Maker Mehrdad Majzoobi released an open-hardware, bottom-mounted PCIe M.2 adapter design for Raspberry Pi 5 as part of the Ubo Pod project. Its KiCad board files and custom FFC cable design are published under the GNU General Public License 3, making it a build reference rather than a confirmed retail product. The design focuses on control over board dimensions and cable routing; Raspberry Pi’s official M.2 HAT+ is a separate, ready-made option.
What Majzoobi released
The adapter mounts beneath Raspberry Pi 5 and connects the board’s PCIe interface to an M.2 slot. Hackster reports that the KiCad design files and the connecting FFC cable design were published in the Ubo Pod GitHub repository under GPL-3. That license and availability make the project useful to people who want to inspect or build from the design, but they do not establish that a finished adapter is being sold.
The design follows earlier work by George Smart, who reverse-engineered the Pi 5 FFC pinout before Raspberry Pi published official specifications. Majzoobi designed the adapter’s connecting cable as well. Hackster’s project coverage reports these details and quotes Majzoobi describing this as his first experience with high-speed PCIe.
Why the adapter was designed this way
Majzoobi said that designing a larger system with an enclosure made it important to control the adapter’s board dimensions and the flex cable’s position and length. He also cited problems he had personally encountered with some low-cost third-party adapters: Wi-Fi interference, absent LED indicators, and a cable that obstructed the microSD reader. Those are his reported experiences, not evidence that competing adapters generally have these faults.
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- Big Upgrade: Boost your system to an amazing speed by upgrading memory card (SDR104: 104 MB/s max) to SSD (PCIe 2.0: 500 MB/s max, PCIe 3.0: 1231 MB/s max) (Note: The max speed is declared by the Raspberry Pi documentation, usually unable to achieve)
- Compatible SSDs: M.2 NVMe SSDs, PCIe 2.0 or 3.0, size 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280 (Note: NOT compatible with M.2 SATA SSDs)
- Two Uses: Used as system disk or regular hard drive, provide detailed tutorial (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Easy to Use: Just tighten the screws and connect the ribbon cable to install it on the top or bottom (Simple configuration needed, please refer to tutorial)
- Compatible Models: Raspberry Pi 5 only (Note: NOT compatible with any other models)
Independent German coverage published September 10, 2025 also describes a compact board mounted beneath the Pi, with LEDs and cable routing intended to preserve access to the microSD slot; avoiding Wi-Fi interference was among the design considerations it reported. The available coverage does not establish final board dimensions or measured radio performance.
How it connects to Raspberry Pi 5
Raspberry Pi 5 exposes a single-lane PCIe 2.0 interface through a 16-pin, 0.5 mm-pitch FFC connector, according to Raspberry Pi’s documentation. The adapter relies on that interface, so the physical cable and board layout matter as much as the M.2 slot. A drive’s M.2 form factor alone does not guarantee compatibility: the adapter must support its key, length and power requirements.
Rank #2
- For reference only, please refer to the Package Content for detailed part list
- Supports inputting Bluetooth signal into the Raspberry Pi via USB interface (* this function is only available after connecting the Wireless NIC module)
- Connecting to PI5 via 16PIN Cable Based on 16PIN PCIe Interface of Raspberry Pi 5
- Compatible With Various NGFF (M.2 E Key) Wireless NIC
- Rich WiKi Resources: We provide official Wiki resources, please visit our store and click the wiki page to get resources.
How it compares with Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+
Raspberry Pi’s official M.2 HAT+ is a distinct, purchasable alternative for people who prefer a ready-made adapter over building from open hardware. Raspberry Pi lists the following support by model on its M.2 HAT+ product page:
| Adapter | M.2 peripheral sizes listed | Power specification |
|---|---|---|
| Standard M.2 HAT+ | 2230 and 2242 | Up to 3A supply |
| Compact M.2 HAT+ | 2230 | Not stated on the product page by model |
The standard version includes a ribbon cable and mounting hardware. Before choosing either option, check whether its mounting orientation and footprint fit the enclosure, then confirm that the intended M.2 peripheral matches the adapter’s supported key and size and has suitable power needs. Raspberry Pi’s published specifications for the official HAT+ should not be assumed to describe Majzoobi’s board.
Rank #3
- N04 M.2 NVMe to PCIe Adapter is designed for Raspberry Pi 5. It supports the installation of NVMe (M-key) drives in M.2 format sizes 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280. Extra custom CNC SSD mount screw, no soldering required.
- For a Metal Case, please refer to ASIN B0CYNX2P9Z ; Metal Case with Cooling Fan ( ASIN B0CJM52Y4H ) ; Metal Case with Active Cooler ( ASIN: B0CMZ84GM8 ) ; Aluminum Case with Cooling Fan ( ASIN B0CLFYDT8Y ) ; Aluminum Case with Active Cooler ( ASIN B0CMZG2R73 ).
- PCIe x1 interface in both Gen2 & Gen3 standards. The short trace routing of PCIe is more reliable and faster, fully meeting the signal requirements of PCIe 3.0.
- Ventilation hole design provides excellent ventilation airflow for cooling.
- Integrated voltage regulator delivering up to 3A for the 3.3V power rail, compliant with M.2 (NGFF) standard.
What is and is not established about revisions and performance
Hackster’s report said a V2 was in development at the time it was written. That historical note does not confirm whether a newer revision has since been released. The available coverage also does not establish the current revision, final dimensions, a tested drive-compatibility list or measured transfer performance. Treat those details as unverified unless the project repository or a later release documents them.
Quick Recap
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- BUILT FOR RASPBERRY PI 5 - Raspberry Pi 5 NVMe HAT V2 M.2 SSD expansion board adds M.2 SSD expansion support for Raspberry Pi 5 storage, boot-drive, and maker projects.
- MULTIPLE M.2 SSD SIZES - Supports 2280/2260/2242/2230 M.2 SSD sizes for flexible project storage, compact boot-drive builds, and home lab setups.
- CUSTOM FPC CONNECTION - Custom impedance FPC cable is included to connect the Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe interface with the NVMe HAT in a clean setup.
- EXTRA POWER SUPPORT - The package includes an extra 2-pin power cable to support setup flexibility alongside the Raspberry Pi 5 and selected M.2 SSD.
- SETUP-READY HARDWARE - Buyers receive NVMe expansion board, FPC cable, 2-pin power cable, screws, mounting standoffs, giving them the core parts needed to mount the NVMe HAT and plan assembly.
Rank #4
- Support NVMe protocol and M.2 solid state drive protocol, high-speed read/write, with high work efficiency.
- PCI-E×1 only supports Gen2 or Gen3 mode.
- Only supports PI5B. Compatible with M.2 solid state drive of 2230/2242 sizes.
- Onboard working indicator lights, with PWR on continuously when powered, and ACT blinking during read/write.
- Integrate heat dissipation and M.2 expansion.
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