USB flash drives are going extinct. Use these higher options as a substitute

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When was the final time you used a USB flash drive? I needed to suppose for a second myself — and to be trustworthy, I can’t keep in mind precisely. For years, the USB stick was the machine of alternative when it got here to quick and uncomplicated knowledge switch. Why do these sensible storage aids hardly play a job as we speak, and are they presumably even on the verge of extinction? A have a look at present developments sheds some gentle on this.

Why are USB flash drives now not well-liked?

As compact and helpful as they're, USB flash drives have misplaced a lot of their relevance in recent times. One of many principal causes is their comparatively low storage capability. Many commercially out there fashions finish at 256GB or 512GB, which implies that giant quantities of information corresponding to 4K movies, full photograph archives, or system backups can solely be transported to a restricted extent.

Though there are additionally some high-end sticks with as much as 2TB of reminiscence, such because the Seagate Extremely Compact SSD, many individuals want to make use of an SSD for such capacities. The rationale: SSDs usually use extra highly effective flash chips, which guarantee greater knowledge switch charges and an extended service life.

One other downside: The traditional USB-A connection is hardly appropriate for contemporary units. Most laptops and tablets depend on USB-C, as do smartphones.

talked about on this article

Seagate Extremely Compact SSD <img decoding="async" width="3472" height="2154" class="product-widget__image" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PXL_20250331_080220312.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" alt="Seagate Ultra Compact SSD" srcset="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PXL_20250331_080220312.jpg?quality=50&strip=all 3472w, https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PXL_20250331_080220312.jpg?resize=300%2C186&quality=50&strip=all 300w, https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PXL_20250331_080220312.jpg?resize=768%2C476&quality=50&strip=all 768w, https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PXL_20250331_080220312.jpg?resize=1200%2C744&quality=50&strip=all 1200w, https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PXL_20250331_080220312.jpg?resize=1536%2C953&quality=50&strip=all 1536w, https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PXL_20250331_080220312.jpg?resize=2048%2C1271&quality=50&strip=all 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Learn our assessment Worth When Reviewed: 1TB: $100 I 2TB: $180 Finest Costs Immediately: $79.99 at B & H Picture

Though there at the moment are USB sticks with Kind C connectors, such because the aforementioned Seagate Extremely Compact. There are additionally so-called twin sticks with USB-A and USB-C connections, however in follow that is typically a compromise. Many of those fashions depend on easy controllers and cheaper flash reminiscence, which ends up in considerably slower switch charges — particularly when writing giant information.

Trendy options to USB flash drives

Exterior exhausting drives: Plenty of storage for little cash

Exterior exhausting drives, corresponding to Exterior drives, corresponding to SSDs, are sturdy and highly effective — with considerably extra space for storing than the common USB stick.Exterior drives — whether or not traditional HDDs or quick SSDs — are among the many hottest options to USB sticks. They provide considerably extra storage (as much as 4TB and extra), and SSDs specifically impress with their excessive switch pace through USB-C or Thunderbolt. Whereas HDDs provide a variety of area at a positive worth, SSDs are the higher alternative for big quantities of information, as they're sooner, extra sturdy, and hardly dearer in greater storage courses than comparable USB sticks.

Benefits:

Considerably extra space for storing than USB sticks

Shock-resistant and sturdy, higher-quality flash chips

Preferrred for backups or giant quantities of information

Disadvantages:

Bigger and heavier than a USB stick

Generally dearer, particularly for SSD fashions

Sandisk Excessive Transportable SSD 1TB (moveable NVMe SSD)

Exterior drive with SSD know-how 2.5 inch, USB-C, as much as 2,000 MB/s learn and write, NVMe SSD, IP65, 5-year guarantee

purchase it on amazon for $119.99

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2_109ac1.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" alt="Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD v2 2 TB" class="wp-image-2345372" loading="lazy" /> Mattias Inghe

Essential X10 Professional 1TB Transportable SSD

Exterior drive with SSD know-how, USB-C, as much as 2,100MB/s learn and a couple of,000MB/s write, IP55

purchase it on amazon for $104

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/x10-pro-hero-c.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Crucial X10 Pro" class="wp-image-2629735" loading="lazy" /> Jon L. Jacobi

SSK 2TB moveable, exterior NVME SSD

Exterior drive with SSD know-how, NVMe SSD, 2.7 inch, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1,050MB/s learn and 1,000MB/s write pace

purchase it on amazon for $134

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SSK-2-TB-new.png?w=1200" alt="SSK 2 TB NVME-SSD" class="wp-image-2659181" loading="lazy" /> Amazon

Additional studying: The perfect exterior drives we’ve examined

SD playing cards: Small, quick – however not common

SD reminiscence playing cards can be utilized SD reminiscence playing cards can be utilized to broaden cell phone reminiscence, for instance.SD playing cards (or microSDs with an adapter) are additionally a compact various to USB sticks. They're commonplace, particularly for cameras, drones, and cellular units, in addition to some laptops. Together with a USB-C card reader, SD playing cards may even be used as mini storage drives for notebooks.

Additional studying: SD playing cards, demystified: How you can decipher the complicated jumble of specs

The benefit over traditional USB sticks: SD playing cards can be utilized extra flexibly in lots of areas, are sometimes cheaper per gigabyte and — relying on the category and mannequin — additionally obtain excessive switch speeds. They're additionally simple to switch or completely combine into units, corresponding to cameras or laptops with card readers. So for those who work with reminiscence playing cards anyway, you'll be able to simply use them as a cellular drive (and save your self the additional stick).

Benefits:

Extraordinarily small and light-weight

Good speeds with trendy UHS-II playing cards

Can be utilized immediately in lots of units

Disadvantages:

Vulnerable to loss or harm

A card reader is normally required to be used on a PC

Amazon Fundamentals microSDXC 128GB

SD reminiscence card with 128GB and SD adapter, 100MB/s most learn pace

purchase it on amazon for $11.99

Sandisk Excessive PRO SDXC UHS-I reminiscence card 512GB

Sandisk UHS-I reminiscence card, 512 GB, V30, switch pace 200 MB/s, U3, 4K UHD movies, Sandisk QuickFlow know-how

purchase it on amazon for $72

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SanDisk-Extreme-512gb.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="SanDisk Extreme 512GB" class="wp-image-2763169" loading="lazy" /> SanDisk

Cloud providers: Space for storing all the time with you

The cloud might be probably the most trendy various to USB sticks. Companies corresponding to Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or OneDrive provide space for storing on the web that you could entry from any machine — with out a bodily drive.

Benefits:

Entry from anyplace with an web connection

Preferrred for collaboration and shared information

Computerized synchronization potential

Disadvantages:

Depending on a secure web connection

Restricted free storage, adopted by a paid subscription

Information safety and encryption are necessary points

Conclusion: USB drive just for particular instances?

The standard USB flash drive has not but fully misplaced its place — it's fairly frequent and superb for easy knowledge transfers, firmware updates, or as a boot stick. However as an on a regular basis answer, it's lengthy outdated. The mix of restricted reminiscence, reducing compatibility, and rising necessities makes it a discontinued mannequin. Trendy options corresponding to SSDs, SD playing cards, or cloud providers provide higher efficiency, extra flexibility and, in lots of instances, a greater price-performance ratio.