The Best MicroSD Cards in 2023

Though microSD cards have a tiny size they hide plenty of useful options. Here you can find some tips how to choose the best microSD – what information you should be aware of before the purchase and what to pay attention at when buying a card. Remember that the choice of microSD card is the same responsible process as the purchase of NAS or external hard drive for your PC. Therefore we offer you the list of best microSD cards to choose from.

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Last update on 2023-03-22 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best microSD Card

SDHC and SDXC

There are two main types of microSD cards – SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity). The key difference is their storage. SDHC cards offer from 4GB to 32 GB while SDXC cards contain from 64GB to 2TB.

Another thing you should keep in mind is that some devices can accept only SDHC microSD cards. For example, such mobile consoles like the Nintendo 3DS work with SDHC cards only. Still, today plenty of devices are compatible with the SDXC microSD cards as most phones support namely this type of cards.

Speed Classes

Such feature as speed class is a key one when choosing the best microSD card. Nowadays there are such speed classes as 2, 4, 6 and 10. Obviously, the higher class your microSD card has the better and faster performance you will experience. The numbers of each speed class mean the write speed in MB/s (megabytes per second) – e.g. Class 10 = 10 MB/s.

There is no doubt that it’s always better to have a higher speed class. Still, if you are going to record high-resolution videos then you’ll need something more powerful like speed class 10 with UHS classification. UHS stands for ultra high speed and presupposes the highest speed of each microSD model. Cards with UHS classification are also divided into two types – UHS-I (up to 104 MB/s) and UHS-II (up to 312 MB/s).

Another thing you should know is card’s speed rating. There can be either U1 or U3 card’s speed rating. This rating denotes the lowest speed level your card can reach. U1 cards won’t let their write speed get lower than 10 MB/s while U3 cards support at least 30 MB/s. So, if you are buying a card for 4K videos then you will need U3 card’s speed rating.

By the by, if you need a card for video recording then pay attention to a video rating system which is usually marked like V90, V60, V30, etc. So, for 4K video you will need a card with at least V30 rating. Besides, if you can’t find such marker on your microSD then check its write speed.

Capacity

One of the things you should always remember to do before purchasing a new microSD card is to check the maximum size of a card your device can support. If your device is compatible with cards of 32 GB maximum then look for SDHC cards. In case it is compatible with cards of higher capacity then pay attention at SDXC cards (up to 512 GB).

Compatibility

It’s always necessary to check whether your device is compatible with the cards you are going to buy. For instance, there are cards that will be more suitable for Android-based devices or Raspberry.

Still, there are some other sides of compatibility you should be aware of as your device isn’t the only thing the card must be compatible with. The point is that some microSD cards are more suitable for GoPro products while others, for example, for Nintendo Switch.

Extra Options

A lot of microSD cards have some additional options. Among them, you can find SanDisk Memory Zone App, which automatically moves files from your device to your memory card to free up space, and file recovery software. What is more, microSD cards can be waterproof, X-ray proof, static proof, temperature proof, etc.

10 Best microSD Cards

Samsung EVO Select

One of the Best out There

SAMSUNG EVO Select is a highly durable and speedy micro SD card, available in a variety of capacities that go from 64GB, up to 512GB. This card is fitted with multiple protection features that include water, dust, and drop protection, and offers a 10-year warranty that fits its resistant nature perfectly.

More importantly, this card comes with a whole set of certifications that include U3, A2, and V30 classification, and supports read speeds of 130MBps that present a significant leap, compared with the previous generation of this micro SD card.

SAMSUNG EVO Select features the UHS-I interface and is capable of withstanding up to five-meter drops, and more than 10000 writes and rewrites, which is another important bonus to this already great device.

Therefore, if you are after a speedy performing micro SD card, which offers a good value for the money and presents one of the best micro SD cards available, SAMSUNG EVO Select is the choice for you.

Pros:

• Excellent durability
• 10-year warranty
• Very good data transfer speed
• Great protective features
• The adapter is included in the package

Cons:

• None

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SanDisk Ultra

An Affordable, yet Trustworthy Micro SD Card

SanDisk Ultra micro SD card is a reliable and decent-performing device that presents a solid option for a wide variety of users thanks to its good overall quality.

With this micro SD card, you are getting compliance with C10, U1, and A1 standards, or, translated into numbers, sequential read speeds of up to 120MBps. SanDisk Ultra micro SD card comes with a 10-year warranty and is available in a variety of capacities from 32GB to 1TB. In other words, there is something for everyone.

