The Raspberry Pi 5, with its powerful specs and versatile use cases, demands a high-quality microSD card to truly perform. Whether you’re building a media center, coding station, or surveillance system, the right storage can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 5 microSD cards for Raspberry Pi 5 in 2025, focusing on speed, endurance, random read/write performance, and overall value.
📘 Key Factors to Consider
- Speed Class (U1, U3, V30, A2): Faster cards reduce boot time and enhance app responsiveness.
- Capacity: Pick based on your needs — lightweight OS or large-scale media/data storage.
- Endurance: Especially important for tasks like logging or 24/7 surveillance.
- IOPS (Random Speed): Impacts how fast your Pi handles multiple tiny files.
- Compatibility: Ensure support for SDHC/SDXC standards and Raspberry Pi 5 formatting requirements.
💡 Best microSD Cards for Raspberry Pi 5 (2025)
1. Samsung Pro Ultimate
Key Specs:
- Speed Class: UHS-I, U3, V30, A2
- Read/Write: Up to 200MB/s read, 130MB/s write
- IOPS: ~1,900 write / 28,000 read
- Capacities: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Endurance: High, suitable for heavy read/write cycles
Why It’s Great:
This is one of the fastest and most reliable cards on the market. Perfect for media servers, emulation stations, or AI projects on Raspberry Pi 5.
✅ Pros: Exceptional speed, A2-rated for apps
❌ Cons: On the pricier side
2. Silicon Power 3D NAND
Key Specs:
- Speed Class: UHS-I, Class 10
- Read/Write: Up to 100MB/s read, 80MB/s write
- Capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Why It’s Great:
A budget-friendly pick that still delivers great performance for general Raspberry Pi projects.
✅ Pros: Affordable, dependable
❌ Cons: Not for write-heavy usage
3. Samsung Pro Endurance
Key Specs:
- Speed Class: UHS-I, U3, V30
- Read/Write: Up to 100MB/s read, 40MB/s write
- Capacities: 32GB–256GB
- Endurance: Up to 43,800 hours of continuous recording
Why It’s Great:
Built for longevity, this card is ideal for surveillance, 24/7 monitoring, and other write-intensive projects.
✅ Pros: Excellent durability, water/temperature/magnet-resistant
❌ Cons: Lower write speed compared to high-performance cards
4. Kingston Canvas React
Key Specs:
- Speed Class: UHS-I, U3, V30
- Read/Write: Up to 100MB/s read, 80MB/s write
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Why It’s Great:
A balanced choice with solid speeds and decent endurance. Great for users running emulators, coding platforms, or media playback apps.
✅ Pros: Strong performance, great for HD video
❌ Cons: Not optimized for 24/7 logging or extreme environments
5. SanDisk Extreme A2
Key Specs:
- Speed Class: UHS-I, U3, V30, A2
- Read/Write: Up to 160MB/s read, 90MB/s write
- IOPS: Up to 4,000 write / 6,000 read
- Capacities: 32GB to 1TB
Why It’s Great:
The SanDisk Extreme A2 offers a sweet spot for performance and app handling. It’s particularly good for projects requiring frequent access to small files like database storage or custom Linux builds.
✅ Pros: A2 optimized for app launching and multitasking
❌ Cons: Can heat up under heavy load
Best For: Power users who want solid all-around performance without splurging on the highest-tier cards.
📊 Comparison Table
| Card | Speed Class | Read (MB/s) | Write (MB/s) | A2/App Ready | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Pro Ultimate | U3, V30, A2 | 200 | 130 | ✅ | Power users, high-speed apps |
| Silicon Power 3D NAND | Class 10 | 100 | 80 | ❌ | Budget projects |
| Samsung Pro Endurance | U3, V30 | 100 | 40 | ❌ | Surveillance, data logging |
| Kingston Canvas React | U3, V30 | 100 | 80 | ❌ | HD media, emulation |
| SanDisk Extreme A2 | U3, V30, A2 | 160 | 90 | ✅ | Balanced performance |
🧰 Conclusion
The best microSD card for your Raspberry Pi 5 ultimately depends on what you’re building:
- Want top-tier speed? Go with the Samsung Pro Ultimate
- Need constant recording durability? Choose Samsung Pro Endurance
- On a budget? Silicon Power 3D NAND offers great value
- All-around choice? SanDisk Extreme A2 is the most balanced pick
Make sure to always buy from reputable sources like Amazon or the official manufacturer’s website to avoid counterfeit cards.