The Most Reliable Sd Cards For 2024

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Most Reliable Sd Cards
Most Reliable Sd Cards

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: SanDisk 128GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter

Get the speed you need with this A1 rated SDXC UHS-I Memory Card. It’s compatible with all cameras that work with SD cards and includes an SD adapter for use in your camera. Plus, its built-in storage capacity gives you enough room to store your valuable content for years to come. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD-Memory-Card

The Samsung EVO Select Micro SD-card is a high speed and UHS-I rated memory card with the latest technology for the ultimate performance. With fast transfer speeds of up to 130MB/s¹ and 4K video recording, you can quickly and easily load big apps and run them smoothly, while still capturing 4K video at 30fps. Read Review

3. Best Durable: 32GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card SD Card by Micro Center (2 Pack)

This SD card is perfect for your digital camera and other devices. With 32GB of memory, this card gives your device enough space to take care of all the photos, videos and music you have stored on your device. Read Review

4. Best Reliable: SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB SDHC UHS-I Card (SDSDXXG-032G-GN4IN)

The powerful SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-I Card is designed to maximize post-production workflow. Its shockproof, temperatureproof, waterproof, and x-ray-proof design guarantees your files’ safety during production. Read Review

Since the dawn of digital cameras, photographers have struggled to find the ideal storage medium. When you’re shooting photos at a frequency that might not be sustainable for your camera’s memory, you need to be able to switch out cards often so that you can keep shooting again and again. In most cases, the best SD card for your camera is the one that works consistently with it.

For this reason, we’ve done extensive research into which SD cards are reliable enough to use with your camera on a regular basis. We checked user reviews across popular online retailers, as well as manufacturer websites to determine which manufacturers produce reliable products. If you’re ready for more details about what makes an excellent SD card, continue reading our detailed guide below!

Following extensive study and analysis, we've come up with the SanDisk 128GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter, which we hope will meet your demands. However, it is not the only thing on our list. We also show a full buyer's guide and a number of different options are available to help you find the most suitable one.

