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CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure with Cooling Fan for 2.5“/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD with USB A/C 3.0, Support Hot Swappable, Tool-Free HDD Enclosure, DAS(NO RAID/NAS)
cenmate

CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure

Bottom line: The CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure: Two bays accept 2.5" and 3.5" SATA drives up to 20TB each, so 40TB total; main trade-off: fan runs at 40-50 decibels, audible in a quiet room or bedroom setup.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014, focused on GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. Synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Two bays accept 2.5" and 3.5" SATA drives up to 20TB each, so 40TB total
  • ✓ USB 3.0 at 5Gbps moves a 1GB file in roughly 3-5 seconds
  • ✓ Hot-swap support lets you change drives without powering the unit down
  • ✓ Tool-free trays mean no screws or screwdriver during drive installation
  • ✓ Daisy chain up to 3 units via USB host port for as much as 120TB

Cons

  • ✗ Fan runs at 40-50 decibels, audible in a quiet room or bedroom setup
  • ✗ No RAID and no NAS mode, so there is no redundancy or network access
  • ✗ USB 3.0 caps at 5Gbps, a bottleneck for fast SATA SSDs in both bays
  • ✗ Aluminum body plus dual 3.5" drives makes it a desk fixture, not portable

Manufacturer description

The CENMATE 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure turns a pair of loose SATA drives into a single desktop array you can actually live with. Both bays accept 2.5" and 3.5" HDDs or SSDs at up to 20TB each, so you can stage 40TB of media, backups, or project files behind one USB connection. The aluminum-alloy shell and 2-inch fan pull heat away from spinning drives during long transfers, and the USB 3.0 interface moves data at up to 5Gbps, roughly ten times USB 2.0 speed, or about 3 to 5 seconds for a 1GB file. Tool-free trays let you slide drives in and out by hand, and hot-swap support means you can…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the storage adapters category. cenmate's storage adapters 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 storage adapters 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

How large a hard drive can each bay hold?

Each of the two bays supports up to 20TB, covering both 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDDs and SSDs. That is 40TB in a single enclosure, and up to 120TB if you daisy chain three units.

Does this enclosure support RAID?

No. CENMATE lists this as DAS only, with no RAID and no NAS functionality. Each drive mounts to your computer as a separate volume, so mirroring or striping would need to be handled in software on your end.

How loud is the cooling fan?

CENMATE rates the 2-inch fan at roughly 40-50 decibels and specifically advises against it if you are very sensitive to noise. If the enclosure will sit on a desk next to you during quiet work, plan around that.

Can I swap drives without shutting it down?

Yes. The enclosure supports hot swapping, so you can pull one drive and insert another while the unit stays powered. Use your operating system's eject or safely-remove step first to avoid interrupting writes.

Will it work with my Mac or Linux machine?

CENMATE lists compatibility with Windows 7 and above, Mac 9.1 and above, and Linux. Both USB-A and USB-C 3.0 cables come in the box, so most current laptops and desktops connect without an adapter.

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.
  • 【No heat】The sata enclosure built in Aluminum-Alloy materials and 2 inch Fan.Maximize the security of your data.Fan noise is around 40-50 decibels, not recommended if you are very sensitive to noise.
  • 【Up to 5Gbps】This dual bay enclosure equips with advanced chips and USB 3.0 output interface.Transfer 1G files in 3-5 seconds with USB 3.0 Ports, which is 10 times faster than USB 2.0.
  • 【Hot Swappable Convenience】The HDD enclosure supports hot swapping, allowing users to replace hard drives without powering off the device. This feature enhances convenience and efficiency in data transfer processes.
  • 【Tool-Free Installation】Featuring a tool-free hard drive tray design, the external hard drive enclosure enables easy installation and removal of hard drives without requiring additional tools. Plug and play! No fuss, no muss!
  • 【Daisy Chain Expansion】Add a USB HOST port for external hard drive enclosure and daisy chain to expand capacity. Expansion 120TB storage through daisy chain up to 3 devices

Full Specifications

Brandcenmate
ColorBlack
Weight1g
ConnectivityUSB
Model Number2 Bay
CompatibilityMac, Linux
Built-In MediaDual Bay Hard Drive Enclosure(NO RAID) USB A/C 3.0 Cable Power adapter User Manual
Mfr Part Number802U3-5G
Number of Items1
Hardware PlatformWindows Mac Linux
Compatible DevicesDesktop, Laptop
Data Transfer Rate5 gigabits_per_second
Enclosure MaterialAluminum
Hardware InterfaceUSB 3.0
Warranty Description1 year
Hard Disk Form Factor3.5 inches
Connectivity TechnologyUSB
Memory Storage Capacity40 TB
Item Dimensions L x W x H7.95"L x 5.2"W x 3.5"H
Supported Devices Quantity2
Full listing titleCENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure with Cooling Fan for 2.5“/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD with USB A/C 3.0, Support Hot Swappable, Tool-Free HDD Enclosure, DAS(NO RAID/NAS)

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CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure with Cooling Fan for 2.5“/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD with USB A/C 3.0, Support Hot Swappable, Tool-Free HDD Enclosure, DAS(NO RAID/NAS) 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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CENMATE Aluminum 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure with Cooling Fan for 2.5“/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD with USB A/C 3.0, Support Hot Swappable, Tool-Free HDD Enclosure, DAS(NO RAID/NAS)
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