Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for stashing photographs, recording video and transferring recordsdata, however some will get you just a little extra bang to your buck than others. For those who’re trying to increase the interior storage of your Nintendo Swap, Steam Deck, GoPro, Raspberry Pi or every other system 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 exams: Listed here are the most effective that we’ve examined, together with some basic recommendation on what to search for when shopping for a brand new card.
Editor’s be aware (4/24/24): Samsung has launched an upgraded model of our “greatest worth” choose, 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 prime picks, which we proceed to suggest
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. Fashionable playing cards are normally out there in sizes starting from 32GB to 512GB, whereas a handful supply 1TB fashions as properly. 2TB playing cards are theoretically doable however nonetheless in the prototype stage.
For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin must be the candy spot between value and cupboard space. However when you want extra room — say, for stashing a bunch of video games on a Steam Deck — a 512GB card might make extra sense and infrequently gives a greater cost-per-GB ratio. Nowadays, you’ll find an honest 128GB card for round $15 or much less, a superb 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 improve if you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which usually value nearer to $100.
Word {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 discuss microSD playing cards in the present day, we normally confer with playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capability) normal, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your system must assist this for it to work with a microSDXC card. It will nearly by no means be a difficulty nowadays, 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 normally measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Usually, most microSD playing cards have sooner learn speeds than write speeds.
These metrics can then be damaged down into sequential and random efficiency. Sequential learn and write speeds matter if you’re attempting to entry or save lengthy, fixed streams of knowledge, reminiscent of opening a big video or copying a giant batch of recordsdata from a PC. If you wish to use a microSD card for media storage, that is notably vital. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how rapidly a card can learn and write small recordsdata 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 when you 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 areas.
Pace rankings
For those who 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 pace class and efficiency rankings, 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 vital 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 no less than 30 MB/s. This must be sufficient to assist as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Increased-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are normally higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot larger value.
The UHS Pace Class, or U-rating, additionally refers to a card’s minimal sequential write 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 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 ranking 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 An emblem, is an indicator of random learn/write speeds. That is measured in IOPS, or enter/output operations per second, reasonably 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 pair 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 doable to get a strong card with out these: A U1 card could be value it when you simply want an inexpensive, high-capacity choice, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are value a glance when you’re critical about taking pictures high-resolution photographs and video as properly. However general, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present the most effective mix of value and efficiency in the present day.
It’s vital to emphasise that these rankings are baselines. Most V30 playing cards supply considerably larger write speeds than 30 MB/s, as an example, and a few A1 playing cards can outperform some A2 fashions in observe. The speeds marketed by producers aren’t all the time 100% correct, both: Generally the cardboard might be slower in real-world use, different instances 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 out there 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 might attain as much as 312 MB/s. (A UHS-III normal exists as properly 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 purchase proper now are UHS-II playing cards, and so they’re normally those with V60 or V90 rankings. For those who shoot a number of 4K to 8K video or regularly use burst mode to seize extremely high-res photographs, the efficiency features of a superb UHS-II card can prevent time.
However these are far more costly than UHS-I playing cards: For example, this 128GB mannequin from Lexar is an honest discount at $40. That’s lower than many UHS-II fashions we’ve seen up to now however nonetheless greater than double the everyday value of our prime choose 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 value premium for most individuals, so we caught largely to UHS-I playing cards right here.
We’ll additionally be aware Samsung’s current announcement of a brand new 256GB microSD card based mostly on a completely completely different normal known as SD Specific. That is theoretically a lot sooner 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 check the system as soon as it turns into out there, which Samsung says might be someday later in 2024.
A be aware 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 make the most of that additional efficiency, although. For those who discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds larger than 104 MB/s, that is what’s occurring. You’ll be able to see these limits in motion with a Nintendo Swap or Steam Deck: Each of these gaming units assist the UHS-I interface and don’t transcend its official pace, flattening any sequential features 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 all the time good to have. Many producers supply lifetime restricted warranties, although we’ve seen that “endurance” playing cards marketed to resist extra hours of writing are normally coated for a a lot shorter time frame.
Avoiding counterfeits
The reminiscence card market has had a selected drawback with scammers promoting faux merchandise. To protect in opposition to this, solely purchase from a identified model and a good retailer reminiscent of Greatest Purchase, B&H Picture or Adorama. For those who 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 up 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 lower cost than others.
When you obtain a card, test its packaging for any irregularities. You’ll be able to run benchmark exams like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Pace Take a look at to confirm its speeds aren’t drastically decrease than what’s marketed (or doable, given its specs). You may also use software program that’s designed to confirm the true capability and efficiency of your card, reminiscent of H2testw and FakeFlashTest.
