Portability is the most obvious advantage of USB Pen drives. If you are looking for a budget USB 3.2 drive for everyday use, Kingston DataTraveler Exodia is one of the most affordable options. Good price label makes it very attractive, but, what about speed performance? We tested and reviewed Kingston Exodia 32GB USB Flash Drive in detail. Check the comprehensive Kingston datatraveler exodia usb 3.2 flash drive reviews and tests.
Quick Summary
- 💾 Storage Options: Available in multiple capacities (from 32GB up to 256GB)
- ⚡ USB Standard: USB 3.2 Gen 1 for fast data transfer speeds
- 🖥️ Compatibility: Works with laptops, desktops, and other devices supporting USB-A ports
- 🎨 Design: Lightweight, colorful cap design with keyring loop for portability
- 🔒 Security: No built-in encryption; relies on software-based solutions if needed
- 📦 Durability: Practical plastic housing, designed for everyday use
- 💰 Price Range: Typically ~$5–30 depending on capacity and retailer
- ✅ Best For: Students, professionals, and everyday users needing affordable portable storage
- Check today’s price on Amazon
Written by Metin KARAL – Review Editor
We research, test, and if applicable, rate the products. We know the importance of Trusted Reviews.
Nothing on this site is sponsored. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Quick Look
The Kingston DataTraveler Exodia is a USB 3.2 flash drive designed for everyday use, offering capacities up to 256GB, a protective cap, and a large keyring loop for portability.
Key Features
- Interface: USB 3.2 (backward compatible with USB 2.0)
- Capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
- Design:
- Lightweight and portable
- Protective cap to shield the USB connector
- Large loop for attaching to keychains
- Available in multiple colors depending on capacity
Best For
- Students & Everyday Users → Carrying assignments, presentations, and personal files between school and home.
- Office Professionals → Quick transfer of documents, spreadsheets, and reports without worrying about compatibility.
- Media Sharing → Storing and moving music, movies, or photos with decent speed.
- Travelers → Lightweight, portable, and easy to attach to a keychain for on‑the‑go access.
- Budget Buyers → Affordable entry‑level USB 3.2 drive with reliable Kingston support.
- 👉 [Check today’s price on Amazon]
👉 In Short: Kingston DataTraveler Exodia is an affordable USB drive for daily use. Its price label makes it very affordable, for most daily use. You may get around 90 Mbyte/s read speeds, and 14 Mbyte/s write speeds. If you don’t frequently do large writes, this trade‑off gets you huge savings.
Pros
- Superior Read Speeds
- Affordable Price
- Quality Material
- Easy to Use
- [Check today’s price on Amazon]
Cons
- Relatively slow Write Speed
Kingston Datatraveler Exodia USB Flash Drive Product Info
For a long time, I have been using many Kingston memory drive, including DataTraveler series. They are actually robust and reliable pen drives. Kingston datatraveler exodia usb 3.2 flash drive is replacement for DataTraveler G4 series. Shapes and features are similar with G4, with small enhancements. It has 4 different capacity model with different keyring loop color. Protective cap helps protecting the interface when it is not used. It has USB 3.2 Interface combability which is capable of 10 Gbit/s transfer rate in theory. But what about real-life performance? Keep reading for real life tests…
| Capacity | 32/64/128/256 GB | |
| Compability | USB 2.0 and 3.0 | |
| USB Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A | |
| Weight | 11 gr | |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 6.73 x 2.1 x 1.01 cm | |
| Protective Cap | Yes | |
| Keyring Loop | Yes | |
| Read Speed (Real Life) | 95 MB/s | |
| Write Speed (Real Life) | 15.7 MB/s | |
 |
Kingston DataTraveler Exodia Review: Test System 1
We have tested Kingston Exodia with our Asus FX506LH model Gaming notebook. It has both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Interfaces. For this reason, We also tested USB 2.0 and 3.0 performance of Kingston Exodia. All tests are done under Windows 11 Pro system.
| Brand | ASUS | |
| Model | FX506LH | |
| CPU | Intel i5-10300H | |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 | |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 | |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD | |
| OS | Windows 11 | |
Kingston DataTraveler Exodia Review: Test System 2
In order to see performance of Exodia in different platforms, We tested it with a different rig. This test system is a Desktop PC. We did not make all test but only FAT32 tests in order to give you a rough comparison idea.
| Brand | MSI | |
| Board Model | MSI H510M-A PRO | |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 11400F | |
| Graphics | MSI GEFORCE RTX 3060 VENTUS 2X OC | |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 | |
| Storage | Samsung 500GB 970 EVO PLUS NVMe | |
| OS | Windows 11 | |
Kingston Datatraveler Exodia Review Speed Test: How We Test It?
