SanDisk ExtremeFit USB flash drive
ZDNET's key takeaways
- The ExtremeFit is available in storage options from 64GB ($15) up to 1TB ($110).
- It's positively tiny, with file transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s.
- When not plugged in, it can easily get lost in a drawer or backpack.
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Remember when the name “thumb drive” was an accurate descriptor? These days, external storage devices are increasingly tiny — and nowhere is this more evident than in the new SanDisk ExtremeFit USB-C flash drive.
It's definitely the smallest thumb drive I've tested, measuring 0.73 inches at its widest point and weighing just three grams. It looks more like a USB dongle for a mouse than external storage.
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The ExtremeFit's size isn't the only thing going for it, though. It also offers a wide range of storage options, ranging from 1TB for $109 to 64GB on the low end for just $15.
It's fast, too. SanDisk promises USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds of up to 400MB/s on the 128GB and 1TB versions, with compatibility across Windows, MacOS, and iPadOS. I went hands-on with the 64GB storage option, and got read and write speeds in CrystalDiskMark that came very close to the 400MB/s mark — certainly fast enough for everyday use.
In practice, this means extremely fast transfer speeds for large image or video files, as well as near-instant transfers for documents, spreadsheets, slide decks, and presentations. It's as easy to use as you'd expect, with no software or app requirements, although SanDisk's Memory Zone app for Windows and MacOS is potentially useful for streamlining file transfers and file backups.
Note that SanDisk doesn't explicitly say the device is compatible with ChromeOS, but I was able to transfer files to and from my Chromebook Plus just fine (just keep in mind that the Memory Zone app is designed for Android, and not optimized for ChromeOS).
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The amount of storage available here, considering its size, is remarkably generous. Although many users increasingly turn to cloud storage for anything from work documents to photos and videos, local storage on thumb drives is potentially more secure, faster, and doesn't require an internet connection.
They're also necessary for projects like upgrading or reinstalling operating systems, a task that millions of consumers found themselves faced with this year when Microsoft dropped support for Windows 11.
Simply put, when you need a thumb drive, you really need it. So it's one of those things I highly recommend having on hand to save yourself potential headaches.
The device's tiny size might not be for everyone, though. If you're prone to losing dongles or small pieces, the ExtremeFit might be a hard sell. When it's not actually plugged into a USB-C port, this little device is easy to lose, potentially disappearing at the bottom of a backpack or getting lost in a desk drawer.
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For that reason, I recommend keeping it plugged in, or if your device's ports are in high demand, plug it into a different laptop or desktop you're not using and leave it there. It's also small enough not to block other ports from connecting, a pet peeve of mine with poorly-designed USB dongles.
Also note that the ExtremeFit is too small to feature any kind of loop or keyring attachment. If you're looking for something like that, I recommend SanDisk's Ultra Dual Drive Go.
Alternatively, consider getting some compact storage options for your tech, like this Bellroy storage kit or ProtoArc's CaseUp combo, both of which have storage for small pieces of tech like the ExtremeFit.
ZDNET's buying advice
If you want lots of storage in a tiny package, it doesn't get much smaller than SanDisk's aptly-named ExtremeFit USB-C flash drive. With transfer speeds this speedy, you're looking at pop-and-go functionality with large files across PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, and iPads. Just keep an eye on the thing if you're prone to losing small gadgets.
The ExtremeFit ranges in sizes from 64GB of storage for $14.99, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB for $109.
Why the SanDisk ExtremeFit gets an Editors' Choice award
We've awarded the ExtremeFit an Editors' Choice award for its sheer usefulness as one of the most compact external storage solutions we've ever seen. The file transfer speeds are top-notch, and the device fits seamlessly on all the laptop port configurations we've tried, even on machines with USB-C ports neighboring HDMI ports.
The price point is competitive, as well — starting at just $15 for 64GB of storage, which has transfer speeds nearly as fast as those on the very top end.
