Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for reinforcing space for storing and making easy file transfers, however some present a little bit extra worth than others. For those who’ve bought a tool that also accepts microSD playing cards — whether or not it’s a gaming handheld, a touch cam, a drone or an Android tablet — we’ve scoured the market and put greater than a dozen prime contenders via numerous benchmark assessments. You’ll find our prime suggestions beneath, alongside some normal procuring recommendation earlier than you seize one.
What to search for in a microSD card
Capability
The very first thing to determine when shopping for a microSD card is how a lot space for storing you want. Trendy playing cards are normally obtainable in sizes starting from 32GB to 512GB, whereas an rising quantity can be found in 1TB as effectively. 2TB playing cards from respected producers are getting closer however aren’t broadly obtainable simply but.
For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin needs to be the candy spot between value and space for storing. However in the event you want extra room — say, for stashing a bunch of video games on a Steam Deck — a 512GB or higher card might make extra sense and infrequently offers a greater cost-per-GB ratio. Lately, you could find a good 128GB card for round $15 or much less, a superb 256GB card for lower than $30 and a stable 512GB card for lower than $40 (although many price nearer to $50 or $60). There’s a starker improve while you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which generally price nearer to $100.
Be aware {that a} microSD card’s efficiency might differ relying on what capability you purchase. SanDisk says its 128GB Extreme card delivers sequential write speeds as much as 90 MB/s, for instance, whereas the higher-capacity fashions in the identical line provide as much as 130 MB/s.
After we speak about microSD playing cards right this moment, we normally consult with playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capacity) standard, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your system must help this for it to work with a microSDXC card. It will nearly by no means be a difficulty nowadays, however some older units (a Nintendo 3DS, as an example) are solely appropriate with microSDHC (Excessive Capability) playing cards, which vary from 2GB to 32GB.
Learn and write speeds
MicroSD playing cards are primarily judged on their learn and write speeds, that are normally measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Typically, most microSD playing cards have quicker learn speeds than write speeds.
These metrics can then be damaged down into sequential and random efficiency. Sequential learn and write speeds matter while you’re making an attempt to entry or save lengthy, fixed streams of information, equivalent to opening a big video or copying a giant batch of recordsdata from a PC. If you wish to use a microSD card for media storage, that is significantly vital. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how rapidly a card can learn and write small recordsdata scattered all through the system.
Since random learn/write speeds are a lot decrease than sequential ones, storage system makers have a tendency to not promote them as loudly. However they’re vital in the event you use a card with a gaming system or a single-board pc just like the Raspberry Pi, the place it usually has to quickly save and entry small bits of information in random areas.
Velocity scores
For those who have a look at a microSD card, you’ll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of those consult with the cardboard’s speed class and efficiency scores, that are decided by the SD Association.
A card’s Video Velocity Class, or V-rating, particulars its minimal sequential write velocity, which is very vital when recording video from a digital camera. It ranges from V6 to V90. Many of the playing cards we examined had a V30 ranking, in order that they have a sequential write velocity of a minimum of 30 MB/s. This needs to be sufficient to help as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Increased-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are normally higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot greater price.
The UHS Velocity Class, or U-rating, additionally refers to a card’s minimal sequential write velocity. It is available in two varieties: U3, which mandates a minimal of 30 MB/s, and U1, which is rated for 10 MB/s.
The older Velocity Class ranking overlaps with the opposite two methods. It’s signified by a C image and goes from Class 2 to Class 10, with the quantity (once more) indicating minimal sequential write velocity. This ranking is much less related these days, however you should still see a “C10” emblem on some playing cards.
The Utility Efficiency spec, marked by an An emblem, is an indicator of random learn/write speeds. That is measured in IOPS, or enter/output operations per second, somewhat than MB/s. There are two classes right here: A1 playing cards provide a minimal random learn velocity of 1,500 IOPS and a minimal random write velocity of 500 IOPS, whereas A2 playing cards bump these as much as 4,000 IOPS and a couple of,000 IOPS, respectively. Each scores additionally assure sequential write speeds of a minimum of 10 MB/s.
To maintain it easy, most individuals ought to search for a card with V30, U3 and A2 scores. It’s completely attainable to get a stable card with out these: A U1 card is perhaps value it in the event you simply want an inexpensive, high-capacity choice, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are value a glance in the event you’re severe about capturing high-resolution pictures and video as effectively. However total, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present the perfect mix of value and efficiency right this moment.
It’s vital to emphasise that these scores are baselines. Most V30 playing cards provide considerably greater write speeds than 30 MB/s, as an example, and a few A1 playing cards can outperform some A2 fashions in observe. The speeds marketed by producers aren’t all the time one hundred pc correct, both: Typically the cardboard will probably be slower in real-world use, different occasions it might truly be a bit quicker.
