Monoprice

Monoprice 114597 USB 3.0 to SATA Converter Adapter

4.1 (6 reviews)
USB 3.0USB 2.0

A plug-and-play USB 3.0 to SATA adapter that turns any bare 2.5" or 3.5" drive into instant external storage at up to 5Gbps.

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Overview

The Monoprice 114597 USB 3.0 to SATA Converter Adapter provides a fast, convenient way to connect bare internal SATA drives to any computer with a USB port. Whether you're recovering data from an old hard drive, testing a replacement SSD before installing it, or simply need temporary access to files on a spare drive, this adapter handles the job with minimal fuss. The USB 3.0 interface supports transfer speeds up to 5Gbps, which means copying large files or backing up entire drives is significantly faster than older USB 2.0 solutions.

One of this adapter's practical advantages is its broad device support. It works with standard 2.5-inch laptop drives and SSDs powered directly through USB, and the included 12V DC power adapter provides the additional power needed for 3.5-inch desktop hard drives and 5.25-inch optical drives. This eliminates the need to buy separate adapters for different drive sizes. The plug-and-play design works across Windows, macOS, and Linux without driver installation, making it a reliable go-to tool for IT professionals, hobbyists, and anyone who occasionally needs to access bare drives outside of a computer chassis.

Key Features

Supports speeds up to 5Gbps

Easy and quick access to external storage

No extra power required for 2.5" HDDs/SDDs

12 VDC power adapter included for 3.5" HDDs/SDDs and 5.25" optical drives

Fully compatible with USB 3.0 and backwards compatible with USB 2.0/1.1

Specifications

Interface
USB 3.0 to SATA
Supported Drives
2.5"/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD, 5.25" Optical Drives
Data Transfer Rate
Up to 5Gbps
Power Adapter
12 VDC (included for 3.5" HDDs/SSDs and 5.25" optical drives)
Compatibility
USB 3.0, backwards compatible with USB 2.0/1.1
Color
White

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Supports 2.5-inch, 3.5-inch, and 5.25-inch SATA devices in a single adapter.
  • USB 3.0 interface delivers transfer speeds up to 5Gbps, making large file copies practical.
  • Includes a 12V power adapter for drives that require external power.
  • Plug-and-play operation requires no driver installation on most operating systems.
  • Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 for use with older computers.

👎 Cons

  • The adapter is a bare cable-style connection with no protective enclosure for the drive.
  • White cable color shows dirt and wear over time.
  • Not designed for permanent use as an external drive—better suited for temporary access and data transfers.
  • Does not support USB-C natively, requiring an additional adapter for newer laptops without USB-A ports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It connects to both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA hard drives and SSDs. A 12V DC power adapter is included for 3.5-inch drives and 5.25-inch optical drives, which require external power. 2.5-inch drives are powered directly through the USB connection.
Yes, it is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports. However, data transfer speeds will be limited to the maximum supported by the older USB standard (480Mbps for USB 2.0).
In most cases, no. The adapter is plug-and-play on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Your operating system should recognize the connected drive automatically.
Yes. By connecting a bare internal drive to your computer via this adapter, you can access its contents for data recovery, cloning, or migration purposes using your preferred disk management or backup software.