One of the best microSD playing cards in 2025

Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for reinforcing cupboard space and making easy file transfers, however some present just a little extra worth than others. When you’ve obtained a tool that also accepts microSD playing cards — whether or not it’s an older gaming handheld, the brand new Nintendo Switch 2, a splash cam, a drone or an Android tablet — we’ve scoured the market and put shut to twenty prime contenders by way of quite a few benchmark checks. You could find our suggestions for the most effective microSD playing cards beneath, alongside some basic purchasing recommendation before you purchase.

Desk of contents

Finest microSD playing cards of 2025

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Pace lessons: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: 10-year restricted

Storage costs are inclined to fluctuate, nevertheless, and the Samsung Pro Plus — our former “finest for many” decide — continues to be value contemplating should you see it accessible for a number of {dollars} lower than the Silver Plus within the capability you need. Its sequential learn and (particularly) write efficiency was slower than Lexar’s card throughout the board however nonetheless on par with or higher than practically each different UHS-I card we’ve examined. Its random reads and writes have been usually second to the pricier Samsung Pro Ultimate, however solely by just a little, so it’s well-suited for a conveyable recreation console or another setup the place it’d be requested to entry tiny bits of information scattered all through a tool. It’s held up completely effective in our long-term testing as nicely. That stated, the Silver Plus is the higher card when it’s in the identical worth vary, plus Samsung’s has a shorter 10-year guarantee.

When you do find yourself grabbing one, although, be sure you get the most recent mannequin with learn speeds rated at 180MB/s. An older-generation mannequin with slower sequential reads and random efficiency should be hanging round at some on-line retailers, so keep away from that one. Samsung additionally sells Sonic the Hedgehog-themed versions of the Professional Plus with equivalent efficiency scores, however these often price a couple of bucks additional. 

Professionals

• Fast sequential and random speeds
• Available at trusted retailers
• Has a 1TB choice

Cons

• Slower than our prime decide, particularly with sequential write efficiency
• 10-year guarantee is not the longest

$20 at Amazon

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (“new technology” mannequin solely) | Pace lessons: 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 prime picks, notably relating to sequential write speeds (slightly below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark). So we don’t suggest it for any type of digital camera. Nonetheless, it’s completely usable for easy storage growth, and its sequential and random learn speeds have been nonetheless respectable in our benchmarks.

Most significantly, it’s often cheap: We have beforehand seen the 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB fashions fall as little as $13, $18, $33 and $70, respectively. The latter two capacities could possibly be notably effective values should you simply desire a large chunk of house from a good model on a budget. That stated, you must nonetheless seize the Lexar Skilled Silver Plus or Samsung Professional Plus as an alternative if both one is wherever shut in worth.

Professionals

• Usually discounted
• Acceptable efficiency if worth is chief concern
• Has a 1TB choice

Cons

• Slower than different prime picks, notably in sequential write and random efficiency benchmarks
• 10-year guarantee is not the longest

$13 at Amazon

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB | Pace lessons: U3, A1, Class 10 | Guarantee: Lifetime restricted

Let’s be clear about this: Until you propose to personal a Nintendo Switch 2 within the close to future, you nearly actually don’t want the SanDisk microSD Express Card, or another microSD Specific card, simply but. Other than Nintendo’s new handheld, gadgets that natively assist this normal are exceedingly unusual proper now, and this explicit card is very costly, beginning at $56 for 128GB.

As a result of microSD Specific gadgets aren’t widespread but, you will seemingly want to purchase a appropriate adapter to see the improved speeds on a pc, which tacks much more onto the underside line. The SanDisk reader we used for testing, for instance, costs a whopping $112. The reader we used for Lexar’s Play Professional, one other new Specific card, prices $100. At that time, you’re higher off shopping for a portable SSD should you simply need to stash and transfer information. To additional that time, SanDisk’s card is just accessible in 128GB or 256GB capacities.

A few other Express cards will provide extra room for much less money, however most of these have been both simply launched or aren’t but accessible; we plan to check them for a future replace. Plus, even should you do get a Swap 2, the costs immediately are in all probability as costly as they’ll ever get. It additionally stays to be seen if the console will even permit for vital efficiency variations between playing cards. So should you can maintain out, you must.

