14 Best USB Flash Drives (2025): Pen Drives, Thumb Drives, Memory Sticks

There are some things that must be taken into account when shopping for USB flash drives, and we also have some tips for using them.

capacity: To make a decision on the capacity you need, first verify the size of the folders or files you want to copy. Each USB driver in our guide has a declared capacity, but useless storage will be a little lower than that, because the fixed programs of the device requires space.

speedUsB standards are progressing all the time, and we recommend USB 3.0 as a minimum, although the highest is better. Although USB criteria have different different theoretical speeds, it is important to verify the declared reading and writing speeds of the manufacturer of each engine. If you are mainly transmitting data, you will need to search for a high drive He writes Rapids. If you are planning to launch software on a computer through the drive (such as video game), you will want a high model Read Rapids. Manufacturers will determine medium speeds, but most tablets are much faster in transferring large files and tend to be much slower in transferring small files.

Compatibility: Many flash drives will work with any device with the relevant port, but check the compatibility to avoid disappointment. If you want to use a drive with Android or one of the latest IPHONE 15 collection, USB support will require during navigation (OTG). Most Android devices support USB OTG. You will get a notice when inserting a flash drive with options that must include Transfer. You can try the USB OTG Checker app to confirm support if you are not sure. The previous iPhone and iPads do not support the Apple USB OTG, but you can install an app that accompanys the drives of drive, such as Sandisk’s Ixpand.

Conductors: Most flash drives contain USB-A connectors, but you can also get drones with USB-C, MicroSB and Lightning connectors. If you are planning to use a flash drive with your smartphone and computer, disable one with both the required types of conductors. You can also buy USB axes with multiple outlets or transformers, but pay close attention to the supported standards or may limit your data transfer speeds. Anker USB-A to USB-C, for example, is USB 3.0.

protectionRemember that USB drives can cause security problems, especially for companies, and you must do so never Connect random engines that you find. If you are planning to keep sensitive data on a flash drive, think about biometric protection or passcode, and consider the encryption level it provides. There are software services that provide encryption and allow you to protect your files on any password on any USB drive.