USB Flash Drives

USB flash drives vs. other storage

USB flash drives have maximum capacities ranging from 128 MB to 32 GB (new technology keeps increasing the maximum storage capacity). Prices generally correspond directly to storage capacities ($10 per GB is a typical good price as January 2008). In terms of functionality, flash drives have replaced floppy disks and data CDs and DVDs, and they are easier to use. CDs only hold 700 MB of data, while DVDs can store 4.7 GB. Flash drives transfer data faster than CD-RW or DVD-RW discs and they are more easily portable, as you can carry one in your pocket. Many USB drives have password security or data encryption capabilities, so if you lose your drive, at least the data is protected.

USB flash drives do not have enough capacity to back up all the work and play files on most people's computers, even if you use several of them. For that you'll need an external hard drive. External hard drives have radically greater storage capacities, and cost considerably less per gigabyte. Flash drives are more convenient for transferring files between computers in a home or office, or taking work to and from your office. They are also great for taking files to and from someone else's computer.

The "flash" in flash memory is an electronic signal sent to the memory circuit that says "remember this." Once data has been flashed into memory, the power supply can be removed and the data remains. Data transfer speeds are expressed as a multiple of CD transfer speeds. An 80X USB drive can transfer data at up to 12 Mbps, for example. A 150X drive can transfer data at up to 22.5 Mbps. All connect via a USB port. If you have a USB 2.0 port on your computer, you'll get transfer speeds of about 30 Mbps. USB drives are also compatible with older USB 1.1 ports, but speeds are much slower.

Current operating systems recognize USB drives without needing any special drivers. The simplest USB flash drives show up as a drive letter on your computer, and you can simply drag and drop files to the drive. Depending on your auto start settings, plugging in the drive can automatically open a drag-and-drop window.

More sophisticated USB drives have password protection and/or data encryption. Some USB flash drives have U3 capability (or equivalent), which lets you load and run compatible software right from the drive. You can run a program from your flash drive that isn't installed on another computer. When the thumb drive is unplugged, your data goes with you. The software must be optimized for U3, however. You can download programs like Firefox, Skype and a U3 version of OpenOffice (a Linux-based word processing and spreadsheet program) from the U3 website, but some come preloaded on the drives themselves.

If you only plan to store data on your USB drive, you might want to skip the U3 capability. Some users express frustration that the U3 software boots up each time they plug in the drive. Though you can reconfigure the drive or uninstall the U3 functionality, this is an extra step.

Basic USB flash drives

The vast majority of flash drives reviewed in the past year and a half have value-added features that will be useful for some people and of no interest to others. Those features include rugged construction, encryption and other security software and the ability to run programs off your USB flash drive. These higher-end drives are also faster and more expensive than blank drives. However, basic and budget drives get a fair amount of user feedback. As some of these drives have been available for quite some time, older professional reviews can provide some guidance as well.

According to reviewers, manufacturers don't make or publish performance claims for basic drives. That doesn't guarantee they are all the same. Name-brand drives are faster than generic drives in most tests. They also are likely to have better warranties. Corsair, OCZ, Lexar, SanDisk and Kingston are all brands commonly respected by reviewers.

We found good feedback for several basic Kingston USB flash drives. The white and purple Kingston DataTraveler DT1 4 GB (*est. $25) has plenty of feedback and fairly strong ratings at Amazon.com and Newegg.com. Some users say it's slow, but most owners are very happy with it. Kingston also sells 1 GB (*est. $10) and 2 GB (*est. $20) versions. The accent colors are gray (1 GB) and lime (2 GB).

The Kingston DataTraveler DT100 (4 GB *est. $35) has the same specifications and five-year limited warranty. The difference is that it has no cap -- rather, the USB plus retracts inside the body. The Kingston DT100 comes in your choice of red, blue or black. However, without a cap, your drive could be vulnerable to static discharge. The Kingston DT100 is also available in 8 GB (*est. $80) , 2 GB (*est. $15) and 1 GB (*est. $10) capacities.

If you are concerned about storing sensitive data, we've seen some older but positive reviews of the Kingston DataTraveler Secure (4 GB *est. $115) . Among those is a review of the U3 version of the DataTraveler in PC Magazine. Though that version is discontinued, it and other similar reviews serve as additional testimonials for Kingston's DataTraveler line.

