This compact conversion bay enables six 2.5-inch SATA III or Single Channel SAS drives (5 to 9.5 mm) installation within a single 5.25-inch chassis slot. The tool-free ExpressTray mechanism permits rapid drive insertion and removal without screws. Active Power Technology automatically energizes only installed drives, optimizing energy consumption. Three fan speed settings (High, Low, Off) maintain thermal stability, while sturdy construction and hot-swap capability support efficient maintenance workflows across deployments.
Table of Contents: What awaits you in this article
Compact Six-Bay Enclosure Enables Rapid Hot-Swap Without Opening Case

Werkzeugloses, herausnehmbares Tray-Design (Foto: Cremax Europe GmbH)
The enclosure combines high storage density in a compact 5.25-inch form factor, serving professionals who need fast swapping between RAID arrays, backup pools, and test configurations. It offers six independent hot-swap bays that permit drive exchange without opening the chassis, drastically cutting service downtime. This setup optimizes maintenance workflows in data centers, homelabs, or SMB workstations, ensuring efficient airflow, reliable cooling, and locking mechanisms to maintain drive security during operations.
ExpressTray Enables Tool-Free SSD/HDD Hot-Swap In Seconds For Professionals
The ExpressTray design from ICY DOCK enables insertion and removal of SSDs or HDDs in seconds without tools or screws. Drives align with integrated pins, slide in, and instantly lock. This mechanism simplifies maintenance, accelerates drive swaps, and reduces downtime. For applications subject to vibration or movement, additional screw holes provide optional reinforcement. A strengthened locking latch ensures robust retention during transport, making the system ideal for portable industrial workstations.
Dual 40mm Fans Offer High, Low, Or Silent Cooling
Equipped with two preinstalled 40 mm fans and generous ventilation slots, the system maintains consistent internal temperatures by facilitating optimal airflow. A three-position slider switch grants users direct access to HIGH mode for maximum cooling, LOW mode for quieter operation, or OFF mode for completely silent computing. Integrated cable management channels keep fan power leads neatly organized within the chassis, while additional standard 3-pin fans can be installed to further enhance thermal performance.
MB326SP-1B supports SATA III and SAS 12Gbps, power management

Werkzeugloses, herausnehmbares Tray-Design (Foto: Cremax Europe GmbH)
Supporting both SATA III at 6 Gbps and single-channel SAS at 12 Gbps (with a compatible SAS host), the MB326SP-1B offers versatile drive connectivity in a compact enclosure. Two 15-pin SATA power inputs deliver robust energy to six drives simultaneously, while Active Power Technology intelligently activates power only for installed drives, conserving energy. Secure latching clips on data and power cables ensure uninterrupted operation by preventing accidental disengagement under vibration.
Subtle Blue LEDs Provide Drive Activity Visibility Without Glare
Each drive bay features a subtle blue status LED that provides clear activity monitoring without glare. The robust metal chassis offers structural strength, while the durable ABS trays ensure reliable performance under demanding conditions. This configuration is particularly well suited for high-density storage environments such as NAS volumes and surveillance systems, as well as media production rigs requiring significant capacity within compact physical footprints. Efficient maintenance and scalability are supported.
EZConvert MB703M2P-B adapter enables tool-free M.2 SATA SSD installation
With the EZConvert MB703M2P-B adapter, M.2 SATA SSDs can be mounted into 2.5-inch trays without tools, streamlining installation within the ExpressCage enclosure. Its adjustable locking mechanism ensures a firm hold, reducing shake and improving reliability during transport or operation. By converting M.2 drives into standard 2.5-inch form factors, the adapter broadens storage options for various systems, enabling seamless integration of modern solid-state drives into established hot-swap infrastructures with minimal effort.
ICY DOCK ExpressCage MB326SP-1B Delivers Compact Six-Bay Hot-Swap Storage
Designed for demanding disk-intensive environments, the ICY DOCK ExpressCage MB326SP-1B integrates six independently hot-swappable 2.5-inch drive bays into a single 5.25-inch chassis, streamlining maintenance and reducing system downtime. Users benefit from a three-mode fan control system, Active Power Technology that energizes only inserted drives, and optional M.2 adapter compatibility. Optimized for NAS arrays, home laboratories, small business servers, and virtualization clusters, this compact solution maximizes storage density without occupying space.