How we examined
We put 13 microSD playing cards via a sequence of exams to confirm their sequential and random efficiency. These included benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark, BlackMagic Disk Pace Take a look at, ATTO Disk Benchmark and AJA System Take a look at, in addition to a number of “real-world” exams. We copied and pasted a small folder of photographs about 1.15GB in dimension to and from every card, then did the identical with a bigger 12.2GB folder containing a number of file 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, Metallic Gear Rising: Revengeance and Apex Legends — then timing how lengthy it took to launch every sport 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 doable, although for a number of playing cards — SanDisk’s Excessive and Samsung’s Professional Plus and Professional Final — we had been solely in a position to check their 256GB fashions. We additionally reformatted every card earlier than testing with the SD Affiliation’s Reminiscence Card Formatter device.
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Pace courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted
The Samsung Professional Plus was practically 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 rankings: 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 under, so it isn’t absolutely the quickest for accessing massive recordsdata 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 inexpensive value. 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 a number of {dollars} extra. Both manner, the cardboard comes with a 10-year restricted guarantee.
For those who decide to purchase the Professional Plus, be sure you get the latest-generation mannequin. Samsung remains to be promoting the prior iteration of the Professional Plus, which appears to be like 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 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. Proper now the cardboard is out there as much as 512GB, however the firm it’ll launch a 1TB mannequin later in 2024.
- Persistently fast sequential and random learn/write efficiency
- Nice worth
- Simply out there at trusted retailers
- Some friends have barely sooner 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 Professional Final 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 features 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 varied benchmarks. You’ll want to purchase the cardboard with Samsung’s USB reader to attain that efficiency, however that may very well be value it when you often 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 properly, although the margins there are a lot much less important in comparison with the Professional Plus and the opposite prime UHS-I playing cards we examined.
The primary query is value. For those who see the Professional Final out there for a similar value because the Professional Plus, you would possibly 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 inexpensive, however the Professional Plus will nearly all the time be just a little 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. 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 Pace Take a look at. It successfully tied with SanDisk’s Excessive and Nintendo Swap-branded playing cards in our massive 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 had been solely bested by Samsung’s Professional playing cards in benchmarks, too, so it’s nonetheless a superb choice for apps and video games. However it’s arduous to justify when you see it priced larger than the Professional Plus or Final.
- Quicker sequential write speeds than Professional Plus for a (sometimes) 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 Choose is a transparent step behind our prime picks, notably relating to 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 circumstances — a Nintendo Swap, as an example — and we have beforehand seen its 128GB, 256GB and 512GB fashions fall as little as $10, $14 and $25, respectively. All of these are about on par with the SanDisk Extremely, a regularly advisable cheapo card, regardless of the Evo Choose having larger V30, U3 and A2 rankings. Whereas the Professional Plus has come near these costs, the Evo Choose tends to take a seat there extra often. The 512GB variant is a very nice discount when you simply want a bit of area 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 when you simply need the most cost effective acceptable card doable
- Slower than picks above, notably 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 when you’re keen to pay for a extra highly effective UHS-II card constructed for heavy-duty video recording, the Delkin Units Energy has examined properly elsewhere and will 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, however it prices a ton, with a 128GB mannequin usually priced at $93.
SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Swap
The SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Swap is one other respectable choice when you ever see it out there for lower than the Professional Plus and Canvas Go Plus. Its sequential learn speeds had been about the identical because the latter in our benchmarks, however its sequential writes had been barely slower (and farther behind the Professional Plus). Its random learn/writes had been a bit behind in accordance with CrystalDiskMark as properly. The 128GB model 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 capability. Word 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 otherwise.
Lexar Skilled 1066x
Equally, the Lexar Skilled 1066x is an honest various 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 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 seen its speeds peak and dip extra noticeably in our file switch check. Nonetheless, it’s not gradual, so relying on its value, it could be a superb discount when you want quick write speeds for video recording and the like. It’s additionally out there in 1TB, plus it comes with a lifetime restricted guarantee.
SanDisk Excessive
The SanDisk Excessive successfully matched the Professional Plus in a number of of our sequential write exams and delivered sequential reads about on par with the Canvas Go Plus, however that was partly as a result of us solely with the ability to safe the cardboard’s 256GB mannequin, which is higher-rated than the 128GB model. It’s a high quality selection when you 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 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 properly behind in our sequential exams.