Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for reinforcing cupboard space and making easy file transfers, however some present a bit extra worth than others. In case you’ve received a tool that also accepts microSD playing cards — whether or not it’s a gaming handheld, a splash cam, a drone or an Android pill — we’ve scoured the market and put greater than a dozen high contenders by means of numerous benchmark checks. You will discover our high suggestions beneath, alongside some common purchasing 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 cupboard space you want. Fashionable playing cards are often accessible 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 nearer however aren’t broadly accessible simply but.
For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin must be the candy spot between value and cupboard space. However should you want extra room — say, for stashing a bunch of video games on a Steam Deck — a 512GB or larger card may make extra sense and sometimes gives a greater cost-per-GB ratio. Today, you’ll find a good 128GB card for round $15 or much less, a very good 256GB card for lower than $30 and a strong 512GB card for lower than $40 (although many price nearer to $50 or $60). There’s a starker enhance whenever you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which usually price nearer to $100.
Notice {that a} microSD card’s efficiency might differ relying on what capability you purchase. SanDisk says its 128GB Excessive 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.
Once we discuss microSD playing cards right this moment, we often discuss with playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capability) normal, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your gadget must help this for it to work with a microSDXC card. This may virtually by no means be a problem lately, however some older units (a Nintendo 3DS, for 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 often 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 whenever you’re attempting to entry or save lengthy, fixed streams of knowledge, corresponding to opening a big video or copying an enormous batch of recordsdata from a PC. If you wish to use a microSD card for media storage, that is notably essential. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how rapidly a card can learn and write small recordsdata 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 should you use a card with a gaming gadget or a single-board laptop just like the Raspberry Pi, the place it typically has to quickly save and entry small bits of knowledge in random areas.
Pace scores
In case you take a look at a microSD card, you’ll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of those discuss with the cardboard’s pace class and efficiency scores, that are decided by the SD Affiliation.
A card’s Video Pace Class, or V-rating, particulars its minimal sequential write pace, which is very essential when recording video from a digicam. It ranges from V6 to V90. A lot of the playing cards we examined had a V30 score, so that they have a sequential write pace of a minimum of 30 MB/s. This must be sufficient to help as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Increased-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are often higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot increased price.
The UHS Pace Class, or U-rating, additionally refers to a card’s minimal sequential write pace. 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 score overlaps with the opposite two techniques. It’s signified by a C image and goes from Class 2 to Class 10, with the quantity (once more) indicating minimal sequential write pace. This score is much less related these days, however you should still see a “C10” emblem on some playing cards.
The Software Efficiency spec, marked by an A logo, is an indicator of random learn/write speeds. That is measured in IOPS, or enter/output operations per second, slightly than MB/s. There are two classes right here: A1 playing cards supply a minimal random learn pace of 1,500 IOPS and a minimal random write pace 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 potential to get a strong card with out these: A U1 card could be value it should you simply want an affordable, high-capacity possibility, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are value a glance should you’re severe about taking pictures high-resolution pictures and video as effectively. However total, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present one of the best mix of value and efficiency right this moment.
It’s essential to emphasise that these scores are baselines. Most V30 playing cards supply considerably increased write speeds than 30 MB/s, for example, and a few A1 playing cards can outperform some A2 fashions in follow. The speeds marketed by producers aren’t at all times 100% correct, both: Typically the cardboard will probably be slower in real-world use, different occasions it might really be a bit quicker.
UHS bus speeds
The opposite spec to notice is the cardboard’s bus interface. Most microSD playing cards accessible right this moment are UHS-I, which have a theoretical most pace of 104 MB/s. There are additionally UHS-II playing cards, which have an additional row of pins on the again and might attain as much as 312 MB/s. (A UHS-III normal exists as effectively however hasn’t seen large adoption.) These are labeled on the cardboard with a Roman numeral I or II.
The quickest microSD playing cards you should purchase proper now are UHS-II playing cards, and so they’re often those with V60 or V90 scores. In case you shoot plenty of 4K to 8K video or steadily use burst mode to seize extremely high-res pictures, the efficiency features of a very good UHS-II card can prevent time.
However these are way more costly than UHS-I playing cards: This 128GB Lexar Skilled Gold mannequin, for 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 high choose 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 well worth the value premium for most individuals, so we caught largely to UHS-I playing cards right here.
We’ll additionally be aware Samsung’s announcement earlier this yr of a brand new 256GB microSD card primarily based on a wholly totally different normal known as SD Categorical. That is theoretically a lot quicker 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 Categorical has technically been round for a number of years however hasn’t seen large adoption, so precisely how this card performs in actuality — and the way a lot it’ll price — stays to be seen. We’ll take a look at the gadget as soon as it turns into accessible, which Samsung says will probably be someday later in 2024.
A be aware 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 pace by means of proprietary extensions. You want a appropriate card reader and host gadget to make the most of that further efficiency, although. In case you discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds increased than 104 MB/s, that is what’s occurring. You possibly can see these limits in motion with a Nintendo Change or Steam Deck: Each of these gaming units help the UHS-I interface and don’t transcend its official pace, 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, an extended 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 face up to extra hours of writing are often lined for a shorter time frame. For instance, Samsung’s Professional Endurance, a mannequin geared toward safety cameras and different monitoring units, comes with a five-year guarantee.
