Ugreen UG-70498 USB-C HDD Enclosure Aluminum 2.5 Inch, USB 3.1 Type C To SATA External Reader
The UGREEN UG-70498 is a 2.5-inch external hard drive enclosure that converts internal SATA drives into portable USB storage. Also known as the US221, this enclosure uses a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port with a maximum interface speed of 10 Gbps. The internal SATA III (7+15 pin) connection supports data transfer rates up to 6 Gbps. The UGREEN UG-70498 is powered by the ASMedia ASM235CM bridge chipset. It supports both UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) and TRIM commands.
The enclosure body is constructed from brushed aluminum alloy. It measures 128 × 82 × 14 mm and weighs approximately 200 g. The UGREEN UG-70498 operates as a plug-and-play device with no driver installation required. It is USB bus-powered, so no external power supply is needed for 2.5-inch drives.
Transfer Speed and Chipset
The UGREEN UG-70498 is built around the ASMedia ASM235CM chipset. This SATA-to-USB bridge controller handles the conversion between the internal SATA III interface and the external USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 connection. The USB-C port supports a theoretical bandwidth of up to 10 Gbps. However, the SATA III interface caps the effective throughput at 6 Gbps.
UASP support on the UGREEN UG-70498 reduces CPU usage and latency during data transfers. This protocol is particularly effective when paired with SSDs. According to UGREEN, UASP-enabled transfers are up to 70% faster than traditional USB BOT (Bulk-Only Transport) mode. Additionally, the TRIM command support helps maintain SSD performance over time by allowing the operating system to inform the drive about unused data blocks.
The ASM235CM chipset also supports S.M.A.R.T (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology). This feature enables users to monitor drive health and status through compatible software on the host computer. Both the connected drive and the host system must support S.M.A.R.T for this function to operate.
Drive Compatibility
The UGREEN UG-70498 accepts 2.5-inch SATA I, SATA II, and SATA III hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD). Supported drive thicknesses range from 7 mm to 9.5 mm. The maximum supported drive capacity is 6 TB.
Compatible drive models include Samsung 860 EVO and 850 EVO, WD Blue and WD Green SATA SSDs, Seagate Barracuda 2.5-inch, Crucial BX500 and MX500, SanDisk SSD Plus and Ultra 3D, Kingston A400, Toshiba TR200, and PNY CS900. In short, any 2.5-inch drive with a standard SATA interface and a thickness of 9.5 mm or less fits the UGREEN UG-70498.
The enclosure does not support 3.5-inch SATA drives or drives with an IDE interface. Furthermore, Windows XP 32-bit does not support drives larger than 2 TB when connected through this enclosure.
Build Quality and Drive Protection
The outer shell of the UGREEN UG-70498 is made from brushed aluminum alloy. This material serves two purposes. First, it provides structural rigidity to protect the installed drive from external impacts. Second, aluminum acts as a passive heat sink. The enclosure dissipates heat from the drive and chipset without requiring a cooling fan. As a result, the UGREEN UG-70498 operates silently during sustained read and write operations.
Inside the enclosure, soft EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam pads line both sides of the drive bay. These 7 mm thick pads cushion the drive against vibration and minor shocks. The foam also prevents the drive from making direct contact with the aluminum walls. Consequently, the risk of scratches to the drive casing is reduced during insertion and everyday use.
The brushed exterior finish on the UGREEN UG-70498 is described as fireproof and shockproof. Cushioned internal edges further protect the drive from movement within the enclosure during transport.
Tool-Free Installation
The UGREEN UG-70498 uses a slide-open design for drive installation. No screws or tools are required. Users slide the rear panel open, insert the 2.5-inch drive into the SATA connector, and close the panel. The entire process takes seconds. This tool-free mechanism makes the UGREEN UG-70498 practical for users who frequently swap drives or need quick access to multiple storage devices.
An LED activity indicator on the enclosure shows the working status of the connected drive. The light confirms when the drive is active, idle, or in sleep mode.
Technical Specifications
General
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Number | 70498 / US221 |
| Product Type | 2.5-inch External HDD/SSD Enclosure |
| Colour | Black |
| Chipset | ASMedia ASM235CM |
Interface
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| External Port | USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2) |
| External Interface Speed | Up to 10 Gbps |
| Internal Interface | SATA III (7+15 pin) |
| Internal Interface Speed | Up to 6 Gbps |
| Protocol Support | UASP, TRIM, S.M.A.R.T |
Drive Compatibility
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Supported Drive Size | 2.5 inch |
| Drive Thickness | 7 mm – 9.5 mm |
| Supported SATA Versions | SATA I / SATA II / SATA III |
| Drive Types | HDD and SSD |
| Maximum Capacity | 6 TB |
| Not Supported | 3.5-inch drives, IDE interface drives |
Build and Dimensions
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Housing Material | Brushed aluminum alloy |
| Internal Padding | EVA foam (7 mm thickness) |
| Enclosure Dimensions | 128 × 82 × 14 mm |
| Weight | ~200 g |
| Installation Method | Tool-free slide-open design |
| LED Indicator | Yes (drive activity status) |
Power and Connectivity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power Source | USB bus-powered (no external adapter) |
| Included Cable | USB-A to USB-C, 50 cm |
| Auto Sleep Mode | Yes (~3 minutes of inactivity) |
| Driver Requirement | None (plug-and-play) |
System Compatibility
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Windows | 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / XP / Vista |
| macOS | Supported |
| Linux | Supported |
| Chrome OS | Supported |
| Game Consoles | PS4, PS4 Pro, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 |
| Other Devices | Raspberry Pi, smart TVs, routers |
