Best usb flash drive UK

Which is the best usb flash drive 2023?

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The 10 best usb flash drives to buy in the UK

The top 10 list of the best usb flash drives lists various brands and prices

Review10Best compares the best usb flash drives in the UK and selects the one by Kingston as the best usb flash drive. In a usb flash drive buying guide, you can read more about the features of the different usb flash drives and see a recommendation on which usb flash drive to buy in the UK in 2023. By considering the top list of usb flash drives, you can find the best usb flash drives and save time shopping online.


Table of contents
  1. Read the ultimate usb flash drive buying guide
  2. View the usb flash drive picks and see how they rank in the top list

VIEW THE TOP 10 LIST →


Best usb flash drives: A complete buying guide

All you need to know before buying a great usb flash drive

Picture of a usb flash drive

There are fewer devices more useful than a good USB flash drive. Suitable for storing and transferring data from device to device, these portable storage devices have many uses that make them a great buy for most people. To help you find the best USB flash drives for your needs, check out the handy buying guide below: It has all the info you need to find the perfect storage device:

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What are usb flash drives?

A USB flash drive is a portable storage device that uses flash memory to store and transfer various types of files like photos, videos, music, documents etc. It plugs into the USB port in a computer and comes with varying memory levels, ranging from a few gigabytes all the way up to several terabytes, with more memory allowing you to store more files.

Why should you buy a good usb flash drive?

Given the massive role that computers play in our day to day lives, most people benefit from owning a great USB flash drive. The devices are small and portable yet have an impressive storage capacity, letting you store various files onto the drive like music, movies, tv shows, documents etc., making it suitable for all kinds situations, including work, school, or just watching stuff at home.

How to choose the right usb flash drive?

Another picture of a usb flash drive

Here are some things to consider when you’re buying the best USB flash drives:

  • Capacity: The higher the memory capacity the more data the flash drive holds, although it will also increase the price. Consider what you need to store on it to ensure you get a suitable capacity for your needs. For instance, a flash drive under 10GB is fine for music, photos, and a few movies, but if you plan on storing lots of large files (like films and TV shows) then a higher capacity is recommended.
  • Speed: USB flash drives come in three specifications, each one impacting how quickly the device transfers data from a computer to the flash drive. USB 1.0 is the original specification and not that common these days, mainly due to its slower speeds, with USB 2.0 and 3.0 being the standard spec for most devices. USB 3.0 transfers files the quickest so is the most convenient, although it will cost more than USB 2.0.
  • Security: USB drives are very convenient for file transfers but aren’t the most secure device, with the lower capacity making it hard to implement decent encryption software. Some devices come with better security, such as a pin code to access the device or built-in encryption software, although these will cost significantly more than standard devices. Consider how secure you need it to be - it may not be too much of an issue unless you are storing sensitive information.

What is the best kind of usb flash drive in the UK?

There are three types of USB flash drive specifications available:

  • USB 1.0 Flash Drives: The original USB specification, USB 1.0 is mostly outdated but you can find some devices using this. Technically, an updated version called 1.1 knows the standard for this specification but offering transfer rate of 12 Mbps.
  • USB 2.0 Flash Drives: This specification is found on most cheap USB drives, with the fastest USB 2.0 devices offering transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps.
  • USB 3.0 Flash Drives: The best USB flash drives use USB 3.0, offering the fastest transfer speeds at up to 5 Gbps, while more recent devices use USB 3.1 that can offer transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps. These devices are more likely to have encryption software for added security, although it’s not a given.
…are you ready for the best picks of 2023?

Top 10 list of usb flash drives in the UK (December 2023)

The bestseller list compares brands and their usb flash drives. Which usb flash drive is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Kingston DTMAX/1TB usb flash drive
Kingston DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive 1TB 1000R/900W…
  • Up to 1, 000MB/s² read speeds
  • Unique ridged casing with keyring loop
  • Advanced USB 3.2 Gen 2 Drives
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TOP 2
Image of SanDisk SDCZ73-128G-G46 usb flash drive
SanDisk 128GB Ultra Flair USB 3.0 Flash Drive
  • Recover lost or corrupted files with a year’s subscription to RescuePRO
  • Secure file encryption and password protection with SecureAccess software
  • Transfer to drive up to 15 times fast than standard USB 2.0 drives
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TOP 3
Image of Patriot Memory PEF1TBRPMW32U usb flash drive
Patriot Supersonic Rage Prime USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive - 1TB
  • With a 5-year warranty, the diverse Supersonic Rage Prime features multi-platform…
  • LED Light Indicator
  • Capless, reractable, durability, and portability great for commuting and reliabi…
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Image of FISTAD 1 usb flash drive
64GB USB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drive Thumb Drive Pen Drive -…
  • Unique and Beautiful AppearanceVery Small and Portable USB Flash Drive. Ideal for…
  • Space expansionthe capacity of USB flash memory is 64 GB, which can perfectly solve…
  • 64GB StorageYou can use the 64GB flash drive to back up your photos, record good…
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TOP 5
Image of Amazon Basics LS21USB128G1 usb flash drive
Amazon Basics - 128 GB, USB 3.1 Flash Drive, Read Speed up to 130…
  • Note: FAT32 is the factory default drive format which is read/write compatible with…
  • Read speeds are based on internal tests conducted under controlled conditions; Actual…
  • NOTE: Actual storage capacity shown by a device's OS may be less than the capacity…
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TOP 6
Image of SanDisk SDCZ430-256G-G46 usb flash drive
SanDisk 256GB Ultra Fit USB 3.2 Flash Drive Up to 400 MB/s Read
  • Password-protects and encrypts private files with SanDisk SecureAccess software
  • Move a full-length movie to the drive in less than 30 seconds
  • Write up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives
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TOP 7
Image of Bowjew  usb flash drive
Bowjew USB Flash Drive 982GB USB Stick Waterproof Memory Stick USB…
  • Wide compatibility: USB drive works with virtually any computer or electronic device…
  • Plug and Play: The memory stick is simple and easy to use, you don't need to…
  • Compact and Portable: USB thumb drive which weighs about 10 grams, is small and convenient.…
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TOP 8
Image of SanDisk SDCZ48-032G-GAM46T usb flash drive
SanDisk Ultra 32GB USB Flash Drive USB 3.0 up to 130MB/s Read - Triple…
  • Secure file encryption and password protection
  • Backward compatible with USB 2.0
  • Transfer speeds up to 10x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); up to 130MB/s…
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TOP 9
Image of Integral INFD256GBBLK3.0 usb flash drive
Integral 256GB Black USB 3.0 Super Speed Fast Memory Flash Drive
  • 2 year free data-recovery service
  • 2 year free UK-based support team
  • 2 year manufacturer warranty protection - Product assembled in the UK
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TOP 10
Image of SanDisk SDDDC2-128G-G46 usb flash drive
SanDisk 128GB Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C Flash Drive with reversible…
  • SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android (available on Google Play) lets you easily manage…
  • High-speed USB 3.1 performance of up to 150MB/s
  • Retractable design with a reversible USB Type-C connector and a traditional USB Type-A…
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Affiliate Disclosure

We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For the list of the best usb flash drives, we consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. It is not a usb flash drive test. Last Update: 2023/12/02.