Are you looking for a cheap but high quality USB stick? You’re in the right place! By now there are numerous solutions for data storage, especially online with cloud storage services. But let’s not forget that for many years the small and convenient USB key helped us before external hard drives, SSDs and virtual storage made their appearance.
Despite everything, we can say that the dear pen drive has nine lives, and it will hardly fall into oblivion like its unfortunate predecessor: the floppy disk.
Before moving on to the list of the cheapest USB sticks in circulation, discover also the best performing pen drives and USB sticks with the best value for money of the year.
Samsung BAR USB flash drive
This small USB 3.0 key is highly recommended by anyone who has ever tried it and the materials with which it was made are among the best in circulation compared to the price.
Its quality metal structure, the ergonomic design and the feeling of a simple and natural grip are immediately striking for stress-free use. It also offers high performance with a high degree of reliability and data protection.
It is available in two formats: 32GB and 128GB
Some of its main features include the body of high quality with a metal ring which acts as a keychain, NAND flash technology and performance at high speed for data transfer.
What makes this USB stick unique is that it is waterproof, shock-resistant and can withstand high temperatures?
PROS
- Durable, solid and light
- Robust shell to withstand intense use
- High speed data transfer and backup
- Backward compatibility with USB 2.0
- The key ring hole prevents it from getting lost
- Advanced technology for protection against water, shock, high temperatures, magnetic devices and X-rays
CONS
- Someone complained that, due to the particular shape, it can be uncomfortable if another USB stick is to be used in the adjacent USB slot.
SanDisk Flash Cruzer Glide USB
This pendrive provides reliable and secure storage for your important documents, including multimedia and digital files, with capacities up to 256 GB. Its SecureAccess software guarantees password-protected data and file encryption to protect private documents.
Furthermore, reliable 2GB network storage is offered to provide greater protection and convenience, so you can easily back up and access files from any browser. Just drag the files to the USB stick folder and they will be safe and protected.
PROS
- Retractable hoodless design to keep the connector secure and safe
- Portable and lightweight
- Excellent storage capacity
- Easy transfer of files from one computer to another
- Password protection and encryption (128-bit AES)
- Reliable
- Affordable price
- You can download the encryption software from the manufacturer’s website
- Excellent technical support for customers
CONS
- No protection from dust and water
Corsair Survivor Stealth
The first thing you will notice about this particular USB 3.0 key is its particular shape which already conveys a feeling of quality and robustness. What makes this pendrive a true reliable companion is the freedom to go anywhere and be aware that your precious data will be protected by a strong external casing. Protection also ensured by occasional falls.
The Cursair Survivor Stealth USB stick is equipped with an anodized aircraft-grade aluminum body. Your data will also be protected thanks to the gaskets that make it the water-resistant pen drive up to 200 meters.
PROS
- Resists heat, cold, dust and water
- Very durable
- Backward compatible with USB 2.0
- Keep your most confidential data and secure it
- It can be submerged in water up to 200 meters
- IP-54 certified to withstand damage from water and dust
- Resists accidental falls from very high heights (top floor of a building)
CONS
- 150 MB / s in reading and 80 MB / s in writing. Not the top of the range
- Sometimes it can happen that moving or writing a file is a bit slower than normal
SanDisk Cruzer CZ36 USB
The features of this 32 GB and USB 2.0 USB key include password data protection and file encryption to protect your private documents from unwanted access.
Its SecureAccess software offers you additional protection thanks to secure online backup up to 2 GB, via YuuWaa. This way you can store your multimedia and digital files to access them anywhere, on the go.
PROS
- Retractable design without hood
- Ideal for saving media (photos, videos) and digital files
- Easy transfer of files from one computer to another
- Reliable
- Excellent technical support for customers
- Simple and light
- High speed data writing
- Excellent value for money
CONS
- Some users have raised concerns about the difficulty of ejecting the flash drive
- No protection from dust, water or falls
Samsung Drive Fit
This small device made of metal has a memory capacity of 128 GB, which is impressive if you look at its very small size. Its robust and compact casing ensures exceptional durability over time. It is also a Samsung product, with all the benefits that come with it: guaranteed reliability and security that your data will be well protected.
PROS
- Data transfer speed and backup speed up to 150 MB / s
- Backward compatibility with USB 2.0
- Lightweight, portable and durable metal design
- Slim, ultra-compact
- NAND flash technology
- Advanced water-proof technology, high temperatures, shocks, magnetic devices and X-rays
CONS
- No software for file encryption
- No cap to cover the connectors
PNY Pro Elite
This elegant USB flash drive made of highly resistant plastic has a storage capacity of up to 64GB, which is enough to hold most of your most confidential or multimedia files. The write speed reaches 8 MB / s and read speed up to 25 MB / s.
Available in different sizes: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB
We are talking about performance that is not exceptional compared to the models I have already reviewed. But this is a USB 2.0 key and, for its price, it is a good buy if you are not looking for high speed data transmission for particular reasons.
It has a sliding opening and closing system for a simple and practical use. It fits perfectly to any type of computer, portable or office, you can share music, movies and files anywhere and carry them easily.
PROS
- Made with quality plastic
- Sober and elegant design
- Without hood, sliding opening and closing system
- Read and write speed good if related to the price
CONS
- No data protection function with password or encryption
- Slow when running multiple applications together
- Outstanding performance (USB 2.0)
Kingston Digital DataTraveler
The first peculiarity of this USB 3.0 key is that it can easily function as a key ring. Very convenient functionality so you can walk with your files knowing that you can easily access them anytime and anywhere.
It is a small gadget, without a hood and of a size that makes it portable. Its solid aluminum body makes it a durable and reliable device.
Safely save all documents, media and digital files, including videos, music and photos. The storage capacity is up to 128GB and the price for this cut is excellent.
PROS
- Sturdy and resistant thanks to its aluminum body
- Great price – quite cheap compared to its quality
- Convenient (can be used as a key ring and fits perfectly to your key bunch)
- Design without hood
CONS
- Data transfer speed sometimes not exceptional
- Does not protect against water, dust, high temperatures, shocks and X-rays
- The key is not supplied with password protection software or encryption
SanDisk Cruzer Ultra
SanDisk is now synonymous with quality. Like the other USB 3.0 keys of the SanDisk family , this device offers read and write speeds of up to 100 MB / s, for transferring, sharing and / or backing up important files in the shortest possible time.
It’s ten times faster than regular USB 2.0 drives. It also includes SecureAccess software with 128-bit AES encryption and password protection to secure the most important and confidential files.
PROS
- Storage capacity up to 256GB
- Compatible with different operating systems and devices
- Password protection and encryption to keep private files safe
- Compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports
- Durable and highly durable
- Elegant design
- Simple to use
- Very high reading speed
CONS
- Sometimes slow writing speed
- No protection from dust and water
- Some users have reported that driver updates are sometimes not performed after downloading