Recent GoPro cameras need a microSD card rated V30 or faster, which means it can keep writing at 30MB/s or more without a break. Newer models such as the MAX2 and LIT HERO also ask for an A2 rating.
Pick any genuine card with those marks on the label and your GoPro will record at its full settings. None of the current cameras come with a card in the box, so you'll need to buy one either way.
That still leaves a lot of choice, and some cards handle long 5.3K sessions and summer heat far better than others. Below you'll find what each model needs, our picks for different kinds of filming, and what to do when a GoPro stops recording halfway through a run.
GoPro microSD Requirements by Model
|
Model
|
Minimum card rating
|
Top video resolution
|
|
HERO13 Black
|
V30 (UHS-I U3)
|
5.3K
|
|
HERO12 Black
|
V30 (UHS-I U3)
|
5.3K
|
|
HERO11 Black
|
V30 (UHS-I U3)
|
5.3K
|
|
MAX2
|
V30 and A2, up to 1TB
|
8K 360
|
|
LIT HERO
|
V30 and A2
|
4K
|
|
HERO (2024)
|
V30
|
4K
|
GoPro keeps an up to date record of cards it has tested on each camera, and GoPro's own list of tested microSD cards is worth a look before you buy. Older models from the HERO9 and HERO10 era use the same V30 baseline, so a card bought for a new GoPro will work in an old one too.
Two things are worth knowing before you spend extra. The HERO11, 12 and 13 have a UHS-I card slot, so a pricier UHS-II card with a V60 or V90 rating works but records no better.
And the newer microSD Express and SDUC cards look almost identical to regular ones but won't work in any of these GoPros at all.
The Best microSD Cards for GoPro
We've grouped these by what you film rather than by brand, since that's what actually decides which card suits you.
Best Overall: Digiera LT100
The Digiera LT100 microSD card covers every requirement on the list above. It's a UHS-I card rated U3, V30 and A2, with read and write speeds of up to 160MB/s and 150MB/s, and the 1TB version reads at up to 170MB/s.
That leaves plenty of headroom for 5.3K on a HERO13 or 8K 360 on a MAX2, and the A2 rating ticks the box for the MAX2 and LIT HERO. It's sold through Digiera's Amazon store.
Best Budget: Digiera CT100
For 4K on a HERO, a LIT HERO kept at its standard settings, or a spare card in the bag, the Digiera CT100 microSD card does the job for less. It carries the V30 rating GoPro asks for, reads at up to 100MB/s and comes with an SD adapter for your laptop.
It doesn't have the speed margin of the LT100, so we'd keep it for lighter work rather than long 5.3K sessions.
Best for Long 5.3K and 4K120 Sessions
A day spent mountain biking or surfing with 5.3K resolution and the highest bit rate is one of the most strenuous tests that you can throw at your memory card.
A V30 card will be perfect as long as its write speed is comfortably above 30MB/s, preferably with an endurance or high-temperature grade. A V30 card that barely meets the V30 requirements could become slower as the camera heats up.
Best for MAX2 and 8K 360
360 footage fills a card fast. The MAX2 manual asks for V30 and A2 and supports cards up to 1TB, so a 512GB or 1TB card is the sensible size if you plan to shoot more than a few short clips a day.
Best for Travel
If you travel far away, it is better to have two cards of 256GB each rather than a 1TB card. If any gets lost during your journey to the airport or gets wet, then you won’t lose all your footage.
Why Your GoPro Stops Recording at 5.3K (and How to Fix It)
The HERO11, 12, and 13 have a max bitrate of 120 Mbps, equating to a speed of 15 MB/s, which means that a V30 memory card is twice as fast as necessary. Most cards are advertised by their peak speed, though, and a GoPro needs steady speed.
If the card can't keep up for the length of a clip, the camera's buffer fills and it stops recording, sometimes showing an SD error. Heat makes it worse, because both the camera and the card slow down when they get hot.
Fake cards are another common cause, since they often can't hold any speed at all once they've been written to for a minute.
-
Use a genuine V30 card from a store you trust. Counterfeit cards are common on marketplaces and they fail exactly this test.
-
Format the card in the GoPro before every trip. On the HERO11, 12 and 13 the option sits under Preferences > Reset > Format SD Card, which sounds like a factory reset but only clears the card. As compared to deletion, removal of files from the computer leaves fragments that make the card slow.
-
Drop the bitrate before you drop the resolution. Switching from High to Standard bitrate cuts the write load a lot while keeping 5.3K.
-
Give the camera some airflow. Long recordings on a hot day, sitting still and out of the wind, push GoPros into thermal shutdowns as well.
-
Keep the camera's firmware up to date. GoPro often fixes card compatibility issues in updates.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
The figures below are rough estimates. Actual time depends on your settings, how busy the scene is and the model you use.
|
Card size
|
High bitrate (about 120 Mbps)
|
Standard bitrate (about 60 Mbps)
|
|
64GB
|
About 1 hour
|
About 2.5 hours
|
|
128GB
|
About 2.5 hours
|
About 4.5 hours
|
|
256GB
|
About 4.5 hours
|
About 9 hours
|
|
512GB
|
About 9.5 hours
|
About 19 hours
|
For most people, 128GB to 256GB is the sweet spot, which is enough for a full day of riding or a weekend away without having to clear the card. You can compare capacities and ratings across Digiera's SD and microSD cards.
FAQs
What microSD card does a GoPro need?
Recent GoPros need a microSD card rated V30 or faster, and the MAX2 and LIT HERO also ask for A2. Those ratings guarantee the card can keep writing at 30MB/s, which the cameras need for their highest quality settings.
What is the best SD card for the GoPro HERO13 Black?
Any genuine V30 UHS-I card works, but one with plenty of speed above the minimum handles long 5.3K clips and heat better. The Digiera LT100, rated up to 150MB/s write, is our pick for most HERO13 owners.
What is the biggest microSD card a GoPro can use?
The HERO11, 12 and 13 work with regular microSDXC cards right up to 1TB and beyond, and the MAX2 manual lists support for cards up to 1TB. Just avoid SDUC and microSD Express cards, which none of these cameras can read, and remember that two smaller cards are safer than one huge one when you travel.
Why does my GoPro say SD card error?
The common reasons for such an issue include slow SD card, counterfeit SD card, computer-formatted SD card, and an old one. It is recommended to copy all footage from it, reformat it through the camera settings, and get a new real V30 SD card in case the problem persists.
Should I format a new card in the GoPro?
You should, and it's worth doing before every trip as well. On the HERO11, 12 and 13 you'll find it under Preferences > Reset > Format SD Card. Formatting in the camera sets up the file system the way the GoPro expects, which avoids errors and keeps write speeds steady.
Can I use the same card in my GoPro and my drone?
In most cases you can, because drones and GoPros look for the same V30 rating. Format the card in whichever device you're about to use, and copy footage off first, since formatting erases everything.
