- 9.00/10 1. Premium pick: Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3.0
- 9.40/10 2. Editors choice: Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth
- 8.80/10 3. Best value: Transcend JetFlash 810
- 9.40/10 4. Samsung BAR Plus
- 9.20/10 5. GorillaDrive USB 3.0
- 9.20/10 6. Samsung DUO Plus
- 9.20/10 7. Verbatim ToughMAX
- 9.40/10 8. Corsair Flash Voyager GTX
The best rugged USB flash drives protect your data from accidental drops and spills in the office. They also come in handy when you need to transfer and store data when you're in the field.
These flash drives are specially designed to offer protection from drops, knocks, water, and dust. Some even go above and beyond to feature military-grade protection, making them more durable and resistant to extreme weather conditions.
Here are the most rugged USB flash drives you can buy right now.
The Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3.0 combines durability and 256-bit AES hardware encryption to keep your sensitive files safe and secure. It has an alphanumerical keypad that allows you to input a 7-15 digit PIN to unlock the drive before connecting to your PC. That way, hackers cannot use keylogger software to record your password.
Onboard, you've got an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The rugged, tamper-proof aluminum casing protects the drive from accidental drops and physical damage for more durability.
The Aegis Secure Key 3.0 is available in different capacities, ranging from 16GB to 1TB. Read/write speeds are decent at 195/162 MB/s, respectively. It has a 3.0 interface, but you'll be able to use this flash drive on any computer with a USB-A port.
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
- Alphanumeric keypad to enter PIN (7-16 digits)
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Validated
- IP68 water and dust resistant
- Crush and tamper resistant
- Brand: Apricorn
- Capacity: 30GB
- Speed: 195MB/s
- Connection: USB-A 3.1
- Portable: Yes
- Extremely secure
- Durable
- No software required
- Fast transfer speeds
- Expensive
The Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth is perhaps the most rugged USB flash drive you can buy. It offers shock resistance and waterproof performance up to 200 meters, thanks to the durable aluminum sleeve with an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) seal.
The sleeve in the Flash Survivor Stealth covers the entire drive and has an airtight screw-top design to keep water and dust off the flash components, making it more durable and reliable than flash drives using a cap for protection. With Corsair's proven reliability, you can rely on this flash drive for all your outdoor adventures.
The read/write speeds aren't the best at 85/70 MB/s, but it should be fine for most people. You also get to choose from different capacity options, ranging from 32GB to 128GB.
- Waterproof up to 200 meters
- Airtight screw-top design
- Vibration and shock-resistant
- Brand: Corsair
- Capacity: 64GB
- Speed: 85MB/s
- Connection: USB-A 3.0
- Portable: Yes
- Highly durable
- Waterproof design
- Different capacities available
- Slow USB 3.0 speeds
The Transcend JetFlash 810 is an excellent choice if you don't want to spend a lot on a rugged flash drive. It has a tough silicone rubber shell that protects the drive against accidental drops, shock, and splashes.
The build quality meets MIL-STD-810G 516.6 military drop-test standards, meaning the drive has been tested to survive multiple drops and bumps. There is also a cap to protect the internals when not in use or traveling.
The only downside is the low transfer speeds of just 85MB/s, but beyond that, you're getting a durable and reliable USB flash drive for less. There's a five-year warranty for added peace of mind.
- Rugged rubber design
- Meets U.S MIL-STD-810G 516.6
- Water and dust resistant
- Brand: Transcend
- Capacity: 64GB
- Speed: 85MB/s
- Connection: USB-A 3.0
- Portable: Yes
- Cheap and affordable
- Drop protection
- Waterproof and dustproof design
- Different capacities and colors
- Slow transfer speeds
While many rugged drives come wrapped in rubber or some other durable material, Samsung opted to make a little metal tank with no frills. The Samsung BAR Plus is a unique USB flash drive in that it doesn't have the traditional ruggedized look, but Samsung promises a drive that's waterproof, shockproof, magnet-proof, temperature-proof, and even X-ray-proof.
The Samsung BAR Plus is also one of the fastest USB flash drives you can buy today, boasting data transfer speeds of up to 300MB/s and 400MB/s for the 128/256GB models. However, there is no protective cap included, so you'll have to keep the drive dry and free from dust.
