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The Akasa AK-ENU3M2-07 is a sturdy, tool-free enclosure for turning an M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD into external storage. AnandTech’s 2022 testing found that it handled sustained workloads without thermal throttling and had the smallest temperature rise among the tested enclosures using the same USB bridge. Its 20Gbps headline, however, is a maximum USB link rate—not a promise of 20Gbps file transfers—and requires a host port that specifically supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. This enclosure does not work with M.2 SATA SSDs.
What the Akasa AK-ENU3M2-07 is
The AK-ENU3M2-07—called “Akenu3M207” in AnandTech’s review title—is an aluminum USB enclosure for a separately purchased M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. It is not a complete external SSD. Akasa specifies support for 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280-length drives, but not M.2 SATA drives. Even a SATA SSD with a B+M key is incompatible; the drive must use the PCIe/NVMe protocol. See Akasa’s product and compatibility information.
Inside, an ASMedia ASM2364 bridge connects the NVMe drive to USB. The enclosure supports UASP, SMART passthrough and TRIM passthrough. It is bus-powered, so it has no separate power adapter.
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| Feature | AK-ENU3M2-07 |
|---|---|
| External connection | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, USB-C; maximum link rate 20Gbps |
| Backward-compatible USB modes | USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10Gbps, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 at 5Gbps, and USB 2.0 at 480Mbps |
| Supported drive protocol | M.2 PCIe NVMe; PCIe Gen 1, Gen 2 or Gen 3, x2 or x4 |
| Drive keying and lengths | M key or PCIe x2 B+M key; 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280 |
| Bridge and features | ASMedia ASM2364; UASP, SMART and TRIM passthrough |
| Dimensions and weight | 122 × 46 × 15mm; 112g for the enclosure, excluding SSD, cable and thermal pad |
| Power and cable | Bus-powered; included 29cm USB-C-to-USB-C cable |
| In the box | Aluminum enclosure, cable, thermal pad, manual and carrying pouch |
| Operating systems listed by Akasa | Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, Mac OS 10.8 or later, and Linux 2.6.24 or later |
Akasa lists the specifications and operating-system compatibility in its AK-ENU3M2-07 manual. Listed OS compatibility means the enclosure can be used as storage; it does not mean every listed computer can achieve the full 20Gbps mode.
#1 Best Overall
- Flip-Open Tool-Free Design: Open the cover, insert your NVMe SSD, lock it in place, and close—no screws or tools required. Fast and simple for upgrades, cloning, troubleshooting, and portable tech work.
- Cooler 10Gbps Performance: The aluminum enclosure presses the thermal pad directly against your SSD for better heat transfer and more stable 10Gbps speeds than slide-in enclosures. Ideal for long transfers and heavy workloads.
- NVMe Only for Maximum Speed: Supports M.2 NVMe SSDs in sizes 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 up to at least 8TB. Not compatible with M.2 SATA SSDs.
- USB C Plug-and-Play: Connect with USB C for up to 10Gbps using USB 3.2 Gen 2. No drivers or external power needed. Works with laptops, desktops, gaming handhelds, and USB C devices.
- Portable and Durable Aluminum Build: Reinforced ABS frame with an aluminum alloy top keeps your SSD protected and cool. Slim, lightweight, and perfect for creators, gamers, and anyone needing fast portable storage.
Will it actually transfer data at 20Gbps?
Not as a general guarantee. The 20Gbps figure is the maximum USB link rate, and practical file-transfer speeds are lower because of USB protocol overhead and the limits of the host, SSD, filesystem and workload. Under favorable conditions, 20Gbps USB is broadly a 2GB/s-class external-storage platform, not a promise that every copy will run at that rate.
To negotiate the top mode, both the computer’s port and the cable path must support USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. USB-C describes the connector shape, not its speed: a USB-C port might support 5Gbps, 10Gbps, 20Gbps, USB4 or Thunderbolt, among other features. Akasa includes a cable rated for 20Gbps operation; if replacing it, use a cable specified for the required mode. A host limited to 10Gbps or 5Gbps will constrain the enclosure accordingly.
