Gone are the days when a 1GB microSD of storage cost a small fortune. NOW, the memory card market is open to all budgets and can satisfy all needs. Even in the era of smartphones with large storage capacities, owning a Micro SD can be important. But these memory cards can also be used for our consoles (like the Switch), our cameras, our drones, our GoPros…
Currently, many brands offer Micro SD with storage ranging from 16 GB up to 1 TB for some cards. And prices range from ten euros to more than 200 euros for the best models. Depending on your needs, you have to find the most suitable memory card. But in the midst of all this choice, it is difficult to navigate. For this guide, we have selected for you the best Micro SD available on the market.
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Samsung Evo Plus, the best value for money
We don’t tell you anything, but Samsung is historically one of the market leaders when it comes to memory. Here with the Samsung Evo Plus, the Korean giant gives us its best current Micro SD. It is U3 guaranteed and has V30 certification.
Clearly, it has a write speed of 90 MB/s and a read speed of 100 MB/s. The latter can even go up to 130 MB/s, but you will have to use the Samsung adapter. The SD adapter being supplied with the Micro SD. This makes it particularly interesting for owners of cameras and cameras. But it can also work with smartphones, tablets or even on a Switch. As a general rule, if you are used to taking a lot of videos in 4K UHD, this is the model we recommend.
For the rest it is resistant, waterproof and can operate in any temperature. It exists in 4 different versions: 64, 128, 256, 512 GB.
SanDisk Extreme, for a wide choice of storage capacity
Generally if you want to buy a memory card, whatever its form, the American brand SanDisk is a safe bet. The Extreme range is not necessarily the best from the manufacturer, but it offers a wide choice at affordable prices.
In terms of performance and durability, it’s hard to beat the SanDisk Extreme. On this model, we also find the U3 and V30 certification. Which makes it interesting for all uses. To sum up, it has a write speed of up to 90 MB/s and its reading speed can go up to 160 MB/s. Obviously, these speeds depend on the use of the Micro SD. Finally, it has the A2 certification which will guarantee you great durability. In short, it looks like the Samsung Evo Plus, but has better performance and a wider range of choices. But its price is a bit higher.
It exists in different versions: 32, 64, 128, 256, 400 and 512 GB. There is also a version with 1 TB of storage capacity, but the price exceeds 100 euros.
SanDisk Extreme Pro, the fastest microSD
SanDisk Extreme Pro 64 Go
13.99€
14.93€
14.99€
14.99€
22.99€
23.95€
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We go upmarket at SanDisk with the Extreme Pro model. We find all the qualities of the Extreme version, but the emphasis here is on speed. On the certification side, it is guaranteed U3, V30 and it has an A2 index.
In short, the American brand offers us an excellent memory card. More in detail, it has a write speed of up to 200 MB/s and a read speed of up to 140 MB/s. But to take advantage of all its power, you must have a card reader. adapted. Whatever your use, it will satisfy all needs. And for those who film in 4K UHD, it can be a very good solution. But this quality comes at a high price, especially compared to other models. Moreover, it is worth noting that its price has dropped sharply at certain retailers such as Amazon.
Finally, it exists with the same storage capacities as for the Extreme version, but the brand still ignores the 32 GB version.
Samsung Pro Endurance, the microSD for intensive use
As its name suggests, the Samsung Pro Endurance is a microSD designed to withstand all shocks and all climates. And obviously, the Korean brand ensures a long service life.
To be precise, it is announced about 140,000 hours of operation taking Full HD videos (figure for the 256 GB version). In short, enough to be quiet for years. On the other hand, speed is not the main strong point of this model. It is only guaranteed U1 for the 32 and 64 GB version. However, the 128 and 256 GB versions have U3 and V30 certifications. All models have a maximum write speed of 40 MB/s and a read speed of 100 MB/s. In summary, it is aimed at a very specific audience.
If you have surveillance cameras or even a dashcam, this is really one of the best models to get. As said before, it comes in 32, 64, 128 and 256 GB of storage capacity. We also note a very affordable price for all models.
SanDisk Ultra, the best Micro SD for a smartphone
The SanDisk Ultra MicroSD is primarily for people looking for a memory card for a smartphone or even a Nintendo Switch. In this selection, it is the best model for storing applications and games.
