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Best SD Cards of 2021 | TOP-7
We've tested and ranked the best SD cards of 2021.
Looking for the best SD cards for your camera? We tested their speed and practical application in cameras and camcorders, and then came up with the score that you will find in our guide below. (If you're looking for the best microSD cards, we've put together a separate ranking for them.)
SD cards are the most popular form of flash memory for storing digital data on a variety of devices, including cameras, camcorders, and audio equipment. Since their introduction to the market, there have been some changes in the way they operate and in overall efficiency, including new classifications of performance.
But what do all these numbers, classes, and letters mean? A variety of technical jargon can be a headache for the average user, but in this guide, we'll explain what you should look for and help you choose the SD card that's right for you. The first thing you should consider when looking for an SD card is how much storage you need.
If you are reading this thinking that it is enough to find the memory card with the highest numbers, you are wrong. The numbers on the cards are an indicator of size and speed, and sometimes the intended use (such as a photo or video), but manufacturers often indicate the best possible result. On the other hand, the actual benchmarks we ran here show the performance of the card that you are more likely to get on a day-to-day basis.
Our number one pick for the best SD card right now is the Transcend SDXC UHS-II U3 - this memory card offers the best transfer rates in our tests, has a wide range of capacities from 16GB to 256GB, and is shockproof, waterproof, X-ray resistant and so on. This memory card shouldn't bend in 8K video recording, even if you're shooting in the desert or halfway to a snow-capped peak, quickly saving your footage in high resolution.
But in our ranking, you will find many other good cards that we have tested extensively. To be fair, we tested the cards after preliminary formatting with SD Memory Card Formatter approved by the SD Association. If you want to know what to look for when choosing an SD card, after the rating, we provide information on the intricacies of modern memory cards - but right now, we will jump to the list of the best SD cards available in 2021.
These are the best microSD cards you can buy today.
BEST SD CARDS OF 2021
1 | TRANSCEND SDXC UHS-II U3
The best SD card in terms of performance and reliability.
Card type : SDXC | Capacity : up to 64GB | Read speed (declared) : up to 285 MB / s | Write speed (declared) : up to 180 Mb / s | Application : Photo or video 8K.
Pros : Transfer rate | Very durable;
Cons : Average price tag | Not everything will survive;
Best SD Card for 2021 - Transcend SDXC UHS-II U3. Rated Class 10, V90, U3, and UHS-II, we believe it will remain fast enough to capture almost everything modern devices can, but we didn't expect the speed results we got.
The Transcend memory card performed well in speed tests, surpassing the stated write speed (180 MB / s) with a result of 224 MB / s, only slightly yielding the read speed of 224 MB / s. All in all, such a card would be a great purchase at a reasonable price. It's ideal for fast, high-resolution photography and even for capturing 8K video, let alone 4K and HD recording.
Add to that water resistance, shockproof construction, and X-ray, thermal, and static electricity resistance, and here's a memory card that's designed to be used in almost any environment. For such a reasonable price, we're impressed with the card's capabilities, and the only thing it doesn't seem to be able to do is to stop the bullet.
2 | SANDISK EXTREME PRO SDXC UHS-I
Lightning speed for professionals from a reputable manufacturer.
Card type : SDXC | Capacity : up to 128GB | Read speed (declared) up to 300 MB / s | Write speed (declared) : up to 260 Mb / s | Application : Photography or 4K video.
Pros: High-speed data transfer | For professionals;
Cons: Expensive | Does not match the declared speeds;
Next on our list is the Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-1 from renowned SD card manufacturer SanDisk. As part of a group of manufacturers who have come together to standardize the SD card market, you can count on SanDisk to provide reliable memory cards at a reasonable price.
And while our tests revealed a drop in performance relative to the declared speeds (our tests returned a write speed of 63.6 MB / s and a read speed of 65.9 MB / s), the offer is still good for the money. Suitable for users who want to shoot 4K photos and videos, you can't go wrong with the Extreme Pro UHS-I.
