USB flash drives are the best choice for taking your essential digital files on the go. The small, compact devices can hold a lot of data, offer incredible read and write speeds, and come with impressive security features.
Best Overall Flash Drive: Kingston DataTraveler Max
For some of the fastest read and write speeds at an affordable price, consider the Kingston DataTraveler Max. With a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Standard, it boasts industry-leading read and write speeds of up to 900MB/s and 1,000MB/s, respectively. It’s one of the fastest USB flash drives out there and is available with capacities of 256GB, 512GB, or a whopping 1TB.
The USB-C connector supports modern laptops and desktop computers as well as the iPhone 15 range and most Android smartphones with USB OTG. It also has a convenient one-handed sliding cap for swift connection, an LED status light, and a handy keyring loop to keep your essentials together in your pocket.
Kingston DataTraveler Max
With some outstanding read and write speeds and variations in capacity all the way up to a massive 1TB, the Kingston DataTraveler is one of the best choices you can make when it comes to a USB flash drive.
- Lightning fast
- Large capacities
- Good price for the capacity
- No security features
Best Budget Flash Drive: PNY Turbo Attache 3 USB 3.0
If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable flash drive for everyday tasks, it doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than the PNY Turbo Attache 3. It’s a USB-A drive and is fast enough for general use, although the write speeds are inconsistent, which may deter some. However, for the price, it’s more than capable.
The construction is solid, and it will survive drops. It’s also lightweight, small, and has a loop for attaching to a keyring. Additionally, it features a sliding sheath instead of a cap that can be easily misplaced.
It’s available in capacities of 32GB all the way up to 512GB, while you can save even more by buying in bulk with packs of two, three, five, and ten available.
PNY Turbo Attache 3
The PNY Turbo Attache 3 is a highly affordable and reliable USB-A flash drive. It's available with a variety of storage capacities up to 512GB, and you can also purchase in bulk in packs up to ten if you need to buy it for the family or your team at work. It's sufficient for general tasks and could save you a lot of cash.
- Perfect for everyday use
- Inexpensive
- Various storage capacities
- Inconsistent write speeds
Best Flash Drive for Mac: SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe is an excellent choice for Apple users. It features both a USB-C and a Lightning connector, so it will work with any iPhone or MacBook and allows for seamless transfer between all your Apple devices as well as any desktop PC or Android phone you have. However, the latter will require a USB OTG adapter.
It’s very small and sleek and available in 64, 128, and 256GB capacities. Read and write speeds are not advertised, but the drive performs well, and transfers are quick. You’ll also get the advantage of automatic iCloud photo backup via the SanDisk app, and you can password-protect your files across all your devices.
SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe
The iExpand Flash Drive Luxe is ideal for MacBooks and other Apple products. With both USB-C and Lightning connectors, it works on any Apple device and offers speedy transfers, while you also get automatic iCloud backup and good security features.
- Lightning and USB-C connector
- Fast transfer speeds
- Password protection for files
- The cap is easy to lose
Best USB 3.2 Flash Drive: SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.2
The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a durable USB 3.2 solid-state flash drive that’s an excellent choice for travelers. It may be a little pricey, but if you need speedy transfers of large files, such as 4K videos and thousands of travel photos, on top of a solid build ideal for the rigors of travel, it’s the best pick.
It’s available with storage capacities of 128, 256, and 512GB; if you need even more, there’s a 1TB option, too. The connector type is USB-A, and with SanDisk SecureAccess encryption software and RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software included, your files are secure and in good hands.
SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.2
With a robust aluminum casing, the SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.2 can survive lengthy trips and a bit of rough handling. It’s an ideal choice for travelers who need fast speeds, while it also offers good security features and a wide choice of storage size options.
- Durable aluminum metal casing
- Up to 420MB/s read and 380MB/s write speeds
- Good security software included
- Simple and fast transfers
- More pricey than some competitors
Best for Security: Kingston IronKey Keypad 200
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 may seem pricey, but it's well worth the investment if you value security over anything else. This fortress of a flash drive goes a long way to ensuring your data stays in the right hands.
The KP200 meets FIPS 140-3 Level 3 military-grade certification requirements and is awaiting official certification. It also boasts XTS-AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption, making it as impenetrable a flash drive as you can find. In addition, you can set both admin and user PINs, and nobody can gain access without one.
