Best Products > Computer Components 296 296 people found this article helpful The Best USB Flash Drives of 2024 Carry or transfer files with a USB drive that fits on a keychain or in a pocket By Patrick Hyde Patrick Hyde Writer University of Houston Texas A&M Patrick Hyde has 4+ years' experience writing about consumer technology and electronics. His work has appeared in Los Angeles Review of Books, Reactual, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 7, 2024 We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Computer Components USB/USB-C Monitors Keyboards Mice Cards CPU Storage Laptop Bags & Backpacks Printers The best flash drives store your critical data and let you quickly transfer it to and from devices without needing the cloud. These days, you can get a whole lot of storage at an excellent price. Our favorite flash drive is the SanDisk Extreme Pro, thanks to its excellent speed and storage capacity. If you frequently transfer files between computers or need a secure way to store data offline, it makes the job simple and speedy. in this article Expand Our Picks Or Maybe These? What to Look For FAQ Best Overall SanDisk Extreme PRO 256 GB Drive Amazon View On Amazon $50 View On B&H Photo Video $54 Pros Lightning-fast data transfer Tons of storage Heavy-duty casing Available at up to 1 TB Cons On the pricey side The SanDisk Extreme Pro USB is popular for a reason. The latest version not only offers read/write speeds of up to 420/380 MB per second, but it also comes in a wide variety of storage sizes so that you can move up or down in cost depending on your needs. At up to 1TB of storage, you can fit a whole lot of data into a tiny form factor, making it perfect for creators or video editors who need to move massive video or audio files on the go. Your data is essential. The Extreme Pro’s tough aluminum casing is a significant asset in helping safeguard your precious files under duress. The drive is also simple to use across multiple machines, easy to take along virtually anywhere, and its USB 3.2 connectivity is backward compatible, so it’ll work with older protocols to provide the fastest link in your data chain. The SanDisk Extreme Pro comes with the RescuePro file recovery software for added insurance. It’s also backed by SanDisk’s lifetime warranty, helping to take the worry out of the equation. You'll have difficulty beating the Extreme Pro flash drive if you need a secure way to move serious data or just a catch-all storage device. Best Budget Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 64 GB Amazon View On Amazon $11 View On Walmart $12 View On Focuscamera.com Pros Durable casing Multiple storage sizes Great bang for the buck Up to 200 MB read speeds Cons Write speeds are relatively slow Kingston’s DataTraveler Kyson series offers simple and effective storage in a rugged package, all at a fantastic price. These drives are available in various storage sizes, from 32 GB to 256 GB. That makes this model an excellent option for those after a versatile storage device you can set on your keychain and forget until you need it. The 64 GB model is our favorite value; you can land one for around $10 or less. But whether you need less or more storage, you’ll find the right option without breaking the bank. The Kingston DataTraveler Kyson utilizes USB 3.2 Gen 1, and its write speeds of around 60 MB per second are likely faster than those aging drives in your desk drawer, but they’re nothing to write home about. That said, it should do the trick, and the read speed of up to 200 MB per second is speedy enough for most use cases. We also love the rugged, metal exterior and simplified design that reduces the chances of wear and tear. The drive also comes with a five-year warranty, which should be enough to cover things until you’re ready to upgrade. This is our favorite if you need a solid, durable storage device at a very low cost. Best for Apple Computers Silicon Power C80 64GB Flash Drive Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $29 View On B&H Photo Video $20 Pros Nice ring design Great price USB connectors protected Cons Maxes out at 64GB Unlisted Read/Write speeds Depending on which Macbook you own, you could need either a USB-A or USB-C. This USB flash drive has both. Plus, the design is built with a zinc alloy that looks great next to your Macbook, making it an ideal companion. This flash drive has a USB 3.2 interface, but Silicon Power is shy with its read/write speed specifications, which is a little disappointing. The fact that storage tops out at 64GB is also a letdown. But the ring design looks great, and it's easy to add the drive to a keychain or lanyard. The device also includes free file management software if you want to use it. Otherwise, you get a stylish flash drive with a beautiful design that will look great with your Mac. Capacity: Up to 64GB | Interface: USB-A and USB-C (3.2) | Read speed: Not Listed | Write Speed: Not Listed Most Rugged Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 64 USB 3.0 Flash Drive Amazon View On Amazon $25 View On Walmart $38 View On Office Depot $71 Pros Built tough Waterproof Cons Tough to plug in Wouldn't it be embarrassing to be in a situation where you need your flash drive to survive 200 meters underwater, and you don't have one? Admittedly it's a niche case, but some people need a rugged USB drive. The Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth flash drive is designed for campers, construction workers, and first responders. All could benefit from a flash drive that's as rugged as they are. The drive is constructed with an all-aluminum build with an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) seal. The screw-top housing can make the flash drive a little hard to plug in because the plug is a bit higher than the average flash drive, so that's something to consider. Beyond that, the price is a tad higher than average due to the construction, but this is an excellent pickup if you need a flash