But it can also be useful for filming in Full HD. In terms of certification, it is guaranteed U1 and A1. The 128 GB and lower versions have a maximum speed of 140 MB/s both write and read. For the 256 GB versions and above, the speed reaches a maximum of 150 MB/s. In short, this is more than enough for use in a smartphone. Finally, it is resistant to the main problems that this type of product can encounter. And as often with SanDisk, there is a wide choice of storage capacity.
It is available in 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 400 and 512 GB versions. In any case, the prices remain reasonable for such a versatile model.
Lexar Professional 1066X, the Micro SD as fast as it is resistant
We finish this comparison with a high-end model, the Lexar Professional 1066X. As a general rule, the American brand offers very high quality products. And this memory card is no exception to the rule.
For starters, it is homologated and certified U3, V30 and A2. In short, it is hard to do better. All versions of the Lexar Professional 1066X are guaranteed with a read speed of 160 MB/s. But the write speed will vary depending on the model, between 70 and 120 MB/s for the best ones. In its use, it is suitable for smartphones, tablets, Nintendo Switch and even for certain cameras. And this model will withstand, without worries, all the vagaries of life. In the end, even if its performances are quite similar to others, MicroSD of this comparison, it is its price which makes it very interesting.
For example, it has better performance than the SanDisk Ultra, but for the same storage, the price is identical. It only exists in 4 versions: 64, 128, 256, 512 GB.
? What does microSD, SDHC and SDXC card mean?
You must have seen it in the images of the memory cards in this guide, there are different denominations. They indicate the memory capacity of the microSD card. On this point, there are 3 main families which we will detail. But as a reminder SD signifie Secure Digital.
- MicroSD : also called microSDSC for Standard Capacity, includes all memory cards ofa storage capacity of 2 GB or less.
- Micro SDHC : we are talking here about MicroSD High Capacity. These cards include all products with a storage capacity ranging from more than 2 GB to 32 GB.
- Micro SDXC : here “XC” stands for eXtended Capacity, and these memory cards include all models between more than 32 GB and 2 TB of storage capacity.
Finally, we can mention the fourth major type of memory card, the microSDUC. But you are unlikely to need any type of product. In effect, le SDUC ou SD Ultra Capacity includes all cards with storage capacity ranging from over 2 TB to 128 TB. In short, it is intended for use by professionals.
All microSD cards have their own certifications and standards. At first glance it can be difficult to navigate between the U1, V30 or even A2. We will during this part help you understand the meaning of these numbers and letters.
- UHS or U class: there are only two standards, class U1 and U3. It designates the minimum write speed of a memory card. The class U1 has a minimum speed of 10MB/s and U3 has a minimum write speed of 30MB/s. On this point it is very simple.
- Video Class or V: Here there are 5 different standards which include V6, V10, V30, V60 and V90. They designate the minimum speed for recording video. Simply put, the norm V6 has a minimum write speed of 6MB/s and so on up to V90 and its 90MB/s.
- Performance and application class or A: on this point there are only two standards, the A1 and the A2. For starters, both have a minimum continuous write speed of 10MB/s. Specifically, they show the number of IOPS (Input/Out Operation per Second) of the memory card. Without going into detail, the higher the number of IOPS, the lower the latency time. In all cases, the A2 standard guarantees the best performance.
Theory is one thing, practice is another. So to sum up, we would say that the U3 and V30 standards (or more) will be intended for people whose 4K UHD video capture is frequent. Afterwards to store applications and games, Micro SDs at the U1 or V6/10 standard are more than enough. For the performance class part, it’s always better to have A2 certification.
? What storage capacity for what use?
On this point everything will depend on the device in which you will place your microSD card. For use on a smartphone, tablet or Nintendo Switch, versions with 32 or 64 GB are sufficient. But if you count take video, or even store movies on your memory card, you will have to invest at least in a model with 128 GB of storage capacity.
Then everything will depend on the needs of each. But as you have seen throughout this buying guide, there are microSD cards suitable for all requirements. In this guide we have selected cards with 1 TB maximum storage. But it is obviously possible to find microSD with even greater storage capacities.
⏱ How long does a microSD card last?
For the question of lifespan, If you buy a microSD card from one of the manufacturers featured in this guide, you don’t have to worry. Even with heavy use, most models can last for years. And if this question really worries you, we recommend getting the Samsung Pro Endurance or SanDisk High Endurance. Both will withstand use for 10 years or more.
Moreover, on this subject, most manufacturers guarantee their microSD cards for 10 years. Proof that they have confidence in their products.
