The 10 Best USB Flash Drives in 2021
If you are looking for the best and value-for-money USB flash drives but don’t have any idea about how to choose the right one, don’t worry, you have reached the right destination. This article will include the ten best USB drives and also solve your query about how to choose the right one based on your budget and needs. So, you can read this post until the last if you want the perfect product that satisfies your requirements.
USB drives are best at making any kinds of files accessible anywhere and anytime. Most people want to have a USB drive because of its portability and ease to use. And so, USB drives are known as portable storage devices.
There are several advantages of this portable tool. Yes, we are taking it as a tool because it has made the hassle of tons of data management easier and smarter. Having a USB drive means you don’t need to worry about transferring and storing any data. You can quickly transfer data from one device to another, including a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Further, if your device’s primary storage is running on low storage, you can free up primary storage by moving those files into a USB flash drive. You can access the stored files whenever you need them by connecting the flash drive to your device. In simple terms, the USB drive is a great tool to carry a massive amount of data.
On the other hand, USB drive prices are falling with the improvement of USB technology, which is why they have become popular among people for massive data management. You can buy additional storage by just spending a few bucks to use with your laptop or desktop.
How to select the best USB drive for you?
Buying USB drives may not be easy for you if you don’t know anything about it as they come with different types and connections. The types of USB drives are USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. We recommend you to go with the greater one.
Another thing, you will need to think about the storage of the drive that you wish to buy. If you want to store data that will consume more space like large files, high-quality videos, etc., it is good to go with at least 64GB and even 256GB. If you don’t have enormous data and only need to store a few files, you can go with 16GB or 32GB of storage.
After deciding the type of USB drive and its storage, you will need to think about some critical features such as read or write speeds. A drive with higher speed will have the ability to write more data resulting in quick access to files. Therefore, you should buy at least USB 3.0 if you want a reliable performance.
The next thing that matters while buying a USB drive is the building design. You can find them in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. If you want a durable product, you should buy a shockproof & waterproof design, including the other features that make your drive safe from damage. One last thing to keep in mind is the warranty of the USB drive.
Best USB drives to buy in 2021
Samsung Fit Plus (MUF-128AB)
We have included this Samsung USB drive in the first of our list because of some reasons. If you want a product that provides some innovative features along with affordability, it will be worth going for you with Samsung Fit Plus (MUF-128AB). It comes in a small design that will be easy for you to carry. The device comes in different sizes and storage capacity including the support of 3.1 connectivity. The fast read/write speed of 300Mbps makes it more suitable than others for data transferring in no time. On the other hand, you can keep it safe with different types of features, including waterproof, shockproof, magnet proof, temperature proof, etc. This Samsung USB drive may be a little pricey, but you get a feature pack product in exchange for it.
SanDisk Cruzer CZ36
SanDisk Cruzer CZ36 has been in market trends for many years, and it is a name among top USB drives. It is known for its compact and solid design, encryption support, and budget price. This SanDisk USB drive has black color, excluding the red slider. The slider allows you to widen or retract the connector and keep the connector safe from accidental damage. You get USB 2.0 connectivity which may be a downside. SanDisk Cruzer supports 128-bit AES encryption and SecureAccess Software that is a center of attraction for many.
Kingston DataTraveler G4
If you are looking for an unbeatable and genuinely affordable USB drive, Kingston DataTraveler G4 is the one to get. You can get this product for under $10 for 16GB of storage and, most importantly, with a 3.0 support. By spending a few bucks, you will have a USB drive with a faster read/write speed that will make the data transfer process faster. The device comes with a cap to cover the connector when it is not in use. The loop at the back portion is suitable for you to attach with a keychain making the device safe from losing. Overall, if you don’t have to store vast amounts of data, getting Kingston DataTraveler G4 will be a wise decision.
PNY Turbo
If you want to pay less but need lots of storage space, here is PNY Turbo that comes with up to 256GB of storage. It comes in a rugged design to reduce the risk of damage. The device supports USB 3.0 connectivity, meaning you are going to get a faster transfer speed than USB 2.0. The PNY Turbo has a slider to protect the connector. You can also attach it to your keychain or any other thing to eliminate the risk of losing. After all, the PNY Turbo is an ideal option with different features, more storage, and travel friendliness.
SanDisk Extreme Pro SDCZ880
If you are looking for a USB 3.2 type flash drive with massive storage space, the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDCZ880 is one of the best options with up to 1TB of storage. The company provides a minimum of 128GB of storage which goes up to 1TB. The device offers ultrafast performance as it has the support of 3.2 connectivity. SanDisk claims that the read and write speed of it is 420Mbps and 380Mbps, respectively. The device comes in a premium design and can resist shocks and other types of damages while keeping your data safe. The most notable thing that SanDisk offers is the lifetime limited warranty and 128-bit AES encryption to secure your data.
Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth
The prime feature or quality for which the Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth is famous is its highly durable design. Your data is almost safe with this flash drive, regardless of how you keep or carry it. It comes in a cylindrical design and combines high-grade anodized aluminum to eliminate the risk of accidental damage. This device isn’t on the list of the top best USB drives without any reason. This USB drive combines a water seal to make the device safe from liquid intrusion. It has USB 3.0 support and comes in up to 256GB of storage. If you purchase it, you will get a warranty period of a limited time which is up to five years. Overall, the Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth is a pricey but value-for-money product.
SanDisk Ultra USB-C
If you need a USB-C flash storage device, your search ends here. SanDisk Ultra is the best USB drive for Type-C ports. If you have recently bought a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro laptop, you will need to have a USB-C storage drive and the same you get with SanDisk Ultra. This storage device comes with 3.1 support and up to 256GB of storage. The company claims that the data transfer speed reaches up to 150 Mbps. If the drive is idle, you can hide the connector to keep it safe.
Kingston Digital DataTraveler Elite G2
If you want another best product from Kingston Digital, here is DataTraveler Elite G2. It comes with USB 3.1 connectivity offering ultrafast read and write speed. The device combines an LED light to indicate when it is connected and starts data transfer. The company provides different variants of this USB drive: from 8GB to 256GB. You will get data transfer speed up to 180Mbps. You can also use it with USB 2.0 in case you haven’t USB 3.1 ports. The prices may vary based on the storage you choose. The company provides a five-year warranty.
Samsung 32GB Bar
This is Samsung’s one of the best premium-looking USB drives in metal design. The Samsung 32GB Bar comes in a beautiful design with the 32GB Bar. The metal build device combines a ring at the end so you can attach it to an object like a keychain eliminating the chances of losing. You get tons of other features with this device, such as the capability to resist water & shock, temperature, and even X-ray, meaning the chances of damage are limited. You get fast transfer speed with the support of USB 3.0. The Samsung Bar may not be at the side of affordability, but it is best at protecting your data.
SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive
Now we have reached the last best USB drive, which is the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive. The device comes with the support of USB 3.0 and has a storage capacity of up to 256GB. You get a metal finish design that takes care of durability. This device’s most notable feature is its Lightning connector that can be connected to an iPhone or iPad to move data from one device to another. The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive may be expensive for many.
After all, the best USB drive we have found is the Samsung Fit Plus (MUF-128AB). It comes with excellent features along with affordability and, most importantly, with the support of USB 3.1. We have also picked the SanDisk Cruzer CZ36 as a safe choice with USB 2.0. It offers 128-bit AES encryption at a budget price.