Used products are a valid budget alternative in many product categories, but we found many warnings about new and used fake flash drives. Fraudulent eBay and craigslist sellers purvey authentic name-brand drives that are either counterfeit knock-offs or have lower capacity than advertised. In some cases, the con artists allegedly substitute lower-capacity flash memory in authentic housing. You can avoid this pitfall by buying from an authorized dealer.

In earlier updates, we found that the Corsair Flash Voyager was the top-rated USB flash drive in the most credible reviews. Although it is now surpassed by newer products, the original Corsair Flash Voyager remains available.

Though prices are relatively high for yesterday's state-of-the-art technology -- ( 32 GB *est. $300 ) ( 16 GB *est. $140 ), ( 8 GB (*est. $175) ), ( 4 GB *est. $40 ), ( 2 GB (*est. $50) ), ( 1 GB *est. $20 ) -- the Flash Voyager is not a basic, blank drive. It is encased in water-resistant rubber, and comes with a utility for creating a password-protected, encrypted hidden partition for your most sensitive data. The Voyager is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems, but the software is Windows-only. The Voyager comes with a lanyard and USB extension cable. In Maximum PC tests, the Corsair drive was twice as fast as the Kingston DataTraveler. The Corsair Flash Voyager is also one of the top-rated USB flash drives on owner-opinion websites.

Best USB flash drives

When manufacturers started marketing USB flash drives as durable and water-resistant, reviewers stepped away from their computers and rose to the challenge to test these claims. The best flash drives protect data with heavy-duty metal and rubber cases and security software. In tests, many of these drives are many times faster than basic drives discussed above.

The Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8 GB (*est. $180) is the ultimate USB flash drive, according to the vast majority of reviewers who have tested it. It's selected as an Editor's Choice by Phoronix.com, and earns equally high recommendations from EverythingUSB.com, Maximum PC and a host of others. Reviewers went to every extreme to try to destroy the Flash Survivor GT. Michael Larabel of Phoronix.com threw it in a swimming pool, whacked it with a hammer and boiled it in water for ten minutes. Scott Clark of EverythingUSB.com also dropped it off a roof and repeatedly ran over it with his SUV. Other reviewers froze it, burned it, threw it at a brick wall, stabbed it with screwdrivers and/or ran it through a washing machine. Reviewers found the Corsair Survivor GT flash drives worked normally after each round of abuse.

Corsair includes the TrueCrypt security application, which requires Windows 2000 or newer. The drive works with Linux, but the software doesn't.

Some reviewers report having tested a faster drive, but the Survivor is at least very competitive. Gordon Mah Ung of MaximumPC.com says, "The Survivor GT handily beats the original Flash Voyager GT in all our read and write tests." Other reviewers found that the Survivor is the fastest flash drive, though at least one reports that the Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2 GB drive (*est. $85) was a tad faster.

Reviewers rationally discuss the obvious disadvantage to the Survivor GT: price. If the drive will rarely leave your home or just travel between your home and your office in a briefcase or handbag, the Survivor GT is probably overkill. Another drawback to the Survivor GT is that 8 GB is currently the only size Corsair offers.

The 8 GB (*est. $150) is nearly as fast, nearly as durable and nearly as popular with reviewers as the Survivor GT. Phoronix.com's Michael Larabel explains, "While the Flash Voyager GT cannot compare in build quality to the Survivor GT … the Flash Voyager GT is built for durability and speed." TrustedReviews.com gives the Voyager GT USB flash drive a Recommended award; Andy Vandervell says it's not the fastest drive he's tested, but he praises the TrueCrypt encryption program, and concludes, "If you want a reliable, large and secure flash drive then there's no where else you need to look."

Everything USB's Clark says, "The file transfer speed is unmatched, and the endurance factor of the drive is well beyond that of your typical flash drive." He thinks the Corsair Flash Voyager GT is well worth its price, even if the cost per gigabyte is among the highest. Corsair doesn't yet offer a 16 GB version of either top-rated USB drive, but the Flash Voyager GT is also available in 4 GB (*est. $90) and 2 GB (*est. $40) capacities. Do not confuse the Voyager GT with the slower original Flash Voyager (see above).

The OCZ ATV Turbo (4 GB *est. $80) receives the most reviews. Like Corsair, OCZ Technology is a highly regarded memory maker. The ATV Turbo is Windows and Mac-compatible. With a striking yellow and black design, the ATV Turbo is perhaps the flashiest USB flash drive. Reviewer torture and abuse tests show why OCZ offers a lifetime warranty. In Shane McGlaun's tests for I4U.com, the cap came off in the clothes washer and dryer, yet the drive worked anyway. Other reviewers had similar experiences.

