Top MicroSD Cards of 2021
Photo by Patrick Daxenbichler via iStock
As photographers, there is a lot of gear we need to do our jobs and do them well.
Obviously, one of those items is a good collection of memory cards - cards that are reliable, durable, and offer the storage we need and the speeds we want.
But not all memory cards are made alike. And with so much choice out there, it can be hard to decide which memory cards warrant your investment and which ones you should avoid.
That being the case, we’ve put together this list of the top 10 memory cards of 2021. The purpose of this list is to give you ten high-quality options, that way you can take the guesswork out of shopping for memory cards.
To narrow the field down, we are highlighting microSD cards. The primary reason for this is because microSD cards offer you far more flexibility. That is, you can use them in your camera, drone, smartphone, or action camera, often without an adapter. And even if an adapter is needed (i.e., to use the card in your computer), many UHS-I and UHS-II cards come with a microSD to SD adapter.
Besides, microSD cards are a more budget-friendly option than an SD card with the same specs, so you can get a great memory card and save money. Who doesn’t like that?!
So, without further ado, let’s talk about some of the best microSD cards on the market!
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: Refurbished SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-II MicroSD Memory Card
You might be wondering why we chose a refurbished microSD card as the top microSD card of 2021…
Well, it’s pretty simple - you get all the benefits of a 128GB UHS-II card but at a fraction of the price.
A refurbished card means that it has undergone thorough testing by a third party. In fact, these cards are checked and reconditioned by qualified engineers and have plenty of lifespan left. They are 100 percent genuine SanDisk, so you can buy with confidence, save some money, and get all the features and benefits you would otherwise get with a card like this.
Speaking of features, this card offers up to 275MB/s transfer speeds, which means far less time you have to sit around and wait for your photos and videos to move from the card to your computer. And as a U3 card, you can easily record smooth 4K UHD video.
Likewise, SanDisk builds these cards for use in extreme environments, so they are temperature-proof, shockproof, waterproof, and X-ray-proof.
And when you buy from certain retailers, like SD Card Express (where you can buy cards on their website or on eBay, where they have been trading for more than five years), you get a three-month limited warranty and a 14-day money-back return policy. Additionally, you’ll get a UHS-II microSD to SD adapter as part of the deal. What’s not to like about that?!
Buy a Refurbished SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-II MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: Refurbished SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB UHS-II MicroSD Memory Card
In the number two spot on our list is the refurbished SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB UHS-II MicroSD Memory Card.
Just like its bigger brother that we discussed a moment ago, this card offers all the benefits of a UHS-II microSD card but at a fraction of the price.
Likewise, this card is also waterproof, shockproof, X-ray-proof, and temperature-proof and gives you blazing-fast 275MB/s transfer speeds for photos and videos.
The only difference between this card and the card in our top spot is that this is a 64GB card. If you don’t need 128GB of space, this is a great alternative, particularly because this card comes with a UHS-II microSD to SD adapter as well!
Buy a Refurbished SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB UHS-II MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: SanDisk Ultra 256GB MicroSD Memory Card
Next up on our list of the best microSD cards is this 256GB option from Sandisk.
With C10, U1, and V10 video speed, this SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card is ideal for recording full HD videos.
These cards offer up to 120MB/s transfer speeds so you can transfer your video files quickly. Or, if you’re more of a photographer, you can move up to 1,500 photos in about one minute. That’s not bad!
Additionally, since these cards are ideal for Android-powered devices, they are a great option for mobile photography. And since these cards are optimized for apps with their A1 APP Performance rating, you’ll be able to load apps faster and experience better performance as well.
What’s more, if you use the SanDisk Memory Zone app, you can view and access files and back up files from one location. You even get an included microSD to SD adapter!
Buy a Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: SanDisk Ultra 256GB MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB MicroSD Memory Card
True to form, this SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD card comes loaded with features that make it a great option for your photography and videography work in 2021.
With a read speed of up to 170MB/s and a write speed up to 90MB/s, this card offers the transfer speeds you demand. You can record full HD video, 4K UHD video, and take high-resolution photos with confidence thanks to its UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 ratings (V30).
And like the previous microSD card on this list, this one is a great option for Android-powered devised for improved file transfer speeds and A2 app performance. For example, you can transfer 30 minutes of 4K video or 1,000 high-resolution images in under three minutes!
Again, as an Extreme Pro card, you get the benefits of extreme durability, shockproofness, waterproofness, and so forth. This enables you to get out and have some adventures without worrying about whether your memory card is up to the task. You get a microSD to SD adapter as well!
Buy a SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: SanDisk Ultra 128GB MicroSD Memory Card
If you’re looking for a microSD card to expand your mobile storage, this SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card should be on your list.
