Best SD Cards for the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ 2022
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is the final iteration of the Pi 3 series, and sports great features like 5GHz wireless, Gigabit ethernet, full-size HDMI, and 4 USB 2.0 ports. Plus, there is a microSD card slot that allows you to vastly expand the base storage that is included. For that, we have found the best SD cards for Raspberry Pi 3b that you can use with the Pi 3 B+ to get the most out of this awesome piece of technology.
Getting started
SanDisk Ultra 32GB microSDHC Card
This 32GB card is plenty for whatever OS you install on the Raspberry Pi, with some space left over for games, programming environments, and whatever else you want. If you intend to install a lot of games, though you may be better served with a higher capacity card.
All the storage
Samsung EVO Select 512GB MicroSDXC Card
This is the card you’ll want if you need to store a lot of movie files and more thanks to its 512GB capacity. The EVO Select comes with up to 100MB/s read speeds and 90MB/s write speeds and the card itself is shockproof, water-resistant, x-ray proof, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
A step up
SanDisk Extreme PRO 32GB microSDHC Card
If you want to use your Pi for a critical application or gaming, it’s worth getting the fastest card you can. This is the fastest card we could find with 32GB of storage, and it’ll be perfect for the rest of your projects.
Even faster
Samsung EVO Select 64GB MicroSDXC Card
If you’re going to use your Raspberry Pi for gaming or as a desktop computer, more space is always better. This 64GB card is more than fast enough to not slow your Raspberry Pi down, and it’s only a few dollars more than the 32GB version.
Great speeds
Silicon Power 128GB Superior Pro MicroSD Card
The Silicon Power Superior Pro card sports read and write speeds of 100/80 MB/s and is compatible with much more than just the Raspberry Pi.
Plus, Silicon Power also includes a 5-year limited warranty on its memory cards.
Smooth experience
PNY Elite Class 10 64GB MicroSDXC Card
If you’re going to use the Raspberry Pi as a desktop computer or as a game console, you’ll need as much space as you can get for programs and games. This 64GB card is only a little more expensive than the 32GB option but offers twice as much storage. This card is a little faster to read from than the Samsung card above, so it may lead to a smoother experience.
Solid and reliable
Patriot EP 128GB MicroSD Card
Patriot Memory offers some of the more reliable microSD cards on the market, and the same sentiment rings true for the Patriot EP Card. This 128GB microSD card is more than capable of storing your OS and everything else for the Raspberry Pi.
Step things up
Lexar 633X 256GB MicroSDXC Card
When it comes to stepping up the storage, you can’t go wrong with the Lexar 633X microSD card.
As for speeds, you’ll get transfer speeds of 95MB/s with this Class 10 card, and there is also a standard SD adapter if you need to transfer files from your PC.
Solid starter
Kingston Canvas Select 64GB MicroSDHC Card
Kingston’s Canvas Select offers a decent amount of space, depending on exactly what you’re using it for. This card is a good bit slower than the previous one from SanDisk, but if you want to spend as little as possible on your Pi build, it may work well enough for your project.
Almost the biggest
SanDisk Ultra 400GB MicroSDXC Card
SanDisk is helping to lead the industry of more storage in a compact form-factor, and the Ultra 400GB card is a great example. In addition to pushing the limits of storage capacity, this card offers up to 100MB/s transfer speeds, and there is a 10-year limited warranty included.
Withstand the elements
AXE Memory 128GB MicroSDXC Card
Not only is this memory card water-, shock-, and x-ray-proof, it’s also temperature resistant. Plus, it comes with an adapter and offers speedy 95 MB/s read speeds and 65 MB/s write speeds.
Never misplace it
Povee 128GB Micro SD Card
Typically, memory cards are pretty bland and boring looking, which makes sense. Or does it? With this bright and colorful card, you’ll never misplace it or have trouble finding it should you accidentally drop it. And it offers pretty fast 100 MB/s write and 50MB/s read speeds, to boot.
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A storage capacity of 32GB isn’t a lot for our phones, but it’s more than plentiful for an SD card for your Raspberry Pi 3 B+.
You’ll easily have enough space to use the Raspberry Pi as a print server, a VPN, media center, or even as a full desktop with the SanDisk Ultra 32GB card . At an incredibly affordable price, there’s really no reason to go any lower. You can get a bigger card — or a smaller one — but the 32GB card is a nice sweet spot.
