A laptop DVD drive caddy is an adapter that fits in the optical-drive bay after the DVD or CD drive is removed. It holds a separate storage drive—commonly a 2.5-inch SATA SSD or HDD—so the bay can be used to add storage. The caddy is not a disc holder or an enclosure for using an optical drive over USB.
What a laptop drive caddy does
The caddy is a tray-shaped adapter: you mount a compatible storage drive in it, then install the assembled caddy in place of the laptop’s internal optical drive. The storage drive connects through the laptop’s optical-bay connection. Vantec’s installation guide illustrates the arrangement and installation sequence.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This can turn an unused optical-drive bay into a place for additional storage. It does not make the removed DVD or CD drive part of the caddy; that is a separate device.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow to choose a caddy that fits
Do not choose by appearance alone. Check the laptop’s service documentation and the optical drive’s dimensions and connection before buying. The available examples do not establish compatibility for every laptop model.
#1 Best Overall
- Package: 1x Hard Drive Bracket
- Product Size: 130 * 127 * 9.5mm
- Standard Sata-13pin (6+7) Optical Drive Interface, Supporting Sata-I/Sata-Ii/Sata-Iii Transmission Standards. Supports a Maximum Transmission Rate of 6gbps
- Suitable for 99% of laptops
- Supports Standard 2.5-Inch Sata Hard Drives, Suitable for 9.5mm Optical Drive Sata Port.
- Bay height: Notebook optical drives include 9.5 mm and 12.7 mm examples in Lenovo’s reference guide. Vantec’s caddy guide also covers those two heights. They are examples, not universal sizes.
- Bay connection: Verify that the caddy’s connector matches the laptop’s optical-bay connection; a matching height alone does not guarantee a fit.
- Storage-drive fit: Confirm that the drive type and size are supported by the caddy. For example, Compel describes caddies for 2.5-inch SATA SSDs and HDDs, but its listing does not prove compatibility with every laptop.
Retail listings may use terms such as “9.5 mm” or “12.7 mm optical bay caddy.” Match those specifications to your laptop’s documentation rather than guessing or assuming the two versions are interchangeable.
How the storage drive is installed
The exact removal and fastening steps vary by laptop. Follow the service instructions for your model before removing the optical drive; the sequence below describes the caddy installation in Vantec’s guide, not a model-specific laptop disassembly procedure.
Rank #2
- Universal 9.5 mm-thick Combo/SuperDrive with 13pin Slimline SATA interface. HDD Interface: 22pin SATA;
- Universal 9.5mm SATA 2nd HDD SSD Enclosure Hard Drive Caddy Case Tray for Laptop CD DVD-ROM Optical Bay Drive Slot
- High performance SATA hard drive providing up to 1TB of additional internal hard drive space.
- Fully integrated into laptop, no cables/PSU/software driver needed.Fast & Reliable connection in laptop, just as the primary HDD
- Easy to Use and Compact Portability: Plug & Play; Fully integrated into Laptop, no cables / software driver needed.
- Align the storage drive’s SATA interface with the caddy’s interface.
- Seat and secure the drive in the caddy as directed by its manufacturer.
- Insert the assembled caddy into the laptop’s optical bay.
- Fasten or secure it according to the laptop maker’s instructions.
Can you keep using the removed DVD drive?
Yes, if the optical drive has a SATA connection and you use a suitable SATA-to-USB cable or enclosure. iFixit’s optical-bay enclosure reference describes SATA-to-USB cable use with its kits. An internal bay caddy and a USB adapter or enclosure serve different purposes: one mounts a storage drive inside the laptop, while the other can let you connect a removed optical drive externally.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 1) Add a 2nd HDD to your laptop by replacing your optical drive, Improve laptop performance and upgrade capacity with extra hard drive.
- 2) Uses 2.5 inch SATA hard drives 9.5mm / 7mm / 5mm high. Support SSD.Fully integrated into laptop, No cables or driver needed, Supports Hot swapping, Plug & Play.
- 3) Support: MacBook Pro 13 inch A1278 Model MB990 MB991 MC374 MC375 MC700 MC724 MD313 MD314 MD101 MD102(2009, 2010, 2011, 2012),MacBook 13 inch MB466 MB467(2008).
- 4) Support: MacBook Pro 15 inch A1286 MB470 MB471 MB985 MB986 MC026 MC118 MC371 MC372 MC373 MD318 MD322 MC723 MC721 MD103 MD104 (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012).MacBook Pro 17 inch A1297 MC226 MC110 MC024 MD311 MC725 MD386 (2009, 2010, 2011).
- 5)【Universal repair tool】Please check the asin B07S9YFQJH if you need pry scewdrive Repair your iPad, iPhone,android Phone, PSP,XBox,PlayStation,Nintendo,SSD,MP3 ,players,PC, Watch and more daily devices.
Rank #3
- 100% Brand New and High Quality
- Add a 2nd drive to your laptop by replacing your optical drive(CD/DVD-ROM)
- This device accepts 2.5 inch 9.5mm / 7mm high or less SATA HDD / SSD.
- Compatible with: DELL HP LENOVO ThinkPad ACER Gateway ASUS SONY SAMSUNG MSI Laptop which has a 9.5mm high CD/DVD-ROM driver.
- Package includes: 1x hard drive caddy with universal bezel/faceplate + 1x screwdriver(The CD-ROM in the pictures is not included)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
