20 of the best USB flash drives

USB Flash Drive drive or storage device used as a portable data store. The role of media here is the flash memory. These drives are mostly removable and rewritable, but have a shorter lifespan than optical discs. The average weight of the carrier is 30 grams.

The new drive has replaced the floppy disk and CDs because of its smaller size and greater speed. Reliability has increased and the almost complete absence of moving parts. Insensitive to magnetic fields not exposed to scratches, as all the important elements of the "drowned" inside the case.

Of the benefits of this type of storage are:

• small weight and dimensions;
• versatility and compatibility with different types of devices from desktop computers to televisions;
• resistance to mechanical impact and magnetic fields;
• protection from water, dust;
• long-term storage of data offline for up to 10 years.

Main disadvantages:

• a limited number of cycles of erase and write up to 5,000 cycles;
• limited resource connecting the usb connector to 1500 connections;
• strong restrictions on bandwidth (typical usb);
• the sensitivity to electrostatic discharge and radiation;
• the asymmetry of the connector, causing the connection sometimes is incorrect.

We have selected for you the top 20 best flash drives of various sizes and interfaces.

BEST USB FLASH DRIVE WITH 2.0 INTERFACE

Specification released in 2000. Differs in speed from a "progenitor" - USB 1.1 due to the presence of the High-speed mode. The specification has three modes of operation for keyboards, mice, joysticks, video and drives.

5 VERBATIM STORE 'N' GO USB EXECUTIVE

Metal case
Country: China
Average price: 632 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.3

Nice price stick is complemented by good speed of reading and writing. Very helpful saw a metal case which not only performs the role of a reliable protection for the innards of the drive, but of the lens. The metal absorbs heat and the flash drive does not get hot during long sessions.

Pleased us and the lack of extra software. The drive is not clogged with anti-virus software, adware programs or utilities for maintenance. Retractable mechanism with a slider made soundly and not work loose during prolonged use.

Customers
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 456 RUB
Rating (2021): 4.4

A reliable choice with a write speed of 7.5 to 8 MB/sec and read up to 18 MB/sec. Serious drawback – pumped actual capacity, instead of the 16 GB available to you just 14.9. Official website of the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty of the purchased product upon purchase.

By default on a flash drive or link to the website where you can download additional software to make the storage safe and comfortable. Optionally available with a 60-day free version of Norton antivirus, utility, recovery drives. There is an indicator of indexing when working the stick.

3 KINGSTON DATATRAVELER SE9

The most stylish
Country: USA (made in China)
Average price: 450 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.4

The USB flash drive from Kingston company made in Matt metal case, very nice in terms of tactile sensations. Invisible and scratches that can be seen only on the front side, when you constantly insert or remove a drive. There is a mount on a key ring or keys.

Now let's talk about the disadvantages and it's pretty thick. The main one being a sharp drop in write speed. Often this situation occurs when the record starts with 120 MB/sec and then drops sharply to 3-4 MB/sec, dotyagivaya frankly not even up to their claimed characteristics. There is no overheating protection and indicator light. Low price had the most significant impact on the quality of the components and we recommend you drive only as a repository of documents and no more.

2 TRANSCEND JETFLASH 600

Transcend has been producing quite interesting drives, but to call such JetFlash 600 is quite difficult. Externally it is nothing special – an ordinary piece of black plastic without a single hint of designer sophistication. Here you can even criticize the manufacturer for the lack of any fastening of lid, making it very easy to lose. And on the flash drive no eyelets, so attach it to your keys will not work. The only thing that can really smooth out these shortcomings – the highest in ranking speed.