Right here’s hoping the Swap 2 does lead microSD Specific to turn out to be extra extensively accepted although, as a result of this factor is miles sooner than any conventional card available on the market. Sequential reads checked in slightly below 900 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark and ATTO, which was in step with SanDisk’s 880 MB/s score and a good methods above the Lexar Play Professional. Sequential writes topped out round 650 MB/s, proper as marketed. These write speeds solely apply to the 256GB mannequin we examined, although; SanDisk says they will peak at 480 MB/s with the 128GB variant.

Sustained efficiency isn’t at all times on par with these most speeds: With our bigger take a look at file, we observed that write speeds would begin round 530 MB/s then dip nearer to 210 MB/s till the switch was full. Certain sufficient, SanDisk advertises minimal sustained write speeds of 210 MB/s for the 256GB mannequin and 100 MB/s for the 128GB model. (Lexar’s microSD Specific card behaved equally, seemingly as a result of these playing cards’ tiny frames can solely deal with a lot earlier than they should throttle issues down.) Nonetheless, this was fast sufficient to maneuver the 12GB file to the cardboard in 52 seconds on common. It took a mere 20 seconds to learn the file again to our PC. The write take a look at with our smaller 1.15GB take a look at folder, in the meantime, averaged simply 4.5 seconds. 

All of it provides as much as a card that is no less than twice as quick as the most effective UHS-I fashions we’ve examined by way of sequential learn and write speeds, with three or 4 occasions the efficiency in some instances (notably with the 256GB mannequin). The gulf in random reads and writes was related, and in some benchmarks even better.

That stated, solely these with a Swap 2 pre-order in place, money to burn and/or a deep curiosity in new applied sciences ought to take into account the SanDisk microSD Specific Card proper now. It’s a real leap ahead, however you’ll should pay for it.

Professionals

• Simply the quickest microSD card we have examined, by any metric
• Lifetime restricted guarantee
• Suitable with Nintendo Swap 2

Cons

• Units that assist microSD Specific moreover Swap 2 are extraordinarily restricted
• Costly, and requires a dear reader to attain full efficiency on most gadgets
• Solely accessible in 128GB or 256GB

$54 at SanDisk

Different notable microSD playing cards

Lexar Play Professional microSD Specific Card

The Lexar Play Pro is the second microSD Specific card we’ve examined, and you may consider it as a “1A” decide subsequent to SanDisk’s mannequin. It doesn’t are available a 128GB configuration, however the 256GB mannequin is less expensive at $50, plus it’s accessible in 512GB and 1TB capacities. It’s sooner relating to sequential writes, measuring round 720 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark and 700 MB/s in ATTO. It additionally managed to put in writing our bigger take a look at file in roughly 35 seconds in sure runs, which was notably faster than the SanDisk card.

Nevertheless, its sequential reads have been fairly definitively slower — even when they’re nonetheless much better than the remainder of the market — and people are extra necessary for lowering load occasions with the Swap 2 in principle. The improved sequential writes have been additionally considerably inconsistent: Typically it’d take nearer to 50 seconds to complete our real-world take a look at, bouncing between the low-200 MB/s vary and the high-400 MB/s vary alongside the way in which. At that time, it is solely marginally sooner than the SanDisk card. Random speeds, in the meantime, weren’t vastly totally different, so each must be equally adept at retaining bigger video games like Mario Kart World operating clean.

In the long run, the Swap 2 is the one actual purpose to purchase a microSD Specific card proper now, and we will’t say for positive how totally different fashions will carry out on that system simply but. The “finest” choice could find yourself being whichever one is most cost-effective. Nonetheless, the Play Professional is value grabbing should you should purchase an Specific card immediately and wish greater than 256GB of house.

