Our picks · Hardware facts first
Best Peripherals
The M.2 SSD enclosures, Switch 2 memory cards, flash drives, docks, hubs and card readers we would buy, each chosen from a tested review and the maker’s own specs. Looking for a ready-made portable SSD? Those are on Best SSDs. There are no prices here: every link goes to the retailer, where the current price is shown.
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Best pick in each tier
M.2 SSD enclosures · 10Gbps
Photo: Sabrent Sabrent EC-SNVE
A tool-free enclosure: a side button pops a lid that folds back 180 degrees. Tom’s Hardware names it the best M.2 SSD enclosure for most people and measured 811MBps reads and 538MBps writes. If your drives are all NVMe, Sabrent’s newer EC-PNVO is a good fit too: it runs at up to 10Gbps and takes 2230 to 2280 drives, but Sabrent says it accepts NVMe only, not M.2 SATA.
Check price at Amazon Why we picked it Paid link
M.2 SSD enclosures · 20Gbps
Photo: SilverStone SilverStone MS12
A small all-aluminum 20Gbps enclosure on ASMedia’s ASM2364 bridge; TechPowerUp measured nearly double the 10Gbps speed on a Gen 2x2 port, with no throttling in a long write test.
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M.2 SSD enclosures · USB4
Photo: UGREEN UGREEN M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure 40Gbps
Tom's Hardware's favorite USB4 enclosure: a finned aluminum box with no fan that held the highest sustained write of the three USB4 enclosures it tested side by side.
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M.2 SSD enclosures · Thunderbolt 5
Photo: TerraMaster TerraMaster D1 SSD Pro
A fanless aluminum Thunderbolt 5 enclosure: TweakTown’s drive never passed 40°C at sustained Thunderbolt 5 speeds and read at 6,167MB/s.
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Switch 2 cards · 1TB
Photo: TEAMGROUP TeamGroup Apex SD7.1
Tom's Hardware's best 1TB microSD Express card for the Switch 2, rated 800MB/s read and 700MB/s write, with a lifetime warranty.
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Switch 2 cards · 512GB
Photo: ADATA Adata Premier Extreme SD7.1
The fastest 512GB microSD Express card Tom's Hardware has tested, built on Silicon Motion's SM2708 controller over a PCIe Gen3 x1 link.
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Switch 2 cards · 256GB
Photo: ADATA Adata Premier Extreme SD7.1
Tom's Hardware's best 256GB microSD Express card: the same SM2708 controller and 800MB/s read rating as the 512GB card.
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USB flash drives · 10Gbps sticks
Photo: Kingston Kingston Dual Portable SSD
A metal-and-plastic stick with a USB-A and a USB-C plug. Tom’s Hardware had it at or near the top of most of its flash drive tests and best at small-file writes.
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USB flash drives · Everyday and big capacity
Photo: Lexar Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D500
A swivel-cover stick with both plugs in a metal housing. Tom’s Hardware found its performance well-rounded, though it landed near the bottom of its speed charts.
Check price at Amazon Why we picked it Paid link
Docks and hubs · Thunderbolt 5 docks
Photo: CalDigit CalDigit TS5 Plus
A premium Thunderbolt 5 dock for Windows and Mac with 20 ports, 10GbE and DisplayPort 2.1. Tom’s Hardware picked it as the best premium Thunderbolt 5 dock for Windows laptops.
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Docks and hubs · Thunderbolt 4 docks
Photo: Kensington Kensington SD5780T
A Thunderbolt 4 dock with two Thunderbolt 4 ports for your devices, four 10Gbps USB-A ports, 2.5GbE and an SD UHS-II slot. PCWorld picked it as the best overall Thunderbolt dock.
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Docks and hubs · DisplayLink docks
Photo: UGREEN Ugreen Revodok Pro 209
A 9-in-1 DisplayLink dock that runs two 4K 60Hz monitors over HDMI or DisplayPort from one USB-C port. PCWorld picked it as the best USB-C DisplayLink dock and found it stable with two 4K displays.
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Docks and hubs · USB-C hubs
Photo: Plugable Plugable 9-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-9IN1E)
A slim metal hub that adds 4K HDMI, Ethernet, card slots and USB ports to a USB-C laptop. Tom’s Hardware measured 830MBps reads and 621MBps writes through it.
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Docks and hubs · USB-A hubs
Photo: Anker Anker Ultra Slim 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub
A thin four-port USB-A hub on a built-in cable. Tom’s Hardware measured no slowdown through it with an external SSD.
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Card readers · CFexpress Type B
Photo: ProGrade Digital ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B reader (PG05.6)
The fastest Type B reader Digital Camera World tested: 2,595MB/s read and 1,613MB/s write with a CFexpress 4.0 card, far past a 10Gbps reader.
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Card readers · SD and microSD
Photo: PGYTECH PGYTECH CreateMate High-Speed Card Reader Case
Digital Camera World’s best SD reader overall: it maxed out its fastest UHS-II card, and it doubles as a case for four SD and four microSD cards.
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M.2 SSD enclosures
M.2 SSD enclosures · tier 1 of 4
10Gbps
USB 10Gbps enclosures for an M.2 NVMe drive: the low-cost way to turn a spare SSD into fast portable storage. The bridge chip must be named, by the maker or by the named review.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
Sabrent EC-SNVE 10Gbps
Photo: Sabrent A tool-free enclosure: a side button pops a lid that folds back 180 degrees. Tom’s Hardware names it the best M.2 SSD enclosure for most people and measured 811MBps reads and 538MBps writes. If your drives are all NVMe, Sabrent’s newer EC-PNVO is a good fit too: it runs at up to 10Gbps and takes 2230 to 2280 drives, but Sabrent says it accepts NVMe only, not M.2 SATA.
Suits you if
- You swap drives often and want a case that opens without tools.
- You have M.2 SATA drives as well as NVMe ones: Sabrent lists both.
Skip it if
- Your computer has USB4 or Thunderbolt and you want the speed a USB4 enclosure gives.
- You need a Type-A cable: Tom’s Hardware notes none is included.
- Link
- USB 3.2, up to 10Gbps
- Bridge
- Realtek RTL92108B, as Sabrent’s page spells it
- Drives
- M.2 NVMe and SATA, in 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280
- Case
- Aluminum case with an ABS frame, per Sabrent
- Warranty
- Up to 2 years, per Sabrent
Specs from Sabrent EC-SNVE product page; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Plugable USBC-NVME 10Gbps
Photo: Plugable A tool-free aluminum enclosure on Realtek's RTL9210 bridge; Tom's Hardware measured it among the fastest 10Gbps enclosures it tested.
Suits you if
- You have a spare M.2 NVMe SSD and a USB-C or USB-A port.
- You swap drives often and want a case that opens without tools.
Skip it if
- Your drive is M.2 SATA: this enclosure takes NVMe only.
- Your computer has USB4 or Thunderbolt and you want the speed a USB4 enclosure gives.
- Link
- USB 10Gbps, also on USB4 and Thunderbolt hosts
- Bridge
- Realtek RTL9210
- Drives
- M.2 NVMe only, not SATA
- Warranty
- 2 years
Specs from Plugable USBC-NVME product page; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures.
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M.2 SSD enclosures · tier 2 of 4
20Gbps
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 enclosures for an M.2 NVMe drive, at twice the speed of a 10Gbps one. They need a Gen 2x2 port on the computer: many computers, including some with USB4 or Thunderbolt ports, stop at 10Gbps, and the enclosure then runs at that speed. The bridge chip must be named, by the maker or by the named review.
1 pick, best first
Best pick
SilverStone MS12 20Gbps
Photo: SilverStone A small all-aluminum 20Gbps enclosure on ASMedia’s ASM2364 bridge; TechPowerUp measured nearly double the 10Gbps speed on a Gen 2x2 port, with no throttling in a long write test.
Suits you if
- Your computer has a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port that carries 20Gbps.
- The drive gets warm in long writes and you want the case to act as its heatsink.
Skip it if
- Your computer’s ports stop at 10Gbps: the enclosure then runs at 10Gbps.
- You want a tool-free case: TechPowerUp calls the MS12’s assembly complicated.
- Link
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 at 20Gbps
- Bridge
- ASMedia ASM2364, per TechPowerUp
- Drives
- M.2 NVMe in 2242, 2260 and 2280 sizes
- Body
- Aluminum alloy with a built-in thermal pad
Specs from SilverStone MS12 product page; tested in TechPowerUp, Quick Look: SilverStone MS12 NVMe Enclosure.
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M.2 SSD enclosures · tier 3 of 4
USB4
USB4 and Thunderbolt enclosures for an M.2 NVMe drive, for about four times the speed of a 10Gbps one on a USB4 or Thunderbolt port. The bridge chip must be named, by the maker or by the named review.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
UGREEN M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure 40Gbps 40Gbps
Photo: UGREEN Tom's Hardware's favorite USB4 enclosure: a finned aluminum box with no fan that held the highest sustained write of the three USB4 enclosures it tested side by side.
Suits you if
- Your computer has a USB4 or Thunderbolt port.
- The drive mostly sits on a desk, where a fanless aluminum box stays silent.
Skip it if
- You only have USB 10Gbps ports: it runs at the port’s speed.
- You carry it around a lot: the Asus is smaller and lighter.
- Link
- USB4 at 40Gbps, Thunderbolt 3 and 4
- Bridge
- ASMedia ASM2464PD, per Tom's Hardware
- Drives
- NVMe in 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280 sizes, up to 8TB
- Body
- Aluminum, fanless, 232g
Specs from UGREEN M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure 40Gbps product page; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Asus ProArt PA40SU 40Gbps
Photo: Asus The same ASM2464PD bridge in a much smaller, lighter tool-free case with a fan, which Tom's Hardware names its best USB4 enclosure to carry around.
Suits you if
- You carry fast storage between machines and want a small case.
- You swap drives and want a tool-free, push-open case.
Skip it if
- You want silence: it has a fan.
- Your drive is not a 2230 or 2280 NVMe drive.
- Link
- USB4 at 40Gbps
- Bridge
- ASMedia ASM2464PD, per Tom's Hardware
- Drives
- M.2 NVMe in 2230 and 2280 sizes
- Cooling
- Fan, tool-free push-open case
Specs from Asus ProArt PA40SU tech specs; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures.
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M.2 SSD enclosures · tier 4 of 4
Thunderbolt 5
80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 enclosures for an M.2 NVMe drive, twice the speed of a USB4 one. Full speed needs a Thunderbolt 5 host; on an older Thunderbolt or USB4 port the enclosure runs at that port’s speed. The bridge chip must be named, by the maker or by the named review.
1 pick, best first
Best pick
TerraMaster D1 SSD Pro 80Gbps
Photo: TerraMaster A fanless aluminum Thunderbolt 5 enclosure: TweakTown’s drive never passed 40°C at sustained Thunderbolt 5 speeds and read at 6,167MB/s.
Suits you if
- Your computer has a Thunderbolt 5 port and you have a fast PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 NVMe drive.
- You want silence: it has no fan.
Skip it if
- Your port is Thunderbolt 4 or USB4: it runs at that port’s 40Gbps and a 40Gbps enclosure does the same job.
- Your drive is not a 2280 NVMe drive: it takes that size only.
- Link
- Thunderbolt 5 at 80Gbps; also Thunderbolt 4 and 3, USB4
- Bridge
- Intel JHL9480 with a JMS583 USB bridge, per StorageReview
- Drives
- One M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, up to 8TB
- Body
- Fanless aluminum, 2-year warranty
Specs from TerraMaster D1 SSD Pro product page; tested in TweakTown, TERRAMASTER D1 SSD Pro review.