Therefore, if you need a good quality micro SD card that will give you a lot of versatility at a fair price, SanDisk Ultra should certainly be among your picks.

Pros:

• Available in various capacities
• 10-year warranty
• A good quality build
• Reliable performance
• Fair-priced

Cons:

• None

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Silicon Power 3D NAND Superior Pro microSDXC

A Great Performance for a Fair Price

The most important characteristics of MicroSD cards are speed and capacity, and Silicon Power 3D NAND Superior Pro microSDXC has proved to be very good in both departments. It is available in four sizes (64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB) and offers solid maximum speeds (100MBps sequential read speed and 80MBps sequential write speed) that in reality are a bit lower; nevertheless, still highly competitive with the rest of the bunch.

Silicon Power 3D NAND Superior Pro microSDXC comes with a five-year warranty and complies with all the latest speed standards such as A1, U3 or V30, and altogether presents a perfect option for 4K video material capturing or high-speed continuous shooting. It is dustproof, waterproof, even X-ray proof, and it offers great compatibility.

More importantly, it comes at a very competitive price and delivers great value for the money. However, its quality control isn’t the best; therefore, there are some complaints about its reliability and DOA cases. Nevertheless, these claims are just a minor fraction of its overall purchases and shouldn’t really bother you.

In other words, if you are looking for one of the best microSD cards, that is also one of the more affordable ones at the same time, Silicon Power 3D NAND Superior Pro microSDXC is the card for you.

Pros:

• Good value for the money
• Fast performance
• Waterproof
• Five-year warranty

Cons:

• Not the best quality control

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SanDisk Extreme microSD U3 A2

Great microSD Card With Environmental Protection

Another great microSD card is SanDisk Extreme microSD U3 A2. It comes with 160MB/s read speeds which allow transferring large files such as 4K UHD videos and high-res images. But keep in mind that it is compatible only with devices that support such a high-speed level. As to the write speeds, this microSD card provides only up to 60MB/s or 90MB/s depending on the card capacity.

SanDisk Extreme microSD U3 A2 has a solid build quality and can withstand low and high temperatures as well as X-rays. What is more, this model is waterproof and shock-proof. There is also SanDisk Memory Zone app which makes file management rather easy.

Pros:

• solid build quality
• environmental protection
• affordable price

Cons:

• poor write speed
• no “push-to-remove” features

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PNY Premier-X

A More than Solid Micro SD Card

PNY Premier-X is a cheap, but reliable micro SD card that won’t blow you away with performance; however, it will bring more than enough for 4K video recording, or burst mode HD Photography. To be exact, with this card, you are getting a maximum read speed of 100MBps and maximum write speed of 30MBps, which is, as mentioned earlier, only solid, yet good enough for most tasks.

PNY Premier-X provides a minimum of 1500 IOPS when reading, and 500 IOPS, when writing, and is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB capacity. This card is Class 10 type and offers U3, V30, and A1 certification, which means it supports running apps directly from the card.
With this micro SD card, you are also getting an SD adapter, while it also offers multiple protection features that include its magnet-proof, shockproof, temperature-proof, as well as waterproof characteristics.

In other words, PNY Premier-X has everything needed for a solid performance; therefore, if you are after an affordable, but solid micro SD card, this one should certainly be among your favorites.

Pros:

• Durable
• Lightweight
• It comes with the adapter
• Reliable

Cons:

• Not the best packaging

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Netac MicroSD Card

An Excellent Budget-Friendly Micro SD Card Option

If you are seeking the best micro SD card in the low-price market, with solid performance and good durability, Netac MicroSD Card is the device for you.

With this card, you won’t get super-fast speeds or performance of the best SSD drives; however, you will get more than a good “working horse” and a cheaper alternative to the more familiar micro SD cards manufacturers, such as SanDisk and Samsung.

When talking about performance, Netac MicroSD Card provides a sequential read speed of up to 100MBps, while its sequential write speed moves around the 50MBps mark.

This micro SD card is compliant with A1, C10, and U3 standards and is available in capacities from 16GB to 256GB. More importantly, it is reinforced with multiple protection levels that involve shock-proof, temperature-proof, water-proof, and even X-ray proof characteristics, so you can guess this device is pretty durable.

In other words, with Netac MicroSD Card, you are not only getting a good price, but also great durability and overall usability that makes this card worth buying and worth being called one of the best micro SD cards in this market segment.

Pros:

• Multiple protection levels
• Good customer service
• Good versatility
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not the best quality control

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SanDisk MAX Endurance

Great Endurance for a Small Price

If you are seeking an affordable micro SD card that brings just the right mix of features and performance, SanDisk MAX Endurance is the device for you. As its name suggests, this card is designed for high endurance; therefore, it should be no surprise that, for instance, the 128GB model allows for more than 13 years of continuous recording, which is certainly impressive.

