# Smallest (physically) USB flash drive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 25, 2023, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331 "2023-02-25T01:19:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/21 "2023-02-25T16:11:56Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Whenever I put my stuff on those sleek SanDisk flash drives, everyone oohs and ahhhs. They didn’t do that when I gave everyone cartoon drives (pull the Smurf’s pants down and plug 'er in). I like the look of [these](https://www.amazon.com/SuperSpeed-64GB-USB-3-0-Storage/dp/B07T4J6X1N/) Micro Center drives. I recently bought a 5-pack of 64 GBs for $23. (I already had a 256 GB in the same design.) But for my search for smallest, I’m only looking at ones that are naked circuit boards with no metal sleeve around the contacts. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/22 "2023-02-25T16:25:09Z")
Is it possible to just strip the housing off of a regular flash drive? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/23 "2023-02-25T16:33:57Z")
My first job as an engineer was at a company that made components for hard disk drives. In 1990 Maxtor made history with a 100MB drive for $99. It was the first time the $1/MB barrier had been broken. Last week I bought a five pack of 32GB thumb drives that came to $2.89 each. That same $99, or close to it, will get you 8TB. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/24 "2023-02-25T18:40:34Z")
Micro SD card with a tiny holder is the smallest I can think of. Mine is under 2 inches. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/25 "2023-02-25T21:10:43Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Here’s a print article for the video-averse. > > [The 2TB Flash Drive Scam: Why “High-Capacity” Flash Drives Are Fakes - Datarecovery.com](https://datarecovery.com/2022/03/the-2tb-flash-drive-scam-why-high-capacity-flash-drives-are-fakes/) Great article, thank you. Not to nay-say it, but I’ll point out the article is now 11 months old. So real 2TB drives are out there. Still pricy, like \>USD150. But actually available, as opposed to being obviously impossible scams regardless of price. Funny aside: I just did an Amazon search for \>=2TB thumbdrives. Then I sorted the results by price from high to low. Hoping to identify the probably-real ones near the top and not have to wade through pages of obvious fakes first. What was interesting /funny to me is the search results started with a page or two of results with no price shown and instead “not currently available” in that slot. Which suggests that in Amazon’s algorithm, a price of NULL or NAN sorts high. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/26 "2023-02-25T22:53:20Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > So real 2TB drives are out there. I don’t think that there are. Not in “thumb” cases, that I’ve seen. They _could_ be made (it wouldn’t be much of a modification for something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-1TB-Extreme-Portable-SDSSDE61-1T00-G25/dp/B08HN37XC1) drive, for example), but I can’t find one that actually exists. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/27 "2023-02-25T22:59:19Z")
Looking at amazon again now I’m not seeing the legit-looking ones I saw a hour or two ago. And “legit-looking” and “legit” are admittedly two very different things. I’m definitely not an expert here, so I’ll bow out. Not annoyed, just have nothing more useful to add. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/28 "2023-02-25T23:13:21Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > What was interesting /funny to me is the search results started with a page or two of results with no price shown and instead “not currently available” in that slot. > Which suggests that in Amazon’s algorithm, a price of NULL or NAN sorts high. If price increases with scarcity, I can see a superficial logic that “unavailable” is a high price. It’s impossible to believe that it’s not deliberate for _some_ reason, but I can’t think why. I’m wondering if buyers pretty much never use a high-to-low sort, but somehow it’s useful for sellers? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/29 "2023-02-25T23:36:58Z")
I suspect it’s an artifact of low-to-high. They want to sort unavailables at the bottom of that most common sorting scenario to get them out of the way. They didn’t really think of the consequences for the negative case. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/30 "2023-02-25T23:52:50Z")
[quote=“Bullitt, post:11, topic:980331”] Okay, all kidding aside, I’ve had one of these on my key chain and in my pocket every day for a couple of years. It has no moving parts and has held up very well. It just takes a lickin’ and keeps on ticking. In my pocket and on my key ring, it does get beat up.[/quote] Don’t _most_ USB flash drives lack moving parts? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/31 "2023-02-26T00:11:58Z")