If these features aren’t enough to make you feel secure, the internal circuitry is also fortified to prevent access, and the alphanumeric keypad is coated with a protective layer that prevents fingerprint analysis.
Kingston Ironkey Keypad 200
With advanced security features to protect sensitive files, the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 is a top choice for a secure flash drive. It features an alphanumeric keypad for extra fortification, and you cannot gain access without a PIN number. It’s also highly durable and water- and dust-proof.
- Small storage sizes available
- Data on the drive is erased after ten failed PIN attempts
- IP57 dust and water protection
- Can be used on any operating system
- USB-A and USB-C options
- Expensive
FAQ
Q: Should I buy a USB 2.0 flash drive or a USB 3.0 (or higher) flash drive?
You should check the USB standard of your devices. If you are looking to buy a USB 3.0 or higher flash drive, you should ensure your device(s) has the correct port to get the best out of the speeds on offer. There’s little point in buying a USB 3.0 flash drive for use in a 2.0 port. They are backward compatible, so a 3.0 will work in a 2.0 port, but it will perform at a 2.0 speed.
With transfer rates sufficient for basic tasks like transferring documents and photos, USB 2.0 is a more affordable option. It’s an older USB standard that can move documents at up to 480Mbps.
At up to 5Gbps, USB 3.0 has much faster transfer speeds. If you often transfer very large files or use devices, such as high-end smartphones or DSLR cameras, USB 3.0 is the superior option. USB 3.1 and 3.2 provide even faster speeds but are generally more expensive.
Q: What is USB 3.2?
USB 3.2 is the second major update of USB 3.0. However, the group that oversees USB standards, USB-IF, continuously renames the different generations.
What was once USB 3.0 is now USB 3.2 Gen 1, or sometimes USB 5Gbps. This standard can have a type A, C, or micro USB connector.
USB 3.1 now goes by USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, or sometimes USB 10Gbps, which can also have a type A, C, or micro USB connector.
There’s now USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, otherwise known as USB 20Gbps. This is the fastest USB standard and uses a USB-C connector only.
These names are often used interchangeably, and you may also hear names like SuperSpeed and SuperSpeed+ thrown around. If you’re confused by all the different names, check the specifications of your device and the transfer speeds they are capable of and ensure it matches the transfer speeds advertised on the flash drive you are considering.
Q: What is the difference between a flash drive and a USB stick?
All USB sticks are flash drives. However, not all flash drives are USB sticks. SD cards and CF cards are also flash drives but don’t have a USB connector. But, flash drive and USB stick are often used interchangeably to describe a USB flash drive.
Q: How long will data last on a flash drive?
Several factors will ensure your data’s longevity. The first is the type of flash memory used. SLC memory offers the ultimate longevity and is used in high-end applications. MLC is the standard memory type found in most quality USB sticks. TLC provides the lowest longevity and is often a feature of budget USB flash drives.
Data can remain preserved for over a decade with a high-quality USB stick and adhering to ideal conditions. These conditions include keeping the stick away from extreme temperatures, minimizing write and erase cycles, and updating the drive’s firmware when recommended.
However, it makes sense to always have important files backed up to the cloud or an external hard drive.
Q: What are some portable alternatives to flash drives?
SD and microSD cards are among the best choices for storing large amounts of data on your devices, such as your smartphone or camera. They are smaller and lighter than USB flash drives but can only work with a device that has a card slot.
Portable hard drives and solid-state drives are bulkier than USB flash drives. But they are still portable and ideal for larger files, such as movies. SSD drives are the superior option because they are smaller, lighter, faster, and longer lasting than traditional hard drives.
Cloud storage is the ultimate portable storage because you don’t need to carry anything. You store your data online and access it from any device with an internet connection.
Q: Should I use a flash drive or an external hard drive for storage?
Flash drives are more portable and durable than external hard drives. They also tend to be more affordable.
However, external hard drives offer much larger capacities and better data longevity. They also provide faster speeds and are a better choice for working on files.
Q: Can I transfer files from my Android or my iPhone to other devices with a flash drive?
Yes, you can absolutely transfer files from Android and iPhone. For Android, you’ll need an affordable USB On-the-Go (OTG) adapter if your phone doesn't support it. From your iPhone, you’ll need a Lightning to USB adapter. With the iPhone 15 and its new USB-C port, you can simply plug in a USB-C flash drive.