UHS bus speeds
The opposite spec to notice is the cardboard’s bus interface. Most microSD playing cards obtainable right this moment are UHS-I, which have a theoretical most velocity of 104 MB/s. There are additionally UHS-II playing cards, which have an additional row of pins on the again and may attain as much as 312 MB/s. (A UHS-III customary exists as effectively however hasn’t seen extensive adoption.) These are labeled on the cardboard with a Roman numeral I or II.
The quickest microSD playing cards you should buy proper now are UHS-II playing cards, they usually’re normally those with V60 or V90 scores. For those who shoot numerous 4K to 8K video or continuously use burst mode to seize extremely high-res pictures, the efficiency positive aspects of a superb UHS-II card can prevent time.
However these are far more costly than UHS-I playing cards: This 128GB Lexar Professional Gold mannequin, as an example, is a relative discount at $40. Whereas that is lower than many UHS-II fashions we’ve seen previously, it is nonetheless greater than double the standard value of our prime decide talked about beneath. You want a tool that’s appropriate with the UHS-II interface to see any advantages, too, and inventory for UHS-II playing cards is mostly spottier. For now, the upper speeds aren’t definitely worth the value premium for most individuals, so we caught principally to UHS-I playing cards right here.
We’ll additionally observe Samsung’s announcement earlier this 12 months of a brand new 256GB microSD card primarily based on a completely totally different customary known as SD Specific. That is theoretically a lot quicker than any UHS-I or UHS-II choice: Samsung claims this particular mannequin can attain sequential learn speeds as much as a whopping 800 MB/s. For context, that’d be faster than some older SSDs. SD Specific has technically been around for a number of years however hasn’t seen extensive adoption, so precisely how this card performs in actuality — and the way a lot it’ll price — stays to be seen. We’ll check the system as soon as it turns into obtainable, which Samsung says will probably be someday later in 2024.
A observe on card readers, the Nintendo Change and Steam Deck
Whereas the UHS-I spec has a theoretical most of 104 MB/s, some UHS-I playing cards can exceed that velocity via proprietary extensions. You want a appropriate card reader and host system to make the most of that further efficiency, although. For those who discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds greater than 104 MB/s, that is what’s occurring. You may see these limits in motion with a Nintendo Change or Steam Deck: Both of those gaming units help the UHS-I interface and don’t transcend its official velocity, flattening any sequential positive aspects some playing cards might have elsewhere. The broader takeaway: Your microSD card will solely be as quick because the slowest hyperlink in your chain.
Guarantee
Many microSD playing cards are designed to be sturdy, with safety from water, excessive temperatures, X-rays and drops. Nonetheless, in case of disaster, an extended guarantee is all the time good to have. Many producers provide lifetime or 10-year restricted warranties, although we’ve seen that “endurance” playing cards marketed to resist extra hours of writing are normally lined for a shorter time period. For instance, Samsung’s Pro Endurance, a mannequin aimed toward safety cameras and different monitoring units, comes with a five-year guarantee.
Avoiding counterfeits
The reminiscence card market has had a specific drawback with scammers promoting pretend merchandise. To protect in opposition to this, solely purchase from a recognized model and a good retailer equivalent to Finest Purchase, B&H Photograph or Adorama. For those who store at Amazon, solely purchase if the shipper and vendor is Amazon.com. (Although a handful of customers have reported receiving counterfeits even from Amazon instantly previously.) Bear in mind: If a value appears too good to be true, it in all probability is. Be cautious of any retailer providing considerably a cheaper price than others.
When you obtain a card, examine its packaging for any irregularities. You may run benchmark assessments like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Speed Test to confirm its speeds aren’t drastically decrease than what’s marketed (or attainable, given its specs). You too can use software program that’s designed to confirm the true capability and efficiency of your card, equivalent to H2testw and FakeFlashTest.
How we examined
We put 13 microSD playing cards via a collection of assessments to confirm their sequential and random efficiency. These included benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark, BlackMagic Disk Speed Test, ATTO Disk Benchmark and AJA System Test, in addition to just a few “real-world” assessments. We copied and pasted a small folder of pictures about 1.15GB in measurement to and from every card, then did the identical with a bigger 12.2GB folder containing a number of file varieties and subfolders, timing the method every time. We additionally checked how every card carried out on the Steam Deck, downloading video games of various sizes — together with Stardew Valley, Aperture Desk Job, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Apex Legends — then timing how lengthy it took to launch every sport and cargo save recordsdata.
We used a Kingston USB 3.2 UHS-II reader to check every card on each Home windows 11 and macOS Sonoma. For the previous, we used an Alienware gaming PC with an Intel Core i9-10900F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. For the latter, we used a 2021 16-inch MacBook Professional with an Apple M1 Professional chip, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. To make use of our card reader on the MacBook, we used Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
We examined the 128GB model of every card wherever attainable, although for just a few playing cards — SanDisk’s Excessive and Samsung’s Professional Plus and Professional Final — we have been solely capable of check their 256GB fashions. We additionally reformatted every card earlier than testing with the SD Affiliation’s Memory Card Formatter tool.