Avoiding counterfeits
The reminiscence card market has had a specific downside with scammers promoting faux merchandise. To protect in opposition to this, solely purchase from a identified model and a good retailer corresponding to Greatest Purchase, B&H Picture 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 previously.) Keep in mind: If a value 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, verify its packaging for any irregularities. You possibly can run benchmark checks like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Pace Check to confirm its speeds aren’t drastically decrease than what’s marketed (or potential, given its specs). It’s also possible to use software program that’s designed to confirm the true capability and efficiency of your card, corresponding to 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 Pace Check, ATTO Disk Benchmark and AJA System Check, in addition to a couple of “real-world” checks. We copied and pasted a small folder of pictures 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 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, Steel Gear Rising: Revengeance and Apex Legends — then timing how lengthy it took to launch every recreation 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 potential, 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 take a look at their 256GB fashions. We additionally reformatted every card earlier than testing with the SD Affiliation’s Reminiscence Card Formatter instrument.
Greatest microSD playing cards of 2024
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Pace lessons: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Professional Plus was practically the quickest card we examined when it comes to sequential write efficiency (round 130 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark) and was a detailed second when it comes to random learn/write speeds, so it ought to work nice whether or not you’re shopping for for a digicam, 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 few of 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 primary motive 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 a couple of {dollars} extra. In case you want more room, there’s additionally a 1TB mannequin that must be simply as quick, although that one is at present way more costly at $110. Both means, 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 continues to be promoting the prior iteration of the Professional Plus, which seems 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 possibility
- Some friends have barely quicker sequential learn speeds
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Pace lessons: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Professional Final is a step-up mannequin in Samsung’s microSD lineup and, as anticipated, it’s a bit bit quicker than the Professional Plus throughout the board. Its greatest 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 numerous benchmarks. You’ll want to purchase the cardboard with Samsung’s USB reader to attain that efficiency, however that might be value it should you repeatedly 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 high UHS-I playing cards we examined.
The primary query is price. In case you see the Professional Final accessible 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 must 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 virtually at all times be a bit bit cheaper — and thus a greater worth for many wants, particularly at increased capacities. There isn’t any 1TB possibility right here, both.
- Quickest microSD card we examined (with acceptable USB reader)
- Simply accessible at trusted retailers
- Professional Plus is healthier worth for many
- No 1TB mannequin
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Pace lessons: 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 different. 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 Change-branded playing cards in our giant file switch speeds take a look at. 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 a very good possibility for apps and video games. The 1TB model can be $20 cheaper than the equal Professional Plus, so it must be a good worth should you want plenty of house and need to save money. However the different fashions are arduous to justify should you see them hovering in the identical value vary as our picks above.
- Sooner sequential write speeds than Professional Plus for a (sometimes) lower cost than Professional Final
- Lifetime restricted guarantee
- Has a 1TB possibility
- Professional Plus is often a greater worth for many
- Slower sequential write speeds than picks above
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (“new generation” mannequin solely) | Pace lessons: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 / (64GB) U1, V10, A1, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Evo Choose is a transparent step behind our high picks, notably in relation to sequential write speeds (just below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark), so it’s not best for cameras. Nonetheless, it’s completely usable for a lot of use circumstances — a Nintendo Change, for 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 Extremely, an oft-recommended cheapo card, regardless of the Evo Choose having increased V30, U3 and A2 scores. Whereas the Professional Plus has come near these costs, the Evo Choose virtually at all times retails for much less.
Just like the Professional Plus, now you can discover two variations of the Evo Choose: a “standard” mannequin with sequential learn speeds rated at 130 MB/s, and a “new generation” mannequin that bumps that spec as much as 160 MB/s. For the reason that level of this advice is to offer you a card that performs effectively sufficient for as little as potential, it’s 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, however 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 huge distinction is that the up to date mannequin is the one one accessible in a 1TB capability; we have not examined that particular mannequin, however at $80-ish it must be value a glance if pricing is your solely concern.
- Usually accessible for lower cost than Professional Plus
- Stable efficiency should you simply need an appropriate card for affordable
- Has a 1TB possibility
- Slower than picks above, notably in sequential write and random efficiency benchmarks
Different notable microSD playing cards
Delkin Gadgets Energy
We didn’t use it ourselves, however should you’re keen to pay for a extra highly effective UHS-II card constructed for heavy-duty video recording, the Delkin Gadgets Energy has examined effectively elsewhere and will ship considerably quicker sequential write speeds than our picks above. It’s one of many few UHS-II playing cards we may really discover in inventory, however it prices a ton, with a 128GB mannequin usually priced round $90.
SanDisk Excessive
The SanDisk Excessive 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 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 nice selection should you see it on sale at a good vendor, however its random efficiency lagged behind the Samsung Professional and Kingston playing cards, and it typically prices extra.
SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Change
The SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Change is one other first rate possibility should you ever see it accessible 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 in line with CrystalDiskMark as effectively, and it is typically priced increased than our high choose. SanDisk backs the cardboard with a lifetime guarantee, nonetheless, plus it’s accessible in a 1TB capability. Notice that we examined the Apex Legends model of the 128GB card; SanDisk additionally sells a Tremendous Mario mannequin, however we won’t say if that one performs any otherwise.
Lexar Skilled 1066x
Equally, the Lexar Skilled 1066x is a good different to the Professional Plus if our predominant 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 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 observed its speeds peak and dip extra noticeably in our file switch take a look at. Nonetheless, it’s not sluggish, so relying on its value, it could be a very good discount should you want quick write speeds for video recording and the like. It’s additionally accessible in 1TB, plus it comes with a lifetime restricted guarantee.
SanDisk Excessive Professional
The SanDisk Excessive Professional 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 typically goes for affordable and wasn’t too far off the random learn/write efficiency of Samsung’s Professional playing cards in CrystalDiskMark, however it was effectively behind in our sequential checks.
Latest 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 lately 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 certain all pricing particulars are as updated as they are often.
