Micro SD Cards are the latest innovation in terms of digital storage for mobile gadgets. It can be used for smartphones, digital cameras, and video recorders. But with a vast array of available options, there are several factors you must consider in buying one, such as speed, micro SD types, brands, and classes.
In this article, we included a buying guide reviewed by Kevin Lee Cardoza, an IT consultant, developer, and instructor, to help you choose the best micro SD card for your phone, laptop, dashcam, or CCTV. We have also picked out the top 10 best products that you can find on e-commerce sites such as Lazada and Shopee.
Quick List - Top Micro SD Cards
Sandisk
The Everyday Reliable Micro SD Card for Regular Users
Kingston
High-Speed SD Card Perfect for Adventurers
Kevin Lee is an educator who specializes in Information Technology (IT). He also has years of experience as a technical support specialist and is well-versed in programming, application development, software testing, and user experience design. Furthermore, his passion for building custom computers and creating electronic devices and systems keeps him up-to-date with the latest trends and information.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
The first thing to note in buying a micro SD card is there are different classifications and speeds catered to specific uses. For added storage to your tablet or smartphone, just get a micro SD card based on storage and budget. However, if you plan to shoot photos, film videos, and edit content, you will need a card with higher speed.
Android users have a special class of micro SD cards called the Application Performance Class. The SD Association has designated a micro SD card that is suitable for use in smartphones and tablets. There are 2 ratings, A1 and A2, with A2 being the faster of the two. An A2 rating makes it faster to open apps and has greater processing power.
Some electronic gadgets are picky with the SD cards they will be accepting. Not following these guidelines can lead to data corruption or it might not even work at all. For example, some cameras (especially video-capable ones) require it to be at a certain Video Speed Class, so not conforming to it will cause an error to the gadget itself.
There are 4 formats available for micro SD cards. The format dictates the amount of storage a card can have. Each format is different from the others and is backward incompatible. This means that if your device caters to an older generation, it won’t be able to read the cards of a newer generation.
SDUC micro SD cards are the best choice if the amount of storage is going to be needed. However, if you're going to be using it for a day's worth of photoshoots, then a micro SDXC with 64 - 128 GB memory should be enough.
Micro SD cards come with numbers that are labeled with letter symbols. These come in a circular “C” symbol, “U” symbol, or a “V” symbol next to or around the numbers. It indicates the speed class of the memory card to identify its rating and to help consumers choose the right speed for their needs.
Denoted with a “C” symbol that encapsulates a number, this classification refers to the absolute minimum sustained write speeds. It means that the speed won’t be lower than the indicated number. The ratings are as follows: Class 2 (minimum write speed of 2MB/s), Class 4 (4MB/s), Class 6 (6MB/s), or Class 10 (10MB/s).
These are the minimum, giving you a speed at which it can transfer data even if it isn’t performing well. Take note that there are micro SD cards that indicate the speed aside from the rating. This is for cards with a rating of Class 10 but exceeds the 10MB/s minimum speed. But for Class 2-6, you can rely on the numbering for the minimum speed.
As an additional note, the speed we are referring to for this part would be the sequential write speed. Simply called write speed, it refers to how fast a device is able to create segments of data in a sequence. This is very useful when a batch of files is created fast in a short burst like when a camera's shutter button is held down to shoot images rapidly.
The UHS Speed Class refers to Ultra High Speed and measures the minimum sustained writing performance for recording video. UHS rating became relevant when 4K-capable devices were used to record videos. Due to the larger files, faster writing speeds are needed to maintain the quality.
There are only two ratings for the UHS speed class, namely UHS Speed Class 1 and UHS Speed Class 3. The difference between the two is that the UHS Speed Class 3 (minimum 30MB/s write speed) is faster than UHS Speed Class 1 (minimum 10MB/s write speed). Most 4K-capable video recorders use a UHS 3-rated SD card.
UHS Class cards have another speed indicator called Bus Interfaces. This is measured by the highest theoretical speed an SD card bus interface can achieve. For example, a UHS-I has a theoretical max transfer speed of up to 105 Megabytes per second. A bus interface class micro SD card is not interchangeable with another one even if it fits the same UHS Speed class.
As the world progresses, the demand for higher-fidelity content is ever-increasing. The time when 4K videos were a gold standard has already gone. Now, 8K videos and Virtual Reality content are becoming the norm. To keep up, Video Speed Class for micro SD cards was created.