Finest microSD playing cards of 2024
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Velocity courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Pro Plus was almost the quickest card we examined by way of sequential write efficiency (round 130 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark) and was a detailed second by way of random learn/write speeds, so it ought to work nice whether or not you’re shopping for for a digital camera, Android pill or gaming handheld. Unsurprisingly, it has all of the requisite scores: U3, V30 and A2. Its sequential learn efficiency (round 165 MB/s) isn’t fairly as fast as among the different playing cards beneath, so it isn’t absolutely the quickest for accessing giant recordsdata saved in your card, however the distinction is small in real-world use.
The principle purpose the Professional Plus tops our listing is as a result of it delivers these robust speeds at a comparatively reasonably priced value. The cardboard initially began at $19 for 128GB, $30 for 256GB and $60 for 512GB, however previous gross sales have introduced these fashions as little as $11, $18 and $29, respectively. When it’s that low-cost, the Professional Plus makes most competing microSD playing cards redundant. Samsung additionally sells the cardboard with a USB reader that’ll assist it attain its most speeds for just a few {dollars} extra. For those who want extra space, there’s also a 1TB model that needs to be simply as quick, although that one is at present far more costly at $110. Both approach, the cardboard comes with a 10-year restricted guarantee.
For those who choose to purchase the Professional Plus, be sure to get the latest-generation mannequin. Samsung remains to be promoting the prior iteration of the Professional Plus, which seems to be similar however isn’t as fast. As an alternative, go for the one with sequential learn speeds rated at 180 MB/s and sequential write speeds rated at 130 MB/s. We examined the 256GB model of the newer Professional Plus as a result of inventory points with the 128GB mannequin on the time of testing, however this shouldn’t have a significant impression on real-world efficiency, as Samsung charges each playing cards identically.
- Persistently fast sequential and random learn/write efficiency
- Nice worth
- Available at trusted retailers
- Has a 1TB choice
- Some friends have barely quicker sequential learn speeds
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Velocity courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Pro Ultimate is a step-up mannequin in Samsung’s microSD lineup and, as anticipated, it’s a little bit bit quicker than the Professional Plus throughout the board. Its greatest positive aspects are in sequential learn speeds, which have been the quickest we examined and averaged near Samsung’s marketed fee fee of 200 MB/s throughout our numerous benchmarks. You’ll want to purchase the cardboard with Samsung’s USB reader to realize that efficiency, however that may very well be value it in the event you usually transfer recordsdata out of your microSD card to a PC. The Professional Final technically led the pack when it got here to sequential write and random learn/write speeds as effectively, although the margins there are a lot much less vital in comparison with the Professional Plus and the opposite prime UHS-I playing cards we examined.
The principle query is price. For those who see the Professional Final obtainable for a similar value because the Professional Plus, you would possibly as effectively seize it as a substitute. It comes with the identical 10-year guarantee and needs to be equally sturdy. Previous reductions have introduced the 128GB, 256GB and 512GB fashions as little as $15, $25 and $45, respectively; that is nonetheless reasonably priced, however the Professional Plus will nearly all the time be a little bit bit cheaper — and thus a greater worth for many wants, particularly at greater capacities. There is no 1TB choice right here, both.
- Quickest microSD card we examined (with applicable USB reader)
- Simply obtainable at trusted retailers
- Professional Plus is healthier worth for many
- No 1TB mannequin
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Velocity courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: Lifetime restricted
If the Samsung Professional Plus ever jumps too excessive in value or turns into unavailable, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus is one other robust various. This can be a U3-, V30- and A2-rated card backed by a lifetime restricted guarantee. Its sequential learn speeds trailed solely the Samsung Professional Final throughout CrystalDiskMark, ATTO and the BlackMagic Disk Velocity Check. It successfully tied with SanDisk’s Excessive and Nintendo Change-branded playing cards in our giant file switch speeds check. Sequential write speeds (simply over 100 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark) are the place it lags behind the Professional Plus, however they need to nonetheless be fast sufficient for a lot of makes use of. Its random learn/write speeds have been solely bested by Samsung’s Professional playing cards in benchmarks, so it’s nonetheless a superb choice for apps and video games. The 1TB model can also be $20 cheaper than the equal Professional Plus, so it needs to be a good worth in the event you want numerous house and need to save money. However the different fashions are onerous to justify in the event you see them hovering in the identical value vary as our picks above.
