ASUS Cobble Review

While external SSDs are the easier option because of their plug-and-play capabilities, SSD enclosures often offer more customizability, flexibility, and savings, especially if you have spare SSDs. The ASUS Cobble is one such product, a sleek and compact storage solution for those looking for enclosures that provide a good balance between the benefits mentioned above.

First, let’s take a quick look at its specs:

Connection: USB Type-C 3.2
Transfer Speed: 10 Gbps
Protection: IP55
Dimensions: 129×44×17 mm
Weight: 92 g
SSD Compatibility: M.2 PCI Express 2280, M.2 PCI Express 2260, M.2 PCI Express 2242
SSD Capacity: Up to 4TB

The first thing you notice about the ASUS Cobble is its design inspiration, which comes directly from its name. Featuring a cobblestone-like design, this enclosure doesn’t look like something you would typically see from similar products. It looks stylish and is smooth to the touch, with a nice matte finish and rounded edges that make it visually appealing and offer a premium feel.

It comes in two colors: Black and Gray. While the black offers a more inconspicuous look, the gray definitely stands out more and can easily be seen if you are carrying a lot of items.

Below is a metal groove that acts like its feet, but I’m surprised it doesn’t have rubber feet to add grip and stability. Because it feels solid, it’s not easy to accidentally hit or push it away, even without rubber feet, but the extra assurance that rubber feet provide would have been nice.

While it does have a compact form factor, it does feel a tad bit heavier than other enclosures, even without an SSD inside. Compared to another enclosure with a rubber guard wrapped around it, the ASUS Cobble still feels slightly heavier due to its more solid construction. It’s not such a big deal, though, as it weighs less than 100g, so it won’t take up too much space and weight if you choose to carry it around.

Because of its construction, the ASUS Cobble features IP55 protection, which means it is resistant to dust and water splashes. You can feel its “premiumness,” something you don’t get with other similar enclosures, and it’s durable to boot.

However, that’s not to say that the ASUS Cobble can take heavy external force. Minor bumps and scratches should be no problem, but as with products of this type, extreme punishment is best saved for other alternatives.

If there was ever any complaint about the ASUS Cobble, it must be the bolt at the bottom. While those with long and sturdy nails may be able to twist this to open the enclosure, the included metal coin should do the trick. Unfortunately, the metal coin can easily be misplaced, and the enclosure may be challenging to open without it. Unlike others that can open via a spring or a latch, this is a definite design miss that could have been easily remedied, missing the opportunity to become a fully tool-less enclosure.

Once opened, an SSD can easily be installed via its Q-Latch system, which is basically a lock that can easily be turned to secure the SSD in place. It’s an efficient way to plug in the SSD without the use of any other tools, which is why the metal coin to open the enclosure was such a puzzling choice because it could have been a fully tool-less experience.

The ASUS Cobble works as advertised, hosting a USB-C connection that transfers files quickly. Transferring files is hassle-free using a PC, laptop, or consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series. Data transfer speeds are fast, especially with using a USB-C cable, bringing over files fast and without errors.

One thing to note is that because of its aluminum top cover and the presence of a thermal heat pad, the ASUS Cobble keeps the SSD inside cool enough to handle lengthy file transfers. It’s not a heat sink, but it gets the job done compared to other enclosures that do not offer this feature at all.

Overall, the ASUS Cobble is a sleek and durable SSD Enclosure that, although pricier than others, is a great alternative for those looking to take their files on the go. There are a few questionable design decisions here, especially with the screw at the bottom that requires a metal coin to twist and open.

Despite that, installing and using an SSD is painless and straightforward, and you can access and transfer files quickly. Supporting a range of formats, most SSDs out there can fit the ASUS Cobble, and is a great option when looking for an enclosure that has more than the average set of features that other enclosures provide.

The ASUS Cobble is now available for PHP 1,650.