The 5 Best USB Flash Drives to Store Music in 2022 Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Best Products > Computer Components 79 79 people found this article helpful

The 5 Best USB Flash Drives to Store Music in 2022

By Don Reisinger Don Reisinger Writer Don Reisinger is a tech writer with more than 12 years' experience. His work has appeared in Fortune, PCMag, CNET, and The New York Times, among others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 7, 2021 We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Tweet Share Email Computer Components USB/USB-C Monitors Keyboards Mice Cards CPU Storage Laptop Bags & Backpacks Printers The best USB drives to store music combine capacity and speed with a little design flare. Unlike traditional USB flash drives, the models on our list are designed with cool in mind; after all, your hottest playlists deserve a drive with style to match. The Rundown Best Overall: SanDisk Ultra 128GB Dual Drive at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: SanDisk Cruzer CZ36 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Design: Samsung 128GB Bar Plus at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Travelers: Patriot Supersonic Boost XT at Amazon Jump to Review Best Novelty: CHUYI Music Note at Amazon Jump to Review

Best Overall: SanDisk Ultra 128GB Dual Drive

Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video While many of the flash drives on the market are designed for USB 2 or USB 3, the SanDisk Ultra 128GB Dual Drive is all about USB-C. And if you have a USB-C drive on your computer, this is a fine choice. The flash drive has a rugged finish that’s designed to keep your data safe even if you drop it on a hard surface. There’s a feature to eject the USB connector or retract it when it’s not in use to ensure it doesn’t come off, leaving your data inaccessible. SanDisk’s device comes with 128GB of storage, which should allow it to hold 8,000 songs, and since it supports read speeds up to 150MB per second, you shouldn’t have any trouble accessing tracks on your devices. In addition to support for USB-C, the SanDisk Ultra works with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0/3.1 ports, so it’s completely compatible with the devices of your choosing.

Best Budget: SanDisk Cruzer CZ36

Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart It’s always nice to save a few bucks. And that’s exactly what you can do with the SanDisk Cruzer CZ36. The flash drive comes with 64GB of storage, which should accommodate up to 4,000 songs. It has a black plastic finish and a red switch-like mechanism on the side that will allow you to extend the USB connector or retract it. The feature means you can keep your USB connector safe when it’s not in use and makes the flash drive a little bit smaller and therefore easier to pop in your pocket. The flash drive comes with USB 2.0 support and can protect your files with SanDisk SecureAccess software. It also comes with password protection and 128-bit AES encryption, which collectively, should ensure your privacy. But easily the best feature in the SanDisk Cruzer CZ36 is its price, which is substantially less than the vast majority of other high-quality drives.

Best Design: Samsung 128GB Bar Plus

Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Samsung’s 128GB Bar Plus is all about design. And compared to the vast majority of flash drives on the market, it’s extremely attractive. The device comes with a champagne silver metal finish that hides the USB connector to keep it safe while you’re not using it. There’s also a loop at the end that lets you connect it to a keyring, lanyard or any other connector, so you can carry it around town without ever needing to drop it in your bag. On the performance side, you can expect the Samsung 128GB Bar Plus to support up to 8,000 songs. It also comes with a water-, shock-, magnet-, temperature- and X-ray-proof design. And with a five-year warranty, the drive will hold up for the long haul. According to Samsung, the 128GB Bar offers a read rate up to 150MB per second. The 10 Best USB Flash Drives of 2022

Best for Travelers: Patriot Supersonic Boost XT

Amazon View On Amazon View On Adorama.com View On Staples The Patriot Supersonic Boost XT is an ideal choice for anyone who’s hitting the road and wants to ensure the flash drive can hold up wherever it goes. The device features 128GB of storage, which should allow it to hold 8,000 songs without a problem. It comes with fast 150Mb per second read speeds and is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, so any machine you throw at it will work just fine. In fact, Patriot was quick to note that it’ll work with Windows, macOS and Linux. The flash drive comes with a “rubberized housing” that’s meant to keep it safe when you drop it. And even if you have it with you in the rain or in conditions that might not be best for a device that carries your music, it’ll hold up. The 4 Best USB-C Chargers of 2022

Best Novelty: CHUYI Music Note

Amazon View On Amazon It’s not all serious in the flash drive market. So why not consider getting your hands on a cool-looking music note that can double as a storage device for your music? A company named CHUYI has designed a flash drive that comes with a musical note design. And while it looks nice, it also has a function: The note is made from PVC rubber, which helps to protect the drive inside if you drop it or it suffers a fall. The drive is compatible with USB 2.0 or older and comes with just 32GB of storage, so it’ll only be able to hold 2,000 songs. But by saving some of the storage, you can also save some bucks: The CHUYI Music Note is one of the cheapest options on the market. The device is compatible with just about any computer or device you plug it into and for a little added protection, comes with a cover over its plug so it doesn’t get damaged when it’s not in use. The 8 Best Desktop PCs of 2022 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 10 Best USB Flash Drives of 2022 How to Select the Right USB Flash Drive USB (Universal Serial Bus): Everything You Need to Know SanDisk Extreme Go Flash Drive Review: Satisfying 3.0 Transfer Speeds USB-C vs. USB 3: What's the Difference? How to Listen to Music in a Car From a USB Flash Drive How to Choose an External Hard Drive How to Find a Flash Drive That's Not Showing Up on a Mac What Is USB 3.0? (USB 3.0 Definition) How to Expand the Storage on Your iPad SanDisk Extreme Pro Solid State Flash Drive Review: Underperforming but still lightning fast How to Connect USB Devices to an iPad USB4: Everything You Need to Know The 10 Best Hard Drives for Gaming in 2022 Samsung BAR Flash Drive Review: Solid but Outdated The 5 Best USB-C Cables Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies