14 Best USB Flash Drives (2024): Pen Drives, Thumb Drives, Memory Sticks

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are shopping for USB flash drives, and we also have some tips for using them.

Capacity: To decide on the capacity you need, first check the size of the folders or files you want to copy. Each USB drive in our guide has a declared capacity, but the usable storage will be a little less than this, because the firmware of the device needs space.

Speed: USB standards are always advancing, and we recommend USB 3.0 as the minimum, although higher is better. While USB standards have different theoretical maximum speeds, it is crucial to check the manufacturer’s read and write speeds for each drive. If you are mainly transferring data, you will want to look for a drive with high write speed If you plan to run software on a computer through the drive (like a video game), then you want a model with high read speed Manufacturers claim the average speed, but most drives are much faster at transferring large files and tend to be much slower at transferring small files.

Compatibility: Many flash drives work with any device with the relevant port, but check compatibility to avoid disappointment. If you want to use a unit with an Android device or one of the the latest iPhone 15 rangeit will require USB on-the-go (OTG) support. Most Android devices support USB OTG. You will receive a notification when you insert a flash drive with options to include File transfer. You can try USB OTG Checker app to confirm the support if you are not sure. Apple’s earlier iPhones and iPads don’t support USB OTG, but you can install a companion app for drives, such as SanDisk’s iXpand series.

Connectors: Most flash drives have USB-A connectors, but you can also get USB-C, MicroUSB and Lightning connectors. If you plan to use a flash drive with your smartphone and computer, get one with both types of required connectors. You can also buy USB hubs with multiple ports or adapters, but pay close attention to the supported standard or it may limit your data transfer speed. This Anker USB-A to USB-C adapterfor example, it is USB 3.0.

Security: Remember USB drives can cause security problemsespecially for businesses, and you should ever insert random units you find around. If you plan to keep sensitive data on your flash drive, then consider biometric or passcode protection, and look at the level of encryption it offers. There are software services that offer encryption and allow you to password protect your files on any USB flash drive.