Some have a port that is retractable. Some have a USB-A plug on one end and a Micro or C on the other, accessable by sliding. Some have a rotating cover. [Some fuck your computer](https://www.amazon.com/LiadFngKA-Disk-Humping-Novelty-Electronics/dp/B09412CHGD). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/32 "2023-02-26T00:30:03Z")
That’s true. I was imagining USB flash drives with little motors, gears and cams to move the bits around. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/33 "2023-02-26T00:36:18Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > [Some fuck your computer](https://www.amazon.com/LiadFngKA-Disk-Humping-Novelty-Electronics/dp/B09412CHGD). There is a version with no storage, if you _just_ want the fucking. Unless it’s a scam - maybe it comes with 2TB storage and no fucking. How about that for a trivia question - why is somebody selling a flash drive with no storage capacity? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/34 "2023-02-26T00:43:37Z")
Those have been around for a long time–[here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rI-pct3zy18) is video from 16 years ago. The memory-free versions came first as a novelty USB item, like canons and coffee warmers. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/35 "2023-02-26T00:43:46Z")
I’m surprised there aren’t 2TB flash drives. You can get 1TB MicroSD cards, and it would be easy to fit two in a typical (or even reduced) USB stick, complete with the controller. (I actually thought 2TB microSD cards were out, but apparently [not yet](https://shotkit.com/news/the-worlds-first-2tb-microsd-cards-are-on-the-way/).) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/36 "2023-02-26T00:46:07Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I actually thought 2TB microSD cards were out, but apparently not yet. We barely have 1.5 TB for now. > **[Exclusive: Micron’s 1.5TB MicroSD card costs more than diamond](https://www.techradar.com/news/microns-15tb-microsd-card-costs-more-than-diamond)** > > World’s largest microSD card goes on sale at tech wholesalers but it's expensive ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/37 "2023-02-26T00:55:23Z")
I think there’s a non-zero probability that the drive in your link is legit (unlike the AliExpress link). It’s about the price it should be, and the pics are not obviously Photoshopped. I’d go for it. PNY used to have a line of drives that were almost that small–the business end worked the same way and squeezed inside the port, but it was longer overall (which at least meant it had a keychain hook). Doesn’t look like they make them anymore. If this really is for funsies, there’s always this: > **[The Tomu: An Arm Microcontroller That Fits in Your USB Port](https://www.hackster.io/news/the-tomu-an-arm-microcontroller-that-fits-in-your-usb-port-31f60af97471)** > > There are a fair number of USB stick computers on the market, ranging from fairly cheap to rather expensive. It’s even possible to turn a… It fits even _more_ snugly into the port, has a hole for your keychain, and has a microcontroller to boot! Only 64 kB of storage, but you can’t have everything, right? On the other hand, you can use it to emulate a keyboard, and have it occasionally type in the commands to transmit sensitive documents to yourself. Just stick 'em in any important-looking computer you find and no one will be the wiser. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/38 "2023-02-26T01:33:19Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The problem with that size of storage card is the same as the problem of a super-expensive super-lightweight bicycle. You need something bigger and heavier than the thing itself to protect it from loss. The typical target audience for that kind of drive in the OP are for the ones working with [Arduino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino) or [Raspberry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi), where a smaller size for memory is looked at. In a Raspberry that I set up, the USB and SD memory were not going to be removed, the “bigger thing” to store them was the Raspberry itself. (As one can see in one of the pictures in the Amazon link in the OP.) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/39 "2023-02-26T03:07:15Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Okay, all kidding aside, I’ve had one of these on my key chain and in my pocket every day for a couple of years. It has no moving parts and has held up very well. I still have a 128MB thumb drive that I bought in Taiwan in 2002. It still works perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331/40 "2023-02-26T03:41:12Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > That’s true. I was imagining USB flash drives with little motors, gears and cams to move the bits around. Mine is gas powered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-physically-usb-flash-drive/980331.md?page=3)