USB Speed Test: 12 Best Tools to Verify Read & Write Speed
If you want to check how fast your USB drive really is, you need the right tool. Whether you’re testing read and write speeds or diagnosing performance issues, these USB speed testing tools can help.
Best USB Speed Test Tools: Quick Overview
First, let’s check out the tools we picked at a glance so you can get an idea on what’s below.
| Tool | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiniTool Partition Wizard | Sequential & random read/write testing, beginner-friendly | Easy to use, fast testing | Limited free version, no real-time monitoring |
| USBDeview | Real-time USB speed test, device tracking | Extensive USB details, free | Not beginner-friendly, lacks deep benchmarking |
| SpeedOut | Portable, quick USB speed test | No installation required, fast | Only tests sequential speeds, lacks advanced features |
| USB Flash Benchmark | In-depth benchmarking, online comparisons | Detailed metrics, useful for all users | Longer test duration, no real-time monitoring |
| CrystalDiskMark | Popular for disk performance testing | Simple UI, supports various devices | No error reports, takes a few minutes |
| Check Flash | USB testing & repair | Can check for errors, advanced options | Long test duration, not user-friendly |
| Flash Drive/Card Tester | Tests USB & SD card performance | Checks data integrity, free | Slow process, limited performance data |
| RMPrepUSB | USB formatting & speed test | Multiple utilities, detailed results | Not beginner-friendly, outdated UI |
| File Read Test | Real-world speed test | Practical performance measure, free | Lacks detailed benchmarking, no advanced testing |
| USB Speed Test | Simple and effective speed test | Fast, user-friendly, accurate results | Lacks advanced diagnostics |
| HD Tune | Disk utility with speed test and health monitoring | Additional features, error scanning | Limited free version, outdated interface |
| ATTO Disk Benchmark | Professional-grade benchmarking | Highly detailed reports, customizable tests | Not beginner-friendly, requires installation |
Now, let’s take a closer look:
Best USB speed testers: in-depth look
1. MiniTool Partition Wizard – powerful disk management tool with a built-in USB speed test
MiniTool Partition Wizard provides a comprehensive way to check USB speed, measuring sequential and random read/write speeds.
It’s useful for checking drive health and optimizing disk performance. The interface is easy to navigate, making it a good option for beginners. Results are displayed in an organized format, allowing you to compare different USB drives.
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Fast testing process
- Supports various storage devices
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version
- No real-time monitoring
Download MiniTool Partition Wizard
2. USBDeview – lightweight yet detailed tool for checking USB device performance
USBDeview not only tests USB read and write speeds in real-time but also provides detailed information about connected devices. It can list all previously connected USB devices, making it useful for tracking hardware performance over time. This tool is ideal for users who need quick insights into USB drive behavior and performance.
Pros:
- Provides extensive USB device details
- Supports batch USB speed testing
- Free and lightweight
Cons:
- Interface is not beginner-friendly
- No deep benchmarking options
3. SpeedOut – reliable tool to test USB speed on Windows 10
SpeedOut delivers a no-fuss approach to testing sequential read/write speeds. It runs directly from an executable file, so no installation is needed. The test results are clear and easy to understand, making it ideal for users who want a quick snapshot of their USB drive’s performance.
Pros:
- No installation required
- Fast testing process
- Beginner-friendly interface
Cons:
- Lacks detailed benchmarking features
- Only tests sequential speeds
4. USB Flash Benchmark – advanced tool for in-depth USB performance analysis
USB Flash Benchmark thoroughly tests sequential and random read/write speeds, offering a deeper look at a drive’s true capabilities. The results can be compared against an online database to evaluate your drive against others. It is particularly useful for those looking to assess performance consistency.
