Data Storage

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Buying guide

microSD Express Cards

Our pick

Lexar Play Pro 1TB

Choose the Lexar PLAY PRO 1TB for a large handheld game library. Check that your device supports microSD Express and 1TB cards.1

Why this one

  • The 1TB card holds nearly twice as much as a 512GB card, leaving more room for installed games before you need to remove or archive them.12

Read the review

Compare the alternatives
Lexar Play Pro 1TB

The alternatives

Other contenders

  • PNY microSD Express Card 512GB

    Choose the PNY microSD Express 512GB if that capacity covers your library. Like the 1TB Lexar, it has a limited lifetime warranty.12

Buying advice

  • Check that your handheld supports microSD Express and the capacity you choose. Use an Express reader for Express computer transfers; older UHS-I slots use the cards’ UHS-I fallback.125

7 models / at a glance

Key differences

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7 products

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Models in this comparison

Every specification for these products
SpecificationLexar Play Pro 1TBPNY microSD Express Card 512GBSamsung P9 512GBSamsung P9 Express 256GBSamsung P9 Express 512GBSanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 256GBSanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 512GB
Capacity1,000 GB1512 GB2512 GB3256 GB4512 GB5256 GB6512 GB7
Rated sequential read speed900 MB/s (Host interface: Maximum speeds reached only when used with a microSD Express host device.; Test method: Speeds based on internal testing. Actual performance may vary.)8890 MB/s (Host: Requires a compatible host capable of the rated Express speeds; actual performance depends on host, settings and configuration.)2Up to 800 MB/s3800 MB/s (Host interface: SD Express; transfer speeds may be limited to UHS-I speeds depending on host compatibility; Test method: Maker internal testing using a PCIe test board; actual performance varies with host device, interface and usage; Tested configuration: P9 Express microSD card512GB in manufacturer performance footnote; selected256GB specification lists800 MB/s)4800 MB/s (Host interface: 800MB/s is the SD Express rating; the maker separately specifies UHS-I sequential read90MB/s.; Test method: Internal testing with the P9 Express512GB card on a PCIe test board; actual performance varies with host, interface and usage.)5880 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)6880 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)7
Rated sequential write speed600 MB/s (Host: Lexar microSD Express card reader; Host interface: Maximum speeds reached only when used with a microSD Express host device.; Test method: Speeds based on internal testing. Actual performance may vary.)8810 MB/s (Host: Requires a compatible host capable of the rated Express speeds; actual performance depends on host, settings and configuration.)2Not published200 MB/s9200 MB/s (Test method: Reviewer-stated rating for the256GB/512GB P9 line, not a measured512GB result; this review tested the256GB card. Samsung’s WW maker page does not publish a sequential-write rating.)9650 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)6650 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)7
WarrantyLimited lifetime1Limited lifetime2Three years3Three years (Workload: Warranty does not extend to dashcam, CCTV, surveillance camera and other write-intensive uses.)4Three years (Workload: Warranty excludes dashcam, CCTV, surveillance camera and other write-intensive uses.)5Limited lifetime (Duration: 30-year warranty in Germany, Canada and regions not recognizing lifetime warranty.)6Limited lifetime (Duration: 30-year warranty in Germany, Canada and regions not recognizing lifetime warranty.)7
Measured sequential write speed310.03 MB/s (Test method: CrystalDiskMark in its default flash memory settings)10Not publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Measured sequential read speed831.97 MB/s (Test method: CrystalDiskMark in its default flash memory settings)10Not publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot published
BrandLexar1PNY2Samsung3Samsung4Samsung11Sandisk6SANDISK7

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7 products

Samsung P9 Express 256GB, model photo 1

Samsung P9 Express 256GB

Warranty
Three years (Workload: Warranty does not extend to dashcam, CCTV, surveillance camera and other write-intensive uses.)4
Product image unavailableSamsung P9 Express 512GB

Samsung P9 Express 512GB

Warranty
Three years (Workload: Warranty excludes dashcam, CCTV, surveillance camera and other write-intensive uses.)5

How they compare

Scroll the table to see every product and specification.

SpecificationOur pickLexar Play Pro 1TBPNY microSD Express Card 512GBSamsung P9 512GBSamsung P9 Express 256GBSamsung P9 Express 512GBSanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 256GBSanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 512GB
Capacity1,000 GB1512 GB2512 GB3256 GB4512 GB5256 GB6512 GB7
Rated sequential read speed900 MB/s (Host interface: Maximum speeds reached only when used with a microSD Express host device.; Test method: Speeds based on internal testing. Actual performance may vary.)8890 MB/s (Host: Requires a compatible host capable of the rated Express speeds; actual performance depends on host, settings and configuration.)2Up to 800 MB/s3800 MB/s (Host interface: SD Express; transfer speeds may be limited to UHS-I speeds depending on host compatibility; Test method: Maker internal testing using a PCIe test board; actual performance varies with host device, interface and usage; Tested configuration: P9 Express microSD card512GB in manufacturer performance footnote; selected256GB specification lists800 MB/s)4800 MB/s (Host interface: 800MB/s is the SD Express rating; the maker separately specifies UHS-I sequential read90MB/s.; Test method: Internal testing with the P9 Express512GB card on a PCIe test board; actual performance varies with host, interface and usage.)5880 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)6880 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)7
Rated sequential write speed600 MB/s (Host: Lexar microSD Express card reader; Host interface: Maximum speeds reached only when used with a microSD Express host device.; Test method: Speeds based on internal testing. Actual performance may vary.)8810 MB/s (Host: Requires a compatible host capable of the rated Express speeds; actual performance depends on host, settings and configuration.)2Not published200 MB/s9200 MB/s (Test method: Reviewer-stated rating for the256GB/512GB P9 line, not a measured512GB result; this review tested the256GB card. Samsung’s WW maker page does not publish a sequential-write rating.)9650 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)6650 MB/s (Host interface: Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds.; Host interface: Performs at microSD™ UHS-I speeds when used with microSD™ UHS-I and microSD™ UHS-II devices.; Test method: Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.)7
WarrantyLimited lifetime1Limited lifetime2Three years3Three years (Workload: Warranty does not extend to dashcam, CCTV, surveillance camera and other write-intensive uses.)4Three years (Workload: Warranty excludes dashcam, CCTV, surveillance camera and other write-intensive uses.)5Limited lifetime (Duration: 30-year warranty in Germany, Canada and regions not recognizing lifetime warranty.)6Limited lifetime (Duration: 30-year warranty in Germany, Canada and regions not recognizing lifetime warranty.)7
Measured sequential write speed310.03 MB/s (Test method: CrystalDiskMark in its default flash memory settings)10Not publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Measured sequential read speed831.97 MB/s (Test method: CrystalDiskMark in its default flash memory settings)10Not publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot published
BrandLexar1PNY2Samsung3Samsung4Samsung11Sandisk6SANDISK7

Sources

  1. americas.lexar.com
  2. www.pny.com
  3. www.bhphotovideo.com
  4. www.samsung.com
  5. www.samsung.com
  6. www.sandisk.com
  7. www.sandisk.com
  8. resources.lexar.com
  9. www.thessdreview.com
  10. www.techradar.com
  11. www.samsung.com

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