A Guide For SanDisk Memory Card | Which One You Should Buy?

SanDisk is one of the most well-known names in the digital storage industry, but they don’t make it easy for buyers to choose which product to buy. One example is their SD card series, which is ambiguously named “Ultra,” “Extreme,” and “Extreme Pro.”

In the worst case, when you try to download an app or record a video, it tells you that you don’t have enough space on your device. This can be aggravating. This happens when you buy a memory card without thoroughly comparing its specs to your particular needs.

However, several things depend on finding the correct memory card for your needs. These include the device you’re using, its purpose, and the card’s class and speed ratings.

In this article, we will help you peek at the different sorts of memory cards from SanDisk and what they offer to save you time.

An Overview of SanDisk Memory Cards

First, you must understand the fundamental difference between different SanDisk memory cards. The technical specifications of each SD card are summarized in the table below, as provided by SanDisk.

Please remember that these specifications do not account for each product’s performance. Slight variations are expected, particularly in the read and write speed areas.

Features	Ultra	Extreme	Extreme Pro
Video Quality	1080P	4K	4K
Storage Space	Up to 256GB	Up to 1TB	Up to 1TB
Secure Digital Association Speed Class	Class 10	Class 10	Class 10
Transfer Speed	80MB/S	150MB/S	170MB/S
Protection	Waterproof, Temperature Proof, X-ray Proof, Magnet Proof, Shockproof	Built for and tested in harsh conditions. Temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and x-ray-proof	Built for and tested in harsh conditions. Temperature Proof, Water Proof, Shock Proof, and X-ray Proof
Write Speed	10MB/S	90MB/S	90MB/S

Looking at this table, it is easy to tell the difference between the three kinds of memory cards. The Extreme Pro is ideal for demanding applications based only on read and write speeds. Photography and filmmaking are two of the most prominent examples, primarily if you frequently shoot 4K videos or utilize your camera’s burst photography mode.

If you save media in huge formats, the extra capacity of an Extreme Pro card offers it an extra boost. 4K videos are an excellent example yet again. This is especially true if you save in RAW format, which contains more information that can benefit post-processing and color grading.

Common Specs Among SanDisk Memory Cards

Earlier in the article, you saw a short comparison table of the SanDisk memory cards. Here you can learn what specs they have in common. You’ll see that they’re all labeled as SDXC cards, which is just a convoluted way of describing their capacity range. The SDXC class contains all three SD cards being evaluated here, ranging from 32 GB to 2 TB.

All three SD cards use the UHS-I bus type, indicating the interface between the card and the device. This ramification the maximum read and writes rates that the interface can support. The read and write speeds of all three cards are significantly below the maximum value. Because UHS-II SD cards are still extremely expensive, most devices still employ the UHS-I bus type.

We will address SD cards and MicroSD cards later on in this article because they are broadly used in  DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, camcorders, GoPros, phones, and other devices.

Further, we will compare SanDisk Memory cards with one another to give you a clearer understanding before you make the decision.

SanDisk Extreme Vs. Extreme Pro

First, we will provide you with a brief comparison table of SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro SD Card and Micro SD Card.

	SanDisk Extreme	SanDisk Extreme Pro (UHS-I)	SanDisk Extreme Pro (UHS-II)
Bus Type	UHS-I	UHS-I	UHS-II
Speed Class	U3	U3	U3
Speed Class of the Video	V30	V30	V90
Video Quality	4K Video	4K Video	8K Video
Read Speed	150MB/S	170MB/S	300MB/S
Write Speed	70MB/S	90MB/S	260MB/S

SanDisk’s Extreme and Extreme Pro SD cards are the company’s highest-end models. But what’s the difference between the SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro?

The Extreme model, for example, has a maximum write speed of 70MB/s and a maximum capacity of 256GB; the Extreme Pro, on the other hand, has a faster maximum write speed of 90MB/s and memory options up to 1TB.

Both memory cards’ read speeds (transfer speeds) are significantly faster, with the Extreme card reaching 150MB/s and the Extreme Pro UHS-I card reaching 170MB/s. If your camera supports it, there’s also the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II, which boasts a read speed of 300 MB/s and a write speed of 260 MB/s.

The Extreme was popular among amateurs and pros for several years because it was dependable, error-free, and quick. You can take high-resolution videos or several photos in burst mode, and the card will process them in real time. There was, however, one drawback: the 256GB storage space restriction.

Even the 256GB limit is a restraint for someone on a multi-day shoot or wishing to capture a lot of films. With the Extreme Pro, SanDisk intended to go above and beyond. Not just more storage, SanDisk Extreme Pro has faster read/write speeds, allowing for faster file transfers and processes.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro comes in two versions: UHS-I and UHS-II. The UHS version has the fastest read/write speeds and the fastest video speed class (V90), making it capable of 8K video recording. Remember that many cameras do not support the UHS-II or V90 video speed classes, so double-check compatibility before shelling out for the top-tier UHS-II Extreme Pro.

