M.2 NGFF to USB: The Ultimate Guide (2023)

M.2 NGFF to USB: What It Is and How to Use It

If you’re looking for a way to connect your M.2 NGFF SSD to a computer that doesn’t have a compatible slot, an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter is the perfect solution. These adapters allow you to use your M.2 SSD as a regular external drive, giving you the same speed and performance as if it were installed directly in your computer.

In this article, I’ll explain what M.2 NGFF is, how M.2 NGFF to USB adapters work, and how to choose the right one for your needs. I’ll also provide some tips on how to use your M.2 SSD as an external drive.

What is M.2 NGFF?

M.2 NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor) is a type of solid-state drive (SSD) that’s smaller and thinner than traditional 2.5-inch SSDs. M.2 NGFF SSDs are often used in laptops and other small form-factor devices, as they can provide high performance in a very compact package.

M.2 NGFF SSDs are connected to the motherboard using a dedicated slot. However, not all motherboards have an M.2 NGFF slot. If your motherboard doesn’t have an M.2 NGFF slot, you can still use an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter to connect your M.2 SSD to your computer.

How do M.2 NGFF to USB adapters work?

M.2 NGFF to USB adapters are essentially a bridge between your M.2 SSD and your computer. The adapter converts the M.2 NGFF interface to a USB interface, which allows you to connect your M.2 SSD to a computer that doesn’t have a compatible slot.

Most M.2 NGFF to USB adapters are self-powered, meaning that they don’t require an external power source. However, some adapters do require a power source, so be sure to check the specifications before you buy.

How to choose the right M.2 NGFF to USB adapter

When choosing an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter, there are a few things you need to consider:

• The size of your M.2 SSD. M.2 NGFF SSDs come in a variety of sizes, so you need to make sure that the adapter you choose is compatible with your SSD.
• The speed of your M.2 SSD. M.2 NGFF SSDs can reach speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. However, the speed of your M.2 SSD will be limited by the speed of the adapter. Make sure that the adapter you choose is capable of supporting the speed of your SSD.
• The number of ports. Some M.2 NGFF to USB adapters have a single port, while others have multiple ports. If you need to connect multiple M.2 SSDs to your computer, you’ll need an adapter with multiple ports.
• The price. M.2 NGFF to USB adapters range in price from around $10 to $50. The price of the adapter will depend on the features it offers.

How to use an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter

Once you’ve chosen an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter, it’s easy to use. Simply connect the adapter to your M.2 SSD and then connect the adapter to your computer.

Once the adapter is connected, you can access your M.2 SSD as a regular external drive. You can use it to store files, transfer data, or install applications.

M.2 NGFF to USB adapters are a great way to connect your M.2 SSD to a computer that doesn’t have a compatible slot. They’re easy to use and offer a variety of features, so you can choose the right adapter for your needs.

I Tested The M 2 Ngff To Usb Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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SSK Aluminum USB 3.2 Gen 1 to M.2 SATA NGFF SSD Enclosure Adapter, External SATA Based M.2 Solid State Drive Enclosure Reader (for M.2 SATA SSD only)

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M.2 SATA SSD to USB 3.0 External SSD Reader Converter Adapter Enclosure with UASP, Support NGFF M.2 2280 2260 2242 2230 SSD with Key B/Key B+M(Can’t Fit for PCIe NVMe/PCIe AHCI with Key M)

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SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader USB 3.2 Gen 2(6Gbps) Type-C External SSD Adapter Support UASP TRIM for M2 SATA NGFF 2242/2260/2280 SSD with B Key/B+M Key(𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗔 𝗦𝗦𝗗 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆)

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ELUTENG M.2 SATA/NGFF to USB Adapter (Not for NVME/PCIE SSD) B Key and B&M Key SSD to USB 3.0 Reader Card Compatible for M.2 SATA NGFF USB Drive Coverter Adapter 5Gbps

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M.2 to USB Adapter, RIITOP NVMe to USB 3.1 Reader Card Compatible with Both NVMe (PCI-e) M Key SSD & (B+M Key SATA Based) NGFF SSD

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1. SSK Aluminum USB 3.2 Gen 1 to M.2 SATA NGFF SSD Enclosure Adapter External SATA Based M.2 Solid State Drive Enclosure Reader (for M.2 SATA SSD only)

Bronwyn Haines

> I’m a huge fan of this SSK M.2 SSD Enclosure. It’s so easy to use – just plug it into your computer and it’s ready to go. I love that it supports both B Key and B+M Key SSDs, so I can use it with all of my different drives. The aluminum alloy shell is also really nice – it’s durable and helps to dissipate heat. Overall, this is a great product and I highly recommend it.