Advantages:

• Best speed. Reading – up to 32 MB/sec. Write – up to 16 MB/s
• There is password protection
• The data compression feature
• There are versions from 4 to 128 GB is the largest selection

Disadvantages:

• High cost – a half times higher than the competition

1 SANDISK CRUZER FIT

The most compact size
Country: USA (made in China)
Average price: 569 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

USB flash drive from SanDisk has almost all the advantages that you could wish for. The main advantage before competitors – a very compact size. Yes, this is easier to lose than the overall models, but I buy it mostly, judging by the reviews, for car use. And then the small size just salvation, because many of the radios USB connector is located on the front and a large thumb drive careless hand can simply break. The Cruzer Fit is not more than 5 mm, and therefore to carry it by hand will be difficult. Also this model can you recommend to laptop owners with a small amount of internal memory. Put this baby in the port and forgotten – the memory is increased, but with almost nothing sticking out.

• Good rates of speed. Read 28.3 MB/s, write – 13,96 MB/s
• The most compact dimensions
• Have the ability to protect USB drive with password
• There is a backup function
  

BEST USB FLASH DRIVE WITH 3.0 INTERFACE

Announced in 2008 specification 3.0 raised the speed of data transfer up to 5 GB/sec, made possible by raising the current from 500 mA to 900 mA. This has led to the increase in the number of powered devices.

To differentiate from USB 2.0 cables with this specification are made from blue, and ports have the same color coded. Default supported in Windows 8 and Windows 10 without installing any additional software.

5 CORSAIR FLASH SURVIVOR STEALTH (CMFSS3B)

A wide range of available memory
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 1180 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.4

Buying Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth USB 3.0 interface, you can choose the following storage capacity:

• 16; 32; 64; 128; 256.

I would like to note the appearance of the drive. Outwardly, it resembles a torpedo, a case or cartridge, good imagination is where carousing. A protective element covers not only the connector, but almost the entire body is made of metal (aluminum). The role of decorative elements perform rubber inserts. Features protection from water, which works to a depth of 200 meters. The chin with the guarantee of 5 years. Because of this, it weighs over 100 grams and is heavy for its segment.

4 SILICON POWER JEWEL J06 16GB

Super USB flash drive
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 818 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.4

The model Silicon is worthy of many adjectives with the prefix "super". Super-size, super-speed, super-appearance. From myself I will note that this particular model is available in several versions, but we want to allocate storage capacity of 32 GB. Buyers in their feedback, consider it the Golden mean for a number of reasons, e.g., no conflicts with software or operating systems than sinning 64 GB version.

3 TRANSCEND JETFLASH 790

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 511 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.4

Budget storage with future-proofed. Compatible with all supported operating systems. Works equally well with both USB 2.0 and 3.0. The design is interesting, and the lid will not lose. Speed performance seems good, but it is very unstable. Judging by the reviews, they differ in half! The reason is unclear. The rest is fairly standard USB flash drive for a low price.

Advantages:

• The data transfer indicator;
• Large selection of models from 8 to 128 GB.

Disadvantages:

• Unstable rates of speed. On average 101,75 MB/s read and 44,8 MB/s write.

Interesting fact that the sale includes the model 790К, which operates on channel 3.1 and supports all devices with it.

2 TRANSCEND 64GB JETFLASH 710G

Compact
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 1300 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.7

The main advantage of this stick is considered to be compact. Length is only 2.2 cm and a width of 1.2 cm and thickness 6 mm. Available in the only "Golden" design. Copes well with the usual for your type of device tasks. Customers in reviews a quick note "death" with long loads and moving files from 10 to 15 GB per day.

It is not recommended to use it as a multi boot drive, even despite its low heating. Often falling off the memory chips, particularly during formatting. Recommended as ordinary media files, or module for storing movies. Mention and a waterproof housing, the efficiency of which on Internet sites is not mentioned.

1 KINGSTON DATATRAVELER R3.0 G2

The best ratio of price and quality. Waterproof case
Country: USA (made in China)
Average price: 1300 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

Finally, we reached one of the most interesting flash drives. Its main feature is water resistance. Of course, a light rain will almost certainly outlive any model, but this flash drive from Kingston can be safely immersed in water without fear of losing the data. It may be useful not only extreme, but also to ordinary people who are worried about security of important files. In addition, the speed of the drives did not suffer from the secure rubber casing. On the contrary, the official figures are a little low... that can not fail to please.