- Solid metal casing
- Integrated keyring
- Waterproof
- Brand: Samsung
- Capacity: 64GB
- Speed: 300MB/s
- Connection: USB-A 3.1
- Portable: Yes
- Stylish design with keyring
- Fast transfer speeds
- Durable
- No cap
The entire GorillaDrive range is centered around ruggedness and durability, and the GorillaDrive USB 3.0 takes this to the extreme. This small, compact flash drive can withstand severe conditions up to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and is also resistant to impact and pressure up to 250PSI.
It's one of the best USB flash drives for traveling and outdoor use. There's a metal attachment loop for you to attach your keys or lanyard if you're afraid of losing it. The included protective cap makes the drive waterproof and dustproof for more durability. The GorillaDrive USB 3.0 is available in 32GB to 128GB capacities and works with Mac and PC.
- Pressure and impact resistance up to 250PSI
- Water-resistant up to 65 feet
- Can withstand extreme conditions up to 225 degrees Fahrenheit
- Metal attachment loop
- Brand: GorillaDrive
- Capacity: 32GB
- Speed: 100MB/s
- Connection: USB-A 3.0
- Portable: Yes
- Very rugged and durable
- Waterproof and drop protection
- Plenty of storage capacity
- Fits on keys
- Slow at times
If you're using a MacBook or USB-C laptop, the Samsung DUO Plus USB Type-C flash drive is a great choice for you. It is waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof, allowing you to carry it with you around work, school, or on location.
Data transfer speeds are excellent at 300MB/s. You get even faster speeds with the high capacity 128GB and 256GB models. There's a USB Type-A adapter included for use with older desktops and laptops.
- Solid metal casing
- Waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof
- USB-A adapter
- Brand: Samsung
- Capacity: 64GB
- Speed: 300MB/s
- Connection: USB-C 3.1
- Portable: Yes
- Stylish and durable
- Fast data transfer speeds
- Wide compatibility
- Cheap plastic build
The Verbatim ToughMAX USB Flash Drive is one of the toughest and most shockproof USB flash drives you can buy. It offers extreme durability with crush resistance for up to 5000lbs, temperature resistance up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and water resistance up to 100 feet. This flash drive is designed to withstand basically anything.
What makes this flash drive unique is how small it is. If you don't like your flash drive sticking out of the side of your laptop, then this is a perfect option for you. The included cap helps with waterproofing and ensures the drive does not pick up dust or pocket lint when not in use.
You do lose a little speed compared to USB 3.0 flash drives, but that's a reasonable sacrifice considering the price and other features you get.
- Crush-resistant up to 5300lbs
- Water resistant up to 100 feet
- Temperature-resistant up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
- Brand: Verbatim
- Capacity: 64GB
- Speed: 30MB/s
- Connection: USB-A 2.0
- Portable: Yes
- Very rugged and durable
- Compact
- Capacity options available
- Lifetime warranty
- Slow data transfer speeds
If you have a ton of data you need to bring with you wherever you go, the Corsair Flash Voyager GTX is a great choice. It is available in capacities ranging from 128GB to 1TB and supports faster transfer speeds up to 440MB/s, making it perfect for storing and transferring large files on the go.
While it does not have the traditional ruggedized look, this drive can take a beating. It comes with a metal casing to protect it from the regular bumps and bangs of everyday use and a cap to protect the internals from dust and water. There's also a slot to attach a keychain or lanyard.
- Massive capacity up to 1TB
- Rugged zinc-alloy and aluminum casing
- Compatible with CORSAIR SSD Toolbox software
- Brand: Corsair
- Capacity: 1TB
- Speed: 440MB/s
- Connection: USB-A 3.1
- Portable: Yes
- Super fast
- Great build quality
- Plug and play on Mac and Windows
- Expensive
FAQ
Q: Is a Flash Drive Durable?
A flash drive is durable under normal circumstances. But when you accidentally drop it on hard surfaces or expose it to liquids, dust, or extreme conditions, the flash drive can be damaged and risk losing all of your data.
Rugged flash drives are designed to withstand harsh conditions and bad weather. As a result, these drives are excellent for workers in the field, such as creative pros and researchers. Rugged flash drives can protect your files from accidental drops and spills at the office and home.
Q: What Are the Highest Capacity USB Flash Drives Available Today?
Most high-capacity USB flash drives are available in a 1TB size. The Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3.0 and Corsair Flash Voyager GTX are the highest-capacity rugged flash drives you can buy today.
Q: How Do You Use USB Flash Drives?
There are several ways to put a pen drive to use. In addition to transferring and storing files, you might play games directly off it or run a whole operating system from it.