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Switch 2 cards
Switch 2 cards · tier 1 of 3
1TB
1TB microSD Express cards for the Nintendo Switch 2, which takes only Express cards for game storage.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
TeamGroup Apex SD7.1 1TB
Photo: TEAMGROUP Tom's Hardware's best 1TB microSD Express card for the Switch 2, rated 800MB/s read and 700MB/s write, with a lifetime warranty.
Suits you if
- You own a Switch 2 and want room for a large game library.
- You want a lifetime warranty.
Skip it if
- Your device has only a standard microSD slot: Express speed needs a microSD Express slot.
- Speed
- Up to 800MB/s read, 700MB/s write
- Standard
- microSD Express, SD 7.1
- Warranty
- Lifetime
- Part number
- TAPMSDE1TIV30A102
Specs from TEAMGROUP APEX SD7.1 spec sheet; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Lexar Play Pro 1TB
Photo: Lexar The first 1TB microSD Express card to ship, rated 900MB/s read and 600MB/s write in Express mode, and Tom's Hardware's 1TB alternative.
Suits you if
- You want the highest rated Express read speed among the 1TB picks.
- You want a limited lifetime warranty.
Skip it if
- Your device has only a standard microSD slot: Express speed needs a microSD Express slot.
- Speed
- Up to 900MB/s read, 600MB/s write in Express mode
- Standard
- microSD Express, PCIe 3.0 and NVMe 1.3
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime
- Part number
- LMSXPS0001T-BNNNU
Specs from Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card product page; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2.
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Switch 2 cards · tier 2 of 3
512GB
512GB microSD Express cards for the Switch 2.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
Adata Premier Extreme SD7.1 512GB
Photo: ADATA The fastest 512GB microSD Express card Tom's Hardware has tested, built on Silicon Motion's SM2708 controller over a PCIe Gen3 x1 link.
Suits you if
- You want the fastest 512GB microSD Express card Tom’s Hardware has tested.
- You like knowing the controller inside.
Skip it if
- Your device has only a standard microSD slot: Express speed needs a microSD Express slot.
- Speed
- Up to 800MB/s read, 700MB/s write
- Controller
- Silicon Motion SM2708
- Link
- PCIe Gen3 x1, NVMe
- Warranty
- Lifetime, per Tom's Hardware
Specs from ADATA Premier Extreme microSDXC SD7.1 Express Card page; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Sandisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 512GB
Photo: Sandisk Nintendo-licensed, rated 880MB/s read and 650MB/s write at this size, and Tom's Hardware's 512GB alternative.
Suits you if
- You want a card licensed by Nintendo for the Switch 2.
Skip it if
- Your device has only a standard microSD slot: Express speed needs a microSD Express slot.
- Speed
- Up to 880MB/s read, 650MB/s write
- Interface
- PCIe 3.1 NVMe and microSD UHS-I
- Warranty
- Lifetime limited
- Part number
- SDSQXFN-512G-GR6ZN
Specs from SANDISK microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 data sheet; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2.
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Switch 2 cards · tier 3 of 3
256GB
256GB microSD Express cards for the Switch 2, the smallest size worth buying for a growing library.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
Adata Premier Extreme SD7.1 256GB
Photo: ADATA Tom's Hardware's best 256GB microSD Express card: the same SM2708 controller and 800MB/s read rating as the 512GB card.
Suits you if
- You want Tom’s Hardware’s best 256GB microSD Express card.
- You like knowing the controller inside.
Skip it if
- Your device has only a standard microSD slot: Express speed needs a microSD Express slot.
- Your library will outgrow 256GB soon: the 512GB card is the same design.
- Speed
- Up to 800MB/s read, 700MB/s write
- Controller
- Silicon Motion SM2708
- Link
- PCIe Gen3 x1, NVMe
- Warranty
- Lifetime, per Tom's Hardware
Specs from ADATA Premier Extreme microSDXC SD7.1 Express Card page; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Sandisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 256GB
Photo: Sandisk Nintendo-licensed with a lifetime limited warranty, and Tom's Hardware's 256GB alternative.
Suits you if
- You want a card licensed by Nintendo for the Switch 2.
Skip it if
- Your device has only a standard microSD slot: Express speed needs a microSD Express slot.
- Speed
- Up to 880MB/s read, 650MB/s write
- Interface
- PCIe 3.1 NVMe and microSD UHS-I
- Warranty
- Lifetime limited
- Part number
- SDSQXFN-256G-GR6ZZ
Specs from SANDISK microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 data sheet; tested in Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
USB flash drives
USB flash drives · tier 1 of 2
10Gbps sticks
Flash drives that run at USB 10Gbps, the fast end of the stick: some hold a real SSD inside. Tom’s Hardware says the fastest approach some external SSDs, and that an external SSD is usually the better buy if speed is the point and a cable is no trouble.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
Kingston Dual Portable SSD 512GB to 2TB
Photo: Kingston A metal-and-plastic stick with a USB-A and a USB-C plug. Tom’s Hardware had it at or near the top of most of its flash drive tests and best at small-file writes.
Suits you if
- You move files between a USB-A desktop and a USB-C laptop or phone and want one stick for both.
- You want a stick that holds up in a bag: the shell is metal.
Skip it if
- You dislike loose caps: Tom’s Hardware notes the plugs are covered by small clear caps that can be lost.
- Your ports are only 5Gbps, so you would pay for 10Gbps you cannot use.
- Link
- USB 3.2 Gen 2, up to 1,050MB/s read and 950MB/s write
- Connectors
- USB Type-A and Type-C on one stick
- Body
- Metal and plastic, 13g
- Warranty
- Limited 5 years
Specs from Kingston Dual Portable SSD data sheet; tested in Tom’s Hardware, Best Flash Drives.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
ADATA SC750 512GB to 2TB
Photo: ADATA A small SSD with a slide-out USB-C plug and no cap to lose. Tom’s Hardware measured it third in PCMark 10 and second in CrystalDiskMark sequential reads among the drives it tested.
