Best SD Cards for Action Cameras in 2025

Before the recommendations, it’s worth understanding the key factors that make a microSD card suitable for action cameras:

• Speed Class & Video Rating: Minimum write speed is critical. Look for Class 10, UHS-I U3, and V30 labels – these ensure at least 30MB/s sustained writes for 4K UHD video. All the best microSD cards in 2025 carry U3 and V30 ratings (or higher), which prevents dropped frames or recording errors during high-bitrate video.
• Read/Write Performance: Higher sequential read speeds (e.g. 100–160+ MB/s) mean faster offloading of footage to your computer. Fast write speeds (e.g. 90–130+ MB/s) allow the card to handle bursts of 4K, 120fps, or even 5K footage without buffering. We focus on cards with proven high throughput – many of these top out the UHS-I interface. For instance, Lexar’s 1066x Silver series achieved over 180 MB/s writes in testing, exceeding its own specs.
• UHS-I vs UHS-II: Most action cams support UHS-I only. UHS-II microSD cards (which have a second row of contacts for higher bus speeds) will work in UHS-I cameras, but you won’t get extra speed in-camera. All our picks are UHS-I cards, which are more cost-effective and fully sufficient for GoPro, DJI, and similar devices in 2025. (UHS-II and the new microSD Express cards are emerging, but they’re mainly beneficial for devices that explicitly support those modes – no current action camera does, as of 2025.)
• Capacity and File System: Ensure your camera can handle 1TB microSDXC cards. Most modern action cams do (GoPro’s 2024–2025 models, DJI, etc., support exFAT-formatted microSDXC up to 1TB). The benefit of 1TB is fewer card changes; the downside is that if you lose or corrupt a card, that’s a lot of data on one card. Using high-quality, well-reviewed cards and formatting in-camera can mitigate risks.
• Durability & Warranty: Action cams face extreme conditions – shock, temperature, water, and sometimes constant writing. Many cards are built to be waterproof, temperature-proof, shock-proof, and X-ray-proof. Look for those assurances. Also consider the warranty: top manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties on flash memory (or long fixed terms like 10 years for Samsung). A long warranty indicates the brand’s confidence in the product’s longevity.
• A1 vs A2 Rating: This is the App Performance Class. A2 cards can handle random reads/writes at higher IOPS, which matters if using the card for apps (Android adoptable storage, etc.). For pure video recording, A1 vs A2 doesn’t directly affect footage quality, but A2-rated cards are generally higher-end and use faster controllers and memory, which often correlates with better overall performance. All else equal, an A2, U3, V30 card is ideal for an action cam in 2025.

Now, with these criteria in mind, let’s look at the best SD cards for action cameras this year.

Below we’ve listed the top SD cards that combine high speeds, reliability, and real-world performance in action cameras. Each entry notes the card’s speed ratings, measured performance where applicable, warranty, and approximate current Amazon price. All these cards are microSDXC UHS-I and have at least U3 and V30 ratings (suitable for 4K). We’ve emphasized cards tested by experts or carrying strong reputations among action cam users.

Title: Best Overall SD card for 4K Action Cams
Speed Class: UHS-I U3, V30, A2
Rated Speeds: Up to 190 MB/s read, 130 MB/s write (with SanDisk QuickFlow tech
Warranty: Limited lifetime (in U.S.)
Amazon Price: ~$100 (adapter included)

SanDisk’s Extreme line has been a go-to for GoPro users for years, and the latest SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC continues to impress. It’s optimized for 4K and 5K video recording, carrying the U3 and V30 badges to guarantee 30MB/s minimum sustained writes – crucial for high-bitrate action footage. 

In fact, SanDisk touts write speeds of up to 130MB/s on this card, with read speeds of up to 190MB/s when using their proprietary QuickFlow-compatible reader. This means quicker file transfers after a day of shooting (though note that in-camera performance is limited by UHS-I bus ~104MB/s).

SanDisk Extreme 1TB is built for extreme conditions: it’s temperature-proof, water-proof, shock-proof and X-ray-proof. It’s one of the officially recommended cards for GoPro and other action cams due to its reliable performance. In action, it can easily handle 4K UHD at 60fps, and even the GoPro’s 5.3K modes or 240fps slow-motion, without dropping frames. The A2 rating also means it can double as high-speed storage for smartphones or drones, with snappy app loading.

Why it’s great: The SanDisk Extreme offers a balance of high performance and proven reliability. Many creators consider it the “safe choice” for capturing critical moments. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty, showing confidence in longevity. If you want a single card that you can trust for a big adventure trip, the 1TB Extreme is hard to beat. 

Tech reviewers often use SanDisk Extreme as a benchmark; it consistently ranks among the best microSD cards for any application. And with prices around the $100 mark for 1TB, it’s also competitively priced per GB in 2025.

Note: SanDisk also sells an Extreme Pro microSD (often black/red label) with slightly higher top-end speeds (advertised up to ~200MB/s read and 140MB/s write). However, in practice, Extreme and Extreme Pro perform very similarly in UHS-I devices. The Extreme 1TB is more widely available and usually cheaper, making it the better value for action camera use.

