There are a few things to keep in mind when buying USB flash drives, and we have some tips for using them.
Power: To determine the capacity you need, first check the size of the folders or files you want to copy. Each USB drive in our guide has a specified capacity, but the usable storage will be slightly less than that, because the device’s firmware needs space.
Speed: USB standards are improving all the time, and we recommend USB 3.0 as a minimum, although higher is better. Although USB standards have different theoretical maximum speeds, it is important to check the manufacturer’s stated read and write speeds for each drive. If you’re primarily transferring data, you’ll want to look for a high-quality drive write speed. If you plan to run software on a computer using a drive (such as a video game), you’ll want a higher-end model. learn speed. Manufacturers will state the average speed, but most drives are very fast for transferring large files and often very slow for transferring small files.
Compatibility: Most flash drives will work with any device with a suitable port, but check compatibility to avoid disappointment. If you want to use the drive with an Android device or one of the latest iPhone 15 series, it will need USB on-the-go (OTG) support. Most Android devices support USB OTG. You will receive a notification when you insert the flash drive with options to install File Transfer. You can try the USB OTG test app to confirm support if you are not sure. Earlier Apple iPhones and iPads don’t support USB OTG, but you can install an app on compatible drives, such as SanDisk’s iXpand series.
Connectors: Most flash drives have USB-A connectors, but you can also find drives with USB-C, MicroUSB, and Lightning connectors. If you plan to use a flash drive with your smartphone and computer, make one with both required types of connectors. You can also buy multi-port USB hubs or adapters, but pay close attention to the supported standard or it may limit your data transfer speeds. This Anker USB-A to USB-C adapter is, for example, USB 3.0.
Security: Remember that USB drives can cause security problems, especially for businesses, and rightly so never plug in random drives you find lying around. If you plan to store sensitive data on your flash drive, then consider biometric or passcode protection, and look at the level of encryption it provides. There are software utilities that provide encryption and allow you to password-protect your files on any USB flash drive.
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