The 8 Best USB Flash Drives of 2023

Carry or transfer files with a USB drive that fits on a keychain or in a pocket

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The best flash drives carry a lot of data and quickly transfer it to and from your computer.

Flash drives have size, cost, and portability all going for them. If you frequently move between work and home, install apps onto multiple computers, or even if you have a lot of files to distribute to several people, a bag full of flash drives is an economical way to do that. Flash drives are faster than wireless transfer and more portable than even the best external hard drives.

Best Overall

SanDisk Extreme PRO 128 GB Drive

4.2
SanDisk Extreme PRO 128 GB Drive

Amazon

What We Like
  • Solid design

  • Available up to 256GB

  • Built-in file encryption

What We Don't Like
  • Read speeds inconsistently

  • Expensive

The SanDisk PRO is an easy top pick because of its capacity and read/write speeds. At 420/380 MB/s read/write, you get about three times the speed USB 3.0 offers.

The drive is made of an aluminum casing that looks premium and durable. There's a single LED light and a keychain loop for easy carrying. This drive seems like a tool for professionals with 128-bit file encryption and USB 3.1 connectivity. It's backward compatible, so it also works with older machines. 

The flash drive comes preloaded with SanDisk's RescuePRO software, which helps you recover lost files. Plus, it has a full lifetime warranty. Because of all that, the drive is among the more expensive ones, but the featured extras make it worth it.

Capacity: 128GB or 256GB | Interface: USB-A (3.1) | Read speed: 420 MB/s | Write Speed: 380 MB/s

SanDisk Extreme PRO 128 GB Drive

Lifewire 

Best for Multiple Devices

SanDisk Ultra 128GB Dual Drive

SanDisk Ultra 128GB Dual Drive

Amazon

What We Like
  • Versatile for USB Type-A and UYSB-C

  • Great price

What We Don't Like
  • Slow speeds

People not only sit down at computers at work, but they're also carrying around pocket computers. The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive is appropriately named because it has a USB-A and USB-C plug, suitable for computers, smartphones, and more. If you have computers with varying types of USB ports or move files back and forth between your computer and Android phone, this is a good choice.

We like that both the data connectors are retractable into the drive's body, which reduces the risk of damage. You can stick this into a backpack or a pocket without worrying about it. The data connector is often the most vulnerable part of the flash drive, so pulling it back into the body is very reassuring. Mostly, we love the versatility that the dual connectors provide.

Capacity: Up to 256GB | Interface: USB-A and USB-C (3.1) | Read speed: 150 MB/s | Write Speed: 150 MB/s

Best for iPhones and iPads

SanDisk iXpand 128GB Flash Drive

4.2
SanDisk iXpand 128GB Flash Drive

Best Buy

What We Like
  • Lightning and USB-A

  • Software automates backups

What We Don't Like
  • Potential durability issues

The iXpand 128GB Flash Drive is our top pick for people who love Apple devices. While the rest of the world has moved on to USB-C, Apple still uses its Lightning connectors in products like the AirPods 3. Assuming you have a computer with a USB-A port (not all Macs do), you can use this device to move files between your Mac and iPhone or iPad (otherwise, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter).

The drive also comes with SanDisk's iXpand software, which helps you back up your phone quickly and easily by plugging in the device. You can also do that if you prefer to transfer individual files instead of a complete backup. This is an excellent device if you have an iPhone and need to back it up periodically.

Capacity: Up to 256GB | Interface: USB-A (3.0) and Lightning | Read speed: 150 MB/s | Write Speed: 150 MB/s 

SanDisk iXpand 128GB

Lifewire 

Best for Macbooks

Silicon Power C80 64GB Flash Drive

Silicon Power C80 64GB Flash Drive

Amazon

What We Like
  • Nice ring design

  • Great price

  • USB connectors protected

What We Don't Like
  • Maxes out at 64GB

  • Unlisted Read/Write speeds

Depending on which Macbook you own, you could need either a USB-A or USB-C. This USB flash drive has both. Plus, the design is built with a zinc alloy that looks great next to your Macbook, making it an ideal companion. This flash drive has a USB 3.2 interface, but Silicon Power is shy with its read/write speed specifications, which is a little disappointing. The fact that storage tops out at 64GB is also a letdown. 

But the ring design looks great, and it's easy to add the drive to a keychain or lanyard. The device also includes free file management software if you want to use it. Otherwise, you get a stylish flash drive with a beautiful design that will look great with your Mac.

Capacity: Up to 64GB | Interface: USB-A and USB-C (3.2) | Read speed: Not Listed | Write Speed: Not Listed

Most Rugged

Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Amazon

What We Like
  • Built tough

  • Waterproof

What We Don't Like
  • Tough to plug in

Wouldn't it be embarrassing to be in a situation where you need your flash drive to survive 200 meters underwater, and you don't have one? Admittedly it's a niche case, but some people need a rugged USB drive. The Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth flash drive is designed for campers, construction workers, and first responders. All could benefit from a flash drive that's as rugged as they are. 

