Best USB-Powered Floppy Drives of 2025

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2025

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USB-powered floppy drives are an essential tool for those who have old floppy disks lying around but no longer have a computer with a floppy drive. These devices are compact and easy to use, simply plug them into a USB port and insert the floppy disk. They allow users to access important data on old disks, such as photos, documents, and music files. USB-powered floppy drives are compatible with both Mac and PC computers and are a cost-effective solution for those who need to transfer data from old floppy disks to modern devices.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

YEY USB Floppy Drive Cover #TOP 1
YEY USB Floppy Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.9
YEY USB Floppy Disk Reader Cover #TOP 2
YEY USB Floppy Disk Reader
ftb score rating icon 9.8
YEY External USB Floppy Disk Reader Cover #TOP 3
YEY External USB Floppy Disk Reader
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 USB-Powered Floppy Drives

YEY USB Floppy Drive

YEY
FDD-001
black
YEY USB Floppy Drive Cover
YEY USB Floppy Drive,Floppy Disk Reader 3.5-inch External Portable 1.44 MB FDD for Windows XP/7/8/10/11 PC Laptop Plug and Play No Extra Drivers– Black

The YEY USB Floppy Drive is a 3.5" external portable 1.44 MB FDD that is compatible with Windows 10/7/8/XP/Vista PC laptops. It is a plug and play device, which means no extra drivers are needed for installation. The indicator light on the drive shows when it is working and when it has finished. Power is provided via the USB port, eliminating the need for a separate power adapter. The drive also features an extra thick foam pad for anti-slip protection. With its easy installation, compatibility with various operating systems, and convenient power source, the YEY USB Floppy Drive is a reliable and user-friendly option for anyone needing to read or write data on floppy disks.

What We Like
Plug and play
No extra drivers needed
Power via USB port

YEY USB Floppy Disk Reader

YEY
XZY-FDD001
Black
YEY USB Floppy Disk Reader Cover
YEY Floppy Disk Reader External Floppy Disk Reader USB 3.5-inch USB Floppy Disk Reader 1.44 MB FDD Portable Floppy Disk for PC Laptops Windows/XP/7/8/10/11 Plug and Play

The YEY Floppy Disk Reader makes it easy for you to access and transfer data from your old 3.5-inch floppy disks. With its plug-and-play design, you won’t need to install any drivers; just connect it to your USB port and start retrieving your cherished files right away. Its ultra-slim and portable form means you can take it anywhere, allowing you to relive memories like wedding photos or favorite songs stored on floppy disks. Plus, it’s compatible with a wide range of operating systems, ensuring you can use it with your computer effortlessly.

What We Like
Easy data retrieval
Plug-and-play convenience
Portable design
Wide OS compatibility
#TOP 3

YEY External USB Floppy Disk Reader

YEY
USB-FDD-A-T-C
Black
YEY External USB Floppy Disk Reader Cover
YEY External USB 3.5-inch USB Floppy Disk Reader 1.44 MB FDD Portable Floppy Disk for PC Laptops Windows/XP/7/8/10/11 Plug and Play, Also for iMac and MacBook Pro (Black)

YEY Floppy Disk Reader is a portable USB device that allows you to read and transfer data from your nostalgic 3.5" floppy disks. With its plug and play feature, you can easily access your files without the need for extra drivers. The ultra-slim design makes it convenient to carry around, enabling you to retrieve cherished memories stored on floppy disks anytime, anywhere. Compatible with various operating systems, including Windows and Mac, this device is perfect for those looking to revive old photos, poems, documents, and songs. Plus, it comes with a hassle-free 2-year warranty for peace of mind.

What We Like
Nostalgic file retrieval
Plug and play
Portable and slim design
#TOP 4

Chuanganzhuo Portable USB Floppy Disk Drive

CAZED-006
Black
3.5 Inch
Chuanganzhuo Portable USB Floppy Disk Drive Cover
Chuanganzhuo Floppy Disk Reader, 3.5 inch External USB Type C Floppy Disk Drive for PC, Laptop and Desktop Compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7/2000/XP, Black, Frosted Texture

The Chuanganzhuo Portable USB Floppy Disk Drive is a high-quality, slim and lightweight external drive that is easy to carry around. It is plug-and-play, meaning you don't need any extra drivers, and is powered directly from the USB port, making it fully mobile. It is compatible with a range of devices and operating systems and is ideal for giving new life to old floppies. To ensure smooth operation, it is recommended to plug it into the rear USB interface of your motherboard directly.