Both cards have advantages and disadvantages. If you can afford it, it is recommended that you buy SanDisk Extreme Pro. Because of the faster write speed, you won’t have to wait for your snaps or images to be stored before moving on to the next one. And with storage capacities of up to 1TB, you won’t run out of room for a long time.

If you’re not a commercial photographer or filmmaker, the ordinary Extreme will be more than enough. Remember that while read speed may not impair your ability to take occasional pictures, it will affect how quickly you can upload your images to a computer. If this is important to you, upgrading to an Extreme Pro may be a good idea.

SanDisk Extreme MicroSD Card Vs. SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSD Card

A MicroSD card is a type of memory card that may be used to expand the storage on your phone, as well as for action cameras, the Nintendo Switch, and other devices.

They’re much smaller than normal SD cards, but they’re just as quick and just as pricey. The Extreme MicroSD performs as expected, with a total storage capacity of 1TB and transfer speeds of up to 160MB/s. Its A2 performance rating implies that it launches apps faster on phones than on cheaper memory cards, and it has all the other capabilities in the SanDisk Extreme standard SD card.

Just like the Extreme Pro SD card UHS-II, Extreme Pro MicroSD UHS-II is faster than the simple Extreme Pro MicroSD UHS-I. With a maximum capacity of 1TB, read and write performance is astounding at 170MB/s and 90MB/s, respectively. Unlike the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC memory card, the MicroSD presently does not have a version that can transport data at 300MB/s.

SanDisk Ultra Vs. SanDisk Extreme

Let’s look at the comparison table of SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme SD Card, and MicroSD Card.

	SanDisk Ultra	SanDisk Extreme
Bus Type	UHS-I	UHS-I
Speed Class	U1	U3
Speed Class of the Video	V10	V30
Video Quality	1080P	4K
Read Speed	120MB/S	150MB/S
Write Speed	Not Stated	70MB/S

SanDisk has a well-deserved reputation for reliability in the storage device market, and it’s easy to understand why buyers might be apprehensive given the high quality of SanDisk’s products.

These cards are made to work with your cameras, but amateur and professional photographers’ requirements differ. The SanDisk Extreme SD Card is designed to fight extreme temperatures and conditions, allowing you to easily record and replay 4D Ultra HD and Full HD videos.

Extreme’s exceptional performance has already been mentioned in the article, which includes a maximum write speed of 90MB/s and a read speed of 150MB/s.

On the other hand, the SanDisk Ultra is weather and temperature resistant and has a maximum transfer speed of 120MB/s and a maximum write speed that varies depending on the card size. The write speed is usually between 60 and 80 MB/s.

The SanDisk Extreme and SanDisk Ultra memory cards come with SD card adapters that make them compatible with any device and data recovery software that can save your life if you delete something important.

Furthermore, the Extreme card has been improved for a speedier app launch.

On the other hand, the SanDisk Ultra will save you money while still being capable of snapping images and recording full HD 1080p video. However, the SanDisk Extreme is the way to go if you want to record 4K UHD and have faster transfers between your device and PC.

SanDisk Ultra MicroSD Card Vs. SanDisk Extreme MicroSD Card

MicroSD cards are essentially the same as ordinary SD cards in terms of strength and endurance. The SanDisk Ultra Micro SD card has a read speed of 100MB/s, is UHS-1 compatible, and can record full HD video.

With a read speed of 120MB/s, the SanDisk Extreme MicroSD is ideal for those who prefer a little speedier card. It also expands your storage capacity possibilities, allowing you to go up to a terabyte. This frees up space for hours and hours of video files.

The changes between the two may appear insignificant at first, but with time, those minor improvements in transfer speeds and card writing will mount up. If you’re a heavy user, the SanDisk Extreme will save you money in the long run.

SanDisk High Endurance Vs Extreme

If you want to purchase a new storage device for your phone, laptop, or other electronic devices, such as cameras, make sure to check the cards and your device’s specifications first.

Then, if your device supports any cards, you can choose the one that appears to be the most promising based on popularity, capacity, or price. Still, the essential factor is how they interact with one another.

Once you are here, the memory card you want is intended to store videos.

	SanDisk High Endurance	SanDisk Extreme
Bus Type	UHS-I	UHS-I
Speed Class	U3	U3
Speed Class of the Video	V30	V30
Video Quality	4K	4K
Read Speed	100MB/S	150MB/S
Write Speed	40MB/S	70MB/S

Just like many other companies, SanDisk also offers a wide range of fantastic possibilities, each of which may be focused on a certain application or made to be versatile.

Regarding storing purposes relating to videos, the SanDisk High Endurance and Extreme are among the most popular, especially the High Endurance variation, because it is already labeled for the purpose. However, their specifications are nearly equal; thus, they will perform similarly.

Now, it’s time to discuss the performances of  SanDisk High Endurance and Extreme. You will see that both are claimed to be class 10 in terms of speed; however, this merely means that they are capable of at least 10MBps, with the High Endurance rated at 100MB/s and the Extreme rated at 90MB/s at the top.

