We rarely think about the quality of purchased USB flash drives, limited only by the amount of their memory. And in vain. After all, the flash-drive often stores the necessary information, which will be a pity to lose if irreparable happens to a computer or phone. In this review you will find really reliable and nimble flash drives with classic and modern USB connectors, as well as original hybrids that have Lightning connectors.
Best USB Type-A
CORSAIR Voyager Slider X2 - a nimble flash drive for heavy files
The gaming flash drive in the background of its “civilian” girlfriends stands out not only for its catchy design or the memory capacity increased to 512 GB.
The main thing in it is that it provides the highest read speed available on USB 3.0 and squeezes the most out of the ports of the previous generation, even when it is full to capacity.
Pros:
- The actual speed is higher than the stated 200 and 90 MB / s;
- Recognized by all devices, does not fail and is not capricious;
- Ergonomic rubberized case, able to protect the USB flash drive from shock and water;
- There is an activity indicator;
- The design of the slider to protect the connector - it is important for fans to carry a USB flash drive in your pocket along with keys and seeds;
- Five year warranty.
Minuses:
- Wide case, often overlapping the neighboring port in a laptop.
SILICON POWER Jewel J35 - miniature flash drive for portable gadgets
The number of USB ports on modern laptops is not encouraging, and they are sometimes so close that it is very difficult to plug a USB flash drive into the slot if a device is already connected nearby. But the super compact Jewel will easily fit into any free connector, and there will be no callous eyes. Outside there will be only a short body-tail only a few millimeters long.
Pros:
- A large amount of memory, despite the miniature size - from 8 to 128 GB;
- High-speed USB 3.1 (true, the first generation);
- It does not stick out of the nest, which allows you to freely carry a laptop without removing the USB flash drive;
- It is convenient to use the car in the cabin to connect to the audio system;
- The strong case from a stainless steel, steady against scratches;
- Splash-proof housing;
- Quietly transfers heat up to +70 ° С (for others, this indicator does not exceed 50 degrees).
Minuses:
- It goes without a cover.
GUARDDO Touche - super protected flash drive
Most modern flash drives with a decorative combination lock do not guarantee 100% data protection. If you need a really reliable digital "safe", it is better to pay attention to this model in a metal case.
Unlocking the drive here only happens when the pin code is entered correctly - the buttons are moved to the gadget case. 8, 16, and 32 GB models are on sale, but the manufacturer is soon planning to release a 64-gig version.
Pros:
- Hardware data encryption using the AES-256 algorithm;
- The ability to set a code of any complexity - from 6 to 15 characters;
- Separately customizable administrator and user access;
- Automatic blocking when you turn off the computer or remove the flash drive from the slot;
- For paranoids, there is a password for deleting stored information, the process starts even after an incorrect PIN is entered 6 times in a row;
- Built-in battery provides protection systems work offline;
- 2 customizable security levels - from unauthorized reading and from changing records (by human, malware or formatting);
- Protection against accidental pressing of buttons;
- The ability to change the preset pin and access passwords.
Minuses:
- Price - for the smallest version of 8 gigs will have to pay 4500 rubles, 32 GB will pull on 9-10 thousand.
TOSHIBA TransMemory U365 - for long-term file storage
This flash slider was a continuation of the popular series of drives from Toshiba, simultaneously getting rid of a number of problems of its predecessors.
The USB 3.1 plug of the first generation still extends and hides in the case with the help of a simple slider.But the speed of the device itself has increased markedly, and the architecture of flash memory has changed.
Pros:
- Large volume - from 32 to 256 GB;
- The latest technology of 3D memory with 4 bits per cell ensures long flash life;
- Good read speed of 150 MB / s;
- Matte plastic body does not zalapyvayas;
- The slider is well fixed in the extreme position;
- Whole 5 years warranty.
Minuses:
- Still slow recording (20-30 MB / s).
