Whether you’re buying your first action camera or simply replacing your current memory card, there are a few things to consider to find the best memory card for your GoPro. I’ve made the mistake of getting incompatible memory cards for my own GoPro, or ones that just didn’t suit my needs, so in this guide, you’ll avoid the mistakes I’ve made and just skip straight to finding the best memory card from the start.
At the most basic level, you need to consider the card’s speed, capacity, compatibility, durability, and overall value. Most importantly, you need to know the card’s warranty since GoPros are put through extreme conditions while skiing, mountain biking, or swimming.
So with that in mind, this guide breaks down the five best memory cards for your GoPro based on capabilities, speed, value, and overall durability. You’ll also learn what to look out for when choosing a card, such as how card types, speed classes, and capacities affect your ability to produce epic photos and video footage of your adventures. That way, you can make an informed buying decision in your future memory and purchases too! Let’s get started.
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How To Choose the Best Memory Card For Your GoPro
There are many factors to consider when choosing a card, such as the card type, since not all memory cards will fit into a GoPro. You also need to consider the speed class and capacity because this determines how many files you can store on the card and how fast data is written onto the card.
Lastly, you need to check the card’s durability since you will likely put the camera and the memory card into extreme situations like adverse weather conditions. The warranty is also important to save you money in the case of defective memory cards.
Here is a complete breakdown of what these factors mean and how they impact your photo and video quality.
Memory Card Types
There are several types of memory cards on the market, and the type matters, especially when using a GoPro, as the camera is only compatible with certain types of cards. However, when it all boils down, all you’re really looking for is a microSD.
The microSD card is physically smaller than the regular SD card and was created for specific devices, such as cell phones and action cameras. Any modern GoPros are only compatible with MicroSD cards as the card slot is smaller than a regular SD card slot.
Fortunately, if you have another camera beyond your action camera, many microSD cards come with adapters to use with your other cameras requiring the standard SD card size.
Now within any memory card type, there are two different versions called SDHC or SDXC which are standard among the majority of SD and microSD cards.
The Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card was developed with a higher capacity (storing more data) than regular SD cards meaning that SDHC cards can hold up to 32 GB.
With the development of continuously increasing photo and video quality, it meant memory cards needed to upgrade the storage limit constantly.
As a result, Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC) cards were developed and can store up to 2 TB (2 000 GB) of data.
When choosing a memory card for your GoPro, I recommend you grab a microSDXC card since you’ll want more than 32GB if you’re recording video. Especially with GoPro clips often being multi-minute 4K – 6K recordings, the more space your card has, the better.
Ultimately, an SDXC card will give you the necessary space to shoot high-quality 4K video without filling up the card too quickly, so you won’t need multiple memory cards on your adventures.
Speed Class & Capacity
Memory cards offer different speed classes, which is a speed rating system developed by the SD company to measure the card’s write speed. The write speed determines how fast data from the device is written onto the memory card. So, in this case, it would be how fast the video you are taking with the GoPro is written onto the card.
The speed class of the memory card needs to match or exceed the device’s capabilities to record high-quality video or capture fast bursts when using the picture burst mode. If the speed class on the memory card is too low, you will experience frame drop, leading to low-quality video, buffering, and lag while trying to record.
The speed classes on memory cards are measured in different classes, such as the standard Speed Class (a number inside a C symbol on the card) and the UHS Speed Class (a number inside a U symbol).
You’ll want to choose a card with a C10 and U3 rating, then focus on the following speed classes to choose the right card.
The first important speed class to look at is the UHS Bus speeds, which consist of UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III. These speed classes have the following speed ratings:
- UHS-I: estimated transfer speeds up to 104 MB/s
- UHS-II: estimated transfer speeds up to 312 MB/s
- UHS-III: estimated transfer speeds up to 624 MB/s
Currently, most of the latest GoPro models are compatible with speeds up to UHS-I. While you can fit a memory card with a rating of UHS-III in the camera, it’s not necessary as the extra speed won’t do anything for the camera, and the card will end up being more expensive than a UHS-I card which will achieve the same performance.
The other rating on memory cards is the Video Speed Class, represented by a number next to a V. This speed class determines how fast the memory card loads video footage onto it without causing frame drop. This speed determines what quality video you can achieve using a specific card.
