Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Kingston DataTraveler Max (USB-A) vs Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best USB Flash Drives: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Kingston DataTraveler Max is the standout if you value speed, delivering read rates well above normal thumb drives. For most everyday users, though, the smaller and cheaper Samsung Type-C drive is the smarter buy.
Kingston DataTraveler Max (USB-A)
Buy itA pocketable flash drive aimed at portable-SSD-like speed.
- Positioned by Kingston as a high-speed drive, with read speeds well above ordinary thumb drives
- Cap-less slider design means there is nothing to lose
- Roomy capacities suit large video files and quick backups
- May run warm and slow down during very long sustained writes, as high-speed flash drives often do
- Longer and chunkier than a typical thumb drive, so it may block neighbouring ports
- Priced well above ordinary flash drives
Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive
Buy itA tiny USB-C drive that handles everyday transfers for the money.
- Very small and light, so it disappears on a keyring or in a laptop bag
- Read speeds suited to everyday transfers
- Plugs straight into modern phones, tablets and laptops over USB-C
- Write speeds are only moderate, so big folder copies take longer than the read rating suggests
- USB-C only - you will need an adapter for older USB-A ports
- Small enough that it is easy to misplace
Side by side
The 6 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Kingston DataTraveler Max (USB-A) Our pick | Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Power users who regularly move large files and want the fastest real flash drive. | Anyone on USB-C devices who wants a dependable, affordable everyday drive. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Real-world read speed | Fastest of the group | Fast |
| Real-world write speed | Fastest of the group; may dip on huge sustained copies | Moderate |
| Connector(s) | USB-A (USB-C version sold separately) | USB-C |
| Build & durability | Ribbed plastic, cap-less slider | Compact metal, cap-less |
| Everyday carry | Long and chunky | Tiny |
| Best use case | Moving large files fast | Everyday USB-C phone/laptop use |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Kingston DataTraveler Max (USB-A) if
power users who regularly move large files and want the fastest real flash drive.
Know before buying: may run warm and slow down during very long sustained writes, as high-speed flash drives often do.
Pick the Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive if
anyone on USB-C devices who wants a dependable, affordable everyday drive.
Know before buying: write speeds are only moderate, so big folder copies take longer than the read rating suggests.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Kingston DataTraveler Max (USB-A) - A pocketable flash drive aimed at portable-SSD-like speed. Choose the Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive instead if anyone on USB-C devices who wants a dependable, affordable everyday drive.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best USB Flash Drives: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).