Samsung Professional Final

The Samsung Pro Ultimate was the closest competitor to the Lexar Skilled Silver Plus throughout our benchmark checks, nevertheless it’s tangibly worse by way of sequential write speeds, usually prices extra and doesn’t provide a 1TB choice. The Samsung Professional Plus is a bit slower for sequential reads, nevertheless it’s shut sufficient in any other case and often simpler to seek out at a lower cost.

Lexar Skilled Gold

We’ve not used it ourselves, however should you’re keen to pay for a extra highly effective UHS-II card constructed for heavy-duty video recording, the Lexar Professional Gold has tested well elsewhere and will ship considerably sooner sequential write speeds than our UHS-I picks above. It’s one of many few UHS-II playing cards we might truly discover in inventory, nevertheless it’s dear, with a 128GB mannequin usually priced within the $35 to $40 vary.

SanDisk Excessive

The SanDisk Extreme successfully matched the Professional Plus in a number of of our sequential checks, however that was partly as a consequence of us solely with the ability to safe the 256GB mannequin, which is higher-rated than the 128GB model. It’s a effective alternative should you see it on sale at a good vendor, nevertheless it’s broadly slower than our prime decide and infrequently prices extra.

SanDisk GamePlay

The SanDisk GamePlay performs equally to the SanDisk Excessive however prices an excellent bit additional as of our newest replace. We couldn’t get it to achieve its marketed speeds with the corporate’s personal “Professional” card reader or different third-party choices, so it fell in need of our prime picks.

SanDisk Pokémon

The SanDisk Pokémon does outperform its marketed learn and write speeds, however not by sufficient to outpace the Lexar Silver Plus or Samsung Professional Plus. It primarily expenses additional for having an image of Pikachu (or Gengar, or Snorlax) on a product you’ll by no means have a look at.

SanDisk Excessive Professional

The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a detailed analog to the Samsung Professional Final however, as of this writing, is both unavailable at most trusted retailers or priced too excessive by comparability. The Lexar Skilled Silver Plus has sooner sequential write speeds as nicely.

PNY XLR8 Gaming

The PNY XLR8 is an reasonably priced card that comes with as much as 512GB of house. Its sequential and random writes speeds checked in just a little bit above these of Samsung’s Evo Choose, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee. However its sequential reads have been a lot, a lot slower, placing it out of rivalry.

PNY Elite-X

The PNY Elite-X usually goes for affordable and wasn’t too far off the random learn/write efficiency of Samsung’s Professional Plus in CrystalDiskMark. Just like the XLR8, it’s additionally barely above the Evo Choose in write speeds. However its sequential reads have been too far behind all of our prime picks, and it not seems to be accessible in capacities above 256GB.

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 cupboard space you want. Fashionable playing cards are generally accessible in sizes starting from 32GB to 512GB, with a number of fashions now accessible in 1TB or 1.5TB capacities as nicely. The primary 2TB cards from major brands have began to reach in latest months as nicely, which is thrilling, however these are nonetheless pretty uncommon (and really costly) by comparability.

For many, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin must be a candy spot between worth and cupboard space. However should you want extra room — say, for stashing a bunch of video games on a Steam Deck — a 512GB card or better might make extra sense and infrequently gives a greater cost-per-GB ratio. As of late, you will discover an honest 128GB card for round $15, an excellent 256GB card for lower than $30 and a strong 512GB card for round $40 (with sooner fashions priced just a little greater). There’s a starker improve whenever you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which regularly price nearer to $100, although we’ve seen some fall into the $70 to $80 vary extra continuously during the last 12 months. The primary wave of 2TB playing cards are a fair greater leap: the 2TB SanDisk Extreme, for instance, now has a listing worth slightly below $250.

Be aware {that a} microSD card’s efficiency could 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.

After we speak about microSD playing cards immediately, we usually consult with playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capacity) standard, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your gadget must assist this for it to work with a microSDXC card. This can nearly by no means be a problem as of late, however some older gadgets (a Nintendo 3DS, as an illustration) 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 often measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Typically, 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 whenever you’re attempting to entry (learn) or save (write) lengthy, fixed streams of information, corresponding to opening a big video or copying an enormous batch of information from a PC. If you wish to use a microSD card for media storage, that is notably necessary. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how shortly 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 necessary should you use a card with a gaming gadget 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 areas.

