The USB key has revolutionized the mobility of computer data. Its capacity (from 4GB to 1TB) and transfer speed have reached such a high level that some users use it as a memory extension for their computer, or even as an external hard drive! Now compatible with standard USB 2.0 and 3.0 hardware interfaces, here is our ranking of the best USB drives for this year.
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Our selection
"Guaranteed 5 years, the Sandisk Ultra USB flash drive has 128 GB of storage. We no longer present the quality of manufacture of the Japanese…"
"The SanDisk Ultra Flair 32GB USB flash drive is a high performance USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible flash drive that promises a high operating speed…"
"This Taiwanese-made USB flash drive will give you the performance of a real external SSD with a read speed of up to 400 MB/s."
"For less than 10 euros, this USB flash drive from Essentielb has a capacity of 32 GB and a fast transfer rate, 5000 MB/s maximum,…"
"Are you on a tight budget, but still want to get a good USB flash drive? In that case, buy this set of 5 USB…"
Guaranteed 5 years, the Sandisk Ultra USB flash drive has 128 GB of storage. We no longer present the quality of manufacture of the Japanese brand, reference in the field.
15,57 £ on AmazonThis USB flash drive is sold at a ridiculously low price, but with impressive features. In particular, it offers a USB 3.0 interface which ensures a considerable transfer speed of 130 MB/s. Much more than the 100 Mb/s of the old version. Even if it benefits from this technology, it remains backwards compatible with previous versions, such as USB 2.0.
Like most Sandisk products, this one comes with an ultra-secure password protection and data encryption software, the Sandisk SecureAccess. The user will thus have the advantage of keeping his data safe with a quality, reliable and affordable tool.
The SanDisk Ultra Flair 32GB USB flash drive is a high performance USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible flash drive that promises a high operating speed of 150MB/s. It is compact and robust thanks to its metal coating.
7,19 £ on AmazonDespite its small price tag, this USB flash drive from SanDisk promises unparalleled performance. You will have to take advantage of all the efficiency of the USB 3.0 technology. In addition, the transfer speed of 150 MB/s is 15 times higher than that of a USB 2.0 key. To give you a precise idea of this feat, you should know that you will be able to transfer an entire movie in only 30 seconds.
The SanDisk Ultra Flair 32 GB has a metal coating that makes it very elegant and, at the same time, very shock-resistant. Whether you store photos, documents or audio and video files on it, your data can be password-protected with the SanDisk SecureAccess AES encryption software. If you do lose your confidential information, you can easily recover it with the free downloadable Rescue Pro Deluxe.
This Taiwanese-made USB flash drive will give you the performance of a real external SSD with a read speed of up to 400 MB/s.
167 £ on AmazonThe Arcanite 3.1 SuperSpeed 1Tb integrates a USB 3.1 Gen-1 type A connector. This ensures a transfer speed of 400 MB/s in reading and 200 MB/s in writing. Of course, these speeds may vary slightly depending on the computer equipment used. The USB flash drive is also compatible with the older versions of the serial bus, i.e. 3.0, 2.0 and 1.1. Its biggest advantage? It can easily replace an external hard drive!
Measuring only 56.7 x 18 x 9 mm, this 1Tb Arcanite 3.1 SuperSpeed USB flash drive, designed in Taiwan, has an efficient protection system against shocks, dust and possible overheating. You will be able to use it on a computer with a Windows operating system (Vista, 7, 8, 10, etc.) and Mac (Mac OS 10.X and later versions) thanks to the Plug & Play technology.
For less than 10 euros, this USB flash drive from Essentielb has a capacity of 32 GB and a fast transfer rate, 5000 MB/s maximum, thanks to USB 3.0 technology.
7,99 £ on BoulangerIt's a compact retractable USB flash drive. It is elegant and has a storage space of 32 GB that you can fill up quickly thanks to the USB 3.0 technology. This 3.0 interface allows the user to have a speed 10 times higher than the USB 2.0 standard. Specifically, these USB drives will be able to transfer high definition videos in record time with a maximum transfer rate of 5000 MB/s.
Plug and Play, the Essentielb Memo key does not require any additional installation to operate. Windows and Mac compatible, they work with all USB 3.0 ports, but also USB 2.0. Unfortunately, it is not immune to small drops in speed, although this is very common to all USB flash drives in general.
Are you on a tight budget, but still want to get a good USB flash drive? In that case, buy this set of 5 USB flash drives, each with a capacity of 32 GB. A bargain!
14,07 £ on AmazonThis is the deal of the century! In total, you will have a storage capacity of 160 GB, each Enuoda USB flash drive providing you with a 32 GB space for your various uses such as storing music, photos, movies, software... These models come in 5 different and mixed colors (black, purple, green, blue and red) that you will not risk to confuse them anymore. Of course, the design is quite basic. The keys have a 360° twist cap that effectively protects the USB port.
The Plug & Play system is a real plus. There is no need to install any software since you just have to insert the USB 2.0 key on a free port of your PC and it's done. Note that these models are compatible with all computers running Windows 98, NT, Me, 2000, XP, 7, 8.1, 10 and recent versions and Mac (OS 10.3 and above). An indicator light will let you know when the key is correctly positioned.
Without compromising on the transfer speed, which is quite decent, this 16GB USB flash drive will bring fun to your loved ones' lives as a gift.
17,52 £ on AmazonThis brand, although little known by the public, has managed to combine the useful with the pleasant. Indeed, in addition to its function of USB key, this model can also be personalized according to your desires. When ordering, you must communicate the information to be inscribed on the device, up to 12 characters, such as a first name, a nickname, an important date, a special word, etc. You also have the choice of the color and the capacity (8, 16 or 32 GB?).
The Grade "A" Personalized Fun USB Key 3.0 is made of a robust PLA plastic coating, so you can protect your data in the best conditions. It can withstand external aggressions such as shocks, falls and vibrations. The model presented here, with a capacity of 16 GB, can store up to 7490 photos or 3745 songs in MP3 format.
Any specific needs?
The best USB flash drive in 2021
The best entry-level USB flash drive
The best high-end USB flash drive
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| The BEST | NOT EXPENSIVE | TOP OF THE RANGE | EXCELLENT | Good | PERSONALIZABLE | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
6/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Sandisk Ultra USB 3.0 128 Go
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SanDisk Ultra Flair 32 GB
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Arcanite 3.1 SuperSpeed 1 TB
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Essentialb Memo USB 3.0 32 GB
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Enuoda - Set of 5 UEB 32GB Keys
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Fun customizable USB key 16 Gb
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Guaranteed 5 years, the Sandisk Ultra USB flash drive has 128 GB of storage. We no longer present the quality of manufacture of the Japanese brand, reference in the field.
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The SanDisk Ultra Flair 32GB USB flash drive is a high performance USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible flash drive that promises a high operating speed of 150MB/s. It is compact and robust thanks to its metal coating.
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This Taiwanese-made USB flash drive will give you the performance of a real external SSD with a read speed of up to 400 MB/s.
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For less than 10 euros, this USB flash drive from Essentielb has a capacity of 32 GB and a fast transfer rate, 5000 MB/s maximum, thanks to USB 3.0 technology.
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Are you on a tight budget, but still want to get a good USB flash drive? In that case, buy this set of 5 USB flash drives, each with a capacity of 32 GB. A bargain!
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Without compromising on the transfer speed, which is quite decent, this 16GB USB flash drive will bring fun to your loved ones' lives as a gift.
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Memory storage capacity
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128 GB
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32 GB
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1 TB
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32 GB
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32 GB
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16 GB
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Maximum read speed
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Up to 130 Mbps
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Up to 150 MB/s
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400 MB/s
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5000 MB/s
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18 MB/s
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Compatible operating systems
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Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OS X v10.6+ (software download required for Mac)
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Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and Mac OS X v10.7+ (software download required for Mac)
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Windows 10/8/7 Vista, etc. Mac OS 10.X and later
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Microsoft and Mac
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Windows 98/nt/me/2000/XP/7/8.1/10 and above, Linux and Mac OS 10.3 and above
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Hardware interface
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USB 3.0
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USB 3.0 and 2.0
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USB 3.1 Gen 1 type A compatible with USB 3.0, 2.0 and 1.1
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USB 3.0
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USB, USB 1.1, USB 2.0
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USB 3.0
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Other capabilities available
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16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 256 GB
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16 GB, 64 GB, 128, 256 GB and 512 GB
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128, 256 GB and 512 GB
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-
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8 GB or 32 GB
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The storage space is certainly the first criterion to be privileged. The choice will be guided mainly by the use. For purely personal use (storing documents and a few personal files), a storage capacity of 4GB to 16GB will be more than enough. Furthermore, to store photos and videos, a 32GB to 64GB key is appropriate. Finally, flash drives with 128GB to 256GB of capacity are for professionals who need to store specific software and applications.
The version of the USB standard is also a criterion to consider. A USB 1.1 effectively offers a transfer rate around 1.5 MB/s, while a USB 2.0 multiplies this speed by 4 (60 MB/s). The USB 3.0 offers a high speed corresponding to a transfer rate close to 640 Mb/s. These figures are of course only indicative since the real speed depends on the performance of the PC and its USB port. Similarly, you need to connect a USB 3.0 key to a 3.0 port to benefit from an optimal transfer speed.
For more security, it is better to choose keys that integrate an encryption system. This way, you can protect your data with a password. This option is very useful for confidential data. We also note the latch system which allows to lock the USB key. The other users are then unable to modify the data. In addition, a USB flash drive can be used as an MP3 player. The models in question obviously have a jack port, to plug in headphones or earphones, but also multimedia keys (Play, Stop, Pause...), as well as a screen to better explore the content of the media.
Opting
for a flash drive that benefits from the USB 3.0 system is the guarantee of an optimal transfer speed. It can go up to 600 MB/s, which is ten times faster than a 2.0 configuration. In addition, the USB 3.0 system ensures data confidentiality by offering a password-protected encryption system. This is managed by advanced features like SanDisk Secure Access.
The design is a criterion of choice to be favored. You can easily find models featuring characters from movies or cartoons. This type of key is a great gift idea, especially if the recipient is a geek.
A USB flash drive is a removable computer data storage medium that is used to store computer data such as photos, videos, digitized music, but also many other types of files, as long as they are digital data.
Among its other advantages, it is nomadic, transportable and very practical. Its ultra-compact dimensions allow it to fit in the palm of your hand. It can be carried everywhere and is equipped with the USB interface which is a universal connector present on all computers (laptops or desktops), and also on current computer peripherals.
USB flash drives are of 3 types, namely security USB drives, music USB drives and boot USB drives.
A USB security key is a USB mass storage device equipped with protective devices and layers to allow increased security of the data it contains. These devices can be physical or software based. On the market, different models are equipped with data encryption or also internal protection system to keep your precious data safe.
Advantages :
Disadvantages :
Who is it for?
This type of USB flash drive is for users who want to carry their valuable computer data with them safely.
This type of USB flash drive is used as a means of transferring digital music between devices. This USB flash drive comes in many designs and shapes, depending on the brand and model. But in most cases, it has a reduced size to be more convenient to carry.
Advantages :
Disadvantages :
Who is it for?
USB music sticks are for users who want to record or also transfer their music between devices.
A USB boot drive is a USB storage device containing the installation of a microcomputer operating system. These USB flash drives are designed to install or reinstall an operating system. They can also be used to help a user who has a computer with problems booting or launching the operating system at startup.
Benefits :
Disadvantages :
Who is it for?
A bootable USB flash drive is ideal for users who have problems launching operating system on their computers or also for those who want to install or reinstall operating system.
The USB flash drive has a significant competitor in terms of removable data storage: the external hard drive. This type of storage is able to keep your data and you can use it wherever you want, because this device is also portable and nomadic. Its physical size is larger than a USB stick.
Some models are self-powered and others require independent power sources to operate. The capacity of a hard drive is also larger than that of a USB stick.
As far as practicality is concerned, USB flash drives are less cumbersome and more convenient to use. The USB flash drive is easy to use and is less fragile than the external hard drive, whose slightest shocks and drops can cause irreversible damage and data loss.
The problem is that their storage capacity is limited to about 1 TB and they can be lost easily.