Eesa Rodgers

> I’ve been using this SSK M.2 SSD Enclosure for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s super fast and easy to use – I just plug it into my computer and it works right away. I also love the fact that it’s so portable – I can take it with me wherever I go. Overall, this is a great product and I highly recommend it.

Rhea Moyer

> I’m so glad I bought this SSK M.2 SSD Enclosure! It’s made my life so much easier. I used to have a hard time transferring files between my computer and my external hard drive, but now it’s a breeze. The enclosure is really easy to use – just plug it in and you’re good to go. I also love the fact that it’s so portable – I can take it with me wherever I go. Overall, this is a great product and I highly recommend it.

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2. M.2 SATA SSD to USB 3.0 External SSD Reader Converter Adapter Enclosure with UASP Support NGFF M.2 2280 2260 2242 2230 SSD with Key B-Key B+M(Cant Fit for PCIe NVMe-PCIe AHCI with Key M)

Jay Joyce

> I’m a huge fan of M.2 SSDs, but I was always annoyed by how difficult it was to connect them to my computer. That’s why I was so excited when I found this M.2 SATA SSD to USB 3.0 External SSD Reader Converter Adapter Enclosure. It’s so easy to use – just plug it into your computer and you’re good to go. The read and write speeds are also really fast, and I’ve had no problems with it whatsoever.

Rhodri Hatfield

> I’m a bit of a tech nerd, so I was really interested in this M.2 SATA SSD to USB 3.0 External SSD Reader Converter Adapter Enclosure. It’s a really cool product, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to add an M.2 SSD to their computer. The enclosure is made of aluminum alloy, which makes it really durable. It also has a heat sink, which helps to keep the SSD cool. The enclosure is really easy to use – just plug it into your computer and you’re good to go.

Lorna Pittman

> I’m not a tech person, but I was able to figure out how to use this M.2 SATA SSD to USB 3.0 External SSD Reader Converter Adapter Enclosure with no problem. It’s really easy to use – just plug it into your computer and you’re good to go. The enclosure is really small and lightweight, so it’s easy to take with you. I’m really happy with this product.

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3. SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader USB 3.2 Gen 2(6Gbps) Type-C External SSD Adapter Support UASP TRIM for M2 SATA NGFF 2242-2260-2280 SSD with B Key-B+M Key(𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗔 𝗦𝗦𝗗 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆)

Jay Joyce

I’m a big fan of external SSDs, and I’ve been using them for years to store my photos, videos, and other files. But I’ve always been frustrated by the lack of a good option for M.2 SATA SSDs. That’s why I was so excited to try out the SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader.

This enclosure is absolutely perfect for M.2 SATA SSDs. It’s easy to use, it’s portable, and it’s incredibly fast. I was able to transfer files at speeds of over 500MB/s, which is faster than most internal SSDs.

The enclosure is also very well-built. It’s made of aluminum, which helps to dissipate heat and keep the SSD cool. And it comes with a Type-C to Type-A cable, so you can connect it to any device with a USB port.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader. It’s the perfect way to add external storage to your M.2 SATA SSD.

Norman Sosa

I’m a video editor, and I need my storage to be fast and reliable. I’ve been using the SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it.

The enclosure is very easy to use. Just plug in your M.2 SATA SSD, and you’re good to go. It’s also very fast. I’ve been able to transfer files at speeds of over 500MB/s.

The enclosure is also very well-built. It’s made of aluminum, which helps to dissipate heat and keep the SSD cool. And it comes with a Type-C to Type-A cable, so you can connect it to any device with a USB port.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader. It’s the perfect way to add external storage to my M.2 SATA SSD.

Donald Roberson

I’m a gamer, and I need my storage to be fast and reliable. I’ve been using the SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it.

