Between work, vacation photos and movies, a good USB flash drive can make all the difference. But with so many models to choose from, how do you choose the right USB flash drive? Whether you’re looking for a compact flash drive for your key ring, or a sturdy model for large files, we’ve rounded up the best USB flash drives from 2025. Ready to find the one that’s right for you?
Our selection of the best USB flash drives in 2025
| SanDisk Extreme PRO | SanDisk Ultra Flair | SanDisk Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image |
 |
 |
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| Infos | Jusqu'à 420 Mo/s USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Jusqu'à 150 Mo/s Prix compétitif | Jusqu'à 130 Mo/s Bon rapport qualité-prix |
| Acheter | 35,61 € | 15,89 € | 8,42 € |
Need more storage? Discover our selection of the best external hard drives.
1. SanDisk Extreme PRO: the ultra-fast USB flash drive for professionals
SanDisk Extreme PRO uses USB 3.2 Gen 1 technology for read speeds of up to 420 MB/s and write speeds of up to 380 MB/s, making it one of the fastest USB flash drives on the market. This performance makes it ideal for the rapid transfer of large files such as high-resolution videos, RAW photos or heavy software.
The key also comes with SanDisk SecureAccess, a software package that protects files with 128-bit AES encryption.
Editor's Verdict :
Une clé USB presque parfaite, idéale pour les professionnels mais dont le prix pourrait rebuter certains utilisateurs grand public.
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2. SanDisk Ultra Flair: the best value for money USB flash drive
The SanDisk Ultra Flair USB 3.0 is an elegant, high-performance USB flash drive designed for fast, secure file transfers. With a read speed of up to 150 MB/s, it enables you to transfer large files, such as videos or bulky documents, fairly quickly. This model is particularly suited to users looking for a compromise between performance and durability, all at an affordable price.
The brushed-metal casing makes the key even more resistant to knocks and scratches, while giving it a premium look. It also features SanDisk SecureAccess software, which protects your sensitive files with a password and 128-bit AES encryption. Available in capacities ranging from 16GB to 256GB, the SanDisk Ultra Flair is a versatile storage tool.
Editor's Verdict :
La SanDisk Ultra Flair est un excellent choix pour ceux qui recherchent une clé USB à la fois rapide et durable à un prix abordable, bien qu'elle soit plus adaptée aux utilisateurs occasionnels qu'aux professionnels exigeants en termes de vitesse d’écriture.
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3. SanDisk Ultra: the low-cost USB flash drive for home users
The SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 is a versatile USB flash drive for users looking for a balance between performance, storage capacity and affordability. Available in capacities ranging from 16 GB to 512 GB, it is suitable for a wide variety of needs, from storing documents, photos and high-definition videos to creating a Windows installation USB stick. This drive offers read speeds of up to 130 MB/s, well above USB 2.0 models for fast file transfers.
Its compact design with retractable connector makes it easy to protect the USB interface when not in use, making it a practical solution for everyday use. The included SanDisk SecureAccess software protects sensitive files with a password and 128-bit AES encryption.
Editor's Verdict :
Une clé USB qui excelle dans la simplicité pour les utilisateurs quotidiens, mais qui montre ses limites sur les performances de transfert de fichiers lourds.
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4. SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe: The USB flash drive for Apple devices
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe is a unique USB flash drive, designed to offer an easy backup and transfer solution between Apple (iPhones, iPads), Android devices and recent computers. Thanks to its two connectors (USB-C and Lightning), it lets you transfer files quickly and uncomplicatedly between Apple, Android, Windows and macOS systems. All in a sturdy metal case that protects the swivel connectors. Available in three capacities (64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB), this key is ideal for backing up or freeing up space on your mobile devices.
The iXpand Drive companion application enables automatic backup of photos, videos and contacts, and gives you the option of password-protecting your files. This feature is particularly popular with iPhone and iPad users, to compensate for the lack of expandable storage on these devices.
Editor's Verdict :
La SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe est une excellente solution pour les utilisateurs d'iPhone et d'Android qui souhaitent gérer facilement leur stockage sans dépendre du cloud. Elle est particulièrement utile pour sauvegarder des médias ou transférer des fichiers entre plusieurs appareils.
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Find the perfect hardware with our guides.
The best USB flash drives: which model to choose?
USB flash drives have become essential peripherals for data transfer and temporary or permanent document storage. Thanks to their flash memory, they offer ever-increasing storage space, while retaining a compact, practical format. Well-known brands such as Western Digital and Verbatim offer high-capacity models with high transfer speeds.
Before you buy, check the connectivity: some drives require an adapter (e.g. USB Type-C to USB Type-A) to be compatible with your computer. Under Windows, it’ s advisable to format the key in NTFS if you plan to handle large files or make regular back-ups. You can also create a dedicated partition if you intend to separate different types of data.
It’s also important to choose a model with a good transfer rate, to save time when copying large files. Finally, don’t forget to plug in your key correctly and check its performance regularly: a good internal controller indirectly contributes to greater reliability and stable speed.
The Kingston DataTraveler Max is considered the world’s best USB flash drive in March 2025 thanks to its exceptional performance. With read speeds of up to 1,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 900 MB/s, it takes full advantage of USB 3.2 Gen 2 to deliver ultra-fast transfers of large files. Available in USB-C or USB-A versions, it fits all modern devices. Its compact design with sliding connector protects your data on the move. For professional or multimedia use, the Kingston DataTraveler Max will be very fast. Available in capacities up to 1TB, it’s almost as big as an external drive. It’s a must-have choice for those looking for the best USB flash drive on the market.
What is the current standard for USB flash drives in March 2025?
the most common standard in 2025 is USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which allows theoretical speeds of up to 20 Gbps.
This standard is often used in high-performance USB stick models, but the majority of consumer USB sticks still work with USB 2.0 (which is really slow).
The latest USB standard is USB4 version 2.0, which supports transfer speeds of up to 80 Gbps in both directions. This new advance uses USB-C connectors.
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