Best SD Cards for GoPro

Choosing the right SD card for your GoPro is more important than you think. Although you may believe you can simply use any SD card, this isn’t the case. Some SD cards are better suited for GoPros because of their storage capacity and write speeds.

Hi, my name is Larry. I’ve been using GoPro cameras for almost 10 years and have gone through dozens of different SD card brands. Through my time filming thousands of GoPro videos, I’ve tested nearly every popular SD card brand on the market.

In today’s guide, I’ll explain what you should look for in a GoPro SD card and my list of the five best SD cards for GoPro. 

Keep reading to learn more!

Key Takeaways

• Storage capacity and write speeds are the most important factors when choosing the best SD card for GoPro.
• Lexar, SanDisk, and Samsung make the best SD cards for GoPro.
• Different GoPro cameras support different max SD card sizes.
• You can’t use your GoPro camera without an SD card since it doesn’t have built-in memory.

What Makes the Best SD Card for GoPro

There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the best SD card for GoPro. As I mentioned earlier, write speeds and storage capacity are the two most essential traits. In addition, you want an SD card that’s generally durable and last’s a long time.

• Write Speeds: The most critical SD card factor is its write speed. Faster write speeds support larger video files and are faster when processing them. Slow write speeds can’t support 4K video, while fast write speeds can support up to 5.3K video. Write speeds are indicated by the following classes: Class 1/U1 and Class 3/U3.
• Storage Capacity: You should consider how often you use your GoPro and for how long. Furthermore, think about what type of video resolution you use to record. If you use your GoPro infrequently and not for long sessions, you can get a smaller-sized SD card.
• Durability: Although this feature is less critical, the SD cards on my list include built-in mitigations against shocks, water, x-rays, and vibrations. This way, your files are safe even if your GoPro is damaged. 
• Read Speeds: The read speed is how fast the SD card transfers data from its internal memory to another device, like a computer. Read speeds are shown as UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III on SD cards. UHS-II has two rows of interfaces compared to one row on UHS-I. Therefore, two interfaces transfer data faster than one interface.

How Big of an SD Card Can I Put in a GoPro?

• GoPro HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black, HERO8 Black, MAX, HERO7Black: 32/64/128/256/512GB
• GoPro HERO4 and HERO Session: 32/64/128GB
• GoPro HERO3 Black, HERO3+, HERO+, HERO+ LCD: Up to 64 GB
• GoPro HERO (2014): Up to 32 GB
• GoPro HD HERO 2: Requires a Class 10 SD card up to 32 GB
• GoPro HD HERO Original, HD HERO 960: Require a Class 4 SD card up to 32 GB
• Standard Definition HERO: Up to 2 GB

The Top 5 Best SD Cards for GoPro

Now, let’s jump into my list of the 5 best SD cards for GoPro cameras. Remember, I created this list based on my own experience with dozens of different SD cards. These SD cards have sufficient technological capabilities to consistently achieve the best results with your camera.

In summary, the best SD cards for GoPros enable your camera to work at its maximum limit. The SD cards on this list have a proven track record of performance and reliability. Furthermore, they’re readily available at most retailers and are cost-effective.  

1. Lexar Professional 1066x Silver Series (Best Overall)

• Read Speeds: Up to 160 MB/s
• Write Speeds: Up to 120 MB/s
• Speed Classes: U3, V30, UHS-I
• Storage Options: 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB

If you want the best of the best, I highly recommend buying the Lexar Professional 1066x Silver Series SD card. This SD card has a phenomenal 160 MB/s read speed, and 120 MB/s write speed. This is more than enough for 4K, 5K, or 5.3K video recording.

Furthermore, the Lexar Professional 1066x Silver Series SD card is resistant to shock, X-rays, and vibrations. It’s also waterproof, which is great if you bring your GoPro into the ocean or lake. Based on my testing, my Lexar SD card never got damaged or became defective when exposed to water.

This SD card is also ideal for the GoPro HERO10 Black because this camera requires an SD card with V30 or UHS-III. Since the Lexar SD card has a V30 speed class, it’s compatible with the GoPro HERO 10 Black.

The Lexar SD card is available in multiple storage sizes up to 512 GB. However, the one drawback of this SD card is that it’s relatively more expensive than other options on the list. So, if you are a budget-conscious shopper, I recommend going with another option.

My Verdict: The Lexar Professional 1066x Silver Series SD card is the best SD card for GoPro because it has the fastest combination of read and write speeds. Furthermore, this SD card has a V30 speed class, which is required for GoPro HERO10 Black cameras. 

2. SanDisk Extreme Pro (Best for 4K)

• Read Speeds: Up to 170 MB/s
• Write Speeds: Up to 90 MB/s
• Speed Classes: U3, V30, UHS-I
• Storage Options: 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB

SanDisk is the most popular memory card manufacturer on the planet. This company has produced reliable and durable SD cards for over three decades. The SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card is no different. It’s shock-proof, temperature-proof, waterproof, and X-ray-proof.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card has even faster read speeds than the Lexar SD card. This means that you can transfer files faster to your computer with the SanDisk SD card. However, the SanDisk’s write speeds are slower than the Lexar SD card. 

Although the SanDisk can comfortably record high resolution videos, it won’t be as smooth as the Lexar. However, the differences are negligible, and you might not even notice them. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with either SD card for your GoPro camera. 