We tested Kingston Exodia 32GB with CrystalDiskMark disk benchmarks software. Used latest 8.0.4 version. All tests are done 5 times with 1GB test file (default values).
- In order to see different file system performance, We repeated same test with FAT32, NTFS and ExFAT.
- In order to see performance differences, We repeated same tests with different Allocation unit size (AUS)
- In order to see USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interface performances, We repeated FAT32 tests with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Interfaces.
- We formatted flash disk, before each test.
Kingston DataTraveler Exodia Review: Speed Test
Test-1 : FAT32 with 16 Kb AUS at USB 3.0 Interface
FAT32 File system with 16 KB Allocation Unit Size (AUS) performed best performance with Kingston Exodia. This is not a surprise. FAT32 is one of the most supported file system, even for non-Windows operating systems. Bad thing with FAT32 is 4GB maximum file size limit. If you are frequently using +4GB files, forget FAT32!
Kingston datatraveler exodia speed test results for FAT32 at USB 3.0 Interface
[Read]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 93.105 MB/s [ 88.8 IOPS] < 89038.61 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 86.602 MB/s [ 82.6 IOPS] < 12069.74 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 2.275 MB/s [ 555.4 IOPS] < 57125.97 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 2.232 MB/s [ 544.9 IOPS] < 1827.49 us>
[Write]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 14.869 MB/s [ 14.2 IOPS] <511550.25 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 14.453 MB/s [ 13.8 IOPS] < 71491.99 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 1.186 MB/s [ 289.6 IOPS] <108249.21 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 1.144 MB/s [ 279.3 IOPS] < 3516.72 us>Test-1/b : FAT32 with 16 Kb AUS at USB 3.0 Interface at MSI Test PC
With our 2. test system We get similar (actually a bit better) sequential read/write results. Our second PC test system is better than notebook test system in terms of CPU, RAM and NVMe speeds. For this reason, it is not a surprise to see a bit better results. Actually, RND4K test results are very impressive, due to better CPU and RAM.
Test-2 : FAT32 with 16 Kb AUS at USB 2.0 Interface
With our ASUS FX506LH notebook (which has both USB 2.0 and 3.0 interfaces) We tested and compared Kingston Exodia’s performance results for USB 2.0 and 3.0 interfaces. Result was not a surprise! Exodia performed almost 3x times better at USB 3.0 interface over USB 2.0 interface (93.1 MB/s vs 31.8 MB/s). Interestingly, write speeds are very similar for both interfaces.
>> See AMAZON user reviews for Kingston DataTraveler Exodia
Kingston datatraveler exodia speed test results for FAT32 at USB 2.0 Interface :
[Read]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 31.821 MB/s [ 30.3 IOPS] <132495.06 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 31.666 MB/s [ 30.2 IOPS] < 32988.66 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 2.940 MB/s [ 717.8 IOPS] < 44248.85 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 2.681 MB/s [ 654.5 IOPS] < 1520.71 us>
[Write]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 12.161 MB/s [ 11.6 IOPS] <647260.33 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 11.108 MB/s [ 10.6 IOPS] < 91463.85 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 1.210 MB/s [ 295.4 IOPS] <106252.85 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 1.182 MB/s [ 288.6 IOPS] < 3453.51 us>Test-3 : exFAT with 16 Kb AUS at USB 3.0 Interface
exFAT is extended version of FAT32 file system at Microsoft ecosystem. It has improvements over FAT32. The biggest improvement is file size limitation. You can store files at exFAT, that are bigger than 4GB. We have tested Kingston Exodia with exFAT. Results are very similar to FAT32, as expected. Most modern operating systems support exFAT. For this reason, it is safe to format your USB drive with exFAT.
