20 best USB sticks

USB Flash Drive - A storage device or mass storage device used as a portable data storage device. Flash memory acts as a carrier here. Such drives are predominantly removable and rewritable, but have a shorter lifespan than optical discs. The average media weight is 30 grams.

The new drive replaces floppy disks and CDs thanks to its smaller size and faster speed. The reliability was increased by the virtually complete absence of moving parts. They are immune to magnetic fields and are not subject to scratches, since all important elements are "recessed" inside the case.

The advantages of this type of storage are:

• light weight and dimensions;
• versatility and compatibility with various types of devices from stationary computers to TVs;
• resistance to mechanical stress and magnetic fields;
• protection from water, dust;
• long-term data storage offline up to 10 years.

Main disadvantages:

• limited number of erase and write cycles up to 5000 cycles;
• limited resource for connecting the usb connector up to 1500 connections;
• strong bandwidth limitations (typical for usb);
• sensitivity to electrostatic discharge and radiation;
• unbalanced connector, due to which the connection sometimes fails.

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

The best USB flash drives with a 2.0 interface

Specification released in 2000. It differs in speed from its "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 devices, and storage devices.

5 Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB Executive

The pleasant price of the flash drive is complemented by a good read and write speed. The metal case also came in very handy, which serves not only as a reliable protection for the insides of the drive, but also the diffuser. The metal absorbs heat well and the flash drive does not heat up during long sessions.

We were also pleased with the absence of unnecessary software. The drive is not clogged with antivirus, adware, or maintenance utilities. The sliding mechanism with a slider is made soundly and does not get loose during prolonged use.

4 Silicon Power Ultima U06 16GB

Reliable choice with write speeds from 7.5 to 8 MB / s and read speeds up to 18 MB / s. A serious minus - the actual capacity pumped up, instead of 16 GB, only 14.9 are available to you. The manufacturer's official website offers a lifetime warranty for the purchased product upon purchase.

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

3 Kingston DataTraveler SE9

The flash drive from Kingston is made in a brushed metal case, which is very pleasant in terms of tactile sensations. Scratches are also invisible, which can only be seen on the front side when you constantly insert or remove the drive. There is a mount for a keychain or keys.

Now let's talk about the shortcomings and there are a lot of them here. One of the main ones is a sharp drop in the write speed. Such a situation often occurs when the recording starts from 120 Mb / s and then drops sharply to 3-4 Mb / s, frankly not even reaching its declared characteristics. There is no protection against overheating, as well as a light indicator. The low price has significantly affected the quality of the component base and we recommend the drive only as a storage of documents and no more.

2 Transcend JetFlash 600

Transcend is engaged in the release of quite interesting drives, but it is rather difficult to call the JetFlash 600 as such. Outwardly, it does not stand out in anything - an ordinary piece of black plastic without a single hint of design refinement.Here you can even scold the manufacturer for the lack of any fastening of the cap, which is why it is very easy to lose it. And there are no lugs on the flash drive itself, so you won't be able to attach it to the keys. The only thing that can really smooth out these shortcomings is the highest speed in the rating.

Advantages:

• Best speed. Reading - up to 32 Mb / s. Recording - up to 16 Mb / s
• Password protected
• Data compression function
• Available in versions from 4GB to 128GB - the largest selection

Disadvantages:

• High cost - one and a half times higher than that of competitors

Flash drives consist of several components, which include:

• USB connectors;
• microcontrollers;
• control points;
• flash memory chips;
• quartz resonators;
• LEDs;
• write protection switches;
• space for an additional memory chip.

1 SanDisk Cruzer Fit

A SanDisk flash drive has almost every feature you could wish for. The main advantage over competitors is its very compact size. Yes, this is easier to lose than oversized models, but after all, they buy it mainly, judging by the reviews, for use in a car. And here the small size is just a salvation, because in many car radios, the USB connector is located in front and a large flash drive can simply be broken with a careless hand movement. Cruzer Fit, on the other hand, protrudes no more than 5 mm, and therefore it will be difficult to demolish it by hand. Also, this model can be recommended to owners of laptops with a small amount of internal memory. I inserted this baby into the port and forgot - there is more memory, but at the same time almost nothing sticks out.

