Head-to-head · Best Portable SSDs

ORICO M2VG01-C3 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.

The short answer

ORICO M2VG01-C3 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about tech-savvy users seeking straightforward NVMe external storage — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Portable SSDs

ORICO M2VG01-C3

4.6

$299

The ORICO M2VG01-C3 delivers fast USB 4.0 performance with its 40Gbps interface, making it ideal for users seeking high-speed external storage. PCWorld praised its simplicity and transparency, though noted concerns about the snap-together construction and heat dissipation under load. While it's not as robust as some competitors, it offers excellent value for tech-savvy users who want a straightforward way to externalize NVMe drives. Those needing SATA compatibility or maximum durability should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Transparent design allows visibility of internal NVMe SSD for tech enthusiasts
— Simple plug-and-play installation without requiring additional drivers
— Compact and lightweight form factor suitable for portable use

Watch-outs

— Snap-together design may be prone to inadvertent disassembly during transport
— Heatsink becomes hot to the touch under heavy usage conditions
— Limited to NVMe SSDs only, no SATA support for older drives

$299 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Portable SSDs

Plugable USBC-NVME

4.3

$50

The Plugable USBC-NVME SSD enclosure offers a compact, tool-free solution for portable NVMe storage, supporting multiple M.2 form factors and delivering speeds over 900MB/s. StorageReview.com praised its sleek aluminum design and ease of installation, noting it fits in the palm of your hand and includes heat dissipation features. However, reviewers noted that NVMe SSDs must be purchased separately and the enclosure's heat management may be insufficient for sustained high-performance use. This product is ideal for users seeking fast, portable NVMe storage but may not suit those needing maximum performance or integrated drive options.

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 snap-in design

Watch-outs

— NVMe SSDs must be purchased separately
— Heat dissipation stickers are included but may not be sufficient for sustained high performance
— Limited to USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface (not Thunderbolt 3)

$50 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

ORICO M2VG01-C3

While the ORICO M2VG01-C3 offers a transparent design and plug-and-play simplicity, it falls short of the ACASIS USB4 40Gbps NVMe Enclosure's active cooling and Thunderbolt 4/3 support, which are essential for sustained high-performance tasks. Unlike the ASUS ROG Strix Arion, it lacks RGB lighting and a rigid aluminum construction, making it less appealing to users who want premium features. Compared to the Sabrent Rocket Nano V2, it provides better portability but at the cost of performance and durability.

Plugable USBC-NVME

The Plugable USBC-NVME offers a compact and tool-free design, making it more portable than the ASUS ROG Strix Arion and OWC Express 1M2, but it delivers lower speeds compared to the ACASIS USB4 40Gbps NVMe Enclosure and lacks Thunderbolt support. Unlike the Sabrent Rocket Nano V2, it's not as compact but provides better performance and heat dissipation. Compared to the ORICO M2VG01-C3, it's more versatile in terms of M.2 form factor support but lacks the transparent design.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ORICO M2VG01-C3	Plugable USBC-NVME
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 1	USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s
Speed	5 Gbps	Over 900MB/s read/write
Capacity	Up to 4TB	N/A
Form Factor	2.5-inch HDD/SSD Enclosure	External NVMe Enclosure
Dimensions	100 x 72 x 15 mm	100 x 60 x 15 mm
Weight	100 g	40 g
Compatibility	M.2 NVMe	NVME M.2 (2280, 2260, 2240, & 2230)
Material	Aluminum Alloy	Aluminum

← See the full ranking of best portable ssds