Kingston datatraveler exodia speed test results for exFAT at USB 3.0 Interface :
[Read]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 92.363 MB/s [ 88.1 IOPS] < 89715.47 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 88.800 MB/s [ 84.7 IOPS] < 11755.66 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 2.262 MB/s [ 552.2 IOPS] < 57541.99 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 2.210 MB/s [ 539.6 IOPS] < 1845.50 us>
[Write]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 14.659 MB/s [ 14.0 IOPS] <530001.99 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 14.049 MB/s [ 13.4 IOPS] < 71857.10 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 1.216 MB/s [ 296.9 IOPS] <106549.84 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 1.092 MB/s [ 266.6 IOPS] < 3736.74 us>Test-3 : NTFS with 16 Kb AUS at USB 3.0 Interface
NTFS is Microsoft’s favorite file system, with high security and sharing abilities (mostly for internal disk drives). On the other hand, if you are using an external USB disk drive, usually that abilities are useless. Most people just want to copy and go quickly with a USB drive. In addition, NTFS performed worst performance. If you don’t have specific reason to use NTFS, it is not a good idea to use NTFS with Kingston Exodia.
Kingston datatraveler exodia speed test results for NTFS at USB 3.0 Interface
[Read]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 69.987 MB/s [ 66.7 IOPS] <118188.64 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 64.823 MB/s [ 61.8 IOPS] < 16144.92 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 2.250 MB/s [ 549.3 IOPS] < 57819.24 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 2.330 MB/s [ 568.8 IOPS] < 1751.11 us>
[Write]
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 8, T= 1): 14.015 MB/s [ 13.4 IOPS] <542124.25 us>
SEQ 1MiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 14.223 MB/s [ 13.6 IOPS] < 73620.97 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 32, T= 1): 1.216 MB/s [ 296.9 IOPS] <105963.17 us>
RND 4KiB (Q= 1, T= 1): 1.079 MB/s [ 263.4 IOPS] < 3782.82 us>Extra Test : FAT32 with 64 Kb AUS at USB 3.0 Interface
Kingston Datatraveler Exodia Speed Test Results
In this Kingston Datatraveler Exodia review, We tested Kingston Datatraveler Exodia speed with different File System, different Allocation Unit Size and USB interface speeds.
First of all, We saw that FAT32 is the fastest file system for Kingston Exodia. Another advantage of FAT32 is, it is supported by most modern operating systems, including Linux. Bad thing with FAT32 is, it has 4GB maximum file size limitation. If your files are smaller than 4GB, go with FAT32 at Kingston Exodia.
If your files are larger than 4GB (for example, big 4K movies) exFAT might be a good choice for you. It is little bit slower than FAT32 (93MB/s vs 92MB/s) but it supports large files. 1 MB/s difference might be ignored for big file support.
Interestingly NTFS performed worst performance. NTFS is a wonderful file system mostly for internal disk drives with enhanced security. On the other hand, for most people, these features are useless. Most people use USB pen drives just for carrying files, easily.
In short; What We see after Kingston Datatraveler Exodia speed test is that there is a huge difference between USB 3.0 read speeds and USB 2.0 read speeds (93/31 MB/s). Using a USB 3.0 port obviously makes difference for file read speed. But not for write speed! Write speeds are very near. This shows us that, Kingston used an average quality chip in Exodia USB drives. If you are making heavy write operations, Kingston Exodia series is not a good choice for you. But if you don’t frequently do large writes, this trade‑off gets you huge savings.
