USB flash drives are for carrying files between computers, making backups and creating installation media. Our range has over 800 models in cap, slide, swivel and capless designs, from brands such as SanDisk, Intenso, ADATA, Philips and Transcend.
Capacities start at 16 GB for documents and go up to 512 GB for video libraries.
How to choose a USB flash drive
Capacity. 16 and 32 GB are enough for documents, photos and an operating system installer. Many people pick 64 or 128 GB for everyday use, while 256 and 512 GB make sense for video and large backups. Your computer will always show slightly less than the figure on the packaging.
USB standard. Our range includes USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1 and a few faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 models. USB 2.0 is fine for the occasional small document, but copying files of several gigabytes takes far longer. For large files, choose at least USB 3.2 Gen 1. Real-world speed depends on both the drive itself and the port on your computer.
Connector. Most drives have a USB Type-A connector, which fits standard computers. If you use a phone, a tablet or a newer laptop without a Type-A socket, look for a USB Type-C drive or a dual-connector model with Type-C or Micro-USB. We stock those as well.
Body style. A cap protects the connector but is easy to lose. Slide and swivel drives have no loose cap because the connector retracts or folds into the body. Capless designs are convenient if you plug and unplug the drive often. If the drive will travel on a keyring or in a bag, a more enclosed body is the safer choice.
Brands we carry
- SanDisk: part of the Western Digital group and known for its Ultra and Extreme drive series.
- Kingston: known for the DataTraveler series, which comes in many capacities and USB standards.
- Transcend: a Taiwanese company known for its JetFlash series of drives.
- ADATA: a Taiwanese manufacturer best known for memory modules and storage drives.
- Intenso and Hama: German brands, with Hama also offering a long list of other computer and electronics accessories.
- GOODRAM: a Polish manufacturer known for memory modules and storage drives.
- Verbatim: a long-established data storage brand that was once best known for optical discs.
Also in our range: Philips, Silicon Power, Patriot Memory and MediaRange.
USB flash drive FAQ
What capacity of USB flash drive should I buy?
For documents and photos, 32 or 64 GB is enough. If you will copy video, games or large archives, choose 128 GB or more. Our range covers drives from 16 to 512 GB.
What is the difference between USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 flash drives?
A USB 3.2 drive transfers data much faster than a USB 2.0 one, especially with large files. It also works in older USB ports, but then the speed drops to what the port allows. So it is worth checking both the drive and the port on your computer.
Can I plug a USB flash drive into a phone?
Yes, provided the phone supports USB OTG and the drive has a suitable connector. Most modern phones have a USB Type-C port, so the simplest option is a Type-C drive or a dual-connector model. A standard Type-A drive can be connected with an adapter.
Why does my computer show less capacity than the drive says?
Manufacturers count 1 GB as one billion bytes, while some operating systems use a different method and display a smaller number. The file system also takes up some space. A 64 GB drive, for example, typically shows as around 58 GB on a computer.
