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A Great 256GB Drive?
Review Summary
Kingston has almost every solution in the USB Flash Drives arsenal. If you are into the safety and security of your data, take a look at their encrypted USB-based solutions. If high performance is what you are after, MAX has got you covered. If you are a regular desktop user who would want a high-speed USB drive for your data portability in a decent capacity then the KYSON series is for you. These drives do what they are designed to and come recommended by us.
Hours Tested: 7
Overall
-
Quality - 9/10
9/10
-
Performance - 8/10
8/10
-
Features - 8/10
8/10
-
Value - 9/10
9/10
Pros
- Fast Portable Drive
- USB 3.2 Gen1 standard
- USB Type-A interface
- 5-Year Warranty
- Metallic Housing
Cons
- Not Suitable for 4K Data Tasks
- Potential Write Performance Degradation as Storage is Filled
- USB Type-A Interface Only
- Average Real-World Copy Speed
I’ve tried Kingston’s Kyson flash drive – a handy solution for desktop users. It’s part of the DataTraveler series, offering a quick, on-the-go option with a USB 3.2 Gen1 standard and a USB Type-A interface. Kingston claims up to 200MB/s in read speed, and today, I’m putting the 256GB DT Kyson to the test.
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Key Takeaways
- Kingston’s DataTraveler Kyson is a high-performance USB flash drive with a capless design featuring a metallic casing, USB 3.2 Gen1 standard, and up to 200MB/s read speed.
- It is ideal for users seeking a compact and reliable USB flash drive with quick file transfers, a capless design, and a metallic casing.
- It is not suitable for users requiring high-speed performance for 4k data but excels in regular file transfer tasks.
Before anything else, delve into the specifications.
Specifications
| Capacity | 256GB |
| Speed | 200MB/s read, 60MB/s write |
| Dimensions | 39mm x 12.6mm x 4.9mm |
| Weight | 4g |
| Operating temperature | 0°C~60°C |
| Storage temperature | -20°C~85°C |
| Warranty/support | 5-year warranty with free technical support |
| Compatible with | Windows® 10, 8.1, 8, Mac OS (v.10.10.x +), Linux (v. 2.6.x +), Chrome OS™ |
Packaging and Unboxing
This drive is shipped inside a paperboard-made packing box.
Design
The DataTraveler Kyson series USB Flash Drives use USB 3.2 Gen1 with a Type-A interface. They have speeds of 200MB/s in reading and 60MB/s in writing, although not all versions offer the 60MB/s write speed. The series comes in four capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256 GB.
Key features include USB 3.2 Gen1, up to 200MB/s read speed, capacity up to 256GB, metallic casing, capless design, keyring loop, and USB Type-A connectivity. The drive has a reflective silver finish, weighs 4g, and operates in a temperature range of 0°C to 60°C. It’s compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. The drive’s part number is DTKN/256GB, and it takes 5V power and is assembled in Taiwan.
Kingston describes the DataTraveler Kyson as a high-performance Type-A USB flash drive with fast transfer speeds of up to 200MB/s read and 60MB/s write. It offers storage of up to 256GB and features a capless metal design, eliminating the risk of losing a cap, with a convenient loop for portability.
Testing
The mentioned configuration is used to test this drive:
- Intel Core i7-13700K
- GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX
- XPG Lancer RGB 2x16GB DDR5 kit 6000MHz, CL40
- DIY Cooling
- Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe SSD [OS Drive]
- GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3060 VISION OC Rev.2
- be quiet! Straight Power 11 850W Platinum PSU
- Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open frame layout
- Microsoft Windows 11 22H2 is used for the testing.
Should You Buy It?
After extensive testing of Kingston DataTraveler KYSON 256GB USB Drive, my conclusion is:
Buy It If
✅ You Need High-Performance File Transfers: If you need a high-performance USB flash drive for quick, on-the-go file transfers, the Kingston DataTraveler Kyson is a solid choice. It offers USB 3.2 Gen1 with up to 200MB/s read speed, prioritizing efficient data transfer.
✅ You Prefer a Compact and Reliable Design: For those seeking a compact and reliable USB flash drive with a capless design, the Kyson fits the bill. Its metallic casing, capless design, and keyring loop ensure durability and portability without the risk of losing a cap.
✅ You Require Decent Storage Capacity: If you need a USB flash drive with a decent storage capacity, the 256GB variant of the Kyson provides ample space for storing large files, documents, and media.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You Need High-Speed Performance for 4K Tasks: If your requirements involve high-speed performance specifically for 4K data tasks, the Kyson may not be the optimal choice. While it excels in regular file transfer tasks, it may not meet the demands of users needing exceptional speed for 4K data.
❌ You Prefer Slim and Lightweight Options: If you are looking for the slimmest and lightest USB flash drive, the Kyson’s metallic casing and keyring loop contribute to its weight. If ultra-portability is crucial, you might want to explore slimmer options.
Final Words
We tested the Kyson 256GB USB Flash Drive, part of the DataTraveler series. It is silver and comes in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB variants. The drive uses USB 3.2 Gen1 with a Type-A interface. It has a sequential read speed of up to 200MB/s and a write speed of up to 60MB/s for 128GB and 256GB variants. The drive is compact, measuring 39×12.6×4.9mm, and weighs 4gm. It operates in temperatures from 0°C to 60°C and can be used with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.
The capless design has a blue Type-A connector and a cap/handler on the other end with a Keyring loop. It uses the FAT32 file system and is priced at USD 24.75 on Amazon. It performs well in synthetic tests, meets the speed ratings, and has a 5-year warranty.
Recent Updates
- February 25, 2024: A few text changes to improve readability. Added image galleries.
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Very elaborate review with benchmarks and real world data. A review one can use!
[Hardware Reviewer & Editor]
Meet Nauman Siddique, a highly experienced computer science graduate with more than 15 years of knowledge in technology. Nauman is an expert in the field known for his deep understanding of computer hardware.
As a tech tester, insightful reviewer, and skilled hardware editor, Nauman carefully breaks down important parts like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, CPU coolers, and more.
- 15+ years of PC Building Experience
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