Top 5 Best Budget USB Flash Drives – 2026
| Rank | Model | Final Score | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 1 | Samsung FIT Plus | 4.6 | Ultra‑compact, durable, and very fast |
| 🥈 2 | SanDisk Ultra Flair | 4.1 | Stylish metal design with solid everyday speed |
| 🥉 3 | Kingston DataTraveler Exodia | 3.8 | Reliable, practical, and affordable everyday performer |
| 🔹 4 | PNY Attache 4 | 3.5 | Best for large capacities up to 1TB at low cost |
| 🟧 5 | ADATA UV128 | 3.3 | Sliding cap design, dependable budget all‑rounder |
Samsung FIT Plus Why #1: Fastest speeds (~200 MB/s read), rugged durability (water/shock-proof), and ultra‑compact design. Slightly pricier, but unbeatable for portability and reliability. Overall Score: ★★★★★ (4.6)
SanDisk Ultra Flair Why #2: Sleek metal body, strong performance (~150/60 MB/s), and stylish portability. Heats up a bit, but still excellent balance of speed and price. Overall Score: ★★★★☆ (4.1)
Kingston DataTraveler Exodia Why #3: Reliable everyday performer with decent speeds (~100/30 MB/s). Durable build and practical design make it a safe, affordable choice, though slower than premium rivals. Overall Score: ★★★★☆ (3.8)
PNY Attache 4 Why #4: Large capacity options (up to 1TB) with decent speed (~130/40 MB/s). Affordable for big storage, though bulkier and less durable than Samsung/SanDisk. Overall Score: ★★★★☆ (3.5)
ADATA UV128 Why #5: Good everyday choice with USB 3.2 and balanced performance (~100/30 MB/s). Solid value, though build/design is basic. Overall Score: ★★★★☆ (3.3)
See detailed Top 5 Best Budget USB Flash Drives review also.
Kingston DataTraveler Exodia Review: Summary
To be honest, Kingston Exodia is not one of the fastest USB pen drives on the market. I have seen some poor performance user reviews at Reddit and Amazon reviews. This might be due to old and low performance HDD based PC/Notebooks. Our test systems have NVMe storage and that influence overall performance. If you have a decent computer, probably you will get similar good performance.
Kingston datatraveler exodia speed (read speed around 90 MB/s) is good but Kingston datatraveler exodia write speed (14 MB/s) is below average. But if you don’t frequently do large writes, this trade‑off gets you huge savings. For everyday file‑transfers this drive gives ~90 MB/s read speeds and costs a fraction of premium drives — click below to check the current deal.
In short, Kingston Exodia USB pen drive has a perfect price (especially 128GB) and enough transfer speeds for most daily needs. On the other hand, if you need very high write speeds to transfer very large files, Kingston Exodia is not a good choice.
Kingston DataTraveler Exodia
Verdict
Kingston DataTraveler Exodia offers dependable performance with read speeds around 100 MB/s and write speeds near 20 MB/s. Its sturdy build and practical design make it a reliable everyday drive. Affordable and consistent, it’s a safe choice for users who value reliability over cutting-edge speed.
Where to Buy Kingston DataTraveler Exodia?
The Kingston DataTraveler Exodia is available from major retailers, but Amazon usually offers the best deals and fastest delivery. 👉 [Check today’s price on Amazon] to see if there’s a discount right now.
Alternatively, buy From Producer, KINGSTON
Written by Metin Karal
Metin Karal is a Computer Engineer with a passion for testing and reviewing tech products he personally uses. He combines his technical background with hands‑on experience to deliver honest, practical insights for readers. Beyond product reviews, he enjoys programming in C# and is currently developing PairMem, a challenging memory game available for free on the Microsoft Store.
- 5 Best Wireless Earbuds Under $30 (2026) – Affordable Picks Reviewed
- 5 Best Left Handed Vertical Ergonomic Mice (2026 Review & Buying Guide)
- 5 Best Budget USB Flash Drives 2026 – Speed, Durability & Value Compared
- Shark Stain Striker Review – Pros, Cons & Buyer’s Guide
- Lepro Solar Lights for Outside Review
The breakdown of performance across different file systems was really eye-opening. I honestly wouldn’t have expected NTFS to drop the read speeds by nearly 25 MB/s compared to FAT32 on a drive like this. That’s a great catch and definitely something I’ll keep in mind if I pick one up.
It’s a bit of a culture shock for me reading these write speeds, though. My day job involves configuring HBA controllers and swapping out 25 Gigabit daughter cards in server chassis, so I’m used to seeing throughput that makes 15 MB/s look like a rounding error. That said, you can’t exactly put a server rack on your keychain, and for the price point, this seems perfectly fine for moving small documents or flashing firmware.
For those who have owned the Exodia for a while, how does the plastic loop hold up? I’m always worried about snapping these plastic-body drives right off my keyring after a few months of use.
Actually, I did not used it with keyring, so nu much experience for it. But, after 4 years, USB is in perfect condition and plastic loop looks very sturdy.