All computer enthusiasts need a trustworthy USB flash drive. It is best to store and backup important data.
However, finding one can be tricky. Therefore, to make it easy, here are our ten best picks.
All computer enthusiasts trust these fast USB flash drives. In fact, these are considered as life-saving compact devices for those who need more data storage space.
Not only this, these flash drives are fast and small, and also have a lot more capacity to store data. Some of the best pen drives have a range of storage capacity ranging from 700 MB to 2 TB.
Due to the immobility of the components of the USB flash drives, these devices are found to be more durable.
That’s not all…
You’re about to learn all about the ten best USB flash drives that are worth buying.
Best USB Flash Drives Comparison Table
| Name | Ports | Retractable | Material | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ports 3.1,3.0,2.0 | Retractable No (cap) | Material Plastic |   (4.2 / 5) | |
Ports 3.1,3.0,2.0 | Retractable Yes | Material Plastic |  (4.1 / 5) | |
Ports 3.1,3.0,2.0 | Retractable No (cap) | Material Plastic |  (4 / 5) | |
Ports 3.0,2.0 | Retractable No | Material Metal |  (4.3 / 5) | |
Ports 3.0 | Retractable N/A | Material Metal, Plastic |  (3.9 / 5) | |
Ports 3.0,2.0 | Retractable No (cap) | Material Plastic |  (3.8 / 5) | |
Ports 3.1 | Retractable No | Material Plastic | (4.1 / 5) | |
Ports 3.1,3.0,2.0 | Retractable No | Material Plastic | (4.2 / 5) | |
Ports 3.0 | Retractable No | Material Metal |  (4.5 / 5) | |
Ports 3.0,2.0 | Retractable Yes | Material Plastic |  (4.4 / 5) |
Top 10 Best USB Flash Drives You Must Buy 2020 Reviews
1 Corsair Flash Voyager GTX 128GB USB 3.1 Premium Flash Drive
The Corsair Voyager GTX is one of those USB flash drives which have large storage space. It is available with a large number of gigabytes starting from 128GB to 1TB.
This flash drive is meant for those who need to store a lot of data.
This is considered to be one the best USB flash drives due to the durability of its solid exterior. However, the best part is the high speed and accuracy with which this USB reads and writes data.
The 3D NAND memory aids the USB to read and write at 440MB/s.
Moreover, the flash drive is equipped with high-end robust zinc alloy case with aluminum accents. Because of this, the USB has an impressively fine finish.
There’s even more to this drive. It maintains TRIM as well as UASP to enhance SSD optimizations and its performance as well.
The flash drive is compatible with almost every operating system, including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The Voyager GTX even supports USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.0, and legacy USB 2.0 connections.
Furthermore, it can be connected to a USB Type-A port which is available in every PC and every laptop. CORSAIR SSD Toolbox software allows it to optimize, partition, and format the drives’ performance for greater speed of reading and writing data.
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Compatible with every operating system.
- High speed.
- Fine and sleek look.
Cons
- It is quite expensive.
The exterior of the USB is quite wide, which might lead to the blocking of the port beside it.
2 SanDisk Extreme Go USB 3.1 Flash Drive 64GB (SDCZ800-064G-G46)
Here comes the most well-known brand of the best flash drives. SanDisk is known for its excellent built and quality. SanDisk Extreme Flash Drive has one of the best performing flash drives in the market.
In fact, this SanDisk USB is one of its wide range of quality products. It’s different, unique, yet stylish design acts as a unique selling point for it.
It has an extraordinarily high-speed performance. Moreover, it is known for being thirty-five times faster and more efficient than an average USB 2.0 drives. The USB writes with an outstanding speed of up to 150 MB/s and reads with a speed of 200MB/s.
In addition, it has a convenient design in which the connector of the USB can be retracted. This allows prevention from getting damaged or scratched or even broken.
That’s not all….
The drive is considered one of the best USB flash drives due to its data recovery software. The software is called the Rescue PRO Deluxe, which recovers data easily in case it is lost through any malfunctioning.
This USB is available in either 64GB or 128GB. The best part is that SanDisk Secure Access software would allow you to protect and store confidential and important files. This is easily done by the use of 128-bit AES encryption software.
Not to mention, it can be used with ease as it is simply copy-pasting or dragging and dropping the files to the folder.
(4.1 / 5)Pros
- It is retractable.
