Recommended brands of USB drives for Installation Media (Bootable)

I have bunch of Kingston drives I've used to install Windows with. Data Traveler II's, G3 's. No issues here. I use Diskpart to create my bootable install drives.

I have bunch of USBs, all sizes and kinds and it doesn't really matter which. Using USB3 when possible for speed and a Linux distro with tools. Also using some SD and micro SD cards with USB adapter. Easier to store but somewhat slower.

A poll is pointless really. The real point is if the device is sold much cheaper than the average going rate for a branded device, then it is probably inferior or worse a fake. You get what you pay for.

cereberus said:

A poll is pointless really. The real point is if the device is sold much cheaper than the average going rate for a branded device, then it is probably inferior or worse a fake. You get what you pay for.

Not only that but where they were made from . I seen 2 identical sticks everything was the same but only one difference, one was made in China and the other USA

sn00ker said:

Not only that but where they were made from . I seen 2 identical sticks everything was the same but only one difference, one was made in China and the other USA

And the inferior one was from where......?

It's more complicated when/if you want to make Windows to Go. There are just few certified for it.

ITPro said:

Based on experience, what are the most/more reliable brands of USB (aka thumb drives) to use to create installation media, recovery media, WindowToGo, etc? (I have the Education version from Dreamspark Premium). Any size recommendations?
My observations:
-Lexar is frequently on Sale
-I thought I heard PNY was or used to be good
-Kingston I have heard both opinions (but avoid Data Traveler II USB 2.0) silver metal version. I had issues with that one, but I think Rufus solved it.
From other threads, I have noticed that some may or may not be compatible, or may require a lot of work to get them to function and 'boot from USB' / bootable USB dive.
The other question is have any of you noticed that USB 2.0 is more reliable as far as compatibility for this specific purpose than USB 3.0?
Your input is much appreciated!
System Specs:
ASUS X555UA (F555U) Laptop
Windows 10 Home 64bit v1607
Intel i7-6500U 2.50 GHz 6th gen processor
8GB of RAM
ESET Smart Security 9

Also speaking from Experience *, with RAM memory in general, two brands I don't trust are Kingston and PNY, and I'm really not so fond of Lexar. But Sandisk has always been rock solid for me. My current SSD is a Sandisk, after a PNY SSD crashed after only one month of service and the company (PNY) where I bought the SSD refused to replace it. My Sandisk SSD has been running for over a year now and it still at 100% useful.

Kingston is at the top of my Sh** list, because they buy a lot of memory chips that have failed final testing by companies like Micron. All the ram I've had to throw in the trash can over the past ten years has been Kingston. It may start out working OK, but then fail later on, and leave a computer disabled or seriously limping.

Lexar? I bought one Lexar flash drive "ON SALE" and it didn't say on the package whether it was USB 2.0 or USB 3.0.
I asked the salesman (at Office Depot) what speed it was and he said it was USB 3.0, but when I got it home and tried it out, I discovered it was only 2.0, and I promptly returned it to the store. That ended my experience with Lexar. *
* I will no longer buy any Flash Drives that are NOT USB 3.0 (at least).

Cheers Mate!
TechnoMage