Due to the different marketing claims and confusing letters slapped on the cards, choosing the best microSD card could be a little difficult. Some of those specifications, such capacity or maximum read and write speeds, are straightforward. Even though they are more difficult to evaluate directly, other claims like endurance and input/output operations per second nevertheless have value.
1. SanDisk Extreme
It now supports SanDisk’s QuickFlow technology, which allows for transfers at speeds of up to 190 MBps, greatly beyond the typical UHS-I standard’s cap of 104 MBps. Unfortunately, QuickFlow requires an explicitly supported SanDisk card reader to function, so you won’t experience that level of speed on a smartphone. It does, however, mean that consumers may rely on SanDisk’s most recent microSD cards to reach the performance ceiling as closely as is reasonably possible.
2. Samsung Evo Select
Along with producing some of the world’s top Android smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S22, Samsung also produces some of the best flash storage and microSD cards available. Despite not having the 90MB/s write rates of the Lexar 1000x or SanDisk Extreme, this cost-effective microSD card nevertheless performs flawlessly without breaking the bank.
3. SanDisk Extreme Pro
The SanDisk Extreme Pro should be on your radar if you want the fastest speeds and most reliable storage and are ready to spend a little more money than usual. It is marketed with the same speed classes and IOPS ratings as many of its rivals, yet in practical benchmarks, it outperforms them all.
4. Lexae Professional 1000x
The premium 1000x from photography-focused company Lexar has you covered if you insist on having the best-performing equipment imaginable. It utilises the UHS-II bus often used by high-end cameras and is backwards compatible with the UHS-I bus used by the majority of smartphones.
5. PNY Pro Elite
The PNY Pro Elite is a viable option if you simply require 128 or 256 GB of storage expansion. By impressively quickly loading non-critical apps like games and chat programmes, it lives up to its A2 rating. Despite its low cost, it performs almost as well as the best overall.
6. Lexar Professional 1066x
Lexar’s memory products are primarily targeted at photo and video cameras, which often place a high priority on high sequential write speeds. With an A2 IOPS rating, this one is a little different because it can load, update, and manage apps just as well as the best of them.
7. Samsung Pro Plus
Consider the Samsung Pro Plus if you have a current flagship smartphone and want to ensure that your additional storage is operating at the fastest possible speeds. It meets or surpasses all V30 and A2 requirements, and each size offers comparable performance, which isn’t usually the case with high-capacity microSD cards.
8. Samsung PRO Endurance 256GB
This card works well for memory-constrained phones and loop recording in security and dash cams. According to Samsung, this card can handle about 140,000 hours of 4K recording and playback.
9. Verbatim 64GB Premium
With read/write speeds of up to 80MB/s and V10 video class speed, it can easily handle 1080p video. It is also water-resistant, shockproof, and temperature-proof, making it built to withstand the elements.
10. Netac 32GB
This incredibly tough card can endure almost anything, including X-ray radiation, harsh temperatures, shock, and water. Additionally, there are other storage options available, starting at 32GB and going all the way up to 512GB.
