Best SD Cards in 2025

The SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I card consistently ranks as a top choice for a reason: it offers an outstanding blend of performance, reliability, and value. With read speeds up to 200MB/s and write speeds up to 140MB/s, it's more than sufficient for most photographers and videographers, easily handling 4K UHD video recording and rapid-fire burst photography. Its V30 speed class guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s, ensuring smooth video capture. SanDisk is also renowned for its durability, and this card is shockproof, temperature-proof, waterproof, and X-ray proof, making it suitable for professionals working in varied environments. For a majority of users who need a dependable card without breaking the bank or requiring the absolute bleeding edge of speed, the Extreme PRO UHS-I is an excellent investment.

When durability is paramount and speed is non-negotiable, the Sony SF-G Tough Series stands in a league of its own. Boasting an innovative monolithic construction, these cards are 18 times stronger than standard SD cards, making them bend-proof, drop-proof, waterproof, and dustproof. This makes them perfect for adventure photographers and videographers. Beyond their rugged exterior, they deliver incredible performance with read speeds soaring up to 300MB/s and write speeds hitting near 299MB/s, backed by a V90 speed class. This makes them perfect for capturing high bit-rate 8K video, advanced 4K slow-motion, and continuous RAW photo bursts without any bottlenecks. While certainly a premium investment, for professionals who cannot afford data loss or performance limitations, the Sony Tough Series is an unmatched choice, assuming your camera supports UHS-II.

ProGrade Digital has quickly established itself as a go-to brand for professional memory solutions, and their V90 UHS-II SDXC cards exemplify this reputation. Engineered for high-end cinema cameras and professional DSLRs/mirrorless cameras, these cards consistently deliver the V90 speed class, guaranteeing a minimum sustained write speed of 90MB/s. With peak read speeds up to 300MB/s and write speeds up to 250MB/s, they handle 4K and 8K cinematic video recording, as well as uncompressed RAW burst shooting with ease. For professionals who require consistent, high-speed performance and reliability for critical assignments but might find Sony Tough series' premium price a little too steep, ProGrade Digital offers an excellent, slightly more affordable alternative without compromising on core performance or build quality.

For those seeking a reliable and cost-effective SD card without needing the extreme speeds of UHS-II, the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is an excellent contender. It offers impressive performance for its price point, with read speeds up to 170MB/s and write speeds reaching 90MB/s. Its V30 speed rating makes it perfectly capable of handling 4K UHD video capture and continuous shooting in many mirrorless and DSLR cameras. This card is a fantastic option for enthusiasts, hobbyists, or even professionals who need backup cards for less demanding tasks. It strikes a balance between affordability and performance, making it a smart choice for general photography, drone footage, and entry-level 4K video recording, proving that you don't always need to splurge for decent speed.

Lexar has a long-standing history in the memory card market, and their Professional 2000x SDXC UHS-II card continues that legacy of high performance. Delivering read speeds up to 300MB/s and write speeds up to 260MB/s, this V90-rated card is built to handle the most intensive workflows, including DCI 4K, 8K video, and high-resolution burst shooting. A notable advantage of this card is that it often comes bundled with a UHS-II SD reader, which is invaluable for professional workflows, significantly speeding up data offloading to your computer. For photographers and videographers who demand top-tier speed and reliability for their creative projects and appreciate value-added accessories, the Lexar Professional 2000x is a strong contender that delivers consistent high-end performance.