cenmate
CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive RAID Enclosure
Bottom line: The CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive RAID Enclosure: Fits 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDDs and SSDs, up to 20TB per bay; main trade-off: fan runs at 40-50 dB, noticeable in a quiet room.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Fits 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDDs and SSDs, up to 20TB per bay
- ✓ 4 modes: RAID 0, RAID 1, Normal and JBOD
- ✓ Includes both USB-A and USB-C cables
- ✓ Aluminum-alloy shell plus a 2-inch cooling fan for long transfers
- ✓ JMS561 controller; works on Windows 7+, macOS and Linux
Cons
- ✗ Fan runs at 40-50 dB, noticeable in a quiet room
- ✗ USB 3.0 at 5Gbps limits speed with fast SATA SSDs
- ✗ No RAID configuration software for macOS
- ✗ Switching RAID modes can erase data on the drives
Manufacturer description
The Cenmate 2 Bay RAID Enclosure turns two bare SATA drives into one external storage box for your desktop or laptop. It accepts 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch HDDs and SSDs, and each bay supports drives up to 20TB, so a fully loaded unit can hold up to 40TB in Normal or JBOD mode. You can choose from four modes: RAID 0 for striped speed, RAID 1 for mirrored redundancy, Normal for two independent drives, and JBOD to combine both drives into one volume. A JMS561 controller handles the array, and the USB 3.0 interface runs at up to 5Gbps. Both USB-A and USB-C cables come in the box, so it connects to…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive RAID Enclosure using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. cenmate's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size drives does the Cenmate 2 bay enclosure support?
It accepts 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDDs and SSDs, up to 20TB per bay. That is up to 40TB total in Normal or JBOD mode.
Which RAID modes does it support?
Four: RAID 0 (striping for speed), RAID 1 (mirroring for redundancy), Normal (two independent drives) and JBOD (both drives combined into one volume). After changing modes, hold the Reset button for 5 seconds to apply the new array.
Does it work with a Mac?
Yes. It works with macOS as a plug-and-play drive, and it also supports Windows 7 and later and Linux. Cenmate states there is no RAID software for macOS, so plan your RAID setup accordingly.
How fast is the connection?
It uses a JMS561 chip with a USB 3.0 interface rated at up to 5Gbps. Both USB-A and USB-C cables are included. Real transfer speeds depend on your drives and RAID mode.
Is the cooling fan loud, and what is the warranty?
Cenmate rates the 2-inch fan at about 40-50 decibels and does not recommend the enclosure for noise-sensitive users. Cenmate offers technical support with replies within 24 hours. Check the product listing for current warranty terms.
Key Features
- 【Reliable External Storage System for Individuals and business】The 3.5 hard drive enclosure supports 2.5/3.5 inches HDD and SSD, max capacity up to 20TB for each hard drive, it's a ideal external hard drive enclosure for personal or enterprise using.Save space on your desktop or laptop.
- 【4 Raid Modes】!!!NOTE:Press and hold the "Reset" button for 5 seconds after reset the RAID array!!!This raid enclosure supports 4 RAID Modes(RAID 0, RAID 1, Normal, JBOD).Designing RAID may result in data loss.MAC OS no Raid software.
- 【No heat】The 2 bay hard drive reader built in Aluminum-Alloy materials and 2 inch Fan.Maximize the security of your data.NOTE：Fan noise is around 40-50 decibels, not recommended if you are very sensitive to noise.
- 【Up to 5Gbps】This dual bay raid enclosure equips with JMS561 chip and USB 3.0 output interface.
- 【Wide Compatibility, Plug and Play】Equipped with USB A/C 3.0 Cable.Compatible with Windows 7 and above, Mac 9.1 and above, Linux.Plug and play, no fuss, no muss.
- 【Quality Assurance】Cenmate provides technical support.If you have any questions about the product, please don't hesitate to contact us, reply and solve your problem within 24 hours.
Full Specifications
| Brand | cenmate |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | 2 Bay RAID USB |
| Compatibility | Mac, Linux |
| Built-In Media | Dual Bay Hard Drive RAID Enclosure USB A/C 3.0 Cable Power adapter User Manual |
| Mfr Part Number | 802RAID |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Hardware Platform | Windows MAC Linux |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5 gigabits_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Aluminum |
| Hardware Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 40 TB |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 7.95"L x 5.2"W x 3.5"H |
| Supported Devices Quantity | 2 |
| Full listing title | CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive RAID Enclosure with Cooling Fan for 2.5“/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD with USB A/C 3.0, Tool-Free HDD Enclosure, 4 Modes |
Hardware benchmark data
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CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive RAID Enclosure with Cooling Fan for 2.5“/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD with USB A/C 3.0, Tool-Free HDD Enclosure, 4 Modes is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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