Even if you own a desktop or laptop PC with the most potent SSD or NAS device out there, sooner or later, you will also need a portable and convenient USB stick. Today there are thousands in circulation to choose from and which differ in size, safety level, speed, and other characteristics that we will see.
Immediately consider that it is not worth buying a USB flash drive of less than 64 GB, simply because if you intend to move files to and from notebooks, you will need speed and a USB 3.0 connector (flash drives of at least 128 GB come supplied only with USB 3.0 connector).
If, in addition to laptops or desktop PCs, you also need to move files to and from portable devices, such as tablets and smartphones, consider memory sticks with a micro USB connector and a standard-sized USB connector. Here we will be listing the top 11 best smallest flash drives.
- Easily add more storage to your laptop or car stereo with Verbatim’s Store ‘n’ Stay Nano USB 3.2 Gen 1 up to 10X faster than...
- Plug-in, stay-in, snag-free, low profile design that is small enough to leave in your laptop or stereo, without getting in the way
- Perfect for use on-the-go, and featuring USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity for faster file transfer speeds, this dime sized drive can be...
- Password protection software available for download for Windows only; Compatible with Windows and Mac
- Verbatim has been a trusted brand since 1969 and guarantees this USB Thumb Drive with a Limited Lifetime Warranty
- 1. NOTICE: Support almost all computers, but not make sure to support other devices or machines. Compatible for storing files,...
- 2. BLACK/SILVER/GOLDEN/BLUE/GREEN colors per pack
- 3.Solid Perfect Packed to protect the USB Drives from shaking during shipping, support most old machine device
- 4. Best promotion options for Birthday / Wedding / Graduation / Cocktail Party / Exhibition / New product Lauches. Suit for Photo...
- Notes: As all memory flash device itself will take up some storage,please check description ,it states the minimum capacity of...
- 🍁Mini Design - Mini size of 32GB USB flash drives that it can long stay to remain connected to PC or laptop for maximum...
- 🍁Reliable Performance - 32GB mini thumb drive adopts A+ chip, stable and stay-put storage, to protect your private and...
- 🍁Great for All Purposes - 32GB Short zip drive support Windows 7/ 8/ 10/ Vista/ XP/ 2000/ ME/ NT Linux and MacOs 10.3 and...
- 🍁Easy to Use - No need to install any software, Just plug in and use it. Install a lanyard can made it easy for you to remove...
- 🍁Warranty - Backed by a 12 month warranty and life-time friendly customer service that customers buy our low profile USB drive...
- A compact, plug-and-stay, high-speed USB 3.1 flash drive that’s ideal for adding more storage to laptops, game consoles, in-car...
- Simple, fast way to add up to 32GB of storage to your device [1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes - Actual user storage less]
- Read speeds up to 130MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15X faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); USB 3.1 Gen 1 or USB 3.0...
- Write up to 15X faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Move a full-length movie to the drive in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.1 Gen 1 or...
- Length: 16.7mm
- Width: 12.2mm
- Thickness: 2.3mm
- Weight: 0.8g
- Capacity: 64GB
- Low-profile, compact plug-and-stay design
- Stores and transfers content quickly with USB 3.2 Gen 1 performance up to 250MB/s read
- Securely protects files using DataVault Lite software, an advanced security solution with 256-bit AES encryption
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 enabled; backwards compatible with USB 3. 0 and 2. 0 devices
- Three-year limited warranty
- Compact plug-and-stay design to instantly add storage to your laptop, game console, in-car audio, and more
- Save time with ultra-fast transfer speeds up to 400MB/s (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on...
- Transfer a full-length movie to the drive in less than 30 seconds (Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB...
- Get space for your high-resolution photos, videos, and more at a great value with up to 256GB of storage (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes....
- Password-protect files using a downloadable software (Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows...
- A compact, plug-and-stay, high-speed USB 3.2 flash drive that’s ideal for adding more storage to laptops, game consoles, in-car...
- Simple, fast way to add up to 16GB of storage to your device [1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes - Actual user storage less]
- Write faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1) [(1) Up to 130MB/s read speed; USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3.0 port required; Based on...
- Move a full-length movie faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(2) [(2) Write faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); USB 3.2...
- Keep private files private with included SanDisk SecureAccess software(3) [(3) Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and...
- Design with a combination of cold metal and minimalist colors
- Ergonomic structure design at both sides of the bottom for easier, more comfortable use
- High quality and tough Zinc Alloy material. Capless design eliminates the problem of losing the cap
- Unibody design and COB assembly process technology offer excellent capabilities of waterproof, dustproof and shockproof
- Lifetime warranty. Free Technical Support and Customer Service on TEAMGROUP official website.
