Are you looking for a memory card that is fully compatible with your GoPro and works well with 4k footage? In this article we cover the top 7 high-speed GoPro memory cards capable of handling 4k footage, from the most affordable ones to the more professional SD cards. Plus you will learn about different SD Card sizes and how to choose the ideal size (GB) based on your shooting needs.
The SD cards that I’ve reviewed in this article are also suggested by GoPro itself and I’ve tested that they work well with most GoPro camera models. However, if you own a GoPro Hero 8, there’s a dedicated article for it here below.
? For GoPro HERO 8 (Memory Cards): 8 Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 8 [GoPro Recommended]
First off… What Kind of GoPro Memory Card Do You Need?
Before buying an SD card, make sure it complies with your camera. This is what GoPro cameras require:
✔ Memory Card Type: MicroSD
✔ Memory Card Speed: Class 10 or UHS-1
✔ Recommended Capacity: 32GB-64GB / SDHC or SDXC
Why Do You Need a High-Speed SD Card?
When you film at [email protected], [email protected] or other demanding video settings, the camera uses the H.256 codec – instead of H.264 – and writes video files at 12MB/s. This requires a fast microSD card known as UHS-1 V30 or U3 (writing speed of 30MB/s). UHS stands for “Ultra High Speed”. Slower microSD card categories like Class 10 (writing speed 10MB/s) or below won’t work with demanding video settings.
Sounds a bit confusing? The chart below can help you figure out what speed class you need for each video format.
Graphic via SD Association
Top 7 High-Speed Memory Cards for GoPro in 2022 (4k compatible)
1. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I 160MB/s
SanDisk is the mother of SD cards. This model in specific is my top choice for SD cards to use with GoPro cameras. It’s compatible with every GoPro model, it’s fast and affordable. Comes with an USB adapter and there’s plenty of capacity options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB.
- Ideal for Android smartphones and tablets, action cameras, and drones
- Up to 160MB/s
- Compact and durable microSD card reader
2. Samsung EVO Select 100MB/s
Despite it being really cost-effective (32GB version under $10), the EVO Select is fast and reliable. It performs really well even when recording with the most demanding video settings on HERO7.
- Ideal for recording 4K UHD video: Samsung MicroSD Evo is perfect for high-res photos,...
- Durability rugged & lightweight; 2 meter drop test rated; IP54
- Built to last reliability: Shock proof memory card is also water proof, temperature...
3. Lexar Professional 1000x
This model is suggested by GoPro, which assures full compatibility with every camera edition. Its two-bus system (UHS-II) makes this card fast in download, reaching speeds up to 150MB/s.
- High-speed performance—leverages UHS-II technology (U3) for a read transfer Speed...
- Premium memory solution for sports camcorders, tablets, and smartphones
- Designed for high-speed capture of high-quality images and extended lengths of 1080P...
4. Samsung Pro Plus UHS-I
Samsung has a good variety of memory cards which work really well with GoPro. I also suggest this model as it fits under the V30 category (writing speed 30MB/s) and works well with most GoPro demanding video settings. You can also check out the cheaper V10 category by Samsung, but it’s not suitable for high speed rates (eg. 4k60).
- Up to 95MB/s Read and 90MB/s Write speed
- Storage Capacity: 32 GB
- Great Performance in High-End Smartphones, Tablet PCs, Action Cameras, and DSLRs
5. SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-II
The Pro line is the top of the range from SanDisk. This model features two busses (UHS-II) instead of one (UHS-I), delivering supersonic transfer speeds up to 275MB/s in download. Writing speed remains the same of the V30 category (30MB/s). So you won’t get any extra benefit when you are filming with GoPro.
- Extremely Fast transfer speeds
- 4K UHD and full HD video capture
- Durable design for use in extreme environments
6. SanDisk Extreme PLUS V30 UHS-I
The Plus line has got very similar specifications to the Extreme line. However, benchmark tests show that it has a slight higher faster sequential write speed than the Extreme.