- Quicker sequential write speeds than Professional Plus for a (usually) cheaper price than Professional Final
- Lifetime restricted guarantee
- Has a 1TB choice
- Professional Plus is normally a greater worth for many
- Slower sequential write speeds than picks above
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (“new technology” mannequin solely) | Velocity courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 / (64GB) U1, V10, A1, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Evo Select is a transparent step behind our prime picks, significantly in the case of sequential write speeds (slightly below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark), so it’s not supreme for cameras. Nonetheless, it’s completely usable for a lot of use circumstances — a Nintendo Change, as an example — and we have beforehand seen its 128GB, 256GB and 512GB fashions fall as little as $10, $14 and $25, respectively. All of these are about on par with the SanDisk Ultra, an oft-recommended cheapo card, regardless of the Evo Choose having greater V30, U3 and A2 scores. Whereas the Professional Plus has come near these costs, the Evo Choose nearly all the time retails for much less.
Much like the Professional Plus, now you can discover two variations of the Evo Choose: a “customary” mannequin with sequential learn speeds rated at 130 MB/s, and a “new generation” model that bumps that spec as much as 160 MB/s. For the reason that level of this advice is to provide you a card that performs effectively sufficient for as little as attainable, you must get whichever one is cheaper within the capability you need. The brand new mannequin did certainly ship these improved reads in our benchmarks, but it surely performs nearly identically in any other case, so you will not lose a lot by saving a couple of bucks with the older technology.
The one massive distinction is that the up to date mannequin is the one one obtainable in a 1TB capacity; we’ve not examined that particular mannequin, however at $80-ish it needs to be value a glance if pricing is your solely concern.
- Usually obtainable for cheaper price than Professional Plus
- Strong efficiency in the event you simply need a suitable card for reasonable
- Has a 1TB choice
- Slower than picks above, significantly in sequential write and random efficiency benchmarks
Different notable microSD playing cards
Delkin Units Energy
We didn’t use it ourselves, however in the event you’re keen to pay for a extra highly effective UHS-II card constructed for heavy-duty video recording, the Delkin Devices Power has tested well elsewhere and will ship considerably quicker sequential write speeds than our picks above. It’s one of many few UHS-II playing cards we might truly discover in inventory, but it surely prices a ton, with a 128GB mannequin usually priced round $90.
SanDisk Excessive
The SanDisk Extreme successfully matched the Professional Plus in just a few of our sequential write assessments and delivered sequential reads about on par with the Canvas Go Plus, however that was partly as a result of us solely having the ability to safe the cardboard’s 256GB mannequin, which is higher-rated than the 128GB model. It’s a wonderful selection in the event you see it on sale at a good vendor, however its random efficiency lagged behind the Samsung Professional and Kingston playing cards, and it usually prices extra.
SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Change
The SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch is one other respectable choice in the event you ever see it obtainable for lower than the Professional Plus and Canvas Go Plus. Its sequential learn speeds have been about the identical because the latter in our benchmarks, however its sequential writes have been barely slower (and farther behind the Professional Plus). Its random learn/writes have been a bit behind based on CrystalDiskMark as effectively, and it is usually priced greater than our prime decide. SanDisk backs the cardboard with a lifetime guarantee, nevertheless, plus it’s obtainable in a 1TB capacity. Be aware that we examined the Apex Legends model of the 128GB card; SanDisk additionally sells a Super Mario model, however we will not say if that one performs any in another way.
Lexar Skilled 1066x
Equally, the Lexar Professional 1066x is a good various to the Professional Plus if our principal picks are unavailable. It’s one other V30, U3 and A2 mannequin, and like Samsung’s card, its sequential write speeds have been a bit quicker than the Canvas Go Plus and SanDisk Change card in our benchmarks. These write speeds weren’t as fast because the Professional Plus, and its sequential reads trailed all three playing cards. Random learn/writes additionally lagged behind the Professional Plus and Canvas Go Plus, and we seen its speeds peak and dip extra noticeably in our file switch check. Nonetheless, it’s not sluggish, so relying on its value, it is perhaps a superb discount in the event you want quick write speeds for video recording and the like. It’s additionally available in 1TB, plus it comes with a lifetime restricted guarantee.
SanDisk Excessive Professional
The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a rival to the Samsung Professional Final however, as of this writing, is both unavailable at most trusted retailers or priced too excessive by comparability.
PNY Elite-X
The PNY Elite-X usually goes for reasonable and wasn’t too far off the random learn/write efficiency of Samsung’s Professional playing cards in CrystalDiskMark, but it surely was effectively behind in our sequential assessments.
Current updates
November 2024: We have checked again with this information to make sure our suggestions are nonetheless correct and made gentle edits for readability.
August 2024: We’ve up to date this information to notice the just lately launched 1TB fashions for 3 of our prime picks: the Samsung Professional Plus, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus and the Samsung Evo Choose. We’ve additionally made positive all pricing particulars are as updated as they are often.
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