SanDisk 512GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Product Information

The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 isn't your ordinary flash drive as you can probably tell from the picture above. Instead of just plugging the drive into your computer to access the files stored on it, you first need to put in a PIN code using its keypad. While this may be overkill for some, those looking to securely transport their most sensitive files will likely appreciate both the design and functionality of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200. The number after USB indicates the version of USB that is used by a particular device. Older generations have lower numbers as well as slower transfer speeds. If you don’t need the fastest USB drive around, you can save a bit by opting for a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 drive but it will take longer to transfer files onto and off of the device.

Since it has both USB-A and USB-C plugs — there's a slide to expose one or the other — the SanDisk Ultra USB-C offers a nicemix of fast data transfers and future-proofing, so you can be sure it'll work with a variety of devices going forward. Still, this hard drive rightly deserves a spot on this list, with its zinc alloy body with aluminum accent and read/write speeds of 380Mbps and 70Mbps, respectively. Let’s just say that it’s no slouch. Plus, it also comes with a five-year warranty.

You can tell if a USB flash drive supports USB 3.0 or higher if its connector is colored blue. Most USB-C drives support USB 3.0 by default. The Patriot Viper Fang is a USB 3.1 drive (compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0) from one of the most established memory players on the market. However, the manufacturer is a relative newcomer to this segment. A cap on the connector keeps the drive safe from damage when it's not in use, and thanks to a loop at the end, you can connect the DataTraveler to a keychain to reduce your chances of losing it when you're walking around town. If you are looking in the premium territory of the best USB flash drives, then the Samsung T3 is worth taking a look at. Not only does it offer absurdly high read speeds of up to 450Mbps thanks to Samsung's own 3D V-NAND technology, but it also comes with a three-year warranty and has a USB Type C connector.

For years, the SanDisk Cruzer CZ36 has proven to be one of the most popular USB drives on the market. It has earned that popularity with its solid design, support for encryption and, most important, an exceedingly affordable price. Make sure you include delivery price when doing the numbers as quite often you end up paying more for the postage than the drive itself, particularly for low cost models. Disappointing review, didn't really focus on the durable all metal and worst of all, didn't show benchmarks. To the point, mainly I was looking for something with good performance, good meaning better than average (!!) while most of those are worse than average (!!) without spending as much as a Sandisk Extreme Pro costs. The iXpand flash drive's most important feature is its Lightning connector, which lets you connect to an iPhone or iPad and transfer data to and from that device. Considering how difficult it can be to transfer data from those devices without Apple's help, that feature alone could be a major selling point for the iXpand. But to get all that, be ready to shell out: The SanDisk iXpand USB flash drive is on the expensive side. How to choose the best USB drive for you

Whether you’re looking to transfer files or for extra high-speed storage for your laptop, we’ve picked the top USB flash drives for you

Above 128GB, you might want to consider a SSD if you want ruggedness, portability, versatility and better performance without the cost. The USB 3.0 device offers transfer speeds of up to 10 times what you get in a comparable USB 2.0 drive. Add that to Turbo's maximum 256GB of storage, and you should be able to store nearly 48,000 songs on the device — and transfer them with ease. Samsung has delivered one of the better-looking USB drives with the 32GB Bar. And if it's a head-turning device you're after, Samsung's option might be the best flash drive, period.

Key specs – Interface: USB 3.1 Gen 1; Storage capacities: 64GB to 256GB; Claimed speeds: 150MB/sec read; Extra features: RescuePRO Deluxe file recovery software, five-year warranty

The best USB memory sticks you can buy in 2023

As mentioned earlier in this guide, there are a number of different USB types and protocols that you need to be aware of before buying a USB drive. SanDisk offers 128-bit AES encryption and the SecureAccess software ensures maximum protection for data-sensitive files on the flash drive. The flash drive itself has a sturdy feel to it, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. USB 2.0 is sufficient for smaller capacities but not for bigger ones where write speeds can get sluggish. Larger flash drives (128GB or more) often come only with a USB 3.0 connector. Corsair's Flash Survivor Stealth is all about one thing: keeping your data safe regardless of where you are or where you are going. The device has a cylindrical design and an anodized, aircraft-grade aluminum housing to limit the risk of damage if you drop it.