Rank #2
- 10Gbps NVMe Enclosure: With the latest USB 3.2 Gen2, this M.2 enclosure can achieve a data transfer rate of 10Gbps. Backward compatible with USB 3.1 and USB 3.0. Note: 10G speeds need to be matched with a USB C 3.2 GEN2 data cable
- Tool-free SSD Enclosure: Tool-free NVMe SSD enclosure for quick and easy installation. Plug and play, no drivers required. The buckle design of the M.2 SSD enclosure can ensure stable and fast transfer
- Broad Compatibility: The UGREEN M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure is specially designed to support NMVe protocol M/B&M keys and for 2230/ 2242/ 2260/2280 size SSDs up to 8TB. The M.2 NVMe enclosure is applicable for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, IOS systems.(Does not support SATA NGFF SSD or mSATA SSD)
- Security & Stability: USB C NVMe enclosure adopts advanced RTL9210 chip with short-circuit, over-current and multi-protection to ensure the safety of your SSD and valuable data, and supports UASP/ Trim with high transfer speed
- Compact & Portable: This ultra-slim aluminium external NVMe enclosure with extra silicone case is portable yet durable, and much easier to carry with this M.2 to USB adapter, making it ideal for travelling
AnandTech compared the Akasa against other ASM2364 enclosures with ATTO, CrystalDiskMark, its DAS workloads and PCMark 10 storage traces. The Akasa performed broadly in line with those peers, with no obvious bridge-performance problem; PCMark 10 showed little meaningful separation among the comparable enclosures. The review used an SK hynix Gold P31 1TB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD, an Intel Quartz Canyon NUC9vXQNX, Windows 10 Enterprise 21H1 and a SilverStone USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 host adapter. Results should be read as that test setup’s findings, not as a guarantee for a different SSD or computer. See AnandTech’s review and test setup.
Thermals: the enclosure’s strongest result
The housing is a substantial aluminum shell with exterior ridges that add surface area for heat dissipation. The supplied thermal pad sits between the SSD and enclosure, helping conduct heat into the metal body. The 112g enclosure also has more thermal mass than lighter enclosures using the same bridge, which can help absorb short-term heat spikes.
Rank #3
- ENCLOSURE ONLY, SSD NOT INCLUDED: This is the case you put your own M.2 SSD into, not a drive with storage inside. 100% tool-free, so the SSD installs and comes out in seconds with no screwdriver.
- FITS M.2 NVMe AND SATA: Works with both M.2 PCIe NVMe and M.2 SATA SSDs in 2242, 2260 and 2280 lengths. Bare drives only, no room for a drive with a pre-installed heatsink. It does NOT take 2.5in SATA drives or mSATA.
- 10GBPS USB 3.2 TYPE-C: Up to 10Gbps, and up to 1000MB/s in real transfers. Backward compatible with USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 at their own speed limits. Bus powered, no drivers and no external power supply.
- SLIM ALUMINUM BUILD: Ultra-slim aluminum case with an ABS frame, with a thermal pad to move heat off the drive. Light enough to live in a laptop bag, solid enough to survive it.
- IN THE BOX: Enclosure, 8in Type-C to Type-C cable and user manual. Works with Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.5 or later and Linux. Register on the manufacturer's website for extended warranty service.
In AnandTech’s sustained performance-consistency test, the Akasa showed no signs of thermal throttling and had the smallest start-to-finish temperature change of the three ASM2364 enclosures compared. That is a strong result for this tested class, not proof that the enclosure will stay cool to the touch or that every installed SSD will behave identically. The test drive was a PCIe 3.0 SK hynix Gold P31; a higher-power drive, including a PCIe 4.0 model, may run hotter. The enclosure cannot eliminate the SSD’s own power and flash limits, and the USB interface still caps external throughput.
