TEAMGROUP 256GB S5 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.1/3.0) Up to 140MB/s Flash Thumb Drive
Bottom line: The TEAMGROUP 256GB S5 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Up to 140MB/s Flash Thumb Drive: USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface rated up to 140MB/s read speed; main trade-off: type-A only, so USB-C laptops and tablets need an adapter.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface rated up to 140MB/s read speed
- ✓ COB chip-on-board build encapsulates memory and controller
- ✓ Hang hole for keyring or lanyard attachment
- ✓ Plug-and-play on computers, laptops, desktops, no drivers
Cons
- ✗ Type-A only, so USB-C laptops and tablets need an adapter
- ✗ 140MB/s is a read ceiling, not a guaranteed write speed
- ✗ COB molded body cannot be opened for data recovery attempts
- ✗ TEAMGROUP defers final specs to its official website
Manufacturer description
The TEAMGROUP S5 256GB flash drive is a pocket-size Type-A thumb drive built for people who move files between machines all day rather than archive them. It runs on USB 3.2 Gen 1 (backward compatible with USB 3.1 and 3.0) and is rated for read speeds up to 140MB/s, so a folder of photos or a portable app library transfers in a fraction of the time a USB 2.0 stick would take. There is no software to install and no external power to connect: plug it into a computer, laptop, desktop, or PC and it mounts as plug-and-play storage. TEAMGROUP builds the S5 with COB (chip-on-board) construction…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored TEAMGROUP 256GB S5 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Up to 140MB/s Flash Thumb Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. TEAMGROUP's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the TEAMGROUP S5 256GB drive?
TEAMGROUP rates the S5 at up to 140MB/s over its USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface. That figure is the read ceiling; real-world speed varies with your port, file sizes, and host system.
Will it work in an older USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port?
Yes. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface is backward compatible with USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 ports, and the Type-A connector fits standard legacy ports, though older ports cap throughput below 140MB/s.
Does it work with a USB-C MacBook or tablet?
Not directly. The S5 is a Type-A drive, so a USB-C port requires a USB-A to USB-C adapter or a hub. It is listed as compatible with computers, laptops, desktops, and PCs.
What is COB technology and why does it matter?
COB (chip-on-board) mounts the memory and controller directly on the board and seals them in one molded body. TEAMGROUP cites it as comprehensive protection, which suits a drive carried loose in a bag.
Is 256GB the only capacity available?
TEAMGROUP lists the S5 line with multiple storage options; this listing is the 256GB version. Check the product listing for other capacities and for current warranty terms.
Key Features
- Compact & Plug-and-Play
- Practical Hang Hole Design
- Ample Storage Options
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Comprehensive Protection from COB Tech
- ※Refer to the latest version on the official website. In case of discrepancies, the official website prevails.
Full Specifications
| Brand | TEAMGROUP |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Read Speed | 140 Megabytes Per Second |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | TS53256GB01 |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Mfr Part Number | TS53256GB01 |
| Special Feature | Lightweight |
| Flash Memory Type | USB |
| Hardware Interface | USB, USB 1.0, USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Additional Features | Lightweight |
| Warranty Description | LIFETIME Services |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 256 GB |
| Hardware Connectivity Technology | USB Type A, USB Type B |
| Full listing title | TEAMGROUP 256GB S5 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.1/3.0) Up to 140MB/s Flash Thumb Drive, External Data Storage Memory Stick Compatible with Computer/Laptop/Desktops/PC,Type-A,COB Tech,Hang Hole |
Ready to buy?
TEAMGROUP 256GB S5 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.1/3.0) Up to 140MB/s Flash Thumb Drive, External Data Storage Memory Stick Compatible with Computer/Laptop/Desktops/PC,Type-A,COB Tech,Hang Hole is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
Related External Storage
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Best CPU Cooler for the Ryzen 7 5800X: Air vs 120mm vs 240mm AIO
- Best GPU Under $400 for Llama-Class 8B Models in 2026
- Aider vs Cline vs Continue on a Local Coding Rig (RTX 3060, 2026)
- Build a Raspberry Pi 4 Pi-hole + Unbound Ad-Blocker in 2026
- Hailo-10H AI Accelerator on Raspberry Pi 5: Real Tok/s for On-Device LLMs
- Get Up to $900 Off a Dell PC: Gaming & Everyday Deals
- Dual RTX 3060 12GB: 24GB of VRAM for GLM-5.2 on a Budget?
- Grok 4.3 vs GPT-5 vs Claude 4.7: Local Hardware Implications of the Closed-Model Intelligence Index
- Period-Correct Sound for a Modern Retro PC: The Sound Blaster G6 and the EAX Legacy
- Sega Genesis Mini vs Raspberry Pi Emulation in 2026: Which to Buy?
- Build a Raspberry Pi Carputer for Your Daily Driver (2026)
- Best Budget GPU for Local LLMs in 2026: RTX 3060 12GB
- Forza Horizon 6 on Steam Deck: Best Dock and Controller Setup for 2026
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Bundle: DDR5 + MSI B850 Wi-Fi 7 Guide
- Best Sim Racing Wheel Setup for Beginners in 2026
- gpt-oss on a 12GB GPU: 2026 Community Consensus (RTX 3060)
- Best Parts for a Budget Ryzen + RTX 3060 Gaming PC Build in 2026
- 8BitDo Pro 2 on Win98 SE and WinXP: Mapping a Modern Bluetooth Pad to DOSBox, Glide Games, and…
- RTX 3060 12GB vs Ryzen 7 5800X for Qwen3 14B Local Inference (2026)
- Anthropic Backs Off Billing Overhaul as Price War Heats Up
- Why You Shouldn't Leave the Default Model on Copilot or Gemini
- GLM-5.2 on an RTX 3060 12GB: Can a Budget Card Run Long-Horizon Agents?
- Best SSD for a Homelab NAS in 2026: Crucial BX500 vs Samsung 870 EVO vs WD Blue SN550
- Crucial BX500 vs Samsung 870 EVO for Budget & Retro Builds
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090