Advantages:

• Good speed indicators. Read - 28.3 MB / s, Write - 13.96 MB / s
• The smallest dimensions
• It is possible to protect the flash drive with a password
• There is a backup function

The best USB 3.0 sticks

Specification 3.0, announced in 2008, raised the data transfer rate to 5 Gb / s, which was made possible by raising the current from 500 mA to 900 mA. This has led to an increase in the number of powered devices.

To differentiate from USB 2.0, the cables of this specification are manufactured in blue and the ports are similarly color coded. Supported by default in Windows 8 and 10 without installing additional software.

5 Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth (CMFSS3B)

When you purchase a USB 3.0 Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth, you can choose the following storage sizes:

• 16;
• 32;
• 64;
• 128;
• 256.

I would also like to note the appearance of the drive. Outwardly, it resembles a torpedo, a case or a cartridge, since the imagination has a place to roam. The protective element covers not only the connector itself, but also almost the entire body, made of metal (aluminum). The role of decorative elements is played by rubber inserts. There is protection against water, which works at a depth of 200 meters. Good shock resistance with a 5-year warranty. Because of this, it weighs over 100 grams and is weighty for its segment.

4 Silicon Power Jewel J06 16GB

The Silicon model is worthy of many epithets with the prefix "super". Super size, super speed, super appearance. On our own behalf, we note that this particular model is produced in several modifications, but separately we want to highlight a 32 GB drive. Buyers in their reviews consider it to be the golden mean for a number of reasons, for example, the absence of conflicts with software or operating systems, which is the reason for the 64 GB version.

The minimum available volume starts from 8 GB and up to 64 GB. The shape of the module completely repeats the corporate features of the company, and the emerald color combined with the "handle" complements the appearance of the device. There are black and blue options to choose from.

3 Transcend JetFlash 790

Future-proof budget drive. Compatible with all supported operating systems. Works equally well with both USB 2.0 and 3.0. The design is interesting, and you won't lose the lid either. Speed ​​indicators seem to be okay too, but they are very unstable. Judging by the reviews, they differ by half! What this is connected with is not clear. Otherwise, this is a fairly standard flash drive for a small price.

Advantages:

• Data transfer indicator;
• Large selection - models from 8 to 128 GB.

Disadvantages:

• Unstable speed readings. Average 101.75 MB / s read and 44.8 MB / s write.

An interesting fact is that there is a 790K model on sale, which operates on channel 3.1 and supports all devices with it.

2 Transcend JetFlash 710G 64Gb

The main advantage of this flash drive is its compactness. Only 2.2 cm long, 1.2 cm wide and 6 mm thick. Available in a single "golden" design. It copes well with tasks common for its type of device. Buyers in the reviews note a quick "death" with prolonged loads and moving files from 10 to 15 GB per day.

It is not recommended to use it as a multi-boot drive, even though its temperature is low. Memory chips often fall off, especially during formatting. Recommended as a common file carrier or movie storage unit. We also mention the presence of a waterproof case, the effectiveness of which is not mentioned on Internet sites.

Currently, they are already preparing for the release of a USB flash drive of specification 3.2, which is the final for the USB 3.x series. This specification provides for a 2-fold increase in the data transfer rate, which is capable of reaching 20 gigabytes per second at its peak. Owners of USB Type-C get some advantage due to duplicate pins and double-sided contacts. The first devices are scheduled to appear in the second half of 2019.

At the same time, it is planned to release the USB 4.x specification, the technical characteristics of which are currently unknown.

