While listed as only for a 2.5 HDD, has anyone tested this on a Desktop 3.5 HDD?

This will not work on a 3.5 drive. The USB power supply is 5V. The 2.5 drives only use a 5V power rail, which is why this works on them. 3.5 drives have a 12V power rail, along with the 5V power rail. To run a 3.5 drive, you need an external 12V power supply. There are interfaces that come with it.

USB 3.0 to 2.5" SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable w/UASP ... Great! Is this thing USB 2.0 backward compatible in case I need it that way?

I've been able to use these with SSD's and USB 2.0. Usually laptop HDD's pull too much power to work on 2.0, and I've seen a couple older ones pull too much for 3.0. I work in a computer repair shop where we use these things like crazy, and it often depends on the drive you're using, and whether your USB port is able to push the power it's supposed to be rated for. Feels like a coin flip if you're working with a platter drive, but SSD's do fine.

2.5" drives don't require a power adaptor? All I need is this cable?

Yes. I had an SSD drive connected to the back of a server's USB 3 port for weeks without issue with no external power adapter.

Is this compatible with the Samsung Data Migration / Magician tools? They will not detect my drive with the other adapters I own.

I just ran into this issue with a Samsung 500 Gb 860 EVO SSD. The Samsung Magician Software did not see the SSD. There was a suggestion on one of Samsung's support sites (user community) that the bios settings for the HDD controller could be at fault. I checked mine and they were set to RAID (even though I don't have a RAID configuration). The recommended setting is AHCI. I changed it to AHCI (despite the warning that the computer might fail to boot) and rebooted. Rebooted without an issue, but Magician still didn't "recognize" the SSD as a Samsung "compatible" drive. I then downloaded Samsung Data Migration tool, which is really what you need for the cloning. IT WORKED. So as indicated elsewhere, there is some issue with certain combinations of Samsung software and the newer SSD's. I will try to remember to test it with an older USB 2.0 -> SATA adapter I've used in the past without issue. In the end, the cable worked as advertised.

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Description

⚡ Unlock your data’s full potential—fast, sleek, and always ready to go!

COMPACT POWERHOUSE - Bus-powered and ultra-lightweight, this cable fits perfectly in your laptop bag for on-the-go data access.
PLUG PLAY FREEDOM - Swap 2.5" SATA SSDs or HDDs instantly—no enclosures, no fuss, just pure productivity.
BLAZING FAST TRANSFERS - Experience lightning-quick 10Gbps data speeds that keep your workflow seamless and efficient.
EFFORTLESS COMPATIBILITY - Works flawlessly across Windows, MacOS, Linux, and ChromeOS with zero driver installs required.
REVERSIBLE USB C CONNECTOR - Connect with confidence every time thanks to the reversible USB-C plug that reduces port damage risk.

The StarTech USB-C to SATA adapter cable delivers ultra-fast 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 data transfer speeds for 2.5" SATA SSDs and HDDs. It’s a bus-powered, driverless, plug-and-play solution compatible with all major operating systems, designed for professionals who demand quick, portable, and reliable access to their drives without bulky enclosures or external power.

Specifications

ASIN	B0133F30R8
Best Sellers Rank	#5 in SATA Cables
Brand	StarTech.com
Brand Name	StarTech.com
Cable Type	USB
Color	Black
Compatible Devices	2.5-inch HDD and SSD, Laptop, Personal Computers with USB port
Compatible Phone Models	No Compatible Phone Models
Connectivity Technology	1 - Drive Connectors SATA Data & Power Combo (7+15 pin) 1 - Host Connectors USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (24 pin, 10Gbps)
Connector Gender	Male-to-Female
Connector Type	Sata/Usb
Customer Package Type	Standard Packaging
Customer Reviews	4.4 out of 5 stars 1,276 Reviews
Data Transfer Rate	10 Gigabits Per Second
Frequency	10 GHz
Global Trade Identification Number	00065030863032
Included Components	1 USB 3.1 to SATA 2.5" HDD adapter cable with USB-C, 1 quick start guide
Indoor Outdoor Usage	Indoor, Outdoor
Item Shape	Round
Item Type Name	Data Transfer Cable
Item Weight	0.03 Kilograms
Manufacturer	StarTech.com
Model	USB31CSAT3CB
Model Name	USB31CSAT3CB
Number of Items	1
Number of Pins	24
Other Special Features of the Product	Data Transfer, Driverless, Universal Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Hot-swap, Plug and Play, UASP Support
Outer Material	Plastic
Recommended Uses For Product	transferring data
Special Feature	Data Transfer, Driverless, Universal Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Hot-swap, Plug and Play, UASP Support Special Feature Data Transfer, Driverless, Universal Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Hot-swap, Plug and Play, UASP Support See more
Specification Met	No
UPC	065030863032
Unit Count	1.0 Count
Warranty Description	2 Year

Reviews

R**Z

Works with a Mac, Perfect!!!

Works very well, have no issues using with a Mac. Perfect!!!

20.02.2026

A**R

Excellent adapter for connecting SATA based hard drives to computers for maintenance

Great cable for transferring data from SATA hard drives without requiring a case or internal wiring. I use this tool to copy data for friends before secure erasing drives before recycling. This cable works seamlessly with Windows 10 and 11.

1.02.2026

B**S

Only works for 2.5" drives

As noted in the title and specifically written in the instructions, this only works for 2.5" drives. It will not work for 3.5" (or larger) drives.

16.12.2025

C**W

Not a Perfect Fit for Atomos Caddies

This SATA to USB-C adapter is very nice. It doesn't perfectly fit Atomos caddies, but it does fit well enough, and the drive is recognized without a problem on my Mac. You can see in my pictures that the SATA end fits the SATA connectors through the Atomos caddy, but it doesn't plug all the way in due to the width of the SATA connector on the cable's end. But again, it works; so it serves its purpose. Pro Tip: Just be careful after you plug it into your computer, not to jiggle it or move it around too much to avoid disconnecting your drive while active, which could lead to corruption caused by accidental unplugging.

9.04.2024

B**8

Good price!

Worked perfectly to transfer my files to my new computer.

16.03.2026

M**E

Faulty

Tried using this SATA to USB-C cable with both a Samsung 850 EVO and a Samsung 840. Neither worked with this cable. Plugging it into the USB-C port on the computer caused all other USB devices to power off as if it's shorting out, and caused Windows File Explorer to lock up until I disconnected this cable. What's bizarre is I put a USB-C to USB-A adapter on the USB-C end of this cable and it worked fine.

25.01.2026

C**D

This is a perct cable for techies

The length allows for workbench use. Great product and good price. Perfect for setting up Digital drives.

19.03.2026

D**C

USB SATA adapter. Great. If it works, what else is needed? Happy customer.

SATA to USB adapter. Works fine, no issues.

26.01.2026

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Yes, all products are sourced directly from authorized retailers in the US, UK, UAE and India. We maintain strict quality control processes and verify each product before shipping. All items come with applicable manufacturer warranties and are covered by our standard return policy.

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StarTech SATA to USB-C Cable, USB 10Gbps to 2.5in SATA I II III Hard Drive Ad...

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Common Questions