Best SD Cards in 2023

Having into account that even when technology is to constantly evolve will not perfect, always will be other devices to solve/fill a gap or necessity. For example, the mobiles, cameras, pcs, video game consoles have a limit of memory, but not for that we do not stop use it, so as a result someone created the SD Card.  

What is a SD Card?  

A removable flash memory card that allows information and content to be stored digitally. SD (Secure Digital) cards are commonly used in portable devices such as cell phones, digital cameras, or tablets. SD cards allow you to expand the memory of your devices or move information around comfortably.  

SD cards are getting smaller and smaller, but they are increasing their capacities in a revolutionary way, so there are several types of cards, and they can also have contrasting functions depending on the device you use them with. 

One of the most important aspects of these cards is that they are adapted to the Digital Security Association standards and therefore, they are very versatile and can be used in different devices regardless of the brand. 

Knowing all this information, today we are going to tell you what things you should consider when buying an SD in the year 2023. 

What to look for in an SD Card? 

We start with the most crucial factor to consider when buying an SD card: of course, it is the storage capacity. And this depends on what you will be using the card for. For example, photographers, videographers, and avid gamers usually require larger-capacity cards (as we said at the beginning of the article). 

The maximum capacity SD card your device is compatible with is especially important to keep in mind. Because, most memory card models come in several storage options, but some max out at 256 GB. And there is no use spending on a higher capacity if your device cannot use it! 

The speed will be your next criterion for choosing a memory card. For photographers, write speeds are particularly important as they determine how fast you can shoot, especially in burst mode. 

The read speed is the number to look out for, so you know how long it will take for a game or program to load off the card. Manufacturers offer these read and write speeds on the packaging. 

Another more technical features are 

The Ultra-High-Speed categories that indicate the minimum data transfer rates. For example, U1 writes up to 10 MB/s while U3 writes up to 30 MB/s. But it goes beyond that. U3 is crucial for 4K storage, thanks to the fast write speed, while U1 is compatible with lower resolutions. 

Now we are going to present you, a SD card based on the requirements for each use case, such as speed, durability, and video classes. 

Best Budget SD Card: SanDisk Extreme Pro Card 

Despite it cost, it boasts a fast quoted read speed of up to 170 MB/s, minimizing the time it takes to transfer files from the card to a computer. Plus, it is rated UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30), making it suitable for 4K UHD video recording. 

Also, it features impressive quoted write speeds of 90 MB/s, allowing you to shoot in burst mode with fewer processing time delays. While those quoted speeds are great, not everything is good, you will need proprietary technology, such as SanDisk’s SD UHS-I Card Reader, to achieve them. Otherwise, you are stuck at around 90 MB/s read and 80 MB/s write speeds. 

If you go for the 128 GB or 256 GB models, you save even more per gigabyte of storage space. Still, if you are on a tight budget, it should provide you with enough value for money.  

Pros 

• ✓ Affordable 
• ✓ Good for professionals 
• ✓ Fast data speeds 

Cons 

•  ✗ Claimed speeds cannot be achieved without proprietary tech 

Best SD Card Overall: Transcend 700S Memory Card 

Thanks to its UHS Speed Class 3 rating, it can reach write speeds of 180 MB/s and quoted read speeds of 285 MB/s. This speed means you can take rapid-fire still photography effortlessly.  

The card is built to withstand harsh conditions like humidity, shocks, X-rays, temperature extremes, and static currents. As a plus, transcend offers free, exclusive recovery software, so you can search deep within the card for traces of erased files. The downside is that it only comes in 32 GB and 64 GB models, which is not enough for photographers and videographers. 

Pros 

• ✓ Comes with utility software  
• ✓ Durable  
• ✓ Incredible transfer speeds 
• ✓ 4k support 

Cons 

• ✗ Insufficient storage options 

Best SD Card for Raspberry Pi: Silicon Power 3D NAND MicroSD Card 

Even though most Raspberry Pi devices rely entirely on external memory for their storage needs, a 32 GB card is more than sufficient. It has also been shown to perform well on various tests.  

As far as downsides go, the only real problem here is that its boot time is slow. It is rated at UHS Speed 1 and loads apps consistently faster than most similar options on Raspberry Pi 4. 

Pros 

• ✓ Affordable 
• ✓ Excellent Raspberry Pi 4 speeds 
• ✓ White surface for labeling 

Cons 

• ✗ Slow boot time