Pros:
- Provides detailed performance metrics
- Allows online comparison of results
- Useful for both beginners and advanced users
Cons:
- Longer test duration
- No real-time monitoring
5. CrystalDiskMark – popular tool for disk performance evaluation
CrystalDiskMark is widely used for testing sequential and random read/write speeds, as well as IOPS. It supports various storage devices and provides an easy-to-read interface with clear benchmarks. It is a must-have for anyone looking to thoroughly assess their USB drive’s speed and efficiency.
Pros:
- Simple yet effective benchmarking
- Supports various storage devices
- Free to use
Cons:
- Does not provide detailed error reports
- Testing takes a few minutes
6. Check Flash – comprehensive tool for USB drive testing and repair
For a complete installation guide, visit Check Flash: Download & Installation Walkthrough.
Check Flash offers detailed USB speed testing, measuring sequential and random speeds, as well as delay data. It also allows users to perform drive error checks and diagnostics. It is best suited for users who need a thorough evaluation of their USB storage devices.
Pros:
- Can check for drive errors
- Offers advanced testing options
- Free and reliable
Cons:
- Testing process can be lengthy
- Not as user-friendly as other tools
7. Flash Drive/Card Tester – simple tool for testing USB and SD card performance
Flash Drive/Card Tester checks for read/write errors while measuring real-time performance. It’s particularly useful for ensuring the reliability of SD cards and USB flash drives before use. The tests take longer, but they provide valuable insights into potential hardware issues.
Pros:
- Checks for data integrity
- Supports SD cards and USB flash drives
- Free to use
Cons:
- Slow testing process
- Limited performance metrics
Download Flash Drive/Card Tester
8. RMPrepUSB – USB swiss army knife
RMPrepUSB is more than just a speed test tool—it also helps with USB formatting, boot testing, and performance evaluation. It provides detailed random read/write speed tests, making it ideal for tech-savvy users who need deeper insights into their USB drives.
Pros:
- Offers multiple USB utilities
- Detailed performance metrics
- Free to use
Cons:
- Not beginner-friendly
- Interface is outdated
Read more:
9. File Read Test – real-world performance test for USB drives
To ensure your USB drive is not counterfeit, check out Fake Flash Test: 7 Free Tools to Check Real Capacity.
File Read Test checks USB drive speeds by copying files of different sizes, providing a practical measure of read/write performance. Unlike synthetic benchmarks, this tool gives users a realistic idea of how a USB drive performs in daily use.
Pros:
- Real-world speed testing
- Simple and easy to use
- Free to use
Cons:
- Lacks detailed benchmarking
- No advanced testing options
10. USB Speed Test – straightforward tool for quick USB performance checks
USB Speed Test allows users to measure both sequential and random read/write speeds efficiently. With a clean interface and easy-to-understand results, it’s a great option for those who need a simple yet effective benchmarking tool.
Pros:
- Quick and easy testing process
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Provides accurate read/write speed results
Cons:
- Limited to basic speed testing
- No deep diagnostic features
11. HD Tune – versatile disk utility with USB speed testing
HD Tune is a well-rounded disk utility that provides detailed information about drive performance, including USB speed testing.
It helps analyze drive health, detect errors, and test transfer rates, making it a great choice for users who need more than just a speed test.
Pros:
- Offers additional disk health monitoring features
- Supports USB drives and other storage devices
- Provides error scanning and benchmarking
Cons:
- Free version has limited features
- Interface is slightly outdated
12. ATTO Disk Benchmark – professional-grade storage benchmarking tool
ATTO Disk Benchmark is widely used in professional environments to test the performance of storage devices, including USB drives.
It offers detailed reports on sequential and random read/write speeds, helping users assess performance under different conditions.
Pros:
- Highly detailed benchmarking reports
- Trusted by professionals
- Customizable test settings
Cons:
- Not as beginner-friendly
- Requires installation
Why Is My USB Speed Slow?
Several factors can affect USB speed, including USB version, drive quality, port type, file system, and background processes. USB 2.0 drives are slower than USB 3.0 and 3.1. A poorly formatted drive or a busy system can also lead to performance drops. Ensuring your USB drive is connected to a high-speed port and formatted correctly can help.
