Best microSD cards for home security cameras

Believe it or not, the footage captured by your security camera does not disappear into the void. While many security cameras offer cloud storage for a price, local storage can be a cheaper, better option.

The footage from your security camera is stored on a microSD card so you never lose access once you stop paying the subscription fee. You can also decide for yourself what footage needs to be kept and tossed.

However, its not exactly a one size fits all situation. To get the most out of your security camera, you need to select the right memory storage, speed class, and card size. If you’re on the hunt for a reliable microSD card for your security camera, read on for our top picks.

The best microSD card for your security camera depends on your model. Below are some questions you can ask to determine what microSD is best:

• Is my camera a motion sensor? If your camera only records when something or someone enters the frame, you probably won't need as much local storage. 
• Do you have a cloud storage subscription? Companies like Arlo offer a monthly subscription service that uploads all recorded footage to your cloud storage. Whether or not you decide to renew your subscription will determine how much local storage you need. If you have the subscription and all footage is uploaded to the cloud anyway, there's no need for an expensive microSD card with a huge storage capacity.
• What resolution does your camera record in? Cameras that record in 4K, or even 8K, require a much higher write speed than cameras that don't. Videos shot in high-resolution also take up much more space.

A key element of microSD cards is speed. While microSD cards will detail their read and write speed, security cam microSD cards only really rely on the write speed. The read speed is how quickly video can be accessed on your camera, while the write speed is how quickly data can be recorded and written to its memory. If your microSD card is slow, it might skip frames or make your uploaded video laggy. A higher write speed on your card is important for security cameras because you’re sending a constant stream of data to local storage. If this stream is interrupted, it won’t perform the way you expect it to. 

There are 3 different types of speed classifications: 

• C2 - minimum write speed of 2M/s
• C4 - minimum write speed of 4MB/s
• C6 - minimum write speed of 6MB/s
• C10 - minimum write speed of 10MB/s

Class 10 is the current industry standard. Newer hardware requires higher write speeds, so Class 10 is typically the minimum requirement. 

• U1 - minimum write speed of 10MB/s
• U3 - minimum write speed of 30MB/s

The UHS class is more commonly used than the Speed Class. High-end cameras require at least U3, especially for recording high-resolution video. Security cameras that are capable of recording in 4K will usually require at least a U3-rated microSD card. 

• V6 - minimum write speed 6MB/s
• V10 - minimum write speed 10MB/s
• V30 - minimum write speed 30MB/s 
• V60 - minimum write speed 60MB/s
• V90 - minimum write speed 90MB/s

The video speed class is the newest class, created to enable high-resolution recording features like 360-degree capture and 4K (or even 8k) resolution videos. One of the fastest speeds available, it's ideal for ultra-high-resolution video, 4K and 8K recording, and 360-degree cams.

You can find the best one for your device by choosing the same speed class or higher than the one recommended for your device. For example, if your device requires C4, you can use C4, C6, or C10. If you don’t have a recommended speed, but have a 4K or high-definition security camera, you should think about opting for a microSD with a speed class of C10, UHS 1, V10 or above.

Most security cameras use microSD cards for local storage. While there are other minor differences, the main difference between microSD cards and SD cards is the size. SD cards are larger and are therefore somewhat limited as to where they can be used. Most modern devices favour microSD cards, which are small enough for use in security cameras, mobile phones, dash cams and more. MicroSD cards can also be used like regular SD cards with the help of an adapter (which is often sold alongside the microSD card).

Choosing the right microSD card for your security might seem like a daunting task given the choice that's available. However, there are factors to consider (like size, speed class, and operating temperature) that will impact which one is the right option for you.

When it comes to finding the best microSD for your home security camera, we think the Samsung EVO Plus, SanDisk High Endurance and SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD cards are the top choices on the market right now.

To find the best microSD cards for a range of uses and budgets, we extensively researched all the major microSD brands available in Australia. We looked at price, read and write speeds, storage capacities, consumer warranties, and customer reviews to learn which ones were worth your hard-earned cash.

You can learn more about how we review products by checking out our methodology.