Run out of storage space on your phone or tablet — or need to add storage to your drone, camera, or security camera? Inserting a microSD card is one of the easiest options. Unfortunately, many smartphones and tablets do not support microSD cards. Many flagship smartphones, including the iPhone 5, have made it impossible to use microSD cards. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4The Samsung S22 Ultra — and if you have an iPhone or iPad, you’re also out of luck. Some of the best options are available. best Android smartphonesAnd Tablets still support themYou’ll want to make sure you have a microSD from a trusted brand if you just bought a new camera, security cam, or drone.
It’s best to fully understand How to use a microSDTo get the best out of your device, To see if your device accepts them, check the full specs for your device on the manufacturer’s website or check to see if there’s a microSD card slot. These cards are generally included in the SIM tray of newer phones. If you have trouble finding it on other devices, consult your manual.
We’ve picked out eight of the best microSD cards around for phones, tablets, drones, and more, with options suitable for casual to professional use. Although you may be tempted to go beyond the list, we recommend sticking to trusted brands like Samsung, Lexar SanDisk and Toshiba. All prices are accurate as of the date of writing. However, the microSD card market is constantly changing so you can expect them to change.
Netac 32GB
Pros
- Extreme conditions are not a problem for ultra-rugged designs
- Read speeds up to 90 MBps
- Two-pack handy
- Ideal for drones and action camera
Cons
- The write speeds are a bit slow
The first card on our list isn’t actually from one of the major brands we recommended sticking with a moment ago, but bear with us. Netac’s 32GB microSD card comes in a handy two-pack and is the card to go for if you’re using your phone or tablet in adverse conditions or switching it out frequently. Because it’s ultra-rugged, built to withstand extreme heat and cold, water, and shock, it’s a great choice for action cameras or drones. It’s even X-ray proof. With up to 90MBps read speeds, it’s no slouch in the performance department either, though write speeds are a little slow at 10MBps. At $12 for a two-pack, it’s one of the more affordable options on our list, too.
SanDisk
SanDisk Extreme 32GB
Pros
- UHS Speed Class 3
- Speeds up to 100 MBps
- Writing speeds of up to 60 MBps
- For most regions, a lifetime warranty
- Included with SD adapter
Cons
- If you are buying it to record 4K video, you may need a bigger capacity.
Here’s a speedy SDHC card that offers read speeds of up to 100MBps and write speeds of up to 60MBps. This card comes with a lifetime warranty and is highly rated by customers. It will have no trouble with 1080p video and can even handle 4K, though you may want a larger capacity if that’s what you’re buying it for. It is UHS Speed Class 3, V30 and A1 for Adoptable Storage certified. It also includes a handy SD adapter. This microSD card works well with most smartphones, drones, tablets, phones, and other devices.
PNY Premier-X 64GB
Pros
- UHS Speed Class 3
- Speeds up to 100MBps
- App performance with A1 lets you run apps right from your card
- Included with SD adapter
Cons
- Some customers have reported receiving a defective card.
The SDXC card has a UHS rating of 3 for faster transfers. It can read at up to 100MBps and write at a slightly slower speed. It’s a durable, reliable option from a reputable brand that has great reviews. A1 app performance means you can run apps directly from the card, making this an excellent choice for your phone, and it’s also no slouch for Full HD photography and 4K Ultra HD videography on DSLR cameras, action cameras, or drones. The card also comes with an SD adapter.
SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB
Pros
- UHS Speed Class 3
- Read speeds of up to 300 MBps
- Write speeds up to 700 MBps
- Supports 4K video recordings
- Included with a USB card reader
Cons
- It is more expensive than other options
The SanDisk Pro Card offers speeds of up 300MBps for read and 700MBps for write. This card is UHS 3 certified and supports 1080p Full HD, 3D, 4K and 3D video recording. This card is a great choice for professional photographers and anyone who stores lots of data (or takes many photos). It also includes a USB 3.0 reader that allows you to quickly upload your data.
SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB
Kingston
Kingston Canvas Select Plus 256GB
Pros
- UHS Speed Class 3
- App performance with A1 lets you run apps right from your card
- Speeds up to 100 MBps
- Includes SD adapter
Cons
- Support for 4K video recording is not available
This UHS 3 card is A1 rated, so it’s optimized for use in Android phones. It can store up to 228GB at a reasonable price and supports 1080p video recordings. Unfortunately, this card doesn’t have a write speed capable of executing 4K video recordings, but it does have an improved read speed of up to 100MBps. You also get an SD adapter with your purchase.
Kingston Canvas Select Plus 256GB
PNY Pro Elite 512GB
Pros
- Apps can be run directly from the card
- Waterproof, shockproof, and magnetic-proof
- Speedy read and write speeds
- Ratings U3 and V30
Cons
- You can handle 4K video but there are better options
If you’re not sure you need 1TB of storage — but 256GB seems like too little — this 512GB microSD card from PNY is the perfect middle ground. True, it’s not the fastest, with read speeds of up to 100MBps and write speeds of up to 90MBps, but it’s a great option for your phone, as it runs apps directly from the microSD card. The card’s large capacity makes it an excellent choice for security cameras. You won’t have to swap the card every time it gets full. The card’s U3 rating and V30 rating allow it to handle 4K video. However, if you are using the card for this purpose, we recommend that you upgrade to the SanDisk Extreme 1TB. It’s also waterproof, shockproof, and magnet-proof, so it’s a great choice if you frequently switch your card between devices.
