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Best Usb 31 Usb C Thumb Flash Drives Reviews

The all-time flash drives in 2022: portable USB retentiveness sticks for storage & back-up

Best flash drives for USB-C and USB-A
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The best flash drives are the platonic way to quickly and easily store, re-create and transfer photos and videos. Lite enough to slip into a pocket or even attach to your keys, a good flash drive can become with you everywhere, with no separate cable or other paraphernalia required, as well as no internet connection. They may be less fashionable these days, but a good wink drive is a cost-constructive solution for moving your information.

Flash drives are smaller than even the best portable SSDs. And while cloud storage, is user-friendly and allows you to access your files from anywhere, it likewise requires an internet connectedness. A flash drive can't exist scuppered by bad Wi-Fi or poor data coverage.

Some flash drives are incredibly cheap – simply exist wary. Go also cheap and you not only will get something with minimal capacity and sluggish transfer speeds, but it might also exist vulnerable to data abuse. The best wink drives aren't also expensive, so information technology'southward worth getting something worthwhile from a reputable brand.

The typical image of a wink drive is i using the one-time mode of USB-A plug – the kind that ever has to exist rotated three times earlier it'll become in (no ane knows why). But some newer drives also offer a USB-C interface, the newer, smaller type of plug, which you may need if you're using an older laptop like a recent MacBook, which doesn't have USB-A ports. USB-C is faster in whatever case, and so information technology'due south skilful to use it if yous tin.

For this guide, we've collected the all-time wink drives you lot tin can buy to keep your information safe. They're all from trusted brand, and all are pitched to different budgets. Whether you lot demand a whopping 1TB flash drive with blistering transfer speeds, or only something elementary that works, we've got you covered. If you want to know how we made our picks, curl to the bottom of the article for a petty more on what we await for in a proficient flash drive – otherwise, permit'south become to the list!

The best flash drives in 2022

Editor's Choice

(Image credit: WD)

1. SanDisk Farthermost PRO USB 3.2 Solid Country Wink Drive

The best USB flash drive overall

Specifications

Available capacities: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Max read/write speed: 420 / 380MB/s

Interface, connector: USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A

Dimensions: 71mm x 21mm x 11mm

Reasons to buy

+

Seriously fast

+

Up to 1TB capacity

+

Retractable USB plug

Reasons to avert

-

USB Blazon-A only

-

Pricier than many rivals

Just like SanDisk's 'Extreme Pro' SD cards, the SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.2 Solid State Flash Bulldoze is made to do two things: transfer information quickly, and keep data safe. Information technology accomplishes these things in exemplary style, and is our number-one pick for the best flash drive for near users.

It's capable of achieving read and write speeds of 420MB/s and 380 MB/s respectively, and y'all'll accept a job finding a flash drive that does better than this. If you need something to transfer big video files on and off, this is a workable option that won't accept you spending likewise much of your life watching the progress bar tick up. If yous get it in a large enough chapters (it goes upwards to 1TB), it's a credible alternative to a portable SSD.

One thing to bear in mind is that the SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.2 Solid Land Flash Bulldoze doesn't have a USB-C connection, just the old-style USB-A, so double cheque your computer still uses the old ports (though adapters are available in a pinch).

Recommended

(Image credit: Samsung)

2. Samsung DUO Plus USB Type-C Flash Drive

The best USB bulldoze for USB-C & USB-A compatibility

Specifications

Available capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Max read/write speed: 400MB/s read

Interface, connector: USB iii.2 Gen i, Type-A & Type-C

Dimensions: 58 x 18.3 x 7.3mm

Reasons to purchase

+

USB Type-A and Blazon-C compatibility

+

Quick read speed

Reasons to avoid

-

64GB and 32GB drives are slower

-

Non every bit quick as SanDisk Farthermost Pro

If you do want to accept advantage of the newer, faster USB-C connector, then the Samsung DUO Plus is a great option. It has both the smaller USB-C connector and a built-in adapter for the older Blazon-A connectors, so you won't be caught out if you suddenly demand to become your data onto a auto with limited ports.