Title: High Performance with 10-Year Warranty
Speed Class: UHS-I U3, V30, A2
Rated Speeds: Up to 180 MB/s read, 130 MB/s write
Warranty: 10-year limited (Samsung USA)
Amazon Price: ~$90 (often on sale)

Samsung was a bit late to the microSD party, but with the Samsung PRO Plus 1TB (released in 2024), they delivered a top-tier contender. 

The Samsung PRO Plus is all about consistency and durability – it’s designed for intensive use in drones, action cams, and smartphones. It comes with Samsung’s hallmark 6-proof protection (water, temperature, X-ray, magnet, drop, and wear resistance). 

With sequential speeds up to 180MB/s read and 130MB/s write, it’s one of the fastest UHS-I microSD cards on paper. In practice, those speeds enable smooth recording of 4K UHD video and quick file transfers. The card easily meets U3/V30 requirements (Samsung explicitly advertises the Pro Plus for 4K UHD and super slow-motion recording).

One standout feature is the 10-year warranty Samsung provides – a testament to the company’s confidence. That’s about as long as one could realistically use a flash memory card, making it ideal for users who plan to reuse the card across multiple cameras and devices over the years. The PRO Plus is also A2-rated, so it excels in random read/writes (e.g., if you use it in an Android device or to store many small files).

In an action camera, the Samsung PRO Plus performs flawlessly. It keeps up with GoPro Hero 12/13 Black recording at 4K60 and with DJI’s high-bitrate modes. It also has a slightly higher sustained write speed than Samsung’s EVO series (below), giving extra buffer for data spikes (like when shooting dynamic scenes or rapid photo bursts). If you often push your gear to the limits – say, continuous recording in hot environments – the PRO Plus is a robust choice.

Why it’s great: Samsung’s flash memory expertise shows here – the PRO Plus offers excellent speed and reliability on par with SanDisk’s Extreme Pro. It’s a top pick for professionals who need that added peace of mind (with the long warranty and Samsung’s quality control). 

Despite being a premium card, it’s often discounted around ~$90 for 1TB, which is fantastic value. Samsung even launched a special Sonic the Hedgehog edition of this card (with identical specs) in early 2025, underscoring how it’s being pushed to gamers and content creators alike. For action cam users who want one of the fastest and toughest cards available, the Samsung PRO Plus 1TB is a wise investment

Title: Fastest Read/Write Speeds in Class
Speed Class: UHS-I U3, V30, A2
Rated Speeds: Up to 160 MB/s read, 130 MB/s write (tested beyond this)
Warranty: Limited lifetime (10-year limited in regions that don’t allow lifetime)
Amazon Price: ~$95 (often around $90 on sale)

Lexar’s Professional 1066x Silver Series (sometimes dubbed “Silver Plus” in reviews) has emerged as one of the fastest UHS-I microSD cards on the market. Aimed at action cameras, drones, and DSLR/mirrorless users, the 1TB version combines huge capacity with blazing speed. 

Officially, it’s rated for 160MB/s reads and 130MB/s writes – right up against the UHS-I theoretical limits. In real-world benchmarking, TechRadar’s tests found the Lexar 1066x actually exceeded those specs, reaching ~205 MB/s read and 182 MB/s write in certain tests. This means the card not only clears the V30 hurdle comfortably, but has headroom to spare – a boon for offloading large 4K video files or shooting high-res burst photos.

For action camera use, the Lexar Professional 1TB provides smooth 4K recording and is well-suited for high-frame-rate modes. It’s U3 and V30 rated of course, and also A2-rated for high performance. What sets it apart is that extra speed margin – if you use a USB 3.2 UHS-II card reader, you can dump footage significantly faster than with cards capped at around 90-100MB/s. Lexar’s card is also built tough: it’s marketed as durable in extreme conditions (water/shock/vibration resistant), and all cards undergo extensive testing in Lexar’s labs.

Why it’s great: For pure performance, the Lexar 1TB Silver Series is a star. It’s often cited as overengineered for what most consumer devices need, which is good news for users who want a bit of future-proofing. In an action cam, you won’t necessarily notice a difference vs. other top cards during recording, since all these cards meet the 4K requirement, but you may notice faster file transfers and perhaps slightly less drop in speed as the card fills up. Lexar managed to balance speed and capacity without breaking the bank; the card is usually priced competitively against SanDisk and Samsung. 

With a limited lifetime warranty (in the US) to back it, it’s an excellent choice if you want the fastest 1TB microSD card for your GoPro or drone. Many reviewers have called it a “great solution” for expanding action camera storage, highlighting that its performance even exceeded expectations in testing.

Note: The Lexar Professional series was historically well-regarded by professionals (Lexar introduced the first 1TB SD card back in 2019). After a change in ownership, Lexar’s new products,like this 1066x have proven themselves in independent reviews. Just be sure to buy from a legitimate source, as counterfeit high-capacity Lexar cards can appear due to the brand’s popularity.

