Two empty 10 Gb/s NVMe-only enclosures: compare screw-based against tool-free assembly, passive cooling and included cables. The host conditions that cap both at the same link rate are covered.
The decision in brief
How the options differ
Both are 10 Gb/s USB enclosures for M.2 PCIe NVMe drives in 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280 lengths, with SATA and AHCI drives excluded and no drive included. The StarTech uses screw-based assembly in a vented aluminum and plastic housing; the Plugable is tool-free with an aluminum case and thermal pads. Plugable lists USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables; the StarTech's US cable contents are unverified because its hardware facts come from same-part regional documentation.
By CompareFoundry · Published · Editorial review · Manufacturer documentation, not hands-on testing.
The buying guide
Package and specification details
Expect the same link rate from both
Both bridge an NVMe drive at 10 Gb/s. Plugable states that connecting to a USB4 or Thunderbolt port does not create a faster PCIe link, and the same applies to the StarTech's USB-powered 10 Gb/s connection. The drive, the host port and the cable all have to support the rate.
The StarTech uses screw-based assembly and a vented aluminum and plastic housing with passive cooling. The Plugable uses a tool-free cover and drive-retention arrangement with an aluminum case and thermal pads. Both accept 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280 drives and exclude M.2 SATA and AHCI; Plugable also excludes Optane-accelerated configurations and asks you to verify the current bridge revision.
Plugable lists USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables. The StarTech's included cables are unknown for the US package: the regional same-part page lists a cable, but the US page did not expose the technical table and exact contents were not verified. Hardware facts for the StarTech come from official same-part documentation, not a verification of the current US bundle or stock.
These manufacturer specifications do not establish measured performance, noise, long-term reliability or running cost. We have not independently tested these products. Check current prices, stock and operating-space instructions with the seller and manufacturer.
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External rating
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)Not checked yet
USBC-NVME (US selection)
4.7 out of 5from 11 ratings · B&H Photo ↗ · Checked October 23, 2026.
Nominal host interface
The advertised maximum host-link rate.
This is not a file-transfer benchmark. The host, bridge, cable and SSD can each limit results.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)10 Gb/sSource · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)10 Gb/sSource · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Supported drive protocol
Documented SSD protocols for the enclosure.
M.2 describes a physical format; NVMe and SATA are different protocols. Match both.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)M.2 PCIe NVMe; not SATA or AHCI.Source · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)M.2 NVMe; SATA and AHCI drives are excluded.Source · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
M.2 SATA support
Whether SATA drives are explicitly supported.
A matching connector or length does not establish SATA support. Unknown is not a confirmed no.
Documented length codes and any source disagreement.
Check both the mounting position and component clearance, especially for double-sided drives.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280.Source · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280.Source · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Included SSDs
Storage drives supplied with the exact purchase option.
These selections are empty enclosures. A populated bundle is a different package.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)0 drivesSource · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)0 drivesSource · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Drive installation
The documented enclosure opening and drive-retention method.
Tool-free does not eliminate thermal-pad placement or careful handling of the SSD.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)Screw-based assembly.Source · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)Tool-free cover and drive-retention arrangement.Source · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Cooling arrangement
Documented enclosure materials and heat-transfer components.
A heat sink is not proof of sustained speed or that every drive avoids throttling.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)Vented aluminum/plastic housing with passive cooling.Source · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)Aluminum case and thermal pads.Source · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Included host cables
Cable contents established for the selected package.
A cable that fits physically may not support the advertised rate. Regional packing lists remain separate.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)Not verified
We have not verified this value. It is not a confirmed no or zero. Check the original source or ask the manufacturer if it affects your choice.
The regional source lists a cable, but exact US contents were not verified.Sources · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C US product identityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables.Source · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Host requirements
Required interface and operating conditions.
Using a faster host port does not upgrade the enclosure bridge. Formatting and file-system support are separate.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)USB-powered 10Gb/s connection; host port and drive compatibility must both be checked.Source · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)USB 10Gb/s bridge; connecting to USB4 or Thunderbolt does not create a faster PCIe link.Source · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Explicit compatibility limits
Important exclusions and capacity or revision conditions.
Use the exact drive and enclosure revision. Do not treat a generic NVMe label as universal compatibility.
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)Hardware facts are from official same-part regional documentation, not verification of the current US bundle or stock.Source · 2026-10-11StarTech.com: M2E1BMU31C same-part hardware specifications, EU pageChecked 2026-10-11. This evidence came from a search-engine copy of an official page. The current seller page and checkout options still need checking.
USBC-NVME (US selection)Not for M.2 SATA, AHCI or Optane-accelerated configurations. Verify the current bridge revision and file-system support.Source · 2026-10-11Plugable: USBC-NVME specifications and compatibilityChecked 2026-10-11. We reviewed the official page text on the check date. Checkout options were not verified.
Questions to check before buying
M2E1BMU31C (US selection)Read the source notes for the exact package and operating conditions.
USBC-NVME (US selection)Read the source notes for the exact package and operating conditions.
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