The Video Speed classes consist of V6 to V90, but you should only look at cards with a rating of V30 or higher. The relevant speed classes are as follows:
- Video Speed Class 30 (V30): minimum write speed of 30MB/s
- Video Speed Class 60 (V60): minimum write speed of 60MB/s
- Video Speed Class 90 (V90): minimum write speed of 90MB/s
Anything from a Video Class of V30 and up can work fine for a GoPro, but a higher video speed class will just make long 4K video recordings easier to manage.
The data capacity of the memory card is measured in Gigabytes (GB) or Terabytes (TB). It determines how many images or minutes of video you can store on a card until it’s full. Buying a card with enough space to hold your footage from trips and outings is essential until you can access a computer to offload the files.
However, if you buy a card with too much space, you may put off offloading the files until the card is full and end up losing or damaging the card before that time and losing all your data. I recommend you find a balance with a capacity that can handle your shooting needs but still encourages you to offload files regularly.
If you plan to record 4K video on your GoPro, you need at least a 128 GB card. Only consider a 256 GB or 512 GB card if you won’t have access to devices to offload the images regularly. Cards with 1 TB or more storage capacity aren’t recommended for GoPros.
Durability & Warranty
The durability of any memory card is important for any device as it protects your data by keeping the memory card functional even when exposed to harsh external elements. However, the durability of a memory card for a GoPro is especially critical because of the nature of the camera.
Although the card is relatively protected when actually inside the GoPro, a more durable card will be less likely to get damaged while it’s in your bag (you can also get a hard shell memory card case for further protection). Likewise, durable cards are shock-proof, x-ray-proof, and vibration proof meaning that whatever you throw at your GoPro will be an easy task for your card.
Despite the durability rating of a card, you should always note the card’s warranty. This will save you money if something happens to your card, such as defects or workmanship errors. Most major card brands offer lifetime warranties (or for as long as the card is in production) or a minimum of a 10-year warranty.
When buying a memory card, always check for the warranty as many non-reputable, knock-off, or third-party resellers don’t have any warranty, and you won’t be able to get help from the brand in case of defects.
The 5 Best Memory Cards for GoPro Cameras
1. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD Card
- Video Speed Class: V30
- UHS-Speed Class: UHS-I
- Read speed: up to 190 MB/s
- Write speed: up to 130 MB/s
- Capacity: 32/64/128/256/512 GB
The SanDisk Extreme microSD card is an excellent option for a GoPro camera as it offers fast write speeds of up to 130MB/s, which supports 4K and 5K UHD video. The speed also supports a fast burst speed for photography. The speeds are fast enough to handle the capabilities of the latest HERO11 Black and MAX.
SanDisk has over 40 years of experience in the industry and created the first SD card in the 1990s. The company has continuously improved its technology and kept up with the growing speeds of devices. SanDisk is also the recommended brand by GoPro, and these cards are included in the camera bundles package.
The SanDisk Extreme is exceptionally durable, protecting your data even in extreme weather conditions. This is my go-to option for all my cameras and is a great value if you’re serious about taking photos and video with your GoPro.
Pros
- Supports 4K and 5K UHD video and burst mode photography
- Durable: waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof, and x-ray proof
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive compared to other cards
2. Lexar Professional 1066x UHS-I microSD Card
- Video Speed Class: V30
- UHS-Speed Class: UHS-I
- Read speed: up to 160 MB/s
- Write speed: up to 120 MB/s
- Capacity: 64/128/256/512 GB
The Lexar Professional 1066x card is the fastest UHS-I card available, so it will easily support 4K UHD video and high-speed burst mode on a GoPro. Be careful when choosing the card, as other Lexar cards are too slow to support newer GoPro models, so ensure the card says 1066x.
The Lexar professional card is highly durable, waterproof, shockproof, x-ray-proof, and vibration-proof to withstand harsh elements. It offers a lifetime warranty in case of defects. These points ensure that your work is protected on your camping trips and extreme adventures and save you money if there is an issue with the card.
Lexar is one of the leading providers of memory cards and has excellent customer service when it comes to replacing faulty cards.
Pros
- Fast speeds compatible with GoPros
- Supports 4K video and high-speed bursts
- Lifetime warranty and highly durable
Cons
- Expensive compared to other cards
3. Kingston Canvas Go! Plus UHS-I microSD Card
- Video Speed Class: V30
- UHS-Speed Class: UHS-I
- Read speed: up to 170 MB/s
- Write speed: up to 90 MB/s
- Capacity: 64/128/256/512 GB
The Kingston Canvas Go! is a fast card that supports 4K video due to the decent write speed of 90 MB/s. While the write speed is slower than other cards, it’s enough to achieve high-quality photos and videos on a GoPro camera.
