Top 9 Tips for Choosing the Right, High-Quality USB

USBs come with several connection standards such as 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, Type C, and OTG. You should choose one based on your personal needs.

• USB 2.0: This is a basic USB with an average speed of 480 Mbps, which equals 60MB/s. It supports various formats, including Type A, Type B, Micro B, Mini B, and currently, Type C.
• USB 3.0: This version offers a transfer speed of 5 Gbps (625 MB/s), making it ten times faster than USB 2.0. It's commonly used with computers and supports three main types: Type A, Type B, and Micro B.
• USB 3.1: This version provides speeds ranging from 5 to 10 Gbps, offering significantly improved features compared to the two previous generations. Gen 1 has a speed of 5 Gbps, while Gen 2 reaches 10 Gbps. USB 3.1 is often used with high-end machines and devices.
• USB Type C: A professional standard connector, supporting ultra-fast data transfer speeds from 1,250 MB/s to 2,500 MB/s. This USB is compatible with many devices.
• USB OTG: A newer USB port that offers improvements over earlier versions, allowing data reading from a USB connection. OTG can connect with a variety of electronic devices.

The market is gradually introducing USBs with various security features to enhance user safety. USBs can be secured through fingerprint recognition or password protection. The level of security is also a key factor in determining the price of a USB. If you need to store sensitive data on a USB, it's wise to choose one with robust security features for added protection.

Additionally, you can secure your USB with the following methods:

• Set a password to protect your USB using BitLock
• Traditional method: save files with a password
• Create an encrypted secure partition with Rohos Mini Drive
• Lock USB Flash with USB Safeguard
• Set a password for USB protection with Wondershare
• Set a password for USB protection using DiskCrytor
• Set a password for USB protection using Kakasoft USB Security
• Other software options for password-protecting USBs: 1. Rohos Disk Encryption:
  • USB Flash Security
  • StorageCrypt
  • VeraCrypt
  • Gili USB Stick Encryption

Currently, there are several well-known USB brands that offer many interesting features, security, and safety for users. Some famous USB brands include: Sandisk, Transcend, Kingston, and Apacer.

Sandisk: Sandisk is an established electronics manufacturer from the United States. Sandisk USBs come in various styles and designs with innovative features, combining modern technology for stable data transfer and enhanced security. Sandisk offers products at various price points to cater to a wide range of customer segments.

Transcend: Transcend is a Taiwanese brand that has been producing USB drives since 1988. It is known as a global leader in data storage solutions. Transcend USB drives are diverse in design, equipped with advanced technology, and have large storage capacities. These USBs are affordable, typically priced between 200,000 - 500,000 VND.

Kingston: Kingston, another American brand, is a strong competitor to Sandisk in the USB market. Kingston USBs are highly regarded for their durability, good storage capacity, stable transfer speeds, and excellent security features.

Apacer: Apacer is a Taiwanese brand specializing in storage solutions. Apacer USB drives are known for their compact design and various styles. The technology used in Apacer USBs stands out with transfer speeds up to 80MB/s and compatibility with multiple devices.

One important factor when purchasing a USB is to choose reliable vendors. It's best to buy USBs from large stores or electronics supermarkets. Although the prices may be a bit higher compared to smaller shops, you'll be assured of better quality products and superior after-sales services (returns, warranties).

You should choose USBs from reputable electronics stores with widespread coverage across the country to ensure easy access for repairs. Additionally, you can place an order online from trusted, well-known websites for home delivery.

Choosing a trustworthy USB retailer is critical. Opt for sellers that offer genuine products, attractive warranty policies, and product exchange options in case of manufacturer defects. To ensure product quality, it’s important to select well-known, reputable brands. Surveying prices is also an important step to ensure you buy a high-quality USB at a reasonable price.

Moreover, consider purchasing from a store that offers good warranty terms and after-sales services. When buying from authorized dealers, you can have peace of mind regarding the product's authenticity. Prices nowadays don’t vary much, so purchasing from authorized outlets ensures you're getting a genuine product, which is easy to use and manufactured by the chosen brand. Additionally, users will benefit from the manufacturer's policies and other advantages provided by the brand.

Best Overall: Sandisk Extreme Go 3.1 64GB: With ultra-fast performance and a compact design, the Sandisk Extreme Go is undoubtedly one of the best USB flash drives. Offering read/write speeds of 420MB/s and 380MB/s, the Extreme Go provides exceptionally fast data transfer speeds, often outperforming computer hard drives. With its lightning-fast speed, Extreme Go can transfer a 4K movie in less than 40 seconds, nearly 35 times faster than a USB 2.0 drive, thanks to its USB 3.1 hardware. Besides its high performance, the Sandisk design is sleek, thin, measuring 7x2x1cm, and weighs only 136g.

Best Speed: SanDisk Extreme PRO 128GB Drive: The SanDisk PRO drive delivers truly impressive speeds, with a read speed of 420MB/s and a write speed of 380MB/s, making it 3-4 times faster than the average USB 3.0 drive. With its durable aluminum casing and stylish design, it's perfect for business meetings and looks professional. AES 128-bit file encryption on board provides top-level security for your sensitive files. This USB 3.0 connection is also backward compatible with USB 2.0, ensuring compatibility with older computers.

