Key takeaways

• I tested a128GB PNY Elite-X Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 flash drive , available on Amazon for only$14.
• Excellent write speeds, solid performer, and robust enough to survive being carried attached to keys.
  
• Slip-slide cover on the USB-C connector can be difficult, and there's no built-in hardware encryption. 

It's strange to still think about -- let alone use -- USB flash drives in 2024, but they remain the quickest and most convenient way to move data between systems. Sure, I could beam the data as a string of zeros and ones via the cloud, but this soon becomes cumbersome when I need to move gigabytes of data.

This is why the USB flash drive is still relevant. ThePNY Elite-X Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 flash drive is a decent drive for anyone looking for one in 2024, and it features an unexpected twist.

Also: The best M.2 SSDs you can buy

What's that twist? To find out, we need to take a closer look at the packaging.

The surprise with the Elite-X is that, during testing, I recorded read speeds that are faster -- some 15% faster -- than the quoted speeds, which is an unusual but rather pleasant surprise.

What are read speeds? It's the speed at which your computer or Android device can access the data. If read speeds are too slow, you can't play media files stored on the drive, and accessing larger files becomes a chore.

Also: 3 security gadgets I never leave home without

And it's not just videos. I stored some large image files on the drive -- between 100 and 200MB -- and they loaded into Adobe Photoshop almost instantly.

Well done on PNY for quoting realistic performance data, and for engineering a speedy drive.

Write speeds are not as important. It doesn't matter if loading files onto the drive takes a minute or two minutes. It's not critical, and doesn't affect the usability of the drive.

But don't let me leave you with the impression that this drive is a slouch at write speeds -- I copied a 650MB file to the drive in about 13 seconds. 

Also: This is the USB flash drive James Bond would use

The drive has a sleek, modern design, and fits in well with modern devices. It looks the part plugged into my MacBook Pro or my Android smartphone or tablet.

PNY has put thought into protecting the USB-C connector. Rather than use a removable cap that can get lost, the Elite-X uses a sliding mechanism that covers the connector, protecting it from damage.

The upside is that there's nothing to lose (I don't know about you, but I can lose those caps in minutes). The downsides are that the slider can be a bit awkward to use and doesn't protect the port from dirt ingress.

The drive is encased in tough plastic and has a shiny black piano finish that seems to resist scratches and scuffs quite well. There's also a loop built into the end to attach the drive to keys, which is a nice touch. It's clearly quite tough too, since I've not yet broken it off.

The 128GB storage is also plenty for a flash drive. If you need more than this, I'd highly recommend getting an external SSD, which would offer greater flexibility and performance.

Note that there's no hardware encryption built into the drive -- you're not going to get that for$15! -- and if you want that you're going to have to buy something like theApricorn Aegis Secure Key 3NX , which will cost ten times as much.

's buying advice

For$14, thePNY Elite-X USB-C is an excellent flash drive. It's sleek and modern, and the USB-C connector makes it perfect for those running more modern devices where USB-A and microUSB ports are a thing of the past.

Also: How to create a bootable Linux USB drive

I've been using mine as a repository for Adobe Photoshop files that I move between systems. The drive isn't super fast, but for making small edits or tweaks to an image, it's fast enough that I don't need to copy the files of the drive to use.

Featured reviews

I hiked with Garmin's 'unlimited battery' GPS tracker and it made life so much easier

I tested the 'Free TV' that got the internet buzzing and it was far better than expected

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review: Still the flagship of Android flagships

My favorite hybrid smartwatch just got smarter, and its battery life is still incredible

ChatGPT vs. Copilot: Which AI chatbot is better for you?

• I hiked with Garmin's 'unlimited battery' GPS tracker and it made life so much easier
• I tested the 'Free TV' that got the internet buzzing and it was far better than expected
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review: Still the flagship of Android flagships
• My favorite hybrid smartwatch just got smarter, and its battery life is still incredible
• ChatGPT vs. Copilot: Which AI chatbot is better for you?