PNY PRO Elite V3 Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive Review: Ultra-Fast Speeds, High Capacity, and Excellent Value

USB Type-A flash drives may still be the most common, but USB Type-C is quickly becoming the new standard. With Apple devices now fully transitioned and most new laptops and desktops adopting USB-C as standard, it was only a matter of time before Type-C became the norm. With today’s more powerful computers facilitating more intensive work with larger files, increased speed is essential. This is where the new PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-C Flash Drives come in. The new drives are available in four capacities: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB.

In this review, we look at the 2TB model.

Technology

In a recent review, I tested the PNY PRO Elite V3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive and found it to be excellent. Although a USB Type-A connector, the drive shares much with the Type-C drive reviewed here. Both have metal enclosures, come in a range of capacities, and, most importantly, adhere to the newest specification, USB 3.2 Gen 2.

As with that review, it is not my intention to take a deep dive into the technology behind the continuing evolution of USB ports and drives. It’s well known that USB connectivity has evolved over the years, adding different formats, the most popular of which are USB Type-A and Type-C.

Most computers support both formats, but the flash drive market is predominantly Type-A, and the demands for greater speed and reliability have pushed the development of newer standards, including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.2. The PNY PRO Elite V3 uses the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard, which offers significantly improved performance.

Speed

As with the Type-A model, the PNY PRO Elite V3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive makes some serious claims in terms of speed, “with read speeds up to 1000MB/s and write speeds up to 800MB/s.“

To test these claims, I again used the popular open-source application, CrystalDiskMark, which allows me to compare the read and write speeds of various drives. Again, without getting too detailed with the technical specifications, it is important to note that the type of port used with each drive greatly affects the results. In other words, you must use a USB 3.2 port to take full advantage of the faster drives.

My ASUS ZenBook has a USB 3.0 port and 3.1 controller. This should allow for nearly the full performance of the PNY drive, but perhaps more demonstrative of this increase is the comparison with other drives I use daily.

Using CrystalDiskMark, the PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-C Flash Drive returned read speeds of 929 MB/s and write speeds of 992 MB/s. While I didn’t quite hit the 1000 MB/s read maximum, the drive exceeded its 800 MB/s write speed claim by a wide margin.. Again, my laptop is not using the very latest specs, and these tests are not quite scientific, but they are useful for comparison.

To that point, the previously tested PNY Pro Elite (Type-A) achieved read speeds of 831 MB/s and write speeds of 855 MB/s. Both drives are very fast, but unsurprisingly, the Type-C drive is faster.

As I mentioned in the previous review, I also tried testing my internal SSD primary hard drive and a USB Type-C external drive just to see how they compare. My internal drive tested at 1743 MB/s and 2326 MB/s, and the Type-C external drive, a Micron Crucial X10 Pro, which I reviewed in 2023 and said was the fastest external drive that I have ever used, came in at 923 MB/s and 837 MB/s.

This means this new PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-C Flash Drive is now the fastest external drive I have ever used.

Design and Build Quality

There are a few trends that seem to predominate in the flash drive market. One is that the premium models, such as this series, are made of better quality materials and have better details. This is certainly the case here as the body of Pro Elite V3 is made of metal with a textured plastic grip on one end. The drive is a sliding design that exposes the Type-C connector when pushed.

The drive has an understated elegant aesthetic in all matte black, with the PNY logo on one side and the wording “USB 3.2, 2TB” on the other. On the back side of the grip is a slot for attaching straps. Unlike the Type-A series, the Type-C is only available in black.

In the review of the Type-A drive, I mentioned the lack of an activity light. It seems that this is also the direction that most manufacturers are taking, and I won’t bother reintroducing it here, but there is one aspect of the design that is worth mentioning.

Type-A connectors are quite large as compared with the width of the drives themselves. Type-C connectors are quite a bit smaller in comparison, but the drive bodies are the same as Type-A. Many computer manufacturers place USB Type-C ports directly next to one another, and this leads to the issue of not being able to use both ports simultaneously.

This is more a limitation of computer port placement than the drives themselves, but it’s worth considering when planning your setup. One easy solution is to purchase adapters allowing multiple devices to use a single port via a cord (which is inherently not as bulky). It is very important to buy adapters that comply with the same specifications to get the most out of your drive purchases.

Compatibility

Like the Type-A series, the PNY PRO Elite V3 USB Type-C Flash Drive is fully compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2 enabled Windows and Mac desktop and laptop computers and backward compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.

As with the Type-A version, the PNY PRO Elite V3 USB Type-C Flash Drives are easy products to recommend. Their read and write speeds are the fastest that I have encountered in external drives; they are solidly constructed, attractive, and very reasonably priced for the performance that they deliver. If you are looking for less expensive alternatives, there are many on the market by other manufacturers and PNY itself. These include models from previous generations and those with smaller capacities. I always recommend buying the best and most forward-looking gear you can afford. It will be useful for a long time in the future.

As I mentioned in the review of the PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-A Flash Drive, the USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology is perfectly suited for today’s larger files, especially for demanding applications such as high-resolution photos and full HD and 4K videos. It is aimed at “content creators, graphic designers, gamers, professionals and more for whom speed and reliability is a must”, and at this price, I recommend it to everyone who can afford it.

The PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-C Flash Drive is available in four capacities: 256 GB ($30.51), 512 GB ($52.99), 1 TB ($83.99), and 2 TB ($151.99).

The PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-C Flash Drive stands out for its impressive speed, solid build, and sleek, minimalist design. With performance that rivals much larger external drives and capacities up to 2TB, it’s an excellent choice for anyone working with large files or demanding applications. Whether you’re a content creator, student, or professional who values reliability and fast transfers, this flash drive delivers. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 support ensures future-proof compatibility, making it a smart investment. If you’re ready to upgrade your portable storage, the PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-C is well worth considering.

The 2TB PNY Pro Elite V3 Type-C Flash Drive sells for $151.99 and is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon and B&H Photo.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Blazing-fast read and write speeds; Solid build; Sleek design

What Needs Improvement: Nothing