They are essential not only for content creators, but also for the average person who actually uses a compact or mirrorless camera. However, the way SD cards are manufactured has changed dramatically, and they are now classified according to their performance. Therefore, it is not simply a matter of choosing the one with the highest number. While size, speed, and even usage can be indicators, manufacturers often focus on producing the best possible results. This means that some real-world testing is required to know exactly how the card will perform on a day-to-day basis. And by “you,” we mean “we. We have speed-tested, reviewed, and ranked many SD cards, including those favored by photographers and videographers. We have also collected and ranked the following best memory cards.
Here is the list of Best Memory Cards
SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I
This is the Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-1 from renowned SD card manufacturer SanDisk, and as part of the team of manufacturers who came together to introduce standardization to the SD card market, we were able to get a good quality, reliable card at the right price. Speed tests show a write speed of 63.6 MB/s and a read speed of 65.9 MB/s, which is considerably lower than the claimed speeds, but we think this performance is a very solid buy at this price. For users who shoot still images or 4K video, the Extreme Pro UHS-I is a no-brainer. For added peace of mind, the card comes with a lifetime warranty directly from SanDisk in the event of any malfunction (and by lifetime, we mean 30 years.) Not bad news considering a future where best Memory Cards won’t be needed as much.
Kingston Canvas React Plus SDXC UHS-II
Kingston Technology offers a fairly limited collection of memory cards, with three SD card series and three microSD series, and the Canvas React Plus series of best Memory Cards in capacities of 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. flagship line. After extensive use of the 128GB Kingston Canvas React Plus SD card, we can assure you that this card is a reliable one, whether shooting at the fastest 10fps with a high resolution camera like the 45.7MP Nikon Z7 II or shooting 4K video, it delivered flawless performance, and while it has proven capable of recording 8K video, the most demanding formats like 8K raw are not available.
SanDisk 128GB Class 10 microSDXC Memory Card
Easily one of the best Memory Cards available on the market, the The SanDisk 128GB Class 10 microSDXC Memory Card features a UHS-I interface and delivers transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Up to 1,200 photos can be transferred in just 60 seconds. It is temperature, water, shock, and X-ray resistant; A1 rated and optimized for fast app loading. It comes with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for easy file management.
Sony TOUGH-G series SDXC UHS-II Card
SanDisk’s Extreme Pro cards are not the only ones that are shock-resistant. Sony manufactures its own Tough series of best Memory Cards, which are waterproof, dustproof, bend-proof, and shockproof against drops of up to 5 meters. In other words, this card is the perfect choice for those who work in harsh environments or are often exposed to inclement weather. Of course, none of this would be a problem if the Sony SF-G Tough SDXC card didn’t have technology where it counts. Thankfully, with a write speed of 299 MB/sec and read speed of 300 MB/sec, this card is more than capable of handling whatever photo and video users might throw at it.
Lexar Professional 633x UHS-I
Several manufacturers have jumped into the game since Lexar introduced the world’s first consumer 1TB SD card in 2019. However, Lexar has a well-established lineup of memory cards, and the 633X UHS-I has performed well under scrutiny. While higher-capacity cards are exponentially more expensive, the 633X also comes in sizes as small as 16GB, making it widely available to photographers and videographers who need all capacities, from casual to professional use. Compared to other UHS-I cards in this class, write speeds are a bit slower, but they are cost-effective, and being V30/U3 class, they are also suitable for 4K UHD video recording. Actual transfer speeds are not too bad, with write speeds of 33 MB/s and read speeds of 82 MB/s. However, write speeds are close to the smallest V30 classification listed on the label, so it is best to keep that in mind if write speed is important to you.
Lexar Professional Class 10 UHS-II 2000X
Lexar has long been a staple card brand for photography enthusiasts, and this professional card features UHS-II technology with read speeds of up to 300 MB/s and write speeds of 260 MB/s. For shooting Full HD, 4K video, and high-resolution raw files, this card is perfect. The maximum capacity is 128GB, not the 512GB-1TB offered by rivals. It is nearly identical to SanDisk’s Extreme PRO SD UHS-II in terms of performance and specifications, making it arguably one of the best memory card options available today. Overall, this is one of the best Memory Cards that you can buy right now.
Samsung EVO Plus 64GB microSDHC Memory Card
The Samsung EVO Plus 64GB microSDHC best Memory Cards delivers transfer speeds of up to 130 Mbps based on the UHS-I interface; a 3GB video can be transferred in just 38 seconds. It can store up to 10 hours of Full HD video and up to 33,750 photos, providing ample storage for your media. It also features six protections to safeguard against extreme temperatures, saltwater, magnets, and x-ray devices.
SanDisk 32GB Class 10 Micro SDHC Memory Card
The SanDisk 32GB Class 10 Micro SDHC Memory Card features a UHS-I interface and delivers transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This best Memory Cards can transfer up to 1,200 photos in 60 seconds. It is waterproof, X-ray resistant, shockproof, and temperature resistant. It is compatible with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for easy file management. It is A1 rated and optimized for apps, providing faster app launch and performance.
Samsung EVO Select MicroSD Memory Card
This microSD card can meet the needs of almost any device and any type of user, offering the fastest speed and largest storage of any card considered while maintaining a low price. This card has faster read speeds than all other cards except the SanDisk Extreme, is more expensive for less storage, and comes with an SD adapter that many people do not need. Samsung’s spec sheet for this best Memory Cards does not list a write speed, but this is not unusual; manufacturers often focus on read speeds. Previous versions of this card had a write speed of 90 MB/s, so we expect this one to be in the same range or even a step higher. It is also shockproof, waterproof, and can withstand extreme temperatures, making it suitable for action cameras like GoPro.
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II V90
This UHS-II card from SanDisk offers the same level of protection as the Extreme Pro, but with unparalleled transfer speeds demanded by professionals. With read speeds of up to 300 MB/s and write speeds of up to 260 MB/s, it handles high-resolution video and burst photography with aplomb. Capacity, like Lexar, is up to 128 GB. It can also handle 8K video, making it one of the better SDs. If you want more speed than this, you’ll need to try other formats like CFExpress.
Final Words
However, this is not the only way to determine the best memory cards. Not only does it affect the speed of image transfer from the memory card to the computer, but also the burst mode of the camera. If the memory card is not fast enough, it will take longer and struggle to achieve the high speeds possible with modern cameras.
