The 27 best usb stick brands
Kingston, Samsung and Kootion lead our ranking of 27 usb stick brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Usb Stick brands, ranked
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1
Kingston
DataTraveler sticks with a metal Type-C model and USB 3.2 options, in capacities from small backups to large archives.
Top products: DataTraveler Exodia· DataTraveler SE9· DataTraveler Max
Website: kingston.com |Brands like Kingston
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Samsung
Dual-connector sticks with USB-C on one end and USB-A on the other, aimed at phone and laptop backups.
Website: samsung.com |Brands like Samsung
Popularity 8.9/10
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3
Kootion
Budget-friendly drives with retractable Type-C connectors, often sold in multipacks for bulk storage.
Website: kootion.com |Brands like Kootion
Popularity 7.2/10
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4
Toshiba
Long-running TransMemory sticks, dating back to early USB days, are plain and reliable everyday drives.
Website: toshiba.com |Brands like Toshiba
Popularity 3.2/10
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5
Transcend
JetFlash sticks in metal or plastic casings, a dependable pick for moving everyday files between machines.
Website: transcend-info.com |Brands like Transcend
Popularity 2.8/10
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6
ADATA
UV-series sticks with slim, budget-minded designs and a mix of USB-A and USB-C options.
Popularity 2.4/10
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7
PNY
Office-focused sticks with a classic design, including the Turbo Attache line for faster USB 3.0 transfers.
Top products: Turbo Attache
Website: pny.com |Brands like PNY
Popularity 2.1/10
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8
HP
Mainstream plastic sticks with capless designs, sold mostly in USB-A and USB-C versions for everyday use.
Website: hp.com |Brands like HP
Popularity 2.0/10
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9
Verbatim
Store 'n' Go drives with a recognisable retractable design, a long-standing name in portable storage.
Website: verbatim.com |Brands like Verbatim
Popularity 1.9/10
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10
Sony
Compact Micro Vault sticks with metal bodies and a polished look, usually at a slightly higher price.
Website: sony.com |Brands like Sony
Popularity 1.7/10
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11
Lexar
JumpDrive sticks built for photographers, often paired with card readers and portable SSDs for file transfers.
Website: lexar.com |Brands like Lexar
Popularity 1.6/10
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12
Lenovo
Metal-bodied sticks with USB-C options, sold mainly as laptop accessories alongside Lenovo PCs.
Website: lenovo.com |Brands like Lenovo
Popularity 1.4/10
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13
Intenso
Slim aluminium and plastic sticks in many colours, with a value-focused European lineup.
Website: intenso.de |Brands like Intenso
Popularity 1.1/10
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14
Centon
Plain bulk-pack sticks at low cost, suited to schools and offices that need many drives.
Website: centon.com |Brands like Centon
Popularity 1.0/10
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15
Picture Keeper
Auto-backup sticks that save phone photos and contacts without an app, aimed at people who want a set-and-forget copy.
Website: picturekeeper.com |Brands like Picture Keeper
Popularity 0.9/10
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16
Gigastone
Gigastone sells compact flash storage, including SD cards, microSD cards and USB flash drives. Its 256GB memory cards are sold for gaming devices, and its USB drives carry a 5-year warranty. Chargers and power banks are also sold, and products...
Popularity 0.9/10
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17
Team Group
A corporation established in Tapei in 1997, Team Group Inc. is a Taiwan-based company with subsidiaries in Japan and China. The company is proud to let its consumers know of its ranking in the top 1000 companies in the world...
Website: teamgroupinc.com |Brands like Team Group
Popularity 0.9/10
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18
Eaget
Fulfill all your flash drives, external hard disks, and storage requirements through Shenzhen Eaget. Get top-quality products that have passed several quality tests. The brand aims to deliver impeccable service to its customers and build a relationship based on trust....