Also, this micro SD card comes in package with the included SD adapter and features a temperature-proof, waterproof, shockproof, and X-ray-proof build that perfectly fits its excellent endurance.

SanDisk MAX Endurance is a Class 10 micro SD card, with U3 speed certification and V30 video certification, which comes in capacities from 32GB, up to 256GB. Moreover, this card supports real-time recording and comes in the package with the RescuePRO Deluxe software, dedicated to file recovery.

More importantly, this card delivers a maximum sequential read speed of 100MBps and a maximum sequential write speed of 40MBps. Its warranty depends on the capacity, and varies from three years in the case of the 32GB model, and goes up to 15 years, in the case of the 256GB model, which is more than solid.

To conclude, SanDisk MAX Endurance brings exactly what its name suggests; therefore, if that is one of your priorities when buying the best micro SD card, this one should be your number one pick.

Pros:

• Solid performance
• Durable
• Reliable
• High level of endurance
• Multiple protective features
• Affordable

Cons:

• A not-that-great option for dash cams

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Kingston Canvas React Plus

A Micro SD Dream Card

Stumbling upon perfection and even more importantly, recognizing it, might be a hard task to manage. However, with certain devices, you are getting exactly that, or at least the nearest feeling to that, and one of such products is the Kingston Canvas React Plus Micro SD card that offers excellent build quality and more importantly, exceptional performance.

To be exact, this card supports excellent sequential write speed of up to 165MBps and even better sequential read speed of 285MBps, that make it a great choice for work with 8K materials and even for professional use. It is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacity and it supports UHS-II, V90, U3 and A1 standards.

In other words, the best micro SD card is here, and all you need to do to get it is to dig pretty deep into your pocket, since its price is a bit heavy for a micro SD card.

Pros:

• Good-quality build
• Super-fast performance
• UHS-II, V90, and U3 compatible
• Professional performance

Cons:

• Pricey
• Available in only three different capacities

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Lexar Professional 1066x

Exactly What You Need for Your Action Camera

Finding a good-performing micro SD card, with an attractive price tag is never easy. However, such cards do appear from time to time, and the Lexar Professional 1066x is the prime example of that.

This is a super-fast micro SD card, with a maximum sequential read speed of 160MBps, and an equally impressive sequential write speed of 120MBps, which is among the best ones in the class. Also, with this card, you are getting a UHS-I interface, as well as a whole set of protective features, such as the IEC 60529 and IPX7 water protection. Moreover, there are also shockproof, vibration proof, and X-Ray proof characteristics that ultimately make this device a highly durable one.

Lexar Professional 1066x also has the U3, V30, and A2 speed rating, and comes with a very nice 10-year warranty that is always a welcoming thing to have. More importantly, this micro SD card is available in a variety of capacities that go from 64GB, up to 512GB, and is a perfect fit for a whole bunch of devices. In other words, you can use it for action cameras, drones, and high-end smartphones, as it should be the case with the card that represents one of the best micro SD cards you can find on the market.

Pros:

• Excellent speed
• Available in a variety of capacities
• Durable
• 10-year warranty

Cons:

• None

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Gigastone Micro SD Card

The Ideal Mainstream Micro SD Card

Gigastone Micro SD Card is a reasonably priced, solid micro SD card that offers exactly what the majority of users need. There is a pretty good 60MBps sequential write speed, and 100MBps sequential read speed, as well as a whole set of protective characteristics that include IPX7 waterproof rating, as well as shockproof, temperature-proof, and X-Ray-proof characteristics.

Although this micro SD card is primarily designed for the fans of console gaming, the matter of a fact is that it has also proved its value in other fields, and proved it is up to the task, when used in action and dash cameras, offering more than pleasing results.

Of course, that should be no surprise, since this card comes with the UHS-I interface and A1, U3, and V30 certification, as each of the best micro SD cards should. This card is available in capacities from 16GB, up to 512GB and brings everything that the user needs. For that reason, if you are after an affordable, yet good micro SD card option, Gigastone Micro SD Card is a sure thing.

Pros:

• Five-year warranty
• Good performance
• Supports Full HD video recording
• Good compatibility
• Fast
• Lightweight

Cons:

• None

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Summary

Whatever microSD card you will choose, it will be a nice bonus for your device. But if you choose the best one then you will have a chance to experience its excellent performance when recording a video or capturing a photo.