Flash drives are great for people working in offices who need to easily transfer files, for students who need a place to transfer their final projects or for anyone who wants to download a movie to watch later.
There are so many options out there for flash drives, so we’ve boiled it down to six of the best options for you to choose from. We’ve found that high download speeds, multiple gigabyte options, and the versatility of the compatibility in the flash drive are all important things to consider when looking for the best one for you. Below you’ll find all of these qualities in our top picks.
SanDisk Ultra Flair Flash Drive
Best Overall
A Durable Choice for All Projects
Whether downloading a movie to watch later or saving files for work, this 128GB flash drive can get the job done fast and is compatible with all computers. Perfect for all of your storage needs, whether at home or on the go.
Why We Love It:
- High downloading speeds
- Metal casing
- Can enable password protection for your data
- Gigabyte options up to 512GB
Something to Consider:
- Performance can vary based on your host device
- Can get hot if plugged in for a long time
PNY Turbo Flash Drive
Runner-up
A Compatible and Versatile Choice
This flash drive is perfect for everyday use, with a sliding case and key chain loop so you’ll never lose the protective covering or the flash drive itself.
Why We Love It:
- Multiple gigabyte size options
- Compatible with most computers
- Technical support is free
Something to Consider:
- Plastic casing
- Downloading speeds can vary
SamData 2 Pack Flash Drives
Best Design
The Choice for Busy Bees
These flash drives come in packs of two, making sure all of your projects will have space to be downloaded. There is no software needed for them to work.
Why We Love It:
- No software needed
- 360-degree Adjustable clip
- Different color options
Something to Consider:
- Only compatible with USB 2.0 and under
- Storage capacity only goes up to 64GB
Micro Center 5 Pack Flash Drives
Most Versatile
A Sleek and Reliable Choice
These flash drives are sturdy and sleek, and are easily compatible with most computers for all your downloading or uploading needs. Best of all, they do it quite fast.
Why We Love It:
- Sturdy plastic cover
- Comes in packs of 2 or 5
- High downloading speeds
Something to Consider:
- Performance can vary
- Have been reported to die after a few uses
TOPESEL 5 Pack Flash Drives
Best Quality
A Multi-Purpose Choice
These smaller flash drives work well across all types of devices, from laptops to gaming consoles. They can also support a variety of media, such as files, movies, and more.
Why We Love It:
- Variety of colors
- Protective cap
- Good for multiple uses
Something to Consider:
- Storage capacity limited at 64GB
- USB 2.0 and under
Samsung BAR Flash Drive
Also Consider
A Modern and Rigid Option
This Samsung flash drive is composed of metal and is sturdy enough to be protected from all the elements, including water, magnets, and is even shockproof.
Why We Love It:
- Waterproof
- Key ring to attach to
- Speeds up to 300MB/s
Something to Consider:
- Only available in 128GB
- Metal casing can get hot
FAQs
How do I know how many gigabytes I need?
Labels like gigabyte, megabyte, and terabyte can be confusing to those who don’t know what any of it means. Bytes are the unit of measurement we use to define how much digital space data takes up. Therefore, the more bytes your files and media are, the more bytes you’ll need on a flash drive.
Flash drives are most commonly sold in gigabytes, and a 64GB one is pretty standard nowadays. Those can hold anything from files, to pictures, to movies. Of course, if you’re looking to hold only a few photos or files, you can always choose a megabyte option.
How many times can a USB be used?
It may not be commonly known that USBs do not last forever. While it depends on the flash drive model you choose, they typically all can handle 10,000 to 100,000 inserts. You’ll be able to tell when your flash drive has started to degrade when the data gets disrupted. There are some cases where the metal can start to degrade, and this will affect the data from being transferred properly.
Buying Guide
It may seem overwhelming trying to pick out a good flash drive when there are so many on the market. Here are our best criteria for making sure your selection is the best one for you.
- Storage Size: Usually, flash drives with higher storage sizes can run more expensive than ones with smaller sizes. Most of our selections have a variety of size options for you to choose from.
- Material: If you’re prone to dropping or tossing things around, you’ll want a sturdy material to prevent external damage. Metal casing would be a much more hardy and rugged material for this case.
- Reliability: You’ll want to keep your files and data safe. Password protection and data encryption are usually options in many of the Best Designs for a good flash drive.
- Portability: There’s nothing worse than losing a flash drive and only realizing it right before it’s your turn to present, and your project is only stored on that drive. That’s why we made sure to find selections that have a key chain loop so you can always have them attached to you.
- High Speeds: We live in a fast-paced world, and your flash drive should be built to match. Looking for high download speeds, usually around 300MB/s or higher, will make selection easier.