But for those who really want the most amount of storage, then you’ll want to swing for Samsung’s EVO Select 512GB microSD card . The card offers fast read and write speeds, while also being shockproof, water-resistant, and even X-Ray proof. Plus, Samsung includes a 10-year limited warranty if something goes awry with your Raspberry Pi.
An interesting and affordable option if you tend to have slippery fingers is the Povee 128GB Micro SD Card . It literally stands out among memory cards for its colorful design that makes it easy to spot if you drop it on carpet or even outside in the snow or grass.
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7 Best SD Cards For Raspberry Pi 3 in 2023
Affordable and high-quality SD cards for Raspberry Pi 3.
If you have the Raspberry Pi, you need to pay attention to its specs before buying an SD card. The Raspberry Pi 3 supports a 5GHz wireless connection and Gigabit Ethernet. It’s fitted with a single HDMI and 4 USB 2.0 ports. Besides, it has a microSD card slot. It ensures that you will never run out of free space. To select the best SD card for Raspberry PI 3, make sure to consider several important factors, including their capacity and lifespan.
Top 7 Best SD Cards for Raspberry Pi 3
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Samsung MB-ME32GA/AM —
Our Choice
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SanDisk SDSQUAR-016G-GN6MA —
Cheap
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Ultimate Retropie —
Professional
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Samsung MB-MJ32GA/AM —
Reliable
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SanDisk SDSQQNR-032G-GN6IA —
Affordable
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SanDisk SDSQUA4-128G-GN6MA —
Fast
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PNY 512GB PRO Elite —
Durable
If you use an SD card with your Raspberry Pi instead of a digital camera, its lifespan will be quite short.
This is why you need to select a reliable model to ensure that you will be able to use it for years to come. While the older boards are compatible only with regular-sized SD cards, the Raspberry Pi 3 allows you to use a small micro SD-card.
1. Samsung MB-ME32GA/AM
Our Choice
Capacity: 32 GB | Interface: MicroSDHC | Speed: 95 MB/s / 20 MB/s
- ✚ 4-proof protection
- ✚ Extended compatibility
- ✚ Includes full-size adapter
- — Slow random large-block write
$
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Rating
The new Raspberry Pi 3 computer, with a built-in microSD card, can use the Samsung MB-ME32GA/AM SD card, which offers great connectivity options.
This is a great little device that has many unique features that will make it more than worth the money you spend on it.
This card is highly durable and it offers amazing speed and accuracy, especially when compared to competing devices. Users can effortlessly transfer photos, videos, and music between their camera or mobile device and the PC without any compatibility issues. Besides, the card comes with four-proof protection includes waterproof, temperature-proof, shock-proof, and x-ray-proof.
2. SanDisk SDSQUAR-016G-GN6MA
Cheap
Capacity: 16 GB | Interface: MicroSDHC | Speed: up to 100 MB/s
- ✚ A1 rated performance
- ✚ Easy file management
- ✚ 10 year warranty
- — Only for Full HD video
$
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SanDisk SDSQUAR-016G-GN6MA memory card can easily be attached with the raspberry Pi using its SD card reader.
The SanDisk SD card comes with an adapter that allows you to make data transfer directly to the SanDisk memory card through a USB cable or a Bluetooth device.
The SanDisk Ultra is an ultra-small size, which makes it very convenient to carry around wherever you go. It is able to store large amounts of information, and is capable of saving images, videos and music. You can keep this card in your pocket, purse or any number of other small places and can use it on any of your portable devices.
3. Ultimate Retropie
Professional
Capacity: 256 GB | Interface: MicroSDHC | Speed: no information
- ✚ Great design
- ✚ Fully loaded
- ✚ Plug and Play
- — Only for Raspberry Pi 3
$
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The Ultimate Retropie microSD card works only with Raspberry Pi 3 B or B+ models.
That being said, Ultimate Rewrite is very easy to install and it does not require any special tools to get it done. After it is installed, you simply connect your raspberry to your computer and follow the instructions that are given to you by the program.
Then, you will be asked to insert your microSD card into your raspberry’s card reader and that is all there is to it. The program will then ask you to insert the memory card into the reader and it will automatically begin the process of formatting your micro SD.