Phoronix.com and other reviewers select the OCZ ATV Turbo as an Editor's Choice. Everything USB editors say it's the fastest USB drive they've tested. In tests by Ian McGlaun at I4UNews.com and Michael Larabel at Phoronix.com, the ATV Turbo was faster than the Corsair Flash Survivor GT.

Reviewers say that the appearance makes the ATV Turbo strictly a consumer product and that the absence of encryption software makes it an unsuitable choice for business use. The other disadvantages are the high price (almost as high per gigabyte as the Corsair Flash Survivor GT) and limited capacity. OCZ does not make an 8 or 16 GB version.

The Lexar JumpDrive Lightning 4 GB (*est. $75) is another expensive, rugged speed demon. Lexar does not offer a high-capacity option, but smaller 2 GB (*est. $45) and 1 GB (*est. $20) versions are available. A lifetime limited warranty is a strong selling point. Lexar bundles security and PowerToGo software. PowerToGo is comparable to U3 in that it lets you run a variety of Windows programs directly from the drive.

Scot Finnie spent months searching for the best cross-platform flash drive (which can interoperate between Mac and PC computers), and tested models in real use for Scot's Newsletter to reach a conclusion. After trying the JumpDrive Lightning for six weeks, he concludes it is the best. The JumpDrive Lightning is a little faster than the Kingston 4 GB DataTraveler Secure (see below), which was the closest competitor in performance. Finnie says that the JumpDrive Lightning software works fine with Macintosh computers, although Lexar doesn't mention it. It's also Vista-compatible. Australian PC World says, "The Lexar Lightning does pretty much everything you could want or expect from a USB flash drive – combining lots of storage with a fast and reliable performance."

Nearly all reviews of the Kingston DataTraveler Secure ( 2 GB (*est. $85) ; 4 GB (*est. $115) ) are favorable, but not outstanding. The security software is a high point, according to reviewers. Windows users (only) can establish an encrypted partition, and the drive is impossible to hack. TrustedReviews.com and most other reviewers see the Kingston DataTraveler Secure as a good but expensive product. Construction is impressive and the drive passes the water-torture test. Scot Finnie prefers the Lexar JumpDrive Lightning because it's a little faster and the encryption works on a Macintosh.

The Lexar JumpDrive Mercury ( 1 GB *est. $25 ; 2 GB *est. $45 ) has an external storage meter that lets you see generally how much free space is on the drive. It receives favorable reviews from EverythingUSB.com and CNet.com, but as with the similar Lexar JumpDrive Secure II Plus (see above), both reviewers say it is a relatively slow drive. Both reviewers mention that the bundled Secure II software works on Macintosh systems as well as Windows, so that gives it a market niche beyond the gimmick factor. If you only have documents on a flash drive, the bottom of the open window can show you how much data is on the drive. If you have folders on the drive, you can right click on the window and select Properties to find out how full the drive is. It's not as cool as a meter, but it doesn't double the price of a drive, either.

Several manufacturers have released 32 GB flash drives. Only the least expensive one is marketed as a consumer product: the Corsair Flash Voyager ( *est. $300 ). The Flash Voyager is discussed above, but we have not seen a review of the 32 GB version, or a full review of any 32 GB flash drive for that matter. At $300 and up, 32 GB flash drives are radically more expensive than portable hard drives, which can have much greater capacity. The flash drives have a few advantages: speed, better reliability and better portability. It's possible prices may drop in the future.

USB flash drives with fingerprint readers

The ultimate in USB-key security is a biometric fingerprint reader. If you need this kind of protection, the drives are worth a look. The SanDisk Cruzer Profile, which comes in 512 MB (*est. $15) and 1 GB (*est. $35) capacities, has a fingerprint reader attached to the USB key with a small cable. CNet.com says the security features work well, but encrypting files is slow and the design is clumsy. The two halves of the drive snap together for travel, but if the cable connecting them is ever damaged or severed, your data is lost. The Cruzer Profile works with Windows, Mac and Linux systems.

The Lexar JumpDrive TouchGuard 256 MB (*est. $65) comes in only one limited-capacity size. Its fingerprint reader is housed on top of the drive itself. An attached flap protects the fingerprint reader when not in use. Some user reviews say the fingerprint reader is finicky, often taking many swipes to recognize your fingerprint. Other reviews comment that like the SanDisk Cruzer Profile, you need administrator rights on every computer used in conjunction with the Windows-only TouchGuard.