For added peace of mind, the card is backed by a warranty directly from SanDisk, offering you a lifetime warranty in the event of a malfunction (which means 30 years). Not bad considering we probably won't need SD cards anymore in the distant future.
3 | PNY ELITE PERFORMANCE SDXC
Sturdy SD card, ideal for a tight budget.
Card type : SDXC | Capacity : up to 128GB | Read speed (declared) : up to 100 MB / s | Write speed (declared) : N / A | Application : Photography and HD Video;
Pros: Magnetically resistant | Waterproof | Cheap;
Cons: Write speed | Not for active users;
Considering the low price of these cards, they are surprisingly well protected from the elements. According to internal PNY tests, Elite Performance SDXC Memory Cards are magnetical, shock-resistant, heat-resistant, and waterproof. This makes PNY cards a great solution for users looking for a durable memory card that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Being in the UHS-I category, the Elite Performance is slightly slower than the competition. With a declared read speed of up to 100 MB / s, on tests, it showed only 65.7 MB / s, and the read speed turned out to be even lower than the declared one, on average 20.8 MB / s. However, for a regular camera that needs a sturdy card to snap rare photos or shoot HD videos, this is a great choice. If you are looking for a convenient solution and you do not need more than 128 GB of memory, then the PNY Elite performance should suit you.
4 | LEXAR PROFESSIONAL CLASS 10 UHS-II 2000X
Fast and reliable card designed for advanced users.
Card type : SDXC | Capacity : up to 128GB | Read speed (declared) : up to 300 MB / s | Write speed (declared) : up to 260 Mb / s | Application : 4K photography and video.
Pros : High transfer rate | Lifetime warranty;
Cons : Slightly more expensive than competitors | Up to 128 GB only;
With UHS-II technology in 2000X, you can count on this card when looking for fast read and write speeds. The Lexar name, while slightly more expensive than the competition, is known for its reliability and consistent performance when we talk about memory cards.
Practical tests have shown that read and write speeds are significantly better than other cards in this class. It lost only 19 MB / s from the stated write speed, showing a result of 241 MB / s, which makes the card an ideal solution for transferring large amounts of data, including recording 4K or 8K video, and the read speed was 253 MB / s.
In photography, it will be useful for photographers who shoot sports and wildlife, and indeed for any discipline that requires high-speed, high-resolution photography. It is also great for video recording when it comes to 4K and 8K resolution, as it is one of the fastest cards in our rating, which corresponds to the V90 classification.
5 | SANDISK EXTREME PRO SD UHS-II
Lightning speed for professionals.
Card type : SDXC | Capacity : up to 128GB | Read speed (declared) : up to 300 MB / s | Write speed (declared) : up to 260 Mb / s | Application : 4K photography and video.
Pros : High transfer rate | Suitable for professionals;
Cons : More expensive than others | Inferior to the declared speeds;
In our tests, this card lived up to the “Extreme Pro” name, impressive in both its reliability and data transfer speed. Overall, the Extreme Pro SD UHS-II performed well, hitting the 265MB / s mark in the 226MB / s read / write area. As expected, it falls short of the stated read and write speeds, but remains a good choice for capturing high-resolution photos in burst mode, as well as for 4K recording.
It is more expensive than its UHS-I counterparts, but that's to be expected, given the tight specs. There are other memory cards in this ranking that outperform and cost less, but SanDisk also offers a lifetime warranty that comes into play when you are looking for peace of mind regarding the safety of your photos or videos.
6 | LEXAR PROFESSIONAL 1667X SDXC UHS-II
(Image credit: Future)
Ideal for filmmakers who create 4K videos.
Card type : SDXC | Capacity : up to 256GB | Read speed (declared) : up to 250 MB / s | Write speed (declared) : up to 120 Mb / s | Application : 4K photos and videos.
