Buying the right Flash drive is pretty easy. Most people just buy them based on their prices because flash drives are generally cheap investments. However, if you are the one who wants to get the most out of your money, I am here to help with the most detailed flash drive buying guide.
As our storage devices, flash drives can serve different purposes and sometimes you may store really important data on them. So, going for the right drive is important.
You should not just look at the price, capacity, and speed. There are some other important things to consider which we will know in this article. So, without any delays, let’s get started.
Flash Drive Buying Guide 2024
1. Storage Capacity
This step is all about understanding your needs. Normally, flash drives come in different storage variants ranging from 32GB to 256 GB. However, drives are offering up to 2TB of storage space. The important thing to know here is that higher storage variants generally offer better performance. They have higher TBW (endurance) and good wear leveling. The sustained performance is better with the bigger storage variants i.e. after 64GB. Also, higher storage capacity drives are generally more cost-effective.
However, the higher storage capacity flash drives can have higher heat generation and may throttle during heavy write operations. Larger drives, generally come with security features. In a nutshell, it all depends on your budget but still going for at least 64GB or 128GB variants of any flash drive is going to give you better endurance and performance.
2. Performance
Higher USB variants such as USB 3.1, 3.2, and USB 4.0 offer faster read/writer performance as compared to the older USB variants. However, it is advised to check the specifications of your drive. The theoretical read/write speeds of these USB and the actual speed of your flash drive could vary.
- USB 2.0: Maximum theoretical speed of 480 Mbps (60 MB/s), but real-world speeds are often much lower (~25-30 MB/s).
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1: Up to 5 Gbps (625 MB/s). A significant upgrade over USB 2.0.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2: Up to 10 Gbps (1,250 MB/s). Drives with this interface are much faster but need good NAND flash and controller as well.
- USB 3.2: Comes with multilane interface (up to 20 Gbps), which further increases the performance.
- USB 4.0: The latest USB standard that supports speeds up to 40 Gbps, although it is commonly found in portable SSDs rather than typical USB flash drives.
Along with this, check if your drive supports UASP. With this protocol, the flash drives are capable of working on a lower latency with support for multiple simultaneous commands. Drives with these features will generally have much better performance.
NAND Flash Type
Check what type of NAND Flash storage is used in your flash drive. Going for TLC rather than QLC is always a better choice. In some cases, you will find the 3D which is also a good option compared to the normal NAND.
Caching/DRAM
Getting this information from the manufacturer is harder but if you can find make sure to check if your drive has its own DRAM. Some drives also come with the pseudo-SLC cache that is really helpful in heavy write operations.
3. Build Quality
Metallic bodies provide much better durability and protection against physical damage. Also, they are good at dissipating heat as compared to plastic bodies. Some flash drives can also be waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof. These features can provide you with an extra layer of protection.
Considering build quality is important if you are going to use your flash drive more outdoors or during travel. For internal usage, it doesn’t matter that much.
4. Warranty
A general warranty period of flash drives is 5 years so don’t go below this. You will find a drive with 3 years and even fewer warranty periods. So, this is one of the main things to look for while buying a flash drive.
5. Brand Reputation
Brands like WD, Sandisk, Kingston, Corsair, Samsung, PNY, and HP are the most popular when it comes to buying flash drives. If you are going for any of these popular brands, you are always in good hands. Don’t go for those cheap and generic drives which may result in loss while you pick them for affordability. It is worth looking at the online reviews and customer feedback for your desired flash drive before you buy it.
8. OTG Support and Dual Interface
It is always good to buy flash drives with OTG support. With this feature, you can connect your drive to smartphones and tables and share data across devices. Some drives also come with both USB-A and USB-C connectors. This again is a great feature if you have plans to share data from your mobile devices.
7. Price
In 2024, this is what you can expect in the flash drive market. The prices may vary depending on your country and the place from where you are buying. But, the difference will be marginal.
| Price Range | Storage Capacity | Speed (Read/Write) | Features/Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 – $15 | 8GB – 32GB | USB 2.0 (10-30 MB/s read, 5-10 MB/s write) | Basic storage, no advanced features |
| $15 – $30 | 32GB – 64GB | USB 3.0 (60-150 MB/s read, 20-50 MB/s write) | Moderate speed, some water/dust resistance, good for daily use |
| $30 – $60 | 64GB – 128GB | USB 3.1 (100-200 MB/s read, 50-100 MB/s write) | Faster speeds, OTG support, basic encryption, better longevity |
| $60 – $100 | 128GB – 256GB | USB 3.1/3.2 (200-400 MB/s read, 100-200 MB/s write) | Advanced features like hardware encryption, SLC caching, UASP support |
| $100 – $150 | 256GB – 512GB | USB 3.2 (400-500 MB/s read, 200-300 MB/s write) | Top-tier speeds, dual connectors (USB-A & USB-C), enhanced security |
| $150 – $300 | 512GB – 1TB | USB 3.2 (500-700 MB/s read, 300-400 MB/s write) | High capacity, excellent speed, professional-grade features, secure backup |
| $300 – $500+ | 1TB – 2TB | USB 3.2/USB 4.0 (up to 1,000 MB/s read/write) | Max capacity, fastest speeds, extensive security, ideal for large file transfers or backups |
8. Security Features
128-bit AES encryption is a must while you are choosing your flash drive. Some other drives could give other types of encryptions but this is a basic security feature that would make your data secure. Some other drives will come with features like password protection and theft protection. These features are good if you generally store sensitive data in your flash drives.
9. Compatibility
First of all, the flash drive must be compatible with your device’s operating system i.e. Windows, Android, macOS. After that, it must be compatible physically with your device’s ports i.e. USB-A, C, Thunderbolt, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal flash drive speed for normal daily use?
For normal use, a drive with a 2.0 or 3.0 interface is enough with a read speed of up to 100 MB/s and a write speed of up to 50 MB/s. A size of 32GB would be enough. However, normal daily usage is also a subjective matter. So make decisions wisely.
How do USB versions (USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, etc.) affect flash drive performance?
Newer and higher USB variants come with higher bandwidth and more advanced data handling protocols.
What should I consider when selecting a flash drive for running portable applications?
There isn’t much you generally get to choose when buying a flash drive. But, for running portable applications, it is better to go for the higher read/write speeds, higher endurance, better NAND flash, and good security features.
Can I use a flash drive for long-term storage, and what are the risks?
Flash drives are generally not recommended for long-term usage. They degrade much faster than other flash-based storage because they are generally designed to move data here and there. However, if you go for a good NAND Flash (MLC or TLC), good controller, and better overall features, you can it for long-term storage. However, it is still a risk.