The 10 Best Android Flash Drives [Type-B and Type-C]
Flash drives may not be so relevant to smartphones and nowadays, phones can have as much as 1 terabyte storage. Unfortunately, it will be different for every phone and consumer. Some may not have a problem with storage space while others will surely do.
When there’s a shortage of storage space, the common fixes that most of us will do is to delete files, uninstall apps, use a micro SD card for additional storage, or move files to a different storage drive. Using OTG USB Flash Drive to move files from one drive to another is another working method but quite uncommon.
With that in mind, we listed down 10 of the best USB Flash Drive. Additionally, we separated our list into 2 categories, one for the best micro USB Type-B flash drive and one for Type-C.
Every flash drive included in our list can also be used with computers as well.
5 Best USB Micro Type-B Flash Drive
| Best Overall | SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive M3.0 |
| Cheapest | Samsung Flash Drive Duo USB 3.0 |
| Best Value for Money | Transcend Jetflash 880S OTG USB3.0 Flash Drive |
| Highly Recommended | Kingston Digital Data Traveler Micro Duo USB 3.0 |
| Runner Up | PNY Duo Link OTG Micro USB 3.0 |
5 Best USB Type-C Flash Drive
| Best Overall | SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB 3.1 Type-C |
| Cheapest | TEAMGROUP M181 OTG USB 3.0 Type-C Dual Flash Drive |
| Best Value for Money | Samsung Duo Plus |
| Highly Recommended | Kingston Digital Data Traveler Micro Duo USB 3C Flash Drive |
| Runner Up | PNY Duo Link OTG Type-C Drive |
USB OTG Flash Drive Micro Type-B & Type-C
Universal Serial Bus is available in 12 different connectors and a mobile compatible flash drive usually comes in micro Type-B and Type C.
USB Micro Type-B
The USB Micro Type-B port connector has a hexagonal shape with 4 equal sides and 4 parallel sides. It has 5 pins and 2 lock notches.
USB Type-C
The USB Type-C connector, on the other hand, is a simple oblong shape with 24 pin connectors.
5 Best USB Micro Type-B Flash Drive for Android
For our first list, we listed down 5 of the best Android USB flash drive that uses micro Type-B port.
1. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive M3.0 (Best USB Micro Type-B Flash Drive for Android)
The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive M3.0 features a micro-USB Type-B connector on one end and a USB 3.0 connector on the other. This USB thumb drive lets you move files and content between devices—from your Android smartphone or tablet to your laptop, PC or Mac computer and vice versa.
The Ultra Dual Drive M3.0 is also backward-compatible with the older version of USB ports. Additionally, you can use the flash drive with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android (available on Google Play).
Features:
- Compatible with Android smartphones and tablets featuring OTG (On-The-Go) USB support.
- Sleek, retractable design for both micro-USB and USB 3.0 connectors.
- A read and write speed rate of 150MB/s.
- Available in 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB.
2. Samsung Flash Drive Duo USB 3.0
The Samsung USB 3.0 Flash Drive DUO features a streamlined shape and a body made from metal. One special feature of this drive is its NAND technology meaning, it uses a memory module that can retain data without power.
Other than have a quality frame, it also incorporates waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof, magnetic-proof, and X-ray-proof.
Features:
- Features both micro and standard USB connection.
- Slim Metallic Design.
- NAND Flash Technology.
- Waterproof, Shockproof, magnet proof, temp proof, and X-ray proof.
- 5-year warranty.
- Available in 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB.
- Up to 150MB/s Data Transfer Speed.
3. Kingston Digital Data Traveler Micro Duo USB 3.0
The Kingston’s DataTraveler micro Duo Flash drive is one of the best thumb drives for Android tablets and smartphones that support the USB OTG (On-The-Go) functionality. Ideal for storing large files from smartphones and tablets recording HD video and taking higher resolution photos.
The Kingston Data Traveler Duo may not be the cheapest offering in our list but it is the smallest and lightest one in our list.
Features:
- Small form factor for easy portability.
- Available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB.
- Speed rate of 70MB/s read, 15MB/s write.
4. PNY Duo Link OTG Micro USB 3.0
The PNY Duo Link OTG Micro USB Flash drive is the most rugged-looking one on our list. It features a sliding designed to hide each connector when not in use. Additionally, its housing is textured with ridges on each side of the slider for a better grip when opening and closing the drive.
Features:
- Available in 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB.
- Offering transfer speeds up to 130MB/s.
- Micro USB 2.0 connector and USB Type-A 3.1 connector.
5. Transcend Jetflash 880S OTG USB3.0 Flash Drive
Another flash drive that supports OTG technology has a solid housing, and generally lightweight is the Transcend Jetflash 880s. It comes with a cover for the micro USB connector but the type-A USB connector is well built-in within the housing. Out of all the micro type-B flash drive OTG in our list, this one takes home our most recommended drive in terms of portability, design, and value.
In terms of performance, this flash drive is decent but not on par compared to the SanDisk on our list. Featuring a transfer speed of reading up to 90MB/sec and write up to 12MB/sec.
Features:
- Speed: read up to 90MB/sec – write up to 12MB/sec
- Available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB.
- Suitable for Android smartphones and tablets with OTG support.
- Compatible with the Transcend Elite App (available in Google Play).
- 5 years manufacturer warranty.
- Resistant to dust and splashes.
5 Best USB Type-C Flash Drive for Android
Other than the usual USB micro Type-B, our next list is about the best Type-C flash drives for Android.