Best Durability: Samsung 32GB Metal Flash Drive: Anyone who has accidentally left a flash drive in their jeans pocket and put it through the wash will appreciate the durability of Samsung's drive. Its super-durable metal casing is waterproof, shockproof, magnet-proof, and resistant to high temperatures. The drive itself is encased in this metal shell, ensuring it won't break (and the metal keyring is made from the same durable material, extending the drive's life). Samsung offers a 5-year warranty for this drive, providing peace of mind for any unexpected issues.

Best Value: Kingston Digital 16GB DataTraveler: For under $10, you can get a compact, durable USB drive with USB 3.0 speeds from Kingston. It has a no-cap design with a sturdy keyring, making it ideal for travel or daily use. The design can even be customized with your company's logo or name. The maximum read speed is 100Mb/s, with slightly slower write speeds. With a 5-year warranty, great design, and a reasonable price, this small drive is an excellent choice.

Best for Apple Products: SanDisk iXpand 128GB: Apple's smart products don’t come with USB ports, so you'll need a compatible reverse-connector drive that works with lightning devices. This USB drive from SanDisk is designed for easy use with iPhones and iPads, thanks to a specially curved plastic connector that fits the back of the screen. It features USB 3.0 transfer speeds and can store over 7,200 photos or 8,000 songs. It includes automatic photo backup and contact list transfer, helping free up space on your device and speeding up upload speeds.

There are many different designs of USBs available on the market today. You can choose from models with caps, retractable designs, or stylish, eye-catching designs. However, regardless of the design, always prioritize convenience, as USBs are used quite frequently. In terms of material, you can choose between plastic or metal USBs. Metal casings are usually more expensive but offer better durability and sturdiness compared to plastic.

When using a USB, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind to ensure the product performs at its best and lasts as long as possible:

• Avoid dropping or bumping the USB
• Never expose it to water. If it accidentally gets wet, dry it quickly and refrain from using it for at least 48 hours
• Keep the USB away from high temperatures and damp environments
• Avoid working directly with data stored on the USB
• Avoid formatting the USB, as this can reduce its storage capacity
• To safely eject the USB, use the “Eject” option, “Eject Mobile Disk,” or “Safely Remove USB Mass Storage Device” before unplugging
• Right-click on the USB and select “Explorer” to prevent virus infiltration on your computer. It’s also recommended to scan for viruses using antivirus software before use to minimize virus risks.

A USB is a standard device widely used today to connect computers to external devices. It functions similarly to a portable hard drive or memory card, allowing data storage. The USB features a plug-and-play design, which can be directly inserted into computers or TVs with compatible ports. To use a USB, simply plug it into the device’s port without needing to log in or restart the device.

Main uses of a USB:

• Support for data synchronization and backup
• Used as a key to lock/unlock a computer
• Running portable software
• Improving Windows performance
• Backing up data on a USB flash drive
• Storing important documents
• Installing operating systems
• Providing online security with live operating systems like Tails
• Storing antivirus software to scan and eliminate viruses on your computer
• USBs also function as memory storage when the computer’s internal storage is full
• Additionally, USBs can run portable programs on Windows or assist in installing Linux distributions

This makes it an essential solution when needing to use specific applications on different computers.

Storage capacity is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing a USB drive. Generally, the larger the capacity, the higher the price. Depending on your needs, you can select the capacity that best suits you. If you only need to store text documents or work/study data, a 2GB or 4GB USB drive will suffice.

If you're backing up music, images, or high-quality videos, a USB drive with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of storage would be ideal. For those requiring more space, options like 64GB, 128GB, or even 1TB USB drives are available.

How to check the storage capacity of your USB:

• Step 1: Plug the USB into the USB port on your computer.
• Step 2: Open 'This PC' or 'Computer' (Windows 10 users can press the Windows key + E).
• Step 3: You will see the USB drive listed as shown in the image.

Đầu tiên khi bạn muốn sỡ hữu một chiếc USB thì phải chú ý đến thiết kế của thiết bị, nếu bạn là người không thích sự rườm rà chỉ muốn đơn giản thì bạn nên chọn cho mình chiếc USB không nắp đậy giúp bạn không lo sợ bị quên nắp mỗi khi sử dụng mà còn rất tiện dụng khi tích hợp thanh trượt để mở khóa , kiểu USB thứ 2 được trang bị nắp đậy giúp bảo vệ đầu kết nối USB không bị bám bụi bẩn sau thời gian dài sử dụng, nhiều USB có nắp đậy gắn được dây nên bạn sẽ không lo sợ về việc mất nắp nữa.

Khi bạn muốn sở hữu một chiếc USB thì phải chú ý đến thiết kế của thiết bị. Nếu bạn là người thích sự đơn giản, thuận tiện thì bạn nên chọn cho mình chiếc USB không nắp đậy và tích hợp thanh trượt trên USB. Kiểu USB thứ 2 được trang bị nắp đậy giúp bảo vệ đầu kết nối USB không bị bám bụi bẩn sau thời gian dài sử dụng, nhiều USB có nắp đậy có thể gắn được móc khóa nên bạn sẽ không lo sợ về việc mất nắp nữa.

Ngoài ra, bạn còn có thể lựa chọn một chiếc USB có vỏ kim loại bền bỉ hoặc vỏ nhựa gọn nhẹ tiện lợi tùy vào nhu cầu sử dụng. Bên cạnh đó, kích thước USB cũng rất đa dạng khoảng từ 2 cm - 7 cm cho bạn thoải mái lựa chọn.