The perfect microSD playing cards in 2024

Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for storing and transferring information, however some will present somewhat extra bang for the buck than others. In case you’ve obtained a tool that helps the format — be it a Nintendo Switch or different gaming handheld, a GoPro, a Raspberry Pi or a splash cam — we’ve researched the market and put greater than a dozen high microSD playing cards by means of a bunch of benchmark checks. You could find the playing cards that stood out essentially the most beneath, alongside some common issues to know before you purchase.

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 out there in sizes starting from 32GB to 512GB, whereas an growing quantity can be found in 1TB as effectively. 2TB playing cards from respected producers are getting closer however aren’t broadly out there simply but.

For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin ought to be the candy spot between worth and space for storing. However for those who want extra room — say, for stashing a bunch of video games on a Steam Deck — a 512GB or better card might make extra sense and sometimes supplies a greater cost-per-GB ratio. Lately, you’ll find a good 128GB card for round $15 or much less, 256GB card for lower than $30 and a stable 512GB card for lower than $40 (although many value nearer to $50 or $60). There’s a starker improve once you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which usually value nearer to $100.

Word {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 supply as much as 130 MB/s.

After we discuss microSD playing cards right this moment, we normally seek advice from playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capacity) standard, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your gadget must help this for it to work with a microSDXC card. It will nearly by no means be a difficulty nowadays, however some older gadgets (a Nintendo 3DS, as an example) are solely suitable 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). Usually, most microSD playing cards have sooner learn speeds than write speeds.

These metrics can then be damaged down into sequential and random efficiency. Sequential learn and write speeds matter once you’re attempting to entry or save lengthy, fixed streams of information, resembling opening a big video or copying an enormous batch of information from a PC. If you wish to use a microSD card for media storage, that is significantly essential. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how shortly a card can learn and write small information scattered all through the gadget.

Since random learn/write speeds are a lot decrease than sequential ones, storage gadget makers have a tendency to not promote them as loudly. However they’re essential for those who use a card with a gaming gadget or a single-board laptop just like the Raspberry Pi, the place it usually has to quickly save and entry small bits of information in random areas.

Pace scores

In case you have a look at a microSD card, you’ll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of those seek advice from the cardboard’s speed class and efficiency scores, that are decided by the SD Association.

A card’s Video Pace Class, or V-rating, particulars its minimal sequential write velocity, which is very essential 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 no less than 30 MB/s. This ought to be sufficient to help as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Larger-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are normally higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot larger value.

The UHS Pace 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 Pace Class ranking overlaps with the opposite two programs. 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, fairly than MB/s. There are two classes right here: A1 playing cards supply 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 no less than 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 likely to be value it for those who simply want an inexpensive, high-capacity possibility, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are value a glance for those who’re severe about taking pictures high-resolution photographs and video as effectively. However general, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present the perfect mix of worth and efficiency right this moment.

It’s essential to emphasise that these scores are baselines. Most V30 playing cards supply considerably larger write speeds than 30 MB/s, as an example, and a few A1 playing cards can outperform some A2 fashions in apply. The speeds marketed by producers aren’t at all times one hundred pc correct, both: Generally the cardboard can be slower in real-world use, different instances it might really be a bit sooner.

UHS bus speeds

The opposite spec to notice is the cardboard’s bus interface. Most microSD playing cards out there 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 normal exists as effectively however hasn’t seen broad 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, and so they’re normally those with V60 or V90 scores. In case you shoot a lot of 4K to 8K video or ceaselessly use burst mode to seize extremely high-res photographs, the efficiency features of UHS-II card can prevent time.

However these are way 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 up to now, it is nonetheless greater than double the everyday worth of our high choose talked about beneath. You want a tool that’s suitable with the UHS-II interface to see any advantages, too, and inventory for UHS-II playing cards is usually spottier. For now, the upper speeds aren’t definitely worth the worth premium for most individuals, so we caught largely 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 normal known as SD Specific. That is theoretically a lot sooner than any UHS-I or UHS-II possibility: 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 broad adoption, so precisely how this card performs in actuality — and the way a lot it’ll value — stays to be seen. We’ll check the gadget as soon as it turns into out there, which Samsung says can be someday later in 2024.