How Do I Test My USB Speed?
If you’re looking for more testing tools and methods, visit 9 Free USB Flash Drive Tester & Checker Tools.
Using Task Manager
- Insert your USB drive.
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Go to the Performance tab and select your USB drive.
- Check the Active Time and Speed graphs.
Using Command Prompt
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type:
winsat disk -drive X
(Replace X with your USB drive letter) - Press Enter. Windows will test your USB speed.
For more details: USB Flash Drive Speed Test in Windows
Is USB 2.0 High-Speed?
If you’re frequently transferring large files, you might benefit from specialized file copying software. Read 15 Best Free Fast File Copy Software for recommendations.USB 2.0 is considered high-speed, but only compared to USB 1.1. It has a maximum speed of 480 Mbps (60 MB/s), but real-world performance is often 30 MB/s or less. If you need faster speeds, use USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) or USB 3.1 (10 Gbps).
Conclusion
Choosing the right USB speed testing tool depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly tool, MiniTool Partition Wizard or SpeedOut is a great choice.
Advanced users may prefer USBDeview or RMPrepUSB for deeper insights. For real-world performance testing, File Read Test offers practical results, while professionals may benefit from ATTO Disk Benchmark. Regardless of your choice, testing your USB speed can help identify performance issues and optimize your storage devices.
I tried speedout. It was perfect. Fast, simple, free. On USB,extension cables with usb stick, on USB sticks, on SD cards, on the powered and unpowered hub, on all ports on my computer.
CrystalDiskMark is rubbish for testing the write speed of USB flash drives. It only records the initial write speed (e.g. 28MB/s) which eventually drops to around 17.5-19MB/s. Am I the only one noticing this?
My recently bought Sandisk Ultra 128GB USB3.0 gives a CrystalDiskMark write speed of 28MB/s but this does not represent real world results.
Upon copying 3GB of mp4 files the write speed started off at 28MB/s but eventually dropped to 24MB/s, 20MB/s, 19MB/s, 18MB/s, etc.
The file sizes were 995MB, 748MB, 730MB, and 644MB. The 3119mb of data took 164 seconds to transfer, which equates to an average transfer speed of 19MB/s. For larger transfers (e.g. 5GB+) the speed drops below 18MB/s.!
that depend on the random write speed and the cache, you should try change the setting’s for accurate output depend on your daily use.
No you have that backwards. Cache size does not matter once the file size exceeds the cache size, and this is not random writes rather sequential. What is happening is sustained writes on these overheats them. It’s even worse on the smaller form factor Sandisk Ultra Fit and Ultra Flair.
Speedout is not so good, can’t even find my Sandisk Extreme Pro USB flash drive, apparently it is looking for a removable media flag that it does not have.
CrystalDiskMark is widely regarded as one of the best tools around for benchmarking any sort of drive. It depends entirely how you set CrystalDiskMark up. The more passes and bigger test size you give it, the more accurate it will be because it flattens any issues with caching etc.
We recommend a small test size and fewer passes in the article because if you’re testing a slow drive of 3-5MB/s, it could otherwise take hours. For a faster drive you can use maybe 3/5 passes and 100/500MB test size to get a more representative score.
Should it have the same rate of (Ex: 24MB/s) when we are copying a file to the usb drive? I have copied nearly 6GB but when it copying to the usb, the writing speed boosts up to 25-30 MB/s and getting lower as 100-500Kb/s alternately. The graph is like a wave.
Yes it is not a sustained average but it will get closer to that by picking a larger transfer size and more passes to heat it up more.
hello thanks
I don’t see the point of all this. Cluttering up my laptop with more tools will slow it down – and I need to know the speed of the USB before, not after, I buy it. My new one has already taken seversal hours to load 40% where a micro takes a minute – but I can’t easily insert micros
If you’re worried about cluttering up your laptop with a few portable tools that are a couple of hundred KB in size, I would suggest you perhaps have bigger problems to worry about…;)
Knowing the true speed of a drive before buying relies on other people to benchmark a drive which might not be accurate and may or may not be exactly the same as the one you are looking at. If you buy a new drive, test it and find it underperforms, at least you can send it back.
