10 best usb flash drives
Flash drives or USB drives are convenient storage media, thanks to which you can transfer files from one computer to another in the simplest way. However, when choosing such an accessory, it is desirable to take into account many parameters that will determine the usability. To facilitate the search for a suitable drive, we have compiled a rating of the best flash drives.
What you should know when choosing a flash drive
Choosing a flash drive is not as easy as it seems. Of course, if you plan to use the drive mainly for the transfer of documents, you can take the first one (or the most beautiful one). But if it will store large files or multimedia with a high bitrate - movies in Full HD resolution, for example - then the choice should be approached responsibly.
USB flash drive connectors (USB Type-C, USB Type-A, Micro USB)
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The connector of the flash drive determines the hardware compatibility of this drive with the computer. The most popular standard is USB Type-A. This is a classic 4-pin rectangular connector, which is used in almost all computers.
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In 2018, USB Type-C flash drives are becoming increasingly popular. This is an oval, symmetrical connector. This connector is equipped with flagship smartphones, ultrabooks and hybrid laptops. For example, in MacBook Pro 2017, only USB Type-C is used, so you cannot install a “regular” USB flash drive.
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Micro USB is gradually becoming an aging standard. It is used in smartphones and ultrabudget hybrid laptops. If you plan to work on the go and open files from a flash drive on a mobile device, you should purchase a drive with two connectors: USB Type-A and Micro USB.
Adapters between connectors exist, as well as flash drives, equipped with two connectors at once.
USB generation (1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1)
The maximum data transfer rate to and from the USB flash drive is determined not only by the performance of the built-in drive itself, but also by the USB generation used. Thus, the limit values are as follows:
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USB 1.1 - up to 12 Mbit / s;
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USB 2.0 - up to 480 Mbps;
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USB 3.0 - up to 5 Gb / s;
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USB 3.2 - up to 20 Gb / s.
It is self-evident that if you plan to copy a large amount of information to the USB flash drive or from it (several GB at a time), it is best not to skimp and take a USB 3.0 or 3.1 drive. For documents, small files, etc. less new generations will do.
By the way, USB 3.2 is supported only on USB Type-C.
Actual data
The actual capacity of the flash drive is always less than indicated on the package. This is not only a marketing tool, but also a technological feature. Manufacturers of flash drives believe that 1000 bytes is 1 kilobyte. The operating system is sure of something else - 1 kilobyte is 1024 bytes.
As a result, the actual amount of data is always less than the nominal. And if you plan to store 30 GB of information on a flash drive, then a 32 GB drive will no longer work - you need to take 64 GB.
The real capacity of flash drives are listed below:
The 1 GB drive is actually 0.95 GB;
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4 GB - 3.72 GB;
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16 GB - 14.9 GB;
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32 GB - 29.8 GB;
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64 GB - 59.6 GB.
Actual data rate
Two factors affect the actual data transfer rate:
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The first is the drive performance. This parameter is different between the models (and often the instances of the same series) flash drives, and it can only be calculated experimentally.
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The second is minimal USB generation.If you insert a “fast” flash drive 3.0 into a slow port 1.1, the maximum transfer speed will be limited by the speed of port 1.1. Conversely, if you insert a slow flash drive 1.1 into port 3.0, the transfer speed will be limited by the speed of drive 1.1.
This is important to consider when buying a flash drive. If you plan to use the drive in order to record movies on it from a computer and then play it on a TV, while both devices are equipped with USB 2.0, you should not buy a drive 3.0 - meaningless overpayment.
Body material
This parameter should be taken into account if you purchase a high-speed USB 3.0 flash drive or the future drive is planned to be used very actively (for example, for the ReadyBoost technology). With fast recording, the flash media heats up noticeably. And this heat must somehow be removed.
The best option is to buy a flash drive in a metal case. It performs the role of a radiator, cooling the drive and prolonging the life of the device.
For slow or rarely used flash drives, this parameter does not really matter, any material or case design will do.
Top usb flash drives rating
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
| The fastest flash drives | 1 | SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.1 | 5 040 ₽ |
| 2 | Kingston IronKey S1000 Enterprise | 12 665 ₽ | |
| Top 16 and 32 GB flash drives | 1 | Kingston DataTraveler Locker + G3 16GB | 1 200 ₽ |
| 2 | Transcend JetFlash 790 16Gb | 429 ₽ | |
| 3 | Corsair Flash Survivor USB 3.0 32Gb (CMFSV3) | 2 439 ₽ | |
| The best Flash-drives with a capacity of 64 and 128 GB | 1 | Kingston DataTraveler Locker + G3 64GB | 4 230 ₽ |
| 2 | HyperX Savage 128GB | 5 299 ₽ | |
| The best flash drives high capacity | 1 | Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT 1TB | 51 900 ₽ |
| 2 | HyperX Savage 512GB | 16 890 ₽ | |
| The best flash drives with two connectivity options | 1 | ADATA i-Memory UE710 32GB | - |
The fastest flash drives
SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.1
Rating: 4.8
Why is the first place: The read speed is 420 Mb / s, the write speed is 380 Mb / s.
