by 22 reviews.
WAVLINK 40Gbps PCIe NVMe SSD Enclosure Review: A High-Speed Storage Solution
The WAVLINK 40Gbps PCIe NVMe SSD Enclosure is a premium external storage solution designed for tech enthusiasts and professionals who demand high-speed data transfer and reliable performance. With support for Thunderbolt 4/3, USB4, and USB-C, this enclosure is compatible with modern devices and offers read/write speeds of up to 3800MB/s. Its sleek, aluminum alloy design ensures efficient heat dissipation, while the built-in fan and thermal silicone pad keep your SSD cool during intensive use. Whether you're a gamer, content creator, or professional, this enclosure promises to deliver unmatched performance and durability.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of the WAVLINK enclosure is its blazing-fast data transfer speeds. Customers have reported achieving speeds of up to 3600MB/s when paired with high-performance SSDs like the Samsung 990 Pro. One user noted, "I was not able to match the crazy fast internal SSD (>4000 MB/s), but got pretty close with this enclosure and a Samsung 990 Pro SSD (>3600 MB/s). So far, it works perfectly and is blazingly fast!"
However, some users mentioned that the enclosure can get warm during sustained transfers. While this is expected with high-speed devices, the built-in fan and heat dissipation design ensure that the enclosure remains operational without any loss in performance. "The case tends to get warm during long or sustained transfers, but it is still operational with no detected loss of speed transfer or lost data," shared one reviewer.
Build Quality and Design
The WAVLINK enclosure is praised for its robust build quality. The full aluminum alloy body not only looks premium but also provides excellent heat dissipation. One customer highlighted, "This m.2 enclosure is great! It’s built from a good solid chunk of aluminum with a hefty strap and secure snap-in lid." The tool-free installation and plug-and-play functionality make it easy to set up, even for beginners.
However, some users pointed out limitations in compatibility. The enclosure only supports 2280-size M.2 NVMe SSDs, which might be a drawback for those using other sizes. Additionally, the included USB-C cable didn’t work with all devices, as one user noted, "The provided cable would not work with my Aorus 17 YE5 gaming laptop. I had to use a different USB-C cable to get it working."
Heat Management
Heat management is a critical factor for NVMe enclosures, and the WAVLINK excels in this area. The built-in fan, thermal silicone pad, and aluminum strip work together to keep the SSD cool, even during prolonged use. A customer shared, "I was previously using a similar enclosure without a fan, and my NVMe SSD was constantly getting hot. This WAVLINK enclosure keeps it cool, which improved its speed and performance."
Despite the effective cooling system, some users mentioned that the enclosure can still get warm to the touch. However, this is a common issue with high-speed enclosures, and the WAVLINK handles it better than most competitors.
Portability and Compatibility
The compact and lightweight design of the WAVLINK enclosure makes it highly portable, fitting easily into pockets or bags. Its compatibility with Thunderbolt 4/3, USB4, and USB-C ensures seamless integration with a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux systems. One user commented, "It plugs in and is instantly recognized on my Windows 11 PC and has great transfer speed!"
However, the lack of support for other M.2 sizes (e.g., 2242 or 2260) and the occasional cable compatibility issue were noted as minor drawbacks. "It’s only about $20 more than a cheapo enclosure, but it’s faster and safer. I don’t want to risk starting a tiny fire or having anything corrupted when I’m transferring my entire digital life," said another satisfied customer.
Conclusion: Is the WAVLINK 40Gbps PCIe NVMe SSD Enclosure Worth It?
The WAVLINK 40Gbps PCIe NVMe SSD Enclosure is a top-tier choice for anyone seeking high-speed external storage with excellent heat management and build quality. Its compatibility with Thunderbolt and USB4 ensures future-proof performance, while the tool-free installation and compact design make it user-friendly and portable.
Pros:
- Blazing-fast data transfer speeds (up to 3600MB/s).
- Excellent heat management with a built-in fan and thermal silicone pad.
- Premium aluminum alloy build for durability and heat dissipation.
- Easy tool-free installation and plug-and-play functionality.
- Compact and portable design.
Cons:
- Only supports 2280-size M.2 NVMe SSDs.
- Included USB-C cable may not work with all devices.
- Can get warm during sustained transfers.
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a reliable, high-performance NVMe enclosure that keeps your SSD cool and delivers exceptional speeds, the WAVLINK 40Gbps PCIe NVMe SSD Enclosure is an excellent investment. While it has a few minor drawbacks, its overall performance and build quality make it a standout choice in its category. For those who prioritize speed and durability, this enclosure is well worth the price.
Specification WAVLINK 40Gbps PCIe NVMe SSD Enclosure, USB4 External M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure, for B+M/M-Key PCIe SSD 2280 Size, Tool-Free Installation, Compatible with Thunderbolt 4/3/USB4/USB C, SSD Not Include:
Comments from Amazon:
Excellent product
As noted by other users, the case tends to get warm during long or sustained transfers. Though the case is warm to the touch, it is still operational with no detected loss of speed transfer or lost data. Data speed transfer rate is around 3000-3500, well with standard for this drive. So far no issues.
