Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for stashing images, recording video and transferring recordsdata, however some will get you a little bit extra bang to your buck than others. If you happen to’re seeking to increase the interior storage of your Nintendo Swap, Steam Deck, GoPro, Raspberry Pi or every other machine that also has compatibility with microSD playing cards, we will help. We’ve completely researched the market and put greater than a dozen microSD playing cards via a spread of benchmark checks: Listed below are the perfect that we’ve examined, together with some common recommendation on what to search for when shopping for a brand new card.
Editor’s word (5/28/24): We’ve examined the newest iteration of Samsung’s Evo Choose, however we predict the improve isn’t vital sufficient to make it price recommending to most people who simply desire a first rate microSD card for as little cash as attainable. We’ve famous the brand new mannequin in our information beneath. We additionally plan on testing Lexar’s new Skilled Silver Plus card, which is ready to reach in June and guarantees barely higher speeds than our “faster option” choose.
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 area you want. Trendy playing cards are often obtainable in sizes starting from 32GB to 512GB, whereas a handful supply 1TB fashions as nicely. 2TB playing cards are theoretically attainable however nonetheless in the prototype stage.
For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin must be the candy spot between value 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 card might make extra sense and sometimes supplies a greater cost-per-GB ratio. Lately, you will discover an honest 128GB card for round $15 or much less, an excellent 256GB card for lower than $30 and a strong 512GB card for lower than $40 (although many value nearer to $50 or $60). There’s a starker enhance if you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which generally value nearer to $100.
Observe {that a} microSD card’s efficiency could 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.
After we speak about microSD playing cards immediately, we often consult with playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capability) commonplace, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your machine must assist this for it to work with a microSDXC card. It will virtually 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 often measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Usually, 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 if you’re making an attempt to entry or save lengthy, fixed streams of information, comparable 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 significantly essential. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how rapidly a card can learn and write small recordsdata scattered all through the machine.
Since random learn/write speeds are a lot decrease than sequential ones, storage machine makers have a tendency to not promote them as loudly. However they’re essential for those who use a card with a gaming machine 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 places.
Velocity scores
If you happen to take a look at a microSD card, you’ll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of those consult with the cardboard’s velocity class and efficiency scores, that are decided by the SD Affiliation.
A card’s Video Velocity Class, or V-rating, particulars its minimal sequential write velocity, which is particularly essential when recording video from a digicam. It ranges from V6 to V90. A lot of the playing cards we examined had a V30 ranking, so that they have a sequential write velocity of at the very least 30 MB/s. This must be sufficient to assist as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Greater-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are often higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot increased value.
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 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 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 A logo, is an indicator of random learn/write speeds. That is measured in IOPS, or enter/output operations per second, moderately 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 pair of,000 IOPS, respectively. Each scores additionally assure sequential write speeds of at the very least 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 strong card with out these: A U1 card is perhaps price it for those who simply want an inexpensive, high-capacity choice, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are price a glance for those who’re critical about taking pictures high-resolution images and video as nicely. However general, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present the perfect mix of value and efficiency immediately.
It’s essential to emphasise that these scores are baselines. Most V30 playing cards supply considerably increased 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 probably be slower in real-world use, different instances 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 immediately 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 commonplace exists as nicely however hasn’t seen vast 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 scores. If you happen to shoot numerous 4K to 8K video or continuously use burst mode to seize extremely high-res images, the efficiency positive aspects of an excellent UHS-II card can prevent time.
However these are far more costly than UHS-I playing cards: This 128GB Lexar Skilled Gold mannequin, as an example, is a relative cut price at $40. Whereas that is lower than many UHS-II fashions we’ve seen prior to now, it is nonetheless greater than double the standard value 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 well worth the value premium for most individuals, so we caught principally to UHS-I playing cards right here.
We’ll additionally word Samsung’s current announcement of a brand new 256GB microSD card primarily based on a wholly completely different commonplace 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 round for a number of years however hasn’t seen vast 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 machine as soon as it turns into obtainable, which Samsung says will probably be someday later in 2024.
A word 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 via proprietary extensions. You want a suitable card reader and host machine to make the most of that further efficiency, although. If you happen to discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds increased than 104 MB/s, that is what’s occurring. You may see these limits in motion with a Nintendo Swap or Steam Deck: Each of these gaming gadgets assist the UHS-I interface and don’t transcend its official velocity, flattening any sequential positive aspects some playing cards could 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 restricted warranties, although we’ve observed that “endurance” playing cards marketed to resist extra hours of writing are often coated for a a lot shorter time frame.
Avoiding counterfeits
The reminiscence card market has had a specific downside with scammers promoting faux merchandise. To protect towards this, solely purchase from a identified model and a good retailer comparable to Greatest Purchase, B&H Photograph or Adorama. If you happen to 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 prior to now.) Keep 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, verify its packaging for any irregularities. You may run benchmark checks like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Velocity Take a look at to confirm its speeds aren’t drastically decrease than what’s marketed (or attainable, given its specs). You may also use software program that’s designed to confirm the true capability and efficiency of your card, comparable to H2testw and FakeFlashTest.