Description: The ranking is headed by a really fast SanDisk Extreme Pro flash drive. Thanks to hardware optimization and support for the USB 3.1 standard, it provides a sequential write speed of 380 megabytes per second. Reading is even higher - 420 megabytes per second. Therefore, it is suitable for transferring 4K video, and even for launching and active work with databases. This speed is provided by pSSD technology, that is, the device is not a flash drive in the classical sense of the term, but rather a compact SSD-drive.
A flash drive in a metal case with a concise design is performed. Two versions are available - 128 and 256 GB. The package includes special software that allows you to encrypt data on a flash drive and protect it with a password.
Despite the metal case, the flash drive is not protected from aggressive external environment. It is better not to wet it and not drop it into dust.
Virtues
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High speed;
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High-quality materials and reliable design;
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LED operation indicator.
disadvantages
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Limited controller functionality (no display of rewrite cycles, for example);
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Tangible heat when used;
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Megabyte partitioning of sectors out of the box, will require formatting to optimize the space.
Kingston IronKey S1000 Enterprise
Rating: 4.7
Why second place: Write speed - 300 MB / s, read speed - 400 MB / s.
Description: The second place in the rating goes to the special corporate flash drive Kingston IronKey S1000 Enterprise. It differs not only high speed of work, but also wide functionality. The USB flash drive is built on USB 3.0 interface and therefore provides sequential recording at 300 megabytes per second, and sequential reading at 400 megabytes per second. Presented in only one version - with a capacity of 64 GB.
The flash drive is made in a metal, waterproof case. Hardware-level encryption and password data protection using bundled software are supported.
The package also includes Iron Key software, which creates an online interface for remote access to data on a USB flash drive. Therefore, you can centrally administer many drives, which will be appreciated by corporate users.
Virtues
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Protected case;
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Support for hardware encryption;
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Useful software included.
disadvantages
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Sensibly heated during operation;
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Iron Key works only if the USB flash drive is inserted into the computer and the client is installed on it;
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Connector for connection is protected by a removable cap, which tend to get lost.
Top 16 and 32 GB flash drives
Kingston DataTraveler Locker + G3 16GB
Rating: 4.9
Why first place: The best combination of price and quality: USB 3.0, metal case, hardware encryption.
Description: High-speed USB flash drive based on USB 3.0 technology. Due to this, the recording is carried out at 20 megabytes per second, and reading - at 135. The volume of the flash drive, as is clear from the model name, is 16 gigabytes. The data transfer rate is sufficient, for example, for streaming video in Full HD 30 fps.
The flash drive is made in a metal case. There is no layer for protection against moisture and dust, so it is better not to drown or drop it in the dirt. Nevertheless, hardware data encryption and protection against unauthorized access using a password and bundled software are implemented in the flash drive. Therefore, she heads our rating.
Virtues
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Full hardware data encryption and password protection;
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Reliable metal case;
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The minimum level of heating.
disadvantages
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Decryption software works only on Windows and Mac OS; on other operating systems, protection cannot be removed;
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Wrong translation of complete software for decryption;
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The connector is closed with a removable cap, which tend to get lost.
Transcend JetFlash 790 16Gb
Rating: 4.8
Why the second place: Slightly lower speed than the previous flash drive, but the minimum price.
Description: Transcend JetFlash 790 is a good solution for those who need "just a flash drive." With a low price of several hundred rubles, it supports the USB 3.0 standard, which provides write speeds of about 12 megabytes per second, and about 90 megabytes for reading.
The flash drive is made in a plastic case with a retractable connector. There are no seals protecting from moisture or dust. The indicator of data transmission is built into the case - the LED blinking when copying or pasting.
A flash drive is executed in different versions in terms of memory capacity - from 16 GB (minimum) to 128 GB. Specifications for all configurations are the same. The Transcend JetFlash 790 is a good all-rounder, and therefore we included it in the rating.
Virtues
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Optimum read and write speed;
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Convenient configuration with retractable connector;
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Minimum heating.
disadvantages
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The flimsy mechanism of extension of the connector and its blocking (which is characteristic of all models of Transcend JetFlash);
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Wide case, may take up too much space when used on laptops;
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The LED may seem too bright.
Corsair Flash Survivor USB 3.0 32Gb (CMFSV3)
Rating: 4.8
Why third place: Fast and secure, but relatively expensive flash drive.
Description: Closes the rating of one of the most protected flash drives on the market - Corsair Flash Survivor. It is made in a waterproof case (can withstand immersion to a depth of 200 meters) of high strength duralumin with rubber shock-absorbing pads and a hermetically screwed cap. Therefore, it can be dropped, drowned, moved by car - nothing will happen to the data. The manufacturer is so confident in the security of the flash drive, which gives it a five-year warranty.
The flash drive supports USB 3.0 standard, thanks to which the data writing speed is about 40 megabytes per second, and the read speed is 80 megabytes.
The model also has a rich bundle. A chain and a token are going along with it, which the "survivors" will like - and will make this drive a good gift.
Virtues
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Maximum security of the case;
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Optimum read and write speed;
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The quality of materials.
disadvantages
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Cumbersome, bulky housing;
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Tight screw cap;
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The module itself of the flash drive inside the case is fixed loosely, it is better not to bend around the connector.
