The UGREEN 50743 external hard drive enclosure promises blazing-fast speeds and effortless setup. Having used it extensively with various drives and operating systems, I’m ready to share my in-depth review.

This review covers my experience with the UGREEN 50743 (model number 50743), focusing on its performance, ease of use, build quality, and overall value.

Features

The UGREEN 50743 boasts several key features, including its USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface for speedy data transfer rates (up to 6Gbps), support for 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs (up to 10TB), and a tool-free design. The inclusion of UASP protocol further enhances performance. The inclusion of a power saving sleep mode and a status indicator light were thoughtful additions. The compact black enclosure is quite aesthetically pleasing.

Performance

Transfer speeds were indeed impressive. Using a 1TB Samsung 870 EVO SSD, I consistently saw read speeds exceeding 450MB/s and write speeds around 400MB/s, significantly faster than my older USB 3.0 enclosure. I tested it with various file types, including large video files and multiple small files, and experienced consistent performance throughout. The UASP support was noticeable, contributing to the overall speed improvement. Even with larger, older HDDs, I noticed a definite speed increase compared to other enclosures I’ve used.

Testing on Windows 10, macOS Catalina, and Linux Mint, the drive was immediately recognized without any driver installation, as advertised. The hot-swap functionality worked flawlessly; I could easily connect and disconnect the drive without issues.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Fast transfer speeds, tool-free design, excellent compatibility, durable build, UASP support, power saving sleep mode, stylish design.
• Cons: The Micro USB connection could be considered a minor drawback by some; USB-C would have been ideal for greater versatility. While the enclosure is advertised as supporting up to 10TB drives, the speed might vary depending on the drive.

Final Verdict

The UGREEN 50743 external hard drive enclosure delivers on its promise of speed and ease of use. The fast transfer speeds, tool-free design, and wide compatibility make it a highly attractive option for anyone looking to upgrade their external storage solution. While the Micro-USB port is a minor drawback, the speed and ease of use outweigh this small issue for me. I highly recommend this enclosure for anyone needing reliable and fast external storage.