ICY BOX or UGREEN? SSD Docking Stations Compared in 2026
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This ICY BOX vs UGREEN SSD docking station comparison helps you choose between two distinct tools. Both units support one-touch offline cloning, meaning you can duplicate drives without connecting to a computer. The main difference lies in their scope and speed. The ICY BOX handles both NVMe and SATA drives across three bays. The UGREEN unit focuses exclusively on NVMe drives but offers double the transfer speed in a dual-bay aluminum chassis.
Key differences
| Aspect | ICY BOX Triple-Bay NVMe & SATA Cloner Dock | UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Speed | 10Gbps | 20Gbps |
| Supported Drive Types | M.2 NVMe and 2.5"/3.5" SATA | M.2 NVMe only |
| Bay Count | Triple-bay | Dual-bay |
| Construction Material | not listed | Aluminum |
| Interface | SATA III | NVMe |
Which one should you choose?
Choose ICY BOX Triple-Bay NVMe & SATA Cloner Dock if
- You need to clone or access legacy 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives alongside NVMe SSDs.
- You require a third bay to manage multiple drives simultaneously for professional data workflows.
- You prefer a tool-free design that supports a wider variety of storage interfaces including SATA.
Choose UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock if
- You prioritize maximum transfer speeds and need the 20Gbps bandwidth for large NVMe files.
- You want a chassis built entirely of aluminum to aid in passive heat dissipation during cloning.
- You exclusively use M.2 NVMe drives and want a compact, open-design unit for better cooling.
Verdict: Choose the ICY BOX if you need versatility, as it supports both NVMe and SATA drives in a three-bay setup. Pick the UGREEN model if you only work with NVMe drives and require faster 20Gbps transfers with an aluminum body for better thermal management.
ICY BOX vs UGREEN Dock Specs
Transfer Speed
The UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock offers a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 20Gbps. This high speed relies on the JMS586U chip and requires both the host device and cable to support the 20Gbps standard. In contrast, the ICY BOX Triple-Bay NVMe & SATA Cloner Dock provides a maximum transfer speed of 10Gbps via USB 3.2 Gen 2. While the ICY BOX includes a dual-purpose USB-C/USB-A combo cable, its bandwidth is half that of the UGREEN unit. If raw throughput is your primary concern and you have compatible high-speed hosts, the UGREEN spec is superior.
Drive Compatibility
The ICY BOX is a versatile hybrid dock. It supports M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs as well as 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA SSDs and HDDs. This allows you to clone between various drive types, including SATA to NVMe. The UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock is strictly for M.2 NVMe drives. It supports both M-Key and B+M-Key NVMe SSDs but explicitly does not support SATA interfaces. For users with a mix of old SATA drives and new NVMe SSDs, the ICY BOX handles both. The UGREEN is limited to NVMe only.
Bay Configuration
The ICY BOX features a triple-bay design with three independent slots. This allows you to connect and access multiple drives simultaneously, which is useful for managing diverse data sources or backing up multiple drives in sequence. The UGREEN unit is a dual-bay enclosure. It accommodates two 8TB NVMe SSDs simultaneously for cloning or access. Both designs are tool-free for easy swapping. However, the ICY BOX offers an extra bay, giving you more flexibility for simultaneous operations or storage expansion compared to the two-slot limit of the UGREEN model.
Build and Cooling
The UGREEN dock is constructed entirely of aluminum, providing sturdiness and excellent heat dissipation. Its open, plug-and-play design enables 360-degree airflow to prevent overheating during intensive tasks. It also includes LED lights to monitor the cloning process and anti-slip pads for stability. The ICY BOX specifications list its color as black and provide dimensions, but do not specify the material or active cooling features. While the ICY BOX is functional, the UGREEN explicitly highlights its aluminum build and open design for thermal management, which is beneficial for sustained high-speed transfers.
Cloning Features
Both units support one-touch offline cloning, allowing you to duplicate drives without installing software or connecting to a computer. The ICY BOX supports flexible cloning between various drive types, such as NVMe to NVMe or SATA to NVMe. The UGREEN also supports one-click offline cloning but requires the target drive (Drive B) to have a capacity greater than or equal to the source drive (Drive A). Both drives must be NVMe. While both offer convenience, the ICY BOX offers more cloning versatility by supporting SATA targets, whereas the UGREEN is restricted to NVMe-to-NVMe operations.
Which SSD Dock Fits Your Needs
Users needing SATA and NVMe support
You should choose the ICY BOX if you work with mixed drive types. It supports M.2 NVMe, 2.5-inch SATA, and 3.5-inch SATA drives. The UGREEN model only accepts NVMe SSDs. If you need to clone older SATA drives or manage diverse storage formats, this triple-bay dock offers the necessary flexibility and compatibility for your workflow.
Professionals requiring high-speed transfers
The UGREEN dock provides a theoretical 20Gbps transfer speed, double the ICY BOX's 10Gbps limit. This speed relies on the JMS586U chip and requires both your host device and cable to support the 20Gbps standard. If your workflow involves large NVMe files and you have compatible hardware, this unit delivers faster data migration without software installation.
Users prioritizing thermal management
The UGREEN enclosure features an open aluminum design that allows 360-degree heat dissipation. This construction helps prevent overheating during intensive cloning tasks. The ICY BOX uses a plastic chassis with less specified airflow. If you plan to run long cloning sessions or use high-performance NVMe drives, the UGREEN unit’s thermal design offers better protection for your hardware.