Suits you if
- You plug into a phone or a USB-C-only laptop and want no cap and no cable.
Skip it if
- Your laptop’s USB-C ports sit close together: Tom’s Hardware found the wide shell can block the port next to it.
- You need a USB-A plug: this one is USB-C only.
- Link
- USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps, up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write
- Connector
- Retractable USB Type-C, no cable needed
- Capacities
- 512GB, 1TB and 2TB, per Tom’s Hardware
- Warranty
- 5 years, per Tom’s Hardware
Specs from ADATA SC750 product page; tested in Tom’s Hardware, Best Flash Drives.
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USB flash drives · tier 2 of 2
Everyday and big capacity
Sticks for moving files, from a metal everyday drive to the one picked for a lot of space. The bar is a USB 3.2 link and a warranty of three years or more, so the drive is at least well-rounded.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D500 128GB to 1TB
Photo: Lexar A swivel-cover stick with both plugs in a metal housing. Tom’s Hardware found its performance well-rounded, though it landed near the bottom of its speed charts.
Suits you if
- You want a solid metal stick that plugs into both USB-A and USB-C ports.
- Everyday file moves are enough and top speed is not the point.
Skip it if
- You move large files often: faster 10Gbps sticks finished ahead of it in Tom’s Hardware’s tests.
- You were eyeing the 128GB or 256GB size: Tom’s Hardware notes those are rated slower than the 512GB and 1TB ones.
- Link
- USB 3.2 Gen 1, up to 400MB/s read and write
- Connectors
- USB Type-A and Type-C with a swivel cover
- Body
- Metal housing, 26.6g
- Warranty
- Five-year limited
Specs from Lexar JumpDrive D500 product page; tested in Tom’s Hardware, Best Flash Drives.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Buffalo SSD-PUT 500GB to 2TB
Photo: Buffalo The pick for a lot of space in a stick. Tom’s Hardware compares the 2TB model well with 2TB external SSDs, though the plastic shell feels flimsy and the stick is bulky.
Suits you if
- You need a pocket drive with 1TB or 2TB of space.
- You use a USB-A port or a console: the maker lists PlayStation and Xbox support.
Skip it if
- Your laptop has only USB-C ports and you do not want to carry the adapter.
- The stick is nearly an inch wide, so skip it if it would block the port beside it.
- Link
- USB 3.2 Gen 2, up to 600MB/s read and 500MB/s write
- Connectors
- USB Type-A, with a Type-C adapter in the box
- Capacities
- 500GB, 1TB and 2TB
- Warranty
- 3 years if registered, 2 years if not
Specs from Buffalo SSD-PUT product page; tested in Tom’s Hardware, Best Flash Drives.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
Docks and hubs
Docks and hubs · tier 1 of 5
Thunderbolt 5 docks
Thunderbolt 5 docks that turn one laptop port into monitors, wired networking, card slots and charging. The bar is a Thunderbolt 5 host port with 80Gbps downstream ports, 2.5GbE or faster and an SD UHS-II slot.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
CalDigit TS5 Plus Thunderbolt 5
Photo: CalDigit A premium Thunderbolt 5 dock for Windows and Mac with 20 ports, 10GbE and DisplayPort 2.1. Tom’s Hardware picked it as the best premium Thunderbolt 5 dock for Windows laptops.
Suits you if
- You run several monitors, a wired network and fast storage from one laptop port.
- You want 140W to the laptop: the maker says the power supply holds 140W as you add devices.
Skip it if
- Your computer has Thunderbolt 3 or only a 5Gbps or 10Gbps USB-C port: the maker says the TS5 Plus does not work with those hosts.
- You need only a few extra ports: a hub costs far less.
- Link
- Thunderbolt 5 host port at up to 120Gb/s, 2 Thunderbolt 5 downstream ports at 80Gb/s
- Ports
- 5 USB-C and 5 USB-A at 10Gb/s, DisplayPort 2.1, SD 4.0 and microSD 4.0 (UHS-II)
- Network and power
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet, up to 140W to the host from a 330W power supply
- Warranty
- 2 years
Specs from CalDigit TS5 Plus product page; tested in Tom’s Hardware, The Best Thunderbolt and USB-C Docks.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
WAVLINK WL-UTD58-M Thunderbolt 5
Photo: WAVLINK A Thunderbolt 5 dock with an aluminum body and an M.2 slot inside. Tom’s Hardware picked it as the best-value Thunderbolt 5 dock.
Suits you if
- You want three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports and room to add your own SSD inside the dock.
- You want 2.5G Ethernet from a Thunderbolt 5 dock that costs less than the premium ones.
Skip it if
- You need 10GbE or DisplayPort 2.1: this dock has neither.
- Tom’s Hardware notes the host port is on the front, so the cable to your laptop runs across the desk.
- Link
- 1 Thunderbolt 5 host port and 3 Thunderbolt 5 downstream ports, up to 120Gbps
- Ports
- 4 USB-A at 10Gbps, 2.5G Ethernet, SD 4.0 slot, audio jack
- Storage
- M.2 slot for an NVMe 2280 SSD, up to 6,000MB/s
- Power and body
- Up to 140W to the host, aluminum alloy
Specs from WAVLINK WL-UTD58-M product page; tested in Tom’s Hardware, The Best Thunderbolt and USB-C Docks.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
Docks and hubs · tier 2 of 5
Thunderbolt 4 docks
Thunderbolt 4 docks for a laptop with a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port that does not need Thunderbolt 5’s extra bandwidth. The bar is a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 link with Thunderbolt 4 ports downstream, 2.5GbE and an SD UHS-II slot.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
Kensington SD5780T Thunderbolt 4
Photo: Kensington A Thunderbolt 4 dock with two Thunderbolt 4 ports for your devices, four 10Gbps USB-A ports, 2.5GbE and an SD UHS-II slot. PCWorld picked it as the best overall Thunderbolt dock.