Without further ado, here is our list of best type-C flash drives for smartphones with OTG support:
1. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB 3.1 Type-C (Best Type-C Flash Drive for Android)
Similar to the dual drive micro type-B, the type-C basically comes with the same features and similar specifications. With a reversible retractable Type-C connector and a traditional USB connector, the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C lets you transfer files between smartphones, tablets, and computers.
The housing is made of part plastic and part metal and has an overall excellent quality build. It also comes with a 5-years manufacturer warranty.
The Ultra Dual Drive Type-C is compatible with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android (available on Google Play).
Features:
- Retractable design.
- Dual connector drive.
- USB 3.1
- 150MB/s transfer speed.
2. Samsung Duo Plus
Compared to traditional dual connector flash drives, the Samsung DUO Plus is a Type-C drive that comes with a Type-A adapter. It is capable of transferring large files in seconds with reading speeds up to 300 MB/s. Additionally, it is also backward compatible with USB 3.0/2.0 as well as 1.0.
The DUO Plus is also waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof. It is engineered to last up to 72 hrs at 1m depth in seawater, withstand up to 1,500 gravitational acceleration, -25°C to 85°C operating, -40°C to 85°C non-operating temperature, up to 15,000 gauss (equal to MRI) of force, and up to 50 Roentgen (equal to airport X-ray machines).
Features:
- Up to 300MB/s read speed, write speed is slower.
- Waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof.
- With Type-A adaptor integrated.
- 5 years manufacturer warranty.
3. PNY Duo Link OTG Type-C Drive
The PNY Duo Link OTG Type-C Drive is the most rugged-looking USB drive on our list. The best thing about this drive is its connector. Both of its connectors use the latest USB 3.1 interface, offering transfer speeds of up to 130MB/s for both type-c and type-a connectors.
Features:
- USB 3.1 Type-C connector and USB 3.1 Type-A connector.
- Up to 130MB/s transfer speed.
- Dimension: 2″ x 1″ x 0.35″.
- Available in 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB.
- Retractable sliding design.
4. Kingston Digital Data Traveler Micro Duo USB 3C Flash Drive
Another highly recommended type-c USB flash drive for Android is the Kingston DataTraveler microDuo 3C. This thumb drive has a dual interface that works with both standard USB type-a and type-c ports.
If your Android smartphone or tablet is running short in internal storage, then having a flash drive that works with your phones OTG support will give your phone that extra space it needs. The microDuo 3C is a plug and play device offering speeds of up to 100MB/s read and 15MB/s write. Additionally, it has a rotating cap to protect the reversible USB Type-C connector.
Features:
- USB 3.13 32GB – 128GB: 100MB/s read & 15MB/s write.
- Available in 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB.
- Dimensions: 29.94mm x 16.60mm x 8.44mm.
- 5-year warranty with free technical support.
- Dual interface accommodates USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports.
5. TEAMGROUP M181 OTG USB 3.0 Type-C Dual Flash Drive
Last but definitely not least is the TEAMGROUP M181 OTG USB 3.0 Type-C Dual Flash Drive. This brand might be considered as a cheap brand by some but it’s a brand that’s definitely won’t be left out in terms of the product value.
The M181 comes with a metal housing and a rotatable cover to protect the type-c port when not in use. Additionally, it uses COB (Chip On Board) assembly process to offer all-around data protection such as waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof.
Features:
- USB Type-C OTG dual interface flash drive.
- USB 3.1 interface.
- 360° rotating cap design.
- waterproof, dust-proof and shockproof.
- Available in 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB.
- Transfer speed of up to 90MB/s.
- Dimension: 33.2(L) x 12.4(W) x 8.2(H) mm.
And that’s it, these are the best OTG USB flash drives for Android. Each one offers a unique feature, value, and quality that you will not find on other cheaper models.
Commonly Asked Questions: Android Flash Drives
Other than OTG flash drive, another way to make space for your Android devices such as phone and tablet is by pairing up your local network with a wireless external hard drive. One of the most recommended wireless external hard drive that offers reliability, larger capacity, and fast transfer speed is Western Digital My Passport Wireless SSD External Portable Drive.
This wireless SSD External drive features a built-in SD card reader with a one-touch copy button, a shock-resistant body, a battery than can last up to 10 hours) of standard use, and a performance speed of up to 390MB/s transfer rate.
Easily transfer files from your phone to this drive by simply connecting both devices via 2.4GHz wireless Wi-Fi connection. Available in 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB capacity sizes.
The Essence of USB OTG Flash Drive for Android
Ultimately, there are numerous ways for you to make space for your Android phone. Using an OTG USB Flash Drive is just one of them but is usually not the most common method to go for.
If you’re someone who uses smartphones and tablets more often than a computer, then having an OTG Flash Drive is our most recommended method to store files and media from your phone. You can use external drives with the proper cable but flash drives nowadays can have a larger storage capacity that any external hard drives can offer.
All in all, my personal preference is to have your own cloud storage. With your own cloud storage such as Western Digital My Cloud Pro, that you can buy on Amazon.com, you can easily use the internet to store files and media from your device to your own cloud. And you can do so anywhere you are as long as you have an internet connection.
We hope that our list and insights have helped you in deciding on which one to get for your needs. Do you already use or own one? Have questions, comments or suggestions? Do hit us up in the comment section below!
![Best 6 Spigen Cases in 2022 [Must Buy for every Android phone]](https://joyofandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/JOA-10-1024x576.png)