Our Top Picks

  • Ideal for Android smartphones and tablets, and MIL cameras. Operating Temperature- (-13°F ) to 185°F (-25°C to 85°C)
  • Load apps faster with A1-rated performance (1). (1) A1 performance is 1500 read IOPS, 500 write IOPS. Based on internal testing. Results may vary based on host device, app type and other factors.
  • Up to 120MB/s transfer speeds let you move up to 1000 photos in a minute (5). Up to 120MB/s read speed, engineered with proprietary technology to reach speeds beyond UHS-I 104MB/s, require compatible devices capable of reaching such speed. Write speeds lower. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. (5)Based on internal testing on images with an average file size of 3.55MB (up to 3.7GB total) with USB 3.0 reader. Your results will vary based on host device, file attributes, and other factors.
  • Up to 128GB to store even more hours of Full HD video (2). 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. 1TB=1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less. (2) Full HD (1920x1080) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes, and other factors.
TOP Choice #2 SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD-Memory-Card
Our Score:
9.7
SAMSUNG
  • YOU'RE FULLY PROTECTED: EVO Select Plus provides reliable storage and takes on life’s adventures with water⁴, temperature⁵, X-ray⁶, ⁷magnet, drop⁸, and wears⁹ out protection; Backed by a 10-year limited warranty; Proofs are for the microSD card and do not include the adaptor
  • ALL THE SPACE YOU NEED: Store tons of media on your phone, load games or download more apps on your tablet at top-notch speed, making transfers seamless and reliable
  • FAST AND SMOOTH: With superfast U3, class 10 rated transfer speeds of up to 130MB/s¹,²and UHS-I Interface³ big apps load and run smoothly, while 4K video remains sharp with A2, V30, and USH-I Interface
  • FLASH MEMORY CARD: Performance and reliability you can count on from the flash memory brand; All firmware and components are produced in-house
  • EXPAND AND STORE BIG: Find your perfect fit from 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB; Select the best capacity for all your memories
  • SDHC card Read speed: 60MB/s, Write speed: 10MB/s, allowing quick picture shooting and file transfer
  • 3-Year Limited Warranty. Rugged construction to resist damage. SDHC memory cards can ONLY be used with SDHC / SDXC host devices, will NOT work with SD host devices. Look for the SDHC / SDXC logo on host devices to ensure compatibility
  • Full-size SD card, 32GB SDHC flash memory card 2 pack. Not compatible with mobile phones due to physical dimensions
  • SDHC supporting devices ONLY. Not backwards compatible, legacy devices may not be supported. Consult your device specifications for compatibility
  • Class 10 speed rating ensures even and sustained video recording performance for full HD videos
  • Shock-proof, temperature-proof, waterproof, and x-ray-proof
  • Ideal for professionals looking to maximize post-production workflow
  • Read speeds of up to 95MB/s; write speeds of up to 90MB/s
  • UHS speed Class 3 (U3) and UHS video speed Class 30 (V30) for 4K UHD video
  • Reliable Thermal Control: To ensure stable performance, the 980 PRO uses nickel coating to help manage the controller's heat level and a heat spreader label to deliver effective thermal control of the NAND chip
  • A Winning Combination: Designed for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users, the 980 PRO offers high-performance bandwidth for heavy-duty applications in gaming, graphics, data analytics, and more
  • Next-Level SSD Performance: Unleash the power of Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for next-level computing
  • Flash Memory Brand: All firmware and components, including Samsung's world-renowned DRAM and NAND, are produced in-house, allowing end-to-end integration for quality you can trust
  • Samsung Magician: A suite of user-friendly tools helps keep your drive up to date, monitor drive health and speed, and even boost performance
  • Efficient M.2 SSD: The 980 PRO comes in a compact M.2 2280 form factor, thus optimizing power efficiency, making it ideal for building high-performance computing systems
  • Smart Thermal Solution: Embedded with Samsung's cutting-edge thermal control algorithm, 980 PRO manages heat on its own to deliver durable and reliable performance, while minimizing performance fluctuations during extended usage
  • Maximum Speed: 980 PRO is raising the bar for NVMe SSDs, delivering read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s
  • More Space and Higher Speed: Free up your devices with the largest capacity, perfect for 4K UHD video (4K UHD video support for 51GB, 256GB and 128GB cards. Host device compatibility my vary)
  • Built to Last Reliability: Keep your memories, adventures and data safe against water, extreme temperatures, and other harsh conditions; Memory card is waterproof, temperature proof, X ray proof and magnetic proof
  • Ultra Fast Read/Write Speeds: Up to 100MB/S Read and 90MB/S Write Speeds; UHS Speed Class U3 and Speed Class 10 (Performance may vary based on host device, interface, usage conditions, and other factors)
  • Capacity to Live Large: With massive amounts of storage, 512GB is enough for 24 hours of 4K UHD video, 78 hours of Full HD video, 150,300 photos, or 77,300 songs
  • Capture, Store and Transfer Files Effortlessly: Samsung microSD EVO Select is best for high res photos, gaming, music, tablets, laptops, action cameras, drones, phones, Android devices and more
  • [4K UHD] Read/Write up to 100/50 MB/s. V30 video speed grade, Ultra HD (UHD) 4K video recording, UHD 4K gaming.
  • [Compatibility] Storage expansion for Laptop, Tablet, PC, Smartphones, Camera, DSLR, Dash Cam, Camcorder, Surveillance, e-Reader, Drone, Gaming. Files, Videos, Music. Compatible with Nintendo Switch GoPro Android Samsung Canon Nikon. Waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof and X-Ray proof.
  • [Convenient] High resolution photo & video easily transfer from Camera or Drone to Personal Computer.
  • [Support] Gigastone 5-year limited warranty including free data recovery. Free data recovery starting date of each series as following: 4K Camera Pro - June 1st, 2021 / 4K Game Pro - June 1st, 2021 / 4K Game turbo - June 1st, "2020"
  • [App] A2 grade provides faster App loading performance for Smartphones & Tablets
  • Up to 80 MB/s data transfer speed
  • 2x faster than ordinary SD cards. Ideal for Digital point-and-shoot cameras, HD camcorders, DSLR and PC
  • 5 year limited Warranty from best manufacturers and suppliers of memory cards
  • Waterproof, temperature-proof, x-ray-proof, and shock-proof, magnetic proof. With 5 mini cases
  • Class 10 and U1 speed grade perfect for Full HD (FHD) videos recording & display
  • Class 10, UHS-1 performance allows fast and smooth continuous shooting, multiple frames per second and full HD video capture
  • Fast performance minimizes photo and video transfer times to your computer
  • 32GB Micro SD Card 5-pack bulk easy to open packaging
  • Perfect for Android smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, game consoles, dash cameras, drones and surveillance systems, etc; It can use to store or back up high-res photos, videos, documents, music and more.
  • Durable & ultra-reliable: magnet proof, shock proof, temperature proof, and waterproof
  • Save time with card offload speeds of up to 200MB/s powered by SanDisk QuickFlow Technology (Up to 200MB/s read speeds, engineered with proprietary technology to reach speeds beyond UHS-I 104MB/s, require compatible devices capable of reaching such speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. X = 150KB/sec. SanDisk QuickFlow Technology is only available for 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities. 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. 1TB=1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
  • UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) (UHS Speed Class 3 designates a performance option designed to support 4K UHD video recording with enabled UHS host devices. UHS Video Speed Class 30 (V30), sustained video capture rate of 30MB/s, designates a performance option designed to support real-time video recording with UHS enabled host devices. See the SD Association’s official website.)
  • Shot speeds up to 90MB/s (Write speed up to 90MB/s. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. X = 150KB/sec.)
  • Perfect for shooting 4K UHD video and sequential burst mode photography (Full HD (1920x1080) and 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes and other factors. See HD page on SanDisk site.)
  • Pair with the SanDisk Professional PRO-READER SD and microSD to achieve maximum speeds (sold separately)
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a most reliable sd cards?