Suits you if
- You want one Thunderbolt 4 dock for Windows or Mac with 2.5GbE and an SD slot.
- You run one monitor now and may add a second later.
Skip it if
- You want two monitors without another cable: PCWorld says a second display needs a USB-C to HDMI cable.
- Your MacBook has a base M1 or M2 chip: Kensington says it gets only one external display from this dock. A DisplayLink dock below runs two.
- Link
- 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports at up to 40Gbps: one to the laptop, two for Thunderbolt devices
- Ports
- 4 USB-A at 10Gbps, SD 4.0 (UHS-II), combo audio jack
- Network and power
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet, 96W Power Delivery to the laptop
- Warranty
- 3 years (limited)
Specs from Kensington SD5780T product page; tested in PCWorld, Best Thunderbolt Docks.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4
Photo: CalDigit An 18-port Thunderbolt 4 dock with 2.5GbE, SD and microSD UHS-II slots and 98W to the laptop. The Verge called it the most well-equipped dock you can buy, with the most ports and the widest compatibility.
Suits you if
- You want the most ports from one Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 laptop port.
- You use both SD and microSD cards: it has a UHS-II slot for each.
Skip it if
- You plug in a USB-C laptop without Thunderbolt: CalDigit says those get reduced functionality and no 2.5GbE.
- You need only a few extra ports: a hub costs far less.
- Link
- 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports at 40Gb/s: one to the laptop, two for Thunderbolt devices
- Ports
- 3 USB-C and 5 USB-A at 10Gb/s, DisplayPort 1.4, SD 4.0 and microSD 4.0 (UHS-II)
- Network and power
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, up to 98W to the laptop from a 230W power supply
- Warranty
- 2 years
Specs from CalDigit TS4 product page; tested in The Verge, CalDigit TS4 review.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
Docks and hubs · tier 3 of 5
DisplayLink docks
Docks for a laptop with USB-C but no Thunderbolt, or a MacBook that drives only one external display on its own. DisplayLink sends two monitors over an ordinary USB-C port through a driver. On a Mac it has limits: the driver needs the Screen Recording permission, and while a DisplayLink screen is connected, protected video in apps such as Netflix and Disney+ may play black on every screen. The bar is two 4K 60Hz displays from one USB-C cable, Gigabit Ethernet and at least 85W of pass-through charging.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
Ugreen Revodok Pro 209 USB-C
Photo: UGREEN A 9-in-1 DisplayLink dock that runs two 4K 60Hz monitors over HDMI or DisplayPort from one USB-C port. PCWorld picked it as the best USB-C DisplayLink dock and found it stable with two 4K displays.
Suits you if
- Your laptop has USB-C but no Thunderbolt, or your MacBook drives only one external display on its own.
- You want to use the HDMI or DisplayPort cables you already have.
Skip it if
- You watch protected video on a Mac: DisplayLink says it may play black while a DisplayLink screen is connected.
- You want the charger in the box: PCWorld notes you supply your own power adapter.
- Link
- USB-C to the laptop; DisplayLink driver required
- Displays
- Two 4K@60Hz: two HDMI 2.0 and two DisplayPort 1.2, one output of each pair at a time
- Ports
- 1 USB-C and 2 USB-A at 10Gbps, Gigabit Ethernet
- Power
- 100W USB-C Power Delivery input; Ugreen’s spec table lists 85W for charging; adapter not included
Specs from UGREEN Revodok Pro 209 9-in-1 product page; tested in PCWorld, Best DisplayLink Docks.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Plugable UD-6950PDH USB-C
Photo: Plugable A DisplayLink dock with HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for two 4K 60Hz monitors, 100W charging, Gigabit Ethernet and an SD card reader. PCWorld picked it as the runner-up USB-C DisplayLink dock.
Suits you if
- Your Mac supports only one external display on its own: Plugable says this dock runs two 4K 60Hz monitors.
- You want 100W charging and an SD card reader in the same box.
Skip it if
- You want to fast-charge a phone from the dock: PCWorld notes it has no dedicated charging port.
- You watch protected video on a Mac: DisplayLink says it may play black while a DisplayLink screen is connected.
- Link
- 5Gbps USB-C to the laptop; DisplayLink driver required
- Displays
- Two 4K 60Hz over HDMI and DisplayPort
- Ports
- USB-A ports, SD card reader, Gigabit Ethernet
- Power and warranty
- 100W Power Delivery to the laptop, 2-year warranty
Specs from Plugable UD-6950PDH product page; tested in PCWorld, Best DisplayLink Docks.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
Docks and hubs · tier 4 of 5
USB-C hubs
Hubs for a laptop with one or two USB-C ports. The bar is a 10Gbps USB-C link and pass-through charging of 100W or more, so the hub does not eat the laptop’s only charging port.
1 pick, best first
Best pick
Plugable 9-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-9IN1E) USB-C hub
Photo: Plugable A slim metal hub that adds 4K HDMI, Ethernet, card slots and USB ports to a USB-C laptop. Tom’s Hardware measured 830MBps reads and 621MBps writes through it.
Suits you if
- Your laptop has one or two USB-C ports and you want HDMI, Ethernet and card slots from a single cable.
- You travel: the hub is 7.2 inches long and has a built-in cable.
Skip it if
- You plan to run several fast drives at once: the single 10Gbps host link is shared by everything on the hub.
- Your laptop’s USB-C port cannot output video: the HDMI port then does not work.
- Link
- USB-C host port with Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode, 10Gbps data
- Ports
- 1 USB-C and 2 USB-A at 10Gbps, 1 USB 2.0, 4K 60Hz HDMI, 1Gbps Ethernet, SD and microSD
- Charging
- Up to 140W in and 125W to the laptop with a PD 3.1 charger; 100W in and 85W out otherwise
- Warranty
- 2 years
Specs from Plugable USBC-9IN1E product page; tested in Tom’s Hardware, Best USB Hubs.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
Docks and hubs · tier 5 of 5
USB-A hubs
Plain USB-A hubs for a desktop or an older laptop. The bar is a 5Gbps USB 3 link on every port, because Tom’s Hardware warns off hubs limited to USB 2.