Thermal-pad contact matters: it needs to sit over the SSD correctly, without preventing the tray from sliding fully into the shell. AnandTech also cautions that repeatedly polling NVMe temperatures through USB bridges can affect transfer rates, so temperature readings require care. Its thermal conclusion is based on the review’s workload and measurement approach, not every possible monitoring pattern.
Rank #4
- [Active Cooling] Upgraded 40Gbps NVMe Enclosure with Fan Experience superior heat management with the TBU405 Pro. This aluminum M.2 enclosure features a built-in cooling fan and precision-engineered heat dissipation holes. It’s the ultimate 40Gbps m.2 nvme ssd enclosure designed to prevent thermal throttling, ensuring your M.2 NVMe SSD maintains peak performance and stability during heavy workloads. (Note: Press the switch to activate the fan).
- [JHL7440 Chip] USB4 NVMe Enclosure Equipped with the certified Intel JHL7440 chip, this 40Gbps SSD enclosure offers dual-chip stability. It is a true USB4 NVMe enclosure, fully compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and backward compatible with USB 3.2/3.1/3.0. Whether you need a Thunderbolt enclosure for a Mac or a USB C SSD enclosure for a PC, ACASIS delivers a reliable connection.
- [Universal Compatibility] M.2 Enclosure for M1/M2/M3 Mac & PC Our SSD enclosure m.2 nvme is tailor-made for high-end hardware, supporting M1/M2/M3 Pro & Max MacBook, iPad Pro, Windows, and Linux. This versatile m.2 enclosure supports various sizes including 2280/2260/2242/2230. It’s the perfect thunderbolt 4 enclosure for power users running high-capacity drives like the 990 pro 4tb, ensuring seamless integration with your professional workstation.
- [Lightning-Fast] 40Gbps M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Stop waiting for file transfers. As a 40Gbps NVMe enclosure, it reaches tested Read/Write speeds of up to 2805/2734 MB/s (tested with Samsung 980 Pro on MacBook). This Thunderbolt NVMe enclosure transforms your internal drive into a high-performance Thunderbolt 4 SSD, delivering professional-grade speed for video editing and data backup.
- [Pro Portable Design] Compact Thunderbolt 4 Enclosure Get thunderbolt ssd performance in a pocket-sized form factor. This sleek yet rugged nvme ssd enclosure is travel-friendly and fits easily in your laptop bag. Designed as a premium professional solution, the ACASIS TBU405 Pro is the definitive thunderbolt nvme enclosure and thunderbolt 4 nvme enclosure for pros who need high-speed data access on the go.
Installation: tool-free, but check the drive length
The circuit board is mounted to a slide-out panel retained by two large thumbscrews beside the USB-C port. The retention tab is positioned for a 2280 drive by default and can be moved to fit shorter supported lengths.
- Loosen the two thumbscrews beside the USB-C port.
- Slide the bottom panel and circuit board out of the aluminum shell.
- Move the plastic retention tab to the hole for the SSD’s length: 2230, 2242, 2260 or 2280.
- Insert the NVMe SSD into the M.2 connector at an angle.
- Lower the free end of the SSD and rotate the tab to retain it.
- Place the thermal pad on top of the SSD, ensuring it is positioned to contact the enclosure when assembled.
- Slide the panel back into the shell and tighten the thumbscrews without overtightening.
- Connect the USB-C cable to the enclosure and the computer.
Akasa says normal plug-and-play use does not require a special driver. A new SSD may still need to be initialized, partitioned and formatted in the operating system. Do not initialize or format an existing drive if it contains data you need to keep.
