Best USB Flash Drives to Use for Portable Linux in 2024
Are you on the lookout for a USB flash drive to run portable Linux distributions but can’t figure out what drive to buy? We can help! Follow along with this list as we go over the 6 best USB flash drives to use for portable Linux.
Buying a USB flash drive for Linux
If you plan to run an operating system from a USB flash drive, you need to keep in mind input/output speeds. With high input/output speeds, you’ll be able to get the full Linux experience without performance slow-downs. Menu animations and performance won’t be hindered, and you’ll have a great user experience.
If you have a USB flash drive with low input/output speeds, it will still be useful, but limited in performance.
For the best Linux experience, get a USB flash drive with incredible input/output speeds. If you can’t, try to determine if your budget USB flash drive is compatible with USB 3.0, or higher, to increase performance.
Best USB flash drives to run portable Linux
Picking the best USB flash drive to run a portable Linux distribution is challenging, as there are thousands of USB flash drives on the market. That’s why we’ve created a simple list to help you make an educated purchase. Here are our picks!
Best overall: Kingston DataTraveler Max
If you don’t mind spending a tad bit more on quality, you may find Kingston Data Traveler the USB for you. It’s lightning-fast, stores tons of data, and is still very responsive. Here are some features we love:
- Casing has a keyring loop for portability
- Capacity up to 1TB
- The most up to date 3.2 Gen 2 Standard
- Has a variety of capacities to choose from (256GB-1TB), depending on your needs
- LED status light
- Speeds up to 1,000MB/s Read, 900MB/s Write
- Compatible with Linux, Chrome OS, Windows, and macOS
Best for Mixed-Use: SK hynix Tube T31
If you want to use your USB for more than just your Linux distros, SK hynix is compatible with pretty much everything, including gaming consoles. It’s fast, built to withstand damage, and very responsive. Other features:
- Speeds up to 1,000MB/s (10Gbps)
- Guaranteed 3-year warranty
- Compatible with Linux, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles as well as Windows and macOS
- 2-meter drop tested for durability
- Storage capacity up to 1TB
- 3.2 Gen2
Best for size: SAMSUNG FIT Plus 3.1 USB Flash Drive
Looking for something teeny tiny that doesn’t take up a lot of space? The Samsung Fit Plus is perfect for anyone wanting to save space, but have a lot of power at the same time. Great for plug and stay needs, it won’t get in the way no matter where you use it. While it doesn’t have the same whopping storage capacity or 3.2 Gen 2 standard as some of our other picks, it is nevertheless zippy, reliable, and very affordably priced too. Additional qualities:
- Designed to stay in your devices to expand storage needs
- Shock-proof, water-proof, magnet-proof, temperature-proof, etc.
- 3.1 standard
- Read speeds up to 400 MB/s
- Stays in devices without worry of bumping or jostling it loose
- Very affordably priced
- 5-year warranty
Best Budget Option: SanDisk 32GB Ultra Flair
USB flash drives can get surprisingly expensive, especially the powerful versions. If you want something simple that is budget-oriented, you’ll love the SanDisk Ultra Flair. It not only has some of the lowest prices on the market, but it also has some of the highest reviews. A rare combination. Other things to love:
- USB 3.0
- Write speed 4MB per second
- Performance up to 150MB/s
- Built-in SecureAccess software lets you protect important files with a password and 128-bit AES encryption
- Memory storage ranges from 16GB to 512GB, depending on the model you buy
Best Stick Solid State Drive (SSD): BUFFALO External SSD 500GB
Solid State drives are faster than typical USB flash drives. They can also handle large amounts of data at high speeds, though they can be a tiny bit bigger in size than some drives. This Buffalo External SSD wins us over for sheer power, speed, and ability to multitask with ease. We also love:
- Compatible with PC’s and PlayStation consoles
- Speeds up to 600 MB/s
- 3.2 connectivity. Supports USB-C/USB-A
- 3-year warranty
- Built for durability, including drop protection and shock-resistance
- Storage capacity ranges from 500GB to a massive 2TB, depending on the model you purchase
- Drop tested up to 4 feet
Best Mid-Range Option: Samsung Type-C™ USB Flash Drive
There’s a lot to love about the Samsung Type-C flash drive. It’s a great mid-tier option when you want quality, features, and an affordable price. It’s highly lauded by users, is built to last, and has good speed and storage. If you’re looking for something simple, affordable, and reliable, you’ve found your drive.
- Transfers 4GB files in a mere 11 seconds
- Up to 400MB/s
- Compatible with most operating systems and devices, including digital cameras
- Reversible plug and is backward compatible with USB 3.0/2.0
- Magnet-proof, temperature-proof, shock-proof, etc.
- 5-year warranty
- 64 – 256GB storage
- USB 3.2 Gen 1
Conclusion
When it comes to USB flash drives, most will be compatible with Linux distros. However, pay attention to storage space and speeds. The better these stats, the better your Linux experience will be.
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Until about a year ago the sandisk ultrafit was a fantastic choice. Ones made recently very often won’t boot at all and can only be used for storage. Apparently they have changed the controller to keep the prices down and due to shortages.