1 pick, best first
Best pick
Anker Ultra Slim 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub 4 ports
Photo: Anker A thin four-port USB-A hub on a built-in cable. Tom’s Hardware measured no slowdown through it with an external SSD.
Suits you if
- You need a few more USB-A ports on a laptop or desktop and want a hub as thin as 0.39 inches, per Tom’s Hardware.
Skip it if
- Your computer has only USB-C ports: this hub plugs into USB-A.
- You need to charge phones or run power-hungry devices: it has no power adapter.
- Ports
- 4 USB-A 3.0 ports
- Speed
- Up to 5Gbps
- Cable
- 2ft built-in; a 0.75ft version is also sold
- Power
- Takes power from the computer, no adapter
Specs from Anker A7516 product page; tested in Tom’s Hardware, Best USB Hubs.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
Card readers
Card readers · tier 1 of 2
CFexpress Type B
Readers for CFexpress Type B cards, whose speeds outrun a 10Gbps link. The bar is a USB link of 10Gbps or faster; the picks are the USB4 reader that Digital Camera World ranks first and a 10Gbps one that is easy to carry.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B reader (PG05.6) USB4
Photo: ProGrade Digital The fastest Type B reader Digital Camera World tested: 2,595MB/s read and 1,613MB/s write with a CFexpress 4.0 card, far past a 10Gbps reader.
Suits you if
- You shoot CFexpress 4.0 Type B cards and have a USB4 or Thunderbolt port.
Skip it if
- Your computer has only USB 3.x ports: a USB4 reader then runs under 900MB/s, per Digital Camera World.
- You need it soon: the review calls it in short supply, and the maker’s shop lists it as unavailable.
- Link
- USB 4.0, up to 40Gb/s (5GB/s)
- Cards
- CFexpress Type B 4.0 and 2.0; no XQD
- Build
- Heat sink and magnetic base with an adhesive plate
- Warranty
- 2 years; 0.8m USB4 cable included
Specs from ProGrade Digital PG05.6 product page; tested in Digital Camera World, The best memory card readers.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
PGYTECH CFexpress CreateMate (Type B and SD) 10Gbps
Photo: PGYTECH A rugged reader that doubles as a card case and takes a CFexpress Type B card and an SD card. Digital Camera World recorded about 1,050MB/s with it.
Suits you if
- You shoot on location and want one tough case that reads and carries your CFexpress and SD cards.
Skip it if
- You want the fastest Type B speeds: a 10Gbps link caps it near 1,050MB/s, and the latest Type B cards can go well past that.
- Choose the Type B version when you buy: the maker also sells a Type A one.
- Link
- USB 3.2 Gen 2, up to 10Gbps
- Speeds
- CFexpress at 1,000MB/s, SD 4.0 at 312MB/s
- Case
- Holds 2 CFexpress B, 3 SD and 4 microSD cards; IP54
- Interface
- USB Type-C
Specs from PGYTECH CFexpress CreateMate product page; tested in Digital Camera World, The best memory card readers.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
Card readers · tier 2 of 2
SD and microSD
Readers for SD and microSD cards from a camera, a drone or a phone. The bar is a USB 5Gbps link and both card sizes; a UHS-II reader is the fast pick and a UHS-I reader the budget one.
2 picks, best first
Best pick
PGYTECH CreateMate High-Speed Card Reader Case SD and microSD
Photo: PGYTECH Digital Camera World’s best SD reader overall: it maxed out its fastest UHS-II card, and it doubles as a case for four SD and four microSD cards.
Suits you if
- You shoot photos or video on SD cards and want a reader that also protects the cards.
Skip it if
- Compactness matters: Digital Camera World calls it far from the smallest reader.
- Your computer has only USB-A ports: the maker says a Type-C to USB-A adapter is needed.
- Cards
- SD and microSD, UHS-II and UHS-I, two slots read at the same time
- Speed
- Up to 312MB/s
- Link
- USB 3.1 chip, up to 5Gbps, Type-C plug
- Case
- Holds 4 SD, 4 microSD and 2 nano-SIM cards
Specs from PGYTECH CreateMate High-Speed Card Reader Case product page; tested in Digital Camera World, The best memory card readers.
Check price at Amazon Paid link2nd pick
Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 Portable Card Reader SD and microSD
Photo: Anker A small, low-cost reader with no cable. Digital Camera World likes it for simple jobs, with the limit that it reads SD cards at UHS-I speed only.
Suits you if
- You want a small, low-cost reader for SD and microSD cards from a camera, a drone or a phone.
Skip it if
- You use UHS-II SD cards and want their full speed: this reader does not support UHS-II, per Digital Camera World.
- The reader is 1.38 inches wide, so check the space beside your USB port.
- Link
- USB 3.0, up to 5Gbps
- Cards
- SD, SDHC, SDXC, microSD and MMC; reads two cards at once
- Power
- Takes power from the USB port, no drivers
- Warranty
- 18 months
Specs from Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 Portable Card Reader product page; tested in Digital Camera World, The best memory card readers.
Check price at Amazon Paid link
How we pick
An enclosure becomes a pick when its bridge chip is named, by the maker or by the review that tested it, it has a metal body to carry heat off the drive, and a published test of it is saved in our library. A card has to be a true microSD Express card, the only kind the Switch 2 accepts for game storage, with a lifetime warranty (some makers call it limited). Every spec on a card comes from the maker’s own page or data sheet; a part a maker does not name comes from the named review, and the card says so.
