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The most effective microSD playing cards in 2025

Most microSD playing cards are quick sufficient for stashing photographs, recording video and transferring recordsdata, however some will get you somewhat extra bang on your buck than others. For those who’re seeking to enhance the storage of your Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, GoPro or another system that also accepts microSD playing cards, we may help. We’ve completely researched the market and a number of other playing cards by way of a collection of benchmark checks: Listed here are the very best that we’ve examined, together with some basic recommendation on what to search for when shopping for a brand new card.

Desk of contents

Finest microSD playing cards of 2025

Lexar

Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Velocity courses: U3, V30, A2, Class 10 | Guarantee: Lifetime restricted

An excellent UHS-I card is fast sufficient for most individuals’s wants, and the Lexar Professional Silver Plus is the very best worth of those we’ve examined. Paired with Lexar’s USB card reader, it constantly delivered sooner sequential reads and writes than another UHS-I mannequin throughout our benchmark checks. It’s rated for learn speeds as much as 205 MB/s and write speeds as much as 150 MB/s, each of that are comparatively excessive to start with, however we discovered the latter to achieve into the 180-190 MB/s vary in artificial benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark, ATTO and AJA.

Our 12GB check folder wrote to the cardboard in 76 seconds on common, which was roughly 30 seconds faster than the Samsung Professional Plus and Samsung Professional Final, our two earlier high picks. It successfully tied the Professional Final to steer all UHS-I playing cards we’ve tried in studying that check file again to our PC. (That one averaged about 67 seconds, when you’re retaining rating at house.) Each Samsung playing cards and some others beat the Silver Plus in some random efficiency benchmarks, although it was nonetheless loads aggressive in that regard. Both method, it has all of the requisite scores — U3, V30, A2 — and it’s greater than speedy sufficient for working with 4K movies or shifting recordsdata between gadgets with out main delays (as long as you might have a reader and/or host system that may allow these max speeds).

The cardboard itself is waterproof with an IPX7 ranking, and Lexar backs it with a lifetime guarantee. Sizes vary from 128GB to a spacious 1TB. The optional reader — which you should purchase individually or as a part of a bundle — is a bit giant, but it surely conveniently consists of each USB-A and USB-C ports, so that you shouldn’t want any dongles to attach it to a telephone or PC.

What places the Silver Plus excessive is its value. On the time of writing, a 128GB mannequin is on the market for $15, whereas the 256GB, 512GB and 1TB variants have been going for about $23, $40 and $80, respectively. These aren’t the most cost effective costs we’ve ever seen, and the maths will change a bit if it’s essential to consider a card reader, however they both undercut or match opponents just like the Professional Plus, Professional Final or SanDisk Excessive regardless of the Silver Plus being the extra performant card total. So, to recap: It’s quick, it’s sturdy and it’s moderately inexpensive. That’s the recipe for a simple advice.

Execs

  • Quickest sequential learn/write efficiency of any UHS-I card we have examined
  • Cheaper than many slower options
  • Has a 1TB choice
  • Lifetime restricted guarantee
Cons

  • Wants USB reader to achieve most speeds (as anticipated)

$40 at Amazon (512GB)

Image for the large product module

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Velocity courses: 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” choose — continues to be price contemplating when 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 almost each different UHS-I card we’ve examined. Its random reads and writes have been typically second to the pricier Samsung Pro Ultimate, however solely by somewhat, 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 nice in our long-term testing as effectively. That stated, the Silver Plus is the higher card when it’s in the identical value vary, plus Samsung’s has a shorter 10-year guarantee.

For those who do find yourself grabbing one, although, be sure you get the latest mannequin with learn speeds rated at 180MB/s. An older-generation mannequin with slower sequential reads and random efficiency should still 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 similar efficiency scores, however these often value a couple of bucks additional. 

Execs

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

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

$17 at Amazon

Image for the large product module

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Storage capability: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (“new technology” mannequin solely) | Velocity courses: 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 high picks, significantly on the subject of sequential write speeds (just below 70 MB/s on CrystalDiskMark). So we don’t suggest it for any kind of digicam. 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 $67, respectively. The latter two capacities could possibly be significantly nice values when you simply desire a large chunk of area from a good model on a budget. That stated, it’s best to nonetheless seize the Lexar Skilled Silver Plus or Samsung Professional Plus as a substitute if both one is anyplace shut in value.

Execs

  • Typically discounted
  • Acceptable efficiency if value is chief concern
  • Has a 1TB choice
Cons

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

$13 at Amazon

Finest microSD Specific playing cards for the Nintendo Change 2

A collection of microSD Express cards rest on the back of a Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console.

