ROG Strix Arion

I was in the process of updating my PC SSD, so I needed an external enclosure, this Asus ROG Strix Arion enclosure therefore served me two purposes; to hold my new SSD to be cloned and then to house my old SSD afterwards. For anyone not in the know, ROG stands for Republic of Gamers, and represents the gaming division of Asus so this SSD enclosure is oriented towards gamers but can be used by anyone looking for a high quality SSD enclosure. Off the bat the presentation is top notch, high profile, glossy, full colored box that contains the ROG Strix Arion SSD enclosure nestled within a dense foam container. No cheap plastic product containers here and of course it is a little bit of overkill, but the presentation cannot be denied. Inside the box is the ROG Strix Arion SSD enclosure, a short USB-C to USB-C cable, another short USB-C to USB-A cable, a rubberized protective covering for the unit that has a built in handle for the included strap and very plastic carabiner clip shaped into a "R" to represent ROG. The only shortcoming that I have with this is how extremely cheap the carabiner clip is, needless to say I will not be using it at all. Holding the ROG Strix Arion SSD for the first time, wow! This aluminum enclosure is one very solidly built device! It has some heft to it without being heavy and the fit and finish is top notch all around including the super awesome RGB LED lights. SSD installing is a breeze as this SSD enclosure opens up with just a pin eject tool, the same kind that opens up the SIM/SD card slot on cell phones. Inside there is a thumbscrew that is easily turned by hand, and if need be the pin eject tool can be used as a quick screwdriver. Place the NVME SSD inside the slot, reattach the thumbscrew, close the unit and you are ready to go. Connected to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port on my desktop PC, I was getting 941 MB/s read and 882 MB/s write, good results if just a tad slow but very much in line with most other USB 3.2 Gen 2 external NVME drives, I also tested this on my laptop with Thunderbolt 3 and I was getting 1,050 MB/s read and write, much better and closer to the threshold for USB 3.2 Gen 2 which is approximately 1,250 MB/s. The drive inside is a 250 Gb Samsung 981a which is capable of 3,000 MB/s read and 2,200 MB/s write. I didn’t test the RGB software because I most likely won’t be using this drive for my PC, more than likely as a miscellaneous drive for maybe Xbox or music or something else so I’m not really concerned with whatever color it is but I do like the RGBs on this device, one of the reasons I chose it. Excellent enclosure and what I think is a respectable price for a quality product of this caliber. Highly recommended.

Initially, I bought this because it looks cool. But it’s not just looks, it has good performance, it offers protection since it is made of hard casing. It also included a thermal pad to help lower the temperature during operations. Data transfer is one of the fastest brands out there. It is compatible with most laptops and PC. It is plug and play but if you want there is a customizations tab where it has something that you don’t get in other enclosures.

The ASUS ROG Strix Arion is a very nice M.2 NVMe enclosure if you want to turn an extra NVMe SSD into a fast portable drive. The enclosure feels much more premium than basic generic options, and it includes the cables needed for USB-C and USB-A systems. Installation was straightforward, and the design makes it feel like a proper external SSD rather than a temporary adapter. This is especially useful for backups, large file transfers, installers, portable work storage, or repurposing an upgraded NVMe drive. It is more expensive than some plain enclosures, but the build quality, design, and included accessories make it feel worth it. I was very satisfied with it.

The ASUS ROG Strix Arion is a premium M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure that blends high-speed performance with gamer-centric aesthetics. Designed for users who want more than just functionality, it offers a robust build, RGB lighting, and thoughtful accessories that elevate it above generic alternatives. The enclosure features a rugged aluminum body with angular, gamer-inspired design elements. It’s solid and slightly hefty at 98g, which helps with heat dissipation. The RGB-lit ROG logo adds flair, especially for users with synchronized ASUS setups Pros: Stylish and durable aluminum design Effective thermal management with built-in pads RGB lighting with Aura Sync support Dual cable options for USB-C and USB-A Includes protective bumper and hook Cons: Higher price than generic enclosures (~$59.99) No support for SATA M.2 SSDs SIM-pin installation may be inconvenient for frequent swaps The ASUS ROG Strix Arion is more than just an SSD enclosure—it’s a statement piece for gamers and tech enthusiasts. While it’s pricier than basic models, the combination of performance, aesthetics, and thoughtful extras make it a worthwhile investment for those who value both form and function.

ETA: I’ve now also been using the white variant. It works just as great, but its looks are just unmatched. Highly recommend. Have been using this NVMe SSD case for a while now. I can say it holds up very well. It shows some scratches, but nothing major. It’s sturdy, transfer speed is as described. Included cable is good. The only thing is that you need a little tool to open the case, which is annoying to store and keep (it’s tiny). Would be great if on a version 2 they made it maybe a button lock, or maybe have it on a magnetically attached storage option. But that’s nitpicking, I really like it, and like using it. 9/10 if only because of that tool needed to open the case.