The best Flash-drives with a capacity of 64 and 128 GB
Kingston DataTraveler Locker + G3 64GB
Rating: 4.9
Why first place: High speed data transfer, hardware encryption.
Description: 64-gigabyte configuration of the flash drive, ranked first in the rating of drives up to 32 GB. Like the "younger brother", this model offers high speed reading and writing - up to 40 megabytes per second and up to 135 megabytes per second, respectively; USB 3.0 interface; tight metal case and hardware protection.
Data protection is implemented through hardware encryption - all files on the drive are encrypted, and access to them is possible only after entering the password. The corresponding software comes with a flash drive and runs on the most popular operating systems: Windows and Mac OS.
The flash drive, of course, can not encrypt to provide access to data from different third-party computers.
Virtues
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High read and write speed when using USB 3.0 interface;
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Support for hardware encryption;
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Durable metal housing.
disadvantages
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Visibly heated when used;
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No gaskets that protect against water or dust;
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Connector closes the cap, which is easy to lose.
HyperX Savage 128GB
Rating: 4.8
Why second place: Maximum speed of reading and writing, but relatively high price.
Description: HyperX Savage is not really a flash drive. The drive uses SSD technology, providing the maximum in the rating data transfer speed. So, the recording goes on 250 megabytes per second, reading - on 350. Of course, if you use a USB flash drive 3.1.
Like other SSD-drives in the format of flash drives, this model is initially divided into megabyte segments. Therefore, if you plan to store small files on it, it is advisable to format it immediately after purchase by setting the sector sizes that are standard for the required filesystem.
The case of the flash drive is made of plastic and is devoid of gaskets protecting against moisture or dust. In addition, the outer shell is covered with soft-touch material that is pleasant to the touch.
Virtues
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Maximum data transfer rate;
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Low heat during operation;
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Soft touch plastic.
disadvantages
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Relatively slow recording in random access mode;
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The soft-touch coating “collects” dust and lint;
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Relatively heavy and overall.
The best flash drives high capacity
Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT 1TB
Rating: 4.9
Why first place: Terabyte flash drive.
Description: The Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT terabyte drive is based on SSD technology, which allowed developers to fit 1024 GB of internal memory into a compact case and provide high read and write speeds. In particular, the sequential copying of data on it is carried out at 200 megabytes per second, and from it at 300 megabytes. To ensure this speed, the USB 3.1 protocol is used.
The flash drive does not support hardware encryption, as it requires frequent rewriting of segments, which is critical for SSD-drives. The case of the device is made of metal with plastic inserts. The connector is retractable, and the extraction mechanism is implemented very reliably and will not fail even after many years of use.
The flash drive ranks first in the rating precisely because of its large volume - only SanDisk was able to surpass 1 TB, but its storage devices are practically not available for sale.
Virtues
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The maximum amount of internal memory;
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High speed data transfer;
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The minimum heating during the work.
disadvantages
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Marking out of the box into segments of 1 MB, so it is advisable to format it if you plan to store small files;
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No protection against water and dust;
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No hardware encryption.
HyperX Savage 512GB
Rating: 4.8
Why second place: 512 GB - half as much as the leader of the rating.
Description: Another SSD in flash drive format. All devices manufactured under the brand HyperX Savage, have the same technical characteristics. Therefore, like the 128-gigabyte version, the 512 GB model has a sequential write speed of 250 megabytes per second and a read speed of 350 megabytes per second. Random access (for example, when copying small files) is a bit slower, but still at the speed level of the USB 3.1 interface.
Similar to the 128-gigabyte version, this flash drive does not support hardware encryption due to the limitations of SSD technology on the number of sector overwrites and runs in a plastic case with soft touch coating. “Out of the box” segment size is 1 MB, so it is better to format it with other cluster parameters for storing small files.
Virtues
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Maximum read and write speed;
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Pleasant to the touch case;
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Low heat during operation.
disadvantages
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Heavy and bulky;
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Needs formatting;
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Slow speed when writing small files.
The best flash drives with two connectivity options
ADATA i-Memory UE710 32GB
Rating: 4.8
Why first place: The combination of speeds USB 3.0 and Lightning, the original design.
Description: ADATA i-Memory UE710 flash drive, which is headed by rating, is a good solution for fast data transfer from a computer to an Apple smartphone or tablet without copying it via Dropbox or iTunes. The Lightning interface is used for this purpose. A USB flash drive is connected to a computer via USB 3.0, which provides high speed file copying.
To view the data on a USB flash drive from a phone or tablet, you will need to install a special application downloaded from the AppStore. It is compatible with a huge number of file formats, so that the drive is suitable for streaming listening to music, watching movies or working with documents on the go.
A flash drive is made in a plastic case with two sliding connectors. Hardware encryption and protection from water or dust is not.
Virtues
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High speed file copying;
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Special software included;
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Original design and compact size.
disadvantages
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It is not a full-fledged “USB flash drive”, it is useless without a special application or when opening incompatible file formats;
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No hardware encryption;
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No protection against water and dust.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