- Password encrypted folder can be made to protect private data.
- Data recovery functionality.
Cons
- There are reports that the USB flash drive gets hot.
- It has quite limited storage capacity.
3 SanDisk 32GB Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive – SDCZ430-032G-G46
You’re about to learn more about SanDisk’s other best flash drives as well. Just like SanDisk Extreme Go USB 3.1, the SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 is also one of the best.
It executes a high speed with which data can be read and written. Also, it is considered to be fifteen times faster than an average USB 2.0 drive.
The good part is that due to it’s concise, slick, and trim design, one can leave the USB flash drive plugged in. The compact design enables the users to carry the drive with them.
Just like other SanDisk USB drives, the SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive also is known for its high speed of 130MB/s. This USB flash drive comes in a range of storage options.
These include, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB as well.
Just like other SanDisk drives, this USB flash drive also comes with the Rescue PRO Deluxe data recovery software. Moreover, you can plug it in USB 2.0 as well as 2.0 ports. In other words, it’s also backward compatible.
(4 / 5)Pros
- It is compact.
- Wide range of storage capacities.
- Versatile compatibility.
Cons
- It is made out of plastic.
- It can easily come apart.
4 Samsung BAR Plus 128GB – 300MB/s USB 3.1 Flash Drive Champagne Silver
Samsung is a well-known brand in the mobile phone industry. However, Samsung BAR plus flash drive is a worth mentioning USB drive. The flash drive has a high read and writes speed of up to 300MB/s data transfer speed.
It is one of the most reliable and the best USB flash drives.
The robust yet stylish design of the Samsung BAR Plus has a well-built strong metal body. This makes it more durable.
With a key ring attached to it, you can easily attach it to a safe place.
The best part of this USB flash drive is that it is waterproof, temperature-proof, and magnet-proof. Also, it is also shockproof, which increases its durability.
The Samsung BAR plus is compatible with both, USB 3.0 as well as USB 2.0 ports. The USB flash drive is compatible backward.
Not only that but this USB flash drive is available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB as well as 256GB.
(4.3 / 5)Pros
- High speed of data transfer
- Highly reliable brand.
- Strong and durable built.
Cons
- Erratic write speeds.
- It gets warm.
5 SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive 64GB for iPhone and iPad, Black/Silver
It’s no shock that another SanDisk flash drive is on this list.
The SanDisk iXpand flash drive is a unique flash drive on its own. This USB is specially designed for Apple, for its iPhones and iPads, and allows the users to free up space.
Furthermore, the flash drive has a 3.0 USB connector which aids in connecting to a PC or a Mac both. Moreover, the iXpand feature allows you to access videos directly from the drive.
Not only this, but the iXpand Flash Drive also comes with the latest version of OtterBox uniVERSE case system. Therefore, this helps the USB to plug in directly without even taking off the case.
It is available in a range of storage spaces from 32GB to 256GB.
The USB is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 6s. Moreover, you can use it with iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE.
It is compatible with other Apple products like iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad mini 4, iPad Pro 12.9″, iPad Pro 9.7″.
You can also use it with iPod 5th Generation and newer, with Lightning connector and iOS 8.2+.
The ideal temperature for the SanDisk iXpand flash drive is 0-35 degrees Celsius. The USB also has an iXpand Drive application which helps the users manage data more feasibly.
(3.9 / 5)Pros
- High speed.
- Versatile compatibility.
- Great for apple product users.
Cons
- It drains the battery much faster.
- Only for Apple products.
6 Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 32GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
You’re about to learn about another Corsair flash drive called the corsair flash survivor stealth. This USB has a unique casing. It is a distinctive military design along with a chrome aircraft-grade aluminum coating.
That’s not all. This USB flash drive is also waterproof and can be taken underwater up to two hundred meters. What’s even more impressive about the corsair flash survivor stealth is that it is shock resistant as well as vibration resistant.
What’s even more interesting is that since it is a USB 3.0, it is at least four times faster. Due to its fast speed, the flash drive allows the user to access videos directly from the USB.
The USB is compatible with both USB 2.0 port as well as USB 3.0 port. That means that it can work with any software including, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and even Linux. You can do this without having to install any further external or internal drivers.
The Corsair flash survivor stealth flash drive has a range of storage capacities. This makes it easier for you to choose wisely as you can choose according to the space that you require. These storage capacities include, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
With an EPDM water seal as well as a shock damping collar, the corsair flash survivor stealth is quite solid.