- (Two Pack) Take it all with you - on reliable USB flash drives
- Convenient - small and pocket-sized for easy transportability
- High Performance USB 3.0 speeds - up to 130MB/s read
- Supports Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, XP & Mac
- (1) Everything But Stromboli (tm) Lanyard
- High Speed USB 3.0 Drive: This mini USB 3.0 thumb drive can reach a reading speed up to 100MB/s and a writing speed up to 35 MB/s...
- Portable and Sleek: Extremely compact, portable USB memory stick comes with a lanyard for you to carry everywhere; Key hole design...
- Multi-Format Supported: The pen drive made of grade A chip is suitable for data storing, transferring, sharing and backup; Save...
- Wide Compatibility: The jump drive supports Windows 7/8/10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT /Linux, Mac OS and TV, car, audio device...
- What You Get: 1 X 128GB USB 3.0 Mini Flash Drive, 1 X Lanyard and Technical Support; NOTE: The default format system of the 128GB...
Buying Guide to Select the Best Smallest Flash Drives
Capacity and Speed
Among the different features that you should consider before buying the right product is, first of all, the capacity. The best brand pen drives are those that offer the user the broadest range of possibilities, including identifying the one that best suits their needs.
A good range could be from 8 GB to 128 GB; they are the most commonly used capacities. Those of 4 GB or less risk filling too quickly and prove insufficient; those, however, more extensive are intended for specific users such as players or enthusiasts.
On an 8 GB pen drive, for example, 1,000 to 4,000 photos can be stored based on resolution or seven MP4 movies. On a 120 GB, however, it ranges from 16,000 to 64,000 images or over 100 MP4 movies. What do you think your needs are?
Another factor you should consider is the speed of reading and writing. It is not only important to establish how many files to store on the pen, but also to understand how quickly they can be transferred to a PC or other medium. The most used standards are USB, 2.0, and 3.0.
The newer ones we will hear more and more about our first-generation USB 3.1 and second-generation USB 3.1. Speed is a necessary data, especially for those who often have to transfer large files and want to save time.
Program, Hood, Lightning
What are the other factors you should consider when buying the right pen drive? One of these could be the software that some manufacturers allow you to use after the purchase – be careful, in some cases, only for a month – useful for protecting your data.
These programs will enable you to create a particular folder where you can insert the files you want to keep secret and to access them only with a password.
Another aspect that you may consider necessary is the presence or absence of the cap that serves to protect the connector, which is essential to ensure a clean and trouble-free transfer. Some pen drives have a protection system that can do without the cap, which, given its small size, could be lost.
Other higher priced models have a lightning connector on the other end. It is used to connect the pin to your mobile device allowing you to increase the memory or, for example, to download images and videos directly on this support.
Design
The design could also be an essential element for many users. Some pen drives can be personalized with the company logo or emblem of the football team to which you belong and could be an excellent gift idea even if, generally, they are available for orders of large quantities.
In other cases, the manufacturing companies have indulged in creating pen drives with more extravagant shapes or that can be attached to a key ring or chain. Read the review of the models below, and you can find some interesting suggestions.
The Best Pen Drives
Read our ranking to find out which pen drive to buy. In this list you will find those that we have selected for you among the many on the market, they are the most appreciated by consumers. Find out the sale price, the services offered and make a comparison, and you could find what you are looking for and end your search here, saving time and effort.
When you go to buy a USB stick, it is clear that the first things that come to mind are the capacity and the selling price. In reality, however, as we have mentioned before, many features must be taken into consideration before purchasing.
Connector
Although most USB flash drives use a type A connector, i.e., the standard rectangular and a rather large one, in reality, in recent months, other types of pen drives are spreading, capable of being used in the latest generation USB-C ports.
There are also some models equipped with a micro USB or Lightning connector, which can be used and connected directly to Android smartphones and iPhones and iPad. Also, read the guide about best sata cables.
Some models integrate two types of the connector so that they can be used both with computers and with smartphones and tablets.
USB Standard
One of the first factors to consider before buying a USB stick is the standard of belonging because it is precisely this detail that determines its theoretical maximum speed.
Nowadays, most devices and sticks support the USB 3.2 standard, which is characterized by a theoretical maximum speed that can vary from 5 Gigabit / s, which equals 625 MB per second, to 20 Gigabit / s, which equals at 2,500 MB per second.
Let it be apparent, however, that no pen drive is currently able to reach these real speeds. The higher the standard supported, the higher the data transfer speed (and the selling price).
Additional Optional
At the end of this overview on the world of USB drives, it is essential to mention some particular USB flash drive features, which over the years have been equipped with some extra options to better adapt to the needs of use of each user, whatever the device on which it is intended. Use them.
The most exciting aspects, of course, are the practical ones that make the user experience not only simpler but also more efficient.
