Monoprice 106630 SATA HDD Docking Station USB Hub — main product image

Monoprice 106630 SATA HDD Docking Station USB Hub

Monoprice

Monoprice 106630 SATA HDD Docking Station USB Hub

Name: Monoprice 106630 SATA HDD Docking Station USB Hub
Brand: Monoprice
SKU: 106630

★★★★★2.7 (4 reviews)

Monoprice docking station gives instant access to bare SATA drives with a built-in card reader and USB hub.

Check availability

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Monoprice 106630 SATA HDD Docking Station is a practical desktop accessory for anyone who regularly works with bare hard drives — whether for data recovery, drive testing, backups, or simply accessing files from drives pulled out of other systems. Its top-loading slot accepts both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives up to 2TB, and the hot-swap design means you can pop drives in and out without restarting your computer. Connection to your PC is handled through either USB 2.0 at up to 480 Mbps or eSATA at up to 3 Gbps, giving you a choice depending on what ports your system offers.

Beyond drive docking, the unit integrates a 34-format memory card reader and a two-port USB 2.0 hub, consolidating several peripheral functions into a single device and reducing desk clutter. A one-touch backup button provides a simple way to trigger drive backups without navigating through software menus. The dock is compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows from 95 onward, ensuring broad system support. While the USB 2.0 speeds and 2TB drive limit reflect an older generation of connectivity, the dock remains a reliable and affordable option for routine SATA drive access.

Key Features

Hard disk docking station combo supports all 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch HDDs up to 2TB.

You can quickly access multiple HDDs without having to power down or reboot

It is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers

Specifications

Brand

Monoprice

Model

106630

Drive Compatibility

2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDDs up to 2TB

USB Interface

USB 2.0 (up to 480 Mbps)

eSATA Interface

Up to 3 Gbps

Card Reader

34 memory card formats supported

USB Hub

2-port USB 2.0

Features

Hot-swappable, one-touch backup

OS Compatibility

Mac OS X, Windows 95+

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Accepts both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives, covering laptop and desktop hard drives in one device.
Built-in 34-format card reader and two-port USB hub add useful functionality beyond simple drive docking.
Hot-swap capability lets you quickly cycle through multiple bare drives without rebooting.
Dual interface with both USB 2.0 and eSATA gives flexibility depending on available ports.

👎 Cons

USB 2.0 transfer rate of 480 Mbps is significantly slower than modern USB 3.0 or USB-C connections.
Maximum supported drive capacity of 2TB is limiting by current storage standards.
eSATA ports are uncommon on modern computers, reducing the usefulness of the faster connection option.
Does not support NVMe or M.2 drives, only traditional SATA interfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size and type of hard drives does this docking station support?

It accepts both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA hard drives with capacities up to 2TB, making it compatible with standard laptop and desktop drives.

Can I connect the dock using eSATA and USB at the same time?

No. You use either the USB 2.0 or eSATA connection to link the dock to your computer — one interface at a time for the drive connection.

What types of memory cards does the built-in card reader support?

The card reader supports 34 different memory card formats, covering the most common types including SD, microSD, CF, and Memory Stick variants.

Does the dock support hot-swapping drives?

Yes. The dock is hot-swappable, meaning you can insert and remove SATA drives without powering down the dock or your computer.

Is the one-touch backup feature software-dependent?

Yes. The one-touch backup button works in conjunction with backup software that is typically included with the dock, allowing you to initiate a backup to the docked drive with a single press.