Top 5 USB Drives – Best Pendrives in 2012

All of the drives mentioned here have similar read and write speeds (USB 3.0 level). Sure, some companies offer a little bit extra in the tune of backup or security software, but it’s ultimately price and looks that most of us base our purchases on. So, in no particular order, here are the top 5 USB drives you can buy:

5. Sony MicroVault Mach

Sony’s new range of USB 3.0 drives come in capacities of 4,8, 16 and 32GB. The exterior is built from a brushed-metal finish plastic and the drive looks rather snazzy. The actual USB connector is hidden via a spring mechanism that can be pushed out and retracted via spring mechanism. It’s a bit on the weaker side, but eliminates the need for a cap that can be so easily lost. It’s a good looking and solid performing USB pen drive that doesn’t offer any extras, but is good at what it’s supposed to do, store data. The 16GB version costs INR 1250.

 

4. Kingston DataTraveler Elite 3.0

Kingston is a brand very well known in portable date storage and it doesn’t disappoint with the new USB 3.0 pen drive. A solid, capless design makes the drive robust and easy to handle. It looks pretty good too, with multiple coloring in layers and is available in 8, 16, 32 and 64GB. The 16GB version retails for around INR 1450 and comes with a 5 year warranty, free tech support and the legendary reliability of Kingston.

 

3. ADATA S107

ADATA isn’t a very well known name but the new USB 3.0 pen drive is sure to generate some buzz. It might not look as good as other pendrives, but offers solid performance at a great price. Even better is the fact that the ADATA S107 is made out of a rubber material that is water and shock resistant. It is available in red or blue colors in capacities of 8, 16, 32 and 64GB. The 16GB version is a  good buy at INR 1300 if you’re prone to dropping stuff!

 

2. Corsair Flash Voyager

Corsair’s new pen drive another great performing pen drive that can take a beating. It’s water resistant and shockproof and can supposedly survive a stint in the washing machine! The downside is it doesn’t include any software and doesn’t have an integrated cap. The Flash Voyager is available in red or blue color in capacities of 8, 16, 32 and  64GB. If great transfer speeds and exceptional durability is what you need, grab the 16GB Flash Voyager at INR 1550.

1. Transcend JetFlash 700

So the last few USB flash drives were all about the externals, meet the new Transcend JetFlash 700 which is all about what’s inside. Encased in a relatively inconspicuous black garb, the simple yet elegant JetFlash 700 offers excellent data transfer speeds along with extra features. The package includes data management and security software so there’s no worries of unwanted people snooping around your data and your data can be backed up and synchronized very easily. It’s not particularly rugged or good looking either and the cap is not integrated, but the software included and the excellent data transfer speeds justify its great price. The Transcend JetFlash 700 is available in 8, 16, 32 and 64GB and the 16GB version is a steal at INR 999!

Keep in mind that even though USB 3.0 is supposed to be 10 times faster than USB 2.0 at peak, these flash drives will practically be only about 2-3 times faster than USB 2.0 flash drives. So expect read rates to be around 90-120MB/second and write rates to be around 80-100MB/second.