Learn our full information to the best microSD Express cards for the Nintendo Switch 2

Let’s be clear about this: Except you intend to personal a Nintendo Switch 2 within the close to future, you do not want a high-speed microSD Specific card simply but. Nintendo’s gaming handheld is the one fashionable system that natively helps this customary proper now, and microSD Specific playing cards themselves are extremely costly in comparison with extra conventional choices.

Nonetheless, when you do wish to enhance a Change 2’s storage, they’re your solely selection. Fortuitously, figuring out precisely which mannequin to purchase for the console is fairly easy: Get whichever one yow will discover in inventory, within the capability you need, at a value you may abdomen.

We benchmarked a number of microSD Specific playing cards for a separate Switch 2 guide, and for probably the most half, the efficiency variations between them weren’t nice sufficient to justify paying a lot additional for any specific mannequin. Loading occasions weren’t fairly similar with each check we ran, however the playing cards have been extraordinarily shut in most video games. When there was a spot — fast-traveling to a very resource-heavy area in Cyberpunk 2077, as an illustration — the gulf between the slowest and quickest card was solely ever about 3 seconds at most. That’s not nothing, but it surely’s not one thing you’re prone to fret over until you might have a stopwatch useful.

Two microSD cards, one mostly black and one mostly red, rest on top of a brown wooden stand above a white window ledge.

The SanDisk microSD Specific Card and Lexar Play Professional.

(Jeff Dunn for Engadget)

The one time you’d discover a serious velocity distinction is when you switch video games to your Specific card from the Change 2’s inside storage (and vice versa). In that case, the SanDisk microSD Express Card and Lexar Play Pro have been typically the quickest, whereas PNY’s microSD Express Flash Memory Card had significantly gradual write speeds.

Shifting Mario Kart World to the SanDisk and Lexar fashions, for instance, took round 4 minutes and 35 seconds on common; with the PNY card, it took somewhat over seven minutes. That stated, the PNY mannequin was the quickest when it got here to shifting video games again to the system storage. Both method, most individuals aren’t continually shuffling their video games forwards and backwards like this. Efficiency in precise video games is extra vital, and in that regard the outcomes have been constantly a lot tighter.

What issues most is getting probably the most area on your price range. Sadly, inventory for all microSD Specific playing cards has been spotty for the reason that Change 2’s launch. In your comfort, we’ll record out all the fashions we’ve seen at retailers so far and their respective record costs under. The one one we haven’t examined is the Walmart Onn mannequin, which occurs to be probably the most inexpensive (however has additionally been out of inventory for a lot of the previous a number of months). Notice that some lower-capacity variations — the 128GB SanDisk card, for one — promote slower speeds than their extra spacious counterparts.

  • SanDisk microSD Specific Card: 128GB ($60), 256GB ($73), 512GB ($125)

  • Lexar Play Professional: 256GB ($60), 512GB ($120), 1TB ($220)

  • PNY microSD Specific Flash Reminiscence Card: 128GB ($47), 256GB ($63), 512GB ($120)

  • Samsung microSD Specific Card for Nintendo Change 2: 256GB ($60)

  • GameStop Specific microSD Card for Nintendo Change 2: 256GB ($60), 512GB ($100), 1TB ($190)

  • Walmart Onn microSDXC Specific Card: 256GB ($36), 512GB ($66)

A red microSD Express card sits on top of a small black microSD card reader, on top of a brown wooden table, next to a white stone drink coaster.

The Lexar Play Professional on high of Lexar’s RW540 microSD Specific card reader.

(Jeff Dunn for Engadget)

Broadly talking, we suggest getting at the least 256GB of storage, as Change 2 video games are inclined to have a lot bigger file sizes than video games for Nintendo’s earlier handheld. However we additionally suggest holding off upgrading for so long as you may, if solely as a result of all of those playing cards ought to (tariff shenanigans apart) come down in value as time goes on.

There’s no level in shopping for a microSD Specific card for something in addition to the Change 2, however we did run the fashions above by way of our regular PC benchmarks as effectively. Unsurprisingly, they’re miles sooner than any conventional card available on the market.

With the 256GB SanDisk card, as an illustration, sequential learn speeds checked in just below 900 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark and ATTO, whereas sequential writes topped out round 650 MB/s. Sustained writes speeds have been slower (round 210 MB/s), however that was nonetheless quick sufficient to maneuver our 12GB check 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 check with our smaller 1.15GB check folder, in the meantime, averaged simply 4.5 seconds.

All of it provides as much as efficiency that is at the least twice as quick as the very best UHS-I fashions we’ve examined by way of sequential reads and writes, with three or 4 occasions the speeds in some instances. The gulf in random reads and writes is analogous, and in some benchmarks even higher. However you want an expensive SD card reader to even see these will increase on a PC, so solely these with a Change 2 in hand or severe money to burn ought to take into account one in all this stuff.

