If you are thinking of building a low-cost computer that can handle basic tasks like a file server, retro game console, or media center then the Raspberry Pi 4 is the electronic board for you. The main storage option for Raspberry Pi boards is SD Card. So, to help you buy the right SD card for your Raspberry Pi, we decided to list down the best SD Cards for Raspberry Pi 4 that you can get on the market today.
7 Best SD Cards for Raspberry Pi 4
To make your life a little easier here are the best SD Cards for Raspberry Pi 4. These cards are selected based on their storage capacity, read speed, write speed, price, and durability.
#1: SanDisk Extreme PRO 32 GB Micro SD Card
If the subject is about the best sd cards for Raspberry Pi 4, then the SanDisk Extreme Pro is the clear winner. Although the card can get a little expensive, it also has a lot to offer. The card features a 100 MB per second read speed which is more than enough for the Pi 4. It also has a 90 MB per second write speed. SanDisk Extreme Pro works well on the Pi 4 if you are going to use it for gaming applications or a mini file server. It is also waterproof, shockproof, X-ray proof, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty from SanDisk.
More Sandisk memory cards: 7 Best (FAST) SanDisk Micro SD Cards
#2: Samsung Micro SD EVO Plus Series
The Samsung Evo Plus series is also an excellent choice for your Raspberry Pi 4. It has 80 MB per second read speed and 60 MB write speed which is enough to deliver fast performance on your low-cost computer project. Although it is not advertised, the Samsung Evo Plus series is one of the approved memory cards to go with Raspberry Pi and that includes the Pi 4. You can get the Samsung Evo Plus 64 GB memory card for about $14 and comes with a lifetime warranty.
#3: Silicon Power 3D Nand Pro Micro SDXC Memory Card
The Silicon Power 3D NAND micro SD Card offers decent all-around performance with up to 100 MB per second transfer speed. It is rated at V30 with write speed that reaches up to 80 MB per second. Silicon Power offers a 5-year warranty for the Silicon Power 3D NAND Pro. It is also dustproof, waterproof, and X-ray proof. The 64 GB model is priced at $11 which is reasonable for the performance it offers. However, you need to format the card to an exFAT file system in order for you to use it on your Raspberry Pi 4. The only downside of this card is that Silicon Power is not that great when it comes to the longevity of their cards.
#4: Raspberry Pi 32GB Preloaded (Noobs) SD Card
Here’s another SD Card that is made specifically for the Raspberry Pi 4. The card has 32 GB of storage which is preloaded with NOOBS and Pi-Os for more convenient installation of programs on your low-cost computer. It is rated class 10 which has a write speed of up to 10 MB per second. If you have the budget, we suggest getting the 64 GB storage variant so that you can store more files on your computer.
#5: Transcend 400X 64GB MicroSDXC Class10 UHS-1 Memory Card
Transcend Class 10 SD Card is a budget-friendly option for your Raspberry Pi 4. The card offers 45 MB per second read speed which is a decent speed for loading files or games on your Raspberry Pi 4. It has a built-in ECC (Error Correcting Code) which is good especially if you are going to run an operating system on the memory card. you can get the card in 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage option with the 64 GB model priced at around $10. It is also waterproof, temperature proof, and shockproof.
#6: SanDisk Ultra 32 GB Micro SDHC Memory Card
Coming last on this list, the SanDisk Ultra is definitely not at the bottom in terms of performance. It has up to 100 MB per second read speed which is a lot faster compared to the cards mentioned on this list. However, the card is only rated class 10 which has a write speed of 10 MB per second. It features an A1 Rating which means faster loading of applications. The card is also shockproof, waterproof, magnetic proof, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty from SanDisk.
#7: LoveRpi Micro SD Card
Based on the card’s name, it is optimized and built specifically for Raspberry Pi’s. This model is best suited to Raspberry Pi 4. The LoveRpi will work Plug and Play on your Raspberry Pi 4 without the need of formatting. It is rated at UHS-1 Class 10 which has a write speed of up to 10 MB per second. However, the card has a 60 MB per second read speed so it still offers decent performance considering the $13 price tag for the 32 GB storage variant. The card also comes with preloaded Pi-OS and available on 16, 32, 64 GB storage options.
What Kind of SD Card Should You Get for Raspberry Pi?
Since the Raspberry Pi 4 use SD Card as internal storage, you might want to consider buying an SD Card with decent read and write speeds so that your low-cost computer won’t get affected by the card’s performance.
SD Card Type
The Raspberry Pi 4 uses the smaller micro SD Card for its slot. The reason for this is that Pi 4 is a compact board and using the larger SD card slot is not possible.
Speed Class
In terms of speed rating, you should be more concerned about the card’s read speed. Read speed is important when loading applications on your computer. But, you should also get a card that is at least class 10 so that the memory card also has decent write speed.
SD Card Size
For the card capacity, the Raspberry Pi 4 supports a memory card that has a storage capacity of up to 64 GB. However, if you are going to use the larger 64 GB card you should format the SD Card to the exFAT file system. But, if you don’t want to go through the format process you can always settle with the 32 GB storage option.
Note that it is essential to format your SD card time after time in order to maintain its performance.
Formatting your SD card is essential for several reasons:
- File system compatibility: Formatting ensures that your SD card has a compatible file system for the device you’re using it with, such as a camera, smartphone, or computer. Different devices may require different file systems, so formatting allows the SD card to work seamlessly across various devices.
- Optimal performance: Over time, an SD card can become fragmented, resulting in slower read and write speeds. Formatting the card erases all data and resets the file system, which can improve its performance and maintain optimal storage capacity.
- Data organization: Formatting your SD card can help you keep your data organized. By erasing all data and starting fresh, you can avoid clutter and easily locate the files you need.
- Error correction: If your SD card encounters errors or corruption, formatting can help resolve these issues and restore the card to a usable state. However, keep in mind that formatting will delete all data on the card, so you should back up any important files before proceeding.
- Security: Formatting your SD card can also help maintain the security of your data. If you plan to sell, give away, or dispose of your SD card, formatting ensures that your personal information and files are permanently deleted and cannot be easily recovered by others.
Learn all the steps to format your SD card: Guide to Formatting Your Raspberry Pi SD Card (Step-by-Step).
Remember to backup your SD card before formatting it: Backup Your Raspberry Pi SD Card.
Final Words
To sum things up, the best cards for Raspberry Pi 4 are the SanDisk Extreme Pro which will handle any task that you throw at it. However, if you are looking for something that offers convenience in setting up your Pi 4, you should consider getting the LoveRpi memory card or the Raspberry Pi 8GB memory card. It comes preloaded with Pi-OS which is great for first time Raspberry builder.
Also check out:
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