4. Samsung MB-MJ32GA/AM
Reliable
Capacity: 32 GB | Interface: MicroSDHC | Speed: 100 MB/s / 30 MB/s
- ✚ Supports 4K and FHD
- ✚ Higher endurance
- ✚ Built to last reliability
- — Only Class U1
$
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The Samsung MB-MJ32GA/AM memory card is an inexpensive solution for those who need a high capacity memory card to take their professional digital camera everywhere they go.
Take your professional videos to the next level with high definition clarity and sound.
The tiny, yet powerful Samsung chip is equipped with the needed hardware to record high definition video. This microSD card comes pre-loaded with camera and video recording software so you don’t need to worry about installation or additional equipment. Besides, this card offers amazing performance for use under harsh conditions.
5. SanDisk SDSQQNR-032G-GN6IA
Affordable
Capacity: 32 GB | Interface: MicroSDHC | Speed: 100 MB/s / 40 MB/s
- ✚ Built-in write-protect switch
- ✚ Can withstand extreme temperatures
- ✚ Downloadable recovery software
- — A bit finicky when connecting
$
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Protect your investment with a reliable SanDisk SDSQQNR-032G-GN6IA memory card.
This memory card is designed for use on the Raspberry Pi computer. Use the built in SD reader to capture your precious memories on your computer or connect your microSD card to your computer using the USB cable.
With this microSDHC memory card, you can store more than sixteen hours of compressed media files and play all your favorite videos and music CDs. Your microSDHC card is capable of transferring the majority of the image formats including JPEG, RAW and EXIF.
6. SanDisk SDSQUA4-128G-GN6MA
Fast
Capacity: 128 GB | Interface: MicroSDHC | Speed: up to 120 MB/s
- ✚ Great overall performance
- ✚ Waterproof
- ✚ Lifetime warranty
- — No encryption
$
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The SanDisk SDSQUA4-128G-GN6MA memory card is a great tool for your home, professional and mobile needs.
The product is extremely user friendly, which makes it a practical solution for anyone who needs a high capacity memory card. Utilizing the most advanced technology, the card comes in sleek, slim designs.
Whether you need its fast read/write speeds for your Raspberry Pi or want the feature that allows you to capture multiple pictures at different angles on your digital camera, this memory card is perfect for all needs. Its high durability and extreme performance make this card a must-have accessory.
7. PNY 512GB PRO Elite
Durable
Capacity: 512 GB | Interface: MicroSDHC | Speed: 100 MB/s / 90 MB/s
- ✚ Large capacity
- ✚ A2 App Performance
- ✚ Reliable and durable
- — Pricey
$
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If you are looking for a brand new microSD card for your Raspberry Pi 3, PNY Pro Elite flash memory cards are a great option.
This is a device that will store a lot of your photos and videos and will be able to help you make the most of these moments.
This card can store a large number of data on it and that it can also give you a good amount of extra storage space. In addition, microSD card also has been equipped with a write protect technology which means that it can help you maintain the data that you place on the device without having to worry about it getting scratched or damaged.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Samsung MB-ME32GA/AM Our Choice |
|
CHECK PRICE → | |
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SanDisk SDSQUAR-016G-GN6MA Cheap |
|
CHECK PRICE → | |
|
Ultimate Retropie Professional |
|
CHECK PRICE → |
How to Choose the Best SD Cards for Raspberry Pi 3?
Size
Before committing yourself to a purchase, pay attention to the size of an SD card.
If you don’t need to store many files, it’s better to opt for a 16 GB SD card. Keep in mind that if you purchase an 8 GB SD card, you might run out of free space pretty quickly.
Since 16 and 32 GB SD cards come at similar prices, it’s better to purchase a 32 GB SD card. With it, you will have plenty of space to store all of your files.
Speeds
MicroSD cards vary in their speeds. For instance, there are SD cards with a regular speed, such as 2, 4, 6, and 10. The latter means that an SD card supports a 10MB/sec write speed. Similarly, class 6 SD cards have 6MB/sec write speeds, class 4 models support 4MB/sec, while class 2 options have a 2MB/sec speed. If you need to buy the best SD card for Raspberry PI 3, take a closer look at the UHS models. 1 UHS cards have a 10MB/sec speed whereas UHS class 3 cards support a 30MB/sec speed.
Those who need to store footage will benefit from using a V6 SD card with a 6MB/sec write speed, a V10 SD card with a 10MB/sec write speed or other options that support a write speed of up to 90MB/sec. Besides, if you need to store a high-resolution video, it’s better to buy a Video Speed Class card or UHS Speed Class card.
