Flash thumb drives are one of the most convenient storage options available to us. CDs and DVDs are nice, but it takes time to burn files to them, and new computers are increasingly coming equipped without a disk drive. SD cards are great for their compact size, but not every computer has an SD-card reader. On the other hand, almost every computer has a USB port. It’s so easy to simply transfer some files onto a thumb drive and then plug it into another computer.

The downside to choosing a flash drive is that there are seemingly unlimited options available. Which one do you choose to get the best value? This article will break down the best thumb drives on the market.

1. SanDisk Cruzer Micro 16 GB

SanDisk is a premier thumb drive brand, and this is definitely their best offering. For $27.15, you can get 16 GB of storage. It’s tough to beat this deal. If you don’t need as much storage space, the SanDisk Cruzer Micro 8 GB for $18.50 is also available.

2. HP v100w 8 GB

This is an excellent flash drive from an excellent brand. HP offers 8 GB of storage for only $16.99.

3. Kingston DataTraveler I – 4 GB

This is currently one of the most popular flash drives on the market, and it has received rave reviews for its functionality, reliability, and durability. At $12.66, almost everyone can afford this USB drive.

4. LaCie iamaKey 8 GB

This thumb drive is shaped like a key, and it is about as sturdy as a key too. Designed to fit on your keychain, this flash drive costs $25.99. It is a little more expensive than what you’d normally expect to pay for 8 GB of storage, but it is made of solid metal.

5. Coby MP305-4G

If you’re looking to get a little more use out of your thumb drive, you might try the MP305 from Coby. This is the same size as any other thumb drive, but it also contains an mp3 player and an FM radio. For 4 GB, it is currently priced at $24.46.

6. Crucial Technology Gizmo 8 GB

Crucial is a respected thumb drive manufacturer who offers a no-frills 8 GB device for $23.09.

7. Patriot Xporter XT Boost 8 GB

Patriot isn’t as well known as the other thumb drive brands, but they have a great product. The Xporter XT Boost boasts speeds of up to 200X faster than a typical flash drive. Patriot also claims it is washing machine safe. To back this up, they offer a lifetime warranty. The 8 GB model is currently priced at $22.99. Musical instruments and DJ Equiments

By: Chris Pine

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Which model you get is entirely up to your own needs. SanDisk currently offers the best value on a dollar per GB basis, but some of the other brands offer unique features. Hopefully this guide has given you some ideas for your next thumb drive purchase. So should you stuff your CD’s into some GE trash compactor bags and toss your DVD’s into a 13 gallon trash can? I’d say you probably should.