1 Kingston DataTraveler R3.0 G2

Finally, we come to one of the most interesting flash drives. Its main feature is water resistance. Of course, a light rain will almost certainly survive any model, but this USB flash drive from Kingston can be safely immersed in water without fear of losing data. This can be useful not only for extremists, but also for ordinary people who are worried about the safety of important files. In addition, the speed of the flash drive does not suffer at all from the protected rubber case. On the contrary, the official figures are a little ... underestimated, which cannot but please.

Advantages:

• Waterproof housing
• The real speed is higher than the officially declared ones - reading 141.5 MB / s, writing 44.7 MB / s
• Maximum memory capacity up to 256GB

Disadvantages:

• Under high load, the case heats up noticeably

The best flash drives with 3.1 interface

Specification released in 2013. The data transfer speed is already 10 Gb / s. It has two variations - Gen 1 with speeds up to 5 Gb / s and Gen 2 with 10 Gb / s. Ports of this specification are often colored red, and the Gen 2 plug is even thinner.

5 SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 32GB

We recommend this product for those who care about every penny, but need a fast storage device. Reading speed of 131 MB / s and USB 3.1 will make the purchase more than relevant. The manufacturer worked on the bugs, getting rid of the always-lost cap, completely removing it. Not to say that the decision is correct, but it will save you from the pain of losing the cap.

Where the flaw lies is in the write speed of 17 Mb / s. Heating is also observed with prolonged intensive load. The case is completely plastic, which negatively affects the protection of internal elements. Lost easily.

4 Samsung BAR Plus

So, we present the drive for those who, in addition to the technical component, are also interested in appearance. Titanium gray and silver champagne are the marketing names for this flash drive. The product is more suitable for business people who need to show their self-sufficiency. Let's be honest - the flash drive is very large and weighty. Despite the high speed, the module heats up quickly and the recording drops to 40-50 Mb / s.

The reliability is also pleasing, thanks to proprietary components from Samsung. Questions are raised by the acute-angled shape and if in front of the connection plug, this can be justified, then it is difficult to explain such features of appearance from the opposite edge. There is a special hole for attaching to keys. Somewhat more expensive than their competitors, which can scare off a potential buyer.

3 Samsung USB 3.1 Flash Drive FIT Plus 64GB

Every computer owner knows that Samsung makes the best drives and circuits.Its diminutiveness is striking, since the previous generation with an identical volume was 10 times larger. Now you will not be afraid to break it by touching it. Overheating or other similar problems by buyers in the reviews are not noted. The module will allow you to transfer large amounts of data without straining and we can safely recommend it as the main storage for important information or boot images for operating systems.

Works great with both large files and small ones. There is no LED. Despite the excellent optimization, the speed is sometimes not enough. Recording speed is 13-20 Mb / s on average. The largest volume is 256 GB. Reading speed 200 mb / sec.

2 HyperX Savage

HyperX Savage is a powerful 3.1 USB flash drive designed to store colossal amounts of information. In its lineup there are as many as four models, the volume of which varies from 64 to 512 GB. Actually, this characteristic was the most impressive for thousands of users, which is clearly demonstrated by their positive reviews.

HyperX Savage's read / write performance was also a cause for great joy. As the capacity increases, the speed of data transfer changes from 180 to 250 Mb / s, which has a lot of logic behind it. At the same time, the read speed remains the same in all versions, and does not fall below the 350 MB / s threshold. Received a portion of praise and the visual component of the drive, the lining of which is made in the traditional style of Hyper X. Actually, the totality of all the above splendor fully justifies the average price tag, slightly increased over the past year.

1 SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1

A quality USB 3.1 interface from SanDisk, designed to provide the fastest access to data storage. I found a great response among domestic users, who were greatly pleased with both the technical conditions and the overall build quality. SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 comes in two memory options: 128GB and 256GB respectively. Supports password protection of data, so you can store information of a purely personal nature on it. The data transfer / read speed on this model is also at the optimum, amounting to 380 and 420 MB / s. And, as noted by especially demanding consumers, the blitz-check of the key parameters showed their complete coincidence with the declared ones.

SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 is also supported by the presence of a metal case with a connector sliding mechanism. The cost, fully justified by such excellent parameters, is expectedly high, but the available margin of safety will be enough for several years to come.

The best high-capacity USB sticks

Here we have included drives with the largest possible storage capacity. It is worth noting that this product instantly disappears from store shelves and, if possible, it is worth purchasing such flash drives to order.

5 Patriot Memory Supersonic Rage 2 512GB

The body of this flash drive from Patriot is so thick that you will not feel it heating up during operation. However, some buyers note a good heat dissipation system. In fact, it keeps its specified in the technical documentation 400 MB / s when reading. There is a red flashing work indicator at the end of the case.

Of the shortcomings, its thickness is noted, which is also a plus. It also happens that there is no cap in the kit and you have to buy it separately. It does not give out the declared 200 Mb / s, basically it is 140-150 Mb / s. Works poorly with Sony Playstation 4.

4 Corsair Flash Voyager GT USB 3.0 (CMFVYGT3C) 512GB

Flash Voyager is not just a name, but a recognized certificate of reliability with excellent compatibility even with USB 2.0 systems. Due to the most modern technologies, the data transfer speed exceeds the analogs on version 3.0 by 2 times, and at version 2.0 at once by 8 times. Delays in data preparation and processing have also been reduced.

The branded rubberized case is durable and protects all the insides of the drive perfectly. The water resistance will stand up to any criticism. The solid-state storage device is able to withstand heavy impacts and falls from a height thanks to the shock-absorbing rubber elements.The manufacturer gives a 5-year warranty and assumes a commitment to after-sales service. The buyer can choose from a storage capacity of 32 to 512 GB.

3 Patriot Memory Supersonic Magnum 2 512GB

USB 3.1 flash drive suitable for falling into several categories of this rating at once. It has, in our opinion, the most optimal memory parameter, equal to 512 GB, which is comfortably enough for both normal use and purely working needs. It has excellent data transmission and reading rates, which are equal to 300 and 400 Mb / s, respectively. In order to make sure of the truthfulness of the declared characteristics, especially sensitive users arranged a real functional test on the flash drive ... and did not reveal any critical deviations.

However, Patriot Memory Supersonic Magnum 2 512GB still has catastrophically few consumers from among the Russian audience. The fact is that a flash drive is a very specific model, the resources of which are often not needed by a simple PC user. Hence the low popularity, and rather high price, and extremely rare appearance on store shelves.

2 PNY PRO Elite USB 3.0 512GB

Despite the primordial Chinese origin, PNY PRO Elite USB 3.0 512GB has one very tempting aspect of service. 60 months warranty - for significant equipment (both in terms of dimensions and functions performed), this indicator is very worthy, eloquently speaking about the manufacturer's confidence in their equipment. In the case of a flash drive, it looks altogether astronomical - perhaps none of the leading manufacturers of flash drives has such a reserve of "patience".

Specifications PNY PRO Elite USB 3.0 512GB also look very impressive. Coupled with a good amount of internal memory, the consumer gets a high speed of data processing, the recording of which at the peak is at 250 MB / s, and reading at 400 MB / s. Yes, the popularity of the flash drive in Russia still leaves much to be desired. However, soon the company expects to seriously tackle the solution of this problem.

1 Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT 1TB

Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT is the most capacious flash drive on the Russian market at the moment. All the more interesting is the fact that it is the youngest model in the series - soon an American company is preparing to provide Russia with a copy with a memory capacity of 2 TB. However, until this happened, the terabyte version of the drive is gaining more and more popularity among professional bloggers and people whose work is somehow connected with a colossal flow of information. Its write speed indicators are at the level of elite balanced flash drives, and is 200 MB / s. The read speed, equal to 300 MB / s, also stands out positively against the general background of the characteristics.

The only real weakness in the Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT 1TB is the price level. It is clear that the development technology is completely new, and the finished product should recoup all the costs ... but not everyone is ready to pay the cost of a good gaming laptop for a flash drive.