Pace scores

When you have a look at a microSD card, you’ll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of those consult 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 necessary when recording video from a digital camera. It ranges from V6 to V90. Many of the playing cards we examined had a V30 score, so 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. Larger-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are often higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot greater 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 score overlaps with the opposite two methods. 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 score 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 An emblem, is an indicator of random learn/write speeds. That is measured in IOPS, or enter/output operations per second, relatively 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 couple of,000 IOPS, respectively. Each scores 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 scores. It’s completely doable to get a strong card with out these: A U1 card is likely to be value it should you simply want an affordable, high-capacity choice, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are value a glance should you’re severe about taking pictures high-resolution pictures and video as nicely. However general, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present the most effective mix of worth and efficiency immediately.

It’s necessary to emphasise that these scores are baselines. Most V30 playing cards provide considerably greater write speeds than 30 MB/s, as an illustration, and a few A1 playing cards can outperform some A2 fashions in follow. 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 sooner.

UHS bus speeds

The opposite spec to notice is the cardboard’s bus interface. Most microSD playing cards accessible immediately are UHS-I, which has 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 may attain as much as 312 MB/s. (A UHS-III normal technically exists as nicely however hasn’t seen extensive adoption.) These are labeled on the cardboard with a Roman numeral I or II.

UHS-II playing cards are usually those with these greater V60 or V90 scores. When you shoot numerous 4K to 8K video or continuously use burst mode to seize extremely high-res pictures, the efficiency positive factors of an excellent UHS-II card can prevent time.

Nevertheless, these are way more costly than UHS-I playing cards: This 128GB Lexar Professional Gold mannequin, as an illustration, is a relative discount at $35. Whereas that is lower than many UHS-II fashions we’ve seen up to now, it is nonetheless greater than double the widespread avenue worth of our prime decide above. 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 commonly 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 with our suggestions.

microSD Specific and the Nintendo Swap 2

Absolutely the quickest microSD playing cards you should purchase, nevertheless, are primarily based on a distinct interface known as SD Express. This has technically been around for a number of years and now includes its personal subset of speed classes, however the gist is that it is a lot sooner than UHS-I or UHS-II: SanDisk’s not too long ago launched microSD Express card, one of many first commercially accessible fashions, advertises sequential learn speeds as much as 880MB/s. That’s faster than some older SSDs.

It’s a considerable improve that has largely held up in our testing, however only a few in style gadgets natively assist SD Specific immediately. The primary main exception is the Nintendo Switch 2, which is only compatible with the newer normal, because it’s wanted to maintain up with the efficiency calls for of recent handheld video games.

Moreover SanDisk, producers like Samsung, Lexar and PNY have already launched microSD Specific playing cards to go along with the console. The presumption is that having such a preferred gadget embrace the tech will solely additional its adoption and drive costs down.

However it’s nonetheless early days, and proper now all microSD Specific playing cards price way more than the most effective UHS-I and even UHS-II choices. Past the Swap 2, it’s doable to benefit from these playing cards’ superior speeds with a devoted SD Specific card reader, however that provides much more to the ultimate price. It’s additionally value noting that SD Specific playing cards usually are not backwards appropriate with UHS-II (or UHS-III), so should you attempt to plug one into a tool with a UHS-II slot, it’ll be restricted to UHS-I speeds. Nonetheless, they’re a should for Nintendo followers going ahead, and the tech ought to have loads of attraction if extra devices that assist the interface do arrive.

A notice on card readers and reaching marketed speeds

Whereas the UHS-I interface has a theoretical most of 104 MB/s, some UHS-I playing cards can exceed that pace by way of proprietary extensions. Nevertheless, you want a appropriate card reader and host gadget to benefit from that additional efficiency. When you discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds greater than 104 MB/s, that is what’s occurring. You may see these limits in motion with an unique Nintendo Swap or Steam Deck: Both of those gaming gadgets assist the UHS-I interface however don’t transcend its official pace, flattening any sequential positive factors some playing cards could have elsewhere. (Variations in random learn and write speeds can nonetheless matter, although.) The identical factor will occur should you plug a extra highly effective UHS-II or SD Specific card into a tool that doesn’t settle for these interfaces.

