The Best USB Flash Drives for 2022 (2024)

Samsung Bar Plus 128GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive

If you want a slick-looking thumb drive with a near-perfect blend of capacity, speed, and affordability, then this update to one of Samsung's most popular models is a good place to start. Available in Champagne Silver or Titan Gray, this flash drive is resistant to magnets, shock, water, temperature changes, and X-rays, and it's even backed up by a five-year warranty for peace of mind.

Both 128GB and 256GB versions deliver data transfer speeds up to 400MBps. A sizable lanyard loop lets you connect the drive to your laptop or your car keys to keep it from wandering; if you lend this drive to someone else, they might want to keep it.

Lexar JumpDrive M45 32GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive

If cost is your primary concern when shopping for a good USB flash drive, then the Lexar Jumpdrive M45 belongs at the top of your list. One of the most affordable brand-name flash drives, it delivers adequate USB 3.1 performance (250MBps) in a simple metal enclosure and even includes a free copy of DataVault Lite software so you can secure your data with 256-bit AES encryption.

The only downside to this budget drive in 2021 is that 250MBps is slower than you'll get with the best flash drives on the market, though it's still faster than most budget-priced flash drives can deliver.

SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive 128GB USB Type-C Flash Drive

Every current MacBook has USB Type-C ports, as do many newer Windows laptops and mobile phones, but plenty of other desktop and laptop computers still rely on USB Type-A. If you need a flash drive that plays nicely with a range of devices, the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C is a strong choice. It features two retractable connectors, one USB-A and one USB-C. Pair it with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android to move files from your Android device to the flash drive and free up space.

Our only complaint about this drive is that the maximum data transfer speed is a mere 150MBps, but the convenience of its broad compatibility goes a long way toward making up for that.

Corsair Flash Voyager GTX 256GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive

Any USB flash drive these days can deliver read and write speeds in the range of 150–250MBps, but serious content creators demand the fastest data transfer speeds when working with massive video files. A portable SSD is usually the first choice, but sometimes you need the simplicity of a USB flash drive when sharing your work. This is where the Corsair Flash Voyager GTX series delivers.

All variants of this drive feature high-speed 3D NAND memory that provides read and write speeds up to 440MBps. It's available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities, so you can choose a drive that fits your storage needs and budget.

Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3 NX 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

This is the latest version of an amazingly secure flash drive featuring a PIN-based locking mechanism right on the drive itself. The Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3 NX features real time 256-bit AES XTS encryption for all file types, meaning that as soon as you transfer anything to the onboard storage, it's already locked down behind a wall of military-grade protection (FIPS 140-2 level 3).

The physical keypad is wrapped in a polymer-coated rubber so the text printed on the keys won't rub off. The enclosure itself is aluminum reinforced with hardened epoxy to defend against physical tampering. If a hacker tries to physically extract the flash chips from within the enclosure, the special epoxy will destroy the data inside. It's the best way to transfer data with minimum risk of compromise.

Kingston DataTraveler Locker+ G3 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Samsung FIT Plus 256GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive

Sometimes you need extra storage that rarely needs to leave your laptop. The tiny Samsung FIT Plus flash drive is roughly the same size as a USB dongle for a wireless mouse, so you can leave it plugged into your device with minimal risk of bumps or accidental removal.

This USB 3.1 flash drive delivers read speeds up to 400MBps and is backwards-compatible with older USB-A ports. On a modern laptop, you can transfer a 3GB 4K UHD video file in 10 seconds.

Victorinox Swiss Army Jetsetter @Work 16GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

If you want a TSA-friendly multitool that includes USB flash storage, Victorinox, maker of the Swiss Army knife, has you covered. The Jetsetter @Work 3.0 USB key is a combination tool with a small Phillips-head screwdriver, a bottle opener, and a tiny pair of scissors—but no knife blades, so you can keep it in your pocket when you fly.

The sliding USB flash drive works with both USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports. There's only 16GB of storage, but this capable gadget's other features still make it worth considering.

Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Any USB flash drive can survive drops from your desk, and many can withstand extreme temperatures, but very few can survive a cycle in your washing machine or a plummet off the side of a mountain. Enter the Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth USB flash drive (with storage capacity from 32GB to 128GB), which was made to laugh in the face of danger.

This drive is encased in a screw-on, CNC-milled anodized aluminum shell capable of withstanding 40 Gs of impact shock, and the rubberized seal will survive underwater at depths up to an impressive 200 meters. And if you push the drive to its limits, Corsair protects it with a five-year warranty. But the warranty only applies to the device itself, so be careful not to injure yourself while testing its durability.