Best USB Flash Drive For Music In Car (Review 2022)

The Extreme Go arises as an affordable version of the Extreme Pro, presented at the top of the range in this article. It offers good read and write speeds while having access to SanDisk Secure Access to protect your data. However, it is not free from flaws either. We particularly blame it for its poor quality plastic shell, which does not pay tribute to its capabilities.

Even if it only has average transfer speeds, the SanDisk Ultra remains in our eyes the best compromise for small budgets thanks to its extremely low cost per GB (38 cents in 32 GB) and the integrated security software. It is also available in a version USB-C and Fit, more compact.

With its performance, the Extreme Pro could compete with several external hard drives affordable. However, its fairly high price per GB makes it less competitive with the latter and the more efficient models leave it well behind. In the end, it will mainly suit people who feel the need for extended storage to slip into their pocket.

Hidden in an aluminum case, the Data Traveler Elite G2 presents itself as a qualitative key with premium finishes. It benefits from a very good robustness to deliver very correct performances. However, it is behind Extreme Go in terms of speed and does not contain any software subtlety.

Honorable Mentions

Corsair Survivor Stealth: A waterproof and robust model. This USB key is concealed by a waterproof cover (up to 200 m) in aluminum resistant to all threats that your pocket storage could suffer. At the same time, the key itself offers decent transfer speeds (90MB / s read and 40MB / s write) and a capacity that can extend from 32GB to 1TB. Unfortunately, it comes at a fairly high cost. high because of its peculiarity and does not contain any security software.

SanDisk Ixpand: Compatible with Apple. Equipped with a dual USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Lightning connector (used to save files from Apple products), this metal and plastic key is 6 cm long. Software allows it to be used on mobile. On the other hand, its speed is not the best with only 80 MB / s in reading and 40 MB / s in writing. Also, we can only put files of 4 GB maximum except in Lightning.

How To Choose The Best USB Flash Drive For Playing Music In Car?

Choosing a USB flash drive can become a real obstacle course as there are many. Performance, reliability, standards, etc. They evolve so quickly that it is difficult to know where to turn.

In order to help you, we have previously established criteria that must be taken into account before making your final choice:

• Performances: This is the speed at which they can transfer or save files. The transfer speed of a key is evaluated in two parts: the reading speed (which relates to the transfer of a file from the key to another device), and the writing speed (indicates the recording of a file on the key itself). The latter is always inferior to the other. These speeds can range from 20MB / s to over 400MB / s for the best.
• Size and Design: The optimal dimensions depend on your use because they all have qualities and defects. While a small key will be easier to integrate into your installation, it will also be easier to lose. This element is also linked to the design, which leaves for example the possibility of retracting the connector or adding a cap to protect the latter, or even by the presence or absence of a notch to hang it on a key ring.
• Material and Resistance: USB drives can be made of plastic, rubber, or metal. The strongest materials are metal and rubber, while plastic is the most frequently used, the cheapest, but also the most susceptible to damage. This element also impacts resistance. Thus, a key can be waterproof and resistant to shocks, dust, even X-rays or extreme temperatures (cold or hot).
• Storage: This is the first criterion to consider. It can range from 16 GB to more than 1 TB. The price of the key varies according to this capacity. If you want to store a few files or a bit of music, you can settle for 16 or 32 GB. But in our opinion, 64 GB sticks are a good compromise: they can store around 7000 photos but this varies depending on the quality. and the format of your files. If you need more storage, you will have to turn to a external hard drive.
• Standards: USB 2.0 is still used, but increasingly replaced by USB 3.0, which is much faster. A new, even faster standard has recently appeared and the nomenclature has been turned upside down. Now USB 3.0 is called USB 3.1 Gen 1 (the most common), and the very latest standard, which achieves simply mind-blowing speeds, is called USB 3.1 Gen 2. These standards are combined with a USB- connector. A or USB-C, still rare.
• Security: Some brands, like SanDisk, often integrate software directly on the key. The most common are encryption software, which makes it easy to protect access to your files with a password. Some very high-end keys even offer fingerprint identification. You can also find data recovery software that can be very useful in the event of a wrong move. In this area, SanDisk is ahead of its competitors.