When shopping for the best memory cards, it is essential to consider its speed, storage capacity, and brand. I’ve suggested the top five products on the market below based on these features. Keep reading to learn more!
When I use a GoPro camera, one of the first things I think about is the storage space. Does it have enough memory space to save my videos? If not, I will search for memory cards on the market.
But with so many products on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
Fortunately, I listed the five best memory cards for GoPro action cameras. We scoured the web and countless product reviews to determine these top picks.
All these products can handle 4K footage, so you can save, view, and share your incredible videos without problem.
And if you are curious about which options will matter to you, check out our handy buying guide below. You can also refer to our glossary of the memory card terms you will encounter.
Let’s dive right into it!
What SD Card Do I Need for a GoPro Camera?
Before reading our top recommendations, it is essential to know which SD card complies with your camera. Below are the memory card requirements for your GoPro.
Memory Card Type: MicroSD
Memory Card Speed: UHS-I
Storage Capacity: microSDHC (16 GB to 32 GB), microSDXC (64 GB and above)
You can also check out this list of compatible memory cards that work with GoPro cameras.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Runner-up  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
5 Best Memory Cards for GoPro Action Cameras
Here are our top choices for the best memory card for GoPro. Each one is a speed class 10 card to ensure fast transfer of your photos and videos.
1. SanDisk Extreme 128 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card – Best Overall
SanDisk is perhaps the most popular SD card brand on the market today. They offer different types of memory cards. But we ended up choosing the SanDisk Extreme 128 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card for having fast performance while still being relatively affordable.
It features 128 GB capacity, which is more than enough for your everyday shooting needs. It also has a read speed of up to 160 MB/sec and 90 MB/sec write speed. These make it a breeze to transfer high-resolution images and 4K videos.
Plus, it is waterproof and shockproof like your GoPro action camera. You can record videos in peace, knowing that the memory card will not be damaged during your outdoor adventures.
Furthermore, it includes an adapter so you can instantly view and transfer files to your laptop or computer.
There is an overwhelming number of positive reviews for this product. However, some users said that you need to reformat the card so that the GoPro camera recognizes it. It can be a hassle, but it is standard procedure for most SD cards.
2. Samsung Electronics EVO Select 256 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 Memory Card – Best High Capacity
Do you mainly shoot 4K videos in extended periods with your GoPro camera? Then consider getting a high-capacity card like the Samsung Electronics EVO Select 256 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3.
It has a large memory capacity of 256 GB that allows you to store numerous HiRes photos and 4K videos.
It also offers ultra-fast read and write speeds of up to 100 MB/sec and up to 90 MB/sec, respectively.
Moreover, this memory card is also waterproof and temperature-proof. These ensure worry-free shooting with your GoPro.
Lastly, the included adapter comes in handy for transferring files to laptops and desktop computers.
There is only one critic, though. Some users reported that the card sometimes crashes when using it in their GoPro cameras.
Otherwise, it is a great memory card for your GoPro.
3. SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB MicroSDHC Memory Card – Best Low Capacity
Do you usually capture short 4K clips? Or perhaps, prefer shooting in Full HD 1080p for social-media ready footage? If so, a card with a small memory capacity is more than enough to meet your needs.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB MicroSDHC is one of the best low-capacity memory cards for GoPro cameras. It can read files up to 100 MB/sec and write for at least 90 MB/sec, similar to most high-capacity models.
There is also an adapter included in the package. This item allows convenient file transfer to your computer or laptop.
While this memory card is waterproof, shockproof, and even temperature-proof, some users said that it could overheat sometimes.
Nevertheless, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB MicroSDHC is still safe to use in your GoPro camera.
4. SanDisk Extreme Pro 256 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card – Best Ultimate Performance
If you want to enjoy both the largest storage capacity and fastest speed, consider getting the SanDisk Extreme Pro 256 GB MicroSDXC Memory Card.
It has a 256 GB memory capacity, which lets you store numerous high-resolution photos and videos.
This Extreme Pro card also features two busses (UHS-II technology) instead of one (UHS-I). It can read speeds up to 170 MB/sec and write files up to 90 MB/sec.
The package also includes a USB 3.0 reader. This adapter offers convenient and reliable file transfer performance.
All these benefits come at a steep cost, though. If you have the means, go for the SanDisk Extreme Pro, which is among the best GoPro memory cards.
But if you are on a tight budget, consider the following product instead.
5. MIXZA 32 GB MicroSDHC Memory Card – Best Budget
At less than $10, the MIXZA 32GB MicroSDHC is one of the most affordable memory cards for GoPro cameras.
But don’t let its low price fool you! It can deliver read speeds of up to 85 MB/sec and write speeds of up to 25 MB/sec. These speeds are more than enough for handling large photos and videos seamlessly.
It also features a colorful, patterned design. So if you own many cards for different devices, the MIXZA eye-catching style makes it easier to spot the right one among the same old black memory cards.
Most customer reviews for this product are positive. However, it does not come with an adapter, unlike the previous SD cards. It is also not the fastest card on the market.
