Which are the most trusted / reliable brands in USB Memory Sticks?

OnAndUp

I need a USB memory stick with at least 16GB on to do my recovery software for my Acer Revo PC.

So I'm looking at getting a 32GB USB 3.0 one.

I already have a few smaller USB 2.0 ones Kingston / Lexar / Toshiba / Freecom / HP.

I don't have a clue about brand reliability with these things and as ever some of the reviews for loads of the brands say about them failing after a couple of months etc. :eek:

I'm looking on Mymemory who I have dealt with in the past at these:

http://www.mymemory.co.uk/USB-Flash-Drives

I just don't know which one to pick?

Is it better to buy a dearer one for something like this? Or should a cheap one be fine as I'm not really going to be using it day to day it's just there if I need it -or is it even more important to have a better brand for this use? :undecided Confused....

Thanks!

Sharon87

I like Sandisk. I use them for memory cards and USB sticks, never had a problem with them and their memory cards are used professionally in TV industry.

But any other trusted brands like Phillips/Toshiba should be good, but I'd go with Sandisk if I were you. There are different styles as well, just attach them to something so you don't lose them lol

Backbiter

I still have a Lexar 128mB one that I bought in 2001. Still works perfectly. I've had good experience with Integral ones, but the Kingston one I have has been a bit temperamental.

RumRat

I suppose Sandisk, Lexar and Patriot are among my favorites. To be honest I've always bought on price as I don't store anything important on Memory sticks. So if a good one is on offer then fine, but, if not, whatever is cheapest. I've never had one fail yet (I have 14) so I can't give you any info on duff ones. Even the cheap PNY ones that PCworld sell have proved reliable.

Oblivion

I only ever buy Sandisk and I've never had a problem with one yet. The important thing is to buy from a reputable dealer because there are a lot of fakes out there.

kwikbreaks

I can recommend the USB 3 Sandisk Ultra they are really fast.

I've used Zoombits for quite a few odds and ends lately and get a regular newsletter from them. They were offering a number of USB sticks at pretty knockdown prices today.

You might beat http://www.zoombits.co.uk/shop/sandisk-16gb-ultra-usb-3.0-flash-drive/25377 but I doubt by much. There are bigger ones on offer too.

poppellerant

kwikbreaks, have you used Zoombits.co.uk before? Their prices look very good, but I'm wondering if they are too good to be true.

Edit - sorry, just seen that you say you have used them before!

kwikbreaks

Yes once for a USB stick - a Kingston one and once for a mini helicopter. They seem to operate as a shell over other individual suppliers but it worked well for me with fast service. I'd certainly use them again.

paddyrg

Just be aware that it is worth spending the extra few quid to use a reputable vendor, there are too many good quality fakes out there (ebay is awash with them). They report one size, but just start overwriting old files with new ones.

DigForVictory

I use Sandisk from 7dayshop. (And their own brand when money is really tight & the data isn't work-critical.)
Happy customer!

agrinnall

When you say recovery do you mean you want it as a back up for your data? If so, presumably you will be rewriting it on a regular basis, in which case I'd suggest that rather than a USB stick you spend a little more money and buy a portable hard drive which will give you a far greater capacity and should prove more reliable (of course, you should really buy two and keep one off site).