There are thousands of USB flash drive models for all kinds of uses, and in this article we’ll help you choose the right one for you.
What are the different types of USB flash drive?
Today, with our smartphones, tablets and laptops, we store data all over the place, which can quickly become a headache when it comes to transferring files from one device to another.
USB Type A: the most common
The USB-A port is a bit like the dinosaur of the USB family: old, but still very much with us!
You’ve probably already come across it, as it’s the most common model. Easy to spot with its rectangular shape, it can sometimes play tricks on you, especially when you try to insert it upside down (it’s happened to all of us).
There are two colors:
- metallic grey for USB 2.0 flash drives
- electric blue for USB 3.0 flash drives (much faster)
USB Type C: the new standard for all devices
USB Type-C is the rising star. This smaller, reversible connector (no more insertion errors) has become the standard on all new devices, whether smartphones, tablets or computers.
In addition to its compact size, it’s ultra-high-performance, offering much higher read and write speeds than older ports. An increasing number of USB flash drives even feature dual USB-A and USB-C connectors to suit all types of device, from PCs to the latest smartphones.
And that’s not all!
In 2022, the European Union made a game-changing decision: USB-C becomes the mandatory single charging port for all smartphones, tablets and cameras from 2024.
No more fussing with different cables, everyone will be switching to the USB-C standard, and that even includes iPhones that until now were still equipped with the famous Lightning port.
USB Lightning: Apple’s old standard up to iphone 15
The USB Lightning connector has long been one of the distinctive symbols of the Apple ecosystem. Introduced in 2012 with the iPhone 5, this small, reversible port quickly replaced the old 30-pin connector on Apple devices.
Fans of the brand quickly adopted it for its practicality: it was more compact than its predecessor and could be plugged in either way, unlike the traditional USB ports of the time.
The iPhone 15 marks a historic turning point for Apple.
In 2024, Apple decided to say goodbye to Lightning and switch to USB-C (in response to new European Union regulations imposing USB-C as the single connector).
These regulations aim to standardize cables and reduce electronic waste, a choice that should make life easier for consumers.
What’s the difference between a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0 flash drive?
If you’ve ever compared USB flash drives, you’ve probably seen terms like USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. But what’s the real difference between these two versions? Spoiler: transfer speed.
Far superior transfer speed
Read/write speed is a criterion to be taken into account, especially if you regularly transfer large files. Two main technologies stand out:
| USB version | Slogan | Marketing name | Bandwidth | Data transfer speed (Mb/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB 1 | 1.0 | USB 1.0 | 1.5 Mbps | 0.192 Mb/s |
| 1.1 | Full Speed USB | 12 Mbps | 1.5 Mbps | |
| USB 2 | 2.0 | High-Speed USB | 480 Mbps | 60 Mb/s |
| USB 3 | 3.0 | SuperSpeed USB | 5 Gbps | 640 Mb/s |
| 3.1 Gen 1 | SuperSpeed USB | 5 Gbps | 640 Mb/s | |
| 3.1 Gen 2 | SuperSpeed+ USB | 10 Gbps | 1280 Mb/s | |
| 3.2 Gen 2×2 | SuperSpeed+ USB | 20 Gbps | 2560 Mb/s | |
| USB 4 | 4.0 | USB4 | 20 / 40 Gbps | 2560 / 5120 Mb/s |
| 4.1 | USB4 | 20 / 40 Gbps | 2560 / 5120 Mb/s | |
| 4.2 | USB4 Version 2.0 | 80 Gbps | 10240 Mb/s |
- USB 2.0: Maximum transfer speed approx. 60 MB/s. Sufficient for light files, but slow for videos or large folders.
- USB 3.0 / 3.1 / 3.2: Much faster, with speeds of up to 625 MB/s and even more for USB 3.2. The best choice if you want to reduce transfer times.
USB 3.0 offers read speeds 10 times faster than USB 2.0, and even more with USB 3.2 Gen 2X2.
Speed also varies between reading (extracting data) and writing (saving data). If you need to transfer large files quickly, a USB 3.0 or 3.2 Gen 2X2 flash drive is a must.
Does USB 3.0 work on my old computer?
Don’t worry if you have an old computer. A USB 3.0 stick is backward-compatible, so it will work with USB 2.0 ports.
However, you’ll be limited to the speed of USB 2.0 (60MB/s), so there’s no magical acceleration. But as soon as you plug your USB 3.0 stick into a compatible port, it’s off to blazing speed!
Criteria to consider when choosing a USB flash drive
Choosing a USB flash drive may seem straightforward, but with all the options available today it’s important to take certain criteria into account to ensure that the drive will meet your needs.
Here are the main points to check before making your choice:
Storage capacity: how much space do you need?
The first criterion is, of course, the capacity of the USB flash drive. USB flash drives are available in sizes ranging from 8 GB to over 1 TB today. But what capacity should you choose? That depends on what you’re going to use it for:
- 16 GB to 32 GB: Perfect for basic use, such as storing documents, photos or a few videos.
- 64GB to 128GB: Ideal for those transferring larger files, such as HD video or software.
- 256GB to 1TB: If you handle very large files (4K videos, professional projects), this is the capacity you need.
Above 1TB capacity, we recommend investing in an external hard drive or SSD rather than a USB flash drive.
Price: finding the right value for money
Prices vary according to capacity, speed and additional features (such as data encryption).
A basic USB 2.0 key will obviously be cheaper than a USB 3.0 key or one with built-in encryption.
But keep in mind that price often reflects performance and quality.
If you transfer a lot of data, investing in a fast key can save you time (and therefore money) in the long run.
Discover our selection of the best USB flash drives.
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