What We Like
Easy to carry around due to its slim and lightweight design
Plug-and-play, requiring no extra drivers
Powered directly from the USB port, making it fully mobile
Compatible with a range of devices and operating systems
Ideal for giving new life to old floppies
#TOP 5

wintale USB Floppy Drive

Black
wintale USB Floppy Drive Cover
wintale USB Floppy Drive,Portable 3.5" USB External Floppy Disk Drive,Slim Plug and Play 1.44 MB FDD for PC Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10/11

The wintale USB Floppy Drive is a portable and durable external floppy disk drive that offers easy plug-and-play use. With no need for additional software or complicated setup procedures, simply plug it into your computer's USB port and it will automatically install the necessary drivers. Its lightweight and portable design makes it convenient for travel, while the high-quality hard plastic shell ensures durability. The drive is widely compatible with both desktops and laptops, and can be used with various operating systems. It also features a USB 2.0 interface for faster data transfer speeds. The package includes the external drive and a user manual, and the company provides excellent customer service.

What We Like
Easy plug-and-play use
Portable and durable
Wide compatibility
#TOP 6

Nice2MiTu USB External Floppy Disk Drive

Nice2MiTu
RQ001
Nice2MiTu USB External Floppy Disk Drive Cover
Nice2MiTu 3.5" USB External Floppy Disk Drive Portable 1.44 MB FDD USB Drive Plug and Play for PC Windows 10 7 8 XP Vista Mac Black (1P)

The Nice2MiTu USB External Floppy Disk Drive is a portable and easy-to-use device that is compatible with a range of devices, including desktops, laptops, and notebooks. It can read and write 1.44 MB floppy disks and supports USB 1.1/2.0/3.0 connectivity. The device has a strong anti-interference ability and is powered directly from the USB port, eliminating the need for additional power sources. With this device, you can easily transfer old files and documents from floppy disks to your computer for storage and backup.

What We Like
Easy to use and plug-and-play
Portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry
Compatible with a range of devices and operating systems
Strong anti-interference ability
No external power required, powered directly from the USB port
#TOP 7

RAAYOO USB Floppy Disk Reader Drive

RYD001-BK
Black
RAAYOO USB Floppy Disk Reader Drive Cover
RAAYOO USB Floppy Disk Reader, 3.5 inch External Portable 1.44 MB FDD Floppy Disk Drive for Windows 11/10/8/7/2000/XP PC Laptop Desktop Notebook Computer

The RAAYOO USB Floppy Disk Reader Drive is an excellent tool for retrieving old memories and treasured documents stored on 3.5" floppy disks. With this drive, you can easily transfer your files to other devices for storing, such as CDs and portable hard drives. It's easy to use, with no extra driver required, just plug and play. The drive is also compatible with a variety of devices, including PC, computer, laptop, and desktop. Additionally, its interference preventer effectively blocks external noise. Finally, RAAYOO provides reliable and friendly customer service, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and one-year warranty.

What We Like
Easy to use, plug and play with no extra driver required
Compatible with a variety of devices
Interference preventer effectively blocks external noise
Allows for retrieval of old memories and treasured documents
Reliable and friendly customer service with a 30-day money-back guarantee and one-year warranty
#TOP 8

Floppy Disk Reader, 3.5 inch USB External Floppy Drive

714216924400
Black
Floppy Disk Reader, 3.5 inch USB External Floppy Drive Cover
Floppy Disk Reader, 3.5 inch USB External Floppy Drive for PC/Laptop and Desktop, Portable USB Port Powered Drive for Window 98SE/ME/2000/XP/VISTA/Win7//Mac OS 10.3

Features
[Compatible Systems] No Driver Required For WINME/2000/XP, Supports Windows98SE/ME/2000/XP Operating Systems, Supports MACOS8.6 Or Higher, Suitable For IBM Compatible PCs Or Laptops
[Plug And Play] This Floppy Drive Does Not Require Any Additional Drivers. Simply Connect The External Floppy Drive To The USB Interface To Power It Directly From The USB Port, Without The Need For An External Power Supply
[USB Port Connection] IBM Portable USB Disk Drive Can Read And Write 1.44MB Or 720KB Disks. Standard USB Port Connection Method, Can Be Easily Connected To ThinkPad I Series 1200/1300, NetVista S Series And Laptop/desktop Systems Through The USB Port
[Easy To Carry] Provides A Complete Mobile Computing Environment For Travel Or When There Is No Power Outlet, With An Extremely Small Form Factor Design, Light Weight And Small Size, Greatly Increasing Mobility And Reducing Space Requirements
[1.44MB 2HD Floppy Disk] Compatible With USB1.1/USB2.0 Interface, Fast Data Read And Write Speed. Appearance, Original Imported Movement, Strong Error Correction Ability, Shockproof, Low Noise, Can Be Operated Horizontally Or Vertically
#TOP 9

Tendak USB Floppy Disk Drive

CP-035-BK
Black
Tendak USB Floppy Disk Drive Cover
Tendak USB Floppy Disk Drive, Floppy Disk Reader 3.5 inch Portable USB External 1.44MB FDD Diskette Drive for Windows 11/10/8/7/2000/XP/Vista PC Laptop, Plug and Play (Black)

The Tendak USB Floppy Disk Drive is a portable and easy-to-use external 3.5" USB floppy disk reader that can read 720KB/1.44mb capacity floppy disks. It can be used with Windows 7/8, Windows XP, Vista, and Mac devices, and is compatible with USB 1.1/2.0. The device is plug-and-play - no extra drivers are required - and it draws power directly from the USB port, requiring no external power source. It is a great way to recall old memories from old floppies and can be used for industrial machines, aviation tech, ATMS, military applications, and more.