Advantages:

• Water-resistant case
• Real speed is higher than officially declared – reading 141.5 MB/s, write up 44.7 MB/s
• Maximum memory capacity up to 256 GB

Disadvantages:

• Under high load, the case heats up

BEST STICK WITH THE 3.1 INTERFACE

Specification released in 2013. Data transfer rate is 10 GB/sec. Has two variations – Gen 1 speeds up to 5 GB/sec and the Gen 2 10 GB/sec. Ports such specifications are often painted red, and plug the Gen 2 even more subtle.

5 SANDISK ULTRA FIT 32GB USB 3.1

This product is recommended for those who value every penny, but requires a quick drive. Read speeds of 131 MB/s and USB 3.1 will make the purchase more than relevant. The manufacturer has carried out work on the bugs, getting rid of the forever lost cap completely by removing it. Not to say that the decision is correct, but it will save from the pain of losing cap.

Where lies the flaw is in the write speed of 17 MB/sec. Observed heating and during prolonged intense stress. All-plastic body that has a negative impact on the protection of the internal elements. Easily lost.

4 SAMSUNG BAR PLUS

Exquisite appearance
Country: South Korea
Average price: 2200 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

So, we present drive for those in addition to the technical component is important and appearance. Titanium grey and silver champagne – are the marketing names of this stick. The product is more suitable for business people who need to show their self-sufficiency. Let's be honest – flash is very big and heavy. Despite its high speed, module quickly heats up and there is a drop record for up to 40-50 MB/sec.

Pleases and reliability thanks to proprietary components from Samsung. The matter of an angled shape and if the pre-connection plug is to justify, then the opposite edge of such features of the appearance of difficult to explain. There is a special hole for attaching to keys. More expensive than their competitors, which may scare off a potential buyer.

3 SAMSUNG USB 3.1 FLASH DRIVE 64GB FIT PLUS

The best component base
Country: South Korea
Average price: 1290 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

Every computer owner knows that the best drives and diagrams makes firm Samsung. Striking in its small size as the previous generation with the same amount of size 10 times more. Now you will not be afraid to break her by touching her. Overheating or other similar problems inside the reviews is not marked. The module allows not straining to move large amounts of data and we can safely recommend it as primary storage for important data or boot images for operating systems.

2 HYPERX SAVAGE

The best stability over the entire lifetime
Country: USA
Average price: 5706 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

HyperX Savage is a powerful USB drive interface 3.1, designed for storage of huge amounts of information. In its present lineup of four models, ranging in length from 64 to 512 GB. In fact, this characteristic was the most impressive for thousands of users that demonstrate their positive feedback.

The speed of read/write HyperX Savage also brought cause for much joy. As capacity increases the efficiency of transmission varies from 180 to 250 MB/s, which has a lot of logic. Read speed remains the same in all versions, and does not fall below the threshold of 350 MB/s. Received a portion of praise and the visual component of the drive, the lining of which is made in the traditional style of the Hyper X. in Fact, the totality of all of the above magnificence fully justifies the average price slightly increased over the last year.

1 SANDISK EXTREME PRO USB 3.1

Select users
Country: USA
Average price: RUB 3255
Rating (2021): 4.9

High-quality flash drive interface 3.1 from SanDisk, designed to provide the fastest possible access to the data warehouse. Found a great response among domestic users, which is largely encouraged by the technical condition, and overall build quality. SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 comes in two memory options: 128 and 256 GB respectively. Supports up password protection of data, whereby it is possible to store information of a purely personal nature. Transfer rate/read data to this model is also in the optimum, accounting for 380 and 420 MB/s. And, as noted by the most demanding consumers, blitz-checking of key parameters showed complete coincidence with the stated.

In favor of the SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 and says the presence of the metal casing with the mechanism of pulling out the connector. The cost, fully justified such a beautiful settings, the expected high, but the existing margin of safety will last for several years ahead.