A flash drive has to be a tested stick with a named USB link and a warranty of three years or more; the fast tier asks for USB 10Gbps and five years. A Thunderbolt 5 or Thunderbolt 4 dock has to state its Ethernet speed and have an SD UHS-II slot, a DisplayLink dock has to run two 4K 60Hz monitors from one USB-C cable with Gigabit Ethernet and at least 85W of charging, a USB-C hub has to pass through at least 100W of charging, and a USB-A hub has to run every port at 5Gbps. A card reader has to name the cards it reads and its USB link. For the docks, hubs, flash drives and readers, the maker’s own page or data sheet is the source of each spec; where it is silent on one (a stick’s warranty, say), the card names the review it came from. A pick whose maker page we cannot save is not a pick, and the Also considered list says so.
Popularity and commission play no part: a product is here because of its specs and a test, not because it sells well. We check the picks again when new reviews come out.
Reading the cards
An enclosure’s speed depends on three things: its link, the port on your computer and the drive inside. A USB4 enclosure on a 10Gbps port runs at 10Gbps, and a USB 10Gbps enclosure stays at 10Gbps even on a USB4 or Thunderbolt port. A 20Gbps enclosure needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port for its full speed, and a Thunderbolt 5 enclosure needs a Thunderbolt 5 host for its 80Gbps. Use the cable that came in the box.
The same rule runs through the rest of the page. A flash drive, a hub or a card reader runs at the slowest link between it and your computer: a 10Gbps stick in a 5Gbps port runs at 5Gbps, a hub shares one upstream link among everything plugged into it, and a USB4 CFexpress reader drops under 900MB/s in a USB 3.x port. A dock needs the host it was built for: a Thunderbolt 5 dock wants a Thunderbolt or USB4 port, and CalDigit says the TS5 Plus does not work with Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs. A DisplayLink dock works from a plain USB-C port but needs its driver, and on a Mac, DisplayLink says protected video may play black while one of its screens is connected. Card reader speeds are the makers’ ratings, and the speeds quoted from reviews are what the reviewer measured with one test card.
Card speeds are the makers’ ratings for microSD Express mode. In an older microSD slot the same card falls back to UHS-I speed. This page does not show prices, because a page built once cannot keep a price current.
Also considered
Products the reviews we read tested that did not make the cut, and the reason each one missed.
M.2 SSD enclosures · 10Gbps
- Orico M2PV-C3. Tom's Hardware found only the top panel is aluminum, with ABS plastic sides and bottom, which misses the metal body bar, and its sequential read came in well below the Plugable's. Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures
- DockCase Visual Smart M.2 Enclosure. Tom's Hardware likes its status screen and the small battery that covers a power loss, but it calls the glass top more fragile than metal, and the review does not name its bridge chip. Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures
- Sharge Disk Pro 2 Ultra. Tom's Hardware's pick with a built-in hub, HDMI and a fan, but it calls the 10Gbps link limiting and the unit bulky if you only want storage, and the review does not name its bridge chip. Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures
M.2 SSD enclosures · 20Gbps
- Asus ROG Strix Aiolos. Tom’s Hardware tested this tool-free 20Gbps case, but neither that review nor Asus’s own specs name its bridge chip. Tom’s Hardware, Testing old drives as external storage
M.2 SSD enclosures · USB4
- OWC Express 1M2. Tom's Hardware found it performed well and stayed cooler than the competition in its aluminum shell, but it did not stand out in performance or price, and the UGREEN performed better for less. Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures
- Cable Matters 40Gbps Portable USB4 / Thunderbolt 4 SSD Enclosure. Tom's Hardware liked the tool-free design, but the permanently attached cable tends to catch in the door and the unit ran warmer than the others, with slightly lower performance. Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures
- ZikeDrive. Tom's Hardware names its ASMedia ASM2464 controller and calls it the fastest enclosure it has tested, but it left it off the list because it is part of a crowdfunding campaign and not available for general sale. Tom's Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures
M.2 SSD enclosures · Thunderbolt 5
- ORICO X50. StorageReview tested this fanless Thunderbolt 5 case with a drive of its own, but neither the review nor ORICO’s own specs name its bridge chip. StorageReview, ORICO X50 review
- Satechi DotDisk 80Gbps. Tom’s Hardware found its own product page rates it well below 80Gbps speeds and that it got very hot in a 30-minute write test despite its fan. Tom’s Hardware, Best SSD and Hard Drive Enclosures
Switch 2 cards · 1TB
- Next 1TB microSD Express. Tom's Hardware rates it 880MB/s read and 650MB/s write and calls it its budget 1TB pick, but it has only a one-year warranty and is exclusive to Best Buy, short of the lifetime bar. Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
- GameStop 1TB microSD Express. Tom's Hardware rates it 800MB/s read and 700MB/s write, level with the TeamGroup, but it has only a one-year warranty and is sold only at GameStop. Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Switch 2 cards · 512GB
- PNY 512GB microSD Express. It has a lifetime warranty and Tom's Hardware calls its performance respectable, but it ranks it as the budget 512GB pick behind the Adata, noting it costs slightly more than the lowest-cost 512GB cards. Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
- GameStop 512GB microSD Express. Tom's Hardware calls it marginally slower than a few higher-priced cards, and it has only a one-year warranty and is sold only at GameStop. Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Switch 2 cards · 256GB
- Samsung P9 Express 256GB. Tom's Hardware's budget 256GB pick is rated 800MB/s read with wide availability, but its three-year warranty falls short of the lifetime bar. Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
- GameStop 256GB microSD Express. Tom's Hardware calls it one of the most budget-friendly options, but it has only a one-year warranty and is sold only at GameStop. Tom's Hardware, Best MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
