USB-A? – No problem. USB-C? – No problem. Double ended fun with the PNY Duo Link. A new standard for DJs with massive music libraries. Full review below.
PNY Duo Link V3 1TB Review
Intro
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of plugging in a USB stick and watching your files transfer at near-SSD speeds — except maybe when that same stick fits in your pocket, connects to your phone and laptop alike, and actually looks good doing it. Enter the PNY Duo Link V3 (1TB), a USB 3.2 Gen 2 flash drive designed for creators and pros who juggle multiple devices. And for DJs, you can now carry your whole music library — plus a whole load more — in something the size of a chewing gum packet.
With dual USB-C and USB-A connectors, classy metal swivel design, and promised speeds up to 1,000MB/s read and 800MB/s write, it sounds like the Swiss Army knife of portable storage. We put it through real-world testing to see how it performs. DJWORX accessory reviews.
Design and build quality
The PNY Duo Link V3 is built like a tiny tank. The metal swivel mechanism gives it a premium feel and protects (one of) the connectors when not in use. It’s compact — roughly the size of a lighter — and surprisingly lightweight at 10 grams. It’s dark colour makes it a little hard to make out in a dark DJ booth, make sure you don’t leave it behind.
The two connectors are cleverly integrated: USB-C on one end, USB-A on the other, letting you bridge newer MacBooks and smartphones with legacy Windows PCs or DJ gear. There’s no cap to lose (not necessarily a good thing in our book), and the swivel action clicks satisfyingly into place. On this though, we do have concerns about dust and other debris getting into the connectors as there is no cap. Worth noting, but not a dealbreaker.
Compatibility for DJs
The Duo Link V3’s native exFAT format works seamlessly across macOS, Windows, and Android devices — just plug and play. For DJs, it’s native for newer AlphaTheta CDJs. Older CDJs or standalone controllers may require FAT32 formatting. It also integrates well with iPads and Chromebooks via USB-C support.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1TB |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) |
| Connectors | USB-C and USB-A (swivel design) |
| Read Speed | Up to 1,000MB/s |
| Write Speed | Up to 800MB/s (peak) |
| File System | exFAT (out of the box) |
| Dimensions | Approx. 63.5 x 20.5 x 9.5 mm |
| Weight | 10g |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 70°C |
Real world testing
We tested the Duo Link V3 on a variety of systems — MacBook Pro M2 Pro, Windows 11 Ryzen desktop, and Android Galaxy S24 Ultra — to see how it handles real-world tasks.
“Read speeds consistently hit the advertised 1,000MB/s peak — blisteringly fast for a flash stick. Write speeds peaked at around 800MB/s but dropped to ~300MB/s during extended transfers.”
File transfers of mixed media projects (video, RAW images, audio) completed swiftly, with no hiccups on Android or cross-platform compatibility. The metal casing did warm noticeably during heavy sustained writes but never reached thermal throttling thresholds.
We then used the PNY Duo Link on the weekly DJWORX radio show on Centreforce radio. Normally we use 2x 32GB USB with identical contents, formatted via Rekordbox. (One is a redundancy safety net) So naturally switching to just a single USB with a vast amount of storage set the pulse racing a little bit. We couldn’t afford for the USB to seize or lock up while presenting to a global audience on the UK’s biggest independent dance music station.
The PNY came through with flying colours. In fact we have switched to just taking our whole DJ library to every gig with us, and updating the files weekly. We still have the 32GBs with ur favourite playlists on them, but having EVERYTHING we own at our finger tips has increased our breadth of music in each set. The studio set up is 2x Pioneer CDJ 3000s, and file access was fast. Easily as quick as using the 32GBs. Even the initial load was quick, perfect for those quick hand overs in the DJ booth.
Testing Setup
- Host systems: MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, USB 3.2 Gen 2) / Windows 11 desktop (Ryzen 7, USB 3.2 Gen 2)
- File set: 20GB video files, 10GB mixed photos and other assorted files
Performance Criteria
- Speed: Tested peak and sustained transfer rates for both USB-C and USB-A interfaces.
- Compatibility: Tested file read/write access across macOS, Windows, and Android.
- Durability: Repeated insertion cycles, connector wear, and swivel hinge tension.
PNY Duo Link review summary
Speeds on paper mean little without context. By testing the PNY Duo Link V3 in realistic conditions — transferring music sets, video projects, and RAW photo collections — we get a true sense of its real-world performance and reliability.
At around $82 USD (£61) for 1TB, the PNY Duo Link V3 sits comfortably between budget flash drives and entry-level portable SSDs. While it can’t quite match the sustained speeds of standalone SSDs, the dual-connector design and pocketable form factor justify the premium.
Verdict: The PNY Duo Link V3 (1TB) is versatile, fast, and competitively priced. For DJs with large music collections, you can’t go wrong at this price.
All tests were performed using retail hardware and standard configurations. No manufacturer input, cherry-picked samples, or sponsorship bias — just honest, hands-on results. The PNY Duo Link is available to buy from Amazon.
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