Different notable microSD playing cards

Samsung Professional Final

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

Lexar Skilled Gold

We’ve not used it ourselves, however when you’re prepared 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 may ship considerably sooner sequential write speeds than our UHS-I picks above. It’s one of many few UHS-II playing cards we may really discover in inventory, but it surely’s expensive, 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 on account of us solely with the ability to safe the 256GB mannequin, which is higher-rated than the 128GB model. It’s a nice selection when you see it on sale at a good vendor, but it surely’s broadly slower than our high choose and infrequently prices extra.

SanDisk GamePlay

The SanDisk GamePlay performs equally to the SanDisk Excessive however prices a great 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 wanting our high 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 basically prices 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 effectively.

PNY XLR8 Gaming

The PNY XLR8 is an inexpensive card that comes with as much as 512GB of area. Its sequential and random writes speeds checked in somewhat 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 typically goes for reasonable 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 high picks, and it now 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 effectively. The primary 2TB cards from major brands have began to reach as effectively, which is thrilling, however these are nonetheless pretty uncommon (and really costly) by comparability.

For a lot of, a 128GB or 256GB mannequin must be a candy spot between value and cupboard space. However when you want extra room — say, for stashing a bunch of video games on a Steam Deck — a 512GB card or higher may make extra sense and infrequently supplies a greater cost-per-GB ratio. Nowadays, yow will discover an honest 128GB card for round $15, a great 256GB card for lower than $30 and a stable 512GB card for round $40 (with sooner fashions priced somewhat increased). There’s a starker enhance once you go as much as 1TB playing cards, which regularly value nearer to $100, although we’ve seen some fall into the $70 to $80 vary extra regularly during the last yr. The primary 2TB playing cards are an even bigger leap: the 2TB SanDisk Extreme, for instance, now has a listing value round $200, which is down a bit from its unique MSRP however nonetheless removed from low-cost.

Notice {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 supply as much as 130 MB/s.

After we discuss microSD playing cards at present, we typically discuss with playing cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capacity) standard, which have a capability between 32GB and 2TB. Your system must assist this for it to work with a microSDXC card. It will nearly by no means be a problem today, however some older gadgets (a Nintendo 3DS, as an illustration) are solely suitable 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 once you’re making an attempt to entry (learn) or save (write) lengthy, fixed streams of information, equivalent to opening a big video or copying an enormous batch of recordsdata from a PC. If you wish to use a microSD card for media storage, that is significantly vital. Random efficiency, in the meantime, is about how shortly a card can learn and write small recordsdata scattered all through the system.

Since random learn/write speeds are a lot decrease than sequential ones, storage system makers have a tendency to not promote them as loudly. However they’re vital when you use a card with a gaming system or a single-board pc just like the Raspberry Pi, the place it typically has to quickly save and entry small bits of information in random areas.

Velocity scores

For those who have a look at a microSD card, you’ll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of those discuss with the cardboard’s speed class and efficiency scores, that are decided by the SD Association.

A card’s Video Velocity Class, or V-rating, particulars its minimal sequential write velocity, which is very vital when recording video from a digicam. It ranges from V6 to V90. Many of the playing cards we examined had a V30 ranking, so that they have a sequential write velocity of at the least 30 MB/s. This must be sufficient to assist as much as 4K video at decrease bitrates. Increased-rated V60 and V90 playing cards are often higher for capturing 8K, however they arrive at a a lot increased value.

The UHS Velocity Class, or U-rating, additionally refers to a card’s minimal sequential write velocity. 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 Velocity Class ranking 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 velocity. This ranking is much less related these days, however you should still see a “C10” emblem on some playing cards.

The Software 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, quite than MB/s. There are two classes right here: A1 playing cards supply a minimal random learn velocity of 1,500 IOPS and a minimal random write velocity 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 at the least 10 MB/s.

To maintain it easy, most individuals ought to search for a card with V30, U3 and A2 scores. It’s completely attainable to get a stable card with out these: A U1 card is perhaps price it when you simply want an affordable, high-capacity choice, for instance. V60 and V90 playing cards are price a glance when you’re severe about taking pictures high-resolution photographs and video as effectively. However total, playing cards with the certifications above ought to present the very best mix of value and efficiency at present.

It’s vital to emphasise that these scores are baselines. Most V30 playing cards supply considerably increased 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 100% correct, both: Generally the cardboard might be slower in real-world use, different occasions it could really be a bit sooner.

The Samsung Pro Plus microSD card.

UHS bus speeds

The opposite spec to notice is the cardboard’s bus interface. Most microSD playing cards accessible at present are UHS-I, which has a theoretical most velocity 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 customary technically exists as effectively 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 increased V60 or V90 scores. For those who shoot plenty of 4K to 8K video or regularly use burst mode to seize extremely high-res photographs, the efficiency positive aspects of a great UHS-II card can prevent time.

