If you’re taking footage on your action camera, streaming music and movies on your smartphone, or wanting to pack more games on your Nintendo Switch, microSD cards are still on demand. Whatever storage capacity you’ve had on your device never seems to be enough, and no one wants to uninstall applications, games or pictures just to make room for more. What’s more, the increasing proliferation of action cameras and dashcams means that we have more gadgets than ever before that require tiny memory cards.
We have done our research and have narrowed it down to the top 5 best micro that are worth your money.
Product Highlights
Established in 1988 and acquired by Western Digital in 2016, SanDisk has a long history of storage – one of its co-founders has created EEPROM. The business has definitely not slowed down in all these years, with better, quicker and higher capacity storage media being launched on a daily basis. It’s not surprising then that Nintendo has teamed up with SanDisk.
Besides the many different versions of microSD storage available, SanDisk’s offerings include the official Nintendo Switch microSDXC. Available in 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB capacities, and coloured white, red and gold/yellow, these microSDXC cards can quickly improve the Switch’s paltry storage offering.
Features
Upload speeds are excellent, with both versions having read speeds of up to 100MB/s, up to 90MB/s on 256 GB and 128 GB versions and up to 60MB/s on 64 GB models. Furthermore, each card is UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and a 30-year warranty is also available. Placing the card into the Switch is quite easy. Only raise the Switch stand at the back of the device, and slide it in the slot at the bottom of the card – press it until it clicks. Our Switch required a simple device modification to accept cards over 32 GB, but the card was working and ready to go in less than a minute.
What We Like About SanDisk Nintendo Switch MicroSDXC card
While theoretically speaking, you can use any microSDXC card within the switch to extend capacity; there is a degree of confidence in using the official product. True, you can order a 1 TB card from eBay for a pittance and you might be fortunate enough to have it to work well. But more likely than not, you’re going to be shocked. Cheap cards are alright, but they’re not necessarily the perfect option.
You’re covered with the SanDisk Nintendo Switch microSDXC. It’s the scale that’s seen in the package. It works as soon as it’s put into the Switch, and you’ve got a nice warranty to back up just in case something goes wrong.
What We Don’t Like About SanDisk Nintendo Switch MicroSDXC card
Some users have problems formatting the card.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Value for Money Available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB sizes Excellent upload speed | Formatting might be problematic |
Product Highlights
Samsung Evo Select is a small memory card that transfers files easily, with read speeds of up to 100MB/s and write speeds of up to 90MB/s, recognized as UHS-I Speed Grade 3 and Class 10. This means that you can manage images, audio, and even 4 K Ultra HD videos without any complications.
Features
The Samsung EVO Pick 256 GB microSDXC card offers enormous capacity and impressive speed. The new 256 GB storage card provides 95MB/s read and 90MB/s write speeds far above 80MB/s read and 20MB/s write speeds claimed for lower-capacity cards in the same range. The 256 GB EVO Select card supports the UHS-I high-speed interface and is rated UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) to ensure full HD and 4K video streams can be captured without interruption. The U3 rating means that the card should achieve a sustained write speed of at least 30MB/s. The lower capacity cards of the EVO Select series, 32, 64 and 128 GB, are rated U1 (at least 10MB / s write speed). Samsung EVO Pick flashcards are subject to a 10-year warranty.
What We Like About Samsung Evo Select
To keep your data secure, Samsung Evo Select protects against extreme temperatures, water, other environmental conditions and even unexpected shock or x-ray damage. In addition, the optional SD adapter ensures that this memory card is compatible with a wide variety of computers.
What We Don’t Like About Samsung Evo Select
Users have claimed that the card falters on performance a few months after use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports the UHS-I high-speed interface Good transfer speed Strong build | Peak performance does not last for long |
Product Highlights
Kingston is known for its high-quality memory items and the newest to roll out of its facilities is a new range of microSD cards optimized for read and write-intensive applications in harsh environments. We’re looking at the Kingston High Endurance 128 GB microSDXC. This one belongs to the company’s Longevity family of microSD cards that offer comprehensive resilience, increased operating temperature range and protection against harsh environments.
Features
The 32 GB and 64 GB models give up to 95 MB/s of sequential read speed as well as
30 MB/s of sequential write speed. However, the 128 GB edition has a sequential write speed of up to 45 MB/s. High Endurance microSDXC cards use the UHS-I protocol, with the cards officially classified as UHS Speed Class 1.
If you happen to own a dash camera, you undoubtedly already know the value of combining it with a high resilience micro SD card that can handle both the maximum and lowest possible temperatures (some dash camera models get really hot not only in the summer but also during service). Of note, the same is true of experienced photographers who take pictures in very cold and warm areas.
