A data storage device can include at least one non-volatile storage medium, at least one data cache, and a controller configured to perform cache writing operations between the at least one non-volatile storage medium and the at least one data cache based on user-selected caching modes. Also presented is a user interface that can be configured to selectively enable and disable one or more caching modes, which selection of a caching mode directs cache writing operations performed by a controller. In some examples, a caching mode can be selected in a manner that is independent of a host computer system.