Kingston DataTraveler KYSON 256GB USB Drive Review

See full bio

Nauman Siddique

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

See full bio

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.

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

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.

Nauman Siddique

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com