This is a well built NVME SSD enclosure. It supports Thunderbolt 3/4/5/USB 4 with 40Gbps speed. It supports up-to 8TB of storage. I am using a 4TB NVME SSD in it. Installing the NVME SSD was quick and easy. It has a fan inside which keeps the storage area cool. I was previously using a similar enclosure without fan and my NVME SSD was constantly getting hot which is not the case anymore and this WAVLINK enclosure keeps it cool which improved its speed and performance. Noise level is really low and inaudible which is a good thing. I keep it plugged in to my laptop all the time and so far faced no issue.
So this device is fast. Twice as fast as my previous external NVMe enclosure. And the fan is basically necessary when working with drives this fast. Fast = heat and I have a couple enclosures that are just big huge heat sinks. Well that is fine unless you are moving a bunch of pictures or music files (which usually you are with these). Those other enclosures with no fans get so hot you can't even touch them. And heat means bad things for your M.2 drive. So this is both a nice big heat sink AND a fan. I put a KingSpec XG7000-4TB drive in it for testing and using H2testw (to test the entire surface of the 4TB drive - it was brand new and I wanted to make sure it was a good drive) I tested the entire surface (both write and read) and it handled 4 hours of heat just fine (note the slow write speeds is because after continuous writing, your m.2 cache eventually fills up and has to write directly to the drive...this is not representative of the enclosure since as you can see, reads were significantly faster as well as the CrystalDiskMark results showing really fast speeds). My USB C 2.2 connection only runs at 20Gbps max so I don't know what a 40Gbps connection would do heat wise. But at least I can say even at these speeds this was definitely warm...but I could still hold it. I have 3 pictures of the results for CrystalDiskMark. The slowest test was using USB A 2.1 port (got write speeds of 466 MB/s). The second test was a USB C 3.1 port (got write speeds of 1050 MB/s). The third test was the USB C 3.2 port operating at 20Gbps (got write speeds of 2090 MB/s which equates to 16.3Gbps). I wasn't able to reach the 20Gbps the port is supposed to be rated at, but it was close and I at least got a chance to see some really fast speeds with an external USB enclosure. Just so you know...this KingSpec m.2 drive placed inside a very fast computer achieved a write speed of 5394 MB/s or 42Gbps so the enclosure was the limiting factor and not the drive. So why the 4 stars then? Seems like a perfect enclosure for M.2 drives. Well the first thing is that you can't fit anything but a 2280 in it (didn't look at adapters, just saying there is only 1 mount slot for size 2280). Seems like a no brainer to have a couple additional holes/mounts just like in a motherboard so you can fit other drive sizes in it. I use these more for configuring M.2 drives that are going in/out of actual computers which means I'm popping drives in and out. The lid is easy to remove and the drive is easy to remove. But keep in mind that the additional heatsink (that comes with the enclosure) is needed if you want your drive to touch the surface of the enclosure (which makes use of the enclosure as a direct heatsink). I mostly use 2280's so not as big of a deal (especially when the title clearly says 2280). The next thing is the cable. I have an Aorus 17 YE5 gaming laptop with a USB C 3.2 and for some reason the provided cable would not work with it. I have another USB C to USB C cable which did work as well as a USB A to USB C which also worked (so I tested both of those). I also tried the provided cable on my desktop computer which has a USB C 3.2 (2x2) port and it did work there. Anyway I think if the cable they are providing won't work with ALL computers with a USB C port then they should provide an additional USB A to USB C cable as a secondary/backup. I think too that considering your limitation on the 2280 size, a cable that doesn't always work for all computers...and the price being a tad high (I'd be more comfortable at a 59.99 price or lower) I gave it a final rating of only 4 stars. If you find yourself having it not work with your computer, try a different cable before returning. This is probably the most important thing I have to say about this.
This m.2 enclosure is great!! It’s built from a good solid chunk of aluminum with a hefty strap and secure snap in lid, It includes a small heat sink for the top of the ssd and with a couple dots of thermal paste you get some transfer to the aluminum case, just be careful when removing the lid (if you do use thermal paste, as the rubber nub that holds the ssd isnt very secure. It plugs in and is instantly recognized on my windows 11 pc and has great transfer speed! Overall the fit finish size and performance are all perfect for my m.2 i needed to pack around! I definitely recommend!
I used this enclosure to help me upgrade to a new, larger SSD. I keep running out of space, so I'm hoping the 1 TB upgrade is the last one I have to resort to! Anyways, the transfer speeds were FAST. It definitely got hot, but the fan was audible and clearly worked to keep temperatures manageable despite the high transfer speeds. Is it expensive? A little, but it's worth it IMO. It's only about $20 more than a cheapo enclosure and it's faster/safer. I don't want to risk starting a tiny fire or having anything corrupted when I'm transferring my entire digital life :)
I bought this for my new M4 Pro Mac Mini as Apple charges a lot for increased storage. I wanted to take advantage of the Mini's Thunderbolt 4/5 ports and this allows a fast SSD to really shine. I was not able to match the crazy fast internal SSD (>4000 MB/s); but got pretty close with this enclosure and a Samsung 990 Pro SSD (>3600 MB/s). So far works perfect and blazingly fast!