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Head-to-head · Best External SSD Enclosures

OWC Express 1M2 vs Plugable USBC-NVME

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

OWC Express 1M2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about power users who need high-speed external storage and don't mind the bulk — read the strengths below before deciding.

OWC Express 1M2
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best External SSD Enclosures
OWC Express 1M2
8 sources$78.99as of Aug 1

PCWorld's Jon Jacobi called the OWC Express 1M2 'fantastic' for USB4 storage, citing over 3GBps performance and universal compatibility across USB and Thunderbolt ports. PCMag's Tony Hoffman also praised the performance and the range of ways it can be used, while calling out the large size as a drawback. At $219.99 for the 1TB unpopulated version, it is affordable if you are bringing your own NVMe drive. Power users who need high-speed external storage and don't mind the bulk are the fit; anyone prioritizing portability should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Over 3GBps transfer speeds with USB4 interface
  • — Works with all USB and Thunderbolt 3/4 ports for universal compatibility
  • — Available unpopulated so users can leverage their own NVMe SSD
Watch-outs
  • — Expensive when loaded with an SSD
  • — Large size may be cumbersome for portability
$78.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Plugable USBC-NVME
Ranked #3 in Best External SSD Enclosures
Plugable USBC-NVME
3 sources1 derived$22.95as of Aug 1

Tom's Hardware and StorageReview.com both praised the Plugable USBC-NVME as a compact, tool-free route to portable NVMe storage. StorageReview measured over 900MB/s with a Samsung 970 Pro and called it 'super fast for a portable solution.' The enclosure takes multiple M.2 sizes and wraps them in a sleek aluminum body with heat dissipation fins. Reviewers also noted that NVMe SSDs are a separate purchase and that heat dissipation may fall short with high-performance drives. Good for portable, high-speed storage; not for anyone who needs Thunderbolt 3 support or maximum heat management.

Strengths
  • — Supports multiple M.2 form factors including 2280, 2260, 2242, and 2230
  • — Achieves real-world speeds over 900MB/s with USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface
  • — Tool-free installation with simple rubber standoff system
Watch-outs
  • — Requires separate purchase of NVMe SSD
  • — Heat dissipation stickers may not be sufficient for high-performance drives
  • — Limited to USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface (not Thunderbolt 3)
$22.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

OWC Express 1M2

The OWC Express 1M2 delivers over 3GBps speeds and works with all USB and Thunderbolt 3/4 ports, outperforming the Plugable USBC-NVME in terms of universal compatibility and speed. While the ASUS ROG Strix Arion offers better build quality and RGB lighting, the OWC is more versatile for users who want to leverage their own SSDs. Unlike the ACASIS USB4 40Gbps NVMe Enclosure, the OWC lacks active cooling but provides a more affordable solution for those who don't need the advanced features of the ACASIS model.

Plugable USBC-NVME

The Plugable USBC-NVME is more compact and tool-free than the ASUS ROG Strix Arion, but it's limited to USB 3.1 Gen 2 and lacks the thermal management of the ACASIS TBU405 Air. While the ORICO M2VG01-C3 offers a transparent design, the Plugable model supports more M.2 sizes and provides a sleek aluminum design with heat dissipation fins. Compared to the Sabrent Rocket Nano V2, the Plugable offers better compatibility and performance but at a higher price point and without the 4TB capacity option.

Specs side-by-side

SpecOWC Express 1M2Plugable USBC-NVME
InterfaceUSB4USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s
SpeedOver 3GBpsOver 900MB/s read/write speeds
SSD SupportUSB & Thunderbolt 3/4NVME M.2 (2280, 2260, 2240, & 2230)
MaterialAluminumAluminum
CoolingPassivePassive
Dimensions157 x 100 x 25 mm100 x 50 x 15 mm
Weight0.99 lb0.09 lb
Bridge ChipASMedia ASM2364JMS583
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