Micro SD cards, including XC, SC, and HC types, are essential for expanding storage on devices like smartphones, cameras, and drones. This guide highlights top choices for 2024, such as the SanDisk Ultra and Extreme, Samsung Evo Plus, and Lexar Silver Pro, focusing on their performance, speed, and capacity options. It emphasizes the importance of selecting the right card for specific needs, especially for tasks like 4K video recording and app usage, ensuring optimal functionality across various devices.
Micro SD cards, including XC, SC, and HC types, provide the essential flexibility needed for storing additional data on various devices such as smartphones, Nintendo Switch consoles, cameras, and drones. When your device’s storage runs low, having the right card can make all the difference. However, selecting the appropriate model is crucial, as not all cards perform alike.
Discover the Top Micro SD Cards for 2024
While many smartphones come with ample internal storage, this often proves insufficient as apps become larger and users accumulate photos, music, videos, and other data. These files can quickly consume available memory.
A micro SD card can be a vital addition not only for smartphones but also for portable gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, as well as for cameras, GoPro devices, and drones. However, navigating the selection process can be challenging. It’s essential to consider both specifications and intended usage.
In this comprehensive buying guide, we present the finest models available to help you find the ideal card tailored to your needs. Later on, we will delve into the key features to keep in mind when choosing this type of accessory.
SanDisk Ultra Micro SD Card: Speed and Reliability Up to 512 GB
Let’s kick off with the SanDisk Ultra series of memory cards, which are perfect for smartphones and those looking to capture Full HD videos. SanDisk Ultra cards fall under class 10/U1, ensuring a minimum write speed of 10 MB/s.
When used in cameras or drones, these cards are recommended for Full HD recording, boasting a theoretical transfer speed of up to 120 MB/s. Additionally, SanDisk Ultra microSD cards are “A1” certified, ensuring quicker app loading times.
This certification guarantees a seamless experience with faster application performance. Available in capacities from 16 GB to 512 GB, you’ll easily find a version that meets your requirements.
SanDisk Extreme: Exceptional Performance with Up to 1 TB Storage
If you’re aiming to record videos in 4K, the SanDisk Extreme micro SD card is the better choice, surpassing the Ultra line. It features V30 certification for video capture, equivalent to the U3 standard, which guarantees a minimum write speed of 30 MB/s—ideal for 4K video recording on most devices.
These high-performance memory cards can achieve sequential speeds of up to 160 MB/s for reading and 90 MB/s for writing. They are compatible with smartphones, cameras, drones, and the Nintendo Switch, while also boasting A2 certification for efficient app performance on Android devices.
Built to endure extreme conditions, SanDisk Extreme cards are resistant to temperature variations, water exposure, shocks, and X-rays. They come in sizes ranging from 32 GB to 1 TB.
Samsung Evo Plus Micro SD Card: Versatile Storage Options Up to 512 GB
The latest Samsung Evo Plus micro SD cards belong to the U3 class and hold V30 certification, promising sufficient throughput for both reading and recording 4K UHD videos on most cameras, as well as excellent Full HD performance. With speeds reaching up to 130 MB/s, these cards are built for durability.
Offering great value for money, the Samsung Evo Plus 2021 memory card is compatible with various devices, including smartphones, tablets, cameras, and the Switch. It also meets A2 application class standards.
With an included SD adapter, this card is versatile enough to fit into any device with an SD or micro SD slot. Remember that the maximum speed of 130 MB/s is achieved only when using the adapter supplied by Samsung.
SanDisk MicroSD Card for Nintendo Switch
Most microSD cards work seamlessly with the Nintendo Switch, with Nintendo recommending UHS-1 cards that offer transfer speeds between 60 and 95 MB/s. All the cards discussed here meet these requirements, but if you’re seeking an officially licensed Nintendo model, consider this option.
This SanDisk microSD card, officially branded for the Nintendo Switch, is among the few licensed models available, offering no difference in functionality compared to other cards. It provides a transfer rate of up to 100 MB/s, significantly exceeding what’s necessary for a smooth gaming experience, and is available in sizes from 64 GB to 512 GB.
Lexar Silver Pro (UHS-II): The Ultimate Card for Photography and Videography
The Lexar Professional Silver Pro memory card is tailored for photographers and videographers seeking top-tier performance. Utilizing the UHS-II memory bus, it achieves a maximum throughput of 280 MB/s for reading and 160 MB/s for writing, with available capacities ranging from 32 GB to 512 GB.
Certified with V60, this card guarantees a minimum speed of 60 MB/s for video recording, making it perfect for 4K filming in various conditions. Its versatility extends to compatibility with devices that only support UHS-I, reaching speeds up to 100 MB/s.
Samsung Pro Endurance: Up to 16 Years of Continuous Recording
The Samsung Pro Endurance microSD card is notable for its exceptional lifespan, designed to deliver several years of continuous recording without failure risk. This feature is particularly beneficial for surveillance cameras and dashcams.
The 64 GB variant of this card falls under class 10 or U1 speed class, which is adequate for recording in Full HD.