I purchased this NVMe enclosure to bring with me to work. I work on specialty computer systems that power Immersive/shared reality, and often need access to a large and portable storage solution. The quality of the actual enclosure is top notch and I love it. The drive stays within adequate operating temperatures and the sturdy aluminum enclosure keeps the flimsy NVMe drive very safe and secure. I had purchased this enclosure specifically so I would be able to tote around the drive and have quick and easy access to it on my hip or key ring, which is why I was happy to see it came with a carabineer. The carabineer is awful quality and would not keep the enclosure securely fashioned to anything. Flimsy, easily breakable, a total joke. However, if you're like me and you intend on actually using the carabineer function, I highly recommend getting the "Spidgen Rugged Armor Compatible with Apple AirTag Case Cover AirTag Holder" to replace the crappy stock carabineer. The Airtag case portion can come off, and you can slip the NVMe enclosure on in its place. Together, these two products make for a highly portable and highly durable NVMe SSD enclosure. Were it not for the awful construction of the carabineer, I would have given this product 5 stars.

I bought this ASUS ROG STRIX Arion external SSD enclosure primarily so I could clone my Samsung 970 EVO Pro PCIe SSD onto a new drive in case I had a system SSD failure. Who want to have to reinstall everything again and start over on settings, etc. Not me. And I was looking for something that would be glitch free and something Windows would recognize as well as cloning software so I could do a reliable clone. And also something I could use to execute and play games. And this is the product in my opinion. It is not a flimsy product. Very well made with ample aluminum case and thermal pads to VERY EFFECTIVELY dissipate heat, which is a real concern with these SSD enclosures. After hours of use it is just warm to the touch. I was quite impressed and surprised. It comes with a A to C and C to C USB cable and everything you need other than a screwdriver to install you SSD disk. Just be sure to use the SSD install screw properly so the enclosure lid closes - place the SSD in between the grooves on the screw and tighten. I have an ASUS ROG STRIX Hero XI motherboard, and this enclosure uses the same lighting scheme I'm using on my system. And BTW, this enclosure is pretty cool to look at - shiny black surface with the RGB lighting very pleasing to the eye. All I did was install the SSD, plug the enclosure into a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (it is backward compatible also) and I was off and running. And I mean Running - with the 3.2 connection you get blinding fast speeds. I cloned, which takes longer than simple copying, a 115GB system Windows drive in under 7 minutes. One caveat that I was aware of before buying the enclosure you need to keep in mind if you intend to use this to clone your system disk. Windows WILL NOT recognize the SSD brand (Samsung, etc) as a branded product - i.e. Samsung 980 Pro, etc. It will only recognize the enclosure but will know it is an SSD with 512GB, etc. Just not the brand. Which means Samsung or any OEM cloning software WILL NOT work to clone your system disk. However, products such as Acronis True Image 2021, which I used will and will accurately clone the drive. This is not a limitation with this enclosure - it's a windows USB thing. I highly recommend this product.

Awesome casing. Love the performance and durability. Definitely will buy this again if I need another one.

Fantastic product. i tried one of those cheaper products..but you get what you pay for... this run cooler, faster and connects to your computer easier. You also dont run into any weird issues or hassles.. it just works. worth every penny.... plus it looks awesome, feels rock solid, strap holder mades it super portable and the bumper bar around the edges help with falls(dont know why itd be falling?)... dont shop around and just get this.

Como cualquier otro case/adaptador, cumple con su función principal de forma eficiente, logrando obtener un aproximado a las velocidades indicadas por el fabricante y con la facilidad de instalación que se presume, algo que lo diferencia bastante son los materiales que lo consolidan, me agrada mucho que este hecho de aluminio, eso le ayuda a disipar el calor que generan los SSD y gracias a los ‘thermal pads’ de su interior esto es mas eficiente. Las luces ya son algo estético que luce bien cuando se conecta y te puede servir como aviso de que sigue conectado. Algo que si veo un poco innecesario es el gancho, hay que ser bastante confiado e ingenuo para colgarlo fuera de una mochila, por dos razones, la primera es que el gancho ‘R’ este hecho de plástico que se ve y se siente bastante frágil un jalón podría fácilmente romperlo, y la segunda es que se sujeta por un velcro el cual es igual de fácil de abrir o quitar.

GOOD QUALITY. ITS JUST WHEN I INSTALL THE SSD INSIDE, I CANT CLOSE THE COVER PROPERLY.

I picked up the ASUS ROG STRIX Arion to give new life to an old NVMe drive, and it’s been fantastic. Installation was super easy, no fiddling with screws, just pop it in with the included ROG key and you’re set. The build feels solid in hand, and the RGB lighting gives it that signature ROG flair without being too flashy. Performance has been rock‑steady. I’ve transferred big files and even used it like a portable game library, and speeds stay fast with no hiccups. I also love that it works across all my devices such as Windows laptop, Mac, and even my phone with USB‑C. It’s basically become my “thumb drive on steroids.” If you want something that’s both stylish and reliable, this enclosure is worth it. I’m glad I spent a bit more for the quality, it feels like a long‑term investment rather than a cheap gadget.

Writing this review after years of buying it and it still works great. Great quality item. A bit pricy but worth it.