A observe on card readers, the Nintendo Swap 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 by means of proprietary extensions. You want a suitable card reader and host gadget to make the most of that additional efficiency, although. In case you discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds larger than 104 MB/s, that is what’s occurring. You may see these limits in motion with a Nintendo Swap or Steam Deck: Both of those gaming gadgets help the UHS-I interface and don’t transcend its official velocity, flattening any sequential features 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, a protracted guarantee is at all times good to have. Many producers supply lifetime or 10-year restricted warranties, although we’ve observed 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 geared toward safety cameras and different monitoring gadgets, 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 resembling Greatest Purchase, B&H Photograph or Adorama. In case you 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 straight up to now.) Keep in mind: If a worth appears too good to be true, it most likely is. Be cautious of any retailer providing considerably a lower cost than others.

When you obtain a card, test its packaging for any irregularities. You may run benchmark checks 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 may as well use software program that’s designed to confirm the true capability and efficiency of your card, resembling H2testw and FakeFlashTest.

How we examined

We put 13 microSD playing cards by means of a sequence of checks 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 a couple of “real-world” checks. We copied and pasted a small folder of photographs about 1.15GB in dimension to and from every card, then did the identical with a bigger 12.2GB folder containing a number of file sorts 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 information.

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 a couple of playing cards — SanDisk’s Excessive and Samsung’s Professional Plus and Professional Final — we had been solely in a position to check their 256GB fashions. We additionally reformatted every card earlier than testing with the SD Affiliation’s Memory Card Formatter tool.

Greatest microSD playing cards of 2024

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Pace courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted

The Samsung Pro Plus was practically 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 a number of the different playing cards beneath, so it isn’t absolutely the quickest for accessing massive information saved in your card, however the distinction is small in real-world use. 

The primary motive the Professional Plus tops our checklist is as a result of it delivers these sturdy speeds at a comparatively reasonably priced worth. 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 a couple of {dollars} extra. In case you want more room, the corporate recently released a brand new 1TB model that ought to be simply as quick, although that one is at present way more costly at $120. Both manner, the cardboard comes with a 10-year restricted guarantee.

In case you 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 appears to be like equivalent 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 resulting from inventory points with the 128GB mannequin on the time of testing, however this shouldn’t have a serious impression on real-world efficiency, as Samsung charges each playing cards identically. 

Professionals

• Persistently fast sequential and random learn/write efficiency
• Nice worth
• Available at trusted retailers
• Has a 1TB possibility

Cons

• Some friends have barely sooner sequential learn speeds

$21 at Amazon (128GB)

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Pace 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 somewhat bit sooner than the Professional Plus throughout the board. Its largest features are in sequential learn speeds, which had been the quickest we examined and averaged near Samsung’s marketed charge charge of 200 MB/s throughout our varied benchmarks. You’ll want to purchase the cardboard with Samsung’s USB reader to attain that efficiency, however that could possibly be value it for those who frequently transfer information 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 important in comparison with the Professional Plus and the opposite high UHS-I playing cards we examined.

The primary query is value. In case you see the Professional Final out there for a similar worth because the Professional Plus, you may as effectively seize it as a substitute. It comes with the identical 10-year guarantee and ought 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 at all times be somewhat bit cheaper — and thus a greater worth for many wants, particularly at larger capacities. There is not any 1TB possibility right here, both. 

