The Best SecureDigital Memory Cards
We reviewed eight SanDisk memory cards, based on expert reviews, owner ratings, and video reviews. The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card is our top pick for its high performance and reliability.
Updated
The bottom line
The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card is our top pick for professional photographers and videographers due to its fast read and write speeds, high capacity, and robust durability. It has read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds of up to 140MB/s, making it suitable for 4K UHD video recording and high-resolution photography. The SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card is a close runner-up, offering similar performance at a lower capacity. For budget-conscious buyers, the SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I Memory Card is a reliable and affordable option with read speeds of up to 120MB/s and Full HD video support.
SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card $88.99
Best performance and reliability
The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card has read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds of up to 140MB/s. It is highly rated by users with a 4.8/5 rating from 70,165 reviews. The tradeoff is its higher price at $88.99, but the performance and reliability make it worth the investment for professionals.
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SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card $28.99
High performance at lower capacity
The SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card has read speeds of up to 100MB/s and write speeds of up to 90MB/s. It is highly rated by users with a 4.8/5 rating from 70,060 reviews. The tradeoff is its slightly lower capacity and performance compared to the top pick.
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SANDISK 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I Memory Card $16.09
Affordable and reliable
The SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I Memory Card has read speeds of up to 120MB/s and Full HD video support. It is highly rated by users with a 4.7/5 rating from 78,522 reviews. The tradeoff is its lower performance compared to the top picks, but it offers a reliable and affordable solution for casual users.
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- SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card Best performance and reliability 10.0/10 $88.99 Amazon
- SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card High performance at lower capacity 9.0/10 $28.99 Amazon
- SANDISK 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I Memory Card Affordable and reliable 8.0/10 $16.09 Amazon
- SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card High capacity with good performance 8.0/10 $130.00 Amazon
- SanDisk Extreme PRO SD Card High-speed card with durability 7.0/10 $46.44 Amazon
- SANDISK 128GB Ultra SDXC High capacity with decent performance 7.0/10 $29.84 Amazon
- SanDisk 32GB Ultra Good value with mixed video reviews 6.0/10 $19.95 Amazon
- SANDISK 64GB Extreme PRO SD UHS-I Card High-speed card with limited expert reviews 6.0/10 $36.40 Amazon
Where the differences show up in daily use
The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card and the SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card have significantly faster read and write speeds compared to the other cards. This means quicker data transfer and better performance when recording high-resolution photos and 4K UHD videos. The SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I Memory Card, while more affordable, has lower read speeds and no specified write speeds, making it less suitable for professional use.
Who should buy which
Professional photographers and videographers should consider the SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card or the SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card for their high performance and reliability. Casual users or those on a budget can opt for the SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I Memory Card, which offers a good balance of affordability and reliability.
The also-rans
The SanDisk 128GB Ultra SDXC and the SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I Memory Card did not earn any picks due to their lower performance compared to the top picks. The SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SD UHS-I Card and the SanDisk Extreme PRO SD Card have limited expert reviews, making it difficult to assess their performance accurately.
Timing
The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card and the SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SD Memory Card are currently the best options available, offering the best combination of performance, capacity, and durability. However, keep an eye on new releases and price fluctuations, as the memory card market is constantly evolving.