The products compared
ICY BOX Triple-Bay NVMe & SATA Cloner Dock
Best for: Offline cloning and multi-drive access
- Transfer Speed
- 10Gbps
- Supported Drive Types
- M.2 NVMe, 2.5"/3.5" SATA
- Bay Count
- 3
- Offline Cloning
- One-touch offline cloning
- Interface
- SATA III
- Form Factor
- 2.5 Inch
View on Amazon: ICY BOX Triple-Bay NVMe & SATA Cloner Dock Affiliate link
This ICY BOX docking station offers a triple-bay design for managing multiple drives. It supports one-touch offline cloning between M.2 NVMe and SATA drives. You get USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds up to 10 Gbps. The tool-free slots make swapping drives quick. It works with Windows and macOS. This setup suits users who need to clone or access several drives at once without software.
Pros
- Supports offline cloning with one touch
- Handles M.2 NVMe and SATA drives
- Three independent bays for simultaneous access
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 10 Gbps transfer rate
Cons
- USB interface limited to 10 Gbps
- Includes a 24-month warranty only
- Requires external power adapter
Good fit if
- You need to clone drives without a PC
- You manage multiple drives simultaneously
- You use both Windows and macOS
Skip if
- You require 20 Gbps transfer speeds
- You only need a single drive bay
- You prefer a compact dual-bay design
Verdict: ICY BOX TripleBay 10Gbps Cloner is a practical choice for users who need to clone or access multiple drives at once. It fits those who value offline cloning and multi-drive access over higher transfer speeds.
UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock
Best for: Offline NVMe cloning and 20Gbps transfer
- Transfer Speed
- 20Gbps
- Supported Drive Types
- M.2 NVMe
- Bay Count
- 2
- Offline Cloning
- One-click offline cloning
- Maximum Capacity
- 16TB
- Features
- Tool-Free, Offline Clone
View on Amazon: UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock Affiliate link
The UGREEN CM392 is a dual-bay, tool-free NVMe duplicator with 20Gbps transfer speeds. It uses a JMS586U chip for fast cloning without a computer. The aluminum case aids heat dissipation. You need two NVMe drives for cloning; SATA is not supported. This unit suits users who need offline cloning and high-speed data transfer for NVMe SSDs.
Pros
- 20Gbps transfer speed with JMS586U chip
- One-click offline cloning without a PC
- Dual-bay design for two NVMe drives
- Tool-free aluminum enclosure for heat dissipation
Cons
- Cloning requires both drives to be NVMe
- SATA SSDs are not supported
- Cloning needs target drive capacity to equal or exceed source
Good fit if
- You need to clone NVMe drives without a computer
- You require high-speed 20Gbps data transfer
- You want a tool-free dual-bay NVMe enclosure
Skip if
- You need to clone SATA SSDs
- You require a single-bay solution
- You do not have two NVMe drives for cloning
Verdict: UGREEN 20Gbps NVMe Cloner offers fast offline cloning for NVMe drives. It fits users who need to duplicate NVMe SSDs quickly without a PC.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | ICY BOX Triple-Bay NVMe & SATA Cloner Dock | UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Speed | 10Gbps | 20Gbps |
| Supported Drive Types | M.2 NVMe, 2.5"/3.5" SATA | M.2 NVMe |
| Bay Count | 3 | 2 |
| Offline Cloning | One-touch offline cloning | One-click offline cloning |
| Maximum Capacity | not stated | 16TB |
| Interface | SATA III | NVMe |
| Form Factor | 2.5 Inch | M.2 |
| Features | Tool-Free, Offline Clone | Tool-Free, Offline Clone |
| Host Interface | USB-C | not stated |
| Dimensions | 5.47 × 3.03 × 2.32 inches | 5.04 × 3.15 × 0.59 inches |
| Weight | 10.3 ounces | 10.6 ounces |
| Color | Black | silver |
| Model | 3 Bay Cloner | CM392 |
Frequently asked questions
Does the UGREEN dock support SATA drives?
No, it does not. The UGREEN Dual-Bay 20Gbps NVMe Cloner Dock is designed exclusively for M.2 NVMe SSDs. It lacks the hardware interface to connect to 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives. You must use NVMe modules with this specific unit for cloning or data access.
Can I clone drives without a computer using the ICY BOX?
Yes, you can. The ICY BOX Triple-Bay NVMe & SATA Cloner Dock features an offline clone function. This allows you to duplicate data directly between connected drives without needing to power on or connect to a host computer. It operates independently for one-touch cloning tasks.
What is the maximum transfer speed of the UGREEN dock?
The UGREEN dock offers a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 20Gbps. This speed relies on the JMS586U chip inside the unit. To achieve this rate, both the host device and your USB cable must support the 20Gbps standard. It is faster than the 10Gbps ICY BOX model.
Does the ICY BOX dock require tools for installation?
No, it does not. The ICY BOX Triple-Bay dock is designed with a tool-free form factor. You can install and remove 2.5-inch SATA drives without needing screwdrivers or additional hardware. This makes drive swaps quick and convenient for users who frequently change storage media.
Which dock supports more drive bays?
The ICY BOX model supports more bays. It is a triple-bay unit capable of handling three drives simultaneously. The UGREEN dock is a dual-bay unit. If you need to access or clone three drives at once, the ICY BOX provides the necessary physical slots for your workflow.
Is the UGREEN dock suitable for mixed drive types?
No, it is not. The UGREEN dock only accepts M.2 NVMe SSDs. It cannot read or write to SATA drives. If you work with a mix of NVMe and 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives, you should choose the ICY BOX dock instead, which supports all three form factors.