Title: Reliable 4K Performer for Action Cameras
Speed Class: UHS-I U3, V30, A2
Rated Speeds: Up to 170–200 MB/s read (varies by reader), 90 MB/s write
Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty
Amazon Price: ~$90

Kingston’s Canvas Go! Plus series is built “for adventurers”, and it shows in the design and specs. The 1TB Canvas Go! Plus is a high-speed card tailored to action cams, drones, and mobile gaming. It carries the necessary U3 and V30 ratings for 4K recording and is A2-rated for snappy app performance. Kingston advertises read speeds up to 170MB/s on the microSD (which can reach 200MB/s on the full-size SD version of Canvas Go! Plus using a UHS-II reader). 

Write speeds are around 90MB/s for the microSD, which is on par with other top cards. In real usage, this means the Canvas Go! Plus easily handles GoPro’s 4K60 and 5K30 modes and high-bitrate video, and it keeps pace when taking bursts of 20MP+ stills on a drone or DSLR (with adapter).

The Canvas Go! Plus is rugged: it’s tested to be waterproof, shock and vibration proof, x-ray proof, and temperature proof – all essential for withstanding the rigors of outdoor action camera use. Kingston is known for solid memory products, and this card is no exception. With a limited lifetime warranty backing it, you can trust it for the long haul.

One advantage with Kingston is broad compatibility – these cards play nicely with essentially any device that supports microSDXC. Users have reported the 1TB Canvas Go! Plus works flawlessly in GoPro HERO9/10/11/12, DJI Osmo Action, as well as in gaming devices like the Nintendo Switch (though for Switch use, the focus is more on capacity). For our context of action cameras, the Canvas Go! Plus offers consistently fast writes that prevent recording issues.

Why it’s great: The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is a no-nonsense workhorse. It may not always top the charts in raw benchmarks (its write speed ~90MB/s is a tick behind the likes of Samsung Pro or Lexar on paper), but it delivers where it counts – stable 4K video capture and fast reads. Many content creators appreciate Kingston for its reliability and the lifetime warranty – essentially, Kingston stands behind the card as long as you own it. 

The price of the 1TB model has become quite reasonable, often around $85–$95. If you’re expanding your arsenal of memory for multiple cameras, the Canvas Go! Plus is a great choice to ensure each device has a dependable card. It’s especially appealing if you’ve had good experiences with Kingston in the past and want a card that “just works” in the field.

Title: High-Capacity Card with Solid Performance, also Best Value Option
Speed Class: UHS-I U3, V30, A2
Rated Speeds: Up to 100 MB/s read, 90 MB/s write (Pro Elite series)
Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty
Amazon Price: ~$70 (frequently on sale)

If you’re looking for a slightly more budget-friendly 1TB card that still meets all the performance needs of an action camera, PNY’s Pro Elite 1TB is worth considering. PNY is a U.S.-based memory manufacturer that has been around for decades, and their Pro Elite microSD line targets high-end usage (photography, 4K video, etc.) without the premium price of some bigger brands. The Pro Elite 1TB is rated U3/V30, guaranteeing those crucial sustained speeds for 4K recording, and is also A2-rated. Its advertised speeds (about 100MB/s read, 90MB/s write) are a bit lower than some competitors – it doesn’t boast 150+ MB/s reads – but in practice 100MB/s is more than enough for action cams, which typically require at most ~60-90 Mbps (7.5–11 MB/s) for 4K video streams.

In camera usage, the PNY Pro Elite handles 4K video without hiccups – the 90MB/s write ceiling is well above the threshold needed, providing a buffer for any spikes. The slightly lower read speed means offloading files might be a tad slower than, say, with a Lexar or SanDisk Extreme, but the difference for say 30GB of footage might be only a minute or two in real terms. For most users, that’s an acceptable trade-off given the cost savings. As of 2025, the 1TB Pro Elite often sells for considerably less than $100; we’ve seen it around $70-75 on Amazon, making it one of the cheapest brand-name 1TB microSD cards with V30 capability.

Despite the lower price, PNY doesn’t skimp on quality: the Pro Elite is magnet-proof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, and waterproof as well. It’s a popular choice for dash cams and security cams too, which means it can endure continuous writing. PNY offers a limited lifetime warranty on the standard Pro Elite series, so you’re covered in case of any failures (they also have a separate High Endurance line with shorter warranty, but note this Pro Elite 1TB is the performance line).

Why it’s great: PNY Pro Elite 1TB strikes a great balance for hobbyist action cam users or anyone on a budget. You get a full 1TB of space and reliable V30 performance at a lower cost-per-gigabyte. If you need to buy multiple cards (perhaps for a multi-cam setup or to have spares), going with PNY can save a significant amount compared to the top-tier flagships, without sacrificing the ability to record high-quality video. It’s essentially a value pick – you still get the critical specs like U3/V30 and a lifetime warranty, just with slightly lower peak speeds. 

For many, that’s an acceptable compromise. In real-world usage with a GoPro or similar, you likely won’t notice a difference in recording quality versus more expensive cards – your footage will be just as smooth. The only time you might wish for a faster card is when transferring lots of files, but even then the Pro Elite’s ~100 MB/s read is respectable. Overall, it’s one of the best microSD cards for action cameras (2025) in terms of bang for your buck.