Website: eagetshop.com |Brands like Eaget
Popularity 0.9/10
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19
Apricorn
Keeping your data secure just became easier with Apricorn. It offers 256-bit hardware-based external storage products. These products are beneficial for all those organizations and companies who need high-level protection for their data. It provides various encrypted portable devices, encrypted...
Website: apricorn.com |Brands like Apricorn
Popularity 0.8/10
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20
Patriot
Patriot Gaming is the leading provider of best-quality gaming accessories and peripherals. Patriot's products have a reputation for performance and dependability while presenting cheap pricing. As a best-in-class company, they are determined to provide top-quality outcomes that surpass enterprise norms....
Website: viper.patriotmemory.com |Brands like Patriot
Popularity 0.8/10
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21
DataLocker
DataLocker produces hardware-encrypted drives for people and businesses that need to protect stored files. The drives use hardware encryption to secure data and are simple to set up and run. Each drive stores files in encrypted form, which keeps stored...
Website: datalocker.com |Brands like DataLocker
Popularity 0.8/10
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22
Memorex
In the United States, Memorex is a significant maker of consumer electronics and information technology products. They specialize in producing and selling goods such as CD-R/RW & DVD recording media, audio speakers and accessories, MP3 players, and other consumer electronics...
Website: memorex.com |Brands like Memorex
Popularity 0.7/10
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23
Silicon Power
Households and professionals who need to move or back up files often look at Silicon Power's storage products. The brand makes portable drives and memory cards for smartphones, and they are sold through silicon-power.com. Its range runs from compact storage...
Website: silicon-power.com |Brands like Silicon Power
Popularity 0.7/10
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24
Kanguru
Kanguru supplies encrypted USB flash drives and hard drives for secure data storage. The FlashTrust drive uses onboard secure firmware that guards against BadUSB attacks. The Defender drive is hardware-encrypted and certified to a FIPS standard, and the SS3 includes...
Website: kanguru.com |Brands like Kanguru
Popularity 0.6/10
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25
inland
Inland goods, Inc. is a computer accessory company. For almost 20 years, inland goods have been in the computer accessory market. Their items are made both in the United States and in other countries. Detail to absolute quality begins on...
Website: inlandproduct.com |Brands like inland
Popularity 0.5/10
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26
Philips
Credibility and reliability go connected at the hip with the most innovative health and well-being brand, Philips. There are presumably very few people who have yet not given a shot at this brand, for it has been the most promising...
Website: philips.com |Brands like Philips
Popularity 0.4/10
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27
Western Digital
Western Digital's central product line is hard drives, including SATA internal drives and 1TB WD models. Flash storage is sold under its SanDisk brand, and external drives come through G-Technology. Its WD lines are widely used for backing up computers...
Website: westerndigital.com |Brands like Western Digital
Popularity 0.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | kingston.com | /KingstonTechnologyEurope | kingstontechnology | @kingstontech | – |
| Samsung | samsung.com | /SamsungUS | samsungmobileusa | @SamsungUS | – |
| Kootion | kootion.com | – | – | – | – |
| Toshiba | toshiba.com | /ToshibaAmerica | – | @ToshibaAmerica | toshibainnovation |
| Transcend | transcend-info.com | /TranscendIN | transcend_info | @TranscendGlobal | – |
| PNY | pny.com | – | – | – | – |
| HP | hp.com | – | – | – | – |
| Verbatim | verbatim.com | – | – | – | – |
| Sony | sony.com | – | – | – | – |
USB Stick Buying Guide
In a world where data is becoming increasingly more important, the USB stick is a necessary tool to have on hand. USB sticks have actually been around since 2000 and have only become more popular with time. But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to know what to look for when purchasing a USB stick. This buying guide will help you navigate through the many features to consider.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a USB stick. The size you choose will depend on your needs. Generally, USB sticks range from 2GB to 1TB. A 2GB USB stick can hold around 500 songs or 500 pictures, while a 1TB USB stick can hold millions of documents, pictures, or videos. If you only plan on storing documents, a 16GB USB stick should suffice. For media-heavy content like videos or high-resolution photos, you should aim for 512GB or higher.
