USB Flash Drives: Reviews

Updated October 2010
USB drives are a great way to transport data, or even back up your computer. Our picks, below, are based on reviews by computing experts as well as user feedback. Security, reliability and durability are the main factors that experts consider. We also looked at feedback from tech-savvy users, who provide reviews based on long term use.
 

Best USB flash drive

Corsair Flash Voyager GTR *Est. $95 for 32 GB Compare Prices

ThinkComputers.org: This in-depth review details testing methodology and gives the Corsair Flash Voyager GTR a 9 out of 10 points for design, durability and improved transfer speeds.

EverythingUSB.com: This thorough review clearly lays out the pros and cons of the newest in the Corsair Flash Voyager line.

HardwareCanucks.com: This 13-page review is one of the most comprehensive that we have seen.

NewEgg.com: A number of users at Newegg.com report slow speeds or drives that malfunctioned after only a short time.

Amazon.com: Only about 10 users rate the Corsair Flash Voyager GTR, resulting in a middling overall rating of 3.5 stars out of 5.

Most durable USB flash drive

Corsair Flash Survivor GTR *Est. $110 for 32 GB Compare Prices

OverclockersOnline.net: This site provides very thorough testing of flash drives and clear presentation of pertinent information.

EverythingUSB.com: The Survivor GT is tested for speed on three different systems, and editors also conduct durability tests.

Phoronix.com: Editor Michael Larabel takes the Survivor GT into an 8-foot swimming pool, boils it for 10 minutes and attacks it with a hammer, all of which result in no internal damage, and very little surface damage.

HardwareHeaven.com: Editors conduct multiple speed tests on the Survivor GT drive, though they don't evaluate its durability.

NewEgg.com: A half-dozen users at Newegg.com rate the Corsair Flash Survivor GTR at 4 eggs out of 5.

Budget flash drive

Corsair Flash Voyager *Est. $25 for 8 GB Compare Prices

HardwareHeaven.com: The Corsair Flash Voyager is among the 19 drives tested here, but it is primarily rated against two other tough drives, the Flash Survivor and the ATP ToughDrive Mini.

Phoronix.com: Reviews here are very thorough, but it isn't easy to see at a glance which products are rated highest.

TrustedReviews.com: Compared with other tech-oriented sources, the U.K.'s TrustedReviews.com evaluates a large number of flash drives.

BigBruin.com: This anonymous review by a frequent BigBruin.com contributor gives a Highly Recommended tag to an older version of the Corsair Flash Voyager on the basis of its speed and durability.

TomsHardware.com: Patrick Schmid and Sebastian Veltze, reviewers for TomsHardware.com, test 12 drives, assessing access time, read-transfer and write-transfer capabilities.

Amazon.com: More than 400 owner reviews give a very high average score to Corsair Flash Voyager, but it should be noted that reviews cover all storage capacities, not just the 8 GB version.

Most secure flash drive

IronKey Personal S200 *Est. $170 for 8 GB Compare Prices

PCMag.com: This thorough review by the site's Lead Analyst for Security rates the IronKey Personal S200 with 4 out of 5 points for the highest security rating of any other flash drive as well as being tough.

PC World (Australia): Editor Lucas Mearian gives the IronKey S200 a thorough evaluation, comparing it to its predecessor, the IronKey Personal.

The Gadgeteer.com: Reviewer James Branch presents the specifications and security encryption information and then takes the reader through a step-by-step process of actually setting up the IronKey Personal on a computer.

Amazon.com: A handful of customer reviews for the IronKey Personal S200 result in a very high overall rating.

USB Flash Drives Runners Up:

SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium *Est. $100 for 16 GB

2 picks including: Amazon.com, EverythingUSB.com…

SuperTalent Pico *Est. $25 for 8 GB

2 picks by top review sites.

     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
 
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8GB Cruzer Contour USB Drive
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 

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