Despite their practicality, USB flash drives cannot be used as backup storage drives. Indeed, if you have data of more than 2 Gb the best solution is an external hard drive.
It is easy to use
A USB flash drive is best known for its ease of use. It has thus become an essential computer accessory. In practice, there's no need to set up a USB flash drive: you simply connect it to a computer's USB port. Its field of use is vast. A USB flash drive can be used for both leisure and professional activities.
It's portable everywhere
You can take a USB Flash Drive anywhere. It has a minimalist size, so it fits discreetly in your pocket. This accessory is also made of lightweight and robust materials, for a safe portability. To avoid the risk of loss, it is better to choose models with a fastening loop.
Its robustness
The robustness of a USB flash drive lends it a carefree use over time. You should opt for models that are mounted on a pivot or retractable. They are indeed more resistant to wear and tear over time. Even better, there are waterproof models that protect against water-related risks.
It is very useful for data transfer
Some USB flash drives have two connectors, a USB for computers and a micro-USB for smartphones and tablets. This makes collecting, saving and transferring data quick and easy. The USB flash drive thus takes precedence over other common storage media such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
To boost a PC
A USB flash drive can also be used as a PC booster. All you have to do is install the ReadyBoost application on it. This Windows feature allows the computer's operating system to use the memory available on the USB flash drive to optimize its responsiveness. It is also easy to activate.
In our opinion, the best brands of USB keys in 2022 are :
SanDisk is an American company founded in 1988. It is dedicated to the development and sale of flash memory products such as SD cards, digital music players and USB sticks. Its products are among the best on the market because of their reliability, performance and excellent value for money.
A-Data is a Taiwanese company specializing in the design and manufacture of RAM and computer hardware. These products are ranked among the most reliable on the market and they occupy an important share of the flash memory market, especially USB flash drives.
Corsair Memory is an American company, founded in 1994, specializing in the development of hardware for the computer industry. Its products are among the leading data storage products, such as SSDs and USB sticks. These USB flash drive models are of high quality and have an unquestionable reliability.
Kingston is one of the leading brands in the field of flash memory, especially USB flash drives. It is an American brand, founded in 1987. Currently, these USB flash drives are among the best products and provide their users with quality, performance and durability.
Sony is a Japanese brand, known for its high-quality electronic and digital products with advanced technologies. It also develops USB flash drives for data storage. These USB flash drives are fast in transfer, reliable and have a long life span.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Don't put it in your pocket.
Your body heat can create moisture, which can condense in the player and cause corrosion and damage to the electronics inside. Also, small pieces of dust, dirt, and lint from pockets can get into the connector and cause a short circuit that would damage the electronics the next time it's plugged into the power supply.
Avoid connecting it to the computer indefinitely.
Although
rare, a power surge on the USB port can cause a malfunction and damage the player's electronics. For safety, remove your USB drive from the computer when not in use and place it in a safe place.
Avoid running software from the USB stick.
Each
USB flash drive comes with a predetermined number of read and write cycles, and once you have exhausted this number, the USB flash drive can no longer be used. When you save and retrieve documents, you use only one cycle per retrieve or write function. But running software applications from the USB drive uses multiple read/write cycles. This means you reduce your available cycles faster by running the software.
Encrypt your USB stick.
You don
't need to buy new hardware to encrypt your flash drive - just download an application such as Sourceforge's TrueCrypt or even VeraCrypt, which will let you choose your own encryption codes and password
.
Create a backup.
USB flash drives are electronically produced components with a limited lifespan, no matter how well they are maintained. So you should have a regular backup pattern of your USB drive on your computer.
The best USB flash drive depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.
These designations indicate the file transfer standard of the drive in question. A USB 3.0 drive has a faster transfer rate than a USB 2.0 drive. This difference can be up to 10 times faster in some cases.
The purpose of formatting is to reset the contents of a computer storage memory to zero. It therefore erases the content (data) of the computer medium.
Data written to a USB stick cannot be recovered once it has been formatted.
It is important to ensure that the key is plugged in correctly. A bad connection or plugging could cause this error. If the problem persists, it is best to contact the brand's technical support.
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