Professionals

• Quickest microSD card we examined (with applicable USB reader)
• Simply out there at trusted retailers

Cons

• Professional Plus is best worth for many
• No 1TB mannequin

$27 at Amazon

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Pace courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: Lifetime restricted

If the Samsung Professional Plus ever jumps too excessive in worth or turns into unavailable, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus is one other sturdy various. It is 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 Pace Check. It successfully tied with SanDisk’s Excessive and Nintendo Swap-branded playing cards in our massive 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 had been solely bested by Samsung’s Professional playing cards in benchmarks, so it’s nonetheless possibility for apps and video games. The 1TB model can also be $20 cheaper than the equal Professional Plus, so it ought to be a good worth for those who want a lot of area and need to save money. However the different fashions are laborious to justify for those who see them hovering in the identical worth vary as our picks above.

Professionals

• Sooner sequential write speeds than Professional Plus for a (sometimes) lower cost than Professional Final
• Lifetime restricted guarantee
• Has a 1TB possibility

Cons

• Professional Plus is normally a greater worth for many
• Slower sequential write speeds than picks above

$17 at B&H Photo (128GB)

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (“new technology” mannequin solely) | Pace 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 high picks, significantly in relation to sequential write speeds (just below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark), so it’s not very best for cameras. Nonetheless, it’s completely usable for a lot of use circumstances — a Nintendo Swap, 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 larger V30, U3 and A2 scores. Whereas the Professional Plus has come near these costs, the Evo Choose nearly at all times retails for much less.

Just like the Professional Plus, now you can discover two variations of the Evo Choose: a “normal” 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, it is best to get whichever one is cheaper within the capability you need. The brand new mannequin did certainly ship these improved reads in our benchmarks, nevertheless it 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 large distinction is that the up to date mannequin is the one one out there in a 1TB capacity; we’ve not examined that particular mannequin, however at $80 it ought to be value a glance if pricing is your solely concern. 

Professionals

• Usually out there for lower cost than Professional Plus
• Strong efficiency for those who simply need a suitable card for reasonable
• Has a 1TB possibility

Cons

• Slower than picks above, significantly in sequential write and random efficiency benchmarks

$13 at Amazon

Different notable microSD playing cards

Delkin Gadgets Energy

We didn’t use it ourselves, however for those who’re prepared 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 may ship considerably sooner sequential write speeds than our picks above. It’s one of many few UHS-II playing cards we might really discover in inventory, nevertheless it prices a ton, with a 128GB mannequin usually priced round $90.

SanDisk Excessive

The SanDisk Extreme successfully matched the Professional Plus in a couple of of our sequential write checks and delivered sequential reads about on par with the Canvas Go Plus, however that was partly resulting from us solely with the ability to safe the cardboard’s 256GB mannequin, which is higher-rated than the 128GB model. It’s a effective alternative for those who 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 Swap

The SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch is one other first rate possibility for those who ever see it out there for lower than the Professional Plus and Canvas Go Plus. Its sequential learn speeds had been about the identical because the latter in our benchmarks, however its sequential writes had been barely slower (and farther behind the Professional Plus). Its random learn/writes had been a bit behind based on CrystalDiskMark as effectively, and it is usually priced larger than our high choose. SanDisk backs the cardboard with a lifetime guarantee, nevertheless, plus it’s out there in a 1TB capacity. Word that we examined the Apex Legends model of the 128GB card; SanDisk additionally sells a Super Mario model, however we won’t say if that one performs any otherwise.

Lexar Skilled 1066x

Equally, the Lexar Professional 1066x is a good various to the Professional Plus if our most important picks are unavailable. It’s one other V30, U3 and A2 mannequin, and like Samsung’s card, its sequential write speeds had been a bit sooner than the Canvas Go Plus and SanDisk Swap 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 observed its speeds peak and dip extra noticeably in our file switch check. Nonetheless, it’s not gradual, so relying on its worth, it is likely to be discount for those who 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, nevertheless it was effectively behind in our sequential checks.

Latest updates

August 2024: We’ve up to date this information to notice the not too long ago launched 1TB fashions for 3 of our high 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. We intention so as to add testing information on new playing cards, together with Lexar’s Professional Silver Plus and SanDisk’s new Pokémon-themed models, with one other replace within the close to future.