drive that can survive challenging conditions. Capacity: up to 256GB | Interface: USB-A (3.0) | Read speed: 85 MB/s | Write Speed: 85 MB/s 1TB Capacity PNY Turbo 256GB Amazon View On Amazon $18 View On Walmart $20 View On B&H Photo Video $18 Pros Goes up to 1TB Transfer speeds Cons Price PNY is one of the leaders in flash drives since they typically have a higher capacity for lower costs. That's hard to compete with, but the PNY flash drive can go up to 1TB and still fit on your keychain. You may not need a full terabyte of storage, but 256GB in your pocket for a very reasonable price is an excellent reason to recommend it. Read/write speeds are 140/80, respectively, which is not fast, but the USB 3.0 architecture gives you backward compatibility, regardless of your computer's age. We'd like to see a better build for this much data. One wrong move and you lose 256 GB worth of data, but overall as long as you take care of it, you can get a ton of value out of this drive. Capacity: Up to 1TB | Interface: USB-A (3.0) | Read speed: 140 MB/s | Write Speed: 80 MB/s Budget Runner Up Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G2 Flash Drive Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $14 View On Tigerdirect.com Pros Durable Good price Cons No cap included If you're looking for a lot of storage on a budget, the Kingston DataTraveller SE9 is a good choice. Regardless of the size, you're getting a tremendous GB-to-dollar ratio with this series of flash drives, up to 256GB. The drive comes in a solid metal casing which is nice and sturdy. We'd like to see a cap included to protect the USB connector, which is typically the most vulnerable part, but we can understand its omission. It's the perfect size for portability, with the keyring as the device's most prominent physical feature. If you put 256GB on something, you want it to be as safe as possible. There's a five-year warranty which helps. But overall, when it comes to value for the dollar, the Kingston DataTraveler is a great grab. Capacity: Up to 256GB | Interface: USB-A (3.2) | Read speed: 200 MB/s | Write Speed: 60 MB/s Lifewire Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G2 Flash Drive Review Best for Phones SanDisk iXpand Luxe Flash Drive Amazon View On Amazon $43 View On Walmart $70 View On Best Buy $48 Pros Works with iOS and Android Well-built Cons iCloud photos issues SanDisk iXpand Luxe Flash Drive Review The iXpand Luxe flash drive has a unique layout and configuration that sports Lightning and USB-C connections. It's tiny and features a swivel design that lets you switch between the two connectors. That means the device's metal frame protects the port currently not in use. This design is a good option for families with Android and iOS devices. It's also a good option for iPhone and iPad Pro users. If you use various mobile devices, this is the drive for you. Capacity: Up to 256GB | Interface: USB-C and Lightning | Read speed: 90 MB/s | Write Speed: 60 MB/s Lifewire / Andrew Hayward Lifewire Or Maybe These? I want one that works with all my devices. The Lexar 128 GB JumpDrive Dual Drive D400 has USB-A and USB-C and moves fluidly between mobile devices and PCs. My iPhone or iPad is full. The SanDisk iXpand Luxe has up to 256 GB of storage and Lightning and USB-C connections. It's the perfect way to free up your phone. Show me the cheapest one. The SanDisk Ultra CZ48 32GB may not be particularly speedy or flashy, but it offers a hefty 32GB of storage at a low price. What to Look For in a USB Flash Drive Flash drives have never been more affordable, but with so many choices, your selection is a bit more complicated these days. Below are a few factors to consider before pulling the trigger on your new flash drive. Speed If you need speed, go for a flash drive with USB 3.0, 3.1, or 3.2 technology, up to 10 times faster than the USB 2.0 standard. Also, ensure that the read and write speeds match your needs, as this may vary between devices. Security The data you’re transferring is often private, which means a basic flash drive won’t always cut it. If security is a significant concern, consider a flash drive with security authentication features like a numerical touchpad that can password-protect your files or a fingerprint scanner. Capacity Storage capacity can quickly increase the price of a flash drive. So before you purchase, consider how much capacity you need. Will you be moving 4K video files that require hefty storage capacities, or are most of your files relatively small? How many files will you need to store at once? Making sure you get what you need the first time, even if more expensive, can save you cash in the long run. FAQ Should you buy an external hard drive or a USB flash drive? Consider an external hard drive if you're looking for a large amount of storage, faster transfer speeds, and don't mind a large form factor and higher cost. A USB flash drive is the way to go for smaller amounts of data in the most portable size available (and even greater plug-and-play convenience). Are USB flash drives good for backing up data long term? Flash drives are some of the less reliable storage mediums and are designed (and best used) as temporary envelopes for data transfer. Traditional HDDs are the best solution for long-term backup, providing the most data stability and capacity for the price (or for a faster solution at a higher price tag, an SSD). What's the difference between USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB-C flash drives? The USB standard a flash drive is built around will determine its potential performance, including the maximum transfer rate. For instance, the transfer ceiling for USB 3.0 is theoretically ten times higher than 2.0. Letters following a USB designation (like USB-A, USB-B, or USB-C) indicate the physical type of connection; USB-A is the familiar rectangle most associated with the standard, while USB-C is a reversible flat oval. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit