The Best USB Flash Drives For Computer of 2024

With the development of technology, many people have turned to cloud storage to save or transfer data. Yet, many still find USB flash drives a must-have item in their office. The reason lies in its speed and reliability. One more advantage of using a USB flash drive is to reduce your reliance on a wireless connection. You can always access your data even without an internet connection. In case you want to get more information about the Best USB C Hubs for computers, you also can find what you want right on this site. 

Available models on the market come in different capacity, speeds, and durability. To choose the best one for your work, it is essential to keep in mind several factors. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up the best USB flash drivers and things to consider in this article.

• Best with Fingerprint: Lexar USB 3.0 Flash Drive: Link Amazon

• Best Compatibility: Corsair Flash Drive: Link Amazon

• Best Price: SanDisk 128GB Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C : Link Amazon

• Best for Apple Devices: SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive: Link Amazon

• Best with Encryption: Kingston Digital USB Flash Drive : Link Amazon

It depends on your needs to choose a USB flash drive with the proper size, capacity, and features. If you frequently store and transfer data among multiple devices, compatibility is also important. Below are some of the many factors to keep in mind when shopping for a USB flash drive.

1.  Speed

USB standards are advancing all the time, and we recommend USB 3.0 as a minimum one to make a decision. USB standards have different theoretical maximum speeds. It’s crucial to test the read and write speeds the manufacturer states for every drive. 

If you're primarily transferring data, you will need to seek a drive with high write speeds. If you're planning on launching software on a computer through the drive, then you will need a model with high read speeds.

Check this product for superfast performance: SanDisk PRO USB 3.2 Flash Drive. 

Image credit: Amazon 

2. Compatibility

Many models on the market can work well with different devices. Yet, it is working to make sure to check the compatibility before purchasing to avoid any disappointment. If you wish to use a drive with an Android device, it'll require USB on-the-go (OTG) support. 

Most Android devices do support USB OTG. You'll get a notification once you insert a flash drive with options that ought to include File Transfer. You'll be able to try the USB OTG Checker app to verify support if you’re unsure. Apple’s iPhones and iPads don’t support USB OTG, but you'll be able to install a companion app for drives, like SanDisk’s iXpand series.

Check out the Vansuny Waterproof USB Drive for its broad compatibility at a reasonable price.

3. Security

Keep in mind that USB drives can cause some security issues, especially for businesses. It is better to never infix random drives. 

If you propose to store sensitive data on your flash drive, consider biometric or passcode protection. Consider also the extent of encryption it offers. There are software services that supply encryption and permit you to password-protect your files on any USB flash drive.

In our list, the Kingston Digital USB Flash Drive is the most favorable when it comes to security.

1. Is it necessary to buy an external hard drive instead of a USB flash drive?

It depends. If you are working with a large dataset, a product with a large amount of storage such as an external hard drive is a good choice. For a smaller dataset, a USB flash drive is sufficient to work with. 

You can find a USB flash drive with a large capacity as well, such as SanDisk 256GB IXpand Flash Drive.

Image credit: Amazon

2. To back up data, are USB flash drives good enough?

Despite its convenience, a flash drive works solely as a temporary envelope to transfer data. If you want to store data for long-term backup, traditional HDDs provide more reliable mediums. 

The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB is a good choice with its large capacity and high speed.

3. What's the difference between USB flash drive standards?

The USB standard determines a variety of things about its potential performance. The transfer ceiling for USB 3.0, as an example, is theoretically ten times beyond 2.0. Letters following a USB designation (like USB-A, USB-B, or USB-C) indicate the physical sort of connection. The USB-A is that of the familiar rectangle most related to the standard. The USB-C may be a reversible flat oval.

Having the best USB flash drive around helps you to work with data more efficiently. Thanks to faster protocols and cheaper storage costs, USB has a larger capacity than ever before. They also come with features to protect data from security issues. There are many USB flash drives under different brands on the market. We hope that our top picks will help you to make your purchase.