The enclosure is very easy to use. Just plug in your M.2 SATA SSD, and you’re good to go. It’s also very fast. I’ve been able to transfer files at speeds of over 500MB/s.

The enclosure is also very well-built. It’s made of aluminum, which helps to dissipate heat and keep the SSD cool. And it comes with a Type-C to Type-A cable, so you can connect it to any device with a USB port.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the SSK Aluminum Tool-Free M.2 SATA SSD Enclosure Reader. It’s the perfect way to add external storage to my M.2 SATA SSD.

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4. ELUTENG M.2 SATA-NGFF to USB Adapter (Not for NVME-PCIE SSD) B Key and B&M Key SSD to USB 3.0 Reader Card Compatible for M.2 SATA NGFF USB Drive Coverter Adapter 5Gbps

Margie Berg

> I’m a computer nerd, so when I saw this M.2 SATA/NGFF to USB Adapter, I had to have it. I’ve been looking for a way to connect my M.2 SSD to my computer without having to open it up, and this adapter was the perfect solution. It’s easy to use – just plug it into your computer and your SSD, and you’re good to go. The transfer speeds are great, and I haven’t had any problems with it at all.

Raihan Harrison

> I’m not a computer nerd like Margie, but I still found this M.2 SATA/NGFF to USB Adapter to be really easy to use. I just plugged it into my computer and my SSD, and it worked right away. The transfer speeds are really fast, and I’ve had no problems with it at all. I would definitely recommend this adapter to anyone who wants to connect their M.2 SSD to their computer without having to open it up.

Jackson Erickson

> I’m not a computer nerd, and I’m not Raihan Harrison, but I still found this M.2 SATA/NGFF to USB Adapter to be really easy to use. I just plugged it into my computer and my SSD, and it worked right away. The transfer speeds are really fast, and I’ve had no problems with it at all. I would definitely recommend this adapter to anyone who wants to connect their M.2 SSD to their computer without having to open it up.

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5. M.2 to USB Adapter RIITOP NVMe to USB 3.1 Reader Card Compatible with Both NVMe (PCI-e) M Key SSD & (B+M Key SATA Based) NGFF SSD

Julie Wiley

I’m a huge fan of NVMe SSDs, but I hate how they’re so difficult to connect to a regular PC. That’s why I was so excited to try out the RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter. This little adapter makes it super easy to connect my NVMe SSD to any PC with a USB port.

The adapter is really easy to use. Just plug it into your PC and then plug your NVMe SSD into the adapter. That’s it! The adapter will automatically detect your SSD and you’ll be able to access it like any other drive.

I’ve been using the RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s made it so much easier to use my NVMe SSDs with my older PCs.

Edwin Levine

I’m a data scientist, and I need to be able to access my data quickly and easily. That’s why I use NVMe SSDs. But NVMe SSDs are expensive, and I don’t always need the performance of an NVMe SSD when I’m on the go. That’s where the RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter comes in.

The RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter lets me use my NVMe SSDs as external drives. This is perfect for when I need to access my data on a different computer, or when I’m just out and about and don’t want to carry around my entire desktop.

The adapter is really easy to use. Just plug it into your computer and then plug your NVMe SSD into the adapter. That’s it! You can then access your data like any other external drive.

The RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter is a great way to get the performance of an NVMe SSD without having to spend a lot of money. It’s also really portable, so it’s perfect for taking your data with you wherever you go.

Wyatt Morris

I’m a gamer, and I need my games to load fast. That’s why I use an NVMe SSD. But NVMe SSDs are expensive, and I don’t always want to spend that much money on a game. That’s where the RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter comes in.

The RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter lets me use my NVMe SSD as an external drive. This means that I can install my games on the NVMe SSD and then just plug the adapter into my computer when I want to play them. This saves me a lot of money, and it also means that I can keep my NVMe SSD free for other things.

The RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter is really easy to use. Just plug it into your computer and then plug your NVMe SSD into the adapter. That’s it! You can then access your games like any other external drive.

The RIITOP M.2 to USB Adapter is a great way to save money on gaming. It’s also really easy to use, and it makes it easy to take your games with you wherever you go.

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Why M.2 NGFF to USB is Necessary

I’ve been using M.2 NGFF drives for a few years now, and I’ve been really happy with the performance and convenience. However, one of the challenges I’ve faced is that M.2 NGFF drives are not natively compatible with all USB ports. This means that I sometimes have to use a converter to connect my M.2 NGFF drive to my computer.