USB flash drives · 10Gbps sticks
- Kingston DataTraveler Max. Tom’s Hardware calls it impressively speedy, but it is no longer for sale. Tom’s Hardware, Best Flash Drives
- SK hynix Tube T31. Tom’s Hardware calls it impressively speedy, but it is no longer for sale. Tom’s Hardware, Best Flash Drives
Docks and hubs · Thunderbolt 5 docks
- Ivanky FusionDock Ultra. Tom’s Hardware calls it the ultimate Thunderbolt 5 dock for Macs, but it supports only Apple silicon Macs and needs two Thunderbolt ports on the host. Tom’s Hardware, The Best Thunderbolt and USB-C Docks
- Baseus Spacemate RD1 Pro. Tom’s Hardware’s best USB-C dock, with 15 ports and a built-in wireless charger, but it is not a Thunderbolt dock and the review gives no upstream link speed. Tom’s Hardware, The Best Thunderbolt and USB-C Docks
Docks and hubs · Thunderbolt 4 docks
- Amazon Basics Thunderbolt 4 Pro Docking Station. Tom’s Hardware’s best-value Thunderbolt 4 dock, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports downstream, 2.5GbE and an SD 4.0 slot, but its only spec page is Amazon’s own listing, which we do not load or save. Tom’s Hardware, The Best Thunderbolt and USB-C Docks
Docks and hubs · USB-C hubs
- Sabrent HB-U3CR. Tom’s Hardware found this USB-C hub with three USB-A ports and a card reader limited to 5Gbps, even on a Thunderbolt port, which is below this tier’s 10Gbps USB-C bar. Tom’s Hardware, Best USB Hubs
- Mokin 5-in-1 10Gbps USB-C Hub. Tom’s Hardware likes it for turning one USB-C port into four 10Gbps data ports, but it often disconnected on a desktop’s front-panel USB-C port, and the maker’s current 5-in-1 page lists a different port layout, so we cannot match its specs. Tom’s Hardware, Best USB Hubs
Docks and hubs · USB-A hubs
- Inateck HB2025AL. Tom’s Hardware’s best 10Gbps Type-A hub, with four 10Gbps ports, but its cord is short and we found no current maker page for this model. Tom’s Hardware, Best USB Hubs
- Atolla 7-Port USB Data Hub Splitter. Tom’s Hardware likes the per-port power switches and the low cost, but it calls the plastic flimsy-looking, the switches annoying and the built-in cable a limit. Tom’s Hardware, Best USB Hubs
Card readers · CFexpress Type B
- SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress Card Reader. Digital Camera World measured 718MB/s sustained reads, but it is held back by its USB 3.2 Gen 2 link and reads only Type B cards. Digital Camera World, The best memory card readers
- Sony MRW-G2 CFexpress Type A and SD Reader. Digital Camera World’s best Type A reader, but it reads CFexpress Type A and SD, not the Type B cards this tier is for. Digital Camera World, The best memory card readers
Card readers · SD and microSD
- Anker MagGo SD Card Reader. Digital Camera World’s pick for filming on an iPhone, but its magnetic attachment suits only iPhones, so it is a niche pick for a general SD reader. Digital Camera World, The best memory card readers
Questions before you buy
Will my SSD fit?
Check the type and the length. Most M.2 enclosures take NVMe only, and so do most of the picks here, so an M.2 SATA drive will not work in them; the Sabrent EC-SNVE is the exception, and Sabrent lists it for both NVMe and SATA. The Sabrent takes 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280 drives, the Asus ProArt takes 2230 and 2280 drives, the UGREEN also takes 2242 and 2260, the SilverStone takes 2242, 2260 and 2280, and the TerraMaster takes 2280 only. Best SSDs.
Do I need 20Gbps, USB4 or Thunderbolt 5, or is 10Gbps enough?
Each step up needs a matching port. A 20Gbps enclosure needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, and Tom’s Hardware says even a USB4 or Thunderbolt port may cap it at 10Gbps. A USB4 enclosure runs at 40Gbps, about four times a 10Gbps one, but only on a USB4 or Thunderbolt port, and Tom’s Hardware found one USB4 model that would not work on a non-USB4 port at all. A Thunderbolt 5 enclosure reaches 80Gbps only on a Thunderbolt 5 host. On any other port each one runs at that port’s speed.
Why is my drive, hub or reader slower than its rating?
It runs at the slowest link in the chain: its own link, your port and the cable. A 10Gbps flash drive in a 5Gbps port runs at that port’s speed, though Tom’s Hardware still found the fast ones far ahead of old low-end drives there. A USB4 CFexpress reader drops under 900MB/s in a USB 3.x port, Digital Camera World says, and a hub shares its one upstream link among everything plugged into it. Use the cable in the box or one rated for the speed you paid for. Cloning and backup in 2026.
Flash drive or portable SSD?
Tom’s Hardware says the fastest flash drives come close to some external SSDs, but if speed matters and a slightly bigger device with a cable is fine, an external SSD is usually the better buy. Stick SSDs such as the ADATA SC750 are also wider and can block the port beside them. Tom’s Hardware warns that no-name 2TB sticks at very low prices are often scams. Best SSDs.
Do I need a dock, or is a hub enough?
A hub adds ports; a dock adds ports plus more bandwidth, charging and extras such as faster Ethernet. Tom’s Hardware says a hub with a 10Gbps USB-C link can limit you if you often move large files between fast devices, and a dock with a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 upstream port gives more bandwidth. The Thunderbolt 5 docks here need a Thunderbolt or USB4 host: CalDigit says the TS5 Plus does not work with Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs or with 5Gbps and 10Gbps USB-C hosts. For a laptop without Thunderbolt, the DisplayLink docks here run two monitors from an ordinary USB-C port through a driver. They also work on a Mac with the DisplayLink driver, one way to run two monitors from a MacBook that drives only one external display on its own: Kensington says MacBooks with a base M1 or M2 chip get one external display from its Thunderbolt 4 dock. DisplayLink lists two limits on macOS. The driver needs the Screen Recording permission, and once one DisplayLink screen is connected, protected video in apps such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime may stay black on every screen while the audio plays. DisplayLink support: protected video on Mac.
Why does the Switch 2 need microSD Express?
The Switch 2 takes only microSD Express cards for game storage. An Express card adds a PCIe and NVMe link on top of the usual microSD interface, which is how it reaches read speeds around 800MB/s. An ordinary microSD card has no such link. SD and microSD cards: classes, bus modes and SD Express.