In real-life usage, it has been observed that these figures are not exact, but they are close. The Extreme is faster at 99MB/s, while the former is 88MB/s when using the card reader.

These are some excellent statistics, and it appears that the write speed of the High Endurance is even more significant than the firm claims, as it was 40MB/s but was tested at about 65MB/s.

On the other hand, Extreme is still slightly ahead of the game, with a speed of 72MB/s. Based on the benchmark, claims and real-life performances are not always the same, but we believe they will be very similar in practice. Extreme has a capacity of up to 1TB, while High Endurance has a capacity of up to 256GB.

SanDisk Ultra Vs. Extreme Pro

There is a huge difference between the SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme Pro as one is low-end, and the other is top-end technology from SanDisk.

	SanDisk Ultra	SanDisk Extreme Pro
Bus Type	UHS-I	UHS-I
Speed Class	U1	U3
Speed Class of the Video	V10	V30
Video Quality	1080P	4K
Read Speed	120MB/S	170MB/S
Write Speed	Not States	90MB/S

As you can see in the table, it would be unjustified to compare them with each other. The SanDisk Ultra comes at the price of half of the SanDisk Extreme Pro, but the specification and lifetime warranty makes the Extreme Pro superior. And yes, that makes a big difference.

Both Cards are of the Secure Digital Extreme Capacity card type, but the SanDisk Ultra is specifically designed for casual photographers while Extreme Pro is completely for professionals. Let’s have a look at both cards in a bit more detail:

SanDisk Ultra: Is It Better Than SanDisk Extreme Pro?

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SanDisk Extreme Pro: Is It Better Than SanDisk Ultra?

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And we know that recording at higher resolutions and higher frames per second relies on a fast writing speed. Photographers and videographers often demand high-speed performance, and the OnePlus Ultra’s limited speeds will not cut it for 4K video or rapid burst mode shooting in RAW.

For point-and-shoot cameras, we recommend the Ultra SD card. For more advanced DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, choose the Extreme Pro for its compatibility and speed.

If you’re looking for a memory card purely for taking photos, there is no reason not to go for the Ultra SD card. However, if you are planning on recording 4k videos and shooting in burst mode, you will need better performance and speed, in which case the Extreme SD is ideal.

SanDisk Ultra Vs. Extreme Vs. Extreme Pro

All these SanDisk Ultra, Extreme, and Extreme Pro are discussed earlier in the article. In this part, you will find a proper comparison of all these different memory cards from SanDisk.

	SanDisk Extreme	SanDisk Extreme Pro (UHS-I)	SanDisk Extreme Pro (UHS-II)
Bus Type	UHS-I	UHS-I	UHS-II
Speed Class	U3	U3	U3
Speed Class of the Video	V30	V30	V90
Video Quality	4K Video	4K Video	8K Video
Read Speed	150MB/S	170MB/S	300MB/S
Write Speed	70MB/S	90MB/S	260MB/S

SanDisk Ultra: Is It Better Than SanDisk Extreme & Extreme Pro?

As you can see in the Chart as well that SanDisk Ultra does not support 4k video, it only comes with 1080p HD video recording. Also, DSLR and mirrorless cameras are not recommended.

It is better suited for point-and-shoot digital cameras, cellphones, tablets, and other such devices. SanDisk Ultra is available as SD or MicroSD cards with storage capacities ranging from 32GB to 256GB for SD cards and 32GB to 512GB for MicroSD cards.

It comes with a limited 10-year warranty. The Ultra does not provide the fastest rates and is intended for smartphones, tablets, and point-and-shoot cameras that do not require high speeds.

SanDisk Extreme Pro: Is It Better Than SanDisk Ultra & Extreme?

SanDisk Extreme Pro is designed for professional photography and filming. Therefore it comes with a higher price tag to reflect the usage. It is compatible with all DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, phones, and gaming consoles.

SanDisk Extreme Pro is available in both SD and MicroSD cards. Its storage capacity ranges from 32GB to 1TB. The Ultra has a UHS speed rating of U1, while the Extreme Pro has a U3 speed class, which implies that the Extreme Pro is three times faster.

SanDisk Extreme: Is It Better Than SanDisk Extreme Pro & Ultra?

Most of the things have already been discussed in the article. In its performance, the max write speed it provides is 90MB/s and a read speed of 150MB/s. The company’s top-end models are SanDisk’s Extreme and Extreme Pro SD cards. A maximum capacity of 1TB.

The Extreme was popular among amateurs and pros for several years because it was dependable, fault-free, and quick. You can take high-resolution videos or several photos in burst mode, and the card will process them in real time. There was, however, one drawback: the speed restriction.

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Conclusion

This article has covered a brief comparison of the SanDisk Ultra, Extreme, Extreme Pro, and SanDisk High Endurance. Choosing one depends on the user’s requirements. If you want more functionality, you will have to pay more for that. Read the article carefully before you make your final decision.