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The Best USB Flash Drives

We compared seven USB flash drives on speed, durability, and user ratings. The SanDisk Ultra Flair is our top pick for its speed and reliability.

Updated

The bottom line

The SanDisk Ultra Flair (B015CH1PJU) is our top pick for a USB flash drive, thanks to its high-speed performance, durable metal casing, and high user satisfaction. It offers read speeds up to 150MB/s and is priced at $25.99. The Lexar D40E (B0DH1MKVQV) is a close runner-up, offering dual USB-C and USB-A connectors for versatile compatibility, though it has occasional file corruption issues. For budget buyers, the PNY 64GB Elite Turbo Attaché 3 USB 3.2 Flash Drive 2-Pack (B0HBD1VZ4W) offers good performance at $16.50 for two drives.

Top pick
SANDISK Ultra FlairSANDISK Ultra Flair $25.99

Fast, durable, and highly rated

The SanDisk Ultra Flair offers high-speed USB 3.0 performance and a durable metal casing. It is highly rated by users and experts, with a 4.6/5 Amazon rating from 210922 ratings. Priced at $25.99, it is a reliable choice for fast data transfers. The tradeoff is its higher price compared to some alternatives.

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Runner-up
Lexar D40ELexar D40E $29.99

Versatile with dual connectors

The Lexar D40E offers dual USB-C and USB-A connectors, making it versatile for different devices. It has transfer speeds up to 100MB/s and a durable metal enclosure. Priced at $29.99, it is a reliable option despite occasional file corruption reports. Users who need maximum compatibility should consider this option.

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Budget pick
PNY 64GB Elite Turbo Attaché 3 USB 3.2 Flash Drive 2-PackPNY 64GB Elite Turbo Attaché 3 USB 3.2 Flash Drive 2-Pack $16.50

Affordable and fast

The PNY 64GB Elite Turbo Attaché 3 USB 3.2 Flash Drive 2-Pack offers read speeds up to 100MB/s and a durable design. Priced at $16.50 for two drives, it is an affordable option for users needing fast performance. The tradeoff is its lower capacity per drive compared to some alternatives.

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The field, ranked

  1. SANDISK Ultra Flair Best for speed and durability 9.5/10 $25.99 Amazon
  2. Lexar D40E Best for versatility and value 9.0/10 $29.99 Amazon
  3. PNY 64GB Elite Turbo Attaché 3 USB 3.2 Flash Drive 2-Pack Best budget option 8.5/10 $16.50 Amazon
  4. SanDisk Ultra Flair USB 3.0 Flash Drive Good for high capacity and speed 8.0/10 $18.99 Amazon
  5. Lexar D40E Jump Drive Good for high capacity and dual connectors 7.5/10 $46.79 Amazon
  6. PNY Turbo Attaché Good for fast transfers and durability 7.0/10 $27.99 Amazon
  7. PNY Turbo Attaché USB 3.0 Flash Drive 5-Pack Good for bulk purchases 6.5/10 $39.99 Amazon

What owners are saying

Owners of the SanDisk Ultra Flair (B015CH1PJU) consistently praise its speed and durability, with many highlighting its metal casing as a significant plus. The Lexar D40E (B0DH1MKVQV) is also well-received for its dual connectors, though some users have reported file corruption issues. The PNY 64GB Elite Turbo Attaché 3 USB 3.2 Flash Drive 2-Pack (B0HBD1VZ4W) is noted for its affordability and performance, making it a popular budget choice.

Also-rans

The PNY Turbo Attaché (B09DBTWWSF) and PNY Turbo Attaché USB 3.0 Flash Drive 5-Pack (B09RG1TNM7) are solid options but don't offer significant advantages over the top picks. The Lexar D40E Jump Drive (B0FMF9JQ99) is versatile but has some durability concerns. These drives are worth considering if specific features align with your needs, but they don't outperform the top picks in critical areas.

How this was put together

This guide is based on expert reviews, owner ratings (totaling over 400,000 ratings), and user feedback from Amazon and other sources. We did not conduct hands-on testing. Products with fewer than 10,000 ratings were given more cautious language and lower rankings due to limited evidence.