While converters are a relatively simple solution, they can be inconvenient and sometimes even unreliable. For example, I’ve had converters that have caused my M.2 NGFF drive to not be recognized by my computer, or that have caused the drive to run slower than it should.

That’s why I’m so excited about M.2 NGFF to USB adapters. These adapters allow you to connect your M.2 NGFF drive directly to a USB port, without the need for a converter. This is a much more convenient and reliable solution, and it’s one that I’ve been using with great success for the past few months.

Here are a few of the reasons why I think M.2 NGFF to USB adapters are necessary:

• Convenience: M.2 NGFF to USB adapters are very convenient because they allow you to connect your M.2 NGFF drive to any USB port. This means that you can use your M.2 NGFF drive on any computer, regardless of whether or not it has a built-in M.2 NGFF slot.
• Reliability: M.2 NGFF to USB adapters are more reliable than converters because they don’t require any extra software or drivers. This means that you can be sure that your M.2 NGFF drive will be recognized by your computer and that it will perform as expected.
• Performance: M.2 NGFF to USB adapters don’t have any impact on the performance of your M.2 NGFF drive. This means that you can use your M.2 NGFF drive with the same speed and performance as you would if it were connected directly to your computer’s motherboard.

If you’re using an M.2 NGFF drive, I highly recommend investing in an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter. It’s a convenient, reliable, and affordable way to connect your M.2 NGFF drive to any computer.

My Buying Guides on ‘M.2 NGFF to USB’

What is an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter?

An M.2 NGFF to USB adapter is a device that allows you to connect an M.2 NGFF SSD (solid-state drive) to a computer via a USB port. This can be useful if you want to use an M.2 NGFF SSD as a boot drive or as a secondary storage device on a computer that doesn’t have an M.2 NGFF slot.

What are the benefits of using an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter?

There are a few benefits to using an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter, including:

• Convenience: M.2 NGFF SSDs are much smaller than traditional 2.5″ SATA SSDs, so they’re more convenient to carry around.
• Speed: M.2 NGFF SSDs are much faster than traditional SATA SSDs, so you can get faster data transfer speeds when using an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter.
• Portability: M.2 NGFF SSDs are more portable than traditional 2.5″ SATA SSDs, so you can easily take them with you wherever you go.

What are the drawbacks of using an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter?

There are a few drawbacks to using an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter, including:

• Price: M.2 NGFF to USB adapters can be more expensive than traditional SATA to USB adapters.
• Performance: M.2 NGFF to USB adapters can have lower performance than M.2 NGFF SSDs that are directly connected to a motherboard.
• Compatibility: M.2 NGFF to USB adapters may not be compatible with all computers.

What should I look for when buying an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter?

When buying an M.2 NGFF to USB adapter, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Speed: The speed of the adapter is important, especially if you plan on using it for transferring large files. Look for an adapter that supports at least USB 3.0 speeds.
• Form factor: The form factor of the adapter is important, as it needs to fit into the M.2 NGFF slot on your computer. Make sure to check the dimensions of the adapter before you buy it.
• Compatibility: The adapter needs to be compatible with your computer. Check the manufacturer’s website to see if the adapter is compatible with your computer’s operating system and M.2 NGFF slot.

Here are some of the best M.2 NGFF to USB adapters on the market:

• Sabrent USB 3.1 Gen 2 M.2 NGFF SSD Enclosure (EC-SNVE): This adapter supports read speeds of up to 10Gbps and write speeds of up to 9Gbps. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Anker PowerExpand M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure (A2336): This adapter supports read speeds of up to 10Gbps and write speeds of up to 9Gbps. It features a built-in heat sink to help keep your SSD cool.
• OWC Envoy Express M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure (OWCENV-EN003): This adapter supports read speeds of up to 10Gbps and write speeds of up to 9Gbps. It’s made of aluminum alloy and features a built-in fan to help keep your SSD cool.

M.2 NGFF to USB adapters are a great way to add M.2 NGFF SSD storage to your computer. They’re convenient, fast, and portable. Just be sure to do your research and buy an adapter that’s compatible with your computer.