I’ve been setting up a lot of security cameras over the past year. I’ve installed local storage systems, cloud systems and lately more systems depending on a micro SD card. Many believe you can just lash any auld micro SD card into a security camera and away you go.
But the reality is that not all microSD cards are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can mean lost footage when you need it most.
Understanding Your Storage Needs
Before you even think about card specifications, you need to answer one fundamental question: how much footage do you actually need to keep?
Most security cameras support rolling recording, where the oldest footage gets overwritten once the card fills up. This works brilliantly if you’re checking your footage regularly or if you’ve got motion alerts set up to notify you immediately when something happens. But if you’re away for a week and need to review what happened on day one, that footage might already be gone.
Think about your specific situation. Are you monitoring a holiday home you visit monthly? You’ll need substantially more storage than someone checking their front door camera daily. For continuous recording, you’re looking at roughly 50GB per day depending on resolution and compression. Motion-only recording dramatically reduces this, but the actual amount varies wildly based on how busy your camera’s view is.
Also ask how much cloud support you’ll have. If you are opting for a Google Nest camera, you will almost certainly need Google’s Cloud package and there’s no local storage option. But lately, I’ve installed TAPO and Eufy cameras that support microSD cards, leaving me wondering which card I should buy.
The Importance of High Endurance Cards
Here’s where many people go wrong: they buy a standard microSD card designed for cameras or phones and wonder why it fails after a few months. Security cameras write data constantly, overwriting the same sections repeatedly. Standard cards aren’t built for this punishment.
I learned this setting up my own NAS at home. Not all drives are created equal with some being specifically rated for lots of data turnover.
You need high endurance cards specifically designed for surveillance or dashcams. Look for those exact keywords on the packaging. These cards use different memory types and wear-levelling algorithms that handle the constant write cycles security cameras demand. I’m currently using Samsung Pro Endurance cards across several cameras, and they’ve been solid for years of continuous use.
When in doubt about quality, stick to established brands: SanDisk, Samsung, Lexar, PNY, Kioxia, Kingston, Transcend, or Sony. These aren’t just names that sound familiar; they’re manufacturers with proven track records in endurance applications. SanDisk particularly springs to mind when someone mentions microSD cards, and that brand recognition exists for good reason.
Decoding the Specifications
The markings on microSD cards look like alphabet soup, but they’re actually telling you crucial information about performance. For security cameras, you want cards marked with A2/U3/V30 at minimum. V60 or V70 ratings indicate even better performance. Anything less than V30 isn’t suitable for modern security footage.
The “V” rating refers to video speed class and indicates minimum sustained write speeds. V30 guarantees at least 30MB/s, which handles 1080p and even some 4K recording comfortably. The sustained write speed is the critical specification here, not the maximum burst speed that manufacturers often highlight in large print. Security cameras need consistent performance, not occasional peaks.
Capacity Considerations and Device Limits
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to capacity. First, check your camera’s maximum supported card size. Exceeding this causes compatibility issues, and you might find the camera simply won’t recognise the card at all.
Most modern cameras support at least 128GB, with many now accepting 256GB or even 512GB cards. But larger capacities cost significantly more per gigabyte, and you need to balance that against your actual needs. A 128GB card gives you roughly two to three days of continuous 1080p recording, which is plenty for most home security scenarios where you’re reviewing footage regularly.
One technical note worth understanding: microSD is the physical standard describing how cards are manufactured, whilst SDXC is an extension that allows capacities beyond 32GB. All modern security cameras support SDXC, so you’ll be fine with any capacity that fits your camera’s specifications.
Where to Buy and What to Avoid
I tend to buy mine on Amazon because the returns process is straightforward if something goes wrong. That said, counterfeit cards are a genuine problem on online marketplaces, particularly for popular brands at suspiciously low prices.
Physical retailers offer more peace of mind. Look for Harvey Norman, Currys, or specialist electronics shops like Electro City. The packaging usually features a camera icon to indicate suitability for video recording, though not always.
Real-World Examples
A SanDisk High Endurance will be perfectly adequate for most applications, offering excellent write speeds and reliability. The Samsung Pro Endurance is also an amazing range.
Remember, these cards are not just for security. They are also some of the best cards you could pick if you run a dashcam. They face the same challenge of high volume footage turnover.
microSD for cameras
Good capacity, lots of turnover.
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