Best Value
- Transmission files in seconds: This product is equipped with the ASM2464PD chip, and the maximum speed can reach 3600MB/s; compatible with USB4/3.2/3.1/3.0/2.0 & Thunderbolt 3/4.NOTE: Thunderbolt 4 cables and devices are required to achieve 3600MB/s speed
- Unique heat dissipation design: Features a unique double-sided fin design and a three-dimensional cooling system that delivers several times the heat dissipation efficiency of standard structures. Ensures quiet operation without fan noise or lifespan concerns
- Bring all your ssd types to life: It is compatible with sizes including 2230/2242/2260/2280, and it is suitable for Windows/Mac OS/Linux/Android systems (Note: It does not support SATA NGFF solid-state drives or mSATA solid-state drives
- Supports up to 8TB drives: This enclosure is compatible with drives up to 8TB, giving you ample space for work, gaming, and video playback anytime, anywhere. Note: This is a NVMe enclosure only. SSD not included.Some SSDs may be too thick, making them prone to breakage. Replacing them with thinner thermal pads will solve the problem and allow them to function normally.
- Compact & Portable: This ultra-slim aluminium external NVMe enclosure is portable yet durable, and much easier to carry with this M.2 to USB adapter, making it ideal for travelling
Who should consider it—and who should skip it?
It is a good fit if
- You already own a spare M.2 NVMe SSD and want to reuse it.
- Your computer has a confirmed USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port and you regularly move large files.
- You value passive cooling, a robust metal shell and a retention mechanism that needs no small mounting screw.
- You use external storage for media projects, photo or video libraries, game files, backups or a portable workspace.
Look elsewhere if
- Your drive is M.2 SATA, even if its connector appears to fit.
- Your computer has only 5Gbps or 10Gbps USB and you would pay extra for speed you cannot use.
- You need USB4 or Thunderbolt-class performance above the 20Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 tier.
- You need a complete drive rather than buying an enclosure and SSD separately, or require water resistance, drop protection or certified ruggedization.
Mac compatibility needs a distinction: Akasa lists Mac OS 10.8 or later, but that does not establish 20Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 performance on a Mac. A Mac without Gen 2×2 support can still connect at a lower mutually supported USB mode.
Alternatives by need
| Option | What it supports | Better fit when |
|---|---|---|
| Akasa AK-ENU3M2-05 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 up to 10Gbps; M.2 SATA and NVMe | You need SATA compatibility or your host lacks a 20Gbps port. Akasa’s AK-ENU3M2-05 product page lists its supported drive types. |
| Akasa AK-ENU4M2-01 | USB4-class, up to 40Gbps, with backward modes including 20Gbps, 10Gbps, 5Gbps and USB 2.0 | You own a compatible USB4 or Thunderbolt-class computer and want a higher interface ceiling. See the AK-ENU4M2-01 documentation; a current price is not established here. |
| Complete portable SSD | Drive and enclosure sold as one device | You do not already own an NVMe drive or prefer a ready-to-use product over selecting and installing an SSD. |
USB4/Thunderbolt enclosures can offer a higher ceiling, but that advantage matters only with a compatible host and drive; they may also cost more and produce more heat. Akasa’s older AK-ENU3M2-07 remains an option if its current price is competitive with newer 20Gbps or USB4 products. Akasa’s product page is available, but it does not establish a dependable current U.S. street price. Its 2021 launch announcement listed £66 / €69.95 as starting prices; those are historical launch figures, not current buying guidance. See Akasa’s launch announcement.
Practical checks if something goes wrong
- The drive is missing from File Explorer: Check Disk Management or the equivalent disk utility. A new, blank drive may need initialization, partitioning and formatting. Formatting erases data, so do not do this to a drive with files you need.
- The SSD is not detected: Confirm it is PCIe NVMe rather than SATA, check that it is seated in the connector, verify the retention tab and thumbscrews, and try another suitable cable or host port.
- Transfers seem capped at 10Gbps: Check the computer’s exact port specification rather than its connector shape. The host, cable or adapter may not support Gen 2×2.
- The drive disconnects under load: Try a different cable and direct host port instead of a hub, check for stable bus power, and inspect the SSD’s seating and thermal-pad contact.
- Existing data is involved: Avoid initialization or formatting prompts until you have confirmed the drive and its contents. Those actions can destroy data.
For a drive shared between Windows and macOS, exFAT is a practical filesystem choice; NTFS or APFS may suit a single-platform setup better. These are general filesystem trade-offs, not requirements specific to the enclosure.
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