Wear Leveling
When people are talking about wear leveling, they describe the situation when the same spot on your SD card doesn’t get overwritten over and over again unless there isn’t any free space left. Thanks to it, the lifespan of your SD card will be longer since your data will be written on multiple spots instead of only one. This is why We advise you to purchase an SD card with Wear Leveling support.
Memory selection for Raspberry Pi
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Raspberry Pi computers, developed by a charitable foundation from the UK, have conquered the whole world. The original purpose of the foundation was to awaken the interest of young people in computers and provide an opportunity to develop their skills in programming and computer science. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has been providing low cost, high performance single board computers and free software since 2011. Today, many enthusiasts are replacing their PCs, customizing retro slot machines, or even controlling robots with Raspberry Pi computers. nine0003
However, as popular or empowering as these computers are, they do not ship with a key component found in most conventional computers. They do not have built-in memory.
All Raspberry Pi devices include an SD or microSD card slot to help users solve this problem. The original Raspberry Pi «A» and Raspberry Pi «B» models support SD cards. Starting with model «B+» (2014), a microSD memory card is required. nine0003
The minimum required capacity is 8 GB. By default, the Raspberry Pi supports up to 32 GB of memory, but larger capacities can be formatted to work with these devices. Please note that you will need a microSD card of at least 8 GB to install the official Raspbian OS, while Raspbian Lite requires a minimum of 4 GB. Raspbian is the recommended OS from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, although you can run many different operating systems, including various Linux distributions. nine0003
When looking for the best SD or microSD memory card, look for a model with a long lifespan that can handle a lot of cycles as you run your operating system from it. In addition, cards that can reach Class 10 UHS-I speeds of 95MB/s provide ease of storage and fast data transfer.
Since most Raspberry Pi computers have multiple USB ports, USB flash drives are a great option to use with these devices. They are small enough to fit in your pocket and provide portable storage for personal photos, music, videos and documents. nine0003
Most Raspberry Pi models only have USB 2.0 ports. USB 3.0 devices can also be used, but their speed will be limited to the speed of the USB 2.0 interface. As of June 2019, the Raspberry Pi «4 B» model includes 2 USB 3.0 ports for faster transfer speeds and better performance. With the addition of USB 3.0 ports, another storage option has emerged — using an external hard drive. Make sure the drive has its own external power, as the Raspberry Pi won’t be able to provide enough power to it. nine0003
In addition to portability, USB flash drives provide Raspberry Pi users with the same key features as SD and microSD cards in terms of storage capacity and read/write speed.
These options ensure you never run out of space for your projects.
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Best SD Cards for Raspberry Pi 3 B+ 2021
Author Kirill Sokolov Reading 6 min. Views 234
The
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is the latest version of the Pi 3 series and comes with great features like 5GHz wireless, Gigabit Ethernet, full size HDMI, and 4x USB 2.0 ports. In addition, there is a microSD card slot that allows you to significantly expand the base storage included in the box. To that end, we have found the best Raspberry Pi 3b SD cards that you can use with your Pi 3 B+ to get the most out of this great technology. nine0003
Contents
- Get Started: SanDisk Ultra 32 GB microSDHC Card
- All Storage: Samsung EVO Select 512 GB MicroSDXC Card
- Step Up: SanDisk Extreme PRO 32 GB MicroSDHC Card
- Faster: Samsung EVO Select Card 64 GB MicroSDXC
- Fast: MicroSD Silicon Power 128 GB Superior Pro
- Ease of use: PNY Elite Class 10 card 64 GB MicroSDXC
- Robust and reliable: Patriot EP 128 GB microSD card
- Step Up: Lexar 633X 256GB MicroSDXC Card
- Good Starter: Kingston Canvas Select 64GB MicroSDHC Card
- Almost Biggest: SanDisk Ultra 400GB MicroSDXC Card
- Resist the Elements: AX Memory 128GB MicroSDXC Card
- Which SD card should you buy ?
Never Lose It its: Povee Micro SD Card 128GB
Getting Started: SanDisk Ultra 32 GB microSDHC Memory Card
Staff Choice
This 32 GB card is enough for whatever OS you install on your Raspberry Pi, with some space left for games, programming environments, and whatever else you want. If you’re going to be installing a lot of games, you might be better off with a larger capacity card.