The Kanguru Bio Drive ( 4 GB *est. $135 ; 2 GB *est. $115 ) is similar to others, with security software and a fingerprint reader. It only works with Windows systems. The biometric reader is included on the body of the unit, and there's a separate cap to protect the USB connector. The Kanguru gets a good, but not great, review by CNet.com. The bonus on this USB key is that you don't need to have administrator rights on every computer to use it. Password access enables you to bypass the fingerprint reader. However, this drive is very expensive compared to others, and it only has a one-year limited warranty.

U3 USB flash drives

USB flash drives with integrated U3 software are apparently a short-lived fad. The technology is promoted by SanDisk, but SanDisk and Microsoft are developing a new technology that will replace U3 in a year or so.

U3 technology lets you run applications from the flash drive itself. Theoretically, you can use your U3-enabled USB drive on any computer to check e-mail, work or surf the web. However, drawbacks to U3 cut significantly into its advantages.

You can't load just any application on a U3 drive -- the software must be specially optimized. The Firefox web browser is available for U3 drives, but Internet Explorer is not. Mozilla Thunderbird mail is available, but Outlook is not. One of the most useful applications is Skype, which lets you chat or have voice conversations without loading it on the host computer. Some U3 USB drives have preloaded programs, while others prompt you to download U3 software. Some U3 software is free, but a lot of it isn't. USB drives with U3 are Windows-only.

When you connect the drive to a computer, the U3 software manager automatically loads on the computer. Many users are frustrated with this aspect, especially when using other people's computers. Many say it's an annoying step to decline loading before you can get to the information on the drive. We've seen reports that U3 software conflicts can crash systems and the U3 software itself can be difficult to remove from a computer. Other sources say U3 doesn't work on all Windows-based computers.

If you're a student or traveler, and you often need to work on computers other than your own, a U3 USB drive should let you run your own applications on any Internet-connected Windows computer. TrustedReviews.com selects the SanDisk Cruzer Titanium ( 1 GB *est. $20 ; 2 GB *est. $25 ; 4 GB *est. $45 ) as an Editor's Choice, and it's the best according to an older roundup review conducted by Tom's Hardware. Benny Har-Even of TrustedReviews.com says, "The U3 enabled SanDisk Cruzer Titanium, is compact, rugged, fast and very affordable."

EverythingUSB.com's Scott Clark ran over the Titanium with a car to no ill effect. The SanDisk Cruzer Titanium comes preloaded with avast! antivirus software and Skype instant messaging/Internet calling software.

Owner reviews for the Titanium are generally good, but we read some comments about the Titanium's retractable USB connector. When retracted, there's no cover or cap for the device, so the business end of the USB drive is still exposed -- perhaps not the best design if you plan to carry your USB drive in a purse, pocket or briefcase. You can disable the U3 software, but this involves reconfiguring the drive. If you don't plan to run programs off your USB drive, you're probably better off getting a drive without U3 capabilities. This isn't necessarily a fault with the Titanium drive itself, but many users found themselves wishing they'd passed on getting a U3 drive in the first place.

The SanDisk Cruzer Contour and Micro series (512 MB to 8 GB, *est. $10 to $95) are similar to the Titanium. The Contour is a newer, higher-end line, while the Micro USB flash drives are smaller and not crush-resistant.

The SanDisk Cruzer Contour ( 8 GB *est. $95 ; 4 GB *est. $50 ) has a lifetime limited warranty. Everything USB's Scott Clark is annoyed that the drive blocks an adjacent USB port. He concludes, "The Cruzer Contour is a so-so upgrade from the Cruzer Titanium as SanDisk's new flagship drive. Read and write speeds have made significant improvements over previous models."

The Memorex U3 smart Mini TravelDrive comes in 256 MB (*est. $10) , 512 MB (*est. $15) , 1 GB (*est. $20) and 2 GB (*est. $35) capacities. It fares very well in older reviews. PC Magazine's Dan Costa describes popping it in for the first time and watching a demo explaining how the U3 system works. The Memorex U3 TravelDrive has an aluminum chassis, lanyard hole, LED status light and a grip pad. Reviewers at GoodGearGuide.com like the preloaded software: Migo synchronizing software, Mozilla Thunderbird for e-mail, McAfee antivirus software for U3 and U-Safe password protection. The Memorex includes a desktop utility to manage password security, files and applications. Maximum PC's review found the TravelDrive to be slow, however.