Data Transfer Speed
The data transfer speed of a USB stick is another factor to consider when purchasing. Data transfer speed refers to how quickly information can be read from or written to the USB stick. The speed is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Generally, faster transfer speeds allow for quicker backups and file transfers. USB 2.0 has a transfer speed of up to 60MB/s while USB 3.0 can reach over 600MB/s. USB 3.0 is a safe bet to ensure quick transfers and backups.
Size and Portability
USB sticks come in different shapes and sizes. Some USB sticks are small and can easily fit in your pocket, while others are larger and can be attached to a keychain. When considering what size USB stick to purchase, think about how portable you need it to be. If you plan on carrying it around on your keychain, a smaller USB stick is ideal. If it is primarily for backup purposes and will stay at home or in the office, a larger USB stick is appropriate.
Encryption and Security
Encryption and security features are vital if you plan on storing sensitive information on your USB stick. Most USB sticks come with basic password protection, which helps keep unauthorized users from accessing your files. If you need a higher level of security, you may want to look for a USB stick with military-grade encryption or fingerprint recognition. These advanced features may come at a higher price point, but the added security is priceless.
Warranty and Price
When purchasing a USB stick, consider the price and warranty. USB sticks can range from a few dollars to hundreds, depending on capacity and features. Make sure to get the best value for your money by comparing prices and features. Additionally, look for a USB stick with a warranty. A warranty will protect you in case the USB stick malfunctions or becomes damaged.
Budget USB Sticks
If you need a USB stick for everyday use like transferring documents, music, or photos, a budget USB stick will suffice. This type of USB stick is generally less expensive and comes with less storage capacity. Here are a few budget USB sticks to consider:
- SanDisk Cruzer Blade: The SanDisk Cruzer Blade is an affordable USB stick with up to 128GB of storage capacity. It is small and portable, making it easy to carry around. The transfer speed is not the fastest, but it gets the job done.
- Kingston DataTraveler SE9: The Kingston DataTraveler SE9 is a budget-friendly USB stick with up to 64GB of storage capacity. It is made of metal, making it more durable than other budget USB sticks. It has a slower transfer speed but is still a reliable option for everyday use.
- PNY Turbo Flash Drive: The PNY Turbo Flash Drive is a budget USB stick with up to 256GB of storage capacity. It has a retractable design that keeps the USB connector protected when not in use. The transfer speed is not the fastest, but it is still a reliable option for everyday use.
Mid-Range USB Sticks
If you need a USB stick with a larger capacity and faster transfer speed, a mid-range USB stick is a good option. These USB sticks are generally more expensive but offer more features. Here are a few mid-range USB sticks to consider:
- SanDisk Extreme Pro: The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a fast USB stick with up to 512GB of storage capacity. It has a durable design and is water and shock-resistant. It has a transfer speed of up to 420MB/s, making it a top choice for backing up large files or transferring media-heavy content.
- Samsung T5 Portable SSD: The Samsung T5 Portable SSD is more expensive than other USB sticks but has faster transfer speeds of up to 540MB/s. It is also durable with a shock-resistant design and comes with up to 2TB of storage capacity.
- Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT: The Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT is a USB stick with the most storage capacity on the market, up to 2TB. It has a durable design and a transfer speed of up to 300MB/s. It is more expensive than other USB sticks, but if you need a lot of storage capacity, it is worth the price.
Conclusion
USB sticks are a necessary tool in today's world. When purchasing a USB stick, consider the storage capacity, data transfer speed, size and portability, encryption and security, warranty, and price. A budget USB stick is a good option for everyday use, while mid-range USB sticks offer more features for larger capacity and faster transfer speeds. Consider all these factors to find the right USB stick that fits your needs and budget.
