Any modern technology nowadays require space, despite their own respective purposes. Be it photography, videography, or even gaming, we can all agree that sooner or later, we run out of storage to ensure our devices can function optimally. The micro SD card is one of the most convenient external storages one can use, but which one? With all the different categories of micro SD cards in the market, how are we supposed to identify the best ones for our devices?
Firstly, micro SD cards can be categorized based on their capacity and speed. Capacity wise, micro SD cards can be categorized into SD, SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), and SDXC (Secure Digital eXtra Capacity). SDHC cards can store between 2GB-32GB of data, while SDXC cards can store above 32GB, up to 256GB. Speedwise, the most recent micro SD cards can be broken down into speed classes of class 2, 4, 6, 10, UHS 1, UHS 3, and video speed class of 6, 10, 30, 60, and 90. The numbers correspond to how fast the card’s write speed is (e.g. class 10 cards can run up to 10MB/s write speed). Here’s a graphical summary by SD Association:
With the above info in mind, let’s get to the best micro SD cards below:-
Samsung 256GB EVO Plus Micro SD
RM 700.00
Best for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch made its debut not long ago, along with a long list of anticipated games expected to hit the market throughout the year. Thus, with only up to 32GB of internal storage on the Switch, the 256GB Samsung Evo Plus is a perfect choice of storage upgrade. With UHS class 3 speed, you can’t go wrong with game loading time.
Samsung 64GB EVO Plus Micro SD
RM 255.00
Best overall, best for phones, best for Samsung Galaxy S7
The Samsung Evo Plus makes this list again as one of the best overall micro SD cards, and for one important reason: its read speed and write speed. This means that data can be stored quickly, as well as loaded quickly from this card to whatever device it is attached to. Phones usually demand these 2 criterias, and thus, the Evo Plus in general, is the best choice of micro SD card for phones.
Sandisk Extreme Pro 64GB Micro SD Card
RM 456.00
Best for 4K video recording
The Sandisk Extreme Pro is best suited for 4K video recording mainly because it has incredible transfer speed (up to 275 MB/s). It also has a speed class of UHS-3, which coupled with its transfer speed earlier, makes it an ideal card in whatever device that utilizes frequent 4K recordings. These are important as 4K videos take up large amounts of space and are bulky individually, and this microSD card handles these like a veteran.
Sandisk Ultra 200GB Micro SD Card Premium
RM 419.00
BUY NOW
Best for Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 owners looking to expand their storage can consider this 200GB beast, which boasts a transfer speed up to 90MB/s. Classified as a speed class 10 and UHS-1, it can store and playback full HD videos. Note that the Surface Pro 4 only reads up to UHS-1 speed class Micro SD cards, so this is the best option right now for Pro 4 users.
Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB SDHC Card
RM 188.00
Best for DSLRs
For DSLRs that are capable of shooting 4K, this is a steal of a card at RM 188.00. Having a UHS-3 speed class and bus speed II, this means that it has amazing read speed and write speed at 95 MB/s and 90 MB/s respectively. Due to this, the Sandisk Extreme Pro is highly recommended for avid and full time photographers that transfer files out and into their DSLRs at a daily basis.
Transcend High Endurance 32GB Micro SD Card
RM 250.00
Best for dashboard cameras
More and more vehicles on the road nowadays are opting for the installation of dashboard cameras, as traffic incidents are increasingly frequent due to the influx of traffic. The Transcend High Endurance is built for just that; long hours of full HD recording (up to 12,000 hours). It is also waterproof, temperature proof, static proof and is shock resistance, thus able to provide valuable footage even after being involved in accidents.
Lexar 1000x MicroSDXC
RM 877.20
Best for GoPro Hero 4 & 5
Verified by GoPro themselves to be compatible with GoPro Hero 4 & 5, this card boasts a massive 128GB storage, along with a UHS-3 speed class. This enables fast transfer, capture, and playback of full HD and 4K videos, which is the main highlight for the GoPro action cameras.
Lexar 633x Micro SD Card
RM 264.00
Honorable mention, best overall
The Lexar 633x deserves a spot on this list because it comprises all of the criterias to make a complete micro SD card, be it transfer speed, read speed, write speed, and storage capacity. Most importantly, it does not burn a huge hole in your pocket, and with its current price at RM 264.00 for 128GB, it is a very good steal. Although not the best in each category, it still is one of the best for budget, all-rounder micro SD cards around.
Disclaimer: The pricing is just a good indication of how much these products are. The prices could change based on the e-commerce promotions that are going on. Some of the products might not be available too, do email us at [email protected] if that's the case! Thanks!