USB flash drives are portable storage sticks for carrying documents, installers, backups and boot images between computers. This small range includes models from Dell EMC, SanDisk and Kioxia, plus CoreParts. It suits home users who want a simple transfer drive and IT staff who keep recovery tools close at hand.
How to choose a USB flash drive
Capacity. Our range covers 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. A 32 GB drive is enough for documents, photos and most operating system installers, while 128 GB makes more sense for large video files, disk images or a full set of portable tools.
Connector type. Some drives have a USB Type-A plug only, and others combine USB Type-A with USB Type-C. Combined drives plug straight into a desktop, a laptop or a modern phone or tablet, so they save you carrying an adapter. Choose Type-A only if you mainly use older desktops and office PCs.
Transfer speed. Drives that use USB 3.x are generally much faster than USB 2.0 models when copying large files. If you move big folders or disk images regularly, check the USB standard in the product details rather than relying on capacity alone.
Intended use. A drive for occasional file sharing has different needs from one that holds a bootable installer or a server recovery image. For work in an IT environment, a drive from an enterprise hardware brand can make it easier to keep your kit consistent with the rest of your equipment.
Physical design. A drive with a cap or a retractable connector protects the plug in a bag or pocket. A drive with a loop or a small body is easier to keep on a keyring, but may block neighbouring ports on a crowded laptop or hub.
Brands we carry
- Dell EMC: the enterprise server and storage brand of Dell, with the most models in this category, which makes it a natural fit for IT teams that already run Dell hardware.
- SanDisk: a long-established maker of flash storage, known for USB drives and memory cards sold worldwide.
- Kioxia: the company formerly known as Toshiba Memory, and a major manufacturer of the NAND flash chips used in many storage products.
Also in our range: CoreParts.
USB flash drives FAQ
What size USB flash drive do I need?
For most people, 32 GB or 64 GB is enough for documents, photos and software installers. Choose 128 GB if you handle large video files, keep several disk images, or want one drive to carry a lot of data. Our range includes 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB drives.
Is a USB Type-C flash drive better than a Type-A one?
Neither is better in every case, because it depends on the devices you use. Type-C suits newer laptops, tablets and phones, while Type-A is still the common port on desktops, monitors and many office PCs. A drive with both connectors, as some in our range have, works with either kind of device.
Can I use a USB flash drive to install an operating system?
Yes, a USB flash drive can hold a bootable installer for an operating system such as Windows or Linux. A drive of 8 GB or more is usually needed for current installers, so any capacity in our range is large enough. Your computer must be set to boot from USB, which is usually done through the boot menu at start-up.
Are USB flash drives suitable for long-term backup?
A USB flash drive works well for a quick copy of important files, but it should not be your only backup. Flash memory can fail, and a small drive is easy to lose or damage. Keep a second copy on an external drive, a network drive or a cloud service, particularly for files you cannot replace.
