Have you ever had a moment while driving and thought, “I wish I had that on camera”?
Whether it’s a magnificent view, a traffic collision, or an unexpected roadside occurrence, having reliable dash cam footage can save your life.
But even the best dash cam won’t deliver the needed footage without the right SD card backing it up.
The right SD card ensures your dash cam captures every detail without interruption, even in demanding conditions.
Finding the proper one might be time-consuming and difficult due to the abundance of alternatives available.
In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about choosing the best SD card for dash cam recording so you don’t miss a beat—literally.
What to Look for in a Dash Cam SD Card?
Dash cams are not like regular cameras or smartphones. They continue to record footage and overwrite previous files as the card fills up.
This puts a lot of strain on your SD card, requiring it to withstand continuous writing and rewriting without wearing out too rapidly.
But always remember, when the SD card is new, you must format the SD card before use to check if it is fake or not.
Here’s what you should consider:
- Durability: Your SD card should be able to tolerate high temperatures, water, and shock. Dash cams are often exposed to harsh conditions, therefore you need a card that can handle it all.
- Storage Capacity: More recording time before older recordings are overwritten is possible with a larger card. For most drivers, 64GB to 128GB is ideal, while frequent drivers might choose larger capacities.
- Speed Class: To ensure smooth video recording, dash cams need cards with fast write speed. Select cards rated UHS Class 1 (U1) or UHS Class 3 (U3) for best results.
- High Endurance: A high-enddurance SD card is necessary since dash cameras continuously write data. These are made to endure more wear and tear from frequent usage, as required by dash cameras.
- Price vs. Performance: It’s tempting to go with the cheapest choice, but dependability is important with dash cam SD cards. Spending a little more money on a high-endurance card will spare you from the headache of losing video or having the card fail later.
6 Best SD Card for Dash Cam for Continuous Recording
After considering durability, speed, and storage, we’ve compiled a list of the best SD card for dash cam to keep your dash cam running smoothly, no matter the conditions.
Here are our top picks:
1. SANDISK Max Endurance 256GB Micro SD Card
The SANDISK Max Endurance, in particular, is a great choice for those who need a card that ‘goes the distance’ with heavy recording designed explicitly for continuous recording in every way, a card destined to spend thousands of hours of footage so more suitable for long-term use.
It fits perfectly in any environment due to being shockproof, waterproof, and temperature proof.
Drive it on the hottest of days or in freezing temperatures, this card guarantees that your dash cam will never miss a moment.
With a storage capacity of 256GB, you will have adequate space to store long journey recordings, thereby reducing the risk of losing important footage.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| SanDisk makes an excellent pick. | Write speed is somewhat slower in comparison. |
| Cheaper than some other 128 GB alternatives. | |
| A dedicated SD card slot is included. |
2. Samsung PRO Endurance MicroSD Card
The Samsung PRO Endurance is designed for harsh situations. With its amazing durability, this card allows your dash cam to record up to 43,800 hours of film without missing a beat.
Whether you’re capturing high-quality video in HD or 4K, this card is designed to handle the heavy demands of continuous recording.
It’s not only durable but also offers an excellent balance between price and performance.
Waterproof, temperature-proof, and resistant to magnets and X-rays, this card is as reliable as it comes. If you’re looking for a trusted option that will last for years, the. Samsung PRO Endurance is a solid pick.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| It is design to handle 43,800 hours of continuous recording. | It’s not the best choice for 4K recording. |
| Reasonable Price | |
| It is designed to handle 43,800 hours of continuous recording. |
3. Nextbase 128GB 70MB/s microSD Memory Card
This 128GB card is specifically created for use with Nextbase dash cameras, and it provides rapid read and write rates to assure high-quality recordings with no latency.
Its capacity to handle high-definition video makes it a popular choice among Nextbase users.
Apart from being seamlessly compatible, it offers temperature resistance as well, ensuring that your dash cam never gives up on you, even in weather that is biting at extremes.
It would be a good card for those who want good storage with efficiency and performance when conducting routine daily drives.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| It offers high-quality and stable recording. | Not so ideal for longer recording |
| Fast read and write speed. |
4. SANDISK 1TB Extreme Micro SDXC Memory Card
For those who never wish to run out of storage capacity, the SANDISK 1TB Extreme is a dream come true.
If you spend hours on the road or use a high-resolution dash cam, this card can hold limitless hours of film.
Beyond its huge storage capacity, the SANDISK Extreme has high read and write speeds, making it perfect for HD or 4K recording.
It is also quite durable and able to tolerate harsh temperatures, water, and shock. This is ideal for anyone who wants to guarantee they always have enough space to record everything, even on long road journeys.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Provides the best storage capacity on this list. | It is expensive. |
| Perfect for 4K video capturing. | |
| Coming from a highly trusted brand. |
5. Lexar PLAY 256GB 150MB/s microSDXC Memory Card
For those who value speed, the Lexar PLAY is ideal for dash cam users seeking quick transfer rates and smooth playing.
Its 150MB/s read speed means that your dash cam footage is transferred swiftly and played back smoothly.
The 256GB capacity balances storage and performance, and its durability ensures reliable performance in different driving environments.
Whether you’re transferring files to your computer or reviewing footage, the Lexar PLAY ensures you can do so without delays or glitches.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Value for Money | Read and write speeds may have been improved. |
| Reliable in performance | |
| High speed |
6. SanDisk Extreme Plus 512GB 200MB/s microSD Memory Card
If you’re recording in 4K or higher, you’ll want a card that can keep up with the increased data flow.
SanDisk Extreme Plus is intended for high-resolution recording at 200MB/s read speed, so this might be the drive for you if you are looking for something that will deliver very neat, high-quality footage.
The SanDisk Extreme Plus has 512GB of storage capacity; thus, it can be used for long-hour recording as well as by users who prefer having enough space without the need to clear the drive every now and then.
If speed and capacity are at the top of your list, the SanDisk Extreme Plus offers an unbeatable combination.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Good for Multiple use. | Limited durability fetures. |
| High-speed compatibility. | |
| Your dash cam footage will transfer quickly and play smoothly. |
Final Thoughts
Having the best SD card for dash cam makes all the difference when it comes to dash cams. These cards provide excellent performance, be it in terms of dependability under harsh circumstances or guaranteeing seamless, uninterrupted recording.
Every dash cam user may find what they need, from long-lasting high-endurance alternatives to blazingly fast cards that can handle 4K footage.
So, before you hit the road, make sure your dash cam is paired with the best SD card for the job. When the unexpected happens, you’ll want your footage to be flawless.
Happy driving!