The most reliable sd cards is influenced by a multitude of factors, including all those stated below. Depending on the sort of product, the learning process differs. We'll be ready to aid you and propose solutions since we're here to support you.

It's necessary to remember the following factors before selecting most reliable sd cards:

File Formats

Don’t overlook formatting your microsd card when choosing a storage device. There are a handful of different formats you could test, including FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT. Make sure your microsd card is formatted to work with your device and computer. The new SDXC cards will only function with the exFAT format, and that’s only compatible with Windows XP SP2 and higher.

Card Type

This is only important if you're using old gadgets from 2009 or earlier. The first generation's called SD (Secure Digital), followed by SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), and the current generation is called SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity). Each card type comes from a different technological age, so an old device with support up to SDHC may not be able to take in the new SDXC card. If your device can receive the latest card type, chances are, it can accept the older generations too.

Speed Class

The speed class of the card refers to its minimum sequential write speed, which is essential for video recording. SD Association updates its marketing tactics for sequential write speeds every few years, and the latest tactic is to have three different speed classes available. The highest available speed class, V90, refers to cards that can write at 90MB/s or higher. If you are recording 4K video footage, SD Association recommends any card between 10MB/s to 60MB/s.

Durability

The durability of a micro SD card is crucial since it’s often used to store important content or information. There’s nothing worse than losing your files, especially if you don’t have a backup! Fortunately, the top brands offer highly resistant, secure micro SD cards. These cards are made to withstand shocks and resist the impact of magnetic forces or X-rays. Some can even withstand immersion in water without damage. Accidents certainly can happen, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Storage Capacity

It’s important to figure out your storage needs. A 1TB microSD card isn’t going to provide enough space, and you also need to be aware of device compatibility. This is not about whether a phone supports microSD cards, but the type of card you can use. Some phones, especially those that are ultra-affordable, may only support microSD cards with a capacity of up to only 32GB. It’s worth knowing this information before making a purchase.

Compatibility

Most smartphone makers dropped support for expandable storage a few years ago, but it's made a strong return. While this highly-coveted feature is available on some phones, be sure to check the specs of the phone you want to buy to make sure it is available. You can also make things easy and check out our roundup of the best phones with expandable memory!

Application Performance Class

This is a new standard created by the SD Association in 2016, denoted by a stylized "A" next to a number. This performance class refers to the card's minimum random read and random write speeds (measured in input/output operations per second - IOPS).

FAQs

How Do I Use My Micro SD Card?

Using a micro SD card is easy. Just insert the card into the dedicated slot found on whichever device you’re using. You may need to wait a few seconds before the device recognizes that a card has been inserted. We tested that it’s a good idea to insert or remove the card while the device is off. Never force the card into a slot. If it doesn’t seem to fit, you’re probably inserting it the wrong way.
If your device doesn’t have a micro SD slot, there are some adapters that convert micro SD cards into a more common, standard SD size. For computers that don’t have a built-in micro SD card reader, you can get a USB adapter that will allow you to read the card.

What Are The Main Uses Of A MicroSD Card?

Currently, micro SD cards are most commonly used with smartphones. They allow you to store a large number of files, back up your phone, and even boost your phone’s internal memory. Micro SD cards are also frequently used in compact digital cameras and drones. Another increasingly common use for micro SD cards is for gaming console memory.

Can I Use The Same Card With Different Devices?

One of the benefits of a microSD card is that you can easily transfer data between devices, for example, moving pictures from a camera to your laptop to edit them. Compatibility should not be an issue for the most part, but some problems with storing files might occur.

Will A MicroSD Card Work With My PC?

It depends on the model. Some new laptops come with built-in microSD or SD card slots, making using a card with the PC much easier. Alternatively, you can pick up a microSD card reader, like these from Sandisk and Anker.

What Are The Micro SD Card Labels?

The label found on micro SD cards can reveal important information about their specifications. The logos may indicate which devices they’re compatible with, their speed, and with which interfaces they’re compatible. The storage capacity is normally shown as well.

Will The Card Be Safe?

A lot of good microSD card manufacturers make sure their products are shockproof, temperature proof, waterproof, and x-ray proof. If anything goes wrong, most OEMs offer long-term, or even lifetime, warranties. However, any data stored will likely be lost in case there is any damage.

Who Should Get A Micro SD Card?

Micro SD cards are great for anyone looking to expand the memory on their smartphone or camera, as well as for those looking for a lightweight, space-saving storage unit.

Can I Use A MicroSD Card With A Device That Only Supports SD Cards?

Yes, most microSD cards come with an adapter that lets you easily slot them into devices like DSLRs that require full-sized SD cards. Obviously, a full-sized card will not fit in a microSD card slot.


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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.