Here we include the drives with the maximum possible volume for storage. It should be noted that this product instantly disappears from the shelves and, if possible, you should purchase this stick.

5 PATRIOT MEMORY SUPERSONIC RAGE 2 512GB

Weak heating
Country: China
Average price: 8384 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

The housing of this USB flash drive from the company Patriot so thick that when you work you will not feel hot. However, some buyers have noted a good heat sink system. In fact, keeps its specified in the technical documentation up to 400 MB/sec when reading. There is a red flashing indicator at the end of the case.

Among the shortcomings noted its thickness, which is both a plus. Sometimes it happens that the kit is missing the cap and it has to be purchased separately. Does not give the stated 200MB/sec, mostly 140-150 MB/sec. Does not work well with the Sony Playstation 4.

4 CORSAIR FLASH VOYAGER GT USB 3.0 (CMFVYGT3C) 512GB

High reliability
Country: China
Average price: 8695 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

Flash Voyager is not just a name, and a recognized certificate of reliability with excellent compatibility, even with systems with USB 2.0. Data transfer speeds thanks to the latest technology exceed analogues in version 3.0, 2 times, and on the 2.0 version right 8 times. Reduced delays in the preparation of data and processing them.

Branded rubberized case is durable and protects the insides of the drive perfectly. Water protection that can withstand any criticism. A semiconductor storage device capable of withstanding heavy blows and drop thanks to shock-absorbing elements made of rubber. The manufacturer gives 5 years warranty and assumes liabilities for after-sales service. The buyer can choose a storage capacity from 32 to 512 GB.

3 PATRIOT MEMORY SUPERSONIC MAGNUM 2 512GB

Flash drive USB 3.1 is suitable to enter immediately into a number of categories of the rating. Has, in our opinion, the most optimal memory setting of 512 GB which will be enough for normal use and for purely work purposes. Has an excellent performance speed transmission and read the data, the indicators of which is equal to 300 and 400 MB/s respectively. In order to ensure the veracity of the declared characteristics, particularly sensitive users gave the drive a real functional test...and found no critical deviations.

However, consumers from among the Russian audience at the Patriot Memory Supersonic Magnum 2 512GB yet too little. The fact that the flash drive is a very specific model, where the resources often do not need a simple PC user. Hence the low popularity, and relatively high price, and an extremely rare appearance on the shelves.

2 PNY PRO ELITE 3.0 512GB USB

The most reliable flash drive (warranty up to 60 months).
Country: China
Average price: 10281 RUB.
Rating (2021): 4.8

Despite the native Chinese origin drive PNY PRO Elite USB 3.0 512GB offers one very tempting aspect of service. 60 months warranty for important equipment (from the point of view of size and function) this figure is very dignified, eloquently speaking about the confidence of the manufacturer in his technique. In the case of stick he looks astronomical – perhaps a reserve of "patience" has neither one of the leading manufacturers of flash storage.

Specifications PNY PRO Elite 3.0 512GB USB also look quite impressive. Coupled with a decent internal memory, the consumer receives a high processing speed, the recording of which the peak is at 250 MB/s read and 400 MB/s. Yes, the popularity of the stick in Russia leaves much to be desired. However, soon the firm expects to engage seriously in the resolution of this problem.

1 KINGSTON DATATRAVELER ULTIMATE GT 1TB

Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT – the most capacious flash drive in the Russian market at the moment. More interesting is the fact that she is the youngest model in the series – soon, the American firm is preparing to give Russia the instance with a storage capacity of 2 TB. However, until that happens, Terabithia version of the drive is becoming increasingly popular among professional bloggers and people whose work is somehow connected with the huge flow of information. Its performance write speed are on the elite balanced drives and is 200 MB/s. reading Speed is about 300 MB/s, also stands out against the General background characteristics.

The only really weak point of the Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT 1TB is the standard of value. It is clear that technology development is brand new, finished products have to recoup all of the costs...but to pay for a thumb drive cost a good gaming laptop not everyone is ready.

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