Best microSD Cards for Surface Pro Windows Central 2020

The latest Surface Pro 7 brings 10th Gen Intel Core processors and a USB-C port to a device that otherwise remains mostly the same from older models. That means you still have a microSD card reader with support for UHS-I speeds built into the Pro 7, ready to handle a bit of extra storage and quick transfers. If you don't already have a microSD card lying around or you want to upgrade to a card that will make the most of the reader in the Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro (2017), Pro 6, or Pro 7, here are our top picks.

U3 Rating: Samsung EVO Select

Staff budget pick

Samsung makes excellent storage, and it's no slouch in the microSD department. The EVO Select is available with up to 512GB of storage and has up to 100 MB/s read, and 90 MB/s write speeds. The 128GB is, no doubt, the best option for many people based on price for performance and size. A 10-year limited warranty is included for some extra peace of mind.

From $8 at Amazon

UHS-I and UHS-II: Delkin Prime 1900X

Upgrade pick

The Surface Pro 7 might max out at UHS-I, but you can take advantage of the UHS-II speeds this card offers with your other devices. It remains compatible with the Pro 7 and previous models, and it's available in 64GB or 128GB sizes. It costs a bit more than other options, but read speeds up to 300 MB/s will make a difference when in use with other devices.

From $68 at Amazon

Affordable Option: Silicon Power

Silicon Power's UHS-I microSD card is about as cheap as you'll find, but it's well-rated and offers read speeds up to 100 MB/s and write speeds up to 80 MB/s. It might not be the fastest, but it will undoubtedly get the job done on the cheap, and there's a five-year limited warranty to protect your purchase.

From $17 at Amazon

Reliable Storage: SanDisk Ultra

SanDisk offers eight different sizes in its Ultra lineup of microSD cards, starting with 16GB and going up to 512GB. This card is highly-rated and relatively cheap, making it a lethal combination with read speeds up to 100 MB/s. Go with the 200GB card to get plenty of storage at a great price.

From $12 at Amazon

High-Performance Storage: Lexar Professional 1000x

This UHS-II microSD card (backward compatible with UHS-I) is relatively affordable but offers read and write speeds up to 150 MB/s and 80 MB/s, respectively, in compatible devices. Grab it in a 32GB size or go up to 256GB, and take advantage of a lifetime warranty to protect your purchase.

From $28 at Amazon

Great for Video: PNY Pro Elite

If you're often dealing with video, the PNY Pro Elite makes a solid option. It's a Class 10 card and has a U3 rating, with read and write speeds up to 95 MB/s and 90 MB/s, respectively. The 512GB option has an A2 rating that makes it especially useful for power users who want to run apps straight from the card.

From $15 at Amazon

If we're picking a microSD card

Adding storage to your Surface Pro 7 doesn't have to happen before checkout. Thanks to the microSD card reader, you can carefully pick the right amount of storage, and save a good chunk of money in the process. Even if you have an older Pro model, they should all be compatible with the cards listed above. Still unsure which to grab first? We can make further recommendations.

Samsung's EVO Select is a reliable microSD option that comes at a very reasonable price. Thanks to a U3 rating, you get read speeds up to 100 MB/s and write speeds up to 90 MB/s, and you'll only pay about $17 for a 128GB card. You can go up to 512GB, which costs about $80. This is ideal if you're planning on only using the microSD card with your Surface Pro, as you're not paying for unnecessary UHS-II performance.

If, however, you do plan on swapping the microSD card between devices that can handle UHS-II performance, Delkin's 1900X is an excellent choice. It costs more at about $50 for a 64GB card, but you'll be able to hit up to 300 MB/s read speeds when used with compatible UHS-II devices. Despite its UHS-II classification, it should work fine in your Surface Pro, though at a reduced pace.

Looking for more hardware to complement your Surface Pro? Be sure to check out our roundup of the best overall accessories available now.

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