Samsung Pro Plus 512GB
Pros
- Read speeds of up to 160 MBps
- Writing speeds of up to 120MBps
- Ratings U3 and V30
- Support for 4K video recording
The Samsung Pro Plus is a great choice for speed and price. You can get read speeds as high as 160MBps or write speeds upto 120MBps. It also has a variety of storage capacities to meet your needs. The card’s U3 and V30 ratings allow it to handle 4K video easily, making it ideal for use with new DSLR cameras. Therefore, we recommend this card as it is optimized to take advantage of your Samsung mobile devices — even if the latest Samsung flagships don’t include space for microSD cards these days.
SanDisk
SanDisk Extreme 1TB
Pros
- Plenty of storage space
- UHS Speed Class 3 ratings and V30 ratings
- Read speeds of 160MBps
- 90MBps write speeds
- Supports 4K video recordings
Cons
- Some reviews mention defective cards
If storage is your top priority, the Sandisk Extreme 1TB option will suit you perfectly. This product comes with expanded storage options, and its UHS 3 and V30 Speed Class ratings both mean it’s capable of handling 4K video recording with ease. The card’s read speeds measure at about 160MBps, and its write speeds reach up to 90MBps. You’ll want to ensure your device is fully compatible with maximizing that potential performance. In addition to its outstanding performance, the card was also awarded one of the highest A2 ratings possible for its storage capability on Android devices. This is a great choice for your DSLR camera, action camera, drone, or security camera, and packs all the storage you’ll ever need — but it’s an equally good buy if you have a compatible phone or tablet and don’t want to worry about running out of space.
Frequently Asked Question
What are the factors to consider when purchasing a microSD card
There are a handful of things to consider when you’re choosing a new microSD card for your phone. Obviously, the price and capacity are going to be factors, but you also need to make sure that the type of card you buy is supported by your device and that it’s suitable for your needs. You should also consider things such as SDHC and SDXC ratings, Speed Class ratings and Application Performance Class.
SDHC or SDXC
SDHC stands as Secure Digital High Capacity. SDXC stands in Secure Digital Extended Capacity. Their data storage capabilities are the only difference. You’ll find that SDHC microSD cards range from 2GB to 32GB in size, while SDXC microSD cards can range from 32GB up to 2TB in size, though the biggest microSD card we’ve seen so far is 1TB.
What are Speed Class ratings and what do they mean?
You’ll probably come across a slew of number-symbol combinations printed on cards and their packaging. These are Speed Class indicators that refer to a microSD card’s minimum sustained write speed. Write speed is the speed at which data can be saved on the microSD card. It’s expressed in megabytes per seconds (MBps). It’s useful to keep in mind when shopping for certain use cases like video recording. There are three types of classes currently: Speed Class (UHS), Speed Class and Video Speed Class. The original Speed Classes is denoted by the write speed enclosed in a large “C,” while UHS Speed Class is shown with a Class number inside a large “U.” The mark for Video Speed Class is a stylized “V” followed by the write speed. Here’s how the minimum speeds for the different classes break down.
| Class | Minimum write speed |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2MBps |
| 4 | 4MBps |
| 6 | 6MBps |
| 8 | 8MBps |
| 10 | 10MBps |
| UHS 1 | 10MBps |
| UHS 3 | 30MBps |
| V6 | 6MBps |
| V10 | 10MBps |
| V30 | 30MBps |
| V60 | 60MBps |
| V90 | 90MBps |
MicroSD cards that are trusted will have at minimum a Class 10 write speed rating. These minimum requirements are not mandatory. Many cards can achieve speeds that are higher than the rating. 95MBps may be offered by a Class 10 card, for instance. Read or transfer speeds are likely to be respectable — around 100MBps — across many options as well.
What is Application Performance Class (APC)?
The SD Association has also developed a standard called Application Performance ClassThe following is an overview of microSD cards that can be used in tablets and smartphones. The A1 rating signifies that the card can handle random read input/output access per second (IOPS), of 1,500, and write IOPS, of 500. Random read input-output access per sec is 4,000, and write IOPS are 2,000. This rating is great for opening and processing apps quickly. These A1 or A2 cards are important if you want to format your card for internal storage on Android devices, which Google calls Adoptable Storage.
How can you select the right microSD card to suit your needs?
If your goal is to add storage space for downloads and casual images and videos, the lower Speed Class ratings should be sufficient for your smartphone or tablet. This is important as most flagship phones do not have a card slot.
Pro photographers and drone enthusiasts who shoot a lot of video will need to invest in Class 10 or UHS microSD card cards. These cards are better equipped to handle 4K resolutions, high frame rates (60 frames per second, 120 fps), and will also be capable of handling 4K resolutions. Android power users might want to consider cards with App Performance Class designation.
In any case, you’re obviously going to want the highest speed, highest capacity microSD card you can get for the lowest price. Consider the reputation of the brand and their reliability. In case of an emergency, make sure to check the warranty terms. Also, be cautious about where you purchase. If you’re going to use Amazon or eBay, then read some customer reviews and watch out for fake microSD cards, because they’re disappointingly common.
Editors’ Recommendations
