The Most Reliable Flash Drives For 2024
The Rundown
1. Best Of The Best: SanDisk 128GB Ultra Flair USB 3.0 Flash Drive - SDCZ73-128G-G46
Transfer your videos, photos and files up to ten times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives with the SanDisk 128GB Ultra Flair USB 3.0 Flash Drive. With our Built-in caching technology, files are written to the flash memory first so you can keep on working without delay, even while large files transfer. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: Samsung BAR Plus 128GB - 400MB/s USB 3.1 Flash Drive (MUF-128BE4/AM)
Samsung’s BAR Plus flash drive offers enhanced security for your data and increased speed for both plug-and-play and file transfer. The rugged metal casing has a key ring to prevent the loss, and the USB 3.1 flash drive has backward compatibility with USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports that keep you in the game on all fronts. Read Review
3. Best Performance: PNY 256GB Turbo Attache 3 USB 3.0 Flash Drive
Store and transfer large files faster than ever with USB 3.0 technology. PNY 256GB Turbo Attache 3 USB 3.0 Flash Drive allows for quick and easy transfer of all content. With a Built-in caching technology, files are written to the flash memory first so you can keep on working without delay, even while large files transfer. Read Review
4. Best Compatible: SanDisk 512GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive - SDCZ48-512G-G46
With transfer speeds up to 10x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives, you'll be able to transfer large files quickly and easily without the wait. The sturdy metal casing and durable silicone band are just some of the features that give this flash drive its sleek design. Read Review
Flash drives are great for storing small amounts of data quickly. They have become a staple in our digital life, allowing us to bring our pictures, videos, and files wherever we go. But how do you know which ones are the most reliable? What features should you look for?
Whether you’re investing in your first flash drive or upgrading your current one, it’s important to know what you're getting before making a purchase. This article is designed to help you find the most reliable flash drives on the market today.
In the end, we concluded that SanDisk 128GB Ultra Flair USB 3.0 Flash Drive - SDCZ73-128G-G46 was the most highly recommended. Other options presented here are certainly worthy of your attention, and in order to assist you in making an informed choice, we have compiled a helpful shopping guide.
RELATED: Our team of experts compiled top 10 most reliable thumb drives by gathering about 15,910 customer reviews. Check them here.
Our Top Picks
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
Best For The Price
Samsung BAR Plus 128GB - 400MB/s USB 3.1 Flash Drive (MUF-128BE4/AM)
- Rugged metal casing for durability with key ring to prevent loss
- Reliable and secure storage for your photos, videos, music, and files
- Redefine everyday file transfers with speeds up to 300MB/s
- Safeguard your data (Water proof, shock proof, magnet proof, temperature proof, x-ray proof)
- USB 3.1 flash drive with backwards compatibility (USB 3.0, USB 2.0)
- Compatible Devices: Tablet
- Allows for quick and Easy transfer of all content
- Free technical support
- Sliding collar, capless design with integrated loop makes it easy to attach to key chains, backpacks and etc.
- The 256GB Turbo USB 3.0 Flash Drive can hold approximately 47, 349 songs
- Store and transfer large files faster than ever with USB 3.0 technology
- Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 Ports, so you can utilize any USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port; Compatible with most PC and Mac laptop and desktop computers
- Transfer speeds approximately 10 times faster than standard PNY USB 2.0 Flash drives
- Backward compatible with USB 2.0
- Transfer speeds up to 10x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); up to 130MB/s read speed; USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Secure file encryption and password protection(2)
- Reliable and secure storage for your photos, videos, music, and files
- Exceptionally compact USB flash drive for an unnoticeable, seamless fit, designed with a key ring to prevent loss
- Redefine everyday file transfers with speeds up to 300MB/s
- USB 3.1 flash drive with backwards compatibility (USB 3.0, USB 2.0)
- Safeguard your data backed by a 5-year limited warranty (Water proof, shock proof, magnet proof, temperature proof, x-ray proof)
- Easily free up space on your smartphone or quickly transfer files between devices at USB 3.1 high speeds of up to 150MB/s(1). With a reversible USB Type-C connector and a traditional USB connector, the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C lets you quickly and easily transfer files between smartphones, tablets and computers. Plus the SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android (available on Google Play)(3) helps you manage your device’s memory and your content. The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C is the perfect liaison between your new USB Type-C device and your devices with traditional USB ports. | 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less. | (1) 32GB-256GB: Read speeds up to 150MB/s. 16GB: Read speeds up to 130MB/s. Write speeds lower and vary by capacity. USB Type-C port with USB 3.1, Gen. 1/USB 3.0 support required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. | (2) Mobile device requires USB Type-C port and On-The-Go (OTG) support | (3) Download and installation required
- SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android (available on Google Play; Download and installation required) lets you easily manage and back up content on your smartphone and tablet
- 5 year limited manufacturer warranty
- Free up space on your Android smartphone (Mobile device requires USB Type C port and On The Go (OTG) support)
- Easily transfer files between smartphones, tablets and computers
- Retractable design with a reversible USB Type C connector and a traditional USB connector
- High speed USB 3.1 performance of up to 150MB/s Read Speeds (USB Type C port with USB 3.1, Gen. 1/USB 3.0 support required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device.)
- High-capacity add-on storage
- Fast data transfers
- WD quality inside and out
- Plug-and-play ready for Windows PCs
- Maximum Speed: Get read speeds up to 7,000 MB s with 980 PRO and push the limits of what SSDs can do. Powered by a new Elpsis controller designed to harmonize the flash memory components and the interface for superior speed – with a PCIe 4.0 interface that’s 2x faster than PCIe 3.0 SSDs and 12x faster than Samsung SATA SSDs – every component of this NVMe SSD is manufactured by Samsung for performance that lasts.
- Reliable thermal control: High-performance SSDs usually require high-performance thermal control. To ensure stable performance, the 980 PRO uses nickel coating to help manage the controller's heat level and a heat spreader label to deliver effective thermal control of the NAND chip.
- Efficient M.2 SSD: The 980 PRO comes in a compact M.2 2280 form factor, which can be easily plugged into desktops and laptops. Due to its size and thus optimized power efficiency, it’s ideal for building high-performance computing systems.
- Next-level SSD performance: Unleash the power of the Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for next-level computing. 980 PRO delivers 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe 3.0, while maintaining compatibility with PCIe 3.0.
- A winning combination: Designed for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users, the 980 PRO offers high-performance bandwidth and throughput for heavy-duty applications in gaming, graphics, data analytics, and more. It's fast at loading games, so you can play more and wait less.
- Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 128gb Usb 3.0 Flash Drive - 128 Gb - Black
- APP FOR EASY FILE MANAGEMENT - Easily manage files on your IOS device with the LUV-Share app, it allows you view, access and back up all the files in your phone's memory in one place, available in the App Store. One-click back-up albums and contacts, and encrypted files function are all included.
- 256GB 4 IN 1 PHOTO STICK - High quality aluminum frosted ZARMST usb c flash drive comes in a true 4 IN 1 Design, it has 4 built-in ports (USB-C, iPhone Port, Micro USB and Standard USB A Connector) with no additional adapters to make it more stable.
- ULTIMATE COMPATIBILITY - One end is USB Type C interface and a 3 in 1 interface on the other, which is not only compatible with most IOS devices (such as iPhone, iPad, Macbook) Android devices (Type C or Old Style Micro USB models), but also all kinds of traditional USB interface devices (laptops, tablets, TV’s, car audio systems, gaming consoles, and more), lets you easily transfer files back and forth between different devices.
- HIGH SPEED TRANSMISSION CHIP - ZARMST Memory Stick provides an easy and fast way to transfer all kinds of files. Up to 80M/S Read and 30M/S Write Speeds. ZARMST allows you to release the memory on your storage device offline without a data cable or cloud.(Performance may vary based on host device, interface, usage conditions, and other factors)
- ZARMST 5 YEAR WARRANTY - All of 256 gb ZARMST Pen Drives have been rigorously tested and formatted before leaving the factory. And we provide 5 Years warranty service. Questions will be responded to within 24 hours.
What to Look For in a most reliable flash drives?
Speed
Storage Capacity
Connector Options
Memory Quality
Compatibility
Drive Styles
- Style - Does this look good with my branding?
- Print Area - If you have a large image or lots of text to be printed you'll need a drives with a sizeable print area.
- Price - While styles like the USB Pens and Lanyards are fun options they also come with a higher price point than something more standard.
Warranty
Price
FAQs
What Is The Life Expectancy Of USB Flash Drives?
A USB drive's lifespan is not measured by the number of years but by the number of write cycles which range from 10,000 to 100,000 depending on the technology used. If you save your file and do not use the USB for 20 years (assuming reasonable environmental conditions), the drive should still be usable with your file intact.What Data Can A USB Flash-drive Hold?
It depends on the USB drive's memory capacity. The amount of storage that is available on a USB drive is slightly less than what is advertised. This is because a small amount of room is taken up by the drive's software and file system.Can My USB Flash Drive Be Plugged In At All Times?
Yes, you can leave your flash drive plugged in. However, be aware that leaving your flash drive plugged in leaves it open to malware attacks as well as physical damage or data corruption if the device it's connected to experiences power disruption.Why Can't I Copy Large Files To My USB Flash Drive?
If you are consistently working with files larger than 4GB, it is recommended to format your USB flash drives using exFAT or NTFS file format which doesn't have the 4GB limit.What Is The Purpose Of USB Flash Drives?
Flash drives are commonly used for backing up, storing, and transferring data from one device to another. However, there are many other uses for these handy little devices, including; promotional handouts, scanning your PC for viruses, running portable apps, taking Linux OS for a spin, or locking/unlocking your computer.What Can Be Stored On A USB Flash Drive?
As a rule, if you can store it on your computer, you can store it on your flash drive. Some examples of data we've stored on flash drives include Software, Movies, Sound Tracks, .exe Files,...How Can I Protect The Files On My USB Flash Drive?
Encrypting your USB flash drive can help protect files. You can use a variety of encryption techniques to protect your USB flash drive. Many USB drives have built-in encryption capabilities. Windows OSes like Mac have built-in encryption features for USB drives. You can also encrypt USB drives with third-party encryption software.Are USB Flash Drives Reliable?
USB drives are reliable and some of the best drives are from reputable manufacturers. In general, USB drives are not susceptible to damages since they're not made of moving parts and do not require a consistent power supply. This means most USB drives are shock and water-resistant.We decide facts since we are product consulting professionals with extensive expertise. Even so, we maintain and update the list of most reliable flash drives so the information is correct and up to date.
After reading this article, you should discover that selecting a most reliable flash drives that is both handy and economical to you is not difficult. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require assistance.
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