Unusual and entertaining form factors

Most USB flash drives look like a small pack of gum, but a few depart from that form factor. The OCZ Mini-Kart ( 2 GB *est. $30 ; 1 GB *est. $20 ) is flat, and no thicker than the USB connector itself. It is about 1.75 inches long by .75 inch wide. This USB key is criticized by Maximum PC because it has no cap or sleeve for the USB connector at all, leaving the metal pins exposed.

Novelty flash drives are very popular and very entertaining. We found a number of articles about them, but no reviews. Most novelty drives have painted plastic objects molded to the handle. They can block other USB ports and make the drive a little bulky for carrying in a pocket. Otherwise, they are fun, but still practical. Food shapes from hamburgers to doughnuts to beer bottles are available. Some look like jewelry. Animals are also popular.

Novelty flash drives might be great stocking stuffers, but they are usually made in China. We have no way of knowing if the paint contains lead.

Important Features: USB flash drives

Reviewers say the following about shopping for a USB flash drive:

• Decide how much storage you need. Capacity determines price.

• If you plan to store sensitive information on the drive, look for password protection and data encryption. Biometric or fingerprint security might seem overkill for some, but useful for others. Other drives have a small utility that lets you create a hidden secure partition on the drive. A few, like the Lexar JumpDrive Secure II, include a file shredder to eliminate traces of data on the drive.

• Decide if you need a more protective case. If you're rough on your drives, hauling them everywhere and continually dropping them into the bottoms of briefcases, choose a drive that's robust and can take the physical abuse. Some, like the Corsair Flash Voyager, have a water-resistant rubberized case. The SanDisk Cruzer Titanium is crushproof.

• Retractable connector vs. a cap. A minority of reviewers like retractable connectors, since you don't need to worry about losing a cap. However, retractable designs still leave some of the connector exposed.

• Consider U3 or similar technology if you want to run applications. If you don't plan to do this, get a regular drive. Many owners ultimately find the U3 software annoying, and for many drives, you have to have administrator access to control the drive's security features. U3 flash drives are PC only. U3 technology is scheduled to be replaced in the not too distant future.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of picks	Model(with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	SanDisk Cruzer Titanium (U3) 1 GB (*est. $20) 2 GB (*est. $25) 4 GB (*est. $45)	details
3	Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8 GB (*est. $180)	details
2	Corsair Flash Voyager GT 2 GB (*est. $40) 4 GB (*est. $90)	details
2	Lexar JumpDrive Lightning 1 GB (*est. $20) 2 GB (*est. $45) 4 GB (*est. $75)	details
1 each	IronKey Secure USB Flash Drive , Kingston DataTraveler Secure 4 GB , Lexar Media 360 , Memorex U3 smart Mini TravelDrive , OCZ ATV Turbo 4 GB , OCZ Mini-Kart , OCZ Secure Digital Trifecta 66X 2 GB , PQI Card Drive , SanDisk Cruzer Contour USB Flash Drive , SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB Flash Drive , SanDisk Cruzer Professional USB drive

Corsair memory products have dominated reviews for a long time, and the current generation is no exception. The Corsair Flash Survivor GT is comparatively expensive, but utterly indestructible and very secure. The Corsair Flash Voyager GT is a modest step down in all regards. The older, slower Corsair Flash Voyager topped the most reviews in 2005 and early 2006. It's still available in multiple capacities (including 32 GB), and it's a relative bargain, but too expensive to be considered a budget product.

The OCZ ATV Turbo and Lexar Media JumpDrive Lightning are perhaps the closest competitors to the top Corsair USB flash drives, but neither manufacturer currently makes a high-capacity version. Both have heavy-duty rubber and metal construction to withstand abuse. No one directly compares the Lexar with a Corsair drive, but measured speeds appear to be competitive (a fair comparison requires using a single computer). The OCZ drive is as fast as, or faster, than the top Corsair drives.

While the Lexar drive is fast, can run software and is built to be durable, the SanDisk Cruzer Titanium offers those capabilities at a much lower price. Some SanDisk products have a mixed reputation for reliability, and the Cruzer Titanium has a short limited warranty (just two years), but it fares exceptionally well in user reviews.

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