The Samsung DUO Plus is besides overnice and speedy, with transfer speeds comparable to the SanDisk option, making it up to 400 MB/s. Though bear in listen this is a little dependent on capacity – it'due south only the 256GB and 128GB versions that can attain these snappy speeds, with the 64GB topping out at 300 MB/due south and the 32GB base model managing a maximum of 200 MB/s. Let's non become carried away though; these are all impressive transfer speeds.

One last affair to note is that if y'all need more than 256GB capacity, you're out of luck here – that'southward equally high as the Samsung DUO Plus goes. For photos or other files this will probably do, but video users will probably want to endeavor something a little roomier.

(Epitome credit: WD)

three. SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.one Flash Drive

The all-time flash bulldoze to leave plugged in, all the time

Specifications

Available capacities: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Max read/write speed: 130MB/due south read

Interface, connector: USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A

Dimensions: 30 x 14.three x 5mm

Reasons to purchase

+

Incredibly small...

+

...yet can still offer big storage

+

Very well priced

Reasons to avert

-

Only fits a USB-A port

-

Not the fastest flash drive

Not all flash drives are designed for taking from identify to identify – some are fabricated to sit quietly and merely give you lot more storage space. The tiny SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.i Flash Bulldoze is an excellent option if your laptop has a USB-A port that doesn't come across much use since all your devices these days are USB-C. It's barely larger than a USB Blazon-A connector plug, so you can just slot it in there and bang – you've got 16-512GB of extra storage with no increase to your laptop's footprint.

Getting 512GB isn't all that expensive, with the price for fifty-fifty the largest version of this flash drive being pretty reasonable. The smaller capacities are absurdly inexpensive, and the fact that information technology's a SanDisk means yous tin can be confident you aren't beingness sold a dud. The transfer speeds superlative out at 130 MB/due south, which isn't anywhere most record-breaking, merely should be fast enough for most purposes.

(Image credit: Verbatim)

iv. Verbatim Pinstripe USB flash bulldoze

The best wink drive for value

Specifications

Available capacities: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

Max read/write speed: 10 / 4MB/s

Interface, connector: USB 3.two Gen 1 (USB 3.0)

Dimensions: 54 ten 21 ten nine.22mm

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent value

+

No need for cap

+

Range of colours

Reasons to avoid

-

Wearisome read/write speeds

Looking for a deal? Then you'll detect the 128GB model of this wink drive offers the best ratio of gigabytes to greenbacks on this list. The drawback is the very slow read/write speed. But if you're looking for a flash bulldoze mainly for storage, and are prepared to await a while for downloads and uploads, y'all might be willing to take that hit.

This wink drive as well has a button and pull sliding feature which protects the USB connection when it's not in use without the need for a separate cap. It comes in a variety of colours including Sunkissed Yellow, Eucalyptus Light-green, Hot Pink, Caribbean Blue and Volcanic Orange.

(Image credit: Kingston)

v. Kingston IronKey D300S

The best flash drive for security

Specifications

Available capacities: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

Max read speed: 250MB/s read, 85MB/south write

Interface, connector: USB three.1 Gen 1

Dimensions: 77.9 x 22.ii x 12.05mm

Reasons to purchase

+

Encrypts your data

+

Rugged protection

+

Tamper-proof seal

Reasons to avoid

-

May be overkill

Is your data highly important or sensitive? So here's the all-time flash drive we can recommend to help you sleep at dark.  The Kingston IronKey D300 is super-safe to use, with both sophisticated security features and a rugged waterproof design

It's password protected, with a 256-chip AES hardware encryption in XTS mode, to comply with FIPS standards. Encryption and decryption is done on the drive, with no trace left on the host system, and the drive locks down and reformats afterward 10 invalid attempts, to protect against brute strength attacks.

