Top USB Flash Drives for Speed, Storage, and Versatility

USB flash drives, once a staple for data storage, have declined in popularity with the rise of cloud services. However, they remain a practical and reliable solution for backing up files, transferring data between devices, and even playing media directly on TVs. WIRED has tested various flash drives and recommends the best models for different needs, including the SanDisk Extreme Pro (128 GB) for overall performance, the Kingston DataTraveler Max (1 TB) for speed, and the SK Hynix Tube T31 (1 TB) for high-capacity storage. The article also provides essential tips on choosing the right drive, formatting it properly, and safely ejecting it to prevent data corruption. Buyers should consider capacity, speed, compatibility, and security features like encryption if storing sensitive data. The piece concludes with testing methodologies and additional recommendations, including budget-friendly and secure options. While USB flash drives may not be as dominant as before, they still serve valuable purposes in various scenarios.