- $9 at Amazon
- $13 at Walmart
- $9 at B&H Photo
All storage: Samsung EVO Select 512 GB MicroSDXC Card
This is the card you need if you need to store a lot of movies and more thanks to its 512 GB capacity. EVO Select delivers up to 100MB/s read and 9 write speeds0 MB/s, and the card itself is shockproof, waterproof, X-ray resistant, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
$134 at Amazon
Step Up: SanDisk Extreme PRO 32GB MicroSDHC Memory Card
If you want to use your Pi for mission-critical applications or games, it’s worth getting the fastest card you can. This is the fastest card we could find with 32GB of memory and will be perfect for the rest of your projects. nine0003
- $13 at Amazon
- $38 at Walmart
Faster: Samsung EVO Select 64GB MicroSDXC Card
If you’re going to use your Raspberry Pi for gaming or as a desktop computer, more space is always better. This 64GB card is more than enough to keep your Raspberry Pi from slowing down, and is only a few bucks more than the 32GB version.
- $29 at Amazon
- $38 at Newegg
High Speed: Silicon Power 128GB Superior Pro MicroSD Card
The Silicon Power Superior Pro Card delivers 100/80MB/s read and write speeds and is compatible with much more than just the Raspberry Pi. In addition, Silicon Power also provides a 5-year limited warranty on its memory cards.
- $14 at Amazon
- $17 at B&H Photo
Ease of Use: PNY Elite Class 10 64 GB MicroSDXC Card
If you’re going to use your Raspberry Pi as a desktop computer or as a game console, you’ll need as much space as you can get for programs and games. This 64GB card is only slightly more expensive than the 32GB variant, but offers double the storage space. This card is slightly faster to read than the Samsung card above, so it can result in a smoother experience.
- $15 at Amazon
- $15 at Walmart
- 45 dollars in paper clips
Rugged and Reliable: Patriot EP 128GB MicroSD Card
Patriot Memory offers some of the most reliable microSD cards on the market, and the same goes for the Patriot EP card. The 128GB microSD card is more than capable of storing your OS and everything else for your Raspberry Pi.
- $18 at Amazon
- $15 at Walmart
- $20 in N ewegg
Step Up: Lexar 633X 256 GB MicroSDXC Card
When it comes to expanding storage, you can’t go wrong with the Lexar 633X MicroSD Card. In terms of speed, you’ll get 95MB/s transfer speeds with this Class 10 card, and there’s also a standard SD adapter if you need to transfer files from your PC.
- $30 at Amazon
- $35 at Walmart
- $35 at Newegg
A good start: Kingston’s Canvas Select 64 GB MicroSDHC Card
Kingston’s Canvas Select offers a decent amount of space, depending on what you use it for. This card is a bit slower than the previous one from SanDisk, but if you’re looking to spend as little as possible building a Pi, it might work well enough for your project. nine0003
- $10 at Amazon
- $12 at Newegg
Nearly the biggest: SanDisk Ultra 400GB MicroSDXC Card
SanDisk is helping to lead the industry by offering more storage in a compact form factor, and the Ultra 400GB card is a great example. This card not only pushes the limits of storage capacity, but also provides data transfer speeds up to 100MB/s and comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
- $57 at Amazon
- $79 at Walmart
- $55 at Newegg
Resist the Elements: AX Memory 128GB MicroSDXC Card
Not only is this memory card water-resistant, impact and X-ray resistant, and heat resistant. In addition, it comes with an adapter and offers a fast read speed of 95MB/s and a write speed of 65MB/s.0083
As a rule, memory cards look rather dull, and it makes sense. Or not? With this bright and colorful card, you will never lose it or find a problem if you accidentally drop it. And it offers pretty fast 100MB/s write and 50MB/s read speeds for downloads.
$18 at Amazon
Which SD card should you buy?
32 GB capacity for our phones is not that much, but for a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ SD card, it is more than enough. You’ll easily have enough space to use your Raspberry Pi as a print server, VPN, media center, or even a full desktop with a SanDisk Ultra 32GB card. At an incredibly affordable price, there really is no reason to go any lower. you you can get a larger or smaller card, but a 32 GB card is a good option.
But for those who really want to get as much storage as possible, you’ll want to download Samsung’s EVO Select 512 GB microSD card. The card offers high read and write speeds and is shockproof, waterproof, and even X-ray resistant. In addition, Samsung provides a 10-year limited warranty if something goes wrong with the Raspberry Pi.