Overall and Final Verdict
If you need more storage but space it at a premium, the ToughArmor 6x2.5" SATA HDD rack from Icy Dock is certainly a good alternative. I can’t really see a use for it in most home systems with mid and full towers already coming stacked with more HDD support than the average motherboard has but in server and some mATX builds I can certainly see the usefulness. Not being limited to just SSD usage also allows you to get that extra usage out of any old laptop drives you may have lying around.
Luckily most 2.5” HDDs and SSDs are standardized at the 9.5mm thickness but for those few that aren’t, you are out of luck with the Icy Dock bays space at a premium design. The whining of the fan may also be a downside to some as the whine is noticeable in quieter systems.
The Icy Dock ToughArmor 6x2.5" SATA HDD rack is a niche product for sure but for those that need and can utilize its uses it serves admirably and provides quick access to up to six hot swappable 2.5” drives. The design shies away from being to flashy which most users can appreciate. The installation is painless and the latching mechanism feels secure enough to feel comfortable putting platter drives into it. If you have a use for it, the 6 Bay is certainly a solution worth a look.