Unveiling the PNY PRO Elite V3 Thumb Drives: Supercharged Storage Solutions
In the past, I impulsively bought one of the largest USB thumb drives on Amazon, attracted by its low price. Little did I know that its affordability was a reflection of its poor performance. Sluggish as a slumbering mule on tranquilizers, it was an inconsiderable addition to my tech arsenal.
Fortunately, times have changed, and USB drives have evolved. manufacturers are now leveraging USB 3.2 Gen 2 to create thumb drives almost as swift as many external SSDs. PNY, a trusted brand in the field, has recently launched its new high-speed USB drives named PRO Elite V3. These drives boast read speeds of up to 1,000MB/s and write speeds of 800MB/s, making them a significant upgrade from the outdated USB 2.0 drive I once owned.
To put PNY's claims to the test, I subjected a 1TB PRO Elite V3 to a speed test. The results were impressive, with a 11GB file transfer completing in under a minute. However, it's essential to note that whilst testing for speed may yield promising results, real-world usage can differ substantially. This was evident when I tested the drive on a macOS system, which recorded a fast speed but exhibited sluggish performance in day-to-day tasks. Conversely, on a Windows system, the PRO Elite V3 offered consistent speed. To maximize performance, it's advisable to format the drive according to the operating system you'll be using predominantly.
PNY's PRO Elite V3 was designed with demanding applications in mind. Content creators, designers, and anyone dealing with large files, such as videos and high-resolution photos, will find these drives invaluable. The drives boast robust construction, featuring a metal casing that exudes a premium feel, making them resilient and reliable for various demanding situations. Integrated features like the key loop for attachment to a keyring or lanyard and a protective sliding cap that shields the USB-A connector further enhance their appeal.
The PNY PRO Elite V3 is compatible with a wide range of devices, catering to both Mac and Windows users. Its backward compatibility is an added advantage, ensuring you won't be left stranded when using older devices. Despite the absence of a USB-C adapter, remedies are readily available, or alternatively, USB hubs can serve the purpose if your device has only Type-C ports.

In conclusion, the PNY PRO Elite V3 offers a compelling blend of speed, functionality, and build quality, making it an appealing option for users seeking genuine USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance. With prices starting from $36.99/£34.99/€40.19 for the 256GB model, it's an investment that delivers the advertised 1,000MB/s read speeds.
Tech Specs:
- Model: PNY PRO Elite V3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drives
- Capacities: 256GB to 1TB.
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2.
- Read performance: Up to 1,000MB/s.
- Transfer speed: Up to 800MB/s.
- Connector: USB Type-A.
- Compatibility: USB 3.2 Gen 2 equipped host devices such as laptop & desktop computers, and backward compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
Enrichment Data:

The average transfer speeds of PNY's PRO Elite V3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB drives are as follows:
- Read Speed: Up to 1,000 MB/s
- Write Speed: Up to 800 MB/s
These speeds are significantly faster than those of older USB 2.0 drives. For context, USB 2.0 typically has read and write speeds of around 3 MB/s and 2 MB/s, respectively. Therefore, PNY's PRO Elite V3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives offer transfer speeds that are approximately 300 to 400 times faster than those of standard USB 2.0 drives.
The new PNY PRO Elite V3 USB drives, boasting speeds of up to 1,000MB/s for readings and 800MB/s for writings, are almost as fast as some external SSDs. In contrast, older USB 2.0 drives, like the one I previously owned, typically have significantly slower speeds of around 3MB/s for reading and 2MB/s for writing.
Furthermore, high-speed USB thumb drives like the PNY PRO Elite V3 are often categorized under SSD alternatives, making them comparable to fast thumb drives and SSDs.