Can “DiskMark (64bit)” do this job?
Do you mean CrystalDiskMark 64-bit? If so, then yes of course it can.
how to speed up transfer by program, some software solution
No it is not possible. Besides using UASP mode the most software could do is cache it in main memory to give a false impression that the file transfer is finished while it is still not read or written through yet. I take that back, a software solution could compress together many random writes into a larger file but then you have destroyed the use of a filesystem without this software to read it back and decompress, which makes what is supposed to be a near universal, portable storage solution, far less of one.
thanks Raymond :D
I’ having CrystalDiskMark and it does measure speed of non removable drives only eg SATA
CrystalDiskMark works on just about any removable drive including USB hard drives, USB flash drives and SD memory cards etc. Make sure you plug the drive in before starting the program.
It does not.
I have 2 usb hubs (for sd cards) and both are not recognised by CrystalDiskMark (Version 7.0.3). Tried both the 32 as the 64bit application.
Tried with a sd card in the reader and without.
OOPS. I’m running CrystalDiskInfo and not CrystalDiskMark. Sorry. will try that :)
I don’t want a tool that checks the speed on my USB drive. I need a tool that checks the max transfer speeds of the PORT itself, independently of a USB drive. How can i do this? None of the tools listed above serve this function.
I have never heard of a tool and know of no such way to test the speed of the port itself, you can only test the speed of a device attached to the port, it’s the same for every hardware controller in your computer.
There would need to be a “wrap” tool that would plug in to the USB connector. It should be easy to design and would basically reverse the data out and data in wires. Would not need the power wires, since there would be no logic. The test driver would have to handle the data transfer sequencing, since a normal driver would probably puke.
well thats only possible with a oscilloscope, looking at the waveform and how the clockrate is dynamically changed.
Asrock does some motherboards with an optional usb software that is called “xfast usb” it just oveclocks the usb serial bus clock to run data faster, which pushes the error rate up and might corrupt more than help and so on and on…
For your test it is easy and cheaper just to get the outmost fastest usb 3.0 stick possible and then just benchmark usb average transfer speed and use the fastest combiantion as reference sample speed 100%…
it is not important how far a stone can fly if you can’t throw it hard enought to go that fast, realworld vs. laboratory (not scientific usb speed on paper).
Can you please tell us why you would like to know the usb speed itself?
Google: propagation delay, error correction, serial bus, parallel bus and logic analyser, oscilloscope and you get the idear
It is fairly irrelevant, since the point is the transfer WITH a USB drive connected. I mean sure you can compare different USB chipset performance but if you are an end user, you already own the equipment the port is on and the bottleneck for a budget USB flash drive is going to be the drive itself.
Far more practical if you need highest performance is just get an SSD and put in a USB enclosure or an external SSD with integrated USB bridge already. Some larger USB flash drives like Corsair Voyager GTX do this, but be prepared to pay a premium for this over a standard SSD if you need the smaller form factor.
Thanks Raymond, you certainly bring in something simple, easy and different always.
Thanks for the information. I’ve been looking for a portable flash drive.
really nice information, thanks ray
I am using USBDeview long time but did not know about the speed test. Good tip.
Thanks.
nice information ray! looks good!
Thanks Ray, Nice Info.
Thanks for sharing raymond, another nice tool.
Many thanks Raymond – another brilliant tool to help us overworked techies !
Thanks Ray for this info…
Nice information Ray.
I also want to measure my friend’s pendrive speed with this software….
Thanks for sharing Mr. Raymond
very nice
thanks Ray.. you rock :)
thanks ray this is nice.
Thanks for sharing Raymond. I will use it to check the speed of my Flash USB. Thank you! :)