CU875N vs CU876N: A Clear and Complete Guide to Choosing the Right 80Gbps NVMe SSD Enclosure

For many buyers, the VCOM CU875N and CU876N appear similar at first glance. Both are high-speed aluminum NVMe SSD enclosures. Both advertise up to 80Gbps performance. Both include cooling systems and use a USB-C interface.

Yet once you look closer, these two products serve different users, different devices, and different workloads.

This article provides a clear, buyer-friendly explanation of what these two enclosures actually are, how they differ, what performance each can achieve in real environments, and which one you should buy depending on your needs.

By the end, you will know with certainty whether the CU875N or the CU876N is the right choice for your setup.

1. Why These Two Models Are Often Confused

There are three reasons why customers often struggle to understand the difference:

1. Both CU875N and CU876N list 80Gbps capability on their product pages.

2. Both are NVMe-only M.2 enclosures supporting 2280 SSDs.

3. Both feature aluminum alloy construction, a built-in fan, and Type-C connectivity.

However, their internal architectures, compatibility range, and intended use cases diverge significantly. One enclosure is designed for professional Thunderbolt 5 workflows, while the other is optimized for broader device compatibility, including Thunderbolt 4/3, USB4, USB 3.2, and even Android.

Understanding what each product is optimized for is the key to making the right purchase.

2. Product Overview: What Each Enclosure Is Designed For

2.1 CU875N – VCOM Thunderbolt 5 NVMe SSD Enclosure (80Gbps, Active Fan)

The CU875N is a high-performance enclosure engineered specifically for Thunderbolt 5 systems.
It is built to deliver the full 80Gbps bandwidth that TB5 offers, targeting users who run demanding, continuous workloads such as 4K/8K video editing, AI inference, large model loading, or 3D rendering.

Key design intentions:

1. Maximum performance through a dedicated Thunderbolt 5 NVMe pathway

2. Consistency during long workloads with active fan cooling

3. Stable performance under stress due to NVMe-direct optimization

4. Professional-grade thermal and speed stability

5. A compact but high-quality aluminum body for reliability and durability

It does not attempt to support mixed USB protocols. It is a pure Thunderbolt 5 device, designed for users who want the fastest and most stable external NVMe performance possible.

2.2 CU876N – VCOM Thunderbolt 5 / USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure (80Gbps / 10Gbps)

The CU876N is a multi-protocol enclosure designed for broader device compatibility, targeting users who need maximum flexibility rather than maximum sustained throughput.

The CU876N supports:

1. Thunderbolt 5

2. Thunderbolt 4 / Thunderbolt 3

3. USB4

4. USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps)

5. Android devices

This is made possible by its dual-chip architecture using JHL9480 + RTL9210B, enabling Thunderbolt and USB mode switching.

Important performance detail:
On Thunderbolt 5 hosts, the CU876N can reach up to 80Gbps.
On non-Thunderbolt USB-C hosts, the speed becomes 10Gbps.

The CU876N also includes a built-in silent cooling fan and an aluminum body, making it suitable for productivity, mobile storage, device-to-device file delivery, and general-use high-speed external storage.

In short, the CU876N is the more universal enclosure.

3. Specification Comparison: The Real Differences

This section summarizes the key technical contrasts between CU875N and CU876N. This is where the buying decision becomes clear.

3.1 Speed and Host Interface Requirements

Although both products list “Up to 80Gbps,” achieving that speed depends on what device you connect them to.

Key takeaway:
CU875N requires Thunderbolt 5 to reach advertised speeds. CU876N can operate on many more devices, though speeds vary depending on the host.

3.2 SSD Compatibility

Both models support NVMe SSDs in the 2280 form factor.

Neither enclosure supports SATA.

3.3 Cooling and Thermal Management

Both models have a fan, but their purpose differs.

Because CU875N is optimized for Thunderbolt 5’s full bandwidth and professional workloads, its cooling system is tuned for long-duration high-temperature operation.

CU876N aims for quieter operation with decent cooling across various device types.

3.4 Chipset and Protocol Design

3.5 Operating System Compatibility

3.6 Physical Specifications

4. Real-World Usage Scenarios: Which Product Fits Which User?

4.1 For 4K/8K Video Editing and Heavy Creative Workloads

Recommended: CU875N

Reasons:

1. Tailored for Thunderbolt 5 maximum bandwidth.

2. Active fan cooling is designed specifically for high heat generation workloads.

3. NVMe-direct TB5 performance ensures stable speeds during long sessions.

4. Suitable for large RAW format editing, multi-stream workflows, and rendering caches.

If your workstation has Thunderbolt 5 and you rely on continuous high-speed writes, CU875N is the correct choice.

4.2 For AI Model Loading, LLM Inference, and Data Science

Recommended: CU875N

Reasons:

1. AI workflows require long, sustained high-bandwidth reads/writes.

2. TB5 + NVMe optimization ensures minimum bottlenecks.

3. Thermal system supports continuous stress workloads.

Professionals needing reliability under heavy compute should prioritize CU875N.

4.3 For Hybrid Users Switching Between Devices

(Windows laptop + MacBook + Android tablet)

Recommended: CU876N

Reasons:

1. Supports TB5, TB4, TB3, USB4, and USB 3.2 Gen2.

2. Universally works with nearly all modern USB-C devices.

3. Functions as a high-end portable SSD for any host.

4. Android support makes it ideal for cross-platform content creators.

CU876N is the more flexible and future-proof option for general consumers.

4.4 For Daily Backup, File Transfers, and Mobile Storage

Recommended: CU876N

Reasons:

1. High compatibility.

2. 10Gbps mode works even on older laptops or tablets.

3. Quiet cooling is suitable for everyday use.

CU875N would be performance-overkill for this type of usage.

4.5 For Users Unsure Whether Their Device Supports Thunderbolt 5

Recommended: CU876N

Reasons:

1. Works on nearly every Type-C device.

2. Safe choice when compatibility is uncertain.

5. Important Buying Notes (To Avoid Misunderstandings)

1. “80Gbps” does not mean both will run at 80Gbps on all computers.
   CU875N requires Thunderbolt 5.
   CU876N achieves 80Gbps only on TB5 and falls back to 10Gbps on normal USB-C.

2. Your SSD also influences performance.
   Use a high-quality NVMe drive for best results.

3. Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 does not equal Thunderbolt 5.
   TB5 is significantly faster and newer.

4. Check your computer’s port before buying.
   A Thunderbolt 5 enclosure will not reach full speed on USB4 or TB4.

5. CU875N is not intended for Android or general USB devices.
   CU876N is the better choice for mixed-platform users.

6. Final Recommendation Summary

If you want a simple answer, here it is:

Choose CU875N if:

1. You have a Thunderbolt 5 laptop or workstation

2. You handle heavy, continuous workloads like 8K editing or AI compute

3. You need the highest speed and thermal stability

4. You want professional-grade sustained performance

Choose CU876N if:

1. You need compatibility with many devices

2. Your host device is TB4 / TB3 / USB4 / USB 3.2

3. You need occasional high speed but also flexibility

4. You want Android support or cross-platform mobility

5. You are not sure whether your computer supports Thunderbolt 5

Both products are excellent, but they are designed for different users. The CU875N is the high-performance, professional Thunderbolt 5 enclosure. The CU876N is the versatile, multi-protocol enclosure that fits virtually any modern device.

Choosing based on your device and workload ensures you get the right performance, stability, and long-term value.