Question HDD enclosure

[slightnitpick]

I'm looking for an external HDD enclosure for one or two 3.5 inch drives, minimal LEDs, and a quiet fan. If a two-bay, RAID would be nice, but isn't required. I'll be plugging in an older drive to transfer files from and probably a 2 TB Ironwolf after that. Windows 10. This will be on 24/7. I'm looking for something that will last for years.

 

[Darkbreeze]

What kind of budget are you hoping to adhere to?

 

[slightnitpick]

So far the ones I'm looking at are from about $75 - $140 for single bay enclosures and just over $200 for dual bay enclosures. Around those price points, or less if a high-quality option is available for less.

Current ones I've found so far that have good reviews on the above features are:
https://www.amazon.com/Mobius-2-Bay...e/dp/B0CJ5PMQ6R/ref=pd_ci_mcx_pspc_dp_d_2_t_1

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1725163-REG/avastor_hdxp_c_lb_hdx_pro_c_enclosure.html/reviews

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1477996-REG/qnap_tr_002_us_2_bay_3_5_sata_hdd.html/reviews

This is replacing a Thermaltake Max 4 that's over a decade and a half old. I want something that will last.

 

[USAFRet]

At the $200 price point, a 2 bay NAS would work.

Synology:
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-2-Bay-DiskStation-DS223j-Diskless/dp/B0C8814GKB

QNAP:
https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-TS-233-US-Affordable-Cortex-A55-Quad-core/dp/B09VCYCFSY

 

[slightnitpick]

At the $200 price point, a 2 bay NAS would work.

Synology:
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-2-Bay-DiskStation-DS223j-Diskless/dp/B0C8814GKB

QNAP:
https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-TS-233-US-Affordable-Cortex-A55-Quad-core/dp/B09VCYCFSY

Those are both NASes. Definitely far more than I want to deal with.

 

[USAFRet]

Those are both NASes. Definitely far more than I want to deal with.

OK. I just posted those as alternatives.

Here is a 4 bay enclosure, well within your price range.
https://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-PROBOX-SATA-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B09WPPJHSS

A 2 bay at $80:
https://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-PROBOX-SATA-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B077H9Z7TS

I have the 4 bay one, currently 8 years old. 24/7 ops, no problems.
The only issue I have with it is the blue LEDs on the front are too bright.

 

[slightnitpick]

OK. I just posted those as alternatives.

Here is a 4 bay enclosure, well within your price range.
https://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-PROBOX-SATA-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B09WPPJHSS

Thanks a bunch. The Probox is looking nice, and the bright LEDs on the front look like they can be taped over with some colored cellophane tape we have. This will probably be the one we go with.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks a bunch. The Probox is looking nice, and the bright LEDs on the front look like they can be taped over with some colored cellophane tape we have. This will probably be the one we go with.

I printed a translucent shield in my 3D printer. (4 printers ago... )

But many things will work.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I too was going to to lean towards an NAS, but if that is not desirable then what USAFRet already recommended are probably some of your best options. Personally, I think the NAS is the better way to go, but everybody has different criteria.

 

[slightnitpick]

I too was going to to lean towards an NAS, but if that is not desirable then what USAFRet already recommended are probably some of your best options. Personally, I think the NAS is the better way to go, but everybody has different criteria.

My wife just uses it as an always on attached storage to save her files to (less than 300 GB so far, after over 15 years of use), and then periodically mirrors that to another backup drive. A NAS is way overkill, and overly complicated for this purpose (not to mention the additional noise).

 

[slightnitpick]

Thanks USAFRet and Darkbreeze, it's ordered.