Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for stashing images, recording video and transferring information, however some will get you a bit extra bang to your buck than others. In case you’re trying to enhance the interior storage of your Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, GoPro, Raspberry Pi or some other gadget that also has compatibility with microSD playing cards, we will help. We’ve totally researched the market and put greater than a dozen microSD playing cards by a spread of benchmark assessments: Listed here are one of the best that we’ve examined, together with some basic recommendation on what to search for when shopping for a brand new card.
Editor’s notice (4/24/24): Samsung has launched an upgraded version of our “greatest worth” decide, the Evo Choose. We plan to check it quickly and replace our information accordingly. Samsung says the brand new mannequin can attain sequential learn speeds as much as 160 MB/s, so it ought to nonetheless be a step down from our different high picks, which we proceed to advocate
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 house you want. Fashionable playing cards are normally out there in sizes starting from 32GB to 512GB, whereas a handful provide 1TB fashions as properly. 2TB playing cards are theoretically attainable however still in the prototype stage.
For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin must be the candy spot between worth and space for storing. However should you want extra room — say, for stashing a bunch of video games on a Steam Deck — a 512GB card may make extra sense and infrequently supplies a greater cost-per-GB ratio. As of late, you’ll find a good 128GB card for round $15 or much less, a superb 256GB card for lower than $30 and a stable 512GB card for lower than $40 (although many price nearer to $50 or $60). There’s a starker enhance once you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which usually price nearer to $100.
Be aware {that a} microSD card’s efficiency might differ relying on what capability you purchase. SanDisk says its 128GB Extreme card delivers sequential write speeds as much as 90 MB/s, for instance, whereas the higher-capacity fashions in the identical line provide as much as 130 MB/s.
Once we discuss microSD playing cards immediately, we normally confer with 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. This may virtually by no means be a problem today, however some older gadgets (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 normally 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 once you’re attempting to entry or save lengthy, fixed streams of information, comparable 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 essential. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how rapidly 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 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 information 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 confer with 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 pace, which is particularly essential when recording video from a digicam. 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 pace of at the least 30 MB/s. This must be sufficient to help as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Greater-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are normally higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot larger 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 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 pace. This ranking 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 provide 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 pair of,000 IOPS, respectively. Each scores additionally assure sequential write speeds of at the 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 stable card with out these: A U1 card may be value it should you simply want an inexpensive, high-capacity choice, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are value a glance should you’re severe about taking pictures high-resolution images and video as properly. However general, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present one of the best mix of worth and efficiency immediately.
It’s essential to emphasise that these scores are baselines. Most V30 playing cards provide considerably larger write speeds than 30 MB/s, for example, and a few A1 playing cards can outperform some A2 fashions in observe. 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 occasions it could truly be a bit quicker.
UHS bus speeds
The opposite spec to notice is the cardboard’s bus interface. Most microSD playing cards out there immediately 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 commonplace exists as properly however hasn’t seen huge 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 normally those with V60 or V90 scores. In case you shoot numerous 4K to 8K video or often use burst mode to seize extremely high-res images, the efficiency positive factors of a superb UHS-II card can prevent time.
However these are way more costly than UHS-I playing cards: As an example, this 128GB model from Lexar is a good discount at $40. That’s lower than many UHS-II fashions we’ve seen up to now however nonetheless greater than double the everyday worth of our high decide talked about under. 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 definitely worth the worth premium for most individuals, so we caught principally to UHS-I playing cards right here.
We’ll additionally notice Samsung’s recent announcement of a brand new 256GB microSD card based mostly on a completely totally different commonplace referred to as SD Categorical. 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 Categorical has technically been around for a number of years however hasn’t seen huge adoption, so precisely how this card performs in actuality — and the way a lot it’ll price — stays to be seen. We’ll check the gadget as soon as it turns into out there, which Samsung says will probably be someday later in 2024.
A notice 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 by 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 larger than 104 MB/s, that is what’s occurring. You possibly can see these limits in motion with a Nintendo Swap or Steam Deck: Both of tech” rel=”nofollow noopener” goal=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:these;cpos:20;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”hyperlink “>these gaming gadgets help the UHS-I interface and don’t transcend its official pace, flattening any sequential positive factors 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 provide lifetime restricted warranties, although we’ve observed that “endurance” playing cards marketed to resist extra hours of writing are normally lined for a a lot shorter time period.
Avoiding counterfeits
The reminiscence card market has had a specific drawback with scammers promoting faux merchandise. To protect in opposition to this, solely purchase from a identified model and a good retailer comparable 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 up to now.) Bear 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, examine its packaging for any irregularities. You possibly can run benchmark assessments like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Speed Test to confirm its speeds aren’t drastically decrease than what’s marketed (or attainable, given its specs). It’s also possible to 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 by a collection of assessments to confirm their sequential and random efficiency. These included benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark, BlackMagic Disk Speed Test, ATTO Disk Benchmark and AJA System Test, in addition to just a few “real-world” assessments. We copied and pasted a small folder of 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 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 recreation 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 just a few playing cards — SanDisk’s Excessive and Samsung’s Professional Plus and Professional Final — we have 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.
