Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for storing and transferring information, however some will present just a little extra bang for the buck than others. Should you’ve received a tool that helps the format — be it a Nintendo Switch or different gaming handheld, a GoPro, a Raspberry Pi or a touch cam — we’ve researched the market and put greater than a dozen high microSD playing cards via a bunch of benchmark assessments. You will discover the playing cards that stood out probably 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 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 closer however aren’t broadly accessible simply but.
For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin needs to be the candy spot between worth and cupboard space. However if you happen to 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 supplies a greater cost-per-GB ratio. Today, yow will discover a good 128GB card for round $15 or much less, an excellent 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 enhance while you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which generally value nearer to $100.
Notice {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 speak about microSD playing cards in the present day, we often consult with playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capacity) standard, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your system must assist this for it to work with a microSDXC card. This can virtually by no means be a problem today, 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 often 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 while you’re making an attempt to entry or save lengthy, fixed streams of knowledge, similar to opening a big video or copying a giant batch of information 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 shortly a card can learn and write small information 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 if you happen to use a card with a gaming system or a single-board laptop just like the Raspberry Pi, the place it usually has to quickly save and entry small bits of knowledge in random places.
Velocity rankings
Should you 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 rankings, that are decided by the SD Association.
A card’s Video Velocity Class, or V-rating, particulars its minimal sequential write pace, which is very vital when recording video from a digicam. It ranges from V6 to V90. Many of the playing cards we examined had a V30 score, so that they have a sequential write pace of no less than 30 MB/s. This needs to be sufficient to assist as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Larger-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are often higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot greater value.
The UHS Velocity 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 Velocity 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” brand on some playing cards.
The Utility 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, relatively 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 rankings 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 rankings. It’s completely potential to get a stable card with out these: A U1 card is likely to be price it if you happen to simply want an affordable, high-capacity possibility, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are price a glance if you happen to’re severe about capturing high-resolution photographs and video as effectively. However total, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present the most effective mix of worth and efficiency in the present day.
It’s vital to emphasise that these rankings are baselines. Most V30 playing cards supply considerably greater 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: Typically the cardboard will likely be slower in real-world use, different occasions it might truly be a bit sooner.
UHS bus speeds
The opposite spec to notice is the cardboard’s bus interface. Most microSD playing cards accessible in the present day 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 may attain as much as 312 MB/s. (A UHS-III commonplace 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 buy proper now are UHS-II playing cards, they usually’re often those with V60 or V90 rankings. Should you shoot numerous 4K to 8K video or ceaselessly use burst mode to seize extremely high-res photographs, the efficiency positive aspects of an excellent UHS-II card can prevent time.
However these are rather 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 worth of our high 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 usually spottier. For now, the upper speeds aren’t well worth the worth premium for most individuals, so we caught principally to UHS-I playing cards right here.
We’ll additionally observe Samsung’s announcement earlier this yr of a brand new 256GB microSD card primarily based on a wholly totally different commonplace referred to as SD Categorical. 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 Categorical has technically been around 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 value — stays to be seen. We’ll take a look at the system as soon as it turns into accessible, which Samsung says will likely 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 pace via proprietary extensions. You want a appropriate card reader and host system to reap the benefits of that further efficiency, although. Should you discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds greater than 104 MB/s, that is what’s happening. You may see these limits in motion with a Nintendo Swap or Steam Deck: Both of those gaming units assist the UHS-I interface and don’t transcend its official pace, 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 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 coated for a shorter time period. For instance, Samsung’s Pro 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 recognized model and a good retailer similar to Finest Purchase, B&H Picture or Adorama. Should 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.) Bear in mind: If a worth appears too good to be true, it most likely 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 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, similar to H2testw and FakeFlashTest.
How we examined
We put 13 microSD playing cards via a sequence 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 a couple of “real-world” assessments. We copied and pasted a small folder of photographs 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 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 potential, although for a couple of playing cards — SanDisk’s Excessive and Samsung’s Professional Plus and Professional Final — we had been solely capable of take a look at 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
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
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 an in depth second by way of 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 rankings: 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 is not 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 inexpensive 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. Should you want extra space, the corporate recently released a brand new 1TB model that needs to be simply as quick, although that one is at present rather more costly at $120. Both manner, the cardboard comes with a 10-year restricted guarantee.
Should you decide to purchase the Professional Plus, ensure you get the latest-generation mannequin. Samsung continues to be promoting the prior iteration of the Professional Plus, which appears to be like 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 resulting from inventory points with the 128GB mannequin on the time of testing, however this shouldn’t have a serious influence on real-world efficiency, as Samsung charges each playing cards identically.
- Constantly fast sequential and random learn/write efficiency
- Nice worth
- Available at trusted retailers
- Has a 1TB possibility
- Some friends have barely sooner sequential learn speeds
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
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 just a little bit sooner than the Professional Plus throughout the board. Its greatest positive aspects are in sequential learn speeds, which had been the quickest we examined and averaged near Samsung’s marketed price price 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 may very well be price it if you happen to 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. Should you see the Professional Final accessible 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 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 inexpensive, however the Professional Plus will virtually at all times be just a little bit cheaper — and thus a greater worth for many wants, particularly at greater capacities. There is no 1TB possibility right here, both.
- Quickest microSD card we examined (with applicable 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 | Velocity 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 Velocity Check. It successfully tied with SanDisk’s Excessive and Nintendo Swap-branded playing cards in our massive 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 an excellent possibility 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 if you happen to want numerous area and wish to save money. However the different fashions are laborious to justify if you happen to see them hovering in the identical worth 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 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 era” 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 high picks, significantly in terms of sequential write speeds (just below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark), so it’s not ultimate for cameras. Nonetheless, it’s completely usable for a lot of use instances — 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 greater V30, U3 and A2 rankings. Whereas the Professional Plus has come near these costs, the Evo Choose virtually at all times retails for much less.
Much like the Professional Plus, now you can discover two variations of the Evo Choose: a “commonplace” 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. Because the level of this suggestion is to present 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, but it surely performs nearly identically in any other case, so you will not lose a lot by saving a couple of dollars with the older era.
The one large distinction is that the up to date mannequin is the one one accessible in a 1TB capacity; we’ve not examined that particular mannequin, however at $80 it needs to be price a glance if pricing is your solely concern.
- Usually accessible for cheaper price than Professional Plus
- Stable efficiency if you happen to simply need an appropriate card for affordable
- Has a 1TB possibility
- 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 if you happen to’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 may ship considerably sooner 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 a couple of of our sequential write assessments 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 tremendous alternative if you happen to 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 respectable possibility if you happen to 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 usually priced greater than our high decide. SanDisk backs the cardboard with a lifetime guarantee, nevertheless, plus it’s accessible in a 1TB capacity. Notice 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 a different way.
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 take a look at. Nonetheless, it’s not gradual, so relying on its worth, it is likely to be an excellent discount if you happen to 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 affordable 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.
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 purpose so as to add testing data 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.
Trending Merchandise