The drive is constructed with an all-aluminum build with an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) seal. The screw-top housing can make the flash drive a little hard to plug in because the plug is a bit higher than the average flash drive, so that's something to consider. Beyond that, the price is a tad higher than average due to the construction, but this is an excellent pickup if you need a flash drive that can survive challenging conditions.

Capacity: up to 256GB | Interface: USB-A (3.0) | Read speed: 85 MB/s | Write Speed: 85 MB/s

Best Capacity

PNY Turbo 256GB

PNY Turbo 256GB

Amazon

What We Like
  • Goes up to 1TB

  • Transfer speeds

What We Don't Like
  • Price

PNY is one of the leaders in flash drives since they typically have a higher capacity for lower costs. That's hard to compete with, but the PNY flash drive can go up to 1TB and still fit on your keychain. You may not need a full terabyte of storage, but 256GB in your pocket for a very reasonable price is an excellent reason to recommend it.

Read/write speeds are 140/80, respectively, which is not fast, but the USB 3.0 architecture gives you backward compatibility, regardless of your computer's age. We'd like to see a better build for this much data. One wrong move and you lose 256 GB worth of data, but overall as long as you take care of it, you can get a ton of value out of this drive.

Capacity: Up to 1TB | Interface: USB-A (3.0) | Read speed: 140 MB/s | Write Speed: 80 MB/s

Best Budget

Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G2 Flash Drive

4.2
Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G2 Flash Drive

Amazon

What We Like
  • Durable

  • Good price

What We Don't Like
  • No cap included

If you're looking for a lot of storage on a budget, the Kingston DataTraveller SE9 is a good choice. Regardless of the size, you're getting a tremendous GB-to-dollar ratio with this series of flash drives, up to 256GB.

The drive comes in a solid metal casing which is nice and sturdy. We'd like to see a cap included to protect the USB connector, which is typically the most vulnerable part, but we can understand its omission. It's the perfect size for portability, with the keyring as the device's most prominent physical feature.

If you put 256GB on something, you want it to be as safe as possible. There's a five-year warranty which helps. But overall, when it comes to value for the dollar, the Kingston DataTraveler is a great grab.

Capacity: Up to 256GB | Interface: USB-A (3.2) | Read speed: 200 MB/s | Write Speed: 60 MB/s

Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G2 Flash Drive

Lifewire

Best for Phones

SanDisk iXpand Luxe Flash Drive

4.2
SanDisk iXpand Luxe Flash Drive

Amazon

What We Like
  • Works with iOS and Android

  • Well-built

What We Don't Like
  • iCloud photos issues

The iXpand Luxe flash drive has a unique layout and configuration that sports Lightning and USB-C connections. It's tiny and features a swivel design that lets you switch between the two connectors.

That means the device's metal frame protects the port currently not in use. This design is a good option for families with Android and iOS devices. It's also a good option for iPhone and iPad Pro users. If you use various mobile devices, this is the drive for you.

Capacity: Up to 256GB | Interface: USB-C and Lightning | Read speed: 90 MB/s | Write Speed: 60 MB/s

SanDisk iXpand Luxe Flash Drive

Lifewire / Andrew Hayward

SanDisk Extreme PRO 128 GB Drive

 Lifewire

What to Look For in a USB Flash Drive

Speed

If you need speed, go for a flash drive with USB 3.0, 3.1, or 3.2 technology, which is up to 10 times faster than the USB 2.0 standard.

Security

The data you’re transferring is often private, which means a basic flash drive won’t cut it—spring for a flash drive with a numerical touchpad that allows you to password-protect your files. Or better yet, snag one that requires your fingerprint.

Capacity

More so than any other feature, capacity will increase the price of a flash drive. So before you purchase, consider how much you're willing to spend on a flash drive and weigh that against how much capacity you'll likely need and what kinds of files you're looking to shuffle around.

SanDisk iXpand Luxe Flash Drive

Lifewire / Andrew Hayward

FAQ
  • Should you buy an external hard drive or a USB flash drive?

    If you're looking for a large amount of storage, faster transfer speeds, and don't mind a large form factor and higher cost, check our list of the best external hard drives. For smaller amounts of data in the most portable size available (and even greater plug and play convenience), a USB flash drive is the way to go.

  • Are USB flash drives good for backing up data long term?

    Flash drives are some of the less reliable mediums for storage and are really designed (and best used) as temporary envelopes for data transfer. For long-term backup, traditional HDDs are the best solution, providing the most data stability and capacity for the price (or for a faster solution at a higher price tag, an SSD).

  • What's the difference between USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB-C, etc. flash drives?

    The USB standard a flash drive is built around will determine its potential performance, including maximum transfer rate. The transfer ceiling for USB 3.0, for instance, is theoretically ten times higher than 2.0. Letters following a USB designation (like USB-A, USB-B, or USB-C) indicate the physical type of connection; USB-A is the familiar rectangle most associated with the standard, while USB-C is a reversible flat oval.

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