups, and external storage.

2. What types of drives can I use with a SATA to USB adapter?

Most adapters support:

2.5-inch SATA HDDs & SSDs (powered via USB).
3.5-inch SATA HDDs (requires external power).
M.2 SATA SSDs (special adapters needed, not all support NVMe).

Note: IDE drives require a different type of adapter.

3. Can I use a SATA to USB adapter to boot from an external drive?

Yes! Many computers support USB booting from an external SATA drive. Ensure that:

The BIOS/UEFI settings allow USB boot.
The external drive has an OS installed.
The adapter is USB 3.0 or higher for better performance.

4. Why does my 3.5-inch hard drive not work with a SATA to USB adapter?

Unlike 2.5-inch drives, 3.5-inch HDDs require additional power.

If the adapter doesn’t have an external power source, the drive won’t spin up.
Make sure to use an adapter with a dedicated power supply for 3.5-inch HDDs.

5. What is UASP, and do I need it?

UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) improves transfer speeds and reduces CPU load.

It is supported by USB 3.0 and later.
Helps SSDs achieve faster read/write speeds than traditional USB connections.

Recommended: If transferring large files or using an SSD, get an adapter with UASP support.

6. Can I use a SATA to USB adapter for cloning a drive?

Yes! Many docking stations and adapters support cloning without needing a computer.

If cloning manually, use software like Macrium Reflect or EaseUS Todo Backup.
For standalone cloning, get a dual-bay SATA docking station.

7. What’s the difference between a SATA to USB cable, docking station, and enclosure?

SATA to USB Cable – Simple, portable, good for quick transfers.
SATA Docking Station – Supports multiple drives, best for frequent use.
SATA Enclosure – Converts an internal drive into an external USB hard drive.

Choose based on your needs: occasional use (cable), frequent swaps (dock), or portable storage (enclosure).

8. How fast are SATA to USB adapters?

Speeds depend on the USB version and SATA drive type:

USB 2.0: Up to 480 Mbps (slow).
USB 3.0: Up to 5 Gbps (recommended for HDDs).
USB 3.1/3.2: Up to 10 Gbps (best for SSDs).
USB-C & Thunderbolt: Faster options available for professional use.

9. Why is my SATA to USB adapter not detected by my computer?

Possible reasons:
✅ Drive not initialized – Check Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac).
✅ USB port issues – Try a different USB port or cable.
✅ Power issue (for 3.5-inch HDDs) – Ensure external power is connected.
✅ Driver issues – Restart your PC or update drivers.

10. Can I connect a SATA DVD/CD drive using a SATA to USB adapter?

Yes, but it requires external power. Some adapters support optical drives, but make sure your adapter lists ODD (Optical Disc Drive) compatibility.

11. Can I use a SATA to USB adapter with a gaming console (PS5, Xbox, etc.)?

Yes, but only for external storage.

PS5/Xbox Series X/S: Can store games but won’t run PS5/Series X games.
PS4/Xbox One: Can run games directly from an external HDD/SSD.

Recommendation: Use a USB 3.0+ SATA adapter with an SSD for faster load times.

12. Are there SATA to USB adapters for NVMe SSDs?

Yes, but NVMe SSDs use a different interface (PCIe, not SATA).

You need a USB to NVMe adapter or NVMe enclosure.
If you have an M.2 SATA SSD, ensure the adapter supports M.2 SATA, not NVMe.

13. Can I use a SATA to USB adapter with a Mac?

Yes! Most modern macOS versions support plug-and-play for SATA to USB adapters.

HFS+ and APFS formatted drives work fine.
NTFS drives are read-only on macOS without third-party software.

14. How much does a SATA to USB adapter cost?

Basic SATA to USB 3.0 cables: $10–$20.
SATA docking stations: $30–$80.
SATA enclosures: $15–$50.

15. Where can I buy a SATA to USB adapter?

Online retailers: Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy.
Local electronics stores: Micro Center, Walmart.
Manufacturer websites: StarTech, UGREEN, Sabrent, ORICO.

Final Thoughts

A SATA to USB adapter makes it easy to access and transfer data between drives. Whether for data recovery, backups, or repurposing an old HDD/SSD, choosing the right adapter ensures efficiency and compatibility.

Would you like recommendations based on your specific needs? 🚀

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JD

Hey there! I’m Jawad, a tech lover who’s always exploring the latest in AI, software, gadgets, and emerging innovations. I enjoy diving deep into new technologies, discussing trends, and staying ahead in the ever-evolving tech world. Whether it’s coding, hardware, or futuristic ideas, I’m always up for a tech talk!