The 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 provide lifetime or 10-year restricted warranties, although we’ve observed that “endurance” playing cards marketed to resist extra hours of writing are often lined for a shorter time period. For instance, Samsung’s Pro Endurance, a mannequin aimed toward safety cameras and different monitoring gadgets, comes with a five-year guarantee.

Avoiding counterfeits

The reminiscence card market has had a specific downside with scammers promoting faux merchandise. To protect towards this, solely purchase from a recognized model and a good retailer corresponding to Finest Purchase, B&H Photograph or Adorama. When you store at Amazon, solely purchase if the shipper and vendor is Amazon.com. (That stated, a handful of customers have reported receiving counterfeits even from Amazon immediately up to now, so train warning.) Keep in mind: If a worth appears too good to be true, it in all probability is. Be cautious of any retailer providing a considerably lower cost than everybody else.

When you obtain a card, test its packaging for any irregularities. You may run benchmark checks like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Speed Test to confirm its speeds aren’t drastically decrease than what’s marketed (or doable, given its specs). You may as well use software program that’s designed to confirm the true capability and efficiency of your card, corresponding to H2testw and FakeFlashTest.

How we take a look at microSD playing cards

We have put about 20 microSD playing cards by way of a sequence of checks 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 a number of “real-world” checks. We copied and pasted a small folder of pictures about 1.15GB in measurement 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, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Apex Legends — then timing how lengthy it took to launch every recreation and cargo save information. We do a number of runs of every take a look at to confirm our findings and account for potential outliers.

The place relevant, we used a Kingston USB 3.2 UHS-II reader to check every card on each Home windows 11 and macOS Sequoia. Nevertheless, if a card could possibly be bundled with (or is particularly marketed to make use of) a proprietary reader, we primarily examined with that, since we determine that’s the one most patrons will find yourself utilizing. For Home windows testing, 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 macOS, we used a 2021 16-inch MacBook Professional with an Apple M1 Professional chip, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. If a reader couldn’t join over USB-C, we used CalDigit’s TS4 dock to check the corresponding card on the MacBook.

We examined the 128GB model of every card every time we might, although we have been solely capable of take a look at higher-capacity fashions for a number of choices. We additionally reformatted every card earlier than testing with the SD Affiliation’s Memory Card Formatter tool.

Current updates

Might 2025: We’ve up to date this information to make sure our recommendation is correct and to replicate the brand new Nintendo Swap 2’s use of microSD Specific playing cards. We’ve additionally added testing notes for the Lexar Play Professional microSD Specific card and the extra normal PNY XLR8. We’ve eliminated mentions of some playing cards which have seemingly been discontinued, together with the unique Kingston Canvas Go Plus, the Lexar Skilled 1066x and the 2021 Samsung Evo Choose. We plan to check extra new microSD Specific playing cards for a future replace, plus a number of different latest releases from Kingston, SanDisk, Lexar and PNY.

February 2025: We’ve up to date this information with a brand new prime decide: the Lexar Skilled Silver Plus. The Samsung Professional Plus, our earlier advice, stays as a runner-up. We’ve additionally added SanDisk’s not too long ago launched microSD Specific card as a decide for many who need absolutely the quickest card doable, albeit with heavy caveats. This is likely one of the first microSD playing cards to make use of the SD Specific bus interface, so we’ve included extra particulars on what that entails in our “what to search for in a microSD card” part. Lastly, we’ve eliminated our write-up for SanDisk’s Apex Legends card, because it seems to have been discontinued, and included testing notes for a few the corporate’s newer releases.

November 2024: We have checked again with this information to make sure our suggestions are nonetheless correct and made mild edits for readability.

August 2024: We’ve up to date this information to notice the not too long ago launched 1TB fashions for 3 of our prime picks: the Samsung Professional Plus, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus and the Samsung Evo Choose. We’ve additionally made positive all pricing particulars are as updated as they are often.