With the cloud storage ecosystem evolving over the years, people have relied on digital solutions for storing their data. But even then, you still have traditional methods of keeping data with the help of USB drives. These are tried and tested and ensure the data stored is secured. These days you get USB drives with support for USB 3.0 technology that can handle extreme temperatures and offer additional features like password lock or shock-proof durability. Here are the best 32GB USB drives in the market.
Things to consider when buying a pen drive
Pen drives serve the basic purpose of storing data. You can keep important files, movies, audio tracks and other data secure behind the heavy computing architecture. They offer fast data transfer speeds, and different USB standards are supported. Here are the main things to consider when buying a pen drive
- Know your storage needs: Pen drives store data, but the capacity is based on its storage limit. Generally, you would find that a pen drive does not offer its advertised figure. But even then make sure you know the amount of data the pen drive can store in this range.
- Versatility is a must: These days we have multiple devices that cater to our data usage. You have mobile, tablets and laptops, between which we transfer data or share. If you need a pen drive that works across all these systems, then you should go for the dual-purpose models that have a micro-USB/USB Type C port on one side, and USB 2.0/3.0 interface at the other end.
- Fast transfer speed: Storage drives not only deliver the space to store data but also help you transfer content from one device to another. And for that you need high-speed rates, allowing you to move a Blu-ray movie from PC to the drive in quick time, or vice versa.
- Buy the latest hardware standard: Fast transfer speeds are heavily reliant on the hardware standard supported by the pen drive. USB Type C or USB 3.0 interface delivers the best-in-class data transfer speeds.
1. SanDisk Ultra Flair
Sandisk Ultra Flair is our first pick in this range. The USB drive features a compact capless metal casing which makes it easy to carry in a pocket, bag, and more. It comes with a high-speed USB 3.0 interface to transfer data from PC, laptop or Mac. You get data transfer read speeds up to 150 MB/sec. At this speed have the ability to transfer a Full HD quality movie in less than a minute. Sandisk has integrated SecureAccess software to protect important files on the drive, making sure your data remains secure behind its customised solution. It also gets the option to lock data behind passwords if needed. The dual-tone finish of metal and black, along with the textured panel gives it extra durability to handle daily rough usage. With this drive, you can store up to 1000 photos, 32 minutes of Full HD video, and more. Buyers consider Sandisk for its quality and speed reliability and the Ultra Flair serves their purpose in a budget.
2. HP FD236W
HP is predominantly a PC and printer brand, but it also caters to the storage segment with its pen drives in the market. This drive from HP gets a metallic finish with electronic plating which not only looks premium but also makes the drive durable. It features a capless design which lets you connect the drive directly to a PC or laptop via its USB 2.0 interface. HP promises the driver is capable of providing read speed of 14MB/sec and a write speed of 5MB/sec for quick data transfer between devices. The drive has an integrated strap hole that allows you to tag it along with your bag or pocket. But data gets the right level of protection from HP, allowing you to use the pen drive in high temperatures, or easily handle shock, and vibration from any drop or other mishaps. It weighs just 6.4 grams, so you don’t have to feel the burden of carrying personal data in your bag, pocket or other places. HP has managed to deliver its fast read and write speeds for buyers, who also love its durability thanks to the metal casing and the capless design adding further convenience without any drop in its security.
3. SanDisk Cruzer Blade
The SanDisk Cruzer Blade pen drive series has been a reliable portable device for years on the market. And its 32GB variant flash drive enables you to store and transfer data between devices easily and securely. It comes in a compact and portable form factor and offers reliable storage for your photos, videos, music, and more. SanDisk is also bundling access to SecureAccess software to protect your sensitive documents and files from external attackers. Further, the company is also providing 2GB cloud backup to ensure you always have access to important files. The drive works over the USB 2.0 interface, which provides just enough speed to transfer large files in a matter of minutes while still being a lot more affordable than most other drives on the market in this price range. And not to mention, you’re getting the reliability and trust of the SanDisk brand to store and access your important files.
4. Kingston DataTraveler Exodia
Next up, you have Kingston with the DataTraveler Exodia, which as the name suggests features a unique design. The brand has given it the perfect lightweight body, making it portable and easy to fit in small pockets. The drive comes integrated with a high-speed USB 3.1 interface that offers reverse compatibility with support for USB 2.0 technology as well. This way you don’t have to worry about using the DataTraveler Exodia with different systems and platforms. Using the drive lets you transfer data from two different ports without compromising on the data speed. Besides the design, data speeds are crucial for storage drive users, and Kingston offers that in abundance thanks to USB 3.0 support. Some even say it is the best pen drive for the price.