How we examined
We put 13 microSD playing cards via a collection of checks to confirm their sequential and random efficiency. These included benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark, BlackMagic Disk Velocity Take a look at, ATTO Disk Benchmark and AJA System Take a look at, in addition to a couple of “real-world” checks. We copied and pasted a small folder of images 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, Metallic 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 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 take a look at their 256GB fashions. We additionally reformatted every card earlier than testing with the SD Affiliation’s Reminiscence Card Formatter device.
Greatest microSD playing cards 2024
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Velocity courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Professional 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, 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 is not absolutely the quickest for accessing giant recordsdata saved in your card, however the distinction is small in real-world use.
The principle motive the Professional Plus tops our checklist is as a result of it delivers these robust speeds at a comparatively inexpensive 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. Both approach, the cardboard comes with a 10-year restricted guarantee.
If you happen to decide to purchase the Professional Plus, be sure you 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 a substitute, 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 because 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. Proper now the cardboard is out there as much as 512GB, however the firm says it’ll launch a 1TB mannequin later in 2024.
- Constantly fast sequential and random learn/write efficiency
- Nice worth
- Simply obtainable at trusted retailers
- Some friends have barely quicker sequential learn speeds
- No 1TB mannequin
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Velocity courses: 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 little bit bit quicker 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 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 might be price it for those who frequently 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 nicely, 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 principle query is value. If you happen to see the Professional Final obtainable for a similar value because the Professional Plus, you would possibly as nicely seize it as an alternative. 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 inexpensive, however the Professional Plus will virtually at all times be a little bit bit cheaper — and thus a greater worth for many wants, particularly at increased capacities.
- Quickest microSD card we examined (with acceptable USB reader)
- Simply obtainable at trusted retailers
- Professional Plus is healthier worth for many
- No 1TB mannequin
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Velocity courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: Lifetime restricted
If the Samsung Professional Plus ever turns into unavailable, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus is one other robust different. 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 Take a look at. It successfully tied with SanDisk’s Excessive and Nintendo Swap-branded playing cards in our giant file switch speeds take a look at. Its 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, too, so it’s nonetheless an excellent choice for apps and video games. Nevertheless it’s onerous to justify for those who see it priced increased than the Professional Plus or Final.
- Sooner sequential write speeds than Professional Plus for a (sometimes) cheaper price than Professional Final
- Lifetime restricted guarantee
- Professional Plus is a greater worth for many
- Slower sequential write speeds than picks above
- No 1TB mannequin
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Velocity courses: 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, significantly in the case of sequential write speeds (slightly below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark), so it’s not superb 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 Extremely, a continuously really useful 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 tends to take a seat there extra frequently. The 512GB variant is a very nice cut price for those who simply want a piece of area on a budget. (The Extremely is out there in 1TB and 1.5TB capacities, although.)
Just like the Professional Plus above, Samsung is now promoting 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 this choose, we particularly suggest the previous. The brand new mannequin did certainly ship these improved reads in our benchmarks, however its efficiency is nearly similar in any other case. As we write this, it prices $4 to $8 further, relying on what capability you select. That makes it too near the Professional Plus, which pumps out barely quicker reads and considerably higher sequential writes and random speeds. The purpose of this advice is to provide you a card that performs nicely sufficient for dust low cost; for now, the older Evo Choose stays a greater instance of that. If the upgraded model drops additional in value, it’ll be price contemplating, however immediately most individuals keen to pay for a velocity increase ought to get one in all our different picks as an alternative.
- Usually obtainable for cheaper price than Professional Plus
- Stable efficiency for those who simply need a suitable card for affordable
- Slower than picks above, significantly in sequential write and random efficiency benchmarks
- No 1TB mannequin
Different notable microSD playing cards
Delkin Units Energy
We didn’t use it ourselves, however for those who’re keen to pay for a extra highly effective UHS-II card constructed for heavy-duty video recording, the Delkin Units Energy has examined nicely 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, however it prices a ton, with a 128GB mannequin usually priced at $93.
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 because of us solely having the ability to safe the cardboard’s 256GB mannequin, which is higher-rated than the 128GB model. It’s a positive 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 sometimes prices extra. It does have a 1TB mannequin, although.
SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Swap
The SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Swap is one other first rate choice for those who ever see it obtainable 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 accordance with CrystalDiskMark as nicely, and it is usually priced increased than our high choose. SanDisk backs the cardboard with a lifetime guarantee, nevertheless, plus it’s obtainable in a 1TB capability. Observe that we examined the Apex Legends model of the 128GB card; SanDisk additionally sells a Tremendous Mario mannequin, however we are able to’t communicate as to whether that one performs any in another way.
Lexar Skilled 1066x
Equally, the Lexar Skilled 1066x is an honest different to the Professional Plus if our major 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 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 sluggish, so relying on its value, it is perhaps an excellent cut price for those who want quick write speeds for video recording and the like. It’s additionally obtainable 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 wasn’t too far off the random learn/write efficiency of the Professional Plus and Professional Final in CrystalDiskMark, and it usually goes for affordable, however it was nicely behind in our sequential checks.