With that said, the MIXZA 32GB MicroSDHC is hard to beat for the value it provides.
How to Choose the Best SD Card for GoPro Camera
Do you want to achieve the best results with your GoPro? Make sure to buy a compatible microSD card that works well with your camera. Below are some essential considerations you need to make.
Card Speed
Card speed is exactly what it sounds like–how fast the memory card saves data while you are recording video. It also affects how quickly you will be able to transfer footage to your computer or laptop.
Thus, it is vital that you use a fast card to avoid lower resolution results and stuttering issues. Look for microSD cards with at least a UHS-I rating for optimal speed in GoPro cameras.
Storage Capacity
While not as important as card speed, you also have to consider storage capacity. A high-capacity memory card, like 128 GB, allows you to shoot more photos and videos than 32 GB cards. It also eliminates the need to buy extra cards, which can be more expensive than buying a single card.
However, a larger capacity does not necessarily mean better. There is a higher risk of losing all your files if one of them becomes corrupted. For this reason, many people prefer carrying multiple cards to ensure that they do not lose videos they work hard to capture.
Brand
There are countless memory card manufacturers out there, including generic brands.
Choosing between different brands comes down to personal preference. But when in doubt, we suggest getting memory cards from dependable companies like SanDisk and Samsung. Their products are reliable, easy to find, and often come with a warranty.
Extra Accessories
You may also want to get a memory card with extra accessories, such as an SD card adapter or card reader. Having these items make it easier to view, transfer, and delete files on your laptop or computer.
SD Memory Card Terms: Explained!
When shopping for the best memory cards for GoPro cameras, you might encounter unfamiliar terms. We will try to explain them as simply as possible to help you understand them.
FAT32 vs. exFAT (File System)
These terms refer to the file system of the memory card.
FAT32 has a limit of 4 GB size for each file. It is an older file system used in SD and SDHC memory cards (more on this later).
ExFAT replaces FAT32 and handles individual files larger than 4 GB. This file system is often recommended for SDXC memory cards.
MicroSD vs. MicroSDHC vs. MicroSDXC (Format)
All these memory card formats work in any microSD slot.
Micro secure digital, or MicroSD, is the oldest memory card format. Micro SD cards only have a capacity of 2 GB.
MicroSDHC, or Secure Digital High Capacity, is an upgraded format of the MicroSD. This card can handle files more than 2 GB and up to 32 GB in size.
MicroSDXC, short for Secure Digital Extended Capacity, is currently the most common type of memory card for GoPro. This card has a capacity of more than 32 GB and up to 2 TB.
GoPro cameras only accept both MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC memory cards.
U1 vs. U3 or V30 vs. V60 vs. V90 (Speed Class)
These represent the minimum sustained megabytes per second (MB/sec) write speed or simply the minimum write speed. The larger the number, the faster the sustained rate.
Speed classes can be measured using UHS, or Ultra High Speed, such as U1 or U3. U1 is the same as Class 10 and has a minimum sequential writing speed of 10 MB/sec.
However, there is now the latest measurement for card speed, called Video Speed Class. These ratings range from V6 (6 MB/sec) to V90 (90 MB/sec).
When shopping for a GoPro memory card, look for one with at least a U3 or V30 rating. You can still use U1 (Class 10) cards, but you will notice slower speeds, especially when shooting extensive 4K footage.
UHS-I vs UHS-II (Bus Class)
Despite similarities, these terms are different from the UHS speed class because they do not refer to sustained speeds. Instead, they refer to the bus interface of a memory card.
UHS-I memory cards have a maximum read speed of up to 104 MB/sec. Meanwhile, UHS-II cards have a top read speed of 312 MB/sec, allowing for faster file transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a GoPro camera record without an SD card?
The short answer is no.
Other cameras allow you to shoot without a memory card because they have built-in memory. Unfortunately, GoPro cameras do not offer this. Thus, you must buy a separate SD card to shoot photos and record videos.
Do GoPros come with an SD card?
The official GoPro store does not include a memory card on their GoPro cameras. But it is possible to buy a bundled package that comes with an SD card from other retailers.
Where do you put an SD card in GoPro?
An SD card goes into a dedicated card slot in a GoPro. However, different GoPro models will have varied SD card slot locations.
In general, though, you can find this next to the battery or the USB charging port of the camera.
How do you format a memory card in a GoPro?
Like above, the process of formatting a memory card will differ depending on the GoPro model you own.
If you have a GoPro Hero 5 or succeeding models (Hero7, Hero8, Hero9), you can format an SD using on-camera menus. Go to Preferences, then scroll down to Reset, and tap on Format SD Card.
For older models, you need to download the GoPro mobile app. Go to Settings and search for Delete, then choose All/Format, and click Delete. You can also follow this method when formatting the latest GoPro models.
Conclusion
That covers our list of the best memory cards for GoPro cameras.
We recommend every product in this article. But if we only have to recommend one, we suggest getting the SanDisk Extreme 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card. It offers fast read and write speeds, perfect for handling 4K videos in your GoPro without stutter. It also includes an adapter so you can conveniently transfer files to your computer.