The card is highly durable with a shockproof, temperature-proof, vibration-proof, x-ray-proof, and waterproof design. You can take your camera and this memory card on epic adventures without worrying about the conditions breaking the card.
Kingston has been in the memory card business for over 40 years and is a well-known reliable brand offering excellent value. Kingston cards are compatible across various devices, making them an all-around trusted brand. I have never had an issue with my Kingston microSD, and it’s a reliable value option for your GoPro.
Pros
- Reasonably fast
- Durable, waterproof, shockproof, and vibration-proof
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not the fastest card available for GoPros
4. PNY Elite-X V30 UHS-I microSD Card
- Video Speed Class: V30
- UHS-Speed Class: UHS-I
- Read speed: up to 100 MB/s
- Write speed: up to 80 MB/s
- Capacity: 64/128/256 GB
The PNY Elite card is less commonly known than the other cards on this list, but it is a great option for GoPro users on a budget. Despite the low price tag, the card is reliable and offers a lifetime warranty.
The write speeds aren’t as fast as the other cards on the list, but you will still achieve decent quality when recording 4K UHD video and using the burst-photo mode. However, if you want more quality and speed, it’s better to go for another card on the list, but this is a great starter option for beginners.
PNY is an electronics manufacturer with over 30 years of experience in the field. The company produces high-end solid-state drives and graphics cards, among other things, which is a testament to the company’s knowledge in the electronics industry.
Pros
- Affordable compared to other options on this list
- Reliable speeds & data storage
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Slow write speed compared to other cards on this list
5. Samsung PRO Plus UHS-I microSD Card
- Video Speed Class: V30
- UHS-Speed Class: U3
- Read speed: up to 160 MB/s
- Write speed: up to 120 MB/s
- Capacity: 128/256/512 GB
The Samsung Pro Plus memory card is highly durable and protects data from harsh conditions. The card has a waterproof, temperature-proof, drop-proof, magnet-proof, x-ray-proof, and wear-out-proof design, as well as a 10-year warranty.
The card offers a fast write speed of up to 120 MB/s, allowing for high-quality 4K UHD video recording and ultra-fast burst photo mode. The high read speeds make transferring files to your device a breeze.
The price may be higher than other cards, but most Samsung Pro Plus cards on Amazon have a card reader included, which is a welcomed addition if you don’t already have one.
Pros
- Fast speeds supporting 4K UHD video
- Reliable with a 10-year warranty
- Durable, shockproof, waterproof, x-ray-proof, and weather-proof
Cons
- More expensive than other cards with similar speeds and durability ratings
Memory Card Compatibility With Older GoPro Camera Models
While the cards on the list above are compatible with the latest GoPro models, including the GoPro HERO 10 and 11, these models only support cards up to 512 GB.
Older models aren’t as compatible with the latest memory cards, so if you have an older model, take note of the following limitations:
- HERO9 & HERO9 Black: supports a 256 GB or lower microSD card
- HERO4 & HERO Session: supports a 128GB or lower microSD card
- HERO+, HERO3+, HERO3 Black, & HERO+ LCD: supports a 64GB or lower microSD card
- HERO (2014): supports a 32GB or lower microSD card
- HD HERO2: supports a Class 10 SD card of 32 GB or lower
- HD HERO Original & 960: supports a Class 4 SD card of 32 GB or lower
- Standard Definition HERO: supports a 2GB SD memory card
Which Memory Card Should You Choose For Your GoPro?
When choosing a memory card for your GoPro camera, it’s critical to prioritize the card’s write speed to ensure you can record high-quality videos and the read speed if you need the process of transferring files to your computer to be fast and easy.
The second major factor when choosing a memory card is the durability rating, as your card will likely be put through harsh conditions along with your camera. Extra design features like waterproof, temperature-proof, and shockproof are essential to protect your data even on the wildest adventures you take your camera on.
If you want the best memory card for your GoPro camera, then the SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD Card is what I’d suggest buying. This brand and card type is the only one sold on the official GoPro website too.
If you are on a budget or just starting and don’t want to spend much money, the PNY Elite-X V30 UHS-I microSD Card should be your choice while still achieving high-quality photo and video recording abilities.
| Image | Product | Reasons To Buy | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |
| Find On Amazon | |
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| Find On Amazon | |
Best Value |
| Find On Amazon | |
Best Budget Option |
| Find On Amazon | |
|
| Find On Amazon |
