The Best SD Cards of 2023

SanDisk’s Extreme Pro UHS-I is fast, affordable, and offers ample storage for photos and videos. It guarantees a minimum write speed of 30 MB/s thanks to its support of the U3 standard, making it possible to shoot burst-mode images in Raw and 4K video (if your camera is capable). It also supports read speeds up to 200 MB/s and can withstand temps from negative 13 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’re the type of person who enjoys exploring extreme environments, including snow mountains and arid deserts, this card will be a durable companion. The card is also resistant to water, shock, and X-rays to withstand the distress of your travels. And for the price, you can buy multiple and never run out of storage when shooting a wedding.

The SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro UHS-II is an excellent pick if you need a truly high-speed memory card. It supports maximum read speeds of up to 300 MB/s, allowing you to quickly transfer images and video to your computer. While this figure may not be necessary to the average photographer, it could save you a lot of time when importing what you’ve captured.

The SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro UHS-II also features maximum write speeds of up to 260 MB/s and support for the U3 standard. This allows you to record 4K video at a sustained video capture rate of 30 MB/s. It also supports a video speed class of V90, making it possible to record 8K video, with write speeds guaranteed to stay at 90 MB/s.

This model is the same as our previous pick but offers more storage. We don’t recommend only owning one SD card, but if you did only purchase one, we recommend the SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro UHS-II. It supports the same read and write speeds as the pick above but doubles the storage, allowing you to store more photos or videos on a single card. The larger storage is particularly convenient if you shoot many high-resolution videos because it could fill up fast.

For example, if you’re a wedding videographer, you’ll want all the storage you can get because every moment counts. The downside of the SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro UHS-II is its price; it’s not cheap, so it’s not for everyone. But you'll get your money's worth if you need the highest specs and ample storage.

The Lexar 64GB Professional 1667x UHS-II is similar to our previous two picks but features slightly slower maximum read speeds of 250 MB/s. It also supports a video speed class of V60, which means the highest resolution it can record in 4K. For most people, 4K video is more than enough, but if you absolutely must own an SD card with a speed class of V90, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Even though you don’t get the fastest speeds, Lexar’s SD card is still plenty quick. And it’s available at an affordable price, making it an excellent option if you need multiple cards for a big shoot. Like other options on this list, it includes a built-in write protection switch, so you don’t accidentally write over images and videos you’ve already recorded. All in all, Lexar’s 64GB Professional 1667x UHS-II is a solid option for casual shooters.

If you need an SD card that can handle extreme environments, Sony’s 128GB SF-M Tough Series UHS-II should be in your gear bag. Sony’s Tough Series is 18 times more resistant to bending than the SD standard, and it’s IP68 dust and waterproof, with the ability to survive in 16 feet of water for up to 72 hours. And thanks to its one-piece molded design, it can withstand drops up to 16 feet.

Outside of its extreme durability, Sony’s SD card supports fast write speeds of up to 150 MB/s and features a speed class of V60, allowing you to record 4K video and high-bitrate video capture. The fast write speeds and support for high-resolution video make the Sony 128GB SF-M Tough Series UHS-II a well-balanced alternative to our other picks. It belongs in your kit if you’re the type of photographer who is always chasing sunsets.