This flash bulldoze is physically protective too. Information technology's rugged and waterproof up to four feet, conforming to IEC60529 IPX833. And it's tamper-resistant, thanks to its zinc casing and tamper-evident epoxy seal.

best flash drives - Patriot Supersonic Rage 2 USB flash drive

(Image credit: Patriot)

6. Patriot Supersonic Rage two USB flash drive

Fast transfer speeds on large files

Specifications

Available capacities: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Max read speed: 400MB/s read, 300MB/s write

Interface, connector: USB 3.ii

Dimensions: 53 ten 21 x 10mm

Reasons to buy

+

Fast speeds on large files

+

Large capacity

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

If you spend a lot of time transferring large files with a flash bulldoze, you'll one that's as fast as possible. In which example, the Patriot Supersonic Rage ii is our top pick. Designed with an aluminium coated housing for better thermal dissipation, and with back up for UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol), we found its read and write speeds are blisteringly fast on large files. And while it'south not exactly cheap, that fourth dimension-saving may well make the extra cost worth information technology. This wink drive comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB variations.

(Prototype credit: PNY)

7. PNY PRO Aristocracy 3.0

A fast, spacious and well-priced USB stick

Specifications

Available capacities: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Max read/write speed: 400 / 250MB/due south

Interface, connector: USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A

Dimensions: 58 x 18.three x 7.3mm

Reasons to buy

+

Very fast

+

Big 512GB and 1TB capacity options

+

Retractable USB plug

Reasons to avert

-

USB Blazon-A simply

The PRO Elite 3.0 may not look particularly inspiring, only information technology packs a punch. Up to 400MB/due south read and 250MB/south write rates make this one of the faster USB sticks you can buy. Capacities top out at a generous 1TB, meaning this thumb drive has the speed and space to be well suited to working with loftier-res images and video. A nice touch is the retractable USB connector, so there's no divide cap to worry nigh.

The only downside is that the USB connector is an older Type-A pattern, meaning you'll need to use a Blazon-A to Type-C adapter to plug this flash drive into a recent MacBook.

(Paradigm credit: Kingston)

8. Kingston DataTraveler fourscore USB Wink Drive

The best USB-C flash drive

Specifications

Available capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Max read/write speed: 200 / 60MB/s

Interface, connector: USB 3.two Gen ane, Type-C

Dimensions: 42.2mm x 15mm x 6.7mm

Reasons to buy

+

Modern USB-C connector

+

More than compact than well-nigh

+

Adequately quick

Reasons to avoid

-

Could be faster

-

Won't plug into older computers

USB-C is here to stay and is set to eventually supersede the older (rectangular) Type-A USB port, and so if you'll only be using a USB stick with modern PCs or Macs, it makes sense to go with a USB-C stick. At 42.2mm x 15mm 10 half-dozen.7mm, the DataTraveler fourscore USB Wink Drive is nice and compact, and that native Type-C connector means you tin can utilise it with phones and tablets, equally well every bit computers.

Read/write speeds aren't the fastest, merely up to 200MB/s read and 60MB/due south write rates are by no ways sluggish. Choose from 32GB up to 256GB capacities, each of which is well priced.

best flash drives: Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth

(Paradigm credit: Corsair)

9. Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth

The best rugged USB flash drive

Specifications

Available capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Interface, connector: USB 3.2 Gen one, Type-A

Dimensions: 7.62 x 2.54 x 2.54cm

Reasons to purchase

+

Supreme ruggedness

+

Available in loads of capacities

+

Reasonably priced for such toughness

Reasons to avoid

-

Relatively big and bulk

-

Don't await super-fast performance

If you're a bit blow-prone, or just like to live life on the edge, look no further than this ultra-tough flash drive. With its anodized, aircraft-grade aluminum housing that's waterproof to 200 meters, vibration-resistant, and 40G shock-resistant, yous can go virtually anywhere with this retentiveness stick and not have to worry about your data.

