High-capacity USB drives of 1 TB and above are flash drives for people who carry large photo libraries, video projects, game files or full backups between computers. Our range of over 70 models includes capless, cap, swivel and slide designs from SanDisk, Kingston, ADATA and Patriot Memory.
How to choose a high-capacity USB drive
Interface and USB version. The drives in our range with interface details all use a USB Type-A connector, so check that your computer has a matching port or that you own a USB-C adapter. Most listed models are USB 3.2 Gen 1 (also sold as USB 3.1 Gen 1), and at least one is USB 3.2 Gen 2, which has a higher rated speed. Avoid USB 2.0 at this size, because filling 1 TB over it takes many hours.
Write speed. Manufacturers usually advertise read speed, and write speed is often noticeably lower. If you copy large video files or full backups regularly, look for a stated write figure rather than relying on the headline number.
Form factor. Capless drives are the most common type in our range, followed by cap, swivel and slide designs. Capless, swivel and slide models have no cap to lose, while a cap design keeps the connector covered in a bag or pocket.
File system. Large drives are normally formatted as exFAT, which handles files over 4 GB and works on both Windows and macOS. FAT32 cannot store single files above 4 GB, and Windows does not offer it for volumes over 32 GB in its built-in formatter.
Temperature and durability. Many drives in our range list an operating range of 0 to 60 °C, which suits normal office and home use. A few are rated for wider ranges, such as -25 to 85 °C, which matters if the drive travels in vehicles or sits in cold or hot places.
Brands we carry
- SanDisk: well known for flash memory cards and USB drives, and the brand with the most models in this category.
- Kingston: best known for its DataTraveler USB drive series, alongside its memory modules and SSDs.
- ADATA: a Taiwanese manufacturer of memory and storage products, including USB drives in several designs.
- Patriot Memory: known for performance memory for gaming PCs, and also makes fast USB drives under its Supersonic name.
- Transcend: a Taiwanese storage specialist whose JetFlash series is a long-running USB drive line.
- Samsung: produces its own flash memory chips, and its USB drives are built around them.
- Lexar: sells USB drives in its JumpDrive series, as well as memory cards.
Also in our range: Emtec, MediaRange, TEAMGROUP, PNY and GOODRAM.
Frequently asked questions
Will a USB 3.2 Gen 1 drive work in an older USB 2.0 port?
Yes, USB drives are backwards compatible, so the drive will be recognised. It will only run at USB 2.0 speed, though, which makes copying hundreds of gigabytes very slow. For the best results, use a USB 3.0 or newer port.
Which file system should I use on a 1 TB USB drive?
exFAT is the usual choice, because it supports files larger than 4 GB and works on Windows, macOS and many other devices. NTFS suits Windows-only use. FAT32 is not suitable for large files and has size limits when formatting in Windows.
Is a 1 TB USB flash drive better than a portable SSD?
Not always. A flash drive is smaller and easier to carry on a keyring or in a pocket, while a portable SSD is usually faster for sustained transfers of very large files. Choose a flash drive for convenience and occasional large transfers, and an SSD if you edit video or move large folders daily.
Can I use a USB flash drive as my only backup?
No, a single flash drive should not be the only copy of important files. It can be lost, damaged or fail without warning. Keep a second copy on another drive, a computer or cloud storage.