This C10, U1, A1 card allows you to record and watch full HD video with ease with plenty of room left over for recording more footage.
You get up to 120MB/s transfer speeds which enables the transfer of up to 1,500 photos in a mere 60 seconds.
And like other A1-rated cards on this list, this card is optimized for apps so you get improved performance when launching and running apps on your Android device. It also comes with a microSD to SD adapter.
Buy a SanDisk Ultra 128GB MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: SanDisk Ultra 512GB MicroSD Memory Card
If you want a microSDXC UHS-I card that has a massive amount of storage, this 512GB option from SanDisk is worth a good, long look.
Like the 128GB option discussed above, this 512GB card has a class 10 speed rating for transferring your files quickly and efficiently.
Additionally, since it’s an A1-rated card, you get improved smartphone and tablet performance when launching and running apps.
As noted earlier, you can use the SanDisk Memory Zone app to view, access, and back up files on your phone. You can even automatically move files from your phone to this card to free up space on your phone. There’s an included microSD to SD adapter, too. Nice!
Buy a SanDisk Ultra 512GB MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: Kingston Canvas Select Plus 256GB MicroSD Memory Card
This 256GB UHS-I microSDXC card offers A1-rated performance with a build quality that gives you long-lasting durability, even when used in harsh environments.
Designed for use for photography and videography applications, you can shoot high-resolution photos and take full HD videos with ease - and transfer those files quickly and easily too.
Like the other A1 cards on this list, this card is compatible with Android devices, so you can shoot photos and videos, transfer files, and load apps with blazing speed.
This Canvas Select Plus card also comes with a microSD to SD adapter and a lifetime warranty so you get the ultimate peace of mind with your purchase!
In fact, all Kingston cards come with a lifetime warranty, as do the SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro cards on this list!
Buy a Kingston Canvas Select Plus 256GB MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: Kingston Canvas Select Plus 128GB MicroSD Memory Card
This 128GB card from Kingston is a good option for photographers and videographers that don’t need as much speed or storage capacity provided by the previous card we discussed.
For about half the price of the previous option, you get a 1 speed class card with V10 video speed performance and 128GB of storage space.
Again, you also benefit from Android compatibility, durability for shooting in harsh environments, a microSD to SD adapter, and a lifetime warranty as well.
Buy a Kingston Canvas Select Plus 128GB MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: SanDisk Extreme 128GB MicroSD Memory Card
This 128GB UHS-I microSD card from SanDisk offers the performance and reliability you expect along with A2-rated performance for smartphone applications.
With a read speed of up to 160MB/s and write speed up to 90MB/s, there’s not a long wait for your files to be transferred. That means more time out shooting photos and videos and less time sitting around transferring files!
In fact, this card allows you to capture fast-action photos or take 4K UHD videos with ease thanks to the UHS Speed Class 3 and Video Speed Class 30 ratings. This card also allows you to document your adventures with a waterproof, shockproof, and temperature-proof design (the card is also X-ray-proof!). You get a microSD to SD adapter too!
Buy a SanDisk Extreme 128GB MicroSD Memory Card
Top MicroSD Cards of 2021: SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB MicroSD Memory Card
If you don’t need an abundance of storage, this 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD card should be at the top of your list.
But don’t be fooled - though this card doesn’t have the massive storage of other SanDisk Extreme Pro cards on this list, it still offers you all the benefits of this line of microSD cards.
This includes read speeds of up to 170MB/s, write speeds of up to 90MB/s, A2-rated performance, and durable design.
Add in a microSD to SD adapter, compatibility with MobileMate® USB 3.0 readers (not included), and a killer price, and you have the makings of one of the top 10 microSD cards of 2021!
Buy a SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB MicroSD Memory Card
Bonus Option: Lexar Professional 1000x 32GB UHS-II MicroSD Memory Card
Last, but certainly not least, is this bonus option: the Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II card.
This microSD card gives you the high-quality performance and long-lasting durability you expect from Lexar, but without a huge price tag.
You can easily capture, playback, and transfer video and photo files with a read transfer speed of up to 150MB/s. With the included UHS-II USB 3.0 reader, you can give your workflow a speed boost so you can get back to shooting photos and videos faster.
This card is compatible with all sorts of devices, so whether you’re using a drone, an action camera, or something in between, you have a card that can store up to 15 hours of video. And since it comes with a microSD to SD adapter, you can also use this card in a camera with a standard UHS-II SD card slot.
Plus, the price is hard to beat, so you can get a high-quality, durable card without breaking the bank.
Buy a Lexar Professional 1000x 32GB UHS-II MicroSD Memory Card