The SanDisk Extreme Pro range is at the top of SanDisk’s line of memory cards. This SD card is designed for GoPro users that require the highest quality and speeds. With this SD card, you can effectively shoot up to 8K without any worries. 

A downside to this SD card is that most devices limit the UHS-I speeds to 104 MB/s. Therefore, you might be unable to use the full 170 MB/s read speed. 

My Verdict: With read speeds up to 170 MB/s, the SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card is perfect for GoPro users who record in high video resolutions. If you record in 4K or higher, the SanDisk Extreme Pro is a great option.

3. Samsung EVO Plus (Best Budget)

• Read Speeds: Up to 100 MB/s
• Write Speeds: Up to 90 MB/s
• Speed Classes: Class 10, U3, UHS-I
• Storage Options: 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB

The Samsung EVO Plus SD card is the best budget-friendly SD card for GoPro. Although this card doesn’t have the fastest read and write speeds on this list, it’s still more than sufficient for 4K video recording. 

In fact, Samsung’s EVO Plus lineup of compact SD cards has been a long-standing favorite of anyone wanting an affordable, portable storage solution. This SD card was refreshed in late 2021 and now offers better speeds and protection against the elements.

As such, the Samsung EVO Plus features the same X-ray, temperature, magnetic, and waterproofing capabilities as the other cards on this list. In addition, the Samsung EVO Plus is a UHS-I microSD card, which offers a sufficient level of performance for most people.

UHS-II cards are significantly more expensive and require a UHS-II reader to hit max performance, which isn’t featured on GoPro cameras. 

You should buy the Samsung EVO Plus SD card if you want an affordable SD card with 4K recording capabilities. However, you should know this isn’t actually the cheapest SD card for GoPros. Instead, it’s the cheapest SD card that’s tested to be reliable with GoPro cameras.

You can find hundreds of low quality SD cards that likely don’t work with GoPro cameras. Therefore, upgrading to a high-quality Samsung SD card gives you peace of mind when recording content with your GoPro in the future. 

My Verdict: The Samsung EVO Plus SD card offers fast transfer speeds at an affordable price. Furthermore, Samsung SD cards are known for their exceptional build quality and durability. 

4. SanDisk Extreme Plus (Best Storage Size Options)

• Read Speeds: Up to 170 MB/s
• Write Speeds: Up to 90 MB/s
• Speed Classes: Class 10, U3, UHS-I
• Storage Options: 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB

Similar to the SanDisk Extreme Pro, the SanDisk Extreme Plus is another competent SD card for GoPro cameras. This SD card is designed for GoPro users looking for speed and performance from their favorite compact action camera.

It features UHS Speed Class I and Class 10 designation, which is one of the fastest read-write performances for microSD cards. With 170 MB/s read speeds and 90 MB/s write speeds, you can comfortably record and upload any type of video.

The Extreme Plus cards are also packaged with a handy SD card adapter, so you can easily transfer files from your GoPro camera to your computer without purchasing an extra accessory. Best of all, this SD card has multiple storage sizes to choose from. You can pick from 32 GB all the way up to 512 GB. 

The SanDisk Extreme Plus also features the durability and build quality of other SD cards on this list. It’s weather-proof, water-proof, and can withstand the elements. This card has an A2 rating, meaning it can sustain at least 4,000 random read operations per second and 2,000 random write operations per second. 

My Verdict: The SanDisk Extreme Plus is a reliable SD card with many storage sizes to choose from. From 32 GB to 512 GB, you can easily find your preferred SD card size with the SanDisk Extreme Plus. 

5. Samsung EVO Select (Best Durability)

• Read Speeds: Up to 100 MB/s 
• Write Speeds: Up to 90 MB/s
• Speed Classes: Class 10, U3, UHS-I
• Storage Options: 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB

The Samsung EVO Select SD card is cost-effective, durable, fast, and reliable. This is the perfect SD card for GoPro users with older models such as the GoPro HERO7 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black, and HERO4 Black.

Since this SD card is UHS-I and U3 rated, its write speeds never fall below 30 MB/s. When it’s firing on all cylinders, it can write data at a rate of 90 MB/s, which is precisely what you need when you jump out of an airplane flying towards the Earth at 125 MPH.

Your GoPro footage will have minimal lag, creating an immersive viewing experience when you want to view the footage back later. In addition, with 100 MB/s read speeds, you can quickly upload your GoPro footage to your computer. 

Best of all, this card is highly durable and features Samsung’s 4-Proof protection protocol. This way, you don’t have to worry when you drop, bump, or get your camera wet. 

My Verdict: The Samsung EVO Select is the best SD card for durability because it offers Samsung’s 4-Proof protection. The SD card can withstand up to 72 hours in seawater, extreme temperatures, airport X-ray machines, and magnetic fields equivalent to an MRI scanner. 

Final Thoughts

The best SD card for GoPro lets you get the most out of your camera. It allows you to film at your preferred video resolution without lag, stutters, or glitches. Best of all, SD cards are relatively inexpensive compared to memory cards for other devices.

You can choose any SD card on this list for your GoPro. Each SD card featured above has fast enough read and write speeds to use any video settings you wish. You can’t go wrong with an SD card from Lexar, Samsung, or SanDisk.  

But now I’d love to hear from you. Which SD card from today’s list are you going to choose? Do you have any additional questions about GoPro SD cards? Either way, let me know your thoughts by dropping a quick comment down below.