5 reasons why I’ll never get rid of my USB sticks, and neither should you

• They’re cheap
• Car audio
• Backup system
• Convenience

Many people have written off USB sticks as irrelevant relics of a bygone era, since faster and more secure alternatives are now available for transferring data. This may be true to an extent, and while I don’t use them as much as I used to, USB sticks are still convenient for certain tasks and are worth having in 2025.

Yes, cloud storage is a safe way to back up large amounts of data, but it requires an account and monthly fees to keep it running. There’s also the risk of data breaches that could expose my personal information to hackers. External SSDs offer large capacities, but aren’t portable and can be overkill when I need to store smaller amounts of data. I use both of these methods for data storage, but I’ll never get rid of my USB sticks for these five reasons, and neither should you.

They’re cheap

A disposable storage option

USB sticks are ridiculously cheap, and I can afford to have some lying around, even if I won’t use them that often. Their low price means I can treat them as disposable, and it’s not a big deal if they get lost or damaged. I also don’t mind copying photos or videos onto them and giving them to family members who aren’t tech-savvy and want to relive old memories.

I usually buy low to mid-capacity memory sticks and find they offer excellent value compared to cloud storage.

I usually buy low to mid-capacity memory sticks and find they offer excellent value compared to cloud storage. To put things in perspective, Google charges $2.99 a month for 100GB of cloud storage, and 128GB sticks are usually available for a $15 one-time payment, and they don’t require a subscription or network connection to work. I can say the same about 200GB of cloud storage at $4.99 per month, compared to a 256GB USB drive priced at under $20.

Recover data from crashed systems

Windows PCs and laptops can crash unexpectedly, and memory sticks are valuable repair and recovery tools. When my drive crashes, I create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive to reinstall the OS on my laptop. This method is convenient and straightforward, and I don’t mind formatting a USB stick rather than one of my large SSDs with hundreds of gigabytes of data.

When my drive crashes, I create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive to reinstall the OS on my laptop.

I’ve also had cases where my laptop wouldn’t start because of Windows corruption. I needed to use diagnostic tools to resolve startup errors or back up critical documents or images before formatting the drive for a fresh installation.

Bootable USB sticks with tools, like Hiren’s or Ventoy have helped me recover data and copy it onto an external drive before attempting repairs. These tools can also fix some startup errors without reloading Windows.

Car audio

Streaming isn’t always an option

I mostly use Spotify for music in my car, but I still find it helpful to have a memory stick with a collection of my favorite songs plugged in. It’s because I often go camping to remote areas with limited signal, and still want to enjoy my tunes without lag or interruptions.

I mostly use Spotify for music in my car, but I still find it helpful to have a memory stick with a collection of my favorite songs plugged in.

As a father, I sometimes don’t have access to my phone while driving because my daughter uses it to play games or watch YouTube videos. It makes more sense for me to keep her occupied and happy, and I don’t lose out, because I have a USB backup system to listen to music.

Backup system

Another failsafe

I’ve lost precious data to crashed drives and stolen phones in the past, and I’m now paranoid about backing up. My phone and PC backup to the cloud, but I still prefer to keep my priceless pictures and digital copies of my ID, certificates, and other important documents on a USB stick for safekeeping.

I think it’s worth it as a failsafe because my entire image library fits on a 512GB USB stick for around $35, and I have peace of mind that my data is safe, with no risk of hacks or leaks. I also have a USB stick permanently attached to my PS5, which I use to back up my games and free up space on the internal storage.

Convenience

As simple as it gets

I don’t use USB sticks daily as I once did, but I still carry one on my keys because of the incredible convenience it offers. It’s a tiny, hack-proof storage device that I can use for data transfer anywhere, without logging in or requiring an internet connection. My daily carry USB stick has digital copies of my ID, health insurance information, and emergency contact details.

The durability of USB sticks plays a massive role in their convenience.

The durability of USB sticks plays a massive role in their convenience. High-quality models from reputable brands will last for years, especially if I’m not writing information onto them daily.

These days, I don’t mind paying a few extra bucks for metal USB sticks that are tough and water- and shock-resistant. They aren’t my first choice for data storage, but I’ll never get rid of them because they’re so useful when I need them.