That being said, there are several models currently on the market that appear to be ideal for those conditions, but in practice, very few of those models are advertised for that particular feature. In April of this year, Kingston launched their High Durability series of micro SD cards, and today we have the top of the 128 GB series.
What We Like About Kingston Endurance
Kingston’s High Longevity 128 GB microSDHC cards target the IoT market and target applications such as home security and surveillance cameras, dash cams and body cams. While the microSDXC card can be used on laptops, smartphones and so on, the true performance potential can be achieved if you use it on read and write-intensive devices such as dash cams, security cameras and so on. You also get a two-year worth of warranty for the card. The Kingston High Endurance microSDXC cards live up to its name by offering unwavering solid performance.
What We Don’t Like About Kingston Endurance
For some users, this card did not work in dash cams.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely high on durability classified as UHS Speed Class 1 Highly resilient to temperature extremes | May not work in some dash cams |
4. SanDisk 256GB High Endurance Video microSDXC Card
Product Highlights
The SanDisk ® High Endurance MicroSDTM card offers you peace of mind. It helps your dash camera, home surveillance or protection device record vital video as it occurs, capturing and re-recording without concern. It’s made rugged too — ready to film in intense heat or freezing cold, plus it’s shockproof, waterproof and x-ray proof.
Features
It’s also classified Level 10, U3 and V304 because it has the speed you need to film in Full HD or 4K. Storage up to 256GB6 lets you record and store more content, and read speeds up to 100MB/s lets you upload the footage easily.
Made to last, this microSD card can be securely recorded. The card can withstand rough conditions. Since you often need to record video in less than optimal conditions, the SanDisk ® High Endurance MicroSDTM card is temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof and x-ray-proof. The card gives you the ability to record in full HD or 4 K format. Class 10 rated and U3 and V304 video rates, the SanDisk ® High Endurance microSDTM card has the ability to film in Full HD or 4K.
What We Like About SanDisk 256GB High Endurance Video microSDXC Card
Its high durability helps you to record and re-record. Writing and rewriting will take its toll on a memory stick, but this stick is designed to stand up to the challenge. The 256 GB capacity card is designed to accommodate up to 20,000 hours of trouble-free recording.
With a size of up to 256GB6, you can capture and save more footage between rewrites.
What We Don’t Like About SanDisk 256GB High Endurance Video microSDXC Card
The card develops performance issues after a few months of being used.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof and x-ray-proof Good recording capacity | Performance issues |
Product Highlights
The SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 is the premium edition of the revised performance-driven line offering twice the speed of the non-Pro edition. Using the company’s in-house NVMe SSD technologies through the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD is suitable for photographers and videographers who need a computer for effortlessly (and directly) editing their 4 K projects.
It is also intended for fans who want the quickest, most readily accessible hardware, gamers who need easy extra storage for next-gen gaming consoles, and even explorers who need a reliable, durable computer that can withstand most of the elements.
Features
The Extreme Pro has an IP55 ranking. This unique classification ensures that the enclosure is secured from dust and slight exposure to liquids, such as rain and unintended spills. SanDisk also suggests that drops of up to 2 metres will endure. All of this makes the new portable drive of SanDisk the perfect option for those who work outdoors or who are constantly on the move.
While the configuration of the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD seems to be identical to the non-Pro edition (charcoal/black and orange outline colour scheme) at first glance, there are several major variations. First, it is significantly longer than the standard model with a length of 4.34 inches and a thickness of 0.4 inches, an improvement of about 9 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.
SanDisk has been making portable SSDs for some time and the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD is a nice addition. This version of the drive is optimized for those who require optimum output, such as creative professionals, adventurers or gamers looking for extra power, at high speeds.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD comes with capacities as high as 2TB and speeds as high as 2GB/s.
What We Like About SanDisk Extreme Pro
The Pro also has a more premium construction, as it uses a mixture of aluminium and silicon for its frame (the former that serves as a heat sink to ensure high continuous transfer speeds). Overall, this is a really good portable drive that looks solid in the side. As a portable drive, consumers need to think about bumps and gravel. SanDisk comes with an IP55 ranking that means they can withstand a bit of soil and water.
What We Don’t Like About SanDisk Extreme Pro
A drawback of this card would be that it falls in a higher price bracket than other cards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Built to last High storage capacity Ideal for videographers | Expensive |
Conclusion
The best micro SD card according to us is the SanDisk 256GB High Endurance Video microSDXC Card. With its ability to withstand changes in temperature and an impressive recording and rewriting capacity, we believe this card can be your best storage companion.
We have also mentioned other options so that you can choose what’s best for you.
More to read:
Top 5 PCIe Wifi Cards for Fast Network Connectivity.
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