In general, it’s often a cheap USB drive that can be to blame. That’s why we have put together some of the best DJ USB sticks we could find.
Does USB 3.0/USB 3.1 matter? It doesn’t while playing as most CDJs only support USB 2.0 speeds. However, when transferring music across, you’ll see a massive improvement (minutes instead of hours). All of the USB sticks below have a key-chain loop, allowing you to keep it nearby at all times.
Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth
If your USB stick generally goes through a lot of wear-and-tear, the Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth might just be the USB stick for you. It features aluminium housing and shock-damping collar, which keeps the drive safe from damage when dropped. Plus, it’s also got a water seal just in case you get it wet!
The Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth comes with 64GB of storage and supports USB 3.0 connectivity. It’s pricier than some of the other DJ USB sticks on the list, but it won’t let you down. It’s got USB 2.0 backwards support too, so no worries about compatibility. Definitely the best flash drive for CDJs!
SanDisk Extreme Go
Many of our DJ readers praised the Sandisk Extreme Go, as they are reliable, run at low temperatures (a little above ambient in our tests) and transfer fast due to USB 3.1. It comes in 64GB and 128GB sizes, which is more than sufficient for storing a full music library.
Plus, SanDisk believe in their products so much you’ll receive a limited lifetime warranty. What more could you ask for?
SanDisk Extreme Pro
If you want something a bit faster, the SanDisk Extreme Pro uses an internal Solid State Drive and comes in 128GB or 256GB sizes. However, expect to pay a premium for such features.
The durable aluminium casing helps dissipate heat in hot environments, which is great too. It’s backwards compatible with USB 2.0, so playing in CDJs won’t be an issue.
Kingston Digital DataTraveler G4
Right now, we think the Kingston Digital DataTraveler G4 is the best budget DJ USB stick on the market – with prices starting as little as $10. For that, you’ll receive a 32GB drive that can storage tunes of tunes plus USB 3.0 / 2.0 support.
There’s a nifty cap on the connector, ensuring you don’t lose the cap while using the drive or performing. Plus, the DataTraveler G4 can be connected to your keychain – double bonus!
Samsung Fit Plus
If you’re a DJ who generally looks after their stuff, and wants the smallest DJ USB stick available that also provides good features, the Samsung Fit Plus is definitely our choice. It’s small enough to carry around in your pocket, supports USB 3.1 connectivity and comes in sizes up to 256GB.
Just in case you happen to leave the USB stick in your pocket and go through some crazy conditions (which we all know is possible) – the Samsung Fit Plus is water, shock, magnet, temperature and X-ray proof, which means its great for travel too.