There are 5 ratings for the Video Speed Class - V6, V10, V30, V60, and V90. The numbers denote the minimum write speed for the rating. So for V6, it has a minimum write speed of 6MB/s, the V10 with 10MB/s, and so on. These cards are the fastest available in the market and are ideal for ultra-high-resolution videos, multi-file recording, VR, and 360-degree videos.
Speed is very important to video cameras, especially modern ones. That's why brands have created their own standards to cater to and address the issues with the cards that are going to be used for these cameras. Take a V90 class microSD card: it is fully capable of recording an 8k video with ease, something that micro SD cards of lower classes will have problems achieving.
Buy micro SD cards from well-known brands because they have been in production for years. They are more dependable than some of the newer businesses because they have all the knowledge and experience needed to produce the top micro SD cards in the market.
Bigger brands also have a lot of development under their sleeves. This means that if you want the newest feature, it’s best to purchase from known brands. Those technologies and features are also unique to those brands since they are patented, and other companies won’t be able to use those features.
Some brands have been respected in the industry of storage devices. So if a brand name is something you recognize in other products such as SSDs or RAM sticks, then it definitely has the clout to market microSD cards as well.
Everybody wants their cards to operate without issues, yet occasionally micro SD cards can fail. To protect your investment, it is wise to check the micro SD card's warranty and return policies. These things also reflect on the memory card's quality. The longer the guarantee, the more faith the manufacturer has in the longevity of their card before any problems arise.
Due to the high failure rates of micro SD cards early in their infancy, a warranty is something a buyer should have with his newly-bought product. This ensures that your micro SD can be replaced free of charge in the situation it fails before the warranty expires.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sandisk Ultra Micro SDHC Class 10 UHS-I 32GB|SDSQUNR-032G | ![]() | The Everyday Reliable Micro SD Card for Regular Users | |
2 | Lexar 256GB MicroSD 1667x | ![]() | World-Class Storage Solution for Content Professionals | |
3 | Kingston Canvas Go! Plus 64GB Micro SHXC Memory Card (U3)|SDCG3 | ![]() | High-Speed SD Card Perfect for Adventurers | |
4 | Samsung Micro SD Evo Plus (64GB-512GB) | ![]() | A Nature-Proof Micro SD Card to Protect Your Data and Files | |
5 | Bavin Micro SD Card (4GB-128GB)|SDSQXCZ-512G-GN6MA | ![]() | A Micro SD Card That Won't Hurt Your Budget | |
6 | SanDisk Extreme Series 128GB Micro SDXC A2 UHS-I Class 10 U3 V30 |SDSQXAA-128G-GN6MN | ![]() | A Micro SD Card with Extreme Capabilities for Glitch-Free Recording | |
7 | Kingston Canvas Select Plus microSD Card with Android A1 Performance Class|SDCS2/128GB | ![]() | A Micro SD Card Optimized for Android Devices | |
8 | SanDisk Nintendo Switch Micro SDXC Memory Card 128GB |SDSQXAO-128G | ![]() | Awesome Storage Card for the Nintendo Switch Gamers | |
9 | Samsung PRO Endurance Micro SDXC Memory Card 128GB (U3)|MB-MJ128KA | ![]() | A Highly Reliable Memory Card Best for CCTVs | |
10 | Strontium Nitro Micro SDHC Card 16G with Adapter|SRN16GTFU1QA | ![]() | Affordable Extra Storage Space for Budget-Conscious Buyers |
Sandisk is a leader in storage solutions for electronic devices. This Sandisk Ultra combines reliability and speed, catering to the average user who needs storage expansion at an economical price. It comes with 32 GB storage, perfect for storing pictures and videos that are valuable to you.
You will feel no hiccups during transfer using this device with a Class 10 speed rating, ensuring fast minimum speeds all the time. The price is indeed hard to beat with the value that it brings. This is apparent with the reviews it has garnered in both Lazada and Shopee.
This is perfect for content professionals who need storage solutions for the various large files they work with. This Micro SD card is the culmination of all the research and technology advancements in memory card storage, bringing only quality to those who demand it.
It is in a MicroSDXC format hence the 256 GB storage capacity. It also has a UHS-II rating, able to keep up with the demands of 4K video and continuous DSLR shots. The V60 speed rating further compounds this card's capability of being one of the fastest videography storage options in the market.
For your action-packed adventures, this Kingston's Canvas Go! Plus micro SD card is your buddy. It's perfect for your drone, GoPro, or action camera. With this card, all high-definition shots and videos are stored and secured at astonishingly quick speeds.