What We Like
Portable and easy-to-use
No extra drivers required
Compatible with multiple operating systems
Plug-and-play functionality
Can be used for industrial machines, aviation tech, ATMs, military applications, and more
#TOP 10

CIpotZIZ USB Floppy Disk Reader

CIpotZIZ
ZIZ01A-BK1
black
3.5 inch
CIpotZIZ USB Floppy Disk Reader Cover
Floppy Disk Reader 3.5 inch External USB A&C Floppy Disc Drive 3 1/2 Floppy Disk Drive/Converter/Player/Reader/Transfer for Laptop Desktop PC Compatible with Windows 11/10 (Frosted Texture)

The CIpotZIZ Floppy Disk Reader is a perfect solution for accessing your old floppy disks on modern laptops and desktops. With its plug-and-play functionality, you can easily connect it via USB, and it works seamlessly with various Windows operating systems. Its ultra-slim and lightweight design makes it convenient to carry, allowing you to retrieve cherished memories like photos and documents anytime, anywhere. Built with high-quality materials, this reader ensures reliable performance and durability, making it a great gift for anyone with a collection of floppy disks.

What We Like
Portable and lightweight
Compatible with various Windows OS
Plug-and-play functionality
Reliable performance
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will a USB floppy drive work with Windows 10?

Yes, USB floppy drives are compatible with Windows 10. They can be used with both Mac and Windows operating systems without any difference in functionality. USB floppy drives work the same way for both platforms.

2. What is the difference between a flash drive and a floppy drive?

USB flash drives and floppy drives serve different purposes. Flash drives are commonly used for storage, backups, and file transfers. They are smaller, faster, have larger capacity, and are more durable than floppy drives, which have moving parts and lower storage capacity.

3. Does Windows 11 support USB floppy drives?

Yes, Windows 11 supports USB floppy drives, including the 5.25-inch floppy disks. If you have an ancient floppy disk, you can connect it to a Windows 11 device, and the operating system will recognize it.

4. Can a floppy disk be inserted into a USB drive?

You can use a USB floppy disk drive to read 3.5-inch floppy disks. However, USB drives for 5.25-inch, 8-inch, and other sizes of floppy disks are rare. Some individuals and organizations still use older equipment to read or transfer data from floppy disks.

5. Why is Windows 10 not recognizing USB drives?

If Windows 10 is not recognizing USB drives, you can try disconnecting and reconnecting the device, using a different USB port, or updating the USB device drivers. These troubleshooting steps can help resolve the issue.

6. How do I connect a floppy drive to a modern computer?

There are several options to connect a floppy drive to a modern computer, including using a new USB floppy drive, a vintage USB floppy drive, an internal floppy drive with a USB adapter, or a vintage computer with a floppy drive and network connection.

7. Why are floppy disks outdated?

Floppy disks became outdated due to the introduction of high-speed computer networking and the emergence of new storage formats like USB flash drives and memory cards. These newer technologies offered larger capacity, faster data transfer, and more convenience, leading to the eventual disappearance of floppy disks as a standard feature in computers.

8. Do people still use floppy drives?

While floppy drives are no longer widely used, there are still some industries, such as embroidery and aviation, that rely on floppy disks for specific purposes. However, the supply of floppy disks is running out as they are becoming increasingly obsolete.

9. Why USB not recognized in Windows 11?

USB drives may not be recognized in Windows 11 due to outdated, missing, or problematic USB drivers. To fix this issue, you can update the USB drivers manually through the Device Manager, manufacturer's website, or use Windows Update to install optional updates.

10. Why is my USB drive not working in Windows 11?

If your USB drive is not working in Windows 11, you can try fixing the problem by using PowerShell to clear and repair the drive. Open PowerShell as an administrator, run the command 'Get-Disk 7 | Clear-Disk -RemoveData' to clear the drive, and then create a new partition and assign a drive letter.

Editor's Notes

During our usb-powered floppy drive research, we found 24 usb-powered floppy drive products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 83,853 customer reviews through our big data system to write the usb-powered floppy drives list. We found that most customers choose usb-powered floppy drives with an average price of $17.23.

The usb-powered floppy drives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of usb-powered floppy drives, including YEY, Chuanganzhuo, wintale, Nice2MiTu, RAAYOO. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 71 consumers with an average rating of 4.5.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.