5. SanDisk Ultra CZ48 (SDCZ48-032G-UAM46)
SanDisk Ultra is a high-speed USB 3.0 performance pen drive, which the company claims to offer fast data transfer speeds enough to transfer a standard movie file to the drive in just 40 seconds. The maximum read offered by the drive is up to 100MB/s. The SanDisk Ultra is compatible with PCs, Macs, smartphones, tablets, car stereos, TVs, and many other devices with the standard USB port. Further, the SanDisk Ultra is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 port to offer universal compatibility. Further, you can use the SecureAccess software to store important documents in a secure 128-bit AES-encrypted container to keep important files away from prying eyes. The software also offers drag-and-drop support to the encrypted vault for ease of use functionality. The company is also giving access to the RescuePRO Deluxe Software, which helps in recovering accidentally deleted files. Finally, the SanDisk Ultra pen drive is tested to withstand harsh weather conditions to offer an extended life span.
6. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go
The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go is a versatile pen drive with dual USB ports – USB Type-C and USB-A 3.0. You can use the drive on your PCs, laptops, and other devices, as well as modern smartphones that feature the Type-C port. Not to mention, transferring data between these devices becomes an extremely easy task thanks to a dual-port design. The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go also has a keyring hole that makes attaching keychains easy — making it extremely easy to carry it. The drive also features a rotating cap, which not only protects the ports from wear and tear but also adds a touch of a premium feel. The ports work over the newer-gen USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, which offers up to 150MB/s read speeds for faster file access. The company also provides access to the SanDisk Memory Zone app, which automatically backs up the latest photos, videos, music, documents, and contacts from your smartphone – this makes sure that data management becomes easy and you always have access to the important files. If you’re looking for a high-quality, affordable and versatile 32GB capacity pen drive to store your data on, the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go is easily one of the best ones on the market.
7. Strontium Nitro
Another Strontium product on our list is Nitro. This pen drive works on mobile and PCs with its dual micro-USB and USB 3.1 interface respectively. The company has also equipped the drive with the ability to deliver 100MB/sec transfer speeds and read speed up to 150MB/sec on offer. The special design from Strontium is all about convenience and wider device compatibility. At this price, people seek dual-purpose value, and the Nitro packages that quite affordably. This pen drive also becomes an easy pick because of its versatility and the advantage of using it on the move.
8. Kingston DataTraveler Exodia
The Exodia DTX is another model from Kingston offering you storage solutions in this range. Offering the drive with USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface means you get high-speed data transfer, even after including large-size files. The company has added a protective touch with a cap to make sure the USB interface does not get damaged. The basic design and form factor of Exodia DTX gives you the right mix of portability and security. The upper ring layer comes in different colours for different capacities. Exodia DTX also provides you with backward compatibility, allowing older devices to support the high-speed reliability of this pen drive. Buyers have found this drive sturdy and ideal for the money you pay.
9. EVM 32GB Pen Drive
The EVM 32GB pen drive is one of the most feature-packed and reliable storage devices on this list. The versatile drive is compatible with a wide range of devices thanks to the universal USB 2.0 port. The EVM 32GB pen drive provides high data transfer speeds going up to 120MB/s and 25MB/s for read and write speeds, respectively. This makes the drive a good choice for storing music, videos, photos, documents, and more. Thanks to the metal casing the pen drive is durable and additionally features overtemperature protection, shock protection, and short circuit protection – thereby ensuring the stored data stays protected even in harsh conditions. Further, the company also claims it is using high-quality flash storage to offer maximum reliability. EVM 32GB pen drive is compatible with a range of platforms including Windows, Mac, OS X, Linux, and more. Finally, you get backwards and forward compatibility with USB 1.0 and USB 3.0, respectively.
10. HP x5600B
Next on our list is the HP x5600B pen drive. This one also features dual ports and comes with OTG (USB On-The-Go) support. It comes with a micro B (USB 3.2) port and a Type-A port. This makes it easy to use the drive with smartphones and tablets and other devices. The pen drive promises to give transfer speeds of up to 150MB/s. And its 32GB storage capacity provides plenty of storage to store and transfer movies, music, photos, and more. Further, the HP x5600B pen drive is compatible with laptops as well. The cap of the drive securely remains in place thanks to a cardholder design. It is worth mentioning that the HP x5600B pen drive is also available in 64GB and 128GB storage capacities as well. Buyers say the HP x5600B pen drive provides instant access to the stored files with the dual USB ports and is an overall value-for-money deal.