It has a Class 10 speed rating for consistent transfer speeds. Additionally, it is UHS-1, providing you ample read and write speed to handle 4K at 30fps recordings, 1080P videos, and large picture collections. It features 170-MB/s read and 90-MB/s write speeds as well.
Samsung EVO Plus combines blazing-fast speeds with awesome reliability in this SDXC format memory card. This ensures that you will always eke out every drop of performance from your gadget, giving you a convenient data-transferring experience.
It has a UHS-1 rating that helps deliver data from your device to this card in a heartbeat, with read and write speeds of around 60MB/s to 100MB/s. Its reliability also stems from its 4-proof protection, safeguarding your data against various threats to ensure all your essential files will not be corrupted or damaged.
This affordable memory card from Bavin is designed for those who want to expand their storage options in their mobile devices for efficiency and entertainment purposes without breaking the bank. With continuous reading speeds up to 80MB/s, this SD card is a stable and reliable companion for all your needs.
This locally produced micro SD card earned the praise of many buyers in Lazada and Shopee due to its affordability and functionality. If you're looking to expand your smartphone or camera memory capacity, this is a good option since it also has Class 10 and UHS-I speed ratings.
For individuals requiring only equipment that can keep up with their extreme adventures, the SanDisk Extreme Micro SD card is their best option. It is the perfect blend of high-end reliability with an economic sensibility in a 128 GB storage format and a 190MB/s read speed that are tough to beat.
Shooting 4K Videos? This card has got your back. Sporting a V30 speed rating and a UHS-I speed class, you won't experience any glitches as your gadgets record and simultaneously store those videos. It is also optimized for smartphones with its A2 performance class, making this a card of all trades.
Looking to expand your Android storage? Get the Kingston Canvas Select Plus microSD with its A1 Application Performance rating optimized to perform fast read and write speeds while using smartphone applications. It also works well with the video and picture-taking capabilities of the smartphone for fast storage.
All that speed needs a good amount of storage to be useful. The 128 GB storage that it offers is more than enough to keep your files safe and secure. With a 100-MB read speed and tested durability, this is a reliable micro SD card for your storage needs, perfect for content creators using Android devices.
Games need to have a big space for their files while having fast read speeds for that buttery-smooth gameplay. The Nintendo company has partnered with SanDisk to produce a Nintendo-licensed micro SD card that caters to people who only want the best experience with their Nintendo Switch Device.
It has 128 GB of storage for your Nintendo Switch, providing dependable storage as you explore new worlds and levels in various Nintendo Adventures. The card is also optimized for transfer rates of up to 100MB/s, which ensures fast-loading screens and accurate control.
For homes and businesses that utilize surveillance footage, the Samsung PRO Endurance is a great pick for a security storage card. This 128-GB high-performance card has enough room to store security videos to help you catch any perpetrators caught on camera. It is also good for body cams and dash cams.
This card is UHS-I which can store videos fast. It is also built with read speeds of up to 100 MB/s and provides full high-definition recording and 4K support via write speeds of up to 40 MB/s. Lastly, it can stand harsh environmental conditions as it features Samsung's 4-proof tech protection.
If you're on a budget, get the Strontium Nitro Micro SDHC card to assist with managing the limited storage on your devices, such as phones, drones, or dashcams. This 16-GB card provides an immediate fix for any "insufficient storage" warnings you might receive.
It doesn't hold back with its Class 10 speed and an 85MB/s transfer rate. This means that this card can sustain fast speeds even at its most efficient storage functioning capacity. It even has a lifetime warranty since Strontium built it with its 4-proof technology for maximum durability.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Kevin Lee Cardoza.
A Micro SD card is useless if you don't have the necessary tools to use it. Look at our list of the top cameras for different purposes to get the most performance and benefit possible from your SD card.
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Author: Richard Martin
Re-editor: Ace John Tabuzo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Sandisk|Ultra Micro SDHC Class 10 UHS-I 32GB|SDSQUNR-032G
No. 2: Lexar|256GB MicroSD 1667x
No. 3: Kingston|Canvas Go! Plus 64GB Micro SHXC Memory Card (U3)|SDCG3
No. 4: Samsung|Micro SD Evo Plus (64GB-512GB)
No. 5: Bavin|Micro SD Card (4GB-128GB)|SDSQXCZ-512G-GN6MA
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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