Of course, with such ruggedness inevitably comes some bulk, and at seven.62cm long with a diameter of 2.54cm, this is one of the larger flash drives on the market, though it's non unreasonably big. Storage space is likewise sizable, topping out at 1TB, though the 256GB variant currently offers the lowest price per gigabyte.

The Wink Survivor Stealth dates back to 2015, then don't wait the latest ultra-fast transfer speeds, but if survivability is paramount, this is the drive to get for.

PNY Turbo 256GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

(Image credit: Patriot)

x. PNY Turbo USB flash bulldoze

The best 256GB USB drive

Specifications

Available capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Max read/write speed: 185 / 135MB/south

Interface, connector: USB 3.0

Dimensions: twenty x 11 x 57mm

Reasons to buy

+

Large chapters

+

Good speeds

+

Cap-less design

Reasons to avoid

-

No special features

Another great flash bulldoze from PNY, this stick ranges up to a generous 256GB in chapters. It features a sliding-collar, capless design that means yous won't have to worry about losing the cap. And as befits the 'Turbo' name, it offers decent read/write speeds of 185 / 135MB/s. That's nearly all we can say: there'southward zippo particularly heady about this flash drive in general. But it does the task well, and at a pretty decent price.

What is a good connection speed for a flash drive?

Almost USB flash drives always use the USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB connection speed, which at 625 megabytes per second is fast plenty to let fifty-fifty the fastest USB wink drives run at max speed. Some manufacturers may advertise their drives as USB three.1, or USB three.0, just it's all the aforementioned speed. The original USB 3.0 standard has been re-numbered twice over the years, yet goose egg technical has changed.

Yup, we're just as confused by that every bit you lot. What is articulate is that no matter what USB 3.x label your chosen flash drive has, it'll be backward compatible with USB ii.0 ports on older computers, though speed volition exist express to under 60MB/southward. For this reason, don't even consider cheaping-out on a USB 2.0 flash bulldoze: it merely isn't worth it when transfer speeds will be so achingly ho-hum.

What flash drive is best for MacBook?

Since 2015, MacBooks take only featured USB Type-C ports, so if you desire a USB flash drive to employ with a 2015 or newer MacBook, you lot'll need a USB Blazon-C retention stick. Fortunately there'southward a growing number of USB-C flash drives available, as well as dual USB-A and USB-C drives that take both plugs, usually 1 at each end of the drive, to maximize compatibility. For our money, the best flash drive for MacBooks is the Kingston DataTraveler 80 USB Flash Bulldoze (number viii on our list above).

What we await for in the best flash drives

When making our picks for the best wink drives y'all can purchase right now, in that location are a few key things we look out for:

USB interface: Flash drives volition connect via USB-A, USB-C, or both. USB-A is the classic style of connector that's been in use for years, while USB-C is smaller and relatively newer. USB-C connectors are both faster and more than versatile than USB-A, however the USB-A is still very common, specially on older laptops.

USB Gen: Every bit discussed above, USB devices volition take a Gen number like USB 3.1 Gen 1, or USB 3.ii Gen 2. It's complicated and not really necessary to empathise – all you actually need to know is that higher numbers = faster transfer speeds.

Capacity: How much data a wink drive can agree – some tin become as high equally 1TB. Patently higher capacity is better, but it also costs more.

Concrete size/toughness: The whole betoken of a wink drive is portability and data protection, so we look at their size and weight, as well as how well-protected they are against knocks and bumps.

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Ben is the Imaging Labs managing director, responsible for all the testing on Digital Photographic camera Globe and across the entire photography portfolio at Future. Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster span cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight. He'due south also the squad's human-at-arms when it comes to camera bags, filters, memory cards, and all style of camera accessories – his lab is a fleck like the Batcave of photography! With years of experience trialling and testing kit, he'south a human encyclopedia of benchmarks when it comes to recommending the best buys.

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Source: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-usb-flash-drives

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