- Up to 95MB/s read speed and up to 90MB/s write speed
- Uhs-i/V30/U3/class 10 --- Meets the new uhs speed class 3 (U3) and uhs video speed...
- Built for extreme conditions; temperature proof, water proof, shock proof, and x-ray...
7. Delkin 1900X V60
This is the fastest (and most expensive) SD card of the list. Its performance is more than what you need for a GoPro as it reaches writing speeds of 60MB/s (6x faster). Though it can be useful if you combine its use with other professional video cameras.
- Approved for HD, 4K & RAW Burst
- Specialized to Record & Store Multiple Files & File Types Simultaneously
- Read/Write Speeds: 285/100 MB/s
Top 3 Comparison
How long can you record with your SD Card?
Recording times depend by the camera video settings and card size. The following charts show you various filming durations at different video settings.
GoPro Hero 8, Hero 7, Hero 6, Hero 5, Hero 4
This chart shows you the recording time with Protune ON and maxed out video settings (4k60 for HERO 8,7,6,5 and 4k30 for HERO4).
| 32GB | 64GB | 128GB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HERO8 Black | 37 min (high bit rate) 1h 03 min (low bit rate) | 1h 15 min (high bit rate) 2h 06 min (low bit rate) | 2h 30min (high bit rate) 2h 12 min (low bit rate) |
| HERO7 Black | 1h 3min | 2h 6min | 4h 12min |
| HERO6 Black | 48 min | 1h 37min | 3h 14min |
| HERO5 Black | 51min | 1h 42min | 2h 24min |
| HERO4 Black | 1h 6min | 2h 13min | 4h 26min |
GoPro Max
For simplicity, we assume that the following recording times on GoPro Max are calculated on a SD card of 64gb at different video settings.
| Shooting Mode | Resolution | Frame Rate | High Bitrate | Low Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 360 | 5.6K | 30 | 2h | NA |
| 360 | 5.6K | 24 | 2h | NA |
| 360 | 3.6K | 60 | 2h | NA |
| HERO | 1440 | 60 | 1h 27m | 1h 50m |
| HERO | 1440 | 30 | 2h 22m | 3h 17m |
| HERO | 1440 | 24 | 2h 22m | 3h 17m |
| HERO | 1080 | 60 | 2h 22m | 3h 17m |
| HERO | 1080 | 30 | 2h 22m | 3h 17m |
| HERO | 1080 | 24 | 2h 22m | 3h 17m |
Pro Tip » by setting a lower resolution or frame rate, your video files will be smaller and, as a result, your recording time will increase, allowing you to get more footage in one SD card. The best way to estimate GoPro recording times is by checking it on the camera’s display with an empty microSD card inserted. The camera will display the recording time when it’s set on video mode and you are not filming.
GoPro Memory Card Size
What is the SD card capacity (GigaByte) supported by your GoPro camera model?
| Camera Model | 32GB | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fusion | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hero9 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hero8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HERO7 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| HERO6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| HERO5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| HERO Session | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| HERO (2018) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| HERO (2014) | ✓ | X | X | NA |
| HERO+ | ✓ | ✓ | X | NA |
| HERO4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| HERO3+ | ✓ | ✓ | X | NA |
| HERO3 | ✓ | ✓ | X | NA |
What about 250GB Cards? I made this chart relying on the information provided by the manuals for each camera model. However, newer GoPro editions like HERO (2018), HERO 5,6,7 may accept 256GB memory cards although it’s not stated on their respective GoPro manuals. I tested the microSD Samsung EVO Plus 256GB on GoPro HERO7 and it worked fine.
While the latest GoPro models like Hero 8, Hero 9, GoPro Fusion and GoPro Max do accept SD memory cards up to 245GB.
Here’s my GoPro Memory Card Video Review:
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- GoPro Slow Motion: Learning to Use Slow Motion
- GoPro Low Light Tips: Learn How to Improve Your Low Light Footage
- GoPro Time Lapse: Creating Stunning Time Lapse Shots
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