(3.8 / 5)Pros
- Wide range of storage capacity.
- Versatile compatibility.
Cons
- Not durable.
7 Samsung MUF-128AB/AM FIT Plus 128GB – 300MB/s USB 3.1 Flash Drive
Right off the bat, there is no doubt that the Samsung MUF-128AB/AM FIT plus is quite concise and compact. It is suitable to use with your laptops, tablets, TV’s, car audio systems, gaming consoles, and so on.
The compact and small design of the USB makes it easier for users to leave it plugged in. The good part is that due to its compact body, the USB flash drive cannot be accidentally unplugged or damaged.
Also, it would not cover the port beside it.
There’s more… Its reading and writing speed of data goes up to 300MB/s.
This USB doesn’t even have a USB 3.0; instead, it has the latest upgraded USB 3.1. With this, the data transferring speed does not slow down at all.
The best part is that it is waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof as well as magnet-proof. This makes the USB durable as well as sturdy and can be trusted with storing data for a long time.
The Samsung MUF-128AB/AM FIT Plus has backward compatibility. Also, it is available in a variety of storage spaces which include, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB as well as 256GB.
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- It is waterproof.
- The compact size is beneficial.
- Various storage capacities.
- High-speed data writing and reading.
Cons
- It has bad block issues.
- Automatically disconnecting issues.
8 Kingston Digital 128GB Data Traveler 3.0 USB Flash Drive
Kingston is another well-known brand, specifically popular in the flash drive industry. The generation 4 data traveler has a convenient cap, which is practical to protect the USB from damage.
Its speed is, however, less than the other USB flash drives. This is because it has a USB 2.0 port. Moreover, it also permits 2.0 port users to upgrade to 3.0 ports without having to change the whole flash drive.
The flash drive is available in a range of colors, which makes it even more attractive. A keyring is also present to avoid any misplacement of the flash drive. It has a range of storage capacities including 16GB, 32GB, 64GB as well as 128GB.
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Variety of storage capacities to choose from.
Cons
- It is quite slow.
9 Samsung 32GB BAR (METAL) USB 3.0 Flash Drive (MUF-32BA/AM)
Samsung does not disappoint. The sturdy and functional metal housing of the Samsung BAR flash drive makes it durable and makes it next to impossible to break. The credits go to its streamlined, functional design.
This excellent body of the flash drive makes it easier to get a grip of it.
One can rely on this flash drive to store data safely for a long time due to its unbreakable body. The keyring hole acts as an aid so that the USB cannot be either misplaced or lost.
The Samsung BAR flash drive features the NAND flash technology. Not only that but, the USB flash drive is also waterproof and shockproof. This ensures the safety of the data once it is on the USB.
This flash drive has a high performance with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 flash drive, which makes data transferring way faster. You can easily back up the data on the USB since it has backward compatibility with the USB 2.0.
The flash drive is available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- It is sturdy.
- It is waterproof.
- The unit is shockproof.
- Reliable brand.
Cons
- It has freezing problems.
- Disconnecting and connecting problems.
10 Verbatim 128GB USB 3.0 Pinstripe Retractable USB Flash Drive
The Verbatim Pinstripe flash drive is a USB 3.0 drive. The best part is that the flash drive comes with an extension and retractable sliding feature, which helps protect the connector from damage.
This makes it way more convenient since the responsibility of carrying a cap all the time is cut off. Moreover, in terms of compatibility, it is also compatible with USB 2.0 ports as well. The USB is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 and any version higher.
You can use it with Mac OS X 10.1 and any version higher; Linux kernel 2.6 and any version higher.
A keyhole is also present. The USB flash drive is available in a wide range of colors and storage capacities ranging from 4GB to 256GB.
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- It is affordable.
- A large variety of storage capacities to choose from.
Cons
- It may be a bit expensive.
- The slider can break.
Conclusion
The winner of the round-up is Samsung BAR Plus. Due to its supreme quality of the material, it is a durable option. Although it cannot retract the metal body overcomes this disadvantage making it stronger and long-lasting.
This is an excellent option since other plastic material USB may tend to break.
This USB also has versatile compatibility, which means that it is compatible with many operating system and ports. The streamlined body helps strengthen the grip on it. It is a worth buying USB flash drive.