Pros : High reading speed | Cards up to 256 GB;
Cons : 4K is the limit for video recording | Younger capacity 64 GB;
The 1667X SDXC UHS-II memory card with the smallest capacity is 64 GB, which can be a problem for some photographers and videographers who shoot content in low resolution, choosing a backup card with, say, 32 GB. However, the UHS-II classification means that the memory card is capable of recording video in 4K resolution, and at the same time it is ready to handle huge files, so the lack of 32 GB is not surprising.
Corresponding to the declared read speed of almost exactly 254 MB / s, the 1667X performs well in comparison with the declared data transfer rates. The write speed is lower than the declared one by about 20% (101 MB / s), which is equal or higher than the other memory cards in our review. The stability, high speed and limited lifetime warranty make the 1667X a desirable solution for creative users looking for high definition scenes.
7 | SANDISK EXTREME SD UHS-I V3
(Image credit: Future)
A brilliant memory card at a very reasonable price.
Card type : SDXC | Capacity : up to 256GB | Read speed (declared) : up to 150 MB / s | Write speed (declared) : up to 70 Mb / s | Application : 4K photography and video.
Pros : High write speed | Competitive price;
Cons : Slow reading speed | Inferior to UHS-II;
With capacities starting at 16GB, this is a great option for those looking for an inexpensive backup card that they can throw in their camera bag without having to worry about being inferior to others in terms of performance.
Our tests of the SanDisk Extreme SD UHS-I V3 showed the write speed to be exactly on par at 71.6 MB / s. But, as is the case with most other cards in our rating, the reading speed leaves much to be desired, accounting for almost half of the declared speed - 71.6 MB / s. However, you can forgive this shortcoming given the low cost of these multiples and the offering of capacities up to 256GB.
Like all SanDisk memory cards, it comes with a lifetime warranty and is shockproof, waterproof, heat resistant, X-ray resistant, and UHS III rated, making it a great choice for high-speed photography and 4K UHD video.
WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN CHOOSING A MEMORY CARD?
(Image credit: Future)
1. CAPACITY
In terms of SD card sizes, we're talking about how much data will fit on a memory card in gigabytes (or possibly terabytes). It is important to check your device manual for the maximum card capacity that it supports, as some cameras will not accept cards larger than 32GB. Generally, the larger the capacity, the more expensive the card is. But if you plan to take a lot of high-definition photos or shoot 4K / 8K video, you will most likely need at least 64 GB, nothing less.
2. SPEED
Capacity shouldn't be the only priority - read and write speeds of a memory card are critical for storing and writing data, as well as transferring data quickly between devices. Read / write speed indicated on SD cards is the best indicator recorded by the manufacturer, the figure is often overstated in order to sell better. The actual result is usually slower (sometimes much slower), so use our guide to get a better idea.
3. TYPE OF SD CARD
There are three main types of SD cards: SD, SDHC (extended capacity), or SDXC (extended capacity). Typically, SD cards have capacities ranging from 128MB to 2GB, which is too small for today's high-resolution cameras. SDHC expands the capacity of the card from 4GB to 32GB, which will suit most photographers and videographers. Meanwhile, SDXC cards range in size from 64GB to 2TB, and are designed for professionals who need memory.
4. DURABILITY
SD cards are flash memory, hence they have no moving parts, relying instead on electronic chips to store data. While they do not require power to store data, they can be damaged by water, fire, or physical shock. Some companies make custom-made "rugged" models that can survive anything while continuing to operate in extreme temperatures, which you might be looking for if you're planning a real adventure.
5. PHOTO OR VIDEO?
Most SD cards today are labeled UHS-I or UHS-II. UHS-I memory cards are usually slower, but cheaper and best suited for photographers. UHS-II cards read and write much faster, but they are more expensive and geared towards video recording (especially 4K). If you're not sure which class your card is in, UHS-I or UHS-II, just flip over and check how many rows of connectors it has - one or two rows indicate the appropriate class.