Nonetheless, these are usually 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 previously, it is nonetheless greater than double the widespread avenue value of our high choose above. You want a tool that’s suitable 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 value premium for most individuals, so we caught largely to UHS-I playing cards with our suggestions.

Unlike traditional UHS-I cards, a microSD Express card like the SanDisk model on the right comes with a second row of pins to enable its improved performance.

In contrast to conventional UHS-I playing cards, a microSD Specific card just like the SanDisk mannequin on the suitable comes with a second row of pins to allow its improved efficiency.

(Jeff Dunn for Engadget)

microSD Specific and the Nintendo Change 2

Absolutely the quickest microSD playing cards you should purchase, nevertheless, are based mostly on a distinct interface referred to 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 lately 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 fashionable gadgets natively assist SD Specific at present. The primary main exception is the Nintendo Switch 2, which is only compatible with the newer customary, because it’s wanted to maintain up with the efficiency calls for of latest handheld video games.

Apart from 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 system embrace the tech will solely additional its adoption and drive costs down.

But it surely’s nonetheless early days, and proper now all microSD Specific playing cards value way more than the very best UHS-I and even UHS-II choices. Past the Change 2, it’s attainable to make the most of these playing cards’ superior speeds with a devoted SD Specific card reader, however that provides much more to the ultimate value. It’s additionally price noting that SD Specific playing cards aren’t backwards suitable with UHS-II (or UHS-III), so when 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 enchantment if extra devices that assist the interface do arrive.

For extra on how the primary wave of Specific playing cards carry out on the Change 2, we have put collectively a dedicated buying guide only for Nintendo’s console.

A be aware 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 velocity by way of proprietary extensions. Nonetheless, you want a suitable card reader and host system to make the most of that additional efficiency. For those who discover a UHS-I card promoting speeds increased than 104 MB/s, that is what’s happening. You’ll be able to see these limits in motion with an unique Nintendo Change or Steam Deck: Both of those gaming gadgets assist the UHS-I interface however don’t transcend its official velocity, flattening any sequential positive aspects some playing cards could have elsewhere. (Variations in random learn and write speeds can nonetheless matter, although.) The identical factor will occur when 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, an extended guarantee is at all times good to have. Many producers supply 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 frame. For instance, Samsung’s Pro Endurance, a mannequin geared toward safety cameras and different monitoring gadgets, comes with a five-year guarantee.

Avoiding counterfeits

The reminiscence card market has had a selected drawback with scammers promoting pretend merchandise. To protect towards this, solely purchase from a identified model and a good retailer equivalent to Finest Purchase, B&H Photograph or Adorama. For those who 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 straight previously, so train warning.) Bear in mind: If a value appears too good to be true, it most likely is. Be cautious of any retailer providing a considerably cheaper price than everybody else.

When you obtain a card, examine its packaging for any irregularities. You’ll be able to run benchmark checks like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Speed Test to confirm its speeds aren’t drastically decrease than what’s marketed (or attainable, given its specs). It’s also possible to use software program that’s designed to confirm the true capability and efficiency of your card, equivalent to H2testw and FakeFlashTest.

A few of the microSD card readers we've used for testing.

A number of of the microSD card readers we have used for testing.

(Jeff Dunn for Engadget)

How we check microSD playing cards

We have put about 20 microSD playing cards by way of a collection 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 photographs 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 varieties 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 recordsdata. We do a number of runs of every check 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. Nonetheless, 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 may, although we have been solely capable of check 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.

For microSD Specific playing cards, we ran every mannequin by way of a collection of checks particular to the Change 2, since that’s the solely fashionable system that really helps the tech. You’ll be able to learn extra about that course of in our separate shopping for information linked above.

Current updates

September 2025: We’ve fleshed out our recommendation on shopping for a microSD Specific card for the Nintendo Change 2. We plan on testing a number of newer releases from Kingston, SanDisk, Lexar and PNY in a future replace.

Could 2025: We’ve up to date this information to make sure our recommendation is correct and to replicate the brand new Nintendo Change 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 customary 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.

February 2025: We’ve up to date this information with a brand new high choose: the Lexar Skilled Silver Plus. The Samsung Professional Plus, our earlier advice, stays as a runner-up. We’ve additionally added SanDisk’s lately launched microSD Specific card as a choose for many who need absolutely the quickest card attainable, albeit with heavy caveats. This is without doubt 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 lately launched 1TB fashions for 3 of our high picks: the Samsung Professional Plus, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus and the Samsung Evo Choose. We’ve additionally made certain all pricing particulars are as updated as they are often.

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