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Pace courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Pro Plus was almost the quickest card we examined when it comes to sequential write efficiency (round 130 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark) and was an in depth 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, 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 under, so it is not absolutely the quickest for accessing giant information saved in your card, however the distinction is small in real-world use.
The primary motive the Professional Plus tops our record 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 current gross sales have introduced these fashions as little as $11, $18 and $29, respectively. When it’s that low cost, the Professional Plus makes most competing microSD playing cards redundant. Samsung additionally sells the cardboard with a USB reader that’ll assist it attain its most speeds for just a few {dollars} extra. 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 continues to be promoting the prior iteration of the Professional Plus, which appears an identical 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 attributable to 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. Proper now the cardboard is out there as much as 512GB, however the firm it’ll launch a 1TB mannequin later in 2024.
- Constantly fast sequential and random learn/write efficiency
- Nice worth
- Simply out there at trusted retailers
- Some friends have barely quicker sequential learn speeds
- No 1TB mannequin
Picture 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 a bit bit quicker than the Professional Plus throughout the board. Its greatest positive factors are in sequential learn speeds, which have 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 realize that efficiency, however that could possibly be value it should you repeatedly 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 properly, 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 price. In case you see the Professional Final out there for a similar worth because the Professional Plus, you may as properly 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 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 larger capacities.
- Quickest microSD card we examined (with applicable USB reader)
- Simply out there at trusted retailers
- Professional Plus is best worth for many
- No 1TB mannequin
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Pace 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 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 giant file switch speeds check. 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 have been solely bested by Samsung’s Professional playing cards in benchmarks, too, so it’s nonetheless a superb choice for apps and video games. Nevertheless it’s exhausting to justify should you see it priced larger than the Professional Plus or Final.
- Quicker sequential write speeds than Professional Plus for a (usually) lower cost than Professional Final
- Lifetime restricted guarantee
- Professional Plus is a greater worth for many
- Slower sequential write speeds than picks above
- No 1TB mannequin
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 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 terms of sequential write speeds (slightly below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark), so it’s not splendid for cameras. Nonetheless, it’s completely usable for a lot of use instances — a Nintendo Swap, 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 Ultra, a often beneficial 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 tends to sit down there extra repeatedly. The 512GB variant is a very nice discount should you simply want a bit of house on a budget. (The Extremely is out there in 1TB and 1.5TB capacities, although.)
- Usually out there for lower cost than Professional Plus
- Stable efficiency should you simply need the most cost effective acceptable card attainable
- Slower than picks above, significantly in sequential write and random efficiency benchmarks
- No 1TB mannequin
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 Devices Power has tested well elsewhere and may ship considerably quicker sequential write speeds than our picks above. It’s one of many few UHS-II playing cards we may truly discover in inventory, but it surely prices a ton, with a 128GB mannequin usually priced at $93.
SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Swap
The SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch is one other first rate choice should you ever see it out there for lower than the Professional Plus and Canvas Go Plus. Its sequential learn speeds have been about the identical because the latter in our benchmarks, however its sequential writes have been barely slower (and farther behind the Professional Plus). Its random learn/writes have been a bit behind based on CrystalDiskMark as properly. The 128GB version of this card is priced round $18 as of this writing, whereas the 512GB mannequin prices round $50; each are larger than the Professional Plus. SanDisk backs the cardboard with a lifetime guarantee, nonetheless, plus it’s out there in a 1TB capacity. Be aware that we examined the Apex Legends model of the 128GB card; SanDisk additionally sells a Super Mario model, however we will’t communicate as to if that one performs any in another way.
Lexar Skilled 1066x
Equally, the Lexar Professional 1066x is a good various to the Professional Plus if our fundamental picks are unavailable. It’s one other V30, U3 and A2 mannequin, and like Samsung’s card, its sequential write speeds have been a bit quicker than the Canvas Go Plus and SanDisk 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 sluggish, so relying on its worth, it may be a superb discount should you want quick write speeds for video recording and the like. It’s additionally available in 1TB, plus it comes with a lifetime restricted guarantee.
SanDisk Excessive
The SanDisk Extreme successfully matched the Professional Plus in just a few of our sequential write assessments and delivered sequential reads about on par with the Canvas Go Plus, however that was partly attributable to us solely having the ability to safe the cardboard’s 256GB mannequin, which is higher-rated than the 128GB model. It’s a fantastic 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 usually prices extra. It does have a 1TB model, although.
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 wasn’t too far off the random learn/write efficiency of the Professional Plus and Professional Final in CrystalDiskMark, and it typically goes for affordable, but it surely was properly behind in our sequential assessments.