Best USB Type-C
SONY USM-СA2 - bilateral hybrid
An elegant flash drive with two ports of different standards will allow you to use the drive with any devices that have full-sized USB-connectors or more advanced Type-C.
With it, you can temporarily expand the memory of a smartphone, tablet, make backup copies of important files, or quickly move to external media too heavy content.
Pros:
- High speed write / read;
- A good choice of memory - from 16 to 128 GB;
- The metal case, despite all its grace and slim performance, turned out to be quite durable;
- The presence of a protective cap;
- There is a similar hybrid on sale with a microUSB connector on the other end (labeled as BA2).
Minuses:
- The cover is only on the narrow connector, on the other hand there is no protection. But two caps are easier to lose than one.
TRANSCEND JetFlash 890S - compact version
A small-sized USB Type-C USB flash drive is suitable for those who are already working with appliances equipped with a “future plug”. However, she is also on friendly terms with older gadgets - the opposite side of her case is a classic USB 3.1 Type-A connector.
Otherwise, it is the same reliable Transcend, only in a very discreet design. And although there were flaws in the design at the start of sales, the manufacturer quickly eliminated them.
Pros:
- Good read speed for a compact device - 90 MB / s are claimed, and in fact you can get 120-125;
- Durable aluminum housing that protects the inside of the drive from moisture, dust and vibrations;
- There is an eyelet for attaching a strap, ring or chain;
- Excellent software support from the manufacturer, allowing you to recover deleted files or protect data from unauthorized access.
Minuses:
- No light indicator;
- Visibly heated during operation.
The best hybrids with Lightning-connector
KINGSTON DataTraveler Bolt Duo - a flash drive with Lightning-connector for iPhone owners
"Apple" gadgets often make their owners suffer with the transfer and preservation of large amounts of information. For them, Kingston released a double-sided USB flash drive with a USB connector on one end and a narrow Lightning on the other.
The model entered the market in 3 versions: with a memory capacity of 32, 64 and 128 GB. To work with an external drive from your smartphone, you will need to install the Bolt Duo application.
Pros:
- Large amount of memory;
- The ability to directly record video and photosets on a USB flash drive, bypassing the phone's memory;
- High speed USB 3.1;
- A competent case design corresponding to the thickness of the iPhone and iPad, so that there is no load on the connector when the gadgets are on the table;
- Compact size;
- Comes with a soft rubber case that turns the drive into a convenient key chain;
- 2 years warranty.
Minuses:
- The high cost of new items (3500-6000 rubles - depending on the capacity).
SANDISK iXpand - a large flash drive with advanced functionality
This model is already more voluminous - the latest modification of the American USB flash drive holds 256 GB, but also has the ability to connect to i-gadgets. It can be used as an equal addition to the phone's memory, that is, to record or play media from the flesh-drive directly.
The feature of the device is a flexible spout, at the end of which the Lightning-connector is located. The second port corresponds to the standard USB 3.0.
Pros:
- The ability to write to the USB flash drive content from social networks with the preservation of clickability;
- Files can be password protected or recorded in encrypted form;
- When installing appropriate applications, media files from a flash drive are broadcast to 3 different devices at once (including a TV set);
- Implemented data transfer via Wi-Fi;
- Due to the curved shape, it does not stick out of the connector, but hides under the smartphone.
Minuses:
- Initially formatted for FAT32, which limits the size of the files you can work with.
PNY Duo-Link for Apple devices Cable - 3-in-1 USB flash drive
This model can immediately perform 3 functions: external memory, OTG-adapter and charger cord. Like previous drives, there are USB 3.0 and Lightning connectors. The cable USB stick is issued in several options: 32, 64 and 128 gigabytes.
Pros:
- Photos and videos can be recorded directly to flash-memory in the process of shooting;
- Simple and convenient synchronization of i-gadgets with other external devices;
- Play music and video on your smartphone directly from a flash drive;
- The flexible rubberized